Meanwhile, Jia Zheng hurriedly returned to the Jia mansion to discuss Lu Ming's request.
This request, while seemingly rude, was actually quite complex upon closer examination.
Would a lustful man not know the chain reaction that would ensue if he slept with a woman from the Jia family?
Meanwhile, Emperor Ling in Luoyang was also questioning Lu Ming about his situation three times a day.
Emperor Ling's thinking was actually quite simple: he wanted to support someone who would be obedient.
Someone who controlled military power, capable of leading troops to defend the emperor at any time!
Having a trump card would give him confidence when facing powerful clans; this had been the case since the Western Han Dynasty.
Initially, Emperor Ling's target was his brother-in-law, He Jin, whom he promoted to Grand General despite opposition.
But now, after more than a decade, He Jin had truly become nothing more than a butcher, achieving nothing.
He was completely incapable of becoming a reserve force for the emperor, unable to become a sharp spear to pierce any obstacle!
Unfortunately, He Jin had already been corrupted.
While He Jin would undoubtedly be a great help if Liu Bian were made crown prince,
however, given Liu Bian's personality and abilities, if he were to ascend the throne, wouldn't he just be a puppet?
Emperor Ling was probably already fed up with the puppet life of a powerless emperor. If it weren't for his cunning, he probably wouldn't have even been able to organize the Western Garden Army.
Unfortunately, those truly loyal to him were only Lu Ming, Jian Shuo, and Feng Fang. Feng Fang was unreliable, barely usable.
Jian Shuo was a eunuch, inherently disadvantaged.
Now, he could only rely on Lu Ming, who, by chance, had gained favor and resources.
What a pity, what a pity.
Emperor Ling never dreamed that Lu Ming was the biggest wolf in sheep's clothing!
A treacherous wolf who had been plotting rebellion from the very beginning!
Otherwise, which minister would dare to commit adultery with the Emperor's mother, the Empress Dowager, while the Emperor is still alive?
This would be a slap in the face to Emperor Ling!
Emperor Ling, unusually not playing in the West Garden, was in the Imperial Study reading letters—secret letters held by Zhang Rang—containing Lu Ming's daily activities in Chang'an.
When he saw that Lu Ming had detained Jia Min and Lin Daiyu, he merely smiled.
Men, being a little lustful isn't a big problem, and it seems he's handled the situation of the nobles and powerful families in Chang'an contributing money and grain for disaster relief quite well.
"Father, do you think Lu Ming can manage Liangzhou well?" Emperor Ling had no one else to rely on, so he could only ask his most trusted advisor, Zhang Rang. Even Zhao Zhong, the eunuch he called his mother, wasn't as trusted as Zhang Rang.
Zhang Rang was in a good mood recently. The coal and ice-making technology left by Lu Ming had significantly increased his income, and there was good news from his adopted son—he wouldn't die.
Although still paralyzed, at least he could continue the family line.
Moreover, his daughter-in-law, He Wan, was pregnant—a truly wonderful thing!
"Governor Lu is exceptionally talented and enjoys His Majesty's favor; he will surely fulfill His Majesty's wishes." Zhang Rang certainly wouldn't speak ill of Lu Ming. Cooperating with Lu Ming was a long-term deal; he valued the long-term future more than a one-off profit.
It wasn't that he had such foresight, but rather that Lu Ming had calculated the benefits for him.
Having been reminded, he naturally understood the situation clearly.
Emperor Ling was clearly somewhat uncertain. Although Lu Ming had risen rapidly, he still lacked sufficient manpower.
Furthermore, he hadn't colluded with the powerful families. As for the Yang family offering their daughter to Lu Ming as a concubine, that was utterly laughable; the Yang family had been in power for four generations.
But that was a long time ago. Now, the Yuan family was the dominant force, followed by the Yang family.
Even so, the daughter of the Yang family head, born of the principal wife, was actually made a concubine!
It's truly laughable; she's completely lost face!
However, Emperor Ling had no idea that sometimes, only families that care about profit, not face, can endure for a thousand years!
From Emperor Ling's perspective, he naturally couldn't see through it.
"Haha, good, very good. Prepare the carriage, West Garden, today I want to try the pool party recommended by my good son-in-law!"
Meanwhile, at the Jia Mansion.
The Rongguo Mansion and the Rongning Mansion each occupied a street.
The Rongguo Mansion was very large, with a strict central axis symmetry forming a three-section, multi-courtyard complex, its layout orderly and dignified.
Pavilions and towers, with flying eaves and green tiles, intertwined and winding, exquisite and elegant yet grand and imposing.
There was a garden called Wangxiang Garden, surrounded by mountains and water, with pleasant scenery.
Jia Zheng passed through the small passageway between the second gates and ascended the covered corridor. A breathtaking view unfolded before him: carved beams and painted rafters, rare flowers and exotic plants everywhere. A winding stream meandered beneath the corridors, cascading from the depths of the trees into a small pond surrounded by unusual rocks—it was like a fairyland.
Only then did he arrive at his elder brother Jia She's residence, where his mother, Jia Mu, had already arrived.
"Greetings, Mother! Mother, Governor Lu agreed to our conditions, but added one. He wants to take my brother's daughter, Yingchun, as a concubine!" Jia Zheng found this somewhat unexpected and could only speak to his mother first.
Although old, Jia Mu was plump and fair-skinned, exuding a sense of wealth. Her furrowed brow and auspicious air, combined with her long robe embroidered with gold thread and a jade hairpin, made her appear exceptionally dignified.
Hearing Jia Zheng's words, she frowned slightly, offering no comment, only saying, "Let's go see your brother and ask that good-for-nothing son for his opinion!"
The Han dynasty valued filial piety above all else.
This was especially evident in aristocratic families. Fathers could beat and scold their sons at will, and the sons were not allowed to retaliate. This was true of all the men in the Jia family.
Take Jia She, for example. His son Jia Lian already had a daughter, Qiao Jie, and Jia She, disapproving of this, would beat her severely without any regard for feelings or consequences.
However, marriages for children were largely arranged by parents and matchmakers. Therefore, even though Grandmother Jia held absolute power in the Rongguo Mansion, the decision regarding marriage still rested with the respective parents.
Entering the room one after the other, a foul stench immediately filled the air.
Jia She lay on the bed, unable to move.
The carbuncle on his back had begun to crack, and a foul stench emanated from it.
Beside him stood a middle-aged woman with a sorrowful face and ordinary appearance, wiping away tears.
Upon seeing the newcomer, she hurriedly rose and bowed, "Greetings, Grandmother; greetings, Uncle."
In the Jia household, only close relatives, grandchildren, and other close relatives would address her with affectionate terms like "Grandma" or "Grandmother." Everyone else addressed her as "Grandmother," a sign of respect.
Since Jia Zheng was Jia She's younger brother, addressing him as "Uncle" was appropriate.