Emperors need both loyal and upright ministers.
Upright and incorruptible ministers, like Hai Rui and Wei Zheng, were such ministers.
Keeping upright ministers around served two purposes: firstly, it kept the emperor from indulging in comfort; secondly, it set an example, demonstrating the emperor's capacity for tolerance.
What Lu Ming didn't know was that the daughter entrusted to him by Diao Chan's fellow villager was none other than Wang Zhaojun, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China.
Originally, they intended to send her to the palace as a maid, but the selection of palace maids was not something anyone else could interfere with. It was controlled by Empress Dowager Dong Ya and Empress Wang Yi, who were meticulously aware of the circumstances of each maid.
After all, these women might be lucky enough to be asked to serve the emperor, so they couldn't be careless.
Therefore, as a second choice, they could only send her to the Jiaofangsi. The Jiaofangsi was, after all, a second harem, although the reputation of going there was not good, as the families of criminals were often sent there.
In reality, if one didn't care about reputation, Jiaofangsi was actually a very good place.
There was work, opportunities to learn, regular schedules, and guaranteed medical care and food—one could say it was happier than most people.
And the most crucial factor was medical care! The key was preventing death.
Even a powerful warlord like Yuan Shao, from a prestigious family, could die from a cold, so the preciousness of medical resources is self-evident.
The layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the details.
Three months later, Pang Tong recruited Ma Chao and Ma Dai to serve as his vanguard. He commanded 20,000 troops, all elite soldiers, the lowest ranks being upgraded swordsmen and shieldmen.
They were equipped with archers, sharpshooters, lancers, and physicians, as well as new types of siege towers and catapults, all of which could be disassembled and assembled.
The siege towers could instantly reach the height of a city wall. In open battle, sharpshooters on top could kill the enemy commander.
Without squad leaders and sergeants, the army would collapse in an instant.
Zhuge Liang, meanwhile, recalled members of the Zhuge clan: Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Jun.
The Zhuge clan's original intention was to send Zhuge Jin to Eastern Wu, because Eastern Wu was still undeveloped.
The local gentry had a tense relationship with Sun Ce, and sending Zhuge Jin would allow him to easily secure an important position.
Now, Lu Ming had said that if the Zhuge clan didn't come and continued with this game of splitting the eggs, he wouldn't be so lenient.
Therefore, Zhuge Liang went to great lengths to bring his brother, Zhuge Jin, back to work with him on important matters.
Pang Tong recruited Ma Chao and Ma Dai to join him, while Zhuge Liang recruited Zhao Yun and Chen Dao.
Chen Dao was Zhao Yun's close friend and had always served as his adjutant; he was the kind of person who worked quietly but efficiently.
A skilled warrior achieves little without illustrious feats, a skilled healer achieves little without a glorious name.
The two men set out from Baima Ferry and Nanpi Ferry respectively. Pang Tong began his attack on Puyang from Baima Ferry, while Zhuge Liang started his attack on Beihai from Nanpi.
Pang Tong's plan was to first meet with the Liangshan heroes before attacking Puyang.
Puyang was a vital economic center in the Central Plains; capturing it would sever Cao Cao's economic lifeline.
Cao Cao's forces were already insufficient, and he also had to defend Xuchang, the capital of the Han Dynasty and a key to his power. Its loss was unacceptable.
Zhuge Liang, on the other hand, planned to capture Beihai and then advance south to Xuzhou, to meet with Liu Bei, the governor of Xuzhou.
If history hadn't changed, Liu Bei would have thrice visited Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage to persuade him to join his cause. Ironically, Zhuge Liang now leads an army to attack Liu Bei, a twist of fate that perhaps even has a touch of morbid amusement.
Yanzhou, Liangshan.
A while ago, a fierce battle broke out at Liangshan.
The leader, Wang Lun, was killed by the newly arrived Chao Gai, who is now the new leader of Liangshan.
Chao Gai was originally the head of Dongxi Village in Dancheng County, Shandong Province, and a wealthy local.
He was known as the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King because he stole the Green Stone Pagoda and placed it in Dongxi Village.
Later, after his plot with Liu Tang, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and the three Ruan brothers to steal the birthday gifts was exposed, he was pursued by the government and forced to join the Liangshan outlaws.
Because Wang Lun, the leader of Liangshan Marsh, was jealous of talent and could not tolerate them, Wu Yong cleverly provoked Lin Chong to fight Wang Lun. Afterwards, everyone elected Chao Gai as the new leader.
Interestingly, the "birthday tribute" incident did indeed occur, but the recipient was actually Cai Jing's gift to Empress Dowager He.
Cai Jing was the prefect of Puyang, and neither Lü Bu nor Cao Cao replaced him when they occupied Puyang, demonstrating his shrewdness.
Chao Gai summoned everyone from the water stronghold and relayed the reports from his scouts.
"Now the Qin King's army has arrived near Liangshan. What are your plans?"
Li Kui, with his dark face, immediately shouted, "That Qin King is nothing special! Brother, just take me out, and I'll kill him without leaving a trace!"
Clearly, Li Kui was a typical muscle-bound man, only interested in fighting and killing.
On the contrary, Wu Yong, the strategist, was carefully considering the situation and inquired about the layout of the enemy's military camp.
A truly discerning person would analyze the enemy's deployment to deduce their intentions.
If the enemy was merely putting on a show of force before negotiating, then they needed to adjust their strategy.
"Strategist, what do you think?"
Seeing no one answer, Chao Gai had no choice but to ask the strategist.
Wu Yong frowned, his brows furrowing deeply. "Chief, our current life as outlaws is not a long-term solution. If we wish to return home in glory, we must join the imperial court!"
These words resonated with everyone, first addressing their perspective and then laying the groundwork for what followed.
Lin Chong, the instructor, seemed to have some ideas, but remained silent.
"If the Han Dynasty were still standing, we outlaws would surely be condemned to death. Just look at the fate of the Yellow Turbans, and you all know what will happen."
Wu Yong continued, building suspense.
"Strategist, why don't you speak more bluntly? I don't understand."
This was Li Kui again, his boisterous manner seemingly disrespectful to so-called scholars.
Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, as if they were all waiting for his response, Wu Yong continued, "I've heard that the King of Qin is still actively recruiting talented individuals. We have no past grudges or recent conflicts with him.
This person who has come is Pang Tong, a disciple of the King of Qin's Grand Councilor. I suggest we send someone to negotiate peace."