For several days, Lu Ming didn't go to the Yuan family residence.
Having obtained the goods, and seeing that the Yuan family wanted to deal with him, it proved his previous assumptions were somewhat naive.
This world is all about self-interest; without self-interest, there is no motivation.
What's sacrificing a prince consort to prolong the Yuan family's rule?
Even the emperor can be sacrificed!
Lu Ming's life remained carefree, while the wives' group began to show their power.
Empress He's mother, Lady Wuyang, was whispering in Empress He's ear. The Empress couldn't influence the Emperor because they hadn't slept together for several years.
However, the Empress frequently interacted with General He Jin. He Jin was nothing but a butcher; even at the position of General, his intelligence and wisdom were lacking.
Moreover, with Lady Wuyang's connections, it was possible to get Lu Ming to cooperate with the General, strengthening the General's control.
Lady Liu, the wife of the Grand Commandant, also began to make her moves. After the guild hall opened, she had the Empress's inscription, "Women are inherently weak, but mothers are strong," made into a plaque and hung at the main entrance.
Inside, she sold underwear and also offered yoga classes and ginger tea.
These were all intended to improve women's constitution and alleviate menstrual cramps.
Furthermore, paying a sufficient amount of money could secure a consultation with Lu Ming.
His ability to cure the Empress's mother, Lady Wuyang, Empress Dowager Dong, and Lady Liu, was the best proof of his skill, especially in treating intractable ailments like toothaches—a debilitating pain.
In truth, Lu Ming's medical skills were quite sought after, but he only used them for profit. Having a guild hall to provide this service naturally broadened his reach.
Lu Ming committed adultery with Lady Liu in a secret room within the guild hall, ejaculating inside her afterward.
"I'll be away in Longxi for quite a while this time. If you find out you're pregnant, use the pretext of medical treatment and business to go to Chang'an. I'll send someone to fetch you and ensure you give birth safely. Our child will have endless wealth and glory in the future, and you'll always be with me!" Lu Ming stroked Liu Liu's large buttocks. Indeed, other people's wives were the most alluring; playing with them was incredibly exciting!
"Yes, my husband, I can't bear to part with you! I've heard the plague in Anding County is very serious; you must be careful," Liu Liu said worriedly. Her heart was completely devoted to Lu Ming, and she didn't want anything to happen to him.
"Should I go talk to my brother?"
"No need, Marquis Zhao has already instructed me." After saying that, Lu Ming recounted Marquis Zhao's situation, including how Marquis Zhao had given him his youngest daughter as a concubine.
Liu Liu wasn't jealous at all after hearing this; instead, she was secretly pleased. "My niece is intelligent and well-behaved, and only likes reading and writing. Husband, what do you need me to do?"
"Nothing much," Lu Ming replied, "just manage the guild hall well. Once I take Liangzhou, I'll bring you there. It's much more interesting than Luoyang." Lu Ming was a sophisticated egoist; his generosity was always based on the possibility of greater returns for himself.
Liu Liu indeed didn't need to do much, just manage the guild hall well and cultivate her network of connections.
These connections would give Lu Ming many advantages in Liangzhou. When he confiscated the property of local powerful families, the women in Luoyang could whisper in his ear and ensure she wouldn't be hindered.
Once Liangzhou was developed, everything else would be secondary.
Then, all he needed to do was incite conflict between General He Jin and the Ten Attendants, and, oh yes, send Emperor Ling to his death!
To lure Dong Zhuo into the capital, all that would be needed was to wait until after they met Dong Zhuo in Bingzhou. In the harsh, windswept land of Bingzhou, enduring sandstorms, for someone like Dong Zhuo, who had served on the battlefield with nothing to show for it, the prospect of dominating Luoyang would surely ignite his darker side, allowing her to seize some advantages.
Furthermore, capturing Hangu Pass would make Dong Zhuo the target of attacks from the other warlords, rendering the Guandong warlords ultimately ineffective and prone to disintegration.
Looking at the man's confident expression, Liu Liu felt a chill run down her spine.
She knew her man was already confident and didn't need her to worry.
Sending her to Liangzhou, from the prosperous Luoyang to the harsh Liangzhou region?
She didn't care about such things; being with her man was enough.
In the guild hall, Lu Ming began cultivating relationships, and to his surprise, it was a woman.
"Anmin, this is Princess Bei Jing. She says she has a toothache and needs your treatment." Lu Ming found it somewhat strange, as he didn't recall the term "Princess" being used.
However, these doubts could wait. Lu Ming treated Princess Bei Jing first.
Princess Bei Jing's appearance was average, with a round, jade-like complexion and a pleasing, enduring beauty that didn't evoke dislike.
This didn't hold much appeal for Lu Ming. Of all the women he had ever seen, Diao Chan was the most beautiful.
Even when Diao Chan was still a young girl, the combination of purity and allure captivated him. However, he couldn't show too much favoritism; otherwise, it wouldn't be affection, but rather harm to Diao Chan. If the other concubines joined forces, Diao Chan wouldn't be able to withstand it.
After the treatment, Princess Bei Jing was finally able to close her mouth.
Her eyes sparkled, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Your Highness, your medical skills are truly remarkable! My toothache is really gone! Compared to those quacks, you are a miracle worker!"
"Your Highness flatters me. The other doctors are also very skilled, but each has their own specialty. Some specialize in internal medicine, others in sprains and ligaments. They are all highly skilled in their respective fields." Lu Ming wouldn't accept this assessment. Since Zhao Hou's reminder, and coupled with his wife Cai Wenji's words last night, he had begun to bide his time, no longer boasting. His motto was: if he could act, he wouldn't waste words; a single, decisive blow would be fatal, leaving no chance for resistance!
"Hehe, Your Highness is too modest. So, what are you skilled at, Your Highness?" The Princess of Bei Jing chuckled to herself; a married woman was indeed different.
"I'm a master of chickens!" Lu Ming almost snapped, but held back. "I know a little about it."
"That's excellent. I won't disturb you any longer, Your Highness." The Princess of Bei Jing didn't say anything more; a princess shouldn't spend too much time with other men.
Even with maids watching over them, treatment and conversation were separate matters; the location and timing had to be right, just like no one eats in the toilet.