Lu Ming looked at Jia She with a hint of doubt in his eyes, but he didn't care. If it existed, then it must be reasonable.
So he picked up his wine cup. "Enough with the small talk. The imperial edict has been issued for some time now. Have you all prepared your money, provisions, and supplies? I, the governor, have been ordered to provide disaster relief, and His Majesty understands your difficulties. Therefore, I can promise you some benefits here."
He was direct and to the point, without any beating around the bush or probing. One was one, two was two; no amount of talk could turn it into three.
Seeing everyone's eyes fixed on him, Lu Ming smiled slightly. "Now that autumn has arrived, I imagine you're all feeling a bit chilly. In the past, we used to heat our rooms with braziers, but if we weren't careful, people could suffocate. You may not know how people die. I can tell you, sir, it's due to two reasons: first, lack of oxygen; second, the release of poisonous gases from burning charcoal. It only takes an hour for the poison to take effect. This poison is undetectable even to coroners. Every year, people die from heating with charcoal; you've probably experienced or heard about it."
"What does Your Excellency mean?" a middle-aged man with a kind face and a rather robust build asked, bowing.
This was Wang Ziteng, the Commandant of Chang'an City, responsible for the city's defenses and wielding military power.
He was also a powerful figure among the four major families. Those with real power are often more cautious, possessing a greater sense of composure and prudence compared to the powerless but boastful tyrants.
"This governor possesses an item that, once installed, allows for all-day coal burning without causing poisoning, and can even keep the room warm and cozy during cold weather. Then, you can all enjoy the warmth without worrying about anyone dying from poisoning. You can have your servants tend the fire pits, but who doesn't have a wife, children, and elderly parents? Ensuring the safety of your wives, children, and parents is a responsibility that has been passed down through generations of men. What do you all think?" Lu Ming wasn't in a hurry; he wanted to start with practicality.
A fireplace is a freestanding or wall-mounted indoor heating device that uses combustibles as its energy source.
A real fireplace achieves its heating effect through heat radiation, conduction, and convection. The warmth can be felt noticeably within minutes of lighting it.
The heat radiation from a real fireplace is not only beneficial to health but can also alleviate symptoms such as arthritis.
Furthermore, the unique ambiance and visually appealing flames of a fireplace can be beneficial to both mind and body.
What may seem like a small matter is, when it concerns life, death, safety, and enjoyment, it is no small matter.
The nobles began whispering amongst themselves; no one believed Lu Ming would lie.
The emperor's son-in-law, and the high-ranking governor, overseeing all affairs of Liangzhou—such a person, in such a position, would disdain lying!
It must be said, clothes make the man, and a whip makes the horse.
When one holds a high position, sometimes one doesn't even need to explain; others will believe.
If Lu Ming weren't the emperor's son-in-law, or the governor, he might have needed to produce tangible evidence and experience it firsthand to gain approval.
This is the benefit of reputation and status; it skips the initial trust-building stage, allowing for a relaxed negotiation.
"This prince is willing to contribute five thousand taels of silver, two thousand dan of millet, one thousand jin of meat, and one thousand jin of tofu to aid Governor's disaster relief efforts," said Liu Chao, the Prince of Huainan, the first to agree. His ancestor was Liu An, the one who invented tofu while practicing alchemy.
By producing and selling tofu, he had achieved a comfortable life.
Each generation could pay enough money to maintain their fiefdom and title, without any great talent or ambition, yet still live a stable and comfortable life—this is a miracle.
The contemporaries of the King of Huainan have all disappeared, or become moderately wealthy families, their titles disappearing with each passing generation. That's power.
Hiss!
Many people don't understand why the King of Huainan would do this, considering he doesn't reside in Huainan, but in Chang'an.
His fiefdom in Huainan still exists, but he only collects taxes, without any real power. Now, he only has a fief and no other authority.
Without relying on commerce, many princes and dukes are worse off than destitute dogs!
Both Yang Cong and Jia Zheng were surprised. Yang Cong was more delighted, while Jia Zheng and the others were more annoyed.
"Excellent! I admire the noble character of the Prince of Huainan. I hereby promise that if the Prince of Huainan and his wife require my medical attention, I will provide it without hesitation and without charge. Although I am not talented, I am proficient in medicine. Whether it is tuberculosis, syphilis, or even a shameful ailment, I can cure it. The Empress Dowager even bestowed upon me a calligraphy scroll inscribed with 'Miraculous Healing.' On behalf of the people of Liangzhou and those suffering from the plague in Anding County, I thank Your Highness." Lu Ming also offered his other bargaining chip: his medical skills!
This was his greatest asset and the reason for his rapid rise to power.
The Eastern Han Dynasty was not without skilled physicians, but Hua Tuo had wandered the land and disappeared, and Zhang Zhongjing held an official position, preferring to devote himself to research rather than treating patients.
Besides, other physicians, while capable, were unable to treat difficult and complex illnesses; even common colds were difficult to diagnose.
Yuan Wei's misfortune was merely an accident, and Lu Ming wouldn't let a minor setback deter him; he would certainly utilize his advantages.
Obtain supplies, control the plague, develop the economy, upgrade the military, unify Liangzhou, and establish his own kingdom.
One step at a time; what he needed to do now was take the first step.
Once he had the strength, wouldn't he be able to easily manipulate these nobles?
Settling scores later—anyone who's been educated knows that.
At this moment, the nobles present realized they seemed to have forgotten something.
That is, Lu Ming was a divine physician!
A skilled physician who had received royal recognition!
Everyone experiences birth, aging, illness, and death; being able to cure illness is naturally the best thing, especially for those in their prime—it would be a great pity if they died!
For a moment, the crowd whispered among themselves again. Jia Zheng, however, frowned and remained silent, clearly deep in thought.
Just as things were turning for the better, a voice rang out with a sarcastic tone, "What, is the Governor planning to use this to blackmail us?"
Blackmail?
This is clearly a transaction, where's the blackmail?
Others might not know, but Jia Zheng immediately felt a chill run down his spine, wanting to scold and beat his brother for being foolish!
Is this blackmail?
Is this something that can be said out loud?