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

In the end, Wu Sangui did not make things too difficult for him.

Just as he said, the area inside the pass is all his territory. As long as he guards all the exits, even if someone has wings, they won't be able to escape.

He was quite comfortable letting Liu Bang move freely within the city.

If Liu Bang can gather the large army he mentioned tomorrow, then it's not impossible to talk.

What is important in chaotic times?

Money? Food?

Those things are the least important.

In chaotic times, to survive, or even to establish a regional power, one needs people.

As long as there are people and soldiers, those with money and grain are your granary.

Even Wu Sangui, with his short-sightedness, could see this clearly.

Liu Bang had enough troops, so the so-called imperial titles were not worth mentioning at all!

After all, the current imperial court is already on the verge of collapse.

He also urgently needs to decide what his next step should be.

"My lord, should we send someone to follow him?"

The butler touched the bloodstains on his neck, a wave of fear washing over him.

He desperately wanted Wu Sangui to kill this person.

No one wants to have that experience a second time.

However, Wu Sangui merely glanced at him indifferently.

"No need. He can't escape. As long as he's inside the pass, he can do whatever he wants."

"Also, keep your hands and feet clean, and don't let anyone know about tonight's conversation."

The last sentence was whispered in the butler's ear.

Upon hearing this, the butler simply lowered his head even further.

He knew that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would likely never be able to avenge the one who held a sword to his neck tonight.

"Understood, this old servant will certainly do a clean job."

……

Troops were mobilized overnight.

If it's for war, then naturally there's not enough preparation.

But it was more than enough to appease Wu Sangui.

Night had just passed and dawn was breaking when someone rushed into the Pingxi Earl's residence in a panic.

"Not good, not good."

"The Tartars have attacked the city!"

"My lord, there are troops gathering outside the pass! The Tartars are attacking the city!"

The sound echoed throughout the entire mansion, waking Wu Sangui from his sleep.

Of course, he was only startled for a moment, and then he calmed down.

The Tartars are attacking the city?

If it were truly a large-scale attack by the Manchu army, he would be the first to receive the news, not the sentries.

"What's the panic? Take me to see this!"

After dressing properly, he calmly walked out of the mansion.

Compared to the panicked sentry, he appeared so calm and wise.

The group arrived at the city wall, where Liu Bang was already waiting.

"They arrived a little late. Look, although it's not their full force, we should be able to get a glimpse of the whole picture."

"Or are you really planning to let me gather a large army to attack the city?"

Look in the direction Liu Bang is pointing.

More than three thousand elite soldiers stood in neat formation outside the pass. Even standing on the city wall, one could feel the overwhelming sense of killing intent.

With Wu Sangui's discerning eye, it's easy to see that they are all seasoned veterans.

Not to mention compared to those rabble of rebels, even compared to his Guan Ning Iron Cavalry, he was by no means weaker, only stronger!

"Where did you get such elite cavalry?"

After a long while, Wu Sangui looked at Liu Bang with a face full of shock.

He could understand if they were ordinary infantrymen, but slightly more elite ones.

But these are all cavalry!

There are only a limited number of warhorses in the world, so where did these thousands of warhorses suddenly appear from?

"Isn't that a bit too much interference?"

"Even if I wanted to join forces with you, Wu Sangui, we would still be on equal footing."

"I won't ask what you wanted to do before, and you shouldn't care where my troops came from, is that alright?"

Liu Bang glanced at him with displeasure, as if blaming him for overstepping his bounds.

Wu Sangui reacted instantly. He looked at Liu Bang, then at the more than three thousand elite soldiers below the city.

"I understand, but you have to tell me the truth: how many elite troops do you actually have?"

If there were only these three thousand or so people, they would at most serve as his deputies.

Of course, he held real power and his position was second only to his deputy.

If he had 30,000 men, his only request would be that they not make him their deputy; he, the Marquis of Pingxi, wanted to be their equal.

If there were 300,000...

Haha, you're just scaring yourself.

No one in the world could afford to support 300,000 such elite cavalry!

If such a thing were possible, then let alone defeating the Qing Dynasty, sweeping across the entire world would be a matter of moments!

If someone truly possessed such strength, Wu Sangui believed he would have received a letter of surrender rather than a request to join forces.

"The cavalry originally numbered five thousand, but more than a thousand of them died in the battles with the Manchus these past few days."

"As for the infantry, their numbers within the pass will not be less than this."

As he spoke, Liu Bang stretched out one hand.

fifty thousand!

Upon seeing this number, Wu Sangui felt another jolt of fear.

What rebels? These are clearly warlords whose forces are no weaker than his!

"How about it? Would you be willing to sit down and talk to me in good faith?"

"The time is set for tonight. Prepare a feast at your residence and bring my men out. I need to confirm their safety before we can continue our discussion."

Liu Bang ignored his rapidly changing expression and simply patted him on the shoulder.

Wu Sangui had few doubts about this number.

With such a strong force of five thousand cavalry, he simply couldn't believe it was without infantry support!

"Rest assured, your two people have been treated very well by my staff and have not been mistreated in the slightest."

"As for the banquet, you need not worry about it, brother. I will have my men arrange it and make sure you are satisfied."

"May I ask how I should address you, sir?"

"We can't be about to swear a blood oath, and I don't even know your name."

Faced with Liu Bang's offense, Wu Sangui no longer felt offended at all.

When there is a huge difference in strength, everything you do is offensive.

But when the strength is similar, or even slightly superior, then this move is nothing but a joke!

"Liu Ji".

"Just call me Liu Ji."

"See you tonight."

Liu Bang smiled as he walked down the city wall.

Wu Sangui was left standing there, pondering the name.

The given name is fine, it's just the surname, Liu...

Surely it's not another street thug from the Liu family of the Han Dynasty, is it?

No, no, no, that's definitely impossible. You're just scaring yourself!

……

As night fell.

Wu Sangui had prepared food and drinks early on with his men.

Xiao Er and Zhang the tailor were also brought to the banquet.

Looking at the abundant feast before them, the two regarded it as their last meal before their execution.

After all, they knew perfectly well that they were imposters, posing as imperial envoys, and that once exposed, they would surely be torn to pieces.

But a moment later, an unexpected figure appeared at the banquet.

"Have you two been frightened these past two days?"

Judging from your expressions, you've probably forgotten my promise, haven't you?

"Didn't I say that I would do everything I could to save your lives? The current situation is not enough to make me do everything I can."