Looking more closely at the prisoners around him, Lu Ming seemed to understand. It appeared something had happened to his aunt's maternal clan.
He had previously arranged for them to rest in an area outside Tao County. This was already deep within Longxi territory, where even the Western Qiang cavalry wouldn't venture too far.
Furthermore, Dong Zhuo had a good reputation locally, so the Qiang wouldn't invade. Now it seemed something had gone wrong, leading to his aunt's maternal clan being relentlessly pursued.
Before coming here, Lu Ming had been pondering how to control Liangzhou.
It was simple: Liangzhou was complex, inhabited by Qiang and Hu peoples, multiple ethnic groups, and tribes from various Western Regions kingdoms.
Such a diverse population created a complex situation.
"Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts." When others find it very easy to rob you, no matter how much they respect you or how much admiration you command, don't blame your brother for being heartless; blame your sister-in-law for being too alluring.
So-called idealized ethnic integration is based on the premise of military intimidation, with both sides gradually merging their lifestyles and intermarrying.
After several generations, they gradually become one family.
This situation was very common in Liangzhou; Ma Teng and Dong Zhuo were examples.
They possessed both Han and Qiang blood; this was the essence of their so-called great integration.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, they would gradually merge into one within a few decades.
The war between the Western Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu was similar, essentially involving marriage alliances and trade.
Marriage alliances were used when military force was insufficient; by sending women, money, food, and necessities, peace was secured, allowing time for recuperation.
Trade was used to pressure the other side with superior strength, making honest trade more profitable than robbery.
"Send men to follow them, go around to their location. Remember, you will do it yourselves. Hansheng is responsible for shooting down the sentries, and Xingba is responsible for leading men to take the outpost. Take the camp with minimal casualties. If these men don't die, they can mine the ore and use it to forge weapons for the army," Lu Ming instructed before moving on to another task.
Huang Zhong and Gan Ning were somewhat puzzled by Lu Ming's arrangements, but as subordinates, they didn't question him, but instead bowed their heads in agreement and prepared to depart.
Lu Ming then sent someone to inform Xu Shu, instructing him to oversee the subsequent matters.
As a strategist, Xu Shu was clearly more suited for these tasks, while Jia Xu was essentially a advisor. Jia Xu, with his keen understanding of human nature, was formidable, but as a follower, he didn't require such caution.
The two were not the same type. In strategizing and understanding people's hearts, Jia Xu was superior.
Xu Shu, on the other hand, was clearly more well-rounded. While Jia Xu specialized in a particular area, it was normal for Xu Shu to be inferior.
Accompanied by his personal guards, Lu Ming slowly followed.
At a secluded spot, he captured several lone scouts.
He swiftly slit their throats, covering their mouths.
Then he stripped them of their clothes and wore them as disguise.
The reason for risking going in was solely to complete the mission.
Just now, while he and Huang Zhong were scouting, the system issued another mission.
"Mission triggered: Mature Foreign Aunt."
"Mature Foreign Aunt: You've coveted your beautiful foreign aunt since childhood. Now you have the chance. Go and have sex with her, conquer her!
Content: Rescue Aunt Ai Duo from Midang, and have at least one sexual encounter with her.
Mission Reward: Qiang Tribe Reputation Reward."
"After unifying the Qiang tribe, the Western Regions Reputation Reward will be unlocked."
Although he didn't know what this reputation reward was, Lu Ming could guess that it was very important.
Not to mention prestige among the Qiang people, even prestige within the Han court was extremely important.
Wealth and status made it easy to recruit suitable generals and strategists.
But if you're just a nobody, why would anyone follow you?
To contend for supremacy, relying solely on passion is very difficult.
Even when paying respects to a powerful leader, one needs to know who the boss is; otherwise, why would someone become a follower?
Mi Dang's camp was located at the foot of the mountain. After activating stealth, Lu Ming silently infiltrated the camp.
Avoiding the patrolling soldiers, he could even see a triangular line of sight in front of them. It felt like being in a game, clearly seeing the guard's perimeter, allowing him to easily and silently avoid detection.
Arriving at a tent, Lu Ming heard a woman crying and begging for mercy. He crept inside and witnessed a man attempting to rape a woman. He then killed the woman.
He shushed the woman, "Don't make a sound, stay put, reinforcements will be here soon."
"You, you're Lu Ming?" The woman looked older, a mature woman, her weathered face no longer possessing the youthful radiance, but one could still tell she had been a womanizer in her youth.
"It's me, stay put." Lu Ming nodded. He recognized her too; this woman was his aunt Ai Duo's sister-in-law, someone he had met when he helped his aunt's maternal clan settle down.
Back then, he had a vague impression of this voluptuous woman, but hadn't thought much of it.
At that time, he was busy navigating the relationships between his mother, cousin, and grandmother, having a great time, and naturally had no interest in picking wildflowers.
"Lu Ming, can you please save my daughter and granddaughter? I will be eternally grateful!" Galan Ying pleaded, wiping away tears. What could she do? Her husband and son were dead; she could only try to survive.
He had seen far too many women on the grasslands. "Alright, I'll make you repay me later." Lu Ming reached out and grabbed her breasts, which were exposed because she wasn't fully clothed. Although they were sagging, they were full and possessed a mature beauty.
This lustful devil of a man preferred to thrust into voluptuous mature women.
Young girls were delicate and pleasurable, but neither Diao Chan nor Jia Yingchun were particularly durable. Young girls were inferior to mature women in terms of stamina.
Only experienced mature women could satisfy his desires, and now that the woman before him needed his help, there was no need to be polite.
"I am willing to serve you, sir." Galan Ying felt no shame. She was a woman in her forties, experienced in so much, and her perspective and experience far surpassed that of ordinary women. Therefore, she readily agreed.
For an old woman like her to be fucked by Lu Ming was a bargain!
She wouldn't refuse!