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

The Luo River is quite effective.

One sentence made Sima Yi's face turn ashen, and also caused a huge uproar in the sky.

It seems that's really the case!

"Old Cao, you were absolutely right!"

"After Sima Yi swore an oath by the Luo River, but then turned around and slaughtered Cao Shuang's entire family, Sima Shi died suddenly, and Sima Zhao also died of illness. Although Sima Yan was still relatively normal, the rest of the time was unbearable to watch."

The Sima family, through four generations of successors, finally gained control of the empire, but nearly perished at the hands of the fifth generation.

Perhaps this is the price of breaking a promise made on behalf of the Luo River.

"However, even though Wen Yang's bravery frightened Sima Shi to death, Cao Mao's situation did not change at all."

"The influence of the Sima family in the court cannot be collapsed by the death of Sima Shi; at least Sima Zhao is still around."

After a brief moment of surprise, Liu Bang shifted his perspective back to Cao Mao's, and still found it incredibly difficult.

After Cao Shuang's death, the Cao clan was either purged and executed, imprisoned, or, if they were lucky, given a sinecure.

It can be said that the Great Wei had long since changed its surname to Sima. The death of Sima Shi might affect the power distribution between the Sima clan and other powerful families, but it would absolutely not give the Cao family the slightest chance.

At this stage, all the major clans had received promises from the Sima family, promises that the Cao family would never grant.

Cao Mao's opponents were no longer just the Sima clan, but the entire powerful and influential families of the Wei Dynasty!

They were all waiting, waiting for the Sima clan to rise to power, and then they would swarm in and divide up the entire Cao Wei group!

"Even if Sima Shi were to die, or even if Sima Zhao were to die, the Cao family would still have nothing to do with it."

After watching for so long, Ying Zheng finally couldn't help but speak up.

Even from his perspective, Cao Mao had absolutely no hope of turning the tide.

"That's right. I even feel that Cao Mao's situation at this time is more difficult than Liu Xie's."

"After all, Liu Xie only had to face Cao Cao, while Cao Mao had to face the powerful families of the entire Wei Dynasty who all wanted to divide up the fruits of the Cao family's success."

Liu Bang nodded.

Although I haven't personally experienced or read about that period of history, it's not difficult to analyze the information revealed only from the sky.

Cao Mao's rivals were no longer limited to the Sima clan.

He was facing the entire powerful families of the Great Wei, who had all sided with the Sima clan in order to divide up the Great Wei.

"Indeed, if it is a true reversal of fortune, then I think that Liu Xie has a greater chance of restoring the Han Dynasty, and it is also simpler."

Li Er quite agreed with this statement.

After all, Liu Xie still had many people loyal to the Han Dynasty around him, while Cao Mao had nothing around him; even his personal maids and eunuchs were from the Sima clan.

"So what you're talking about isn't a real comeback, but rather... a barely sustainable survival, or a comeback in some other sense, right?"

Upon hearing Li Er's words, Ying Zheng quickly realized what was going on.

That makes sense!

If Cao Mao had truly been able to overthrow the Sima family and reorganize the power of Cao Wei under such circumstances, then even if he failed to achieve unification, his name should still be on the list of wise rulers!

This situation was far more difficult than that of most of their founding emperors!

"A comeback in another sense?"

"They can't just refuse the abdication, can they? That would only mean they die silently in the palace, and then become another puppet of the Cao family. What other use would they have?"

Liu Che said he couldn't think of a second possibility.

Even if Sima Shi died, in his view, it would not help Cao Mao in the slightest. The so-called opportunity was nothing but a mirage.

"That is indeed the case. It is foreseeable that if he refuses to abdicate today, he will be found dead in the palace tomorrow morning, and a new puppet will ascend the throne the day after tomorrow."

"In this situation, no matter who goes up, the result probably won't be good."

Liu Bei nodded in agreement.

Although he usually referred to Cao Cao as a traitor, he couldn't help but think about it at this moment.

If you were Cao Mao, what would you do to turn the tide?

"Emperor Zhaolie, what are you being modest about? The succubi of your Han Dynasty over the past few generations are no joke. Putting everything else aside, if it were you going up there, you would actually have a chance!"

Li Er laughed.

Liu Bei: "..."

Even though I know they're praising themselves, the word "succubus" doesn't sound like a compliment at all!

How did he, a grown man, become a succubus?

As these people chattered on, Cao Cao gained a clearer understanding of the situation Cao Mao was currently facing.

In summary, it can be summed up in three words.

Hopeless!

According to wise rulers like Li Er, only Liu Bei, or even Emperor Guangwu or Emperor Taizu Gaozu, had a chance to save them.

That's no different from being completely beyond saving.

Mr. Cao was very self-aware; he knew his descendants might not be stupid, but they probably wouldn't reach that top level.

But the more this was the case, the more curious he became.

How exactly did Cao Mao manage to turn the tables as the immortals spoke of?

After quelling the rebellion, on his way back to the capital, Sima Shi could no longer hold on.

Knowing that his days were numbered, he ordered Sima Zhao to be summoned from Luoyang to Xuchang and personally handed the general's command to his younger brother.

Cao Mao seized this opportunity and issued an edict ordering Sima Zhao to remain in Xuchang and ordering Minister Fu Gu to lead a large army back to the capital, while simultaneously beginning to plan and prepare.

He wanted to take advantage of the time after Sima Shi's death and Sima Zhao's absence from the capital to launch a coup by using the vacant position of Grand General!

Even if they cannot completely overthrow the Sima clan's prestige, they should at least regain some initiative.

Unfortunately, although Sima Zhao was far inferior to his brother, he could still clearly sense that Cao Mao was plotting something.

Although he didn't think the young emperor could do anything to change the current situation, he decided to avoid trouble and ignored the imperial edict, personally leading his troops back to Luoyang.

This action completely shattered Cao Mao's illusions.

Faced with Sima Zhao's return to the capital, even if he was unwilling, he had no choice but to bestow upon him the title of Grand General.

He was granted the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, did not have to bow when entering the court, and was not required to use his name when being praised and worshipped. He was also granted the Nine Bestowments and the title of Duke of Jin.

This was originally intended by Cao Mao to be given to Sima Zhao along with the position of Grand General.

However, Sima Zhao saw through his cleverness once again, accepting only the position of Grand General and declining all the others.

Even at this point, he still remembered that he was playing the good cop. Although the three-piece set of traitor's suit was good, it was far less effective than cultivating his reputation step by step and finally ascending the throne!

From that moment on, Cao Mao deeply realized that he, the emperor, was a complete puppet.

What he gives to others, they don't even bother to accept!

From then on, he tried several times to bestow the title of Duke of Jin upon Sima Zhao, but was refused each time.

Each time, he could see the mockery in Sima Zhao's expression.

It was as if they were mocking the throne he sat on, saying it was just an empty shell!