In short, this was essentially an experience of appeasing powerful families and then gradually seizing power.
Some things only work when led by influential local figures.
Therefore, Fan Li's strategy was straightforward: appoint wandering knights.
However, relying solely on wandering knights was insufficient to handle complex situations, so he dispatched students from the academy as leaders to maintain power within their hands—that is, within the hands of the court.
It sounds simple, but Fan Li continued to speak eloquently, even offering different solutions for different regions and situations.
Such pronouncements would never be made without specialized research.
This demonstrates thorough preparation and meticulous research; opportunity only favors the prepared.
The two talked until dark, still not finished.
Precisely because of this, everything was interconnected.
Besides his strategic brilliance, Fan Li also possessed considerable business acumen.
In this era, doing business required flexible relationships; otherwise, being harassed by officials entering cities and subjected to extortion and bribery in various places could easily drain a caravan's profits, not to mention the consequences of being a local warlord, and could even result in being swallowed whole.
Controlling a region meant opening up trade routes.
The complex economic logic behind this was something only those who specialized in business could truly understand.
Lu Ming was still focused on what Fan Li had said: establishing a unified and fixed market arbitrator was crucial.
In fact, Lu Ming had already been doing this even before he conquered the region.
Huang Yueying and Mi Zhen personally prepared some fish soup, and Xi Shi also cooked simple dishes.
Steamed vegetables topped with some toppings and soy sauce instantly became smooth and delicious.
"Simple" was only in comparison to the emperor's hospitality standards.
Tofu pudding, braised tofu, steamed carp, and lotus root fish soup—delicious, and simple.
Lu Ming and Fan Li moved to the dining table and ate with him.
The two remained in high spirits, chatting enthusiastically.
While boiling water with coal to make tea, they continued their discussion on maximizing profits and maintaining the integrity of the government office, preventing it from being corrupted.
"It's not the corrupt officials we fear, but the incompetent and lazy ones," they said.
While the two chatted in the room, Huang Yueying and the others chatted outside.
Since they were out relaxing, they naturally didn't do anything else; work could be put aside.
The women were also somewhat amazed by Xi Shi's beauty; there were many beautiful women in the harem.
Although she was beautiful, she was not a threat.
To survive in the harem, one must always remember one thing: the Empress can only be Wang Yi; no one else can replace her, not even the closest, Jia Tanchun.
Beauty alone isn't enough. Diao Chan was beautiful enough, even comparable to Xi Shi.
But that's still not enough. They needed to band together, learn how to navigate the complexities of the world, and accomplish tasks, rather than simply being decorative objects.
A beautiful vase is merely a pretty shell; only genuine talent can ensure a long-term survival in the harem.
Understanding this is what gave Ying Yueying and the others their confidence.
Huang Yueying was quick-witted and resourceful; many technological ideas originated from her, especially with Lu Ming's full support, allowing her to pursue her interests without worry.
Mi Zhen was responsible for finance and commerce. The Jiaosifang (a government office) had many tasks, but sales were essential, requiring someone knowledgeable in business to prevent being deceived by the servants.
Whether one could do it or not was one thing; whether one understood it or not was another.
Furthermore, Mi Fang's abilities in business were fully utilized, which further enhanced Mi Zhen's standing.
Relatives of the emperor are relatives of the emperor; those with ability can naturally rise to power more easily.
However, if they break the law, they will be punished, and the example of Sun Yi being executed by slow slicing is a stark reminder.
This also stopped some ambitious relatives of the emperor from acting. Who was Sun Yi?
Lady Wu and Lady Wu were sisters, and with Sun Shangxiang, the three formed a unique mother-daughter duo, whom Lu Ming greatly favored.
However, favor and pampering were one thing, but when it came to matters involving relatives of the emperor, they couldn't speak up.
If they made a mistake.
Then they would be punished, and severely punished at that.
Otherwise, when it came to promotions, they would be given priority, and punishment would be unnecessary.
Then everyone could just find ways to send beauties to the emperor; would there be any need to work?
Lady Wu, after being lectured by the empress, accepted her fate, though she was initially somewhat resentful.
But considering the consequences, if the number of women in the harem increased, wouldn't her chances and time of being favored decrease?
The Empress wasn't worried at all, because she was certain to serve the Emperor at least once every seven days, far better than the other concubines.
Xi Shi lowered her head, her heart pounding.
Because the three imperial concubines before her were all difficult to deal with. Huang Yueying and Mi Zhen were relatively kind to her.
But Cai Shu, from a prominent family in Jingzhou, gave her a smile that hid a knife—a jealousy.
"Your Highnesses, would you like something to eat?"
Xi Shi lowered her head proactively. She knew her father's considerations: to send her to the palace as a concubine.
Mainly, so that she could be slept with and violated by the Emperor.
Then her family would be secure.
Her father was a wise man; she never doubted his intentions.
However, having three imperial concubines before her made Xi Shi feel a kind of guilt, like a cheater.
That's why she seemed somewhat restless and uneasy.
Cai Shu smiled at Xi Shi, a jade pendant adorning her right wrist. Her hand supported her chin, exuding the allure of a young married woman.
"Your Majesty enjoys dancing. Does Miss Xi Shi know how to dance?"
"Yes, yes, I grew up here, raised like a peasant girl.
I can do everything: working in the fields, picking lotus in the water, chopping wood, cooking. I also know a little dancing, but I only do it for my own amusement. I'm afraid Your Majesty might laugh at me."
Xi Shi lowered her head, sensing an underlying meaning in Cai Shu's words, and felt she had to be wary.
"Hehe, quite a multi-talented one!"
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Cai Shu's eyes. She knew Lu Ming was a womanizer, and she knew her husband wouldn't let the beauty before him go unnoticed.
Although she hadn't been with Lu Ming for long, she was still the woman who had given her virginity to him… and had even borne him a daughter. She had the confidence to say that as Lu Ming's bedmate, she was familiar with his personality, so there was absolutely no need to deal with Xi Shi.
However, if she didn't want to deal with her, she could either teach her a lesson or try to recruit her!