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

The people outside the canopy: "..."

How could a sage strategist be reduced to sneaking into someone else's house by climbing over a wall?

"A strategist? A hacker?"

"Putting these two words together, it just doesn't feel right!"

"The strategist can bypass the Great Firewall, and so can I, so am I the same as the strategist?"

"No, no, no, you're wrong, upstairs. Zhang Liang isn't as shameless as you, so you're superior to the strategist!"

"..."

"But is Chen Tai really trustworthy?"

The last question was asked by Boss Cao.

Anyway, he was very disgusted with Chen Qun, the person who took the initiative to propose the Nine-Rank System!

Consequently, they didn't have much trust in Chen Tai either.

"Chen Tai."

Li Er thought about it.

"He was truly one of the top talents at the end of the Wei Dynasty. Neither Jiang Wei of Shu Han nor Zhuge Ke of Eastern Wu could gain any advantage from him."

"As for whether or not to pledge allegiance to the Great Wei, that is a matter of opinion."

"In my opinion, he is also a fence-sitter."

For him, not being absolutely loyal is the same as being absolutely disloyal.

“Li Er, I think your assessment is a bit biased. At this time, being able to remain a fence-sitter is already considered loyal to Cao Wei.”

Old Zhu, however, had a different opinion.

After all, the time shown in the celestial display was already when the Sima clan held absolute power.

To maintain a degree of loyalty under these circumstances at least shows that one still has the Great Wei in their heart.

"Furthermore, Chen Tai died soon after Cao Mao's death, and no matter how you look at it, it is more likely that he was biased towards the Cao family."

"Of course, we dare not be too certain. This is just a suggestion. How to do it is up to Emperor Gaozu himself."

In any case, if Zhu Yuanzhang participates in this challenge, he will try to make contact with Chen Tai, Wang Xiang, Guanqiu Jian, and Empress Dowager Guo.

If we can successfully win these people over, even if we can't completely counter them, we can at least regain some power to check and balance the Sima family.

"Your ideas are somewhat conservative."

"Moreover, they are all using their own weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths."

After learning of Lao Zhu's idea, Li Er did not agree.

In his view, both Liu Bang and Zhu Yuanzhang used somewhat conservative methods.

"...What do you say?"

Old Zhu was puzzled.

Li Er also shared generously.

"It's very simple. Just find an opportunity to suggest going to Gaoping Mausoleum to sweep the tomb of the late emperor. That's normal and won't attract the attention of the Sima clan, right?"

"They can certainly control Luoyang perfectly, but what about Xuchang?"

"Xuchang is where Cao Cao made his fortune. He broke free from the control of the Sima clan and could command a hundred responses with a call in the name of the emperor."

"Why bother with scheming and backstabbing? Is that something people like us should be doing?"

"The fastest way, of course, is to send troops from Xuchang, take Luoyang, and then directly purge the gentry!"

It's not that I'm unaware of the intrigues and power struggles within the court, but doing it this way is simpler.

In his conservative view, both Liu Bang and Zhu Yuanzhang's choices were too conservative!

After all, it's fair to say that the aristocratic families who supported the Sima clan's rise to power were the main culprits behind the Five Barbarian Invasions.

Killing him is neither a pity nor a miscarriage of justice!

Old Zhu: “…”

What to say.

As long as you, Li Er, are happy!

Having seen the conservatives' ideas, Old Zhu lost interest in continuing the argument and turned his attention back to the sky.

Fortunately, Liu Bang shared almost the same idea as him.

When the Sima clan was in power, those who were not absolutely loyal to the Sima family were, in his eyes, loyal subjects who had a chance!

After hearing Zhang Liang's explanation, he made a decision immediately.

"Have you set a time? I would like to meet with Chen Tai."

"Chen Tai will come to the palace to pay his respects to His Majesty in about three days."

"...Have you revealed my secrets?"

"The details were not revealed, but some of His Majesty's ambitions and his idea of ​​treating the gentry with leniency were mentioned."

"Very well, I will take care of the Empress Dowager within three days."

Only with the help of Empress Dowager Guo in the palace to cover for him could Liu Bang meet with others with peace of mind.

Furthermore, if even the Empress Dowager cannot be won over, and there is no bargaining chip at all, Chen Tai would not be so eager to die, even if he hesitates or waits for a better price!

Therefore, in Liu Bang's view, Empress Dowager Guo was the most necessary bargaining chip.

"I can't be of any help with this matter, but I hope Your Majesty will have a smooth journey."

Zhang Liang immediately looked like he had the will but not the ability.

"Who said that? You can't help!"

“Zifang, the Li Zhao you replaced is at least handsome, but you are well-read and your temperament is a hundred times better than his. In the eyes of a lonely woman like Empress Dowager Guo, you…”

Zhang Liang: "!"

Your Majesty, we didn't say we'd have to pay such a high price when we came here!

"Zifang, for the sake of my Han Dynasty... for the sake of the people of the Central Plains, even a small sacrifice is worthwhile, isn't it?"

Liu Bang pressed forward relentlessly, while Zhang Liang retreated step by step.

This is no small sacrifice!

It might not be worth it!

"Your Majesty, with your abilities, persuading Empress Dowager Guo shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?"

"That's not difficult. It's just that I think you have the potential to become Lao Ai, so I want you to give it a try."

"No need! I know my own limitations and am by no means a person of extraordinary talent like Lao Ai!"

"That's such a shame."

Liu Bang looked regretful.

What a pity!

Zhang Liang quickly turned around and climbed over the wall in one swift motion.

Watching his clean and efficient movements, and as his figure disappeared into the distance, Liu Bang finally showed some signs of fatigue.

It was only through this immersive experience that he truly realized just how suffocating Cao Mao's predicament was.

"Little guy, you've really worked hard."

Looking up at the bright moon, Liu Bang was also quickly making plans in his mind.

Three days later, Chen Tai will enter the palace.

This should be the first time he has met Chen Tai.

If all goes well, Chen Tai may change his stance, or at least his attitude.

If things don't go smoothly, then he will probably never have another chance to win over the Chen family of Yingchuan.

He stood quietly by the window all night, gazing at the moonlight in the night sky.

He didn't turn around until the eastern sky began to lighten.

"Guards, prepare the carriage for Yongning Palace. I am going to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager!"

……

When Empress Dowager Guo heard that Liu Bang had come to pay his respects again, her instinct was to refuse.

Yesterday's words about the interdependence of lips and teeth not only terrified her, but also kept her awake all night.

To make it easier for her to understand, Liu Bang deliberately made the meaning very clear yesterday.

The Empress Dowager's power was inherently dependent on the Emperor.

With the emperor deposed and the throne falling into the hands of the Sima family, what are you, the empress dowager, then?

It was precisely because she had figured it out that she became increasingly conflicted and afraid.

Today, that voice, which had stirred up her heart, rang out once again.

"Mother, I haven't figured out yesterday's problem yet, and now there are even more problems."

What does the proverb "When the rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are gone, the bow is put away" mean

"If the rabbit dies, what chance does the dog have?"