Zhao Hou, standing nearby, was sweating profusely; he had never seen a minister like this before.
Emperor Ling, to be honest, wasn't exactly a wise ruler. In fact, one could say that all Liu dynasty emperors were petty and vindictive, holding grudges for a long time over trivial matters, and would definitely try to kill you if given the chance.
Sure enough, half an hour later, the treatment ended.
Emperor Ling got up and stretched a few times, finding that he felt much better.
"Good, good, good. Anmin's talent is indeed well-deserved, far surpassing so-called young talents. Very good. What reward do you desire?"
"Your Majesty, I need a woman, preferably a married woman between twenty and thirty years old. My concubines are in Chang'an and Tao County. I am young and impetuous, and I need a woman." Lu Ming was very direct, asking the emperor for someone, specifically a woman.
This was a classic example of lowering one's own image, but the benefit was that it made the superior feel that he was easy to control.
Uh, this left everyone speechless.
Zhang Rang was a eunuch; even if he were given a woman, she wouldn't be of any use to him, nor would he understand his needs.
Zhao Hou was speechless. What a golden opportunity! Taking advantage of the Emperor's good mood, getting some benefits would have been easy, yet he was wasting it on something like this?
Emperor Ling was also somewhat bewildered, only reacting after a long pause. His expression was somewhat amused. "Anmin, didn't you say lust is a dangerous thing? Why do you want it again?"
"One shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Moderation is key. I am a man, and I also have needs. Those too young lack experience, and those too old don't have the energy for such things. Since it's a concubine, naturally the most suitable should be chosen. As the old saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a stolen affair, and a stolen affair is not as good as one that can't be stolen. Your Majesty is also a man, and your experience in matters of men and women is far more seasoned and abundant than mine." Lu Ming spoke fluently and frankly about women, without any reservations.
The more open one is, the better one can communicate with the emperor, and the easier it is to gain his trust and benefits.
This is different from Wei Xiaobao; Emperor Kangxi was young and impetuous, difficult to overthrow.
But Emperor Ling is different. He only has a few years left, and seizing this time to quickly reap the rewards, enhance his prestige, and seize territory is the right path.
The Han dynasty is already teetering on the brink of collapse; overthrowing it will require a long time and effort.
Usurping the Han and taking its place is not a simple matter; it requires a long period of preparation, winning the hearts of the people, and gaining sufficient support.
Furthermore, one must ensure that any resistance forces cannot threaten one's position—that is the real challenge.
"Haha, that's right. A man can't go a day without a woman. I grant your request. Which of the palace maids do you fancy? Take her home." Emperor Ling was in a good mood, clearly uninhibited. He had already had his way with them all; giving them to his ministers would earn him a good reputation.
Lu Ming had no intention of wearing worn-out shoes, especially not Emperor Ling's. Of course, if it were Empress He, that would be quite appealing. The image of the mother of the nation, pinned beneath him and subjected to his wanton pleasure—just thinking about it was exciting and stimulating!
However, things weren't easy to do now. So he said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject dares not disrespect Your Majesty. All the women in the palace, regardless of age, belong to Your Majesty. This humble subject dares not disrespect them. May Your Majesty grant a convicted minister's wife as a reward, allowing them to atone for their sins?"
"Oh? You want to save someone?" Emperor Ling's eyes narrowed, a ruthless glint flashing within them. Those imprisoned were generally not good people, or ministers who had offended him; he certainly wouldn't let them off easily.
"No, it's just that years ago I witnessed a minister humiliating my late father, and I thought I must take revenge someday. Now that I think about it, he's dead, nothing more than a lowly scoundrel. But I've always had a desire to play with their wives. However, this is immoral, so I dare not do it." Lu Ming offered himself a reason, then pretended to be a good person again.
"Hmph, you are indeed honest." Emperor Ling felt his anger subside somewhat after hearing this. This Lu Ming was a man who could both anger him and calm him down; strangely enough, he felt no intention of punishing him.
"Father Zhang, are there any suitable candidates in the prison?"
This was very much in line with Zhang Rang's characteristics. During the partisan strife, eunuchs were adept at framing and slander.
"Your Majesty, the former Grand Master of Ceremonies, Wang Lang, was imprisoned for failing to pay his dues. His wife and daughters are still at his residence."
Wang Lang had studied under Grand Commandant Yang Ci in his early years and was appointed as a court official due to his knowledge of the classics.
Later, he was promoted through Yang Ci's recommendation, but he couldn't produce the money, so Zhang Rang sent men to arrest him. In itself, it wasn't a major problem.
However, Wang Lang had the misfortune of offending Zhang Rang. Perhaps due to his scholarly integrity, he even cursed Zhang Rang to his face, calling him a "pig," which enraged Zhang Rang.
Not only Zhang Rang, but all twelve eunuchs of the Ten Attendants were furious. Well, twelve eunuchs among the Ten Attendants was quite normal.
Eunuchs might be incompetent, but they were first and foremost at causing trouble. As a result, Wang Lang was imprisoned. If it weren't for the protection of the former Grand Commandant Yang Ci, he might have died.
Originally, they could have been released by pulling strings.
But then they encountered Zhang Rang. A man lacking a penis is inherently like that—dark, jealous, and vengeful. Now that he had the chance, he was determined to destroy him!
Since his family was going to be ruined, he had to make the most of it.
"Your Majesty, why not confiscate Wang Lang's property and give his mansion to Commandant Lu? This would give Commandant Lu a place to stay in Luoyang, and it would also be a good deed." Zhang Rang knew all too well how to persuade Emperor Ling. As long as it involved money, it was a good thing, and it meant an 80% chance of success.
"Your Majesty," said Zhao Hou, "I believe we could add another act of kindness. Send Wang Lang to Xuzhou to assist the governor in stabilizing the region. Once Xuzhou is stable, send him to Kuaiji Commandery to resolve the difficulties faced by the Yue tribes, thus demonstrating Your Majesty's boundless benevolence." Zhao Hou offered a compromise that was acceptable to both sides.
He had been able to establish himself securely in the Eastern Han Dynasty precisely because of his skill in playing both sides. His merchant caravans could freely enter and exit various prefectures and commanderies without paying extra tolls—this was the benefit of interpersonal relationships.
In any case, it was Zhang Rang who offended people, but Liu Bi who saved them. Others took the blame, while he played the good guy.
Truly a cunning old fox, he had already mastered this tactic with most people.
Furthermore, Zhang Rang and the other Ten Attendants were eunuchs, without offspring, so their actions were often ruthless and unprincipled.