After Lu Ming left, Diao Chan's maidservant entered with a towel to wipe Diao Chan's sweat.
The maidservant blushed; she had served Diao Chan almost every time Lu Ming made love to her.
She blushed easily, was from a poor family, and was hardworking and reliable.
Diao Chan lay comfortably in the carriage, her legs propped up on the basket, wanting to keep Lu Ming's semen inside her a little longer.
That way, she could get pregnant!
Recently, seeing even Xu's mother, who was quite old, pregnant, she naturally felt envious and anxious.
So many women were pregnant; if she didn't get pregnant even once, wouldn't that prove there was something wrong with her?
In ancient times, remarriage wasn't a shameful or disgraceful thing for women.
However, being unable to have children was a terrible thing!
Being divorced was understandable. Filial piety was paramount, and of the three unfilial acts, having no offspring was the greatest. What use was a woman who couldn't bear children? Soon, in less than a day, the convoy had reached a muddy road. Soldiers needed to collect mud and sand to fill and repair the road; it was much better to repair it than to push it by hand.
Xu Shu and his three companions, mounted on horseback, looked at the muddy road. Shi Tao remarked, "The mortar invented by you, sir, for road repair is a good deed. Such an invention benefits the country and its people!"
Only those who have experienced it truly appreciate the beauty of cement roads.
In the past, the better method involved burying gravel in the mud, using the mud's stickiness to achieve a certain balance and sturdiness.
On sunny days, a strong wind would stir up clouds of dust, which wasn't so bad once you got used to it.
The real problem was rainy days. The muddy roads usually made the convoy practically immobile. In the potholes, even horse-drawn carriages could fall apart or collide, and even on foot, one's feet would be covered in sticky yellow mud.
The problems piled up, eventually making progress impossible!
"My lord, your ideas are ingenious and imaginative. Whether on the battlefield or governing the region, I admire you greatly. Yuanzhi, why don't we go and talk to him tonight?" Meng Jian suddenly suggested, actually wanting to seek refuge with him, but feeling embarrassed to go alone.
They had previously declined Lu Ming's offer, but now Lu Ming didn't seem to value them much. He was the only high-ranking official who could give important positions to those from humble backgrounds; if they missed this opportunity, they would have no chance at all!
At this moment, one of Lu Ming's personal guards approached, cupping his hands in a respectful bow to Xu Shu, "Reporting to the Military Advisor, the Lord has instructed that a banquet be held tonight for the Military Advisor and the three gentlemen. If you have no other commitments, please attend the banquet at the central camp. If you have other commitments and cannot attend, please let him know."
"Please inform the Governor, we will certainly come in person." Shi Tao also felt this was an opportunity; it would be impolite to refuse again and again!
That night, the army set up camp.
The auxiliary soldiers sprinkled snake grass leaves on each campfire. These leaves had a slightly spicy taste but could repel mosquitoes.
The cooks were also busy digging pits, burying pots, boiling water, and cooking. The cookhouse was managed by Pei Yuanshao, a former mountain stronghold chief with some management experience.
Lacking in martial prowess, he would take on logistical duties. Compared to a military genius like Liao Hua, he lacked the martial skill of Zhou Cang and the strategic acumen of Liao Hua, but he was extremely loyal, doing whatever he was told without hesitation, making him quite diligent.
The cooks were logistical support soldiers. These soldiers didn't go to the battlefield, but their tasks were heavy.
They were responsible for boiling water and cooking, requiring strength training. They often had to carry supplies and push carts, which was no easy task.
Since the plague outbreak, Lu Ming had issued an order that all drinking water in the military camp must be drawn from the mess hall; drinking untreated water was strictly forbidden, as it could transmit diseases. Violators would not only be whipped fifty times but also expelled from the camp!
Except for a few unlucky soldiers who were made an example of, the rest of the soldiers trembled with fear.
Compared to other armies, Lu Ming's soldiers received very good treatment. Their pay wasn't withheld, and they were always well-fed.
That was enough. There weren't many demands, and officers were forbidden from abusing their soldiers—at least on the surface; what happened behind the scenes was unknown.
Yingchun was writing a letter home in her tent. Compared to the initial sorrow of marrying into the family, she now seemed very happy.
She had thought she was being used to pay off a debt, but Lu Ming treated her very well. She had excellent food, clothing, and necessities, and apart from the pain of her first time, every time she slept with Lu Ming, she felt great pleasure.
With so many sisters here, including many beautiful and talented women who had become Lu Ming's concubines, she had plenty to talk to.
Diao Chan, Madam Zou, Feng Qin, and others—they all provided plenty of topics of conversation.
Although some of the concubines were older than her deceased mother, Yingchun didn't find anything wrong with it.
Especially the maidservant, Aunt Yu—she'd heard that this kind, always-smiling, tall, mature woman was having an affair with her husband, Lu Ming!
The tent was lifted, and Lu Ming entered, embracing Yingchun from behind. His hands began to caress her waist, moving upwards until they rested on her breasts. "Wife, what are you writing?"
Yingchun let out a muffled groan. She felt something hot pressing against her buttocks, and she trembled violently. She knew it was her husband's penis—a large, thick cock!
"This is a letter from me to my grandmother. Since marrying my husband, I've finally understood what true happiness is. I want to tell her that I'm doing well and that I'll have the chance to visit her again sometime."
"Yes, there will be a chance! I promise! Hehe, then Chang'an will be mine!" Lu Ming said, while starting to grope Yingchun, caressing her breasts and lifting her skirt.
Everything happened without warning. Yingchun blushed and raised her buttocks. She knew that if her husband wanted to have sex with her, he would. There was no need to hide it; he would definitely have sex with her. Just thinking about being fucked to the point of ecstasy by that thick cock made her feel dizzy!
Lu Ming actually wanted to take all the women of the Jia family into his possession, especially after seeing Wang Xifeng and Madam Wang. His desire had become even stronger, even though Madam Wang wasn't particularly beautiful.
But her haughty demeanor and the allure of her middle age made him want to try her out!
Actually, it's just like having sex with Xu's mother. It's just a taste of something new. You'll keep wanting it until you get it. Once you get it, you'll only have sex with it occasionally. What you want is the novelty!