The next morning, Xi Zhicai walked out of the room rubbing his lower back. Although he looked tired, there was a hint of joy in his eyes.
With the plan he had devised the day before in mind, Xi Zhicai boarded the carriage and headed towards the palace.
Deyang Palace.
Liu Hong, rubbing his lower back and looking tired, sat down on the imperial throne.
"Sigh, this one is already so tiring, if it really costs three thousand, wouldn't that be killing me!"
Just as he uttered a complaint, a junior eunuch came to report that Xi Zhicai was outside requesting an audience.
"Hmm, let him in!"
Liu Hong waved his hand, then sat up straight.
Soon, Xi Zhicai followed the young eunuch into the palace.
Seeing Xi Zhicai's weak steps and tired face, Liu Hong couldn't help but smile, immediately guessing the reason.
Liu Hong immediately put on a stern face: "Zhicai, you're still young, you need to be more restrained!"
"Alas, Your Majesty is right. I do need to exercise restraint. However, Your Majesty should also take care of your health!"
As Xi Zhicai sighed slightly, he also offered Liu Hong a sarcastic remonstrance, clearly noticing the weariness on the emperor's face.
Liu Hong's expression froze for a moment, then he waved his hand: "Forget it, let's not talk about that. Zhi Cai, did you come here today with the plan finalized?"
"Your Majesty, the draft has been prepared. Please review it!"
When it came to serious matters, Xi Zhicai's expression turned serious. He took out the plan from his pocket and handed it to Liu Hong.
"so much?"
Looking at the six or seven-page plan, Liu Hong was taken aback for a moment, then carefully flipped through it.
"Great! This plan is indeed perfect and comprehensive, excellent!"
After watching it, Liu Hong couldn't help but repeatedly praise it.
Any one of the plans devised by Xi Zhicai, Tian Feng, and Ju Shou could put the Kushan Empire in a passive and disadvantageous position. If it could be fully implemented, the Han Dynasty would definitely be in a state of absolute crushing dominance over the Kushan Empire in the future.
Liu Hong then said, "Zhicai, I will discuss this plan with the cabinet. Before that, you should go and settle Hachi and the other two in."
"I saw in the plan that we should first find some women for the three of them to ensure they have children. You will be in charge of this matter!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Xi Zhicai nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Your Majesty, what kind of women should we arrange for them?"
Liu Hong waved his hand, "Any woman who isn't from the Han Dynasty is fine. Aren't there women from various foreign countries sent to the former Honglu Temple's post station? Just go and choose a few!"
"Your subject understands!!"
Xi Zhicai respectfully agreed and then quickly left.
After Xi Zhicai left, Liu Hong took out paper and pen and began to write.
What he wrote about was the relationship between gods and Buddhas.
Liu Hong referenced some mythological stories in later novels and connected gods and Buddhas.
For example, the Buddha worshipped by the Buddhist sect is the Western Red Emperor under Taiyi, who was transformed into a form to enlighten the people of the West.
As for the many Bodhisattvas and Arhats under the Buddha's command, they are all incarnations of the many immortals and gods under the Red Emperor's command.
Of course, besides Buddhism, Liu Hong also rewrote the gods worshipped in the south and the Sirius God worshipped in the northern grasslands, making them the identities of the Green Emperor and the White Emperor.
A moment later, Liu Hong had finished writing the general framework.
Looking at the densely packed content on the page, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction.
Although he forcibly bound all the gods and Buddhas together and made them his subordinates, he did not change his mind.
However, as long as some vivid myths are added, and the relationships between them are clarified, a vast mythological system is constructed, then over time, people will naturally accept this explanation.
At that time, everyone will say that Buddha is the incarnation of the Red Emperor. Even if he isn't, he must be!
Then Liu Hong handed the paper he had written on to Zhang Rang, who was standing next to him: "Go, take this to the Taiping Sect and have Zhang Jiao and the Taoists of the Taiping Sect organize and polish it properly."
Professional matters should be handled by professionals. This is a great opportunity to elevate the Taiping Sect, and Zhang Jiao and those Taoists will certainly not let us down.
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
Zhang Rang respectfully accepted the paper, bowed, looked at the ground, and withdrew.
After Zhang Rang left, Liu Hong picked up a secret report that Jia Xu had given him and fell into deep thought.
Now Jia Xu is in Chengde, in charge of monitoring and infiltration operations on the grasslands.
According to Jia Xu's secret report, Tan Shihuai has completely integrated the western Xianbei, and has repeatedly defeated the Left Wise King Xie Zhiyu. He has occupied a large area of grassland from west of Shuofang to north of Houcheshi, annexed countless tribes, and his cavalry has reached as many as 80,000, making him the most powerful force on the grassland.
According to Jia Xu's speculation, before winter, Tan Shihuai would definitely seek an opportunity to have a decisive battle with Xie Zhiyu and completely occupy the southern part of the desert.
At that time, Tan Shihuai's power will directly threaten the Hexi Corridor and undermine the achievements that the Han Dynasty has just made in the Western Regions.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Mohuai of the Xianbei in the central region and Murong Tu of the eastern region had secretly formed a formal alliance and began to gather their soldiers to prepare to attack the Northern Wuhuan who had occupied the Hulun Lake grassland.
According to Jia Xu's secret report, the grasslands are destined to be anything but peaceful this year. Of course, after this year, the situation on the grasslands will undergo earth-shattering changes.
"Sigh, this Left Wise King is really incredibly stupid!"
Seeing that in just two short years, Tan Shihuai had driven them to the brink of despair, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh softly.
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