Although Zhang Bao orchestrated the religious conflict himself, he couldn't hold back his temper after seeing his disciple's life hanging in the balance.

He originally intended to use Taoist doctrines to crush Christianity and destroy it.

But given the current situation, he is no longer prepared to do that.

For Zhang Bao, who personally formed the defenders of the faith and turned Luoyang Buddhism into a coward, when words were no longer effective, he had no choice but to use his fists.

While ordering his men to treat the injured disciples well, Zhang Bao also sent someone to deliver the message to Chu Qian, and gathered all the believers together, including some nobles.

After this period of development, the Taiping Religion had grown to no fewer than two thousand followers. Their gathering quickly attracted the attention of the Roman authorities.

The Royal Palace in Rome.

Confucius said, “Without knowing destiny, one cannot be a gentleman. Without knowing propriety, one cannot stand upright. Without knowing words, one cannot know people.”

"This means that a virtuous person should act in accordance with the will of Heaven. To win people's hearts, one must first know propriety; to understand people, one must first understand virtue..."

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius knelt solemnly behind the table, listening attentively to Li Boming's explanation of Confucianism.

Just then, a palace guard rushed in: "Your Majesty, the Han envoy Chu Qian is outside requesting an audience!"

"Quickly, let him in!!"

Upon hearing that it was Chu Qian who was requesting an audience, Marcus Aurelius immediately stopped his practice.

Soon, Chu Qian, with a sullen face, followed the guards in.

What's wrong with the Han envoy?

Noticing that Chu Qian's expression was a little off, Marcus Aurelius was the first to ask.

"His Majesty!"

Chu Qian bowed to Marcus Aurelius, then said in a solemn voice, "I have come here to seek justice from His Majesty!"

"justice?"

Marcus Aurelius was taken aback: "What happened? Has someone offended your Excellency?"

As he spoke, Marcus Aurelius's expression darkened.

You must understand that the Han delegation was his honored guest, and he himself always treated them with the utmost courtesy and never dared to be negligent.

Now that someone dares to displease the Han envoy, it is undoubtedly a sign that they don't respect him, the Roman emperor.

"Your Majesty, today Zhang Baotian, the Celestial Master of the Taiping Sect, came to me and said that Christians from your country have seriously injured one of our missionaries, and his life is in danger."

In our great Han Dynasty, the Taiping Sect was adopted as the state religion by the emperor, and Taoist priests were deeply respected by the people.

The actions of Christians clearly demonstrate a disregard for our great Han Dynasty and undermine the friendly agreement between your country and our great Han Dynasty.

If we cannot receive justice, I will consider this a sign of your country's disrespect and will withdraw all my entourage and caravan, severing all ties with your country!

Chu Qian's words were spoken in anger, which surprised even Marcus Aurelius.

However, Marcus Aurelius was not angry about this; on the contrary, he was very understanding of Chu Qian's feelings.

After all, these Taoist priests were sent by the emperor of the Han Dynasty, not only to spread the Tao, but also to represent the Han Dynasty.

Now, the Taoist priest of the Great Han Dynasty has been beaten to the point of death outside. This is clearly a slap in the face to the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty. As an envoy of the Great Han Dynasty, Chu Qian will naturally not let this go.

Of course, most importantly, Marcus Aurelius was planning to promote Confucianism in order to pave the way for his future establishment of a centralized system.

If Chu Qian manages to evacuate everyone, wouldn't all my plans and ambitions be in vain?

Thinking of all this, Marcus Aurelius was quite angry at this moment.

He already disliked those Christians, and now that they had almost ruined his relationship with the Han, he naturally wouldn't let those bastards off the hook.

In Rome at that time, because Christianity forbade its followers to worship other gods, the Roman nobility strongly resisted Christianity.

Throughout Roman history, there have been numerous instances of persecution and expulsion of Christians. Even today, Christianity remains an unofficial religion in Rome.

Therefore, Marcus Aurelius did not find anything wrong with eradicating Christianity to appease the anger of the Han Dynasty.

"Han envoy, please calm your anger. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer!"

Marcus Aurelius looked at his guards with a solemn expression and said in a deep voice, "Send someone to inform the Senate to immediately enact a law to label Christianity as a cult, and to immediately organize a manpower to search for and arrest Christians within the territory of Rome."

Furthermore, tell those fellows in the Senate that if they outwardly comply but inwardly resist, the Han Dynasty will withdraw all its merchants and sever all trade with Rome!

"Yes, Your Majesty!!"

The guard agreed and then quickly turned and left.

After the guards left, Marcus Aurelius looked at Chu Qian with a friendly expression, "Your Excellency, rest assured, Rome still attaches great importance to our relations with the Han Dynasty. We hope that this small matter will not damage the friendship between our two countries!"

Chu Qian's expression softened: "I am naturally willing to believe in Your Majesty's sincerity. As long as those Christians receive their due punishment, the agreement between my Great Han and your country will remain in effect!"

"Okay, that's fine!!"

Hearing Chu Qian's words, Marcus Aurelius finally felt relieved.

On the other side, Zhang Bao, who had gathered a group of Taiping believers, also told them the news that the preacher had been seriously injured.

"Fellow believers, our Taiping Church has always adhered to the principle of winning people over with virtue, but those bastards in Christianity are ignorant of manners and beat up our fellow believers. This is clearly a contempt for the great Taiyi God and a contempt for all of us believers."

From this moment forward, I, the Celestial Master, declare that Christianity will become a heresy to be attacked by this religion, and I hereby establish the Taiping Guardians.

"From now on, whenever we encounter Christians, we must use all means to eliminate them!"

"Eliminate heretics, protect our peace!!"

As Zhang Bao finished speaking, the believers present shouted in unison.

In fact, believers of any religion, as long as they label their opponents as heretics, will spare no effort to eliminate them, regardless of any words of encouragement.

What I believe in is right. You don't have to believe it, but if you oppose it, then it must be eliminated.

This stems from the natural divide and opposition between different religions.

Soon, under Zhang Bao's organization, nearly five hundred strong and healthy Roman believers were incorporated into the ranks of the Taiping Guardians.

After returning home, the nobles who had joined the Taiping Church also sent their guards and knights to search for Christians in the city, together with the defenders of the faith.

Upon receiving Marcus Aurelius's message, the Senate immediately issued a proclamation, labeling Christianity a heresy that everyone should condemn.

After all, the Roman nobles had already tasted the benefits of communicating with the Han Dynasty, and none of them would risk offending the Han Dynasty for the sake of an illegitimate form of Christianity.