Looking at Xi Zhicai's bewildered expression, Liu Hong, sitting on the throne, smiled slightly.
Liu Hong felt no resentment at Xi Zhicai's ability to see through his deepest thoughts; on the contrary, he felt a sense of relief.
Although as the emperor, one must always maintain a proper demeanor and try not to let others guess one's thoughts, so as to avoid making any serious mistakes.
But in the end, Liu Hong is also a person of flesh and blood, and he also hopes to have someone who understands his thoughts.
Noticing the change in Liu Hong's expression, Xi Zhicai smiled and said nothing more.
At this moment, the emperor and his minister understood each other without saying a word.
After a moment of silence, Xi Zhicai spoke up: "Your Majesty, how about entrusting the actions of Hachi and the other two in Kushan to the Military and Political Affairs Department?"
"Heh~, is Zhicai on guard against the Investigation Division?"
Seeing that Xi Zhicai had taken the initiative to take on the tasks of Hachi and the others, Liu Hong couldn't help but ask with a smile.
Xi Zhicai replied with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, while sharp weapons are useful, they should not be used for extended periods!"
Liu Hong paused slightly, his smile fading as he nodded gravely. "Zhi Cai is right, but the political situation in Kushan has changed. I certainly won't put all my eggs in one basket. Zhi Cai, you should take a look at this first!"
As he spoke, Liu Hong picked up the intelligence report that Jia Xu had sent back from the imperial desk and handed it to Xi Zhicai.
Xi Zhicai took the intelligence report with a puzzled look and began to carefully read through it.
"Your Majesty, this is truly a rare and opportune moment!"
Seeing that the Kushan Empire was already embroiled in a succession struggle, Xi Zhicai's eyes lit up, and he looked at Liu Hong with excitement.
When a country falls into turmoil, there are only two factors: natural disasters and man-made disasters.
Among man-made disasters, the most serious is the power struggle for succession.
Leaving aside distant examples, let's take Hu Hai from the Former Qin Dynasty as an example. As soon as he ascended the throne, he couldn't wait to start slaughtering all of Ying Zheng's children.
Those who rise to power through intrigue, once they have no rivals left, will undoubtedly unleash their inherent cruelty and tyranny, plunging the country into an abyss.
When everyone at the top is embroiled in the struggle and fighting tooth and nail, who would still have eyes on the lower levels? Some might even collude with outsiders just to climb the ladder themselves.
This would give the Han Dynasty the opportunity to intervene in and control the Kushan Empire.
"Yes, it is indeed a golden opportunity, and I certainly will not let it slip by!"
"Your Majesty, I request permission to travel to Kushan!"
As soon as Liu Hong finished speaking, Xi Zhicai immediately stepped forward to volunteer.
For Xi Zhicai, it seemed more challenging and fun than arranging for Hachi and his two companions to spread the new Buddhism in Kushan and stir up trouble in the court.
Seeing Xi Zhicai's expression, Liu Hong couldn't help but show a helpless look.
Despite having presided over the Military and Political Affairs Department for many years, Xi Zhicai still retained the nature of a strategist and yearned for the feeling of devising plans and stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
"That won't do. I've already sent a letter to Benchu, asking him to choose someone to assist him. Zhicai doesn't need to go anymore, does he?"
Although Liu Hong understood Xi Zhicai's intentions, he still rejected his proposal.
The Kushan Empire was far from the Han Dynasty, and Xi Zhicai was frail and sickly. If something unexpected happened in this foreign land, it would be enough to make Liu Hong regret it for the rest of his life.
"Your Majesty, in the struggle for the throne, only when the forces are evenly matched can they be forced to keep attacking each other, thereby depleting the strength and morale of the Kushan Empire."
If the original intention gets involved, and the balance is accidentally broken, it will definitely affect the plan.
Furthermore, as an envoy of the Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao represents His Majesty and the Han Dynasty. His involvement in the succession struggle of a foreign prince would greatly damage the dignity of His Majesty and the Han Dynasty.
Despite Liu Hong's rejection, Xi Zhicai did not back down. While analyzing the pros and cons, his eyes became increasingly determined.
Liu Hong said helplessly, "Zhicai, the Military and Political Affairs Department is very busy these days. If you leave, who will be able to handle it?"
Xi Zhicai shook his head: "Your Majesty, the Military and Political Affairs Department should be managed by Your Majesty personally. I am really not suited to be in charge for long."
For Xi Zhicai, the Military and Political Affairs Department was responsible for the ideological education of the soldiers, and its importance to those in power was self-evident.
Even though he was the emperor's confidant, he could not preside over such an important department for an extended period of time.
By withdrawing in time, he could both preserve his relationship with Liu Hong as ruler and find a more suitable position for himself.
"Alas, but I also need someone by my side who can help me plan at all times!"
Seeing Xi Zhicai's determined look, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh and had to change the subject.
Seeing Liu Hong's reluctant gaze, Xi Zhicai seemed to have been prepared and said, "I can recommend someone. This person is exceptionally talented and unparalleled in wisdom, surely ten times better than me!"
"oh?"
Liu Hong's brow furrowed: "Who is this person?"
Xi Zhicai: "This man's name is Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo!"
"Sigh, it seems Zhicai is determined to go to Kushan?"
Upon seeing that Xi Zhicai had actually recommended Xun Yu to him, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh again.
Liu Hong was naturally aware of Xun Yu, a man who had always been loyal to the Han dynasty and served as a minister to the emperor. He had been sending people to keep an eye on Xun Yu's studies and his daily words and deeds.
Now, Xun Yu, who is fourteen years old, not only has a talent that far surpasses his peers, but also, due to the influence of Xun Shuang and Xun You, he is determined to use all his knowledge to serve the Han Dynasty and the country and its people.
Therefore, Liu Hong placed high hopes on Xun Yu and reserved a position for him in the cabinet in advance.
During the spring assessment this year, Xun Yu surpassed other students of the same period and became the youngest top scorer since the assessment system was introduced.
However, just when people thought the emperor would entrust this young talent with an important task, Liu Hong ordered him to return to the Imperial Academy to study and did not give him any official position.
Of course, Liu Hong did not do this to check the power of the Xun family, as people speculated. He simply wanted Xun Yu to have more experience and mature before entrusting him with important responsibilities in the future.
After all, given Liu Hong's current prestige and power, he no longer needs those so-called imperial arts to maintain his imperial dignity.
Now that Xi Zhicai had suddenly recommended him, Liu Hong could tell that Xi Zhicai was determined to leave, so he naturally couldn't refuse his friend's request.
"Alright, but Zhicai needs to take a few of Yu Ji's disciples with him!"
In the end, Liu Hong sighed and agreed to Xi Zhicai's request, while also making his own demands.
"Yu Ji's disciple?"
Xi Zhicai was slightly taken aback: "Your Majesty, do you intend to...?"
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