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

"But if that's the case..."

Zhu Di suddenly felt a little puzzled.

The name "Fu Song" was recorded by historians.

According to historical records, Lin'an was a place where every household had surplus grain and everyone was safe and well.

If the imperial court really does take advantage of the situation, where will the people of Lin'an get their surplus grain?

After he expressed his doubts, most of the people outside the canopy were also puzzled.

Logically speaking, the historian's records should be correct.

"Even the history books compiled by the Jurchens describe the wealth of the Song Dynasty. Surely they wouldn't cover up the wealth of their vassal state?"

Upon seeing the words "vassal state," a vein involuntarily appeared on Zhao Kuangyin's forehead.

But at the same time, he was just as curious.

Zhu Di's words were so detailed and convincing that he couldn't help but be surprised.

Such records and historical texts conflict with the images on the sky.

Judging from the footage, the people were not exactly destitute, but at least not wealthy.

Especially after the imperial court had just forcibly collected the annual tribute, only a minority of the people could afford to eat!

Either the historical records are wrong, or...

Just as countless people were pondering this, the image was shattered.

Countless officials from the imperial court appeared among them.

"Is the annual tribute collected?"

"We've got them all."

"How are the common people?"

"The vast majority of the people are willing to pay taxes to help the court collect its annual tribute in exchange for peace."

"The vast majority?"

"Those who lacked a sense of the bigger picture were a minority, but after patient persuasion from the officials below, they still donated all their family property."

……

"So you mean the people of Lin'an have become much poorer because of the upcoming annual tribute?"

"Yes, but generally speaking, we can still get by."

"That won't do either. The Prime Minister is kind-hearted and can't stand seeing poor people. Don't you know that?"

"That……"

"Bring in a new group of people who aren't poor. Lin'an isn't a place where just cats and dogs can live."

……

"Your Majesty, the people of Lin'an are quite sensible. They know that the court wants to exchange annual tribute for peace, and everyone is willing to give up their family property."

"Oh?"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that the people are prosperous and have collected their annual tribute, which will not affect the prosperity of Lin'an."

"Indeed, it seems that under my rule, the lives of the people have improved considerably."

"His Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler throughout the ages. To be able to live under his rule is a blessing that the people have accumulated over three lifetimes!"

……

"Have those troublemakers who were clamoring to file a complaint with the emperor been dealt with?"

"Don't worry, we've done this so many times, we're very skilled at it, we won't miss anything."

"What about the migrants? We need to prepare the fat sheep for next year in advance. In case the emperor suddenly becomes interested in seeing it, we can't let him see an empty Lin'an."

"The arrangements are all in place. Lin'an will remain prosperous and bustling, just with a different group of people."

"That's good. Here's a tip. Go drink some wine, and remember to stay away from the Jurchens."

"Thank you, sir."

……

With each word spoken, the fate of the people of Lin'an was decided.

Hearing these people speak so righteously, not to mention Zhao Kuangyin, most emperors throughout history would have been unable to hold back.

Old Zhu glanced suspiciously behind him.

"You're not going to try to fool us like this, are you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the officials trembled with fear.

Your Majesty, who would dare to fool you like this!

Only in the Song Dynasty, under the incompetent rule of Zhao Gou, would officials dare to do such a thing.

If it were under the rule of Emperor Hongwu, any commoner who had escaped the net would have arrived in the capital with an imperial edict and banged on the drum to appeal for justice.

Given the gravity of this case, it's estimated that by dawn tomorrow, the skins of countless officials and their entire families will be hanging all over the capital.

Seeing that no one responded to him, Old Zhu didn't care and just snorted coldly.

"If I find out that any of you dare to deceive me like this, you'll be sorry!"

During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Er's expression also looked somewhat strange.

"Auxiliary engineer, is this how all officials deceive their superiors and cover things up?"

Changsun Wuji: “…”

"Your Majesty, what are you saying?!"

"How could there be such treacherous officials and villains in the Tang Dynasty court!"

Before Changsun Wuji could speak, Wei Zheng stepped forward.

"If there are truly such treacherous officials in the court, Your Majesty need not worry. Between me and them, only one will survive!"

Seeing him roll up his sleeves and look so angry, Li Er was somewhat speechless.

"Minister Wei, I know you can't tolerate even the slightest injustice, but the question is, in this court, who can you defeat?"

Wei Zheng: “…”

"Your Majesty, regardless of whether I can win or not, if there are such treacherous officials in the court, I will certainly be their sworn enemy!"

During the Han Dynasty.

Liu Bang glanced at him sideways.

The group of people immediately lowered their heads and trembled.

“I know that although you people are not this arrogant, you have more or less abused your power because of your achievements.”

Upon hearing this, many people shrank back.

Liu Bang didn't care whether these people responded or not; he simply said calmly.

"I can't be bothered to investigate the petty things you've done, but there's one thing I'll remember."

"Don't think of yourselves as great heroes of the Han Dynasty, and don't take yourselves too seriously. In the eyes of others, you are great heroes of the Han Dynasty, but I know what you are, and you yourselves know it too."

"The work you've done, even a random dog you pick up from the roadside could do it. You're more like a pack of meritorious dogs than heroes!"

“I usually don’t bother with trivial matters, but if what happened in the sky happens in my Great Han, then you old dogs can just wait to be cooked in a pot!”

What founding heroes?

If something can be replaced, then it doesn't count as a meritorious act!

Among these people, only Zhang Liang and Han Xin remained relatively calm, while even Xiao He's expression was somewhat unnatural.

After saying this, Liu Bang didn't look at them anymore, but instead turned to look at the sky.

The fragmented images from before have vanished, and the sky has returned to complete darkness.

The handwriting slowly emerged from the darkness.

Although Zhao Shen had never seen it with his own eyes, he could roughly guess what kind of absurd life the people were living.

But he also knew that if he couldn't ascend the throne, nothing could be changed.

So he followed his teacher Shi Hao's advice and tried his best to cater to Zhao Gou's preferences.

He needs to secure the fairest possible environment.

Through his tireless efforts, Zhao Gou decided to give the two men a relatively fair test.

Zhao Shen copied the Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion seven hundred times, while Zhao Qu did not change a single word.

Zhao Shen bestowed ten palace maids upon each of them, and treated them with great courtesy, while all the palace maids around Zhao Qu were deflowered.

In addition, Zhao Shen was usually extremely humble, while Zhao Qu was more flamboyant.

After undergoing one test after another, Zhao Gou secretly decided on his choice.

Until the 29th year of the Shaoxing era, after Empress Dowager Wei passed away, the last obstacle to Zhao Shen becoming a prince disappeared.

The following year, Zhao Shen was finally made a prince.