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

Wang Xiang was a cunning old fox; he knew the personalities of most people in the court.

Including Kao Rou!

In his view, if there were any risk-free benefits, someone like Gao Rou would only keep them all to herself and would never give anyone else a chance to benefit.

Since he is so eager to gather these gentry, there must be risks involved; the Gao family alone cannot handle it.

But that's precisely why Wang Xiangcai wanted to come.

If there's no risk involved, it's just small favors and benefits; even if you rush to give them to him, he might not want them.

Truly great benefits are always accompanied by risks!

The greater the risk, the greater the potential reward!

He once endured the hardship of lying on ice to catch carp, and spent more than twenty years of his life to earn his current status and that of the Langya Wang clan.

If the opportunity were to arise again, he would still choose to seize it!

"His Majesty wishes to grant land and titles to us noble families."

Wang Xiang was wondering what kind of opportunity would make Gao Rou so eager to gather them here when he heard him speak.

That one sentence almost caused his CPU to overheat.

Huh? What do you mean?

To be granted land and made king?

What an obscure term this is! After Emperor Gaozu of Han eliminated all the kings of different surnames, how many people could still be called kings?

Not to mention the fiefdoms!

"Which emperor are you referring to? The one in the palace, or the one from the Sima family?"

After forcing himself to calm down, Wang Xiang quickly asked.

"?"

"The current emperor has not abdicated, so how can the one from the Sima family be called His Majesty?"

"Sima Shi would certainly not be willing to accept our offer of kingship, but he is not the current emperor, and he has no right to deny the emperor's decree!"

After scolding her in a bad mood, Gao Rou recounted everything that had happened in the palace that day.

"This……"

Wang Xiang was stunned.

Looking at Gao Rou's confident demeanor, he really wanted to ask, "Dude, where does your confidence come from?"

"The Grand General has no right to deny the Emperor's edict? Grand Commandant Gao, did you go out drinking during the day and are now spouting nonsense?"

Before he could speak, Zheng Chong, who was standing to the side, was about to turn and leave.

In his view, a proposal that received the general's approval was a true imperial edict; otherwise, it was no different from toilet paper in a latrine.

"Sikong, do you really think that Sima Shi can do whatever he wants?"

"Even he himself doesn't dare say he can stand against all the powerful clans in the world. If we join forces, would he dare to defy the world?"

A hint of disdain flashed in Gao Rou's eyes.

He had known for a long time that Zheng Chong was a coward; to put it nicely, he was indifferent to everything, but to put it bluntly, he was a coward.

However, he needed Zheng Chong's influence for the time being, so he could only suppress his contempt and patiently explain.

"If the imperial edict cannot be issued, then that is naturally as you say. But if we are willing to join forces, once the emperor writes the edict, can Sima Shi stop us from making it public?"

"But once the whole world sees the imperial edict, can Sima Shi still deny it outright?"

After saying that, he looked at Wang Xiang, trying to get the other party to admit his identity.

"Grand Commandant, have you overlooked something?"

"The General now firmly controls the military. You always say he doesn't dare to confront the gentry of the world on his own, but that's on the premise that he doesn't overturn the table."

"Once the table is overturned, will it be your Gao family that has to fend off the Sima family's assassins, or are you counting on us to do it?"

“I don’t deny that it’s possible to do this, but Grand Commandant Gao, you did it too carelessly and too hastily.”

Looking at the hope in Gao Rou's eyes, Wang Xiang sighed helplessly.

"How to say?"

Gao Rou quickly asked.

"First of all, you shouldn't have confronted the General directly. We both know what kind of person he is. He can kill even his own blood relatives at will, let alone you and me?"

"He used to compromise so that we, the aristocratic families, would support the Sima family for the throne!"

Even so, there are still bottom lines to compromise on.

"The matter of granting land and titles to kings is something the young emperor doesn't understand. Does Grand Commandant Gao not know either?"

"If this matter is compromised, it means that the Sima family's rule will be unstable in the future. Do you think he would be willing to do that?"

Even if there is irresistible pressure in the future that forces him to compromise, do you think he would be more willing to make an example of someone to deter others now?

Wang Xiang analyzed it carefully.

At this moment, his gaze towards Gao Rou carried a hint of pity.

It is indeed a huge risk, but also a tremendous benefit.

The Gao family has taken on the risks, but Gao Rou will likely not see any of the benefits.

Gao Rou probably understood the hidden meaning in those words.

After figuring out the key point, he suddenly widened his eyes and trembled slightly.

"What does the Grand Master of Ceremonies mean by this?"

What solution?

Zheng Chong kindly gave him an answer.

"What I mean is, Grand Commandant Gao, you're doomed."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause rang out from outside the door.

"What Sikong said is absolutely right. Grand Commandant, since you won't listen to reason, I'll have to ask you to drink the penalty cup."

"When dealing with people as respected as you, and the powerful families behind you, my Sima family may choose to make some compromises, but there are certain bottom lines you should not cross."

"Whoever touches it will die, their entire family will be wiped out, and their entire clan will be exterminated!"

Sima Zhao pushed open the door and entered. Standing behind him were the officials whom Gao Rou had sent to inform him.

They all came from powerful and influential families, but now they all obediently followed behind Sima Zhao, and none of them stepped forward.

"Zheng Sikong and Taichang are more pragmatic and know their place. They know what they can get their hands on and what they absolutely cannot touch!"

After saying that, Sima Zhao gave him a look, and Wang Xiang and Zheng Chong silently walked behind him and stood with their heads bowed.

Seeing this, Gao Rou finally understood that she and her Gao family had been abandoned by these powerful clans!

They don't want to get involved in this?

Gao Rou stared intently at Wang Xiang, as if trying to discern something from his slightly closed eyes.

Even if everyone else chose to protect themselves, he didn't believe that this old man would be willing to watch the opportunity to be enfeoffed as a king and go down in history slip away!

But why is he standing so obediently behind Sima Zhao, and why doesn't he say anything?

With the powerful clans and aristocratic families gathered in the capital, if he and I were willing to step forward and make a call, we would definitely have a chance to force Sima Shi to intervene.

Even if this matter doesn't ultimately come to fruition, at least it can secure more benefits for each family.

But Wang Xiang actually fell silent. Did he chicken out?

"No, Wang Xiang isn't someone who's afraid of trouble!"

So what exactly does he want to do?

"We can't possibly be afraid to speak up because we're intimidated by the Sima family's military power, can we?"

"He's capable of doing something as simple as lying on ice to catch carp; he shouldn't be such a coward."

"I knew it. Why was Sima Shi so confident in letting his brother take action? Did he already foresee that Wang Xiang wouldn't step forward?"