Since Lord Zhao had been so direct, Lu Ming didn't mince words and continued, "My lord, Yuan Shu invited me to his residence a few days ago to treat Yuan Kui's illness. Why is he now setting a trap for me?"
"Just to make an example of someone. You know about the internal strife within the Yuan family. The two brothers, Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, will inevitably have a victor. Currently, Yuan Shao is in a better position, while Yuan Shu has the status of the eldest son. It's hard to say who will win, but the Yuan family will definitely suffer a significant loss of power. Some who are unwilling to be controlled by the Yuan family are also thinking of establishing their own power. And you are just that chicken that the Yuan family is using to make an example of someone." Lord Zhao's insight was clear, a quality Lu Ming lacked.
Lu Ming only knew about the struggle between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, but he had never considered that there were also centrists who were unwilling to submit to either side and chose a third path! "Is it because I'm important enough?"
"Naturally. Don't worry about anything else these next few days. The Yuan family will naturally incite the court officials to recommend you as the governor of Liangzhou. At that time, you'll be in charge of Liangzhou's affairs, and as the captain of the Western Garden Army, you'll also be in charge of the rebellion in Bingzhou! They...they want you dead!" Zhao Hou's tone was somewhat smug. Analyzing someone else's problems, from an outsider's perspective, one can indeed see things very clearly.
Lu Ming underestimated the wickedness of human nature and clenched his fists. He naively thought he could dominate with his medical skills, but he never expected to actually encounter someone who wasn't afraid of death. "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Marquis!"
The Marquis Zhao accepted Lu Ming's bow with ease, then said in a rather helpless tone, "I also wish to help you, but unfortunately, I am powerless. Of my eight sons, whichever one you think has potential, take him to Liangzhou. With them there, the Yuan family, out of respect for me, won't be so ruthless. The rest is up to your own fate."
"Your kindness, Lord Marquis, will never be forgotten, and I will surely repay it in the future," Lu Ming said without ceremony, clasping his hands in a fist salute. After all, the Marquis Zhao didn't have many years left to live.
Then it would be up to him to decide.
Now, a huge challenge lay before him, but also a huge opportunity.
Whether he could control Liangzhou depended entirely on his own actions.
"Your gratitude is something I value highly. Let me be frank with you, though. My eight children are unlikely to amount to much. If I were to meet with misfortune in the future, you can help support one of them to inherit my family business, which you can then freely use. Anmin, His Majesty has high hopes for you, and so do I. However, in the struggles of court, showing off one's talents will only ultimately harm oneself and others. Restraining one's talents and remaining calm and steady is the best policy." The Marquis spoke with some emotion, having unknowingly drunk several cups of wine.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency. I will remember your kindness. I will certainly obey your orders and repay even the smallest kindness with boundless gratitude." Lu Ming, at this point, offered all sorts of assurances, saying whatever was appropriate.
"Well, I have a daughter, sixteen years old, who will marry you as your concubine. From now on, we will be one family. Anmin, remember, don't be too sharp. I can't hold my liquor, Madam, why don't you talk to Anmin?" Zhao Hou patted the other man's shoulder, then staggered away.
Some things are inconvenient for men to say, but for women, there are no inconveniences.
Zhao Hou's wife, Wang Qing, walked over gracefully, took the things from the maid's hands, and then told them to stand far away. "Anmin, this is my daughter Liu Ling's birth date and time. Although she will marry you as your concubine, please treat her well. Zhao Hou's daughter, marrying into a concubine, please don't be offended."
She wasn't aggressive; instead, she unusually played the emotional card.
Wang Qing's approach immediately made Lu Ming feel somewhat embarrassed; he wasn't one to be coerced.
If she pleaded with him properly, the matter would be easily accomplished.
Forcing the issue would only annoy and anger him, almost certainly ruining the deal!
"Don't worry, Madam, I will treat her well." Lu Ming was somewhat speechless. Why did everyone like to use this tactic?
However, he didn't object to it. Zhao Hou had been so blunt; he hoped that after his death, Zhao Hou would properly assist his son and choose one as his heir.
How could he know which one was the true heir, or if there were any hidden agendas?
Besides, as Zhao Hou's son-in-law, it wouldn't be right for him to try and seize Zhao Hou's estate, and it would be difficult.
Therefore, thinking about this, Lu Ming's feelings were actually quite complicated.
He felt a sense of being manipulated, and he had a headache. In this situation, he felt it was better to have Jia Xu here to help him.
Unfortunately, Jia Xu was the first choice, as Fa Zheng was far inferior in both methods and prestige.
In the end, he still lacked a strategist!
Wang Qing nodded with satisfaction. At least she knew that Lu Ming's wives and concubines were all living quite well; she hadn't heard of Lu Ming abusing them. "I trust you to handle things. Since we're all family now, come to the manor the day after tomorrow and take Ling'er back. It's getting late; go home and rest early."
"Yes, Madam." Lu Ming took his leave, his mind preoccupied, no longer paying attention to Wang Qing's figure.
Lu Ming, who usually had a fondness for mature women, surprisingly didn't covet her this time. It seemed he had indeed encountered some trouble.
That evening, Lu Ming summoned Fa Zheng, who had been handling military affairs and managing city affairs for him.
He recounted the events of the day, his previous feud with the Yuan family, and his recent efforts to treat Yuan Wei's illness, hoping Fa Zheng could offer some advice.
Fa Zheng had always been loyal; he had accompanied him on the last campaign against Hedong.
Without Fa Zheng's deduction, Lu Ming wouldn't have acted so decisively. In war strategy, Fa Zheng was a genius.
However, in matters of intrigue and scheming, his talent didn't match Jia Xu's.
Jia Xu was a super-talented individual who had served many masters and still managed to die peacefully.
While one might not be proficient in battlefield tactics, when it came to intrigue, scheming, and understanding human nature, this cunning strategist was unparalleled in his accuracy and ruthlessness.
"Someone in the Yuan clan wants to establish their own power base, to make an example of our lord?" Fa Zheng muttered to himself, not afraid, but rather somewhat excited.
A strategist wants his lord to consult him, so he can offer advice. Therefore, facing the Yuan clan, which controlled almost half the land and wielded considerable influence in thirteen provinces, Fa Zheng wasn't afraid; on the contrary, he wanted to bring them down. Otherwise, how could he demonstrate his prowess?