Inside the Roman palace, Marcus Aurelius knelt before a table, listening to Li Boming recount stories of the dynasties of the East.
Although the kneeling position made him feel very uncomfortable, he still tried his best to concentrate on listening.
According to Marcus Aurelius, this kneeling posture, although it may cause some physical pain, makes one look more dignified and formal, and can also temper one's will.
When Confucian scholars recounted how Qin Shi Huang swept across the six kingdoms, unified the world, established a unified dynasty, and set up a centralized system, a glimmer of light immediately appeared in Marcus Aurelius's eyes.
"This Qin Shi Huang was truly a great emperor who created history; his achievements were even greater than Caesar's!"
After learning about the First Emperor's actions, Marcus Aurelius also showed a look of reverence.
Li Boming also sighed with emotion, "Yes, the First Emperor truly deserves to be called one of the greatest emperors of all time. The system he established is enough to influence people for thousands of years. Although he died, he will live on forever in people's hearts!"
Marcus Aurelius's expression shifted: "Sir, isn't the system currently in use by your Han Dynasty also a legacy of the First Emperor?"
"Indeed, the system established by the First Emperor can maintain the stability of a country to the greatest extent. All government affairs are arranged by the central government, eliminating the need for each party to act independently. It is the most suitable system for governing a country."
Although Li Boming was a Confucian scholar, he did not show any rejection of Qin Shi Huang's system. On the contrary, he explained its benefits to Marcus Aurelius.
Of course, Li Boming did this in order to gain the support of the Roman emperor so that he could better promote Confucianism in Rome.
"Sir, I also wish to emulate your First Emperor and carry out reforms in Rome, implementing this advanced system. Would you be willing to assist me?"
Marcus Aurelius looked at Li Boming with a sincere expression and made his request.
After learning about the imperial system of the Eastern Empire, he found it increasingly difficult to suppress his inner desires.
He wanted to create a family dynasty that could last for hundreds or even thousands of years, just like the Han Dynasty, and he would become the greatest emperor in Roman history, even greater than Caesar.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's favor; I am willing to offer my full assistance!"
Li Boming readily accepted the Roman emperor's invitation.
Marcus Aurelius then appeared eager to learn from Li Boming, taking his hand and asking him various questions.
From national governance to the lives of ordinary people, no matter what Marcus Aurelius asked, Li Boming would answer according to the ideal Confucian vision.
Just as the Roman emperor was diligently absorbing Confucianism, the people of Rome were also going crazy because of the cultural customs of the Eastern empire.
After this period of fermentation, the people of Rome became increasingly fascinated by the goods that the Han Dynasty had never heard of before.
Every day, the squares of Rome are bustling with people buying silk and porcelain.
Unfortunately, all the goods that the Han merchants transported to Rome were bought up at high prices by Vecchio and his associates, leaving many people unable to purchase them even if they had the money.
Seeing this, Vickers, who had bought all the goods, also took the opportunity to resell them, becoming a middleman.
Despite the higher price he offered, it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the wealthy.
In their eyes, wearing silk and using porcelain have become symbols of status and prestige.
More and more people began to try the beverage called tea and kept visiting members of the delegation to learn the various etiquettes of tea drinking.
Of course, the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from the East also attracted a group of Roman scholars.
It could be said that everything from the Eastern empire fascinated these Romans, and an oriental craze swept through the entire city of Rome.
It can be said that, in addition to silk, porcelain, tea, and paper also became exceptionally popular goods in Rome, and all were in short supply.
Vykra and others in the Senate also made a fortune as a result.
In a short time, calls for the rapid formation of a joint fleet and accelerated cooperation and communication with the Han Dynasty grew louder among the aristocratic class.
More and more nobles are sending their children to study under Li Boming and others, hoping to learn Chinese so that they can communicate better with the Han people in the future.
The Confucian scholars welcomed all the noble children who came to seek their tutelage.
They were confident that as long as these people followed them and learned from them, it wouldn't be long before their Confucianism became the mainstream ideology in Rome.
After all, in terms of maturity and sophistication, Confucianism far surpasses the ideas of Rome itself.
Of course, in addition to these Confucian scholars, Zhang Bao also led several missionaries to begin spreading Taoist doctrines in Rome.
Like the Han Dynasty, Rome was a polytheistic society, and its people did not have much aversion to these foreign gods.
In addition, it incorporated some Taoist ideas and Confucian doctrines, thus quickly gaining a following among the Roman aristocracy.
Furthermore, due to the agreement, the Roman government provided considerable support to Taoism, which led to the rapid expansion of the Roman Catholic Church established by Zhang Bao.
However, Taoism soon encountered its greatest adversary: Christianity, which already held considerable influence among slaves and ordinary people.
For Zhang Bao, Christianity, a religion that believes in only one God and forbids people from worshipping other deities, would greatly limit the development of Taoism in Rome.
This Christianity must be eradicated...
Soon, under Zhang Bao's planning, the missionaries began to spread their doctrines to the common people and the poor in Rome.
Their propaganda methods were the same as those in the Han Dynasty: providing free medical treatment to the Roman people and the poor, and distributing some living supplies.
Those people who received tangible benefits also deeply remembered some of the doctrines of Taoism.
This practice of Taoism quickly gained immense prestige among ordinary people, and the pragmatic ideas of Taoism were also recognized by the people.
After accumulating a certain number of believers, Zhang Bao began to instruct his Taoist priests to expand into the Christian sphere of influence.
This practice by Taoism quickly aroused the dissatisfaction of Christians, and the two sides had constant conflicts in the streets and alleys.
Finally, one day, the followers of both sides met in the east of Rome and a fierce conflict broke out, with more than 600 people involved in the fight.
One of the Taoist priests was beaten so badly that his bones were fractured and his life was in danger.
"These bastards dared to beat up our Han missionaries, they deserve to die!!"
Seeing his men beaten like this, Zhang Bao was furious.
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