Thinking of this, Liu Hong's expression softened considerably. He then looked at Zhang Jiao and the other two, "You, rise!"

"I will obey the decree of my Lord!"

Then Zhang Jiao and the other two stood up, but still kept their heads down, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.

"I ask you, why did the late Emperor Xiaowu not succeed in seeking immortality?"

Liu Hong looked at Zhang Jiao with a calm expression. Although he didn't mind Zhang Jiao and the others deifying him, he still had to abandon the ethereal and unrealistic pursuit of immortality.

Zhang Jiao was slightly taken aback, and after a moment of thought, he said, "For a god to descend to earth, he needs a human body as an aid. Since the human body will eventually decay, the divine soul can be immortal and return to the heavens!"

This means that the physical body is merely a vessel for the soul. The soul is immortal, but the physical body is not. After a person dies, their soul returns to heaven. This idea aligns with people's understanding.

"Excellent!!" Liu Hong was very satisfied with Zhang Jiao's answer.

"Show him this!"

Then Liu Hong picked up a copy of the doctrine he had ordained from the table and handed it to Song Dian, who was standing next to him.

Zhang Jiao respectfully accepted the doctrine and began to examine it carefully.

In addition to the doctrines of goodness and reverence for Heaven promoted by Zhang Jiao, Liu Hong's proposed doctrines also incorporated many traditional Confucian moral concepts, such as: self-reliance, karmic retribution, respect for teachers and the Way, filial piety, and helping others when one is successful... and so on.

Furthermore, it discarded the previous notions of disasters and divine punishment, explaining that these were not divine retribution, but rather the work of evil spirits and heretics, and that people should stand up, bravely face and fight against them.

It also emphasized heretical doctrines, stating that apart from Taiyi and the gods under Taiyi, all other believers are heretics. As believers and worshippers of Taiyi, they have the right and the obligation to purge those heretics from Taiyi and allow people to once again bask in the divine glory of Taiyi.

Zhang Jiao was completely absorbed in the teachings. This doctrine perfectly aligned with his original intentions and ideals. He firmly believed that as long as he and his followers steadfastly implemented the doctrines formulated by the emperor under his leadership, they would one day realize the great ideal of universal harmony.

Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, standing to the side, were equally captivated, especially by the final heretical doctrine. At that moment, they had become the most steadfast protectors of our Lord Taiyi.