Chapter 237: Hanification

Under the strict orders of Han Wudi, the operation to eradicate the remaining religious forces of the Hasmonian Dynasty was launched swiftly and decisively.

Before the temples once prevalent of the Hasmonian Dynasty, Han Army soldiers wielded weapons and toppled one by one the statues symbolizing the old religious faith; the raised dust seemed like a lament for the end of an era.

The civilians gathered around, some showing fear, others silently sighing, for these religious beliefs had taken root in their hearts for many years.

However, some stubborn adherents of the old religion stepped forward, attempting to block the Han Army's operation.

They loudly shouted the ancient religious slogans and charged at the soldiers who were dismantling the temples.

But the Han Army showed no mercy, swiftly subduing these resisters.

For a time, the conflict continued unabated, and the situation grew tense as a taut bowstring.

At this moment, Yuesefu, as the newly appointed king, fully cooperated with Han Wudi's orders.

He rode a tall horse, weaving through the crowd, and loudly explained to the people: "Folks, the edict of the Son of Heaven of the Great Han cannot be defied. Confucianism is the teaching of sages; it can bring us peace and prosperity. Although the old faith has accompanied us for a long time, the times have changed now, and only by submitting to the Great Han can we find a way out."

To swiftly establish Confucianism, Yuesefu personally selected a batch of bright young people and sent them to the Great Han to study advanced cultural knowledge and Confucian doctrine.

At the same time, in the city's square, he ordered the erection of a platform and invited scholars from the Great Han to lecture the populace on the Confucian classics and ideas.

"Confucianism emphasizes benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness, teaching us to respect the elderly and love the young, to live harmoniously with neighbors......"

The scholars' voices echoed in the square, attracting many civilians to stop and listen.

Yuesefu also led by example, setting up an altar before his palace and conducting sacrificial rites according to Confucian ritual.

His devout appearance led many civilians to begin feeling curiosity and yearning toward Confucianism.

As time passed, some civilians gradually let go of their attachment to the old religion and began trying to accept Confucianism.

But some people still resisted in secret, privately retaining relics of the old faith, waiting for an opportunity.

At this moment, in the dim palace of the Roman Empire, the consuls gathered together, their faces grim as they discussed countermeasures.

"We cannot allow the Great Han to gain a firm foothold on this land; if they succeed in promoting Confucianism, our influence in the East will be completely weakened."

One consul angrily slammed the table and said.

Everyone nodded in agreement, and they immediately decided to secretly contact the remnant forces of the Hasmonian Dynasty, hoping to stir up another wave of rebellion.

At the same time, in the remote villages of the Hasmonian Dynasty, some dissatisfied old nobles and remnant religious forces also gathered in secret.

"We cannot simply submit to the Great Han's rule; they have destroyed our faith and taken away our power."

A bearded noble gritted his teeth and said.

Just then, a Roman envoy secretly infiltrated, bringing abundant wealth and weapons, and conveyed Rome's decree: incite the populace to rebel and disrupt the Great Han's rule.

Under the collusion between Rome and the local remnant forces, a new resistance operation quietly unfolded.

They spread rumors everywhere, claiming that the Great Han's promotion of Confucianism aimed to enslave the local populace and plunder their wealth.

Some ignorant civilians began to be incited, and their dissatisfaction gradually grew.

Soon, small-scale protest activities erupted in various places, with civilians taking to the streets and shouting slogans opposing the Great Han's rule.

Upon hearing the news, Han Wudi flew into a rage: "These jumping clowns dare to provoke the majesty of the Great Han again; I will certainly make them know the cost!"

He immediately ordered Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to lead the Han Army in an offensive, determined to completely suppress the rebel forces.

The Han Army surged forth like a violent storm.

Wei Qing led the main forces to meet the rebel civilians head-on; he rode on horseback, spear in hand, and shouted loudly: "You have been deceived by treacherous persons; do not persist in delusion! To rebel against the Great Han is to court only death!"

However, the incited civilians, despite their frenzied passion, still surged forward.

Han Army soldiers, holding shields and long spears, formed a tight blockade, repelling the civilians' charge.

Huo Qubing, meanwhile, led elite cavalry to flank the rebels' rear, launching a surprise assault on the core strongholds of the Roman envoy and the local remnant forces.

The cavalry charged into the enemy formation like wind and lightning; blades flashed, and the core members of the rebel forces were cut down one after another.

After a fierce battle, the rebellion was successfully quelled; the Roman envoys and important figures of the local remnant forces who had participated in the plotting were all captured one by one by the Han Army.

Han Wudi sat in the palace, gazing at the prisoners being brought forward, and coldly said: "Rome, and you these remnant forces, daring to challenge the Great Han—this is your end."

He immediately ordered that these prisoners be publicly executed to serve as a warning.

After this suppression operation, although the situation in the Hasmonian Dynasty temporarily stabilized and its streets and alleys gradually regained calm, a wholly new scene nevertheless emerged.

The flags that once symbolized the old order were all taken down, replaced by numerous Great Han dragon flags fluttering in the wind.

Upon the dragon flag, the majestic golden dragon shone brightly in the sunlight, as if proclaiming to the world that this land now belonged to the rule of the Great Han.

Whether the houses lining the streets were humble dwellings or luxurious mansions, every household hung a dragon flag at its doorway; the flags dancing in the wind resembled a golden sea.

In the city's central district, Han Academies sprang up like bamboo shoots after spring rain.

These academies adopted the Great Han's traditional architectural style, with flying eaves and dougong brackets, red walls and gray tiles, solemn and elegant.

Artisans worked day and night, solely to enable the local children to enter the academies as soon as possible and receive the influence of Great Han culture.

Yuesefu actively promoted the construction and operation of the academies, knowing well that this was the key step to spread Confucianism and consolidate the Great Han's rule.

Yesu, Yuesefu's son, also stepped into this hopeful academy.

His physique was somewhat slight, yet his eyes revealed wisdom and resolve far beyond his peers.

In class, the teachers explained the Confucian classics in standard Han speech, from the Analects' 'Is it not a pleasure to learn and practice what one has learned?' to the Mencius' 'Wealth and honor cannot corrupt, poverty and lowliness cannot sway, might and force cannot bend'; Yesu always listened attentively, his little mind constantly pondering the teachers' words.

Whenever the teacher posed a question, Yesu was always the first to raise his hand; his clear child's voice rang out in the academy, his understanding of the classics profound and unique, often prompting the teachers to nod repeatedly in praise: 'This child possesses extraordinary talent; he will surely become a great person in the future.'

When writing Han characters, Yesu was meticulous, each stroke precise, rendering the square characters neat and beautiful; between the strokes seemed to harbor his love and reverence for Great Han culture.

As time went on, more and more local children entered the academy; there they recited the classics, learned etiquette, and gradually underwent the baptism of Great Han culture.