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

Han Xin was not very willing to deal with powerful gentry and to reason with them.

No matter how good you are to them, when it comes to spending money or effort, they'll still pretend to be dead.

It would be better to treat them like pigs and dogs, and just take them when you need them.

Reasoning with people depends on the person. For those who only care about interests and have no sense of morality, no amount of reasoning will work.

"Of course I know that we can't be too nice to them, but isn't this a special case?"

“Li Zicheng has already occupied the capital and has almost taken control of the Central Plains. Even if he accepts Dorgon and the people no longer support him, his generals and soldiers will not be able to disband.”

"If we continue to plunder the gentry and make enemies everywhere, forcing them to side with Li Zicheng or Zhang Xianzhong, do you think we will still have a chance?"

Liu Bang also disliked those people.

But we must admit that we can't afford to clash with them right now; in fact, we have to appease them.

"Then...where will we get the money?"

Han Xin knew that Liu Bang was right, but where would the money come from?

"That old bastard Wu Sangui did burn a lot of his precious paintings and calligraphy, but gold and silver cannot be refined by fire."

“If the gold and silver in his mansion were taken out, it should be enough to buy a lot of grain and fodder, at least enough for the Qing army to lead the way to the Qing court.”

"As long as we can find the Qing government, all the remaining problems will be solved."

"Those things, taking advantage of the Ming court's weakness, have robbed countless things in recent years. The Ming court can't afford to pay the taxes and rations, but they can. You can imagine how bad they are."

"Li Zicheng has those money bags in the capital, and we also have our own money bags."

"As for the morale of the people and the army, I am willing to distribute all the spoils of war. It all depends on whether Li Zicheng is willing to follow me!"

If you're going to cross the border to find the Qing court, you don't need much; three months' worth of provisions will suffice.

After all, once he leaves the pass, he won't have to shelve his sword anymore.

While they had rarely tried the strategy of using war to sustain war before, it was something that neither Xiang Yu nor Han Xin were unfamiliar with.

Han Xin thought about it and realized that this plan was indeed sound.

Only a small number of troops remained inside the pass, and their only responsibility was to guard the only important border town they controlled.

A small amount of food and fodder can last for a long time, and with spring planting coming up, it can sustain them for more than half a year, enough to make a living.

"So, Your Majesty, do you intend to send me to the Qing court, or will you send Xiang Ji?"

"What do you think?"

After pondering for a moment, Liu Bang instead passed the question on to Han Xin.

“Let Xiang Ji go. His Majesty should also understand the current situation. When these troops were conscripted, you were not there, and Xiang Ji’s bravery was too dazzling, causing them to only recognize Xiang Ji.”

“If we continue to let him stay inside the pass, he might really turn the tables and become the master of the house.”

"Although I know this is just a challenge, it's best to avoid things like this as much as possible."

Even Han Xin had to admit it.

Xiang Yu had immense personal charisma.

Especially on the battlefield, when they are at the forefront, breaking through enemy lines, beheading generals, and capturing flags as easily as taking candy from a baby.

The soldiers who join the army want to make a name for themselves and achieve great things.

In such times, people will be loyal to whoever can lead them to victory.

In the battles that recently wiped out the Qing army, Xiang Yu was clearly the most outstanding.

The surviving soldiers in the army have reached the peak of their worship of Xiang Yu.

At this point, keeping Xiang Yu alive was clearly not a wise decision.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bang frowned slightly.

"To be honest, I don't really care that much about the issue you mentioned."

"In the past, during the alliance between Chu and Han, I tricked Xiang Yu once. It wouldn't hurt to return the favor in this challenge."

"If that's all there is to it..."

"There is another reason, of course."

Han Xin interrupted him and continued.

"Does Your Majesty still remember the great advantage Xiang Ji held when he exiled you to the lands of Ba and Shu?"

"But even with this advantage, Your Majesty still grew stronger, until it became uncontrollable in the end."

"Although Xiang Ji has always been able to lead his elite troops to fight against overwhelming odds and achieve victory against the stronger enemy, why is it that his forces are always inferior to Your Majesty's?"

It is a fact that as long as Xiang Yu appeared on the front lines, he could always save the Chu army from dire straits.

But why was the Chu army always in dire straits when he wasn't on the front lines?

"I understand what you mean now."

Why were the Chu army always caught in fire and water?

Ultimately, the problem lies with Xiang Yu himself.

Aside from troop deployment, there's almost nothing else worth mentioning!

"Back then, he held an absolute advantage, yet Your Majesty still managed to turn the tide in adversity. Now, we are still at a disadvantage."

"If he truly holds the reins of power in the army, Your Majesty, do I need to elaborate on the consequences?"

Since Liu Bang was willing to let Xiang Yu off the hook in the challenge, Han Xin naturally wouldn't meddle in something that wasn't his business if it were feasible.

The question is, once all power is handed over to Xiang Yu, can things really proceed as they envisioned?

"It's obvious that I'm worried, not only you, but I am too."

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Bang shook his head slightly.

He knew clearly what kind of adversity he faced when he was enfeoffed as the King of Han and was in the land of Bashu.

For a long time, even he himself lost his fighting spirit.

It can be said that without Han Xin, he probably would never have left Bashu in his entire life.

Despite such adversity, Xiang Yu was able to leave Ba and Shu, and ultimately sweep across the entire world.

If there had been even a few fewer wrong decisions, the outcome probably wouldn't have been like this.

"In that case, let's do as you say. At worst, we can talk to him about it after the situation has been settled."

However, just after Liu Bang made his decision, Xiang Yu's voice suddenly came from outside the tent.

"You little rascal, you're not entirely bad after all."

"If you had shown even the slightest intention to use me just now, your head would already be off your neck."

Liu Bang: "?"

He turned around abruptly and saw Xiang Yu's annoyed look, then glanced at Han Xin.

The meaning conveyed in their eyes was quite clear.

You damn Han Xin, are you plotting against me?

Han Xin's expression was also very innocent.

Am I out of my mind? To scheme against you for Xiang Yu's sake?

"Don't overthink it. The military is full of my people now. Someone notified me the moment you arrived."

"However, although I hate to admit it, your concerns just now are indeed somewhat valid."

"After going through so much, do you really think I haven't improved at all?"

"……Then what?"

"And then? Then you and this man will take care of things here, while I'll be in charge of conquering all sides!"

"I understand the principle of blood for blood!"