Listening to Lu Ming's unconventional words, some of which were quite extreme, Shen Pei and Ju Shou had to admit that they did indeed have a point…
Moreover, they resonated deeply with him, easily evoking a sense of shared experience!
Most importantly, Lu Ming was down-to-earth, and his words were practical and often incisive, sometimes even disregarding their feelings, presenting stark reality before their eyes, leaving them no choice but to believe.
Within just one day, their prejudices against Lu Ming vanished.
They were even quite interested in Lu Ming's vision of unifying China and then conquering and subjugating the surrounding barbarians.
With this idea came motivation.
The two felt their fighting spirit rekindled. At least under Lu Ming's command, they were temporarily spared the backstabbing and infighting, so this was at least a period of growth.
After staying in Nanpi City for a few days, Lu Ming also summoned Yuan Shao. His former colleague and rival, now a prisoner, was indeed a cruel twist of fate.
Lu Ming established a pleasure garden in Chang'an, intending for the defeated warlords to reside there.
He also planned to have their wives and mothers visit them. What was this called?
Enjoying life?
No! It was destroying their spirit!
Yuan Shao seemed to have come to terms with it, and was no longer as aggressive towards Lu Ming. At least his two sons were given important positions, and his eldest son remained by his side.
Next, he would find that his former subordinates had all settled into new lives, working tirelessly for their new masters.
Even those who used to fawn over him were nowhere to be seen. When the wall falls, everyone pushes; when the tree falls, everyone scatters; when people leave, the tea grows cold—this was the harsh reality.
After leaving Nanpi, Lu Ming continued northward.
Niu Fu occupied Ji City, thwarting Gongsun Zan's plans to flee north.
Ma Chao and Zhao Yun pursued them, defeating Gongsun Zan's army just outside Ji City and capturing Gongsun Zan alive!
Lu Ming had made a rare trip to Ji City. Further north from here lay Liaodong.
Liaodong was harsh and cold, but it had vast tracts of fertile black soil suitable for cultivation. It wasn't actually bad; the lack of development was the reason for its harsh conditions.
Arriving at the governor's mansion, an elderly woman stood in the courtyard with her maid, Hou Ren.
Upon seeing Lu Ming, she respectfully knelt and bowed, "This humble concubine, Lady Hou, greets Your Highness, Prince Qin!"
Lu Ming reached out and pinched Lady Hou's chin, positioning her mouth directly over his penis.
Although Lady Hou was past her prime, she still possessed a captivating charm. Her fair face exuded the allure of a mature woman.
Although she was over forty, her skin and flesh were firm and elastic, especially her breasts, which were large yet still very supple.
"You are Gongsun Zan's first wife?"
"Indeed, this humble concubine."
Hou felt somewhat uncomfortable. Being held by the chin by a man other than her husband, while she knelt, was not a pleasant feeling.
Gongsun Zan was from a noble family, but due to his mother's humble origins, he could only serve as a scribe.
Gongsun Zan was handsome, with a loud voice, eloquent, strategic, and quick-witted.
When reporting to the prefect, he never spoke piecemeal, but often reported multiple matters at once, never forgetting anything. Prefect Hou greatly admired Gongsun Zan and married his daughter to him.
With his father-in-law's help, Gongsun Zan, along with Liu Bei and Liu Deran, studied under Lu Zhi of Zhuojun, learning the classics in the mountains of Goushi.
Later, Gongsun Zan returned to Liaoxi Commandery and was recommended as a senior accountant. At this time, the governor of Liaoxi was named Liu Ji. He had committed a crime and was escorted to Luoyang to be handed over to the Court of Justice for punishment.
According to the law, subordinate officials were not allowed to associate with officials who broke the law.
Gongsun Zan then changed his clothes, pretending to be a servant, and accompanied the prisoner in the prison cart to Luoyang.
Ultimately, Liu Ji was exiled to Rinan in Jiaozhou. During the exile, Liu Ji received a pardon from the court and returned home.
Upon his return, Gongsun Zan was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official and appointed as the Chief Administrator of the Liaodong Dependent State.
On one occasion, Gongsun Zan was patrolling the passes with several dozen cavalrymen when he encountered several hundred Xianbei cavalrymen. After weighing the pros and cons, he knew that waiting to be killed would be certain.
Therefore, he took up his spear, spurred his horse, and led his men into the Xianbei ranks, killing and wounding several dozen.
Although he escaped death, he suffered more than half his own casualties.
The Xianbei took this as a warning and dared not easily cross the passes again.
Gongsun Zan was promoted to magistrate of Zhuo County.
In 187 AD, Zhang Chun, in alliance with the Wuhuan tribes, elected Zhang Ju, the governor of Mount Tai, as their leader in a rebellion. Zhang Ju proclaimed himself emperor, and Zhang Chun declared himself General Mitian and King of Anding.
The two sent letters to the prefectures and counties, declaring that Zhang Ju would usurp the Han throne and demanding the emperor's abdication and the arrival of high officials.
Gongsun Zan led his army to suppress Zhang Chun, achieving military merit and being promoted to Cavalry Commandant.
Zhang Chun, along with the Hu people led by Qiuliju, invaded Yuyang, Hejian, and Bohai, penetrating deep into the plains and committing widespread killing and looting.
Gongsun Zan pursued them to Shimen (southwest of present-day Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province), where a fierce battle ensued. The rebel army was utterly defeated, abandoning their wives and children, and fled across the border. All the men and women they had plundered were recovered.
Gongsun Zan was promoted to Colonel of the Surrendered Barbarians and General of the Household, enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting, and concurrently served as Chief Administrator of the Liaodong Dependent State, garrisoning troops and guarding the border.
For the next five or six years, he was constantly at war with the northern nomadic tribes.
Whenever Gongsun Zan heard of an enemy attack, he would immediately become fierce and ruthless, fighting as if against his own enemy, sometimes continuing until late at night.
From then on, the Wuhuan people feared Gongsun Zan's bravery and dared not invade again.
Gongsun Zan often rode white horses with dozens of skilled riders and archers, forming left and right wings, calling themselves the "White Horse Righteous Cavalry."
Initially, when Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu jointly attacked the Wuhuan, Gongsun Zan was under Liu Yu's command.
However, because Gongsun Zan was confident in his military strength, he allowed his troops to plunder the people on numerous occasions.
Liu Yu, on the other hand, was very benevolent towards the people, which gradually worsened their relationship.
This is why the two fought so fiercely. Liu Yu now only controlled one county and could be destroyed at any moment. The two fought to the death, which ironically benefited Lu Ming.
"Gongsun Zan is a meritorious man, helpful to the state. I won't kill him; let him live out his remaining years as a wealthy man."
Lu Ming opened Lady Hou's eyes, and his lust began to boil.
He was never short of women, especially after having the imperial harem. Every night he could make love to his mother, and although he always ejaculated inside her, he had no intention of impregnating her again, because he wanted to continue having sex with her.
Although Lady Hou was older, she was well-maintained and came from a respectable family, so she possessed a unique mature charm.
Such a woman, and a relative of the enemy, was someone whose identity easily aroused Lu Ming, and thus, Lady Hou met a tragic end.
She was chosen by Lu Ming to serve him in bed that night, along with her daughter.
It was also her daughter's bad luck; she had come home to visit her family, but ended up being taken advantage of.
Lu Ming didn't care whether she was married or not; once he had his eye on her, there was no escaping!