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

"If I had to put it bluntly, Emperor Gaozu was truly a lonely man."

"Or rather, whoever participates in this challenge is all alone."

"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, ever since Emperor Guangwu rebuilt the Han Dynasty, the aristocratic families have been growing stronger and stronger without anyone being able to control them. Since then, they have become accustomed to betting on multiple fronts."

The fact that Wang Xiang's death could trigger the resentment among the gentry and lead to the recapture of the capital is all that can be accomplished so far.

"But now I finally understand why you suppressed the powerful clans so much back then, Li Er. These people are not only bad, but they also lack any backbone!"

"The situation has already reached this point, yet they still haven't been able to make up their minds to take sides. They truly deserve to be purged in the future!"

The more Zhu saw the reactions of the various aristocratic clans to the challenge, the angrier he became.

No wonder these people were regarded as parasites by emperors of all generations.

They exploit the people on a daily basis, racking their brains to plan for their own and their family's interests.

When something truly important happens and they need to make a decision, one or two of them suddenly chicken out.

"Logically speaking, they should have made a decision, after all, the deaths of Gao Rou and Wang Xiang are still fresh in everyone's memory."

"But it was precisely Liu Bang's forbearance and ability that made them dare not truly side with the emperor."

"Put yourself in their shoes. If you were a powerful clan, would you really want to see such a deep-thinking and ambitious emperor in power?"

Why did they support Cao Pi's ascension to the throne in the first place?

It's because Cao Pi's abilities weren't as strong as Cao Cao's, and he had to make huge compromises with the powerful clans if he wanted to ascend the throne.

Then why did he support Sima Yi in eliminating Cao Shuang?

Was it that Cao Shuang lacked ability but wanted to show off his skills and weaken the influence of the aristocratic clans?

The final result was a backlash from the aristocratic families, the capital was taken over, he was suppressed, and the emperor became a puppet of the Sima family.

The reasons for supporting the Sima family later on were the same.

Although Sima Shi was quite capable, he came from a powerful aristocratic family and was willing to make concessions to other powerful families when he was in power, so naturally most people were willing to support him.

But now it has changed from the Sima clan to Liu Bang.

Especially after demonstrating his forbearance, methods, and abilities in front of aristocratic families.

Are they really still willing to wholeheartedly support an emperor who they will definitely not be able to control in the future?

From the perspective of the aristocratic families, it is understandable that they do not take sides or wait for the best offer.

Therefore, at this point, Liu Bang actually had two choices.

He led Chen Tai, Jiao Bo, and their small contingents to seek a breakthrough in Sima Shi's reinforcements.

As long as they can join forces with Guanqiu Jian's army, they can use the emperor's name to command all the troops in the land to come to the aid of the king.

Of course, orders are orders, but if the gentry don't cooperate, no one can say for sure how many troops will actually follow suit.

But at least after meeting up with Guanqiu Jian, Liu Bang's personal safety would not be a major problem.

The other option, of course, is to defend the capital to the death, as is the case now.

After blocking Sima Shi's attack, Guanqiu Jian then flanked from the rear, forming a pincer movement.

If the former could be accomplished, then Sima Shi's defeat and death would be almost inevitable.

However, how the former will accomplish this, and how it will block Sima Shi's first offensive, has become a source of curiosity for countless people under the sky.

Including the view of the sky.

Chen Tai also felt confused and worried.

"Your Majesty, after the Sima family was wiped out, the major clans stopped cooperating."

"Not only have the remaining assassins of the Sima family disappeared without a trace, but even Sima Zhao and Jia Chong have not been found. It is very likely that they have been secretly released."

"Although the powerful clans have abandoned the Sima family, it's not so easy to get them to serve His Majesty."

Although on the surface, Liu Bang had already wrested back the imperial power from the Sima family.

The aristocratic families may not recognize the Sima family, but they may not necessarily recognize you, the former puppet emperor.

Just as when Cao Cao died and Cao Pi succeeded him, the powerful families also refused to recognize Emperor Xian Liu Xie, and they also refused to recognize Cao Pi.

It wasn't until the Nine-Rank System was introduced that Cao Pi finally gained the recognition of various powerful families.

In Chen Tai's view, this was the time to curry favor with the powerful families and clans in order to gain their genuine support.

"My dear minister, what do you think I should do to make them serve me?"

"Are we really going to grant them land and make them kings?"

Liu Bang did consider this step at the beginning.

Even if Zhang Liang hadn't let Guanqiu Jian act prematurely, this step might still have been carried out.

After completely eliminating the Sima family, the top clans were divided up and then defeated one by one.

However, the situation is different now.

If Zhang Liang's actions align with his guess, then this move can be abandoned, and there is an easier way to complete this challenge.

"But Your Majesty, our spies have already discovered that after Sima Shi left behind a small number of troops to block Guanqiu Jian, the main army has been rushing back to the capital without stopping for a moment. At the same time, the army left behind in Xuchang is also making moves."

"If the aristocratic families don't lend a hand, how can we possibly hold off an army of over 100,000 with only a few thousand soldiers at our disposal?"

Chen Tai sensed a rejection in Liu Bang's tone.

At this point, he truly panicked.

He was well aware of the drawbacks of compromising with powerful families, but it was the only way out at the moment.

Based on his years of experience leading troops, he believed that if the private armies kept by powerful families were not used to help defend the city...

Let alone drag it out until Guanqiu Jian can encircle and attack from both sides, I estimate that the capital will be captured in less than three days.

Given the current situation, the first thing Sima Shi would do after entering the capital is to cause Liu Bang to suddenly fall ill and die in the palace.

By the time Guanqiu Jian arrived, it was already too late, but he could at least see a series of heads of those who supported the emperor on the city gate tower.

He couldn't imagine any possibility of using their few thousand soldiers to hold off an army of over 100,000.

Let alone him, even if the God of War were alive, he wouldn't be able to do it!

"So this is a high-stakes gamble, my dear minister. I am confident in my abilities. You just need to do what you are supposed to do, and trust me for the rest."

Liu Bang was unwilling to say anything more at this point.

Seeing that he was stubborn and unrepentant, Chen Tai could only shake his head, sigh, and leave.

When only Jiao Bo remained in the hall, Liu Bang turned his head to look at him.

"My dear minister, do you believe me?"

"This old servant has personally witnessed how Your Majesty seized power from the Sima family and how things have come to this point, so naturally I trust Your Majesty."

Jiao Bo remained undeterred.

He was willing to die for the emperor back then, and he wouldn't hesitate for a second now!

“Very good. When Sima Shi’s rebel army attacks, you will be the vanguard.”

"I entrust this opportunity to be remembered in history to you."