With Zhang Wen and Madam Zhang present, Marquis Zhao, Liu Bi, quickly emerged.
He was a middle-aged man with a prosperous face, a silly (simple and honest) demeanor, almost like a smiling Buddha.
He wore a magnificent brocade robe, and the thumb ring on his finger was made of jade.
Jade could only be produced by importing it from the Southern Barbarians; other places also produced it, but in very small quantities.
The moment Lu Ming saw Marquis Zhao, he knew this was a pleasure-seeking nobleman, and also a man of deep cunning.
Judging from his resume, he was no ordinary person.
To be able to navigate complex relationships so skillfully required not only strength but also intelligence.
Lu Ming would not underestimate anyone, even a seemingly insignificant figure, who could overturn a hero's life.
Sun Ce, the Little Conqueror, was quite powerful, having conquered eighty states of Jiangdong, but what good was that?
He was assassinated in his early thirties, leaving behind only his wife and children. What use were they?
The history of the Three Kingdoms is filled with heroes and legendary figures, all leaving a significant mark on history. But after truly meeting them...
Lu Ming, on the other hand, felt they were nothing special. They were all just people, only more famous.
Beyond the historical aura, they were just ordinary people.
He remained calm and composed, facing reality head-on.
Even with the system, Lu Ming never aspired to be invincible.
He was still just a young man who loved women, a pleasure-seeking transmigrator, nothing more. Everything he did was to make his life more comfortable.
He had no patriotic sentiments; he simply wanted more women, and to prevent his own women from being taken away.
"Brother, this is the divine physician Lu Ming I mentioned before, courtesy name Anmin. He's incredibly skilled," Madam Zhang praised Lu Ming immediately, clearly wanting her lover to impress her brother.
This behavior was actually against traditional womanly virtues, but what did it matter?
As long as she didn't speak, no one knew about her physical relationship with Lu Ming.
This was sex that only needed to be experienced once to become addictive!
"Hmm, promising young man." Zhao Hou merely glanced at Lu Ming; he had seen plenty of young talents.
Even Yuan Shao, whose reputation in Luoyang was excellent, almost considered the foremost talent of the time, was extremely respectful in his presence.
With great power comes sycophancy and opportunism.
At this point, unless someone below him had some redeeming qualities, he treated them completely as if they were invisible, utterly unmoved.
Zhang Wen was about to say something, but Lu Ming's next words sent a chill down his spine, and he glared angrily.
"Marquis Zhao is nearing his end but is unaware of it. He's likely already plagued by illness, beyond the reach of even a god."
"What nonsense are you spouting, brat! Brother, I apologize, this man was presumptuous." Zhang Wen dared not breathe heavily in front of Marquis Zhao; his brother-in-law's potential power was immense.
This was also why he allowed his wife to reprimand him to his face—a strong wife and a weak husband, this was the result.
Madam Zhang looked at her young lover with some surprise; this was far too audacious!
"Anmin, if you can't explain why, then don't blame me for being impolite! My brother is Marquis Zhao, highly regarded by the Emperor, not someone who can be easily slandered!"
A flash of annoyance crossed Marquis Zhao's narrow eyes, then he coldly walked to the wall and took down the sword hanging there.
*Clang!*
The sword was drawn, a crisp metallic whirring sound echoing in the air, before it was forcefully plunged into the floor.
"This sword can cut through iron like mud; it was forged by a master craftsman. Its sharpness requires human blood to forge. If you can't convince me, then try its sharpness!"
Seeing that the other party was serious, Lu Ming felt a slight unease, but quickly regained his composure.
He knew that his advancement depended on genuine ability.
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Even the most cunning person cannot conceal the beauty of Xi Shi, the most virtuous person cannot hide the ugliness of Wu Yan, the most beautiful person cannot conceal her flaws. The sun at its zenith declines, the full moon wanes—this is the natural order of things, and how could Lord Zhao not know it!"
His words, quoting classical texts, caused Lord Zhao's eyes to shift slightly. Books are for cultivating character and teaching social skills; understanding right and wrong, and discerning reason—this is the greatest purpose of reading.
"So what if I know? So what if I don't?"
He couldn't lose in terms of momentum; he wanted to see how Lu Ming would try to justify himself!
"Now, Marquis Zhao knows that the Ten Attendants are wreaking havoc on the court and is powerless to do anything about it, which is disloyalty. He himself is plagued by illness and doesn't take care of himself. He is His Majesty's right-hand man, yet he has failed to share His Majesty's burdens. May I ask, Marquis Zhao, if you didn't have a healthy body, how many of the Ji-surname kings and marquises of the Zhou Dynasty are still alive today?" After Lu Ming finished speaking, Marquis Zhao's face changed.
The first part didn't matter; how things were handled was none of an outsider's business.
But the latter part was very clear. If his body couldn't hold on and he suddenly died, then his bloodline would be lost to the masses.
Health was related to personal safety and the continuation of the family line. It could be said that the continuation was from one generation to the next; if the line was broken, it was all over!
Only then did Marquis Zhao's expression change. He had heard Lu Ming's intelligence; this man had cured many people in Chang'an, and his treatment methods were quite different from other doctors.
While it could be called unorthodox, it was undeniably effective; while it could be called orthodox, it differed from mainstream medicine.
Wealthy families valued health highly. Even Liu Hong had people specifically assigned to maintain his health. As Marquis Zhao, a confidant of Emperor Ling, he was no exception; two highly skilled physicians were always on standby in his residence.
He knew his own body; even those physicians, though highly skilled, were not omnipotent.
"Speak freely, what questions do I have?" Marquis Zhao wanted to assess the other man's abilities. If he was useful, he might keep him as a retainer.
If it was just bluffing, he would surely let him know just how many bones lay beneath the canal outside the city!
"Cardiovascular blockage, does Lord Zhao experience dizziness upon standing after sitting for a long time? Is it a lack of stamina in sexual activity, aches in the limbs, and nausea when eating certain foods?" Lu Ming recounted all the problems related to obesity, then gestured invitingly, "Lord Zhao, would you dare for me to take your pulse?"
The more he listened, the more mysterious it seemed. Lord Zhao did indeed have many problems, but they were all hidden ailments. "What you're saying, why wouldn't I know? Hmph, just trying to mystify me!"