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

Over the next six months, the Sima family's reputation grew increasingly prominent in the capital.

Wang Xiang even took the initiative to secretly use his own money to provide relief to the poor in the name of the Sima family.

By this time, even ordinary people in the streets would give a thumbs up when talking about the brothers Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.

This is the power of aristocratic clans.

They could easily turn black into white, portraying the Sima family, who plotted to usurp the throne, as staunch loyalists of the Great Wei.

Having been praised to this extent, Sima Shi naturally knew that if his Sima family did not make any further response, then a backlash would be imminent.

The higher they are praised now, the harder they will fall later.

Left with no other choice, he had to personally visit Wang Xiang and lay everything out for him to talk.

According to the intelligence brought back by Chen Tai, when Sima Shi came out of the Prince's mansion, he covered his eyes and his expression was extremely ferocious.

Therefore, it can be inferred that this first negotiation was most likely unsuccessful.

Wang Xiang is the kind of person who either doesn't speak at all, or he makes exorbitant demands.

Just like when he lay on the ice to catch carp, instead of rushing to take up an official post, he chose to retire gracefully and live in seclusion for twenty years.

Upon his return to public life, he had already risen to the rank of one of the Nine Ministers!

He is now almost a carbon copy of his former self.

During these six months, he quietly devoted himself to the Sima family, striving to secure a flawless reputation for the two brothers, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.

Even many members of the gentry complained about his lack of reward after giving so much over the past six months, but he remained undeterred.

He has given so much, and what he asks for naturally far exceeds the limits that the Sima family can bear.

……

Sima Shi was carried back to his residence. He had just been helped out of the sedan chair when Sima Zhao learned of the news and rushed over.

He knew that his elder brother would have a frank talk with Wang Xiang today.

If nothing unexpected happens, it shouldn't be long before his throne is practically secured!

But as he watched Sima Shi get out of the sedan chair, he suddenly had a bad feeling.

That expression, that state of mind, something's not right!

"Brother, has that old bastard Wang Xiang gone back on his word?"

"Is he planning to increase the stakes at the last minute?"

"He's not just trying to escalate things at the last minute, he's aiming to become the next King of Wu of the Great Wei!"

Sima Shi gritted his teeth in hatred.

He went to Wang Xiang, originally intending to negotiate and finalize the matter of being granted the title of king, and then discuss the matter of the fiefdom later.

Who would have thought that this old man would actually ask the imperial court to send troops to help him conquer the Jiangdong region, and even ask the imperial court to grant him the title of King of Wu!

He actually dared to say that!

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao drew his sword and prepared to leave.

"That old bastard, he's really tired of living!"

Do they really think the Sima family is too weak to wield a sword?

"Don't be so naive!"

Sima Shi reached out and grabbed his sleeve, pulling the sword from his hand.

"Killing Wang Xiang is not difficult, but the fact that he dared to ask means that he knows that even if he dies, this matter will not end."

"The Wang family's ambitions have exceeded everyone's expectations!"

"Now that the aristocratic families are all behind him, Zishang, if you really want to take action..."

"First, send Jia Chong to mobilize the city's defense troops and impose martial law on the entire city, allowing entry but not exit. Then, order Zhong Hui to lead the main force outside the city into the city to await orders."

"In addition, we must strengthen our troop deployment in Shu and Jiangdong, and not let Jiang Wei and others take advantage of the chaos at this time."

As he listened to his detailed instructions, Sima Zhao gradually calmed down.

This is not the kind of arrangement that should be made to kill Wang Xiang or wipe out the Wang family!

Wang Xiang is far from qualified!

"Brother, what do you mean?"

"Wang Xiang dares to want the entire Jiangdong region, so how can you guarantee that no one else wants the Shu region?"

"Although these two places will eventually be destroyed, what difference is there between destroying them and then sealing them off again, and the current situation?"

Sima Shi's face was ashen.

"Our Sima family may indeed be unable to contend with the powerful clans of the world, but if they think that this means they can manipulate us at will, then they are courting death!"

"Zishang, I'll leave this choice to you again."

“If you’re going to do something, do it thoroughly. If you’re going to kill, wipe them out completely, leaving only the less greedy ones.”

"Either you handle the tug-of-war with Wang Xiang from now on."

After saying this, he handed the sword back to Sima Zhao.

If the goal is simply to make an example of someone, Gao Rou alone would suffice.

Since the Gao family's fate hasn't intimidated them, any further action they take would be a complete break with them!

"If we do this, can we really still ascend to the throne?"

Sima Zhao felt as if the sword in his hand weighed a thousand pounds.

"The road to the highest position is often stained with blood; you should know that."

"There's another thing. I think this young emperor is not simple."

After giving the choice to Sima Zhao, Sima Shi stopped interfering in Wang Xiang's affairs and instead reminded him of another point.

"Before Gao Rou entered the palace, he met Li Zhao, the young emperor's attendant."

"Coincidentally, after the Gao family was wiped out, the young emperor announced that Li Zhao had disappeared, but someone saw him leave the city using a fake identity card."

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao's attention was immediately diverted.

"Brother, do you mean that all of this is orchestrated by that young emperor?"

As soon as the idea was proposed, he laughed and shook his head in denial.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible. The young emperor is surrounded by our people who are monitoring him. Even the Empress Dowager is a dog of the Sima family. Even if he really has any evil intentions, he has no ability to do anything."

There's no other reason than that the difference in status and strength between the two sides is simply too great.

Wang Xiang and the aristocratic families behind him were the kind of opponents that Sima Zhao was willing to deal with with all his might.

But what right does that puppet emperor on the throne have?

"Zishang, how many times have I told you? Even a lion must go all out to hunt a rabbit. What makes you so sure that the young emperor is not strange?"

"Since you're so certain, let me ask you, why has Chen Tai been repeatedly going to the palace these past few days?"

Sima Zhao blinked.

"He said a few days ago that the young emperor was very fond of his father Chen Qun's articles, which is why he was allowed to come to the palace often."

"As a naive emperor who attempted to restore the laws of the Zhou Dynasty, it's reasonable that he would like someone like Chen Qun, isn't it?"

Reasonable?

That makes perfect sense!

"It's precisely because it's reasonable that it's even stranger!"

"Before Chen Tai first entered the palace, he also had contact with Li Zhao!"

"In addition, Zhong Hui had told me before that Li Zhao was quite active in the capital some time ago, but I had an eye ailment at the time, so I didn't investigate further."

"Looking back now, I really feel that there was a hand constantly pushing things along behind the scenes."

This pushed those aristocratic families to stand opposite the Sima family one by one.