Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Under the influence of certain preconceived notions, Li Ji initially made some significant misjudgments regarding Zuo Ci's intentions.

However, after careful consideration, Li Ji realized that Zuo Ci's actions were essentially the same, both following the path of contacting the powerful upper class.

The only difference was that when facing Cao Cao, he chose to mystify and play the role of a supernatural being.

Interestingly, Li Ji remembered that in the original timeline, Zuo Ci might have contacted Cao Zhi privately, leading Cao Zhi to write in his "Bian Dao Lun": "Zuo Ci is skilled in the art of the inner chamber."

Now, Zuo Ci's choice to contact the powerful upper class remained unchanged, but the specific methods seemed to have undergone many changes.

‘Does he want to eat imperial rations?’

After pondering for a moment, Li Ji asked with a hint of puzzlement on his face.

“What the Taoist priest said is not very clear to me, please explain in detail.”

Zuo Ci naturally understood that Li Ji wasn't ignorant; he was simply too aware and wanted to take control.

However, Zuo Ci knew even better that if it weren't for the opportunity presented by A Dou and Li Xiang, he probably wouldn't even have the chance to speak in front of Li Ji.

Unlike other lords and nobles, Liu Bei rose purely from the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which meant that the Taiping Dao trampled on the Han Dynasty, and Liu Bei stood up by stepping on the Taiping Dao.

Moreover, the fate of Yu Ji made countless Taoists terrified at the mention of Liu Bei's name, and they didn't dare to show their faces or linger too much under Liu Bei's rule.

However, Liu Bei's posture as a hegemon who unified the world had already been established, and the transformation and development of Buddhism under Liu Bei's rule gave Zuo Ci hope.

“Lord Marquis, Buddhism has only been introduced from the Western Regions for a little over a hundred years. Its foundation is unstable, and its believers are few. Moreover, many monks widely defraud believers of money to build temples, causing countless families to be destroyed, wives and children to be separated…”

Zuo Ci, dressed as a Taoist priest, spoke of the many shortcomings and obscenities of Buddhism as if he were enumerating his family's treasures.

If an ignorant child were to hear this, they might think that one of the culprits that caused the collapse of the Han Dynasty was Buddhism.

However, in this era, Buddhism was still an unacclimatized child, while the Taoists were the most unruly, causing trouble everywhere.

Therefore, even Li Ji couldn't help but be surprised by Zuo Ci's thick skin, and then lightly interrupted him.

“But now, Buddhism has moved the heavens, has extensively modified its shortcomings, and widely attracts believers to seek truth, goodness, and beauty, which is incomparable to the past.”

Zuo Ci bowed and said.

“Lord Marquis, Taoism can also be changed, and Taoism can also help the Han Dynasty.”

Hearing these words, Li Ji's eyebrows unconsciously raised. Even though he knew that Zuo Ci wanted to eat imperial rations, he couldn't help but feel a bit of a magical feeling.

The Taiping Dao was the mortal enemy of the Han Dynasty, but now Zuo Ci sincerely stated that Taoism could also help the Han Dynasty.

“Taiping Dao.”

Li Ji said a name.

Understanding his meaning, Zuo Ci quickly explained.

“The Taiping Dao is the Taoist tradition passed down by Nanhua. Its intentions are punishable. I have also tried many times to dissuade and sabotage it, but ultimately my strength was insufficient.”

After a pause, Zuo Ci offered his pledge of allegiance without hesitation, saying.

“However, I know the three places where the Nanhua Taoist usually cultivates in seclusion. If the Lord Marquis is willing to lend me a hundred elite soldiers, I will definitely be able to capture him for you.”

“Rumor has it that Nanhua is proficient in immortal Taoism and has unpredictable powers of gods and ghosts. Can a hundred people capture him?” Li Ji said with a smile.

“It is said: Tao follows nature!”

Zuo Ci said solemnly.

