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

Speaking of Zhu Wenzheng, Zhu Di also looked helpless.

Who doesn't know the importance of the Battle of Hongdu?

Who wouldn't know that Zhu Wenzheng, who made outstanding contributions in this battle, deserves a reward?

He, Zhu Di, knew this, and Old Zhu, of course, knew it even better.

However, Zhu Wenzheng had once said something that Old Zhu greatly admired, and he kept it in mind.

“When we first captured Yingtian Prefecture, my father wanted to reward Zhu Wenzheng and directly asked him what official position he wanted.”

However, Zhu Wenzheng's reply at the time was, "If the great cause is accomplished, why worry about not being rich and powerful? Granting official positions to relatives first will make it difficult to win over the people!"

Li Er: "..."

"Although I think what this person said makes a lot of sense, and Old Zhu should be very happy to hear it, if nothing unexpected happens, a misunderstanding will likely arise from this?"

“That’s right. My father took his words to heart and remembered his merits. He rewarded the other generals first.”

"However, Zhu Wenzheng was instigated by villains, which led him to have a moment of despair and want to join Zhang Shicheng. This matter was exposed, and I don't need to say anything more about what happened after that."

Zhu Di nodded somewhat helplessly.

Zhu Wenzheng is a formidable general, without a doubt.

Twenty thousand soldiers defended against a sixty thousand-strong army, holding out in Hongdu for eighty-five days.

Not to mention those under Zhu Yuanzhang at that time, there are very few people in history who could do this!

"That is indeed true, it's such a pity."

Li Er finally understood.

Zhu Wenzheng's tragedy stemmed from a series of coincidences.

It just so happens that he made such a humble remark when he captured Yingtian Prefecture, and it just so happens that Old Zhu kept those words in mind.

Just after the Battle of Hongdu ended, he forgot about this matter, and coincidentally, at this time, some villains were stirring up trouble around him.

A series of coincidences determined his fate.

Was Zhu Wenzheng wrong?

In the Battle of Hongdu, he defended against Chen Youliang's 600,000-strong army with 20,000 troops for a full 85 days, ensuring that Hongdu would not fall!

Is there any problem with him wanting to be rewarded for such meritorious service?

Any emperor would have rewarded him without hesitation.

But was Old Zhu wrong?

That seems to be correct.

The original words, "There is no need to bestow honors upon relatives first," came from Zhu Wenzheng.

Is it wrong for him to keep his merits in mind and reward them all at once after he has achieved great success?

If these words were spoken outright, Zhu Wenzheng would have no objection whatsoever.

However, one of them assumed the other was fully aware of the situation, while the other felt their contribution was being overlooked.

"So Old Zhu killed him?"

Zhao Kuangyin asked.

"He wasn't killed, but dismissed from his post and placed under house arrest. Later, his descendants were granted the title of king."

"It can be said that my father has not forgotten the merits he made."

Zhu Di's tone was complex.

Although most of the princes in the Ming Dynasty, apart from a few who guarded the borders, were princes in name only without real power.

However, the fact that Zhu Wenzheng's son was granted the title of prince shows that Zhu did not overlook the merits he had made, but rather remembered them one by one.

"It's both sad and lamentable, but Old Zhu's reward was enough to show him respect."

Li Er nodded silently.

"But since Zhu Wenzheng managed to hold out for eighty-five days until Zhu's reinforcements arrived, Chen Youliang must be nearing his end, right?"

Ying Zheng's focus was clearly on the assessment itself.

After all, what is happening now is what he will experience in the near future.

"Indeed, Chen Youliang was a usurper who declared himself emperor. His army was demoralized and suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Zhu Yuanzhang. Even if he still had the advantage in terms of troop strength, he might not be able to exert any advantage in front of Zhu Yuanzhang."

"Moreover, the fact that an army of 600,000 failed to capture Hongdu after 85 days was also a huge blow to morale."

"Old Zhu should win this battle."

As soon as Liu Bang finished speaking, the writing on the sky began to change.

Zhu Wenzheng successfully defended Hongdu.

Even so, Chen Youliang still held the advantage in troop strength.

With 600,000 against 200,000, Chen Youliang mobilized all his forces for this battle, and Zhu Yuanzhang also staked almost his entire fortune.

The decisive battle between the two sides took place at Poyang Lake, and the battle lasted for a total of thirty-six days.

The battle was so fierce that no one dared to say they were guaranteed a victory until a winner was decided.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang's army had the advantage in morale, Chen Youliang had more troops and his navy had larger and sturdier ships.

Both sides had their strengths and weaknesses, and after dozens of days of fighting, both sides suffered heavy casualties.

In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang used a fire attack with a small boat, a near-suicidal tactic!

As the fire spread through Chen Youliang's fleet, Chen Han suffered a complete defeat, and this ruthless warlord was killed by a stray arrow in the chaos.

"Fire attack breaks through the ship formation; two hundred thousand defeat six hundred thousand..."

"Why does this battle situation sound so familiar?"

Liu Shan blinked his adorable big eyes, unintentionally piercing the hearts of some people.

Mr. Cao said his heart was bleeding.

This is just a repeat of the Battle of Red Cliffs!

"How could they not look familiar? Some people should have even experienced it firsthand, right?"

"However, Cao Cao was lucky; after the fire destroyed the ships, he was still able to return alive."

"Chen Youliang was not so lucky, or rather, his fate was deserved."

Li Er said with a smile.

Although the scenes were similar, the two sides were in completely different situations.

Chen Youliang's move was a desperate gamble after a series of defeats, while Cao Cao's was a southward campaign to unify the north.

Cao Cao: “…”

I don't want to talk, so could you all please say less?

Fortunately, the writing on the canopy did not remain for long.

After defeating Chen Youliang, Zhu Yuanzhang seized the opportunity to declare himself King of Wu, captured Wuchang, and completely annexed Chen Youliang's Chen Han.

The following year, he led his army to attack Zhang Shicheng, capturing several cities in one fell swoop and driving Zhang Shicheng's forces out of the Jiangbei region.

After consolidating his gains, Zhu Yuanzhang issued a proclamation to formally launch a campaign against Zhang Shicheng.

Most things that followed went smoothly.

The proclamation had just been issued, and before the army even reached the city gates, several cities surrendered one after another, leaving Pingjiang, where Zhang Shicheng was located, an isolated city.

But there were also things that upset him during this process.

For example, when preparing to besiege Pingjiang City, Zhu Yuanzhang sent someone to bring Han Lin'er, the Little Ming King, to Yingtian.

He originally planned to defeat Zhang Shicheng, unify Jiangnan, and then force Han Lin'er to abdicate and become emperor.

He even prepared all the necessary procedures for the abdication in Yingtian Prefecture.

But what no one expected was that when Han Lin'er was crossing the river, the boat leaked and sank to the bottom, disappearing without a trace.

Zhao Kuangyin: "..."

"Was this really an accident? It wasn't Old Zhu who sent someone to do it?"

He had some doubts.

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang was already preparing to become emperor, and he had sufficient reason to do so.

"I don't think so. At least for Zhu Yuanzhang, abdication would make him inherit the Song Dynasty's legitimacy more legitimately. He has no reason to kill Han Lin'er."

"It seems more like his subordinates were making wild guesses about his intentions, which backfired."