"To be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures? I never imagined Anmin possessed such talent! Truly an eye-opener! Very well, come, drink this cup to the brim!" Yang Cong's eyes lit up upon hearing this. He picked up the wine pot and poured wine for Lu Ming. The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
Then they burst into laughter, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Sit, sit, sit," Yang Cong greeted, then ordered his servants to summon the head courtesan to entertain them.
The doors opened, and eight beautiful women, dressed in sheer gauze, revealed glimpses of their bright red undergarments, their breasts swaying with each step.
Accompanied by the scent of rouge, they paired off, one serving the man, the other offering seductive smiles.
As the prefect, for him to frequent such a brothel suggests a deep connection between this establishment and the Yang family. Otherwise, Yang Cong wouldn't have come here, much less used it to entertain guests.
The unique scent of rouge was delicate and alluring, not vulgar at all, but rather gradually igniting a man's desires.
Especially since these women would deliberately rub their breasts against a man's arm, Lu Ming found himself struggling to control himself.
He was never one to control his desires, but by simply reminding himself that these women were impure, he gradually suppressed his lust.
Yang Cong seemed even more interested in Lu Ming than Dong Zhuo. Seeing Lu Ming sitting upright, he couldn't help but laugh, "Anmin, don't be shy. Do whatever you want. Young people don't need to suppress themselves."
They'd all been there; who didn't have a few beautiful young maids to deflower?
They all understood. It's just that as men get older, sometimes they simply lack the strength. Looking and touching is fine, but actually having sex is very taxing on their energy.
Only vulgar people indulge in lust; self-disciplined people only accept it appropriately, without choosing to become addicted.
"Lust is a double-edged sword; playing with women too much brings no benefit."
But to encourage others to do so is either foolish or wicked!
Lu Ming simply smiled but remained silent, lowering his head to drink. He seemed somewhat shy, while the two women beside him became even more proactive.
"My lord, would you like a drink?"
"My lord, are you hot? I feel a little hot!" She then rubbed her breasts against her arm—this was already seduction.
For courtesans to live a better life, they could only be with someone, a suitable person who could redeem them, even if it meant taking them home as concubines—that was the best outcome.
As for eloping with a poor male protagonist like in novels, that's nonsense.
They all live in the human world, they're all shrewd, and everyone needs money for necessities. Eloping sounds nice, but who knows if they'll survive afterwards!
Once accustomed to luxury, is it possible to turn back to simple meals?
Lu Ming simply kept his head down, remaining silent, neither initiating conversation nor making any physical advances. No matter how the prostitutes around him flirted with him, he remained unmoved.
"Haha, perhaps Anmin is used to studying and practicing martial arts at home and hasn't quite adapted to this yet. Rare indeed, rare indeed." Zhang Wen, an experienced hand, was meek in front of his wife, but here he was anything but, embracing two women and almost reaching inside their clothes.
"Haha, yes, rare indeed, rare indeed. Come, let's drink." Yang Cong had a good first impression, so he thought highly of him.
At least he didn't sense any vulgarity or incongruous vulgarity in Lu Ming.
"Is Anmin married?"
"Before I came here, my mother and cousin had already been discussing it with me. My mother decides on my marriage. In my opinion, a wife should be virtuous, while a concubine is merely a flirtatious woman." Lu Ming smiled and began to eat.
The food in the brothel wasn't bad, just passable.
Ancient cuisine was limited, mainly due to poor seasonings, resulting in subpar dishes.
"Food is the first necessity of the people. If any of you gentlemen have some free time someday, I could prepare a few dishes for you to try. In my opinion, life is about experiencing different kinds of delicious food. Liu An, the King of Huainan, invented fermented soybeans, which later became known as tofu. Those who tasted it all applauded its deliciousness. Clearly, good food is beneficial to both body and mind. I wouldn't dare say it prolongs life, but when you're in a good mood, everything becomes easier." Lu Ming said, picking at his food and drinking wine, clearly treating the occasion as a place for food and drink.
Since they were there for entertainment, they certainly wouldn't discuss confidential matters.
He didn't think discussing secrets in a brothel was something only a fool would do.
Brothels are crowded and noisy; walls have ears. If their plans were overheard,
that would be a disaster. So, they simply enjoyed themselves, without any gossip or intrigue, just casual conversation and boasting.
If they really wanted to discuss things, they wouldn't have met here.
One possibility is that this is a test, a trial; a dinner table easily reveals a person's true nature.
Zhang Wen quickly picked up the conversation, feeding him a bite of food by a prostitute beside him, saying, "You must try it, Anmin. Next time you get promoted, you'll have to treat us."
"Certainly, certainly, it's all thanks to your patronage, sir. I'll toast the three of you, gentlemen. I'll drink it all, please feel free to drink as you please." Lu Ming didn't forget his uncle, raising his glass to Dong Zhuo on invitation.
Currently, the nobles do have more power, but Dong Zhuo's true power lies in his future.
Even if one's foundation is unstable, having a title is enough.
What Lu Ming lacks is a title; a title isn't just toilet paper these days, it's still necessary.
With a title, one can attract talent.
His reputation is unknown, and no one knows what he's done, so naturally, no one will come to him.
Only by accumulating vast territory, immense power, and achieving a resounding victory will the world know the name Lu Ming!
"Hehe, sir, you are truly young and promising."
"Sir, let me pour you a drink."
"Sir, you are so handsome!"
The hostesses beside him were even more enthusiastic. Faced with such a young and high-ranking official, why not pursue him now, or wait until he's past his prime?
Lu Ming remained unmoved. He had no interest in the hostesses here. He was only there to build connections, not to have sex with women.
He didn't have a virginity complex, and virgins weren't hard to find here.
For a truly enjoyable experience, he needed a mature woman, not these hostesses whose lips had been tasted by thousands and whose arms had been used by countless men.
Who knew if they had STDs, other problems? Even more disgusting was the inability to accept it.
If he were a commoner, he would certainly take advantage if he could, but given a choice, he would politely decline.