"Your Majesty is right, this is a good idea. I will immediately begin preparations for the Taoist academy upon my return!"
After hearing this, Zhang Jiao also felt that establishing the school was a great opportunity for the Taiping religion to grow and develop!
Seeing this, Liu Hong said in a deep voice: "The teaching at the Taoist Academy, in addition to basic reading and writing, mainly focuses on practical doctrines such as self-reliance, abiding by laws and regulations, and emphasizing practice."
The main purpose is to promote the values of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. Absolutely no ghost stories, superstitions, or theories of cause and effect should be spread, understand?
Hearing the emperor's words, which were full of warning, Zhang Jiao was startled and quickly said:
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty!!"
Liu Hong nodded. "That's good. At the same time, I will send someone to serve as a professor at the Taoist Academy, responsible for supervising the teaching content and teaching people the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as some practical methods of learning!"
"Your Majesty is right. This will further enhance the level of the Taoist academy and its standing in people's hearts!"
Zhang Jiao did not hesitate at all when the emperor sent people to take over the administration.
At this time, Zhang Jiao was still just a pure believer, and now he was only thinking about how to promote and develop the Taiping Sect.
In his view, if the Taoist academy could produce a large number of outstanding talents, even if they could not become disciples of Taoism, it would still be of great benefit to enhancing the reputation of the Taiping Sect among the people.
Seeing this, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction, then said in a deep voice:
"Yes, and... tomorrow a group of distinguished guests may be visiting the Taiping Sect. Go back and make preparations to get them to accept and support the Taiping Sect's plan to establish a Taoist academy!"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty!!"
Zhang Jiao nodded solemnly.
"Alright, that's all, let's go back!"
"I take my leave."
After bowing respectfully to Liu Hong, Zhang Jiao withdrew.
After Zhang Jiao left, Liu Hong turned to look at Xi Zhicai standing to the side.
"Zhicai, it's getting late. You should go back and get busy. We can talk about it this afternoon!"
"Your Majesty...it's almost time for dinner!"
Upon hearing the emperor order him to leave, Xi Zhicai rubbed his stomach but didn't move. Instead, he stood there, staring longingly at Liu Hong.
"Hmm? What? Zhi Cai, are you perhaps planning to invite me to the Royal Restaurant for dinner?"
Upon hearing Xi Zhicai mention eating, Liu Hong couldn't help but ask with a smile.
"Uh... a meal there costs tens of thousands of coins. Where would I get that much money to eat at places like that...?"
Thinking of the outrageously expensive food at the Royal Restaurant, Xi Zhicai shook his head repeatedly.
Liu Hong smiled and teased, "What? Zhi Cai, are you perhaps planning to have me invite you?"
Xi Zhicai paid no attention to the emperor's teasing, and instead shamelessly said:
"Hmm, that's not necessary. I've heard that the Empress Dowager and the Holy Mother prepare ten dishes and a soup for Your Majesty at every meal. I suppose you can't eat that much. How about I share the burden for Your Majesty?"
Just as Xi Zhicai was lingering and refusing to leave, Xiao Hong arrived as promised, leading a group of palace maids with food.
The two stopped talking and focused their attention on the food box in the maid's hands.
"Ah, the food is getting more and more lavish!"
Looking at the dozen or so palace maids behind Xiao Hong and smelling the fragrance wafting from her, Liu Hong couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Yes, Your Majesty, some of these dishes were recently invented by the Holy Mother, along with the three ladies and the palace chefs, who put a lot of effort into them!"
As Xiao Hong spoke with a smile, she directed the palace maids to place the food on the table.
"Hmm! Not bad, not bad at all, it looks and smells delicious!"
Looking at the more than ten exquisite dishes on the table, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction.
"Come, come, Zhicai, don't be shy, eat with me!"
As they were talking, Liu Hong picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Xi Zhicai.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"
Xi Zhicai smiled, looking at the exquisite dishes on the table, and couldn't help but feel his appetite whetted. He then picked up a slice of meat roll and put it in his mouth.
Liu Hong looked up at the palace maid serving him.
"Little Qiong, come and serve me my meal!!"
After saying that, Liu Hong waved to Xiao Qiong.
"promise!"
Xiao Qiong, one of the palace maids, respectfully responded, then took a few steps, knelt down beside Liu Hong, picked up her chopsticks, and put a piece of braised pork into Liu Hong's mouth.
"Mmm~, this tastes really good!"
While praising the dish, Liu Hong also glanced at Xiao Qiong with a smile, it was unclear whether he was praising the dish or the person.
Xiao Qiong blushed and lowered her head, while the palace maids beside her looked at her with envy.
Seeing this, Xi Zhicai pursed his lips and turned his head away, not daring to look any longer.
Xi Zhicai was somewhat speechless at the emperor's sudden unserious behavior, so he simply ignored it and continued to eat his food.
Liu Hong, on the other hand, savored the beautiful woman beside him and the delicious food in front of him.
Now that the Han Dynasty's finances are no longer a problem, thanks to the Royal Merchant Guild and the Imperial Treasury, which are making a fortune every day, Liu Hong no longer needs to be as frugal as before.
Furthermore, if the emperor eats well, his ministers will also be able to eat and dress well.
As for whether this would create a trend of extravagance, Liu Hong didn't care much.
Luxury and indulgence are inherent traits and common flaws of every powerful and wealthy person. They cannot be suppressed, so it would be better to bring them into the open for supervision.
Before long, feeling full, Liu Hong stopped eating.
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