It is often said that people change with their environment, and this statement seems to be a truly profound truth.

Thinking back to when Xi Zhicai first met Liu Hong, he was a carefree and ambitious young man. Now, after several years in officialdom, he has become just like those bureaucrats, a ruthless and cunning person.

The key issue is their shamelessness. They clearly violated people's beliefs and broke their precepts, yet they still claim it was for their own good.

He possessed all the ruthlessness of Cheng Yu, the venom of Jia Xu, and the shamelessness of Cao Song.

Noticing the emperor's strange gaze, Xi Zhicai said innocently, "Your Majesty, I did that on your orders. You can't look at me like that, can you?"

Liu Hong curled his lip: "I only asked you to give them identities, not to ruin their cultivation!"

Now that you've made them completely abandon Buddhism, how am I supposed to use them to deal with the Kushan's Buddhist sect?

"Uh... Your Majesty is planning to use them to split the Kushan Empire and gain control of Buddhism??"

Xi Zhicai was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected the emperor to have this plan.

Liu Hong nodded: "At present, the Great Han is not powerful enough to deal with the Kushans, so we can only try to weaken them from within. The Buddhist religion is regarded as the state religion in the Kushans, so its influence is self-evident."

Only by splitting them apart and plunging them into infighting can the Taiping Rebellion seize the opportunity to infiltrate and prepare for the future invasion of our Great Han!

"So that's how it is. It was my oversight that ruined Your Majesty's plans. I beg Your Majesty's punishment!"

Upon hearing Liu Hong's words, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but bow down and apologize with a look of shame on his face.

Liu Hong waved his hand with a smile: "Hey~, this has nothing to do with you. Even if you don't do it, you can't get Hachi and the other two to acknowledge the identity we gave him."

Their ability to betray their Buddha only shows their lack of resolve. But that's alright, I can find them a new Buddha!

Xi Zhicai's brow furrowed, and he couldn't help but ask, "Does His Majesty mean to establish another Buddhist sect?"

Liu Hong smiled and said, "It's not that complicated. Just merge the Floating Pagoda Sect into the Great Peace Sect!"

"To be incorporated into the Taiping Religion?"

This time, Xi Zhicai was truly dumbfounded. The two sects were like fire and water, how could they possibly be united?

Liu Hong explained, "Humans are divided into different classes, and gods and Buddhas should naturally be divided into high and low, noble and base. How can a mere Buddha be compared to Taiyi?"

Xi Zhicai suddenly realized: "Your Majesty means to turn the Buddhist sect into a subordinate branch of the Taiping sect?"

“That’s right. The Taiping Church does not prohibit drinking alcohol, eating meat, or getting married and having children. Now that Hachi and the others have abandoned their previous precepts, it would be appropriate for them to learn the doctrines of the Taiping Church and forge their own path.”

In the midst of their conversation, Liu Hong had already planned out the future paths for Hachi and the others.

"Your Majesty's plan is indeed brilliant. In this way, as long as they can gain a foothold in the Kushan Empire in the future, they can use his identity as a Kushan prince and use those believers to help him seize the throne."

After they successfully seize power, the Taiping Cult will then enter the fray as the head cult, at which point they can legitimately bring it under the rule of the Great Han...

As he finished speaking, Xi Zhicai's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Seeing Xi Zhicai becoming increasingly excited, Liu Hong couldn't help but smile and nod: "At first, I only had a rough idea, but I didn't expect that Zhicai would perfect it. If we follow what Zhicai said, this plan is not impossible to succeed!"

Xi Zhicai said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this plan is too ambitious and requires careful consideration!"

Liu Hong nodded: "Zhicai can discuss this with Yuanhao, Gonghe, and others. I will also communicate with Wenhe, Zhongde, and Gongda. Let's work together to improve it."

"Yes, Your Majesty! I shall take my leave now!"

Xi Zhicai respectfully agreed, and then hurriedly took his leave.

As the sun set, Xi Zhicai's wife, Wang Yin, and several servants were busy in the kitchen, filling the air with fragrant aromas.

Xi Zhicai, meanwhile, stayed in his study, holding a brush, constantly writing down his plans to plot against the Kushan Empire.

As dusk fell, the kitchen ceased its busy work, and one delicious dish after another was brought to a large table in the front hall. Xi Zhicai, with a rosy complexion, walked out.

Before long, the gatekeeper came to report: Tian Feng, the chief of the Road Administration Office, has come to visit.

Xi Zhicai's face lit up with joy, and he personally went out to greet him.

"Brother Zhicai, you're always the one coming to our house for a free meal, but today you're suddenly hosting a dinner party. Is there some good news?"

Upon meeting, Tian Feng, unusually, started joking with Zhi Cai.

"Haha~, Yuan Hao, don't be impatient, you'll find out soon enough. Please come inside!"

Xi Zhicai laughed heartily, not taking Tian Feng's teasing to heart at all.

"Alright, I'll see what you're up to today!"

Tian Feng smiled and walked towards the front hall with Xi Zhicai.

"Brother Zhicai, you've really gone to great lengths today, preparing so many delicious dishes. Did your wife give you extra money for drinks?"

Looking at the table full of dishes in the hall, Tian Feng couldn't help but marvel.

"Brother Yuanhao, you've changed a bit since your trip to Jiangnan."

Seeing that the usually upright and serious Tian Feng was constantly making fun of him, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but show a look of surprise on his face.

"Hey... don't even mention it. Ever since I started hanging out with that Dong Zhongying, he's dragged me drinking a few times, and that's how this happened. But it's alright, though!!"

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