The Yuan family mansion, located in the north of the city, was a magnificent and extravagant palace. The main gate alone was five zhang wide, its vermilion doors and gilded plaques gleaming. Even the servants standing before the gate held their heads high, looking down on everyone.
In the main hall, Yuan Kui sat on a cushion, a cup of ginseng tea in his hand. "Benchu, how is the formation of the Western Garden Army progressing?"
Below him stood a handsome man with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a beard—Yuan Shao.
In terms of appearance, he was far more appealing than the somewhat gloomy Yuan Shu.
"Reporting to Uncle, five thousand men have been gathered. I have recruited the strongest men in Luoyang. With rigorous training, they will surely become an army!"
Seeing Yuan Shao's smug expression, Yuan Shu, sitting below, felt a deep resentment.
His relationship with Yuan Shao was far from good; they maintained a facade of brotherly harmony, but in reality, he wished for Yuan Shao's death.
The competition within powerful families was fierce, though not quite as intense as the struggle for succession, it wasn't far off.
"Damn Yuan Shao! Hmph, you only got the position of Commandant of the Central Army because of compromise! What's so smug about that!"
Bringing Yuan Shao in was a political compromise; getting two or three of the eight commanders of the Western Garden Army would be a feat.
If the Yuan family wanted to intervene, the Yang family would definitely intervene, and other families like the Wang family would also intervene. Emperor Ling also needed his own people; the eight positions were up for distribution.
Yuan Wei, however, wasn't so pleased with Yuan Shao's smugness. "How are the preparations going with the others?"
Although he didn't say it, Yuan Wei most wanted to know about that little brat, Lu Ming.
He dared to set a trap for him in court!
That scene, that cunning consequence, even terrified him; this was cutting off the very foundation of the Yuan family!
Making the imperial family suspicious of the Yuan family was the greatest victory.
"Cao Cao has already recruited three thousand men, Chunyu Qiong has recruited two, and the other captains have each recruited one thousand." Yuan Shao paused, then added, "Lu Ming hasn't recruited a single person yet."
"Hmph, drawing a salary from the court without doing any work, what will Jian Shuo say?" Yuan Wei scoffed. "Spread the word, make sure Lu Ming can't recruit a single person!"
"Yes, Uncle." Yuan Shao's impression of Lu Ming was so-so; he wasn't particularly fond of him, nor did he dislike him, but who told him to offend his uncle?
As for what Lu Ming said in court, he had heard it, but found it laughable.
If powerful clans could be so easily defeated, they wouldn't be powerful clans.
Yuan Shu didn't speak, but instead pondered, "Uncle, why not recruit and subdue him as well?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao's lips twitched. His cousin seemed to know even the most basic facts.
Recruiting someone in this situation is impossible, given their already stated words.
Furthermore, the Yuan family no longer needs them. This person is clearly intended as a weapon against the Yuan family; how could they possibly be won over?
"Gonglu, working under the Minister of Justice, you can also cause trouble for Lu Ming there. Hmph, those who threaten the foundation of the Yuan family deserve to die!" Yuan Kui snorted. If it's a matter of attitude, then it's a matter of ability.
If he offends the Yuan family and doesn't act, he'll be looked down upon.
Powerful ministers, if they don't use their power, they're just asking for trouble.
"Yes, Uncle." Yuan Shu cursed inwardly, "Ignorant old man! Hmph! You want me to do this? I'll just do it!"
The competition within the Yuan family is too fierce, and with an elder brother already ennobled, his rise to power is even more difficult.
Yuan Shao was once again dominating him. The other party was merely a bastard born of a concubine, yet he dared to ride roughshod over him. Yuan Shu, already narrow-minded, was now even more displeased.
Meanwhile, at Lu Ming's residence.
Xu Shu arrived at the residence early in the morning with Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai. After being received, they saw his mother, who seemed much better. After a brief conversation, Lu Ming arrived.
"My lord, I am willing to serve you faithfully," Xu Shu said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. He was a filial son, and since Lu Ming had cured his mother, he should fulfill his promise.
"We are also willing to serve you, my lord," Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin said together, clasping their hands in a fist salute. This was undoubtedly a very good opportunity; if they missed it, no one might be willing to employ them in the future.
"Good, with these three, I am like a tiger with wings," Lu Ming laughed heartily, finally having recruited some historical generals.
"Yuanzhi, you should go to Yingchuan to study first. You have the brains, and I need you to return after your studies. You can also work for me, learning on the job. Think it over yourself."
Xu Shu replied solemnly, "I will go to Yingchuan to study and will definitely return in three years. During these three years, I entrust my mother to you, my lord!"
"Go and study. Your mother is with me; I will take good care of her." Lu Ming nodded, his face righteous and serious.
If Xu Shu knew that the other party had used him to blackmail his mother last night and then raped her, would he draw his sword?
That was utterly despicable!
"Yes, thank you, my lord." Xu Shu made up his mind to return after his studies and serve Lu Ming. He would repay kindness with kindness, just as a chivalrous knight repays debts of gratitude and avenges wrongs.
After settling Xu Shu, Lu Ming turned to look at Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin.
"I am the Prefect of Longxi Commandery, and I will have to return eventually. Youping, one of my advisors is returning to Longxi to handle government affairs for me; you will go with him. Your task this time is arduous; you must not only protect the Master's safety but also organize troops to defend Longxi. After the rebellion, bandits roam the area, and the people are suffering. Are you willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility?" Lu Ming stared at Zhou Tai. Sending a southerner to Longxi seemed like leaving his homeland.
"Your subordinate is willing, my lord, do not worry. Anyone who wants to harm the Master will have to step over my dead body first," Zhou Tai said, clasping his hands in a fist salute, his tone resolute.
Even though it meant leaving his homeland, so what?
They had discussed this issue last night. Lu Ming certainly wouldn't be limited to Longxi; he had a bright future ahead of him. Following such a lord, they could also rise through the ranks.
"Alright, I appoint you as the county's bandit-hunting officer. You'll have to put up with this for now. Once you arrive, you need to contact and recruit the local chivalrous heroes. They can achieve great things too." Lu Ming wasn't stingy; he could still make decisions regarding personnel appointments within the county, it was within his power.