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

"Summon Sima Zhao to...enter the palace?"

"what?"

Just as Empress Dowager Guo was about to issue the decree, she turned around and realized what was happening. Her expression as she looked at Liu Bang was once again one of utter bewilderment.

Just now you said that the Sima family would kill the entire Guo family, so why summon Sima Zhao to the palace?

Could it be that he's begging for mercy?

As far as she knew, Sima Shi was not the kind of person who would let you off the hook just because you were pitiful.

If he can even harm his own wife, what chance does he have against others?

Seeing this, Liu Bang knew he would have to explain himself again.

"Mother, do you think that if the Sima family wants to ensure that they wipe out all the powerful clans in the capital in one fell swoop, should this matter be kept secret?"

"At least we can't let Wang Xiang and the others find out, right?"

"But you found out about the troop movement and casually mentioned it to Eunuch Guo, who then told several palace maids."

"Under these circumstances, would he really dare to gamble?"

After listening, Empress Dowager Guo looked as if she had suddenly realized something.

She understood, she finally understood completely!

For the Sima family, to do this, they not only had to be quick, accurate, and ruthless, but they also had to keep it absolutely secret before they even started!

But Guo De and Guo Jian, these two loyal lackeys of the Sima family, were able to reasonably detect it.

It's understandable that they would tell Empress Dowager Guo to brag about it.

The rest depends on the Sima family ensuring that the news doesn't reach any of the major clans before they take action.

Otherwise, who can guarantee that no one escaped from the capital before that?

Who can guarantee that the Sima family won't become enemies of the world the day after they take action?

"It's good that Mother understands. Perhaps your two brothers will suffer some physical pain because of this, and from now on they will probably find it difficult to integrate into the Sima family circle again."

"But if nothing unexpected happens, when I come to power, the Sima family will no longer exist. They won't be able to cause trouble for long, so why bother to appease them?"

Liu Bang patiently and skillfully guided him.

Regardless of how long you have to wait, he's telling the truth.

"That makes sense, Your Majesty. I will summon Sima Zhao to the palace immediately!"

"Would you like to stay here with me?"

Liu Bang: “…”

"Of course not! If Sima Zhao discovers the relationship between you and me, Sima Shi will definitely sense something is wrong. If that happens, we will lose everything!"

"Mother, I believe in you, you can do it!"

I can do it!

Empress Dowager Guo secretly encouraged herself.

After the imperial edict was sent out, Liu Bang left, but she was immediately filled with anxiety and fear again.

Ultimately, she was just a woman.

To be able to wield such influence in Cao Rui's harem was simply a matter of women vying for his favor.

But in today's life-or-death struggle, how many Lü Zhis throughout history have there been?

She wanted to back out and take back the imperial edict, but the eunuch Guo who delivered it had already returned.

If nothing unexpected happens, Sima Zhao is already on his way.

"Eunuch Guo, have I been too impulsive?"

"It was the same before; the emperor could easily sway me with just a few words, and now he's going to deceive Sima Zhao as well."

The more she thought about it, the more flustered Empress Dowager Guo became.

As her personal eunuch for so many years, Eunuch Guo knew that what she needed now was not advice, but comfort.

Once they boarded the emperor's pirate ship, there was no turning back, no matter what they did.

Putting aside everything else, the hundreds of assassins who helped train the emperor were already unforgivable crimes in the eyes of the Sima family.

Your Majesty, isn't it a little too late to be afraid now?

"The current emperor is intelligent and resourceful. The Sima family's actions are a recipe for destruction. The Empress Dowager's choice is not problematic."

Is there no problem?

Hearing these words from Eunuch Guo, Empress Dowager Guo felt somewhat relieved.

In her eyes, only Eunuch Guo, who had served her for so many years, was truly one of her own.

Just then, a young palace maid rushed in to report.

After listening to his words in a low voice, Eunuch Guo's expression became even more solemn.

"Empress Dowager, Sima Zhao is already waiting outside Yongning Palace. Shall we summon him for an audience?"

"Go ahead and announce it. We've come this far, and I have no way out."

Empress Dowager Guo raised her hand helplessly.

As the shrill voice rang out, Sima Zhao strode into the palace.

Upon meeting Empress Dowager Guo, and with no foreign officials present, he didn't even bother to maintain the outward appearance of courtesy.

"Your Majesty, why have you suddenly summoned me to the palace?"

"Although I am not as busy as my brother, I am still tied up with miscellaneous matters. If there is anything important, please explain it as soon as possible."

The meaning is clear: don't bother me unless it's absolutely necessary.

Seeing his arrogant demeanor, Empress Dowager Guo suddenly strengthened her resolve.

Even before the Sima family has taken power, they already treat her with such disregard.

Once the emperor abdicates and Sima Zhao successfully ascends the throne, will she really have any chance of survival?

“If there is nothing else, I would not dare to disturb the General. However, today I felt that there were suddenly more Imperial Guards in the palace, so I asked my cousin about it.”

"But I never expected that my cousin would tell me that not only the Imperial Guards, but also the city defense troops might be mobilized."

"I don't understand. Is the General planning something? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Seeing the Empress Dowager Guo's concerned expression, Sima Zhao's face changed drastically.

"Who else did you tell about this?"

As he questioned her, Empress Dowager Guo hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting before inadvertently landing on Eunuch Guo.

In an instant, Sima Zhao understood the meaning. He turned around and looked over, his eyes dark and menacing, as if he wanted to devour someone.

"You eunuch, you shouldn't have leaked the information, should you!"

"This servant wouldn't dare! General, even if you gave me ten thousand lives, I wouldn't dare to reveal the General's secrets!"

Guo Gonggong immediately knelt down and kowtowed more than ten times in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, Sima Zhao was slightly relieved, but before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, the next sentence made his heart jump into his throat again.

"But when the magistrate of Guang'an County said these words, there were still several palace maids present. Knowing the matter was of great importance, I quickly had them silenced, but..."

"But whether the news has already spread, I cannot say for sure. I deserve to die. Please, General, forgive me!"

Hearing his terrified tone, Sima Zhao's heart sank to the bottom.

Is it possible that bad news will get out?

If it's hard to say, then it must have already spread.

This matter is of utmost importance; even if there is only a possibility of leakage, it must not be allowed to continue!

"Damn it, you dog of a slave, you deserve to die!"

"And you, Empress Dowager, and that Zhen De, you all deserve to die!"

"If you ruin the great affairs of my Sima family, you will die a hundred times over!"