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

"In your opinion, which of these two is easier to win over?"

Liu Bang asked again.

Zhang Liang remained silent for a moment.

Both Wang Xiang and Zheng Chong wielded considerable influence in the imperial court, and their positions among the gentry were equally impressive.

The difference is that Zheng Chong is more composed and can deal with most things calmly, and he doesn't have much desire.

On the contrary, although he had never met Wang Xiang in person, he could tell from his deeds that Wang Xiang was a clever man who would stop at nothing.

Originally, the Wang family had gradually declined after his father refused to enter officialdom, and could no longer be considered a top-tier aristocratic family.

But his act of lying on the ice to catch carp instantly thrust himself and the Wang family back into the spotlight, letting the whole world know that the Wang family had produced such a filial son.

In an era that values ​​filial piety above all else, such an act and such a good reputation paved the way for a smooth career for him.

Ordinary people would only think that his filial piety is as good as heaven’s witness, and that he is the epitome of filial piety in this world!

But in Zhang Liang's eyes, this person was a top-notch genius of political maneuvering!

As soon as the story of him lying on the ice to catch carp spread, people came to his door inviting him to take up an official position.

But Wang Xiang's cleverness lies in his ability to maximize his own interests.

At the height of the controversy, he chose to retire gracefully, not only refusing the invitation to take up an official post, but also taking his family to live in seclusion in the deep mountains.

In this way, his reputation will continue to grow among countless people, and outsiders will increasingly believe that he is the epitome of filial piety, rather than for any other reason.

After living in seclusion for more than twenty years, when his deeds spread throughout the world, he was able to directly become one of the Nine Ministers when he returned to officialdom!

It can be said that Wang Xiang's act of lying on ice to catch carp when he was young directly led to the birth of a top-tier aristocratic family!

"The swallows that once graced the halls of noble families now fly into the homes of ordinary people."

"Although this poem describes the state of the Wang and Xie clans after their decline, it also gives us a sense of how prosperous they were at their peak."

Old Zhu sighed from outside the sky.

Despite the immense power of the Sima family during the decline of the Cao Wei dynasty, it was not a simple matter.

The truly powerful aristocratic families can be seen in the Jin Dynasty after the Sima family usurped the throne!

Sima Shi and Sima Zhao did indeed uphold their bottom line and did not continue to compromise with those aristocratic families, but their descendants completely abandoned their bottom line.

"In the future, when the powerful clans and aristocratic families are at their peak, truly talented people will aspire to serve top clans like the Wang and Xie families, rather than the imperial court."

"Sentences like 'a dynasty lasts a hundred years, a family lasts a thousand years' also originated around this time."

Yang Jian lived in an era closest to the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, so he naturally had a clearer understanding of the situation at that time.

The Wang and Xie families remained leaders among the gentry until Chen Baxian established the Southern Chen dynasty.

Even now, the Sui Dynasty he established still holds a significant position.

Although the Langya Wang clan of these two families was not founded by Wang Xiang, the situation of the Wang and Ma families sharing power was indeed created by him!

"Wang Xiang is an exceptionally intelligent person, one could even say he is a born political genius."

"A person like him shouldn't be as easily fooled as Gao Rou."

Li Er had a very high opinion of Wang Xiang.

Regardless of his character, his abilities are certainly commendable.

This allowed the Wang family, which should have been gradually kicked out of the first tier of aristocratic families, to stand at the top again.

"But compared to Gao Rou, someone like him is even more ambitious."

"What he wants will only be more than Gao Rou's, and not even a fraction less!"

"In my opinion, the greatest benefit would be to win him over."

The phrase "to be granted land and made a king" is an ultimate temptation for the top aristocratic families in the world.

Even though Ying Zheng was unaware of Wang Xiang and Gao Rou's character and deeds, he understood people's hearts.

Faced with the prospect of being granted land and the title of king, it's impossible for anyone to remain calm and composed; at best, they can only forcefully suppress the desires in their hearts.

However, some desires, if suppressed for too long, will eventually erupt.

"That's true. Although Zheng Chong holds the position of Minister of Works, he has not fought for the power that should belong to him, nor has he fought for the interests of his own family. In comparison, he does seem quite mediocre."

When the Sima family was plotting to usurp the throne, it was the best opportunity to secure benefits for themselves and their family.

If you don't think about moving forward at this point, while everyone else is doing their best to climb up, and you're just standing still, even if there's no risk, you'll be left far behind when this matter comes to an end.

While the people on the sky were talking, Zhang Liang also made his own judgment in the scene.

“Your Majesty, although Zheng Chong seems easy to control, his abilities are limited and he has little ambition. For him, the prospect of being made a king may not be very tempting.”

"Whether the world belongs to the Cao family or the Sima family makes no difference to him."

"So if he were summoned, he might turn around and inform Sima Shi for his own safety."

No matter the time, the most terrifying people are those who have no desires.

Zhang Liang greatly admired people who were free from desires and ambitions, and he himself was probably similar in character.

However, at this juncture where it's crucial to rally allies against the Sima family, this person is by no means a good choice.

“You think the same way I do. I thought of Wang Xiang the moment I heard about his deeds.”

"Compared to him, Gao Rou was merely a brick thrown out to lure out the jade."

Liu Bang said with a smile.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the Sima family should be heading to the Gao family by now, right?"

"Zifang, do you think Sima Shi will only kill Gao Rou, or wipe out his entire family?"

Kill one person, or kill the whole family?

After a brief moment of thought, Zhang Liang finally spoke.

"If nothing unexpected happens, and if Sima Shi doesn't show any mercy, then he will probably exterminate Gao Rou's entire clan."

Since the goal is to make an example of someone, the more miserable the chicken's fate, the better, so that the monkey will feel more fear!

"Exterminate three generations? As far as I know, even those tyrants recorded in history books didn't exterminate three generations of many people, did they?"

"The Sima family is truly ruthless."

While the two of them were talking, Gao Rou's residence on the other side was also incredibly lively.

"Grand Commandant Gao, you are such a busy man, yet you have the leisure to summon us here today. May I ask what brings you here?"

Wang Xiang seemed listless, likely due to physical discomfort.

However, Gao Rou sent someone to say that it concerned the true hope of the rise of their various aristocratic clans, and this statement forced him to come.

Given his personality, let alone just feeling unwell, even if he were dead, he would still crawl out of his coffin to hear what it was all about and how it concerned the major clans!