Thanks to the support and promotion of Roman nobles and merchants, Han Dynasty goods have now become a symbol of nobility and status in Rome.

Anyone with a little money would buy silk, porcelain, tea, and other goods to show off their status and difference.

However, since this was the first time the two sides had communicated, and the shipping route was extremely long, the quantity of these goods was limited, and their prices were naturally very expensive. Some minor nobles would often have to spend half of their life savings to buy a single piece of silk.

Therefore, it is easy to imagine the anger of the lower and middle-class Roman nobles towards the Parthians, who controlled the vital trade routes between East and West.

In their view, if it weren't for those damned Satirians blocking the land trade between Rome and the Han Dynasty, Han goods wouldn't be so expensive, and they wouldn't have to spend their life savings to buy them.

In an instant, apart from the province of Egypt, which controlled the Suez Canal, the nobles of the other Roman provinces petitioned Augustus and the Senate to send troops to wipe out the damned Satirians.

The Arab provinces, located east of Rome and bordering Parthia, were particularly eager to fight, because if Parthia were destroyed and the land trade route between the Han Dynasty and Rome was opened, they would be the first to benefit.

The governor of the Arab province even personally wrote a letter to Marcus Aurelius requesting permission to fight, the content of which was roughly as follows:

"If Augustus and the Senate dare not wage war against the Parthians, then the Arab provinces will recruit warriors on their own and open up trade routes between the Han and Rome!"

At this time, Rome was ostensibly a republic, but its system was more similar to a later federal system. Although the provinces were nominally under Augustus's rule, they actually possessed a high degree of political and military autonomy.

Therefore, after a fundamental conflict of interest arises, the provinces can completely ignore Augustus and the Senate.

After reading the threatening letter from the Arab governor, Marcus Aurelius was not angry at all. Instead, he smiled and looked at Li Boming, who was serving him.

"Sir, what do you think should be done about this?"

"In response to Your Majesty, in our Great Han Dynasty, the authority of an emperor mainly relies on his civil and military achievements."

Take our current emperor of the Han Dynasty as an example. At the beginning of his reign, he rectified officialdom and developed people's livelihood. Later, he personally led an expedition to annihilate the barbarian tribes of Zhou.

"Now, the Emperor of our Great Han Dynasty enjoys unprecedented prestige, and all his subjects revere him and follow his lead..."

Li Boming did not directly answer Marcus Aurelius's question, but instead used Liu Hong's deeds as an example to illustrate his own views.

"You are right, sir. I really do need to learn from His Majesty the Emperor of your country!"

Li Boming's words truly resonated with Marcus Aurelius.

He was also deeply fascinated by the supreme and absolute power of the Han emperor.

"Sir, to be honest, I've always wanted to wage war against Parthia and wipe out those damned Parthians, but as you know, those cowardly bastards in the Senate would never allow me to do so..."

When the Senate, which had been a constant hindrance, was mentioned, a look of annoyance appeared on Marcus Aurelius's face.

Of course, what frustrated him was not that the Senate had been hindering him, but that the Senate's existence had now become the biggest obstacle on his path to becoming emperor.

If he wanted to become a supreme emperor like the Emperor of the Han Dynasty and pass the throne to his descendants for generations, the Senate had to be eliminated.

Seeing this, Li Boming said solemnly, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, it is the trend of the times. The Senate may oppose you, but it cannot oppose the whole of Rome. You can unite with other nobles in Rome to suppress the Senate, or even abolish it..."

"Does the gentleman have any good ideas?"

Upon hearing Li Boming's words, Marcus Aurelius's expression shifted, and he looked at Li Boming with shining eyes.

"Your Majesty, the nobles of various provinces are extremely dissatisfied with the Parthians' control of trade routes, and there are strong calls for war."

The fact that the governor of the Arab province is writing to you shows that those nobles are no longer willing to tolerate this.

Marcus Aurelius's expression shifted: "Does the master mean that I should agree to the Arab governor's request for war, and then take the opportunity to unite those pro-war nobles?"

"Uniting with the pro-war faction is only the most basic step. What Your Majesty needs to do is to create conflict between the pro-war nobles and those pedantic and cowardly members of the Senate. Only in this way will you have a chance to mediate and then support one side while fighting the other..."

Although he was a leader of traditional Confucian scholars, Li Boming was not the kind of pedantic scholar who only read the classics; he did have some political acumen.

Marcus Aurelius's eyes lit up: "Then how exactly should we do it?"

Li Boming stroked his beard: "Your Majesty only needs to reply to the Governor of the Arab Province that you agree to go to war, but you need to discuss it with the Senate."

During your negotiations with the Senate, you should raise several conditions that are unacceptable to them, so that the Senate will refuse your request to go to war.

In this way, you can claim that the Senate rejected your request to go to war, and the pro-war nobles will certainly vent their anger on the Senate.

Furthermore, waging war against Parthia and opening up trade routes with the Han Dynasty not only affects the interests of the nobles, but also those of merchants and local lords. With their support, wouldn't dealing with the Senate be a piece of cake?

"Excellent, sir, you are indeed a man of great talent!!"

After listening to Li Boming's plan and analysis, Marcus Aurelius's eyes lit up.

He served as Augustus of Rome for so many years. Although he knew how to win some people over others, he only used gold coins and beautiful women to win people's hearts and then used his status and power to suppress his opponents.

He never imagined that such things could be done in the imperial court.

The Han Dynasty is indeed an extraordinary place; its methods of struggle alone have broadened my horizons.

"It seems I still have a lot to learn!"

As Marcus Aurelius muttered to himself, his gaze toward Li Boming became more intense.

In his view, in addition to the knowledge of the Han Dynasty, the imperial arts learned by the emperors of the Han Dynasty throughout history were also essential for him to learn.

The scholar in front of him could help him fill this gap in his knowledge.

Thinking of this, Marcus Aurelius immediately stood up and bowed to Li Boming.

"Sir, your words today have broadened my horizons. I hope you will continue to teach me in the future!"

Li Boming quickly returned the greeting: "Your Majesty is too kind. Whatever your request, I will certainly do my best to fulfill it!"