Twenty thousand taels of silver—that's enough to take away eighty percent of the Jia family's peripheral assets!
Leaving only twenty percent might allow them to barely survive, but afterwards, the Grand View Garden would be his!
Ha! Some things don't necessarily require one's direct involvement; one can easily find a way, letting subordinates play the bad guys while one plays the good guy.
As the saying goes, "Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world; if one's family cannot be taught, then one cannot teach others."
Regulating one's family means managing the affairs of one's household or clan, ensuring the entire extended family is well-organized, harmonious, happy, and healthy.
As the eldest son of the Jia family and the direct grandson of the Duke of Rongguo, Jia She had a full obligation to shoulder the responsibility of "regulating his family."
However, the reality was that Jia She not only neglected his vast family fortune but also frequently engaged in power struggles and backstabbing with Jia Zheng's household.
Only through brotherly harmony can a family prosper, at least preserving its fortunes. Sibling feuds, on the other hand, can only plunge the entire family into ruin. Even the young women in the Jia household understand this simple truth, yet Jia She seems oblivious, demonstrating his shortsightedness and narrow-mindedness.
The conflict between Jia She and Jia Zheng's households has a long history.
Although Jia She inherited the official title in the Rongguo Mansion, it was Jia Zheng's faction that truly managed the household affairs. Furthermore, Jia She doesn't seem to be favored by Grandmother Jia, mainly because he neglects his health and official duties, spending his days drinking with his concubines and shirking his responsibilities.
The rest of the Jia family doesn't particularly like Jia She.
Winning over Jia She seems easy enough.
However, such spoiled brats are the easiest to trap.
Once they fall for it, it's like the Calabash Brothers saving their grandfather—one by one, they're offering themselves up for slaughter.
If Jia She is in trouble, won't the others help him?
So what should be done with the others?
Even if Jia Zheng is in the right, it's still unacceptable for him to refuse to help his brother in his time of need.
Helping him might not improve the relationship between the brothers; it could even worsen it, turning them into enemies!
Without external financial support, the Jia family will inevitably decline rapidly, leaving them completely at his mercy!
The four great families are closely connected, but the Wang family seems to be trying to break out of this circle and form marriage alliances with other noble families.
If the Jia family declines, will they take action?
Jia Zheng's official position will certainly be stripped away completely, and staying idle at home is certainly not a good option.
Therefore, Lu Ming could suggest a plan to Bao Zheng: the death penalty could be waived, but punishment would be inevitable.
Interrogation and maintaining order require funding, so generating revenue from these sources would likely be something Bao Zheng wouldn't refuse.
Buying one's life with money is one thing, but letting him take Jia Zheng around is another. Not giving him an official position is considered atonement.
It seems like a promotion, but whether he can actually be used is entirely up to his word.
But there will definitely be trouble, and Jia Zheng might even get himself involved. Then the Rongguo Mansion's assets would truly be gone.
At that time, Wang Xifeng and Madam Wang would all be his!
Thinking of this, Lu Ming couldn't help but lewdly chuckle.
Fortunately, Jia Min had gone back to her room; otherwise, seeing this smile, who knows what thoughts might arise.
Having a rare moment of free time, Lu Ming went to the prefect's mansion. Seeing Xu Shu still engrossed in his work, he went over to call him, and then pulled Zhang Chun and Gan Ning along to go for hot pot.
Cultivating relationships was secondary; they were all followers and wouldn't betray him, so there was no need to cultivate feelings. Lu Ming simply invited them over for a meal and to relax a bit.
He picked up a piece of mutton, dipped it in the hot pot a few times, then dipped it in the sauce, and savored it. "Yuanzhi, I intend to take you with me on this expedition to Bingzhou."
"I dare not disobey," Xu Shu replied without bowing, picking up a piece of mutton as well.
"My lord, most of Chang'an is already under our control. Now only the Wang family remains. If their main camp in Shenjing doesn't withdraw, we can't control the South and West gates. If we cut off their supplies now, they'll come demanding an explanation within three months."
"I don't care about that. I'll have Fazheng come and temporarily oversee things. His Majesty's health isn't good, and I might have to return to Luoyang, so the battle in Bingzhou must be swift. The Xianbei and Wuhuan also need to be dealt with quickly. We don't need to annihilate them completely, but at least we should inflict serious damage so we can report back to the court." Lu Ming took a sip of his white wine and clinked glasses with the others.
"This time, Gan Ning will lead the vanguard eastward, capturing Tongguan and Hangu Pass, then march north, directly attacking Yanmen Commandery."
"Your humbled general obeys!" Gan Ning was somewhat excited; he had been waiting for this for a long time.
Huang Zhong had gone to Hanzhong. He considered himself no less capable than others, only lacking the opportunity. Now that the battle was underway, he was determined to win a decisive victory, letting those guys in Jingzhou know he wasn't just a name without substance!
Seemingly remembering something, he clasped his hands and said, "My lord, I know someone, a squad leader under Liu Biao. I fought him many times when I was a Jin Fan pirate; he was one of the more capable fighters. Now he's frustrated and unfulfilled, and I want to persuade him to join your ranks."
"Oh? Who could catch Xingba's eye?" Lu Ming asked curiously, taking a sip of his wine.
Gan Ning, as a general of Eastern Wu, was both brave and skilled in tactics. Anyone recommended by him must possess considerable ability.
"A native of Yiyang, Wei Yan, courtesy name Wenchang," Gan Ning announced his name.
Lu Ming put down his wine cup, his expression somewhat strange. "Since Xingba recommended him, he will serve under you as a squad leader. Tell him that as long as he has the ability, he will be rewarded with military merit. What he achieves will not depend on me, but on his ability! If he is capable, I can even appoint him as a commander-in-chief."
"Thank you, my lord!" Gan Ning was overjoyed. Commander-in-chief? He hadn't even considered that. Being a colonel would be good enough; if he could even be appointed a general with a minor title, that would be even better.
Seeing Gan Ning's recommendation, Zhang Chun, who had been eating with his head down, raised his head, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "My lord, I also have talented people to recommend."
"Oh? You've really got your chance today. Tell me, what kind of geniuses are you? You're all exceptionally talented, outstanding individuals in your respective fields. Tell me! Come on, stop talking, eat meat, drink wine! Only when you're full will you have the energy to work!" Lu Ming didn't stop at all, drinking and eating heartily, then vigorously thrusting into her. Lin Daiyu and Jia Tanchun were going to suffer again tonight!
"Beautiful women forced to suffer"—this is no joke!