After Lu Ming left, Liu Yan came to his door.
"Captain Lu, I'll get straight to the point. Wu Yi is merely Wu Kuang's nephew, innocent. His mother and sister are only temporarily residing in the mansion, not criminals. Please, Captain Lu, have mercy and release them so they can reunite with their families." Liu Yan still coveted Wu Xian's prestigious status; he might one day ascend to the throne himself!
Moreover, the Han Dynasty was in turmoil, the country shattered.
Ambitious individuals could all see this; some were indifferent, while others were making preparations.
Looking at the old man before him, Lu Ming felt a surge of disgust.
Still smiling, he cupped his hands and said, "That's unfortunate. I already took them as concubines yesterday. Lord Taichang, I'm truly sorry, I'm busy, and I cannot assist you."
"What!" Liu Yan was dumbfounded. This was too fast! His noble daughter-in-law was gone? She'd been used? How could he possibly let his son marry someone who'd been with another woman?
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, women were encouraged to remarry, all for the sake of population growth.
Moreover, not remarrying was punishable. While the punishment had been relaxed somewhat by this time, it still existed.
Marriage was certainly possible, but Liu Yan himself was somewhat displeased. What kind of status did he have? How could his son marry a "second-hand" woman?
"I beg you, Commandant, to be lenient. It's not too late. Let them leave." Liu Yan still maintained his airs, offering no favors, and expecting them to be released with just a word?
"My lord, this is my concubine. What right do you have to release her? Living in Wu Kuang's house makes her Wu Kuang's family. His Majesty issued an imperial decree bestowing Wu Kuang's family property upon me. You, my lord, can order her release with a single word? Does your word carry more weight than His Majesty's? In that case, my lord, please come with me to the palace to see the Emperor and let him judge this matter. Come, my lord, let's go!" Lu Ming finished speaking and grabbed Liu Yan's sleeve, indicating they were going to the palace to see the Emperor.
Liu Yan never expected Lu Ming to act like such a troublemaker, exploding at the slightest provocation. Couldn't he speak properly?
If it were any other matter, even if it reached Emperor Ling, at most he would receive a mild reprimand.
They were all from the same clan; the Liu family's empire needed them.
But now, when Emperor Ling was in a good mood, to ask him to retract his words and contradict himself was simply ridiculous!
Liu Yan didn't have that kind of face or influence!
"Hmph, since Commandant Lu refuses, then so be it. Farewell." Liu Yan certainly wouldn't risk offending him; that would be courting death, not seeking personal gain.
"Commander Lu is truly young and impetuous, full of youthful arrogance!"
This wasn't a compliment; it was sarcasm. Youthful arrogance rarely ends well. Young people should learn from their mistakes; otherwise, they, the older generation, would seem foolish!
"Heh, is a young man without arrogance?" Lu Ming sneered. "Goodbye!"
After leaving the residence, Liu Yan gritted his teeth. "How dare this brat! Just you wait!"
Just as Liu Yan left, an unexpected person appeared.
Lu Ming saw Cao Cao, led in by a servant. Short in stature, with a sallow complexion, Cao Aman, though possessing an air of arrogance, had yet to display his talents.
"So it's Mengde visiting! What an honor! Please have a seat!" Lu Ming said with a cupped hand.
"I've come uninvited, please don't take offense, Brother Anmin," Cao Cao said with a smile. Although not physically imposing, he possessed a rare personal charm.
"What brings you here, Brother Mengde?" Lu Ming asked directly after sitting down. Seemingly to ease the atmosphere, he added, "His Majesty has ordered me to examine Princess Wannian. It's urgent, not a matter of urging you to leave."
"Oh! I see. Brother Anmin, you are truly multi-talented! I have no urgent business to attend to, but I've heard you're going to Hedong to recruit soldiers. I'd like to accompany you. What do you say?" Cao Cao wasn't there to recruit soldiers, but simply to cultivate a good relationship with Lu Ming.
His keen eye told him Lu Ming was no ordinary man; befriending him would certainly not be a loss.
"Very well, I'll visit Mengde's residence another day for a chat. That's enough for today, I still need to examine the princess." Lu Ming readily agreed; he had no intention of recruiting Cao Cao.
Such a person, even just talking to Cao Cao for a while would be pleasant.
He possesses an extremely charismatic personality and would never submit to anyone.
However, those who defile other men's wives and daughters will also have their wives and daughters defiled; every cause has its effect, and Cao Cao's retribution is mine!
Although abrupt, Cao Cao had no choice but to comply.
He was merely passing by and came to visit on a whim.
This was actually quite impolite. A formal visit requires sending a formal invitation and scheduling an appointment; that is proper etiquette.
Such a sudden visit, unless it's an acquaintance, is truly impolite.
He arranged for Jiang Xin to recruit wandering knights, while Fa Zheng was responsible for supervising the workshop's progress.
And those shopfronts also needed to be utilized; only by utilizing them well could they be profitable.
Lu Ming's choice was to engage in some trading. Merchanting was considered a lowly profession, but without it, he would starve.
Selling lamb skewers would be a good option. Next, Lu Ming needed to gather ingredients to make a hot pot.
In this era, pork was the primary meat, while lamb was the main cut in the north. Only the royal family could afford beef.
Oxen were not allowed to be slaughtered; only the royal family could eat them.
And regardless of whether it was a domestic pig or a goat, the offal was never eaten.
Firstly, there was no way to process it, and secondly, it was too gamey and unpalatable. Only the extremely poor would consume it.
Raw materials were being continuously transported to the mansion, and there was enough money to cover expenses.
At least for two months, Lu Ming wouldn't need to worry about finances.
The servants in the mansion needed monthly wages, and the mansion's expenses, the women's necessities, and groceries all required funds.
There was a small vegetable garden in the main garden, but it was abandoned; after all, vegetables grown there don't taste very good.
Everything was proceeding smoothly, so Lu Ming took the imperial edict and headed to Princess Wannian's residence.
Historically, records about this princess are extremely scarce. All that is known is that she was Emperor Ling's daughter, and his only daughter.
Her husband is not recorded, nor is the Holy Mother.
Everything seems like a mystery, or perhaps she didn't wield much influence at all, merely possessing a royal title that allowed her to be mentioned briefly in historical records, but that was all.