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

"Your Majesty, your eagerness to achieve results may lead to a major disaster."

At night, Zhang Liang, looking hurried, listened to Liu Bang recount the results of his meeting with the Empress Dowager.

Despite having reaped a bountiful harvest, there was no joy on his face; instead, he grew increasingly worried.

Indeed, the Sima family was always preparing to abdicate and ascend the throne. When Cao Mao boarded the carriage and drew his sword, it was practically an ultimatum.

Without that dramatic scene of the emperor fighting against a rebellious minister, it probably wouldn't have been long before Sima Zhao forced him to abdicate and ascend the throne.

Therefore, the movements cannot be too slow.

But if it's too fast.

Especially when Sima Shi was still alive, once it attracted his attention.

This person is absolutely ruthless; he'd rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free.

He has the guts to overturn the table!

"Of course you know!"

When this hidden danger was mentioned, Liu Bang's face also turned sour.

Even an outsider could see it; how could he, being caught up in this situation, not know it?

Cao Mao's predicament was not only difficult because the Sima family held absolute power.

The more difficult part is that it puts you in a dilemma.

If they back down, Sima Zhao will usurp the throne, leading to their demise.

Furthermore, this would arouse Sima Shi's suspicion, leading to another dead end.

"Zifang, do you have any ideas?"

He couldn't think of an answer to this question.

"Deal with Sima Shi..."

"..."

nonsense!

Liu Bang glared at him, annoyed.

How could you not know that the biggest problem was Sima Shi?

In the entire Sima family, this is the only person who can truly be considered a talent!

But even if we know, how do we solve it?

Since you are not Xiang Yu, you cannot rush into the Sima Mansion with a halberd and kill Sima Shi!

"Or perhaps we can fool Sima Shi!"

"Your Majesty, in the eyes of the Sima family, you are still just a young puppet."

"However, in this turbulent time of Cao Wei, it's not only the Sima family that has their eyes on you, this puppet ruler. Isn't that quite reasonable?"

At this point, Liu Bang probably understood what Zhang Liang meant.

Divert trouble to the east!

He pushed all the things he wanted to do onto the other aristocratic families!

what?

Winning over the Empress Dowager?

That was done by other aristocratic families!

Regardless of whether it's the Yingchuan gentry or various families like the Wang and Xie families, as long as Sima Shi is willing to have doubts, then the blame can be directly placed on their heads!

And all the aristocratic families had a reason to do this!

They used the last bit of power of the Great Wei emperor to strengthen their own family!

"That's not a bad idea."

Liu Bang nodded thoughtfully.

As long as Sima Shi's attention can be diverted from himself to the gentry, then at least for the time being, he can be guaranteed to be safe no matter what he does.

"However, in that case, Your Majesty, you can no longer only contact those aristocratic families who can be won over."

"In addition, I managed to meet with Guanqiu Dian today. He has been under surveillance for many years and it is impossible to have long conversations with him, but I can confirm that Guanqiu Jian is loyal to the Great Wei."

This is good news, but Guanqiu Jian's card can only play a limited role in the short term.

Once he takes action, it almost certainly means a decisive battle.

Therefore, Liu Bang didn't pay much attention to him.

"Leaving him aside for now, let's return to the capital. Besides Chen Tai, are there any other gentry families we can win over?"

"Gao Rou".

"Among those whose attitudes are wavering, if we analyze them based solely on their deeds and character, he is one of the people most likely to be won over."

Zhang Liang thought for a moment and said.

In the past, during the struggle between Sima Yi and Cao Shuang, Gao Rou stood on Sima Yi's side without hesitation.

It's fair to say that at that time, there were almost no people with such a firm attitude as him.

After succeeding, Sima Yi directly compared Gao Rou to Zhou Bo.

In Zhang Liang's view, this was a ruthless character who would disregard personal risks as long as there was enough benefit.

Back then, he was willing to help Sima Yi fight against Cao Shuang for the sake of the gentry and his own family's interests. Now, if we offer him an even bigger reward, it's not impossible for him to turn his attention to the Sima family!

If you give him double the benefits, he might just stay neutral in the ensuing struggle.

If you give him and his family ten times the benefits, who dares to say they wouldn't risk their lives to stand on the emperor's side?

"Gao Rou..."

"Go and find out his and the Gao family's attitude in the next two days. If there are no problems, have Gao Rou come to the palace to see me in five days."

"It is said that the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel has decided to uphold the state and restore order to the court. The Empress Dowager also cannot stand by and watch the Sima clan's actions and is now standing behind me."

"In addition, I casually mentioned to him that I would consider enfeoffing kings to meritorious officials who have made great contributions in suppressing the rebels, just as the Zhou emperor did in the past."

Zhang Liang: “…”

"I understand. But if that happens, Your Majesty will really have to prepare to fight for the world all over again."

If a Sima clan is overthrown but its promises are not kept, then any aristocratic family could become the next Sima clan.

If the promise is kept, the consequences will be obvious.

After being granted the fiefdom, Liu Bang became nothing more than a lucky charm, much like the Zhou emperor. The north, which Cao Cao had spent his entire life trying to unify, would be completely disintegrated!

"Zifang, I do not want the world to fall into war again, but I have no better choice."

Liu Bang sighed helplessly.

Gao Rou, Chen Tai, Empress Dowager Guo in the palace, and Guanqiu Jian, who led troops on the border.

With the support of these four parties, some of them can then be allowed to win over allies according to their own ideas.

In a short period of time, they were able to gain a voice that could rival the Sima clan in the imperial court.

Seeing Liu Bang's conflicted expression, Zhang Liang was speechless for a moment.

This challenge was one that most people couldn't handle.

Even with him assisting them, they still had to compromise with the gentry and promise them greater benefits to win them over.

It's hard to imagine how desperate Cao Mao must have felt, relying solely on himself and a few loyal but incompetent men in such a situation.

Zhang Liang once put himself in Cao Mao's shoes and considered the situation.

It seems that what he found was the only way to win.

"Go down, I want to be alone."

After a long silence, Liu Bang turned and looked out the window.

After Zhang Liang left, he once again found it difficult to fall asleep while gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, just like the night before.

"Your Majesty, it's time to rest."

As night deepened, and the room remained brightly lit by candlelight, Uncle Jiao, who was guarding outside, couldn't help but ask with concern.

"Uncle Jiao, come in."

Upon hearing this, Jiao Bo pushed open the door and entered, and Liu Bang simply looked at him quietly.

He spoke slowly after a moment.

"Tell me, is it wrong for me to want to reclaim the power of the emperor?"

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Anyone who dares to usurp the Son of Heaven's power is a traitor who steals the country!"

"And what is wrong with Your Majesty seizing your own power?"

Jiao Bo did not hesitate.

"What if the methods I use are not honorable?"

"The Sima family traitors have wreaked havoc on the court. Your Majesty should not be concerned with the methods used to punish these traitors!"