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

What do you want from me? Are you going to use me as a sacrifice again?

Wait, why did I say that again?

Liu Chen stared blankly at Liu Bang as he approached, completely bewildered.

The main problem was that he didn't understand why he had been summoned at this critical juncture.

His father is still imprisoned and has not been interrogated. Even if there is something to ask or something to cooperate with, it would be more appropriate for his father to do it.

The only possibility Liu Chen could think of in choosing him over his father, Emperor Liu Shan, was that the young emperor of Wei wanted to use him as a sacrifice!

Although it's unclear where Cao Wei still needs to attack, this is the only reasonable explanation!

"..."

After gradually accepting this fact, Liu Chen took a deep breath.

He lived his whole life on thin ice, never expecting that he would still not be able to reach the other side in the end!

Of course, he only made a casual remark.

He was not afraid of death.

After all, when the Wei army found him, he was already at the Temple of the Former Emperor, preparing to perish with the Han Dynasty.

"I hope to die in a way that is befitting my status; please do not humiliate me."

"If possible, my late emperor's temple is in Shu. Please allow me to die facing Shu. If you can grant my request, I will be eternally grateful."

Before Liu Bang had even stood still, Liu Chen spoke up.

He never thought he would survive.

In his view, Liu Shan's surrender was also a very foolish thing to do.

If Eastern Wu had unified the country, perhaps out of consideration for face and reputation, they would have spared the lives of Liu Shan and the royal family of Shu.

Because he obtained his position illegitimately!

The one that could unify the country was Cao Wei.

Cao Wei, which rightfully and legitimately inherited the Mandate of Heaven from Emperor Xian of Han!

The conflict between the two sides is a struggle for legitimacy; to each other, the other is a traitor and a mortal enemy!

In this situation, they still hope to save their lives by surrendering, and even now they still yearn for a life of wealth and honor.

Liu Chen felt that his father was either overthinking things or had gone mad.

If the roles of offense and defense are reversed, and the Han Dynasty is truly restored while the Wei Emperor becomes a prisoner, I will not give him any way out either!

After all, both sides are legitimate, and given the opportunity, they can raise their banners again, recruit troops, and carry out the restoration once more!

"To die facing Sichuan?"

"For someone as strong-willed as you, this is actually a pretty good idea."

"But I have an even better idea now. Would you like to hear it?"

Seeing Liu Chen's sorrowful face, Liu Bang suddenly grinned.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Liu Chen felt as if he saw a kind expression on the face of the Wei Emperor before him.

He had never met Liu Bei, but he had heard about his righteous and chivalrous grandfather from others.

At that moment, the grandfather he had imagined seemed to overlap with the person in front of him.

"Wh-what idea?"

He paused for a moment, then instinctively asked.

"I want you to live, as the last surviving member of the Han Dynasty."

"As long as you can promise me that your lineage will never again serve as an official in the court, will never again have any dealings with court officials, and will never again instigate rebellion."

"If you agree, I will spare your life."

life?

Is it really possible to survive?

Can……

why me?

Liu Chen was completely bewildered.

He didn't understand. If Emperor Wei wanted to show his magnanimity and leave a good reputation in the history books of future generations, he should have spared his father!

Moreover, judging from everything Emperor Wei did, he didn't care about his reputation in later generations at all.

They slaughtered aristocratic families and powerful clans, suppressed wealthy and influential people, and promoted those from humble backgrounds.

It can be said that even if he had actually taken back the throne from the Sima family, and even if he had brought the Great Wei back to its peak, his reputation would certainly have been ruined.

Because those who control the historical records are almost all sons of aristocratic families.

They would ensure that their family's descriptions of this tyrant were passed down in places where the emperor's spies couldn't see.

In this way, even if the imperial historical records describe Emperor Wei as a wise and virtuous ruler, and how brilliant and powerful he was, countless people in later generations will surely question him based on the vast amount of unofficial historical records.

This is what makes those aristocratic clans so terrifying.

They may not be able to defeat you in this life, but they can completely smear your name in countless future lives!

Therefore, the reputation of the Wei emperor could not be salvaged by pardoning a member of the Han imperial family.

What was his purpose?

"Can I ask why? Why me?"

After a moment's thought, Liu Chen asked.

"Wouldn't my father be more suitable than me? He is the true Son of Heaven of the Han Dynasty, while I am nothing more than... a disloyal son who is trying to usurp the throne."

He did briefly ascend the throne, but apart from Jiang Wei, no other Han official recognized him as emperor.

Naturally, his title of emperor could not be taken seriously.

"Your father?"

"To be honest, what do you think of your father as an emperor?"

Liu Bang sneered.

Liu Chen: "..."

How was your performance?

Is there even a question? Of course it's a complete mess!

But he couldn't say these words to anyone's face; he could only evaluate them in his heart, and the words that came to his lips were still to defend them.

"At least in the first half, my father was a wise ruler. In the Northern Expedition, the war with Wei was evenly matched, and the people of Shu could be considered to live in peace and prosperity."

"At one point, I even felt that the Northern Expedition was promising and the restoration of the Han Dynasty was hopeful!"

"Oh? The first half you mentioned, you mean when Prime Minister Zhuge was still alive, right?"

"King of the North, put your hand on your heart and tell me, what does the Northern Expedition, with its mixed results, the people's peaceful life, and the hope for the revival of the Han Dynasty really have to do with Liu Shan?"

Liu Bang made no attempt to hide his contempt.

"Indeed, I acknowledge Prime Minister Zhuge's talent. He was able to rival the twelve provinces of our Great Wei with the strength of just one province of Shu, and even gained the upper hand on several occasions."

"And even when he held power in Sichuan, he was still able to maintain the lives of the people well despite the annual wars."

"But if you really want to attribute all the credit to Liu Shan, does he deserve it?"

"Even if it weren't Liu Shan sitting on the throne, would the outcome have been any different if it were anyone who could completely trust Prime Minister Zhuge?"

Is it always possible to praise someone for having absolute trust in their subjects?

Trusting those you employ and not employing those you distrust—this is the most basic ability of a monarch.

Just like Emperor Wu of Han in the list of wise rulers, was he really that good at leading troops?

No, he simply had complete trust in the commanders-in-chief, such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.

But he wasn't entirely without merit!

On the contrary, Liu Che was very capable. If anyone else had been in his position, they might not have been able to do a better job!

The abilities of one's ministers are different from the abilities of the emperor himself.

Liu Bang acknowledged that Zhuge Liang's abilities were extraordinary, but this did not negate the fact that he considered Liu Shan to be a useless person!