“Taoist methods that are not used for the Han Dynasty are no longer blessed by the will of heaven, and naturally they are no longer effective. As long as the Lord Marquis issues a military order, no matter how high Nanhua's Taoist methods are, he will fear the addition of swords and soldiers.”

This Taoist method… is indeed very natural…

At this moment, Li Ji was very satisfied with Zuo Ci's flexible Taoist heart.

The so-called wise man adapts to circumstances, and this Zuo Ci is undoubtedly a wise man of the times.

Li Ji couldn't help but be moved by Zuo Ci's self-recommendation.

Compared with Buddhism, which was still an unacclimatized child, Taoism, which was derived from the teachings of Huang-Lao, undoubtedly had a deep foundation and audience in the Han Dynasty.

The Taiping Dao was able to launch the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zhang Lu was able to achieve the integration of politics and religion in Hanzhong, and Yu Ji won the hearts of countless people in Yangzhou in the original timeline, which shows the influence of Taoism.

Even though Li Ji borrowed the solar eclipse in Yu Province to break the saying that the Yellow Heaven will replace the Blue Heaven, greatly destroying the foundation of the Taiping Dao.

In a sense, isn't it also deepening the influence of the saying of gods and ghosts to another extent?

Rather than constantly suppressing Taoism and letting Taoism, which mainly controls the saying of gods and ghosts in this era, be out of control, it is better to accept Zuo Ci's surrender.

Using magic against magic is the best way to break magic.

Similarly, letting Taoist methods clash with each other can gradually transform Taoism into what Li Ji accepts, what the Han Dynasty needs, and what the people love.

Moreover, although Buddhism is indeed obedient now, it is not a good thing for one family to dominate, and sooner or later it is necessary to support Taoism to check and balance it.

In addition, Li Ji also had to admit that Taoism was the closest school of thought to science in this era.

Observing celestial phenomena, researching medicine, making gunpowder, and using various physical phenomena to play tricks on believers, these are undoubtedly unique methods of Taoist priests.

After a while, Li Ji, thinking of something, asked quietly.

“Taoist priest, can you refine pills?”

“That’s natural.”

While saying this, Zuo Ci took out a box of immortal pills from his arms and prepared to present them to Li Ji.

However, when his hand was halfway out, Zuo Ci thought of the cause of Yu Ji's death, his expression froze, and he said.

“Actually, I am not good at refining pills. These pills were given by Nanhua.”

Li Ji waved his hand, then leaned forward slightly and asked further.

“When you refined pills in the past, did you ever experience an explosion?”

At this moment, Zuo Ci couldn't quite grasp Li Ji's thoughts. Was he fishing for information to accuse him? Or was he really interested in the art of refining pills?

After hesitating for a long time, Zuo Ci simply put down all his petty thoughts and asked cautiously.

“May I ask Lord Marquis, should I have more explosions when refining pills? Or should I not have more explosions?”

“Explosions are meritorious, and meritorious to the Han Dynasty.” Li Ji replied.

“Explosions!”

Zuo Ci replied decisively.

“In terms of explosions, all the Taoists in the entire Han Dynasty combined have not exploded as much as I have. This is not because I am not skilled in my craft, but because the explosions are in accordance with the will of heaven.”

At this moment, a full smile appeared on Li Ji's face, and there was a hint of unspeakable enthusiasm in his eyes when he looked at Zuo Ci.

Wasn't this the professional talent he was looking for?

Although Li Ji also knew about one sulfur, two saltpeter, and three charcoal, he needed to understand that few craftsmen in this era were literate, and it was really too difficult for them to study chemistry.

And Li Ji, as a former art student, was limited to knowing rhymes. If he really had to operate chemistry, he would not only be at a loss, but he was also really afraid of blowing himself up, and he did not have the energy to study it himself.

“Taoist priest, please take a seat.”

Immediately, Li Ji personally invited Zuo Ci to take a seat, making Zuo Ci feel flattered.