"Lu Su, a native of Dongcheng, Linhuai." Zhang Chun bowed respectfully with his hands clasped, his expression extremely solemn. Although Bao Zheng had punished his son, and he and Bao Zheng were practically at odds, his loyalty to Lu Ming remained largely unaffected.
"This man is an extraordinary fellow I encountered several years ago when I traveled to Guandong."
Lu Ming poured Zhang Chun a cup of wine, gesturing an invitation, "I would like to hear more about him."
Recommending someone naturally requires speaking well of them. In these times, reputation is high; there's no such thing as talent fraud. Whether someone is talented or not is generally known to the public.
Because if someone becomes an official and performs poorly, the recommender will also be implicated. Therefore, one cannot recommend someone casually, nor can one do so solely based on personal gain. If one ends up being implicated, it would truly be a laughingstock.
"During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, officials levied exorbitant taxes, powerful landowners frantically seized land, and countless peasants fled, becoming refugees. In this situation, Lu Su not only neglected his own household affairs but also generously donated money and sold land to help the poor and cultivate relationships with virtuous people. For this, he was deeply respected by the villagers," Zhang Chun explained. He then added, "Years ago, I needed to borrow grain for some reason. Hearing of Lu Su's reputation, I brought several hundred men to visit him, asking for some assistance. At that time, Lu Su had two large, round granaries, each containing three thousand bushels of rice. Without hesitation, Lu Su immediately pointed to one of the granaries and gave it to me."
"Why were you short of grain then?" Lu Ming stroked his chin. Could such a thing really happen?
"It was because we had helped some disaster victims, and we were unable to fulfill our obligations due to a lack of grain. Helping them was truly a last resort; without it, we couldn't pass through at the time," Zhang Chun shook his head, emphasizing that it wasn't out of kindness but out of necessity.
"Now is the perfect time for my lord to recruit talented individuals. I believe Lu Su is a capable man, and therefore I dare to recommend him!"
"Good. He can start as a chief clerk. Anyone new here needs to start from the bottom. If he has the ability, he could become a county magistrate or prefect. If he doesn't, he should stay at the bottom. With great ability comes great responsibility." Lu Ming certainly wouldn't refuse. Lu Su was a true talent!
"Then I will write to Lu Su to inform him that he is coming to Guanzhong." Zhang Chun was overjoyed. Now was the time to build alliances; it was unrealistic to say he wouldn't form factions.
Loyalty is loyalty, but action is action. No forest is formed without trees, and even a hero needs three helpers. Without the help of friends, it's impossible to succeed.
Not everyone is like Jia Xu, able to remain aloof and protect himself. Even Jia Xu knew how to cultivate connections, just more subtly.
Gan Ning recommended Wei Yan, Zhang Chun recommended Lu Su, and only Xu Shu had no one to recommend.
Lu Ming continued pouring wine, clinking his cup with the three men's. "In the future, if any fellow disciples or talented individuals come to join you, you may choose the best to accept. There's no need to ask every question. As long as they have the ability, there will be a place for them here. You should all study hard and improve yourselves so you can continue to rise in rank and make a fortune. Those whose virtue does not match their position will surely suffer calamity. Remember this well!" Promotion and admonishment were necessary.
In short, the words had been spoken, and the positions were set; it was simply a matter of whoever was capable.
Lu Ming, of course, felt that the more talented people the better.
It wasn't that he didn't want them, but the blockade meant that few people came to join him.
Those who did come to join him had to consider whether their families would be targeted because of this. After all, the Yuan family's disciples were everywhere; even a minor official could easily make someone's life unbearable. Small fry were difficult to deal with.
At the Jia family mansion, the brothers Wang Ziteng and Shi Nai, Xue Pan and his aunt were all present.
It was rare to see the four great families gather together except for major events. The last time was for Grandmother Jia's birthday celebration; their current reunion was somewhat unbelievable.
The faces of everyone present were extremely grave. Not only had the Jia family suffered misfortune, but the Shi, Wang, and Xue families had also been beset by it.
Xue Pan, already a criminal, was paraded through the streets in shackles.
Although the governor had granted him a one-day pardon to return home, he was still considered a criminal until his sentence was handed down.
The mansion was adorned with white jade and carved glass, and the walls were decorated with items bestowed by the late emperor, showcasing the Jia family's former glory.
But alas, all of that was now useless.
With the decline of the Han dynasty, not a single one of these nobles and marquises had stepped forward; they only knew how to enjoy their wealth and status, unable to share in the hardships.
Grandmother Jia surveyed the crowd, her face weary.
"You all surely know of the matter concerning our unfilial son, Jia She. Zheng'er made a mistake in the heat of the moment, preventing the truth of the injustice from being revealed. Now, the nobles of Chang'an are fewer than half of what they used to be. This bustling Chang'an is still Lu Ming's domain."
Grandmother Jia's words, delivered with such severity, revealed her deep resentment towards Lu Ming.
The three young ladies of the Jia family—Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun—were all married to Lu Ming as concubines, and he did so with such ruthlessness.
Without his support, Zhang Tang, Bao Zheng, and Liu Qi would never have dared to do such a thing!
His true intentions were not what they seemed; he likely harbored a larger ambition.
The crowd turned to Wang Ziteng. Only he possessed the capability to retaliate, as he commanded 20,000 troops and controlled two city gates. A counterattack would certainly pose a significant threat.
With military power comes the power of words.
The other scholars were powerless, because Liu Qi could easily deal with the same methods the nobles used.
Liu Qi's intervention was merely a power struggle among the nobles—a life-or-death struggle, a process of annexation and expansion—normal and beyond reproach.
Moreover, the Han imperial relatives weren't like Liu Bei, a commoner with real power; they were far stronger and more unscrupulous than ordinary people.
Prince Teng appeared calm and collected, seemingly in control, but in reality, he lacked confidence.
Despite commanding 20,000 men, many of their relatives had joined the military command and were living comfortably.
Furthermore, their supplies were running low; without replenishing them, they risked being scattered and divided.
The thought that he had actually agreed to Liu Qi's demands, only to find that Liu Qi hadn't fulfilled a single one of his promises, filled Lu Ming with dread.
When he questioned Liu Qi, Liu Qi was surprised and asked him why he hadn't offered a beautiful woman to Governor Lu.
Didn't he know the rules?
He didn't even have this much courtesy, yet he wanted a promotion?
This left the arrogant Prince Teng speechless. Was it all his fault after all?