In Deyang Palace, Zhang Huan's letter and report were now placed on Liu Hong's desk.
Liu Hong did have some thoughts about Lü Bu. Through Ma Teng's narration and Zhang Huan's letter, he knew that Lü Bu's life trajectory had changed.
If he could be reformed, he wouldn't mind following Zhang Huan's idea and turning Lü Bu into a heroic idol to inspire young men's enthusiasm for joining the army.
Liu Hong handed Zhang Huan's memorial praising Lü Bu to Xi Zhicai, who was standing nearby, and asked, "Zhicai, what do you think of this Lü Bu?"
After receiving the memorial from the emperor, Xi Zhicai glanced at it and then pondered, "According to General Zhang and Shou Cheng's comments, this Lü Bu is brave and talented. Judging from his rescue of the baby girl and his treatment of the siblings, he is a passionate and loyal person."
Furthermore, his attack on the grasslands and the massacre of all the men in his tribe, young and old, demonstrates his decisiveness and makes him a rare and capable general. His willingness to return with Shoucheng and then join the army shows his unwavering loyalty to the Han Dynasty!
"Zhicai's analysis is indeed quite insightful and reasonable!"
Liu Hong smiled, then asked, "So, Zhicai, do you think this person... will be loyal to me?"
"Your Majesty is the nation itself. Moreover, Your Majesty's heart is as vast as the sea and your ambitions are as high as the sky. Since he is loyal to the Han Dynasty, he will surely be loyal to Your Majesty as well!"
"Haha~ Zhi Cai's words are insightful and reasonable; I can't even refute them!!"
"These are my heartfelt words!"
Liu Hong couldn't help but laugh. He understood Xi Zhicai's words: as the emperor, his will was the will of the Han Dynasty, and no one could disobey him.
Thinking of this, Liu Hong was filled with confidence, and an aura of dominance arose spontaneously. Yes, if he couldn't even subdue Lü Bu, how could he talk about grand ambitions and hegemony?
Sensing the emperor's overwhelming aura, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Jian Shuo, who were standing not far away, felt a chill run down their spines. They felt that an indescribable aura seemed to be gathering around the emperor, making him seem like a god, inspiring awe in everyone.
Xi Zhicai was not surprised but delighted by Liu Hong's change. Only a monarch like this could lead them and the Han Dynasty to a height that no one could imagine.
"Alright, then let's do as General Zhang wishes!" Liu Hong said, glancing at Zhang Rang beside him. "Zhang Rang!"
Zhang Rang bowed and stepped forward: "This servant is here!"
Liu Hong then approved Zhang Huan's memorial and handed it to Zhang Rang, "ordering the Imperial Secretariat to draft an edict to reward Lü Bu according to his merits, and to posthumously confer titles upon Lü Bu's parents as a sign of recognition."
"promise!"
Zhang Rang accepted the memorial, respectfully withdrew, and then jogged straight to the Ministry of Personnel.
"Zhicai, how's the political culture instruction going for those Imperial Guard trainees?"
"It's acceptable. The students largely agree with His Majesty's political ideas and foreign policy propositions, and they are all very proactive in learning them."
Liu Hong nodded. It was still very necessary to bring these people together and carry out political and ideological reform. They could have their own ideas on specific aspects, but they had to be unified on the big picture.
Liu Hong's goal was to cultivate them into ambitious and hawkish representatives, waiting for them to grow up and become the backbone of the Han Dynasty, at which point he would realize his ideals and ambitions.
"It's not just the Imperial Guard trainees; the ideology of junior officers at the border is also very important and they must also receive training."
"What does Your Majesty mean?"
Liu Hong thought for a moment, then said, "Zhicai can select a group of Imperial Academy students, train them, and then send them to conduct ideological reform on the lower and middle-ranking officers at the border. Those who perform well can be given priority for promotion!"
Xi Zhicai couldn't help but smile, then flattered, "Your Majesty's idea is excellent; I'm sure they will do their utmost!"
Driving them with profit is the most direct and effective way to get things done.
"Also! Tell them that political ideology will be taken into account in the promotion assessment, whether they are trainees in the Imperial Guard or generals in the border army!"
"promise!"
After everything was arranged, Liu Hong looked at Zhang Huan's letter and pondered it carefully. Opening up trade routes was not something that could be done just like that.
After thinking it over, Liu Hong felt that it was better to discuss it further. He didn't want to turn the Han court into his own personal fiefdom. While that would be beneficial for controlling the government, it would also make it easy to make mistakes.
Then Liu Hong looked at Jian Shuo beside him and ordered, "I summon Grand Tutor Chen Fan and Minister of Agriculture Cao Song to present their memorials in the palace!"
"promise!"
Liu Hong thought about it. The benefits of the border trade were huge. Although it needed to be discussed, Liu Hong would not miss this opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Then Liu Hong tore off a piece of paper, picked up a pen, and wrote down his thoughts.
"Zhao Zhong!"
"Yes, sir!"
"You shall go to Jizhou!"
Liu Hong then handed the note to Zhao Zhong. After Zhao Zhong read it carefully, he put the note in his mouth and swallowed it in a few gulps.
Seeing Zhao Zhong's actions, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction, "Go ahead! Someone will help you when you get there!"
"promise!"
Watching Zhao Zhong's departing figure, Liu Hong smiled. No matter what kind of people they are, they are all useful. The key is who uses them and how they are used. After all, some dirty work needs to be done by someone, right?
Not long after Zhao Zhong left, Jian Shuo brought Chen Fan and Cao Song to Deyang Palace.
Liu Hong did not show Zhang Huan's letter, but instead told the two of them his own thoughts and asked for their opinions. Chen Fan and Cao Song also pondered the matter and weighed the pros and cons.
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