“Father, I believe that the Senate is not a monolithic entity, and each family has different needs.”

Some covet your position as Augustus, while others want to gain more benefits. We can divide and win them over according to their different needs..."

Commodus seems to be preparing for his father's doubts.

"Yes, continue!"

Marcus Aurelius smiled with satisfaction upon hearing his son's insightful observation.

“Father, I believe that the visit of the Han envoy is a rare opportunity. You should sign some cooperation treaties with the Han Kingdom to bind commercial cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries and take the initiative into your own hands.”

In this way, all trade between the two countries will be entirely allocated by us, and we can then use this to win over families with vested interests and instruct them to suppress those ambitious families.

In this way, we can take the opportunity to promote Confucianism and cultivate forces loyal to the royal family, so that we can completely abolish the Senate and Parliament in the future…

"Excellent, excellent! It's rare to find someone with such insight!"

Marcus Aurelius nodded with satisfaction upon hearing Commodus's words.

Kang Maode's eyes lit up: "So, Father Emperor agrees with my opinion?"

Marcus Aurelius smiled and said, “Such a good suggestion, of course I agree. Moreover, I have decided to hire Confucian scholars in the name of promoting friendship between the Han Dynasty and Rome to teach you and the young nobles Chinese language and various etiquettes of the Han Dynasty!”

Kang Maode's face lit up with joy: "Father is wise!"

Marcus Aurelius waved his hand: "Alright, you go and prepare. In the days to come, you should spend more time with the Han envoys and Confucian scholars, and study their doctrines diligently!"

"Yes, Father!"

Commodus respectfully agreed, then bowed and withdrew.

Commodus woke up early the next morning, preparing to lead a group of Roman nobles to visit the Han Chinese delegation again.

Looking at the Roman-style clothing brought in by the maid, Commodus frowned, then waved his hand: "Go, bring over the Hanfu that the gentlemen gave me yesterday!"

"yes!"

Several maids agreed and quickly brought a white silk robe and a headscarf commonly used by Confucian scholars.

After much effort, Kang Maode finally put on the robe and, like the Han people, tied up his loose hair and put on a Confucian scholar's headscarf.

Looking at his own elegant reflection in the bronze mirror, Kang Maode smiled with satisfaction.

He felt that his attire made him look more like a scholar than those learned Roman scholars, and that the silk garment he wore was more comfortable than any other garment he had ever worn.

When Commodus appeared before the group of Roman nobles, he immediately caused a sensation.

For Roman nobles, Commodus's demeanor was instantly elevated when he donned exquisite and beautiful Hanfu, exuding elegance and nobility from the inside out.

Immediately, young people who were on good terms with Kang Mao also stepped forward to inquire about the price of the clothes.

Those who weren't on good terms with the others, though they didn't go up to ask, were still listening intently, thinking they should get a set to wear too.

After all, compared to their simple clothing, Hanfu seemed more in line with their aristocratic status.

In response to the crowd's questions, Commodus smiled and said, "Gentlemen, this outfit of mine wasn't bought with money; it was a gift from several distinguished gentlemen!"

"Could you talk to these gentlemen and ask them to sell us a few sets?"

"Yes, Prince, I'm willing to pay any price as long as they're willing to give it to me!"

"Yes, we're not short of money. Let them name their price!"

The group of young nobles seemed not to understand Commodus's implied meaning and still wanted to buy it with money.

"Shut up, all of you!!"

Commodus shouted, interrupting the crowd's argument.

He looked at the crowd in front of him with a serious expression and said, "Let me tell you, those gentlemen are all learned and respected elders. In their eyes, money is like dirt."

These elderly people have always valued character over family background.

Moreover, in the Han Dynasty, there were strict regulations regarding what kind of people should wear what kind of clothes.

Officials have their official robes, merchants have their everyday clothes, and ordinary people have their plain clothes...

According to the rules of the Han Dynasty, only scholars can wear this set of clothes. I am showing that I want to learn from these teachers, and that is why I received this gift from them!

"Garment like mine, apart from Confucian scholars, is forbidden to anyone else; otherwise, it would be breaking the rules, and neither those gentlemen nor the Han officials would allow it."

"This... the Han Dynasty has so many rules?"

Upon hearing Commodus's words, the nobles exchanged bewildered glances.

"Nonsense, otherwise why would they be called a land of etiquette? Unlike you, each of you who consider yourselves noble, yet you don't even understand etiquette and rules."

Aside from having good food and drink, what other difference is there between us and ordinary people and northern barbarians?

Kang Maode's expression also turned serious, and he gave a reprimand to the men in front of him.

Upon hearing this, the group of young people lowered their heads in shame.

"Alright, if you really like these clothes, come with me in a bit. I'll plead with the gentlemen, and maybe they'll be so pleased that they'll accept you as their disciples. That way, you can wear them!"

Moreover, I tell you, the knowledge of these gentlemen is among the best in the Han Dynasty. Countless noble disciples of the Han Dynasty have received their teachings.

You all should learn from the gentlemen and see what it truly means to be a true nobleman!

Seeing this, Commodus also timely threw out his own bait.

He believed that no one could resist the allure of such exquisite and elegant clothes, and no one would refuse to learn the knowledge and etiquette of true nobility.

"Then I'll have to trouble you to put in a good word for me!"

"Yes, we will definitely study hard!"

Sure enough, upon hearing Kang Maode's words, the people around him also expressed their willingness to follow the Confucian scholars and study.

Even the ambitious nobles standing nearby couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Undoubtedly, after witnessing Chu Qian and the Han delegation, they clearly felt the gap between the two sides.

In the past, they always mocked people outside of Rome as bumpkins, but now, compared with the people of the Han Dynasty, they themselves have unknowingly become bumpkins themselves.

This huge psychological gap made them also yearn to accept the teachings of Han Confucianism and become true nobles.