A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"Liu Xiu greets the Prime Minister."

When Liu Xiu met Wang Mang, his eyes held a hint of admiration.

In this lifetime, Wang Mang had an excellent reputation.

Because he did not usurp the throne, nor was he driven by short-sighted gains, he implemented his policies in a down-to-earth manner.

In addition, with the foundation laid by the Wei family over the years and their support, and with Wang Mang offering the huge opportunity of the enfeoffment system, Wang Mang's reforms did not harm the common people.

The only impact was that those powerful figures who were forced into rebellion were not necessarily forced into it.

Liu Xiu has been able to preliminarily determine that this rebellion was instigated by Emperor Ping of Han.

Their emperor, from the Liu family, wants to overthrow their empire.

Liu Xiu had also studied at the National Central University established by Wang Mang, and could even address Wang Mang as "Principal," so he naturally had a certain degree of admiration for Wang Mang.

Wang Mang sensed this hint of admiration and felt secretly pleased.

"No need for thanks. I originally intended to recommend you for the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards, but I was unsuccessful."

Liu Xiu smiled slightly and said, "The Grand Master of Ceremonies is the head of the Nine Ministers. Only learned scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought are qualified to hold this position. It is already a great honor for me to be able to hold this position."

"Without the Prime Minister, Xiu would probably be in prison right now, let alone holding a high position."

"You're very good, not arrogant or discouraged."

The two sat facing each other, discussing the past and present, and analyzing current affairs.

It wasn't until a servant from the manor came in to add lamps that the two realized it was already night.

By the end of the day, the two of them were filled with admiration for each other.

Wang Mang stood on the shoulders of giants of later generations and put forward many insights, which are the essence extracted by later generations over 2000 years.

However, Liu Xiu was able to easily absorb this knowledge, and sometimes, some of the insightful points he raised surprised even Wang Mang.

Needless to say, Liu Xiu discovered that Wang Mang had insightful views on everything from astronomy and geography to classics, history, philosophy, court politics, and local customs.

Moreover, many of their insights are ahead of their time, as if they came from the future.

Liu Xiu quickly found his own idea hilarious. How could there possibly be someone from the future?

It can only be said that Wang Mang was too powerful, so powerful that he should not have been born into this world.

Just like the first King Chungmu.

He had always thought that the historical records were exaggerated rhetoric, but after hearing about Wei Xian's achievements in this battle, he realized that they were all true.

Recalling the numerous records in historical books, well...

Was that really a person?!

Even Wang Mang had his weaknesses; in terms of martial prowess, he was just a junior.

But King Chungmu's martial prowess goes without saying, and even in politics and knowledge, he is far ahead of the competition.

Many of the ideas of the Wei family in later generations originated from the books left behind by King Chungmu.

Even in farming, King Zhongwu was unmatched, comparable only to Emperor Shennong in historical records.

Thinking about it this way, reality really is a trash game, and he really wants to report someone for cheating.

Wang Mang thought the same thing; he also really wanted to report that someone was cheating.

Liu Xiu's insights were absolutely outrageous. If it weren't for the fact that Liu Xiu's insights seemed so naive and were clearly improvements on the systems he had proposed, he would have suspected that Liu Xiu was also a time traveler like him.

The two exchanged a glance, simultaneously cursing inwardly, "Pervert!"

……

This incident dealt a heavy blow to Emperor Ping of Han, bringing his morale to the brink of collapse.

It can only be said that Liu Bang had truly good genes; even at this point, Emperor Ping of Han still stubbornly wanted to regain his power.

He dispatched another of his trusted confidants to seize Ma Wu's military power.

With 10 troops under his command, Emperor Ping of Han could finally sleep soundly.

In the twenty-fourth year of Emperor Ping of Han's reign, the devastated emperor fell ill and never recovered, no longer having the energy to fight against Wang Mang in the court.

Looking back on his life, from the time he was a child, he was put on the throne by Wang Mang, and for the next twenty years, he lived in Wang Mang's shadow.

He now commands an army of 10, holds numerous official positions in the court, and has many loyal followers.

But he could feel his life force draining away; his lifespan was already short.

His crown prince, his only son, is only 12 years old.

How could such a young boy possibly stand against the increasingly powerful Wang Mang?

But he no longer has the energy to clear obstacles for his child.

Furthermore, the rebellion of powerful clans that he instigated created a new and formidable enemy for his son: Liu Xiu.

On his deathbed, Emperor Ping of Han was filled with resentment. He was only 32 years old. If he could live to 60, he was confident that he could completely turn the tide with the power he held.

Ultimately, living a long life is a kind of asset.

He was destined not to outlive Wang Mang.

In the twenty-fourth year of Emperor Ping of Han's reign, Emperor Ping died in Weiyang Palace at the age of 32. The crown prince took his place before the coffin. After discussion among the ministers, Chancellor Wang Mang decided to give him the posthumous title of Ping, and he is historically known as Emperor Ping of Han.

In the second year of the young emperor's reign, the young emperor accidentally fell into a pond while playing, caught a cold, and unfortunately passed away.

He is historically known as Emperor You of Han.

The Han Dynasty once again found itself in the awkward position of having no heir.

In recent years, Liu Xiu has lived a secluded life in Chang'an, frequently consulting with senior officials about various etiquette matters related to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and has earned an excellent reputation in the court.

Coupled with his aura of destiny, many people were happy to befriend him.

Now that the Han Dynasty is without an emperor, the high-ranking officials and relatives of the imperial family have gathered again to discuss the selection of a new emperor.

In the end, Liu Xiu was chosen.

It can be said that Liu Xiu's life in this life was much smoother than in the previous one.

After Liu Xiu ascended the throne, he worked closely with Wang Mang and the Wei family. With the help of the Wei family, the Han Dynasty was able to recuperate and thrive, allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity, and the country to become rich and strong.

At the same time, Liu Xiu listed King Zhongwu Wei Ping as one of the people who must be sacrificed in the grand sacrifices of the court. In the "Di Sacrifice" held every three years and the "Xu Sacrifice" held every five years, in addition to sacrificing to many emperors of the Han Dynasty, King Zhongwu was also sacrificed at the same time.

Even in the order of sacrifices, King Zhongwu was only below Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang), Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng), and Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che).

This elevated the status of King Chungmu to an extremely high position.

At the same time, with the consent of the Wei family, a plaque inscribed with the title of King Zhongwu was bestowed upon them.

On the other hand, he actively promoted the development of the enfeoffment system with Wang Mang. Influenced by Wang Mang's ideas, Liu Xiu also became a Huaxia theorist.

Liu Xiu and the Wei family were in charge of logistics, while Wang Mang was in charge of expansion. The enfeoffment system of the Han Dynasty was thriving.

Unfortunately, his good fortune was short-lived. In the fifth year of Emperor Guangwu of Han's reign, Wang Mang died in Chang'an.

Before his death, he did not tell his children anything, but instead told Emperor Guangwu of Han all his plans and intentions.

He knew that Emperor Guangwu of Han was not a heartless and ungrateful person, and that he would take good care of his family.

Unfortunately, the two lived in completely different eras; Emperor Guangwu of Han's era had just begun when his era had already ended.