Although Liu Hong was aware of the conflict between the Taiping Sect and the Futu Sect, he did not get involved.
Moreover, Liu Hong personally had no good feelings towards this Buddhist sect.
Regardless of the doctrines of Buddhism, the actions of those temples alone were enough to make Liu Hong feel disgusted with the religion.
The phrase "four hundred and eighty temples in the Southern Dynasties" is enough to prove that the existence of this religion was definitely more harmful than beneficial.
Looking at the three monks who were starving and emaciated, Liu Hong felt no pity whatsoever.
If these guys could be as self-reliant as the Taoist priests of the Taiping Sect and cultivate wasteland at the foot of the mountain, they wouldn't be starving like this.
A group of parasites who do not produce anything, only beg with their mouths, and suck the blood of others have no reason to exist.
Liu Hong then looked at the middle-aged Taoist priest and said, "You handle this matter yourselves, but don't let anyone die!"
"Yes, young master!!"
Upon hearing Liu Hong speak, the middle-aged Taoist priest respectfully agreed.
"Zhicai, let's go too!"
After glancing at the monks, Liu Hong then called Xi Zhicai to leave.
After Liu Hong left, the Taoist priests pushed the three monks and led them out of the city.
Although the monks looked pitiful, not a single one of the onlookers stepped forward to speak up for them.
When their family members were seriously ill, the Taoist priests of the Taiping Sect treated them for free. When they were starving, the Taoist priests of the Taiping Sect distributed food to them. Moreover, the Taoist priests of the Taiping Sect established schools to teach their children to read and write for free.
While the Taiping Sect was selflessly helping the people, these monks were still just talking nonsense, only thinking about how to get believers to donate incense money.
The difference between the two is obvious, and the people naturally know which side to side with.
Meanwhile, Liu Hong found an ordinary restaurant, spent the last few copper coins in Xi Zhicai's purse, and then led everyone back to the palace.
Looking at the young Zhao Yun who had been following him all the way with a bunch of stuff, Liu Hong smiled, then turned to look at Zhang Rang beside him.
"Zhang Rang, take these things to the Empress and the others!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
Zhang Rang respectfully agreed, and then led his men to remove the items from Xiao Zhaoyun's body.
Seeing Zhao Yun let out a long breath, Liu Hong asked with a laugh, "How are you? Tired?"
"Not tired!!"
Zhao Yun's answer was crisp and forceful.
Liu Hong smiled and nodded, "Haha~, good, a man should never complain about being tired, no matter what!!"
"Yun, I will keep His Majesty's teachings in mind!" Zhao Yun replied in a serious tone.
Lu Bu, Huang Zhong, Dong Zhuo, and the others standing nearby couldn't help but smile as they looked at Zhao Yun's precocious and shrewd demeanor despite his young age.
Dong Zhuo, in particular, couldn't help but think of his four-year-old daughter when he looked at the handsome young Zhao Yun, and a strange light appeared in his eyes.
After chatting with his favorite generals for a while in Deyang Palace, Liu Hong dismissed them, leaving only Xi Zhicai behind.
"Zhicai, what do you think of this Buddhist sect?"
"The Buddhist religion disrespects human ethics and is a wicked cult that brings chaos!" Xi Zhicai answered without hesitation when he heard the emperor's question.
As the head of the military and political affairs department, Xi Zhicai, who was engaged in political education, naturally understood the negative impact of the doctrines of Buddhism.
Liu Hong nodded: "I don't like this Buddhist religion either. Besides, it's not a Chinese ideology, so it shouldn't remain on Chinese soil!"
Xi Zhicai was slightly taken aback: "Your Majesty wants to destroy them?"
"Indeed, but what interests me most is their place of origin!"
"Oh? Your Majesty is referring to India?" Xi Zhicai raised an eyebrow, surprised that the Emperor would set his sights on India.
"That's right, the land of this country is quite nice, it's just that the people... well, it's a bit hard to describe!"
When talking about this magical country, Liu Hong was at a loss for words and didn't know how to describe it.
"Uh~!"
Xi Zhicai couldn't help but show a hint of surprise, and then said, "But Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Tianzhu is thousands of miles southeast of Yuezhi, and it is too far away from our Great Han. It seems that it is impossible to reach there now?"
Liu Hong smiled and said, "If their people can come, then the people of the Great Han can naturally go too. If not on land, then at sea. That day will come eventually!"
"Your Majesty is right!"
Xi Zhicai could only nod in agreement with the emperor's plan.
After all, he didn't understand the country and didn't dare to offer any opinions casually.
Seeing this, Liu Hong couldn't help but smile and shake his head: "It's a bit far to talk about India right now. Let's talk about things closer to home first!"
"Your Majesty is referring to the Kushan and Parthian kingdoms?"
Xi Zhicai's expression shifted, and he looked at Liu Hong with some uncertainty.
Liu Hong nodded solemnly, “That’s right!! If the Han Dynasty continues like this, it won’t be long before it pacifies the grasslands, and then the Western Regions will naturally become the Han Dynasty’s possession.”
However, after annexing the Western Regions, the Han Dynasty would border the territories of these two countries and establish direct contact with them.
These two countries have their own languages, cultures, and histories, and are by no means comparable to the uncivilized barbarians on the grasslands.
At that time, conflicts over trade, culture, or hegemonic status will inevitably lead to war, and the Han Dynasty naturally needs to prepare in advance.
"Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision and plans ahead of time; I am far from being able to do so!"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
