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

"In fact, Your Majesty need not be in a hurry regarding the Empress Dowager's side. We can discuss it after we have tested Guanqiu Jian's son."

As he walked toward the inner palace, Liu Bang recalled Zhang Liang's earlier advice.

Just to be on the safe side, it's fine for him to wait a little longer.

After all, there is still a long time before Guanqiu Jian rebels, and there is enough time to slowly test the waters.

The problem is that Zhang Liang can't help with getting past the Empress Dowager; he has to do it himself.

Stretching out the head is also a knife, and shrinking the head is also a knife.

In the end, Liu Bang himself had to take the blow!

Moreover, he might need to test others, but there was absolutely no need to test the Empress Dowager!

"Are you really going?"

"Emperor Gaozu has held a high position for many years. I reckon it's been quite a while since he's ever bowed and scraped to anyone, hasn't it?"

“I am now worried that the Emperor Gaozu will give himself away as soon as he opens his mouth.”

"After all, his conversation with Zhang Liang in the palace just now, his tone, it was as if he had been in power for many years, how could he be the slightest bit like a puppet emperor."

"Although Cao Mao was nominally the emperor, he must have acted with great caution, unlike Emperor Gaozu..."

"Indeed, it was a bit too imposing."

Those outside the canopy shook their heads as they watched Liu Bang's imposing gait.

Given Cao Mao's status, he shouldn't have been so arrogant in the palace.

Besides, do you really think this palace belongs to your Han Dynasty?

If it were Liu Bang's Han Dynasty, you could raise your hand and say you want to kill someone, even if that person was a general with military power, and they would still be killed without daring to resist in the slightest.

But this is the Great Wei, and you are Emperor Cao Mao of the Great Wei, who has no power whatsoever!

With your arrogant demeanor, those who know you would think you're going to beg the Empress Dowager, while those who don't would think you're going to kill her!

However, just when most people were lamenting their loss.

When Liu Bang saw the old eunuch outside the Empress Dowager's palace gate, his expression suddenly changed.

His fawning demeanor was a stark contrast to his imposing and domineering presence just moments before.

"Your Excellency, I have come to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May I announce my arrival?"

Seeing his appearance, the old eunuch merely glanced at him and nodded.

"Wait here."

Judging from his practiced manner, Cao Mao probably received the same treatment in the past.

Liu Bang wasn't annoyed.

He rose from humble beginnings to become emperor thanks to many skills, one of which was the ability to be flexible and adaptable.

After waiting quietly for a moment, the old eunuch came out.

"Go in, but the Empress Dowager is a little tired today. Please come with me quickly so as not to delay her rest."

After saying that, the old eunuch turned and left.

That nonchalant attitude showed absolutely no sign that he was being treated like an emperor.

Given their status and circumstances, even this dead eunuch could look down on them so disrespectfully.

What a pathetic thing it must have been for an emperor.

Liu Bang gave a wry smile and quickly followed.

People have to bow their heads under the roof.

One day when I have power, I will kill all of you snobbish dogs!

Following the old eunuch into Yongning Palace, Liu Bang didn't utter a single word along the way.

When he met Empress Dowager Guo, he bowed and greeted her with utmost respect. His movements were so perfect that even people outside the celestial veil would think that this guy might have suddenly been possessed by Cao Mao.

How could the transition be so natural!

But the moment Liu Bang finished bowing and looked up to speak, everyone instantly knew the truth.

That's right, it's still the same Emperor Gaozu of Han!

"Mother, today when I was reading, I came across a sentence that I felt was not accurately explained in the book, so I came to ask for your guidance."

read?

Empress Dowager Guo was about to say that people shouldn't ask her about cultural matters, as she didn't know either.

But Liu Bang did not give her a chance to speak.

"Mother, may I ask what the meaning of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold' is?

"Does my son not know the saying 'borrowing a path to attack Guo, only to be left vulnerable if the lips are gone'?"

Empress Guo frowned; if it was something profound, she naturally wouldn't know.

But even a small picture book should have read about the story of the Jin state borrowing a route to attack the Guo state in the past.

Why would Cao Mao, who is usually good at studying, ask such a simple question today?

"I understand the principle of 'borrowing a path to attack Guo, and then Yu will suffer the loss of its people,' and it seems that the Empress Dowager understands it as well."

"What if I were to die?"

Liu Bang spoke slowly.

Upon hearing this, Empress Guo's expression changed drastically.

"What does the Emperor mean by this?"

"You are the Emperor of Great Wei, how could you perish?"

She asked tentatively, while subtly giving the old eunuch a wink.

The old eunuch nodded silently and left, leaving only a few palace maids to serve him.

"The Empress Dowager was unaware?"

"Given the current power of the Sima clan, I fear it won't be long before they force me to abdicate."

"When I am the emperor, Mother is the empress dowager. But if I am no longer the emperor at that time, what do you think you will do?"

Do you think you could still be the Empress Dowager at that time?

Empress Dowager Guo naturally understood the implication in Liu Bang's words.

Even if Liu Bang didn't bring it up today, she had already thought about this question herself.

Despite the fact that Sima Shi and Sima Zhao still show her respect as the Empress Dowager and treat the entire Guo family well, it's not a good thing that they are.

But all of this is based on the premise that the Sima family did not usurp the throne.

Once the Sima family usurps the throne and the emperor is forced to abdicate, wouldn't she, as the empress, be in a precarious position?

"Why did my son suddenly think of these things today?"

"The General has always been loyal to the Great Wei, so you don't need to worry. He would not do such a treasonous thing."

will not?

Ha ha!

Upon hearing Empress Dowager Guo's words, Liu Bang almost let out a cold laugh.

Who in the world doesn't know the intentions of the Sima family?

To say they wouldn't usurp the throne is pure self-deception!

"I am at ease with the General, but his health has not been very good lately. If something were to happen to him, I would abdicate without hesitation. I am just worried that you, Mother, would suffer."

Although he was inwardly sarcastic, Liu Bang outwardly appeared to be concerned.

"Your Majesty, stop talking nonsense. I will pretend I didn't hear what you said today. Go back and read more useful books instead of thinking about these useless things."

Seeing that Liu Bang was still talking, Empress Dowager Guo quickly tapped the table to send him away.

The next moment, the old eunuch arrived with several guards.

Empress Dowager Guo waved her hand, and the palace maids who had overheard the conversation were quickly led away.

"Then I will come to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager again tomorrow."

Hearing the pleas for mercy and screams of the palace maids around him, Liu Bang silently bowed and retreated.

After leaving Yongning Palace, Liu Bang's previously somber expression changed, and he relaxed instead.

This trip reveals at least a few things.

The Empress Dowager was not a close ally of the Sima family; she also had her own ideas.

Another point is that Sima Shi also distrusted the Empress Dowager. Therefore, Empress Dowager Guo could not be sure whose people the palace maids around her were. When they heard things they shouldn't have heard, silencing them was the only option.

From this, we can conclude that...

They wield considerable power!

Those who could be deliberately spies planted by the Sima family, even if they couldn't compete with them, were at least a threat.

This trip to Yongning Palace was definitely worth it!