The video takes us to ancient times; Li Er transforms into the Tongtian Emperor of Shu Han.

What face does Guo Zixing have?

During the infighting within the Red Turban Army, he nearly lost his life several times. If it weren't for Zhu De risking his life to save him, he would have been dead long ago.

Later, when Guo Zixing was ostracized by the other marshals of the Red Turban Army and was almost annexed, it was Zhu De who captured Chuzhou and welcomed him over.

Even though Guo Zixing only had a little over 10,000 troops under his command, Zhu Yuanzhang handed over the command of 30,000 troops without hesitation.

Such illustrious achievements deserve no reward whatsoever; it wouldn't be excessive for Guo Zixing to kneel down and kowtow to Zhu Yuanzhang!

"This isn't just petty; he really doesn't know his own limitations."

There are many mediocre people like Guo Zixing in historical records.

Lacking ability himself, he also cannot fully trust talented subordinates.

Aside from being a hindrance, it has no positive use whatsoever.

In short, he was inferior to Liu Shan!

"If I were Zhu Yuanzhang, and he were to become so close to such a treacherous person and then doubt me the moment I handed over military power, then his head would be hanging on the city gate before sunrise tomorrow."

Xiang Yu replied in an equally irritable tone.

Even though Xiong Xin had long harbored suspicions towards him, he would never dare to show any distrust openly.

Those who cannot distinguish between the king and the king have no right to survive in chaotic times!

"But Lao Zhu didn't really have a choice."

"Do you think that having 30,000 troops at your disposal, and with Chuzhou City as your garrison, is enough to make you feel secure?"

“Think about it carefully, think about his background, and what he will have to face after he starts his own business.”

Li Er thought for a moment and said.

At the beginning, he shared the same view as Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, and others.

Everyone felt that Zhu was too pedantic and too blindly loyal.

However, after careful consideration, I realized that something was wrong.

They brought their own backgrounds and emotions into Lao Zhu's life.

When Li Er truly put himself in Zhu's shoes and considered things from Zhu's perspective, he could understand Zhu's cautiousness.

No matter how incompetent Guo Zixing was, he was still the marshal of the Han-Song Red Turban Army.

With his name on the table, Zhu De's only enemy was Yuan Ting.

Once he betrays Guo Zixing, the Red Turban Army will all be his enemy, and his 30,000 men and Chuzhou City will become easy prey in the eyes of various marshals!

Ultimately, Old Zhu was simply too inexperienced and came from a poor background.

Even among the Red Turban Army, a peasant uprising, he came from the lowest social class.

Compared to those who have already gained fame early on, he has to be careful in everything he does to cultivate his reputation.

After seeing Li Er's helpful reminder, many people immediately realized what he meant.

Indeed, when they read the immortals' accounts, they were all too immersed in them.

They immersed themselves in Lao Zhu's life, but overlooked one point.

Old Zhu's background and other conditions were far inferior to theirs.

They can do whatever they want, but not with Lao Zhu.

He has no room for error; one mistake and he loses everything!

"I understand. That's why he obediently handed over his military power, partly to repay Guo Zixing's kindness in recognizing his talent."

"Secondly, it was to push Guo Zixing to the forefront again, making him the target of the Red Turban Army's internal strife and the Mongol Yuan Dynasty."

"The third is to cultivate one's reputation for unparalleled benevolence and righteousness!"

For Zhu Yuanzhang, he appeared to have paid the price of 30,000 troops and the city of Chuzhou, but in reality, he gained many advantages!

"Moreover, there is something even more important."

"These 30,000 troops were personally trained by Zhu De. Do you think they would actually obey orders just because he said he would transfer military power to Guo Zixing?"

"If the army is truly so obedient, why should you, my colleagues, worry about your merits overshadowing the ruler?"

Zhao Kuangyin also understood, and at the same time, he thought of something else.

He thought of the thing he feared most.

Those generals of the past were all his subordinates, which led to the Chenqiao Mutiny and his ascension to the throne.

The fundamental reason for this is that neither the generals nor the soldiers under their command ever recognized the so-called marshal and military power.

The vast majority of people only recognize the person who subdued and trained them from beginning to end.

"It seems that Zhu De handed over military power to Guo Zixing, but in reality, he still kept it in his own hands?"

Clearly, some people still don't understand.

Fortunately, Zhao Kuangyin had good patience.

"The military power has indeed been transferred to Guo Zixing. As long as he doesn't want to touch Zhu Yuanzhang, the military power is his. Zhu Yuanzhang can't take it back, and he won't take it back either."

"But if Guo Zixing wants to make trouble for Lao Zhu, once the news gets out, those 30,000 men will let him know what it means to not dismantle a bridge after crossing the river."

"Furthermore, if anything happens to Guo Zixing, those 30,000 men will still only recognize Lao Zhu. So, in handing over military power, Lao Zhu is not at a loss. On the contrary, he has bought insurance for his own life."

Just as he was patiently explaining, the writing on the sky changed.

After Guo Zixing took over the command of Chuzhou City and the 30,000 troops, he clashed with the Yuan court several times.

During this time, someone tried to sow discord in front of him, saying that Zhu Yuanzhang never put in any effort when fighting against the Yuan army.

This was an obvious slander and provocation, and the person who provoked it probably didn't even intend to convince Guo Zixing; at most, they just wanted to annoy Zhu Yuanzhang.

But Guo Zixing believed it!

Therefore, in the subsequent battles with the Yuan court, he forcibly ordered Zhu Yuanzhang to lead a small number of his own troops out of the city to meet the enemy.

Fortunately, Zhu himself was quite capable, and he always took the lead in every battle, ensuring that the morale of his soldiers was always at its peak.

Even when facing the Yuan court's cavalry, he was still invincible!

Thanks to his own strength, Zhu Yuanzhang survived many battles against the Yuan Dynasty.

But he also knew that if he didn't dispel Guo Zixing's suspicions about him, sooner or later he would die on the battlefield against the Mongol Yuan.

Even if he did have a backup plan, it would be useless at that time!

Fortunately, at this time, his wife, Madam Ma, played a very important role. Although she was only an adopted daughter, she could still have a say in the Guo family's inner quarters.

Later, Ma presented most of the gold and silver jewelry in her home to Guo Zixing's wife, which finally dispelled her suspicions about Zhu Yuanzhang.

Only then was Zhu Yuanzhang able to act freely again.

In January of the following year, he led his army to capture Hezhou and reformed military discipline in the city, prohibiting his soldiers from abducting women and robbing civilians.

In a short period of time, his soldiers were transformed, and while maintaining strict military discipline, Zhu Yuanzhang's name was also deeply imprinted in the hearts of the people of Hezhou.

Just as he was enjoying popular support, Guo Zixing passed away.

"Double happiness!"

Li Er couldn't help but sigh.

With Guo Zixing dead, Old Zhu was truly a trapped dragon ascending to heaven!

No one can restrain him anymore, and no one can use the words "gratitude for being recognized" to bind him!

"Holy crap, could this have been done by Old Zhu's men?"