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

I don't belong to either side.

"Old man, you don't really think Li Zicheng did it for the people, do you?"

"He was indeed a peasant uprising leader, and he did deceive many people into supporting and believing him."

"But were all those things he did really not for his own sake?"

Liu Bang chuckled and asked in return.

The old shopkeeper hesitated for a long time before shaking his head slightly.

"He certainly doesn't seem like it."

"The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was the one who truly cared about the common people."

“Back then, when we common people informed the village head and held the imperial edict, we could really bind corrupt officials and bring them to the capital. But now, Li Zicheng, he probably has already forgotten his origins.”

Although he had never seen the army of the former Ming Taizu Emperor, he had seen the so-called Great Shun Army of Li Zicheng.

There was no strict adherence to military discipline, nor was there any so-called "strict military discipline."

Only those who seek refuge with them and offer food will be accepted.

Anyone who tries to save some money for themselves will eventually run out of money, and may even lose their life.

Is this the same kind of behavior that Li Zicheng claimed when he started his rebellion—a grand act of serving the people?

"What about the imperial court? Old man, do you think everything will be alright if the imperial court wins?"

Liu Bang asked again.

The old shopkeeper hesitated for a long time on the previous question, but on this question, he didn't even hesitate for a second before scoffing.

"The Ming Dynasty court? In the eyes of those ruffians in the Ming Dynasty, aren't we just good-for-nothings who can run away?"

“The old man and the young man even witnessed the killing of innocent people and the claiming of credit.”

"They cut off the heads of the fleeing villagers and handed them over as bandits."

“The gentry didn’t treat us like human beings, the officials didn’t treat us like human beings, and the thugs were even worse.”

"The Ming Dynasty won; at worst, it just means it will die a little later."

Even the old shopkeeper felt that, for ordinary people, there seemed to be little difference between the Ming Dynasty winning and the Qing Dynasty winning.

It's just a matter of whether you die quickly or slowly.

"That's more like it. If I came from either of those backgrounds, I wouldn't need to waste so much time talking to you today."

"I am neither the Shun army nor the Ming Dynasty."

"...You're a Manchu Tartar!?"

Before the old shopkeeper could speak, the young waiter had already learned to answer first.

However, the next moment, Liu Bang gave him a sharp rap on the head.

"If I were a Manchu Tartar, a tender young man like you would have been cooked long ago!"

“I am not one of them, old man. You can think of me as someone from another world, who came to make amends for some regrets and save some people.”

"If you are willing to trust me, I don't need you to do much. Just stay here for a while, and if needed, please deliver a few letters for me, is that alright?"

Liu Bang's incredible statement actually made the old shopkeeper somewhat believe it.

Aside from those from beyond the heavens, who in this world would be willing to treat them as human beings?

Who cares about their lives anymore?

"If it's really just about staying for a while and occasionally helping to deliver messages, this old man has no problem."

"Putting everything else aside, based on what you said earlier, from now on, whatever you want to eat, this old man won't charge you!"

"Consider it my humble old man's way of doing his best for the millions of people behind me."

He didn't know if Liu Bang was telling the truth or not, but he was willing to listen to it as if it were true.

After bowing deeply, the old shopkeeper returned to the kitchen to prepare another pot of wine for Liu Bang.

Unexpectedly, the waiter followed them at that moment.

"Grandpa, isn't this person a fraud?"

"How could such a strange change have occurred after the Marquis of Pingxi has been guarding the border for so many years?"

"Over the years, he has repelled countless attacks by the Tartars. If he wanted to betray us, wouldn't he have had a much better opportunity long ago?"

Hearing his words, the old shopkeeper could only sigh and gently pat the young man's head.

"Everyone will make very different choices when faced with different situations and at different times."

“In the past, when the Ming Dynasty still had some prestige, he was naturally willing to follow behind the court and use its power as a shield. But now that the court is about to be overthrown, and he doesn’t want to lose his power as the Earl of Pingxi, who do you think can guarantee that he will retain his power and military strength?”

Instead of giving a direct answer, he posed a question for the young man to ponder.

Who can guarantee that Wu Sangui's power will not be affected?

The Shun army was ineffective, and so was the imperial court.

In Wu Sangui's view, there was only one choice to be made in this multiple-choice question!

"what?"

"Would the Marquis of Pingxi betray the entire Central Plains for such a small amount of power?"

The waiter clearly didn't believe it.

He was still young and unwilling to believe such a cruel truth.

“A little power? It’s not just a little. For ordinary people like us, he only needs to glance at us or frown slightly, and someone will immediately take care of us.”

“This is the true power of the Marquis of Pingxi, and what he truly cherishes.”

The old shopkeeper filled the pot with wine, looked up, and sighed again.

"Perhaps no one is immune to the allure of such power, even the person outside, but at least for now, he is selfless and wants to help us."

"How wonderful it would be if everyone in the world could remember their original aspirations."

After saying this, he walked out of the kitchen and placed the wine pot on Liu Bang's table.

"From now on, the restaurant will always reserve a room for you. Sir, I hope you will always remember your words."

"I'll risk my life and fight you this time!"

Upon receiving his answer and seeing his choice, Liu Bang smiled.

"You can rest assured about that; I am different from them."

Since you've already gone that far and have been emperor for many years, what in this world could possibly change your mind?

What power do you have to seduce me?!

"I want one too! I may not trust you, but I trust Grandpa!"

"If there's anything you'd like me to do for you, I'll definitely do it without hesitation!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bang cast a glance at him and looked him up and down for a moment.

"The thing I asked you to do for me..."

"Go see Wu Sangui for me, do you have the guts?"

Waiter: "?"

Do you want to listen to what you are saying?

Whom will I go to see on your behalf?

Is it the Earl of Pingxi?

Let alone seeing him, if he dared to approach the Pingxi Earl's residence even slightly, he would be either driven away or shot dead.

Heaven knows how tight the guards must be around that cowardly man's residence!

"Could we...could we ask for something else?"

"I'm afraid I can't do this. Someone like me, dressed like this, has no way of getting close to the Marquis of Pingxi's residence."

"If we approach rashly, we'll probably be shot dead."

Seeing the waiter's embarrassed expression, Liu Bang simply continued to laugh.

"Since we've arranged for you to meet the Marquis of Pingxi, we certainly won't let you do it this way."

"Come on, let's get you a nice set of clothes first. There are still tailors in this city, right?"