Heroine, don't turn back, I'm just a farmer.

He's an old strategist.

There are always three strategies for everything, highlighting the importance of choice and stability.

Having discussed the worst-case scenario, the next step is naturally to discuss the middle-case scenario.

"Hold a Buddhist conference to gather eminent Buddhist masters from the Central Plains and the Southern Tang Dynasty to discuss the path of Buddhism together."

"Unlike the worst strategy of launching a full-scale attack on Buddhism, the middle strategy focuses on eminent Buddhist monks."

"If the eminent Buddhist masters of the Central Plains establish a Buddhist doctrine that benefits the Southern Tang Dynasty, then they can use the Buddhist doctrine of the Central Plains to undermine the Buddhist foundation of the Southern Tang Dynasty."

"As far as I know, the Empress Dowager of Dasheng is very disgusted with Buddhism. Soon the new emperor will issue a decree banning Buddhism, destroying temples, and burning Buddhist scriptures. Your Highness may wish to take advantage of this opportunity."

"After all, if the Taoist sect were to enter the Southern Tang, it might provoke a united resistance from the Buddhist sects throughout the Southern Tang. However, Your Highness must consider one issue: the number of Taoist believers in the Great Sheng far exceeds that of the Buddhist sects."

"Your Highness is destined to conquer the world in the future; your vision cannot be limited to the small corner of Southern Tang."

"By incorporating Northern Buddhism into Southern Buddhism, the rejection from believers would be minimal, as both are Buddhist teachings. If this can be used to split the Buddhist community in Southern Tang, it would be far superior to any other strategy."

"Of course, it would be even better if these Northern Buddhas were His Highness's people. Using stories from the martial arts world to resolve conflicts in the martial arts world is also a viable solution."

"Your Highness must already have a decision regarding my previous actions towards Wugou."

Li Jiuluan's clear, cold eyes shone brightly. "Then what's the best course of action?"

Lu Guo picked up his wine glass and took a small sip. "As for the best strategy, that's a secret that cannot be revealed."

Li Jiuluan looked surprised and full of doubt.

Perhaps it was out of affection, or perhaps for some other reason, but after thinking it over, she ultimately didn't dwell on Lu Guo's matter too much.

The two drank a few more glasses, and the topic changed again.

The two were drinking when the sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers drifted in from afar on the breeze, bringing a touch of joy to the tense atmosphere of their conversation.

Li Jiuluan listened for a moment and realized that the sound was coming from the riverside area outside the Lü family manor. Seeing Lu Guo's puzzled expression, she explained:

"Brother Zhao, today is the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, the Festival of Offering Sacrifices to the Gods. No wonder it's so lively even at midnight."

"To worship the gods?"

Li Jiuluan's unintentional remark suddenly enlightened Lu Guo.

Yes, although this is a game world, the worldview is quite complete, and some customs and rituals exist.

This suddenly gave him an idea.

"Your Highness, as I said, I do have a way. In addition to winning the trust of the martial arts world of Jianghuai, it can also greatly enhance Your Highness's prestige and at the same time set a small precedent for Your Highness's future anti-Buddhist cause."

"Brother Zhao, Jiu Luan..."

Li Jiuluan looked at Lu Guo, wondering why he suddenly said that.

She thought that since Brother Zhao's identity wasn't really that mysterious and he was there to help her, there was no harm in listening to his advice.

As for what she does, how she thinks about it, and how she chooses after hearing it, that's her own business.

Furthermore, Brother Zhao is such a talented person, what do I currently have that would be worthy of his attention?

If this isn't a joke, then it's undoubtedly good news that came out of nowhere.

Finally, she stood up and bowed.

"I would like to hear the details."

"If Brother Zhao truly has the means to achieve this, then from this day forward, for every share of wealth and honor that Jiu Luan enjoys, Brother Zhao will also share in it. If you break this promise, then may all of Li Jiu Luan's life's work be swept away like water flowing eastward!"

Li Jiuluan's face was solemn, showing no hint of playfulness whatsoever.

She understood her identity and knew what she had to do.

Given her position, it was essential to build trust and bestow favors upon her subordinates. Although she understood that her brother Zhao might not care about this, she still needed to make her stance clear.

No matter what, even if Brother Zhao didn't say anything, his amazing martial arts talent is something we definitely want to win over.

A promise, bound to such a person, is worth it no matter how you look at it.

An emperor without prestige cannot win the hearts of the people, and the ability to win the hearts of the people is a key step in realizing her ambitions.

Her brother Zhao deserves it.

"Li Jiuluan's favorability +10".

The new prompt surprised Lu Guo; he hadn't expected Li Jiuluan's favorability rating to rise so quickly.

But the cold light in the other person's eyes made Lu Guo's heart skip a beat.

This is the kind of person who will become like Empress Lü in the future. When he thought of Empress Lü, he naturally thought of someone else as well.

That was Liu Bang.

Before speaking, he re-examined his idea in his mind, and only after confirming its feasibility did he stand up with his wine glass in hand and speak.

"Your Highness..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Li Jiuluan interrupted him.

"If it is appropriate, Brother Zhao, please address me as Jiu Luan."

Lu Guo: "..."

"Alright, Jiu Luan, this plan is quite simple. To put it bluntly, it's about creating a god."

"Creating a god?"

Even someone as exceptionally intelligent as Li Jiuluan was taken aback by Lu Guo's words, and for a moment struggled to grasp his meaning.

The guards who were secretly protecting the courtyard and preventing it from being eavesdropped on or investigated were also puzzled, not understanding what Lu Guo meant.

We were just talking about power struggles and tactics, how did we suddenly switch to creating a god?

Lu Guo smiled slightly.

"Your Highness, the people of the South are Buddhists. Do you think they would believe in the existence of gods?"

"How could there not be? Within three feet, there must be deities. The Great Sheng Dynasty has existed for seven hundred years, and the various clans and sects, even the Southern Tang region, are so prosperous in their incense offerings. Isn't that the reason?"

But what Lu Guo said next surprised Li Jiuluan beyond belief.

"Even so, there are still people who don't have enough to eat, who have never worn a new piece of clothing, and who have to work hard every day to make a living. Even if they work themselves to death, they may not be able to guarantee that they will have enough to eat and wear."

"We're all human, so why are some born destined for hardship and toil, while others idle away their days living carefree, idyllic lives? Is this predetermined by fate?"

"For example, why do Buddhist believers, who are so devout, still suffer so much?"

"Whether it is the Dasheng, the Southern Tang, or other regions, the fact that so-called sects have so many believers shows that in the hearts of the vast majority of people, they believe that gods really exist and give them a sacred and inviolable status, taking them as their refuge."

"In that case, Your Highness, why not use this psychology of people to your advantage, portraying Li Jiuluan as an incarnation of a god, so that people will worship him and enjoy supreme authority? Then, in the name of a god, do what is permissible?"

Lu Guo shared his thoughts, and the courtyard fell silent.

Li Jiuluan remained silent, as did the other retainers; for a moment, they all fell silent.

Although Zhao's explanation sounds far-fetched, even somewhat absurd, upon closer examination, it is indeed a feasible strategy.

Li Jiuluan remained calm and composed, but she was a perceptive person, and at this moment she felt a sudden enlightenment.

Without a doubt, Brother Zhao's solution was like a timely rain, completely resolving the problem that had been weighing on her mind.