Upon hearing this, Zhang Tang immediately laughed. He knew perfectly well what his patron meant.
"He's just afraid that if he becomes successful, he'll disregard our old agreement—in those days, it wasn't uncommon for successful men to renege on their engagements or divorce their wives. Many scholars in Chang'an, once appointed by the court, would immediately divorce their wives and take a wife from an official's family as a concubine."
But Zhang Tang was not such a man. He valued promises and feelings above all else, so he said, "A gentleman's word is his bond, let alone a matter of lifelong importance. Brother, please rest assured, next year at this time, after Father's death, I will surely marry your sister in grand style!"
"Good!" Tian Jia nodded and smiled, "In that case, I, your foolish brother, will do the work for you!"
He added, "I will not insist that my wife be your principal wife. Given your current status and future prospects, marrying a merchant's daughter is somewhat inappropriate. Being a concubine is enough!"
Tian Jia's family had been merchants for generations, so he naturally understood the importance of things.
If he forced his sister into the position of principal wife, Zhang Tang might have other ideas once he became wealthy.
It was better to be clear from the start—after all, it was a marriage alliance anyway, so there was little difference between being a wife and a concubine.
Zhang Tang shook his head, saying, "Although I am not talented, I value my word and trustworthiness. Such a breach of trust is something I would never do!"
Tian Jia smiled but remained silent.
However, Tian Jia knew in his heart that once Zhang Tang reached a certain status and position, even if he wanted to keep his promise, it would likely be impossible.
Especially with the recent rumors that His Majesty had appointed Lu Ming to take over the Three Auxiliary Regions, this had instantly elevated Lu Ming's status immensely. Even a symbol of Chang'an, the Western Capital, held a pivotal position and significant meaning.
By appointing Lu Ming to manage the region, it was clear that Lu Ming's upward trajectory was still on the rise. What position he would achieve in the future was unknown, but one thing was certain: getting on board early would bring greater benefits later!
Anyway, Tian Jia had already said this himself, so he could use this as a way to back down later.
After leaving the Tian family, Zhang Tang traveled to several other places, recruiting several people he believed could help him.
Not a single one refused.
The title of "serving the Governor of Liangzhou" was simply too dazzling. Zhang Tang was certain that if the news spread, some might even be willing to work for him for free.
A blockade by powerful clans?
That depended on the situation. Blockading a lowly ninth-rank official was easy; the blockade wouldn't even cause a ripple.
But Lu Ming was now the Governor of Liangzhou, in charge of the Three Auxiliary Regions, with his army nearing 100,000—a veritable behemoth.
Even if the Yuan family disliked him, such a figure was already gaining unstoppable momentum.
Not to mention that Yuan Kui's wife, Ma Lun, had secretly instructed the Ma family of Youfufeng to spread the word and place their bets early.
A dying old man versus a young, vigorous man—Ma Lun knew exactly which was more important.
She didn't care about her social standing; as long as she had this penis to fuck her and bore him a child, her position would be secure.
It can't be said that Ma Lun abandoned her husband and son; it's just that Lu Ming's enormous penis had a significant effect.
Furthermore, Ma Lun's foresight allowed her to know that after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the world would remain in turmoil, seemingly returning to a system of warring states.
Since Emperor Ling issued the order allowing prefects to raise their own armies to resist the Yellow Turbans, the practice of officials holding military power had become uncontrollable.
Currently, it was only a facade of respect; whether they actually listened was another matter entirely, just not openly.
Otherwise, Emperor Ling wouldn't have needed to establish the Western Garden Army. Without his own army, the emperor was merely a figurehead, a puppet!
It was already evening when she returned from the weapons manufacturing plant.
Lu Ming went to visit his mother and happened to run into his older sister Lu Xue and younger sister Lu Qing. They chatted for a long time, telling jokes and making their mother and sisters laugh non-stop. Their radiant appearance left Lu Ming speechless.
"It's late, you should rest early. I'm sleepy too, you should go home first," said his mother, Dong Ya, who had been quite sleepy lately—that's how pregnant women are.
This was her fourth pregnancy, but it was her son's first, so she had experience and wasn't in a hurry.
Her daughter, Lu Qing, would often come to keep her company, sharing her experiences and insights.
Lu Xue, the older sister, was unaware that her mother and younger sister were pregnant by her brother. Otherwise, she would have been incredibly surprised. Was this really her diligent and studious brother?
"I'll take you home," Lu Ming smiled, and where no one could see, he touched his younger sister's shapely buttocks.
This made Lu Qing, the younger sister, roll her eyes, but she was secretly delighted. She absolutely adored her brother; if her older sister hadn't been there, she probably would have thrown herself into his arms!
Lu Xue lived with her younger sister Lu Qing simply because the two sisters had more to talk about.
Just then, as Lu Ming escorted them to the courtyard, it started to rain that night, accompanied by thunder and lightning, and the rain grew heavier and heavier.
"Brother, sit here for a while," Lu Qing bit her lip, her eyes gleaming. She couldn't yet serve him in bed, and the feeling of her brother's penis pressing against her buttocks had already made her a little wet.
But just because she couldn't serve him in bed didn't mean others couldn't. Her older sister Lu Xue was there!
"Okay," Lu Ming actually wasn't afraid of the rain, but seeing his sister's hint and glancing at Lu Xue's alluring face...
In his agitation, he almost couldn't resist raping his older sister Lu Xue!
That kind of mature charm was a pure kind of sophistication.
The older sister wasn't very old, about the same age as a college student just starting out, only she was already married.
The three chatted for a long time, then the younger sister, Lu Qing, suddenly asked, "Big sister, you're having such a hard time. Why don't you just divorce him and go home? It would be so much better. Brother is the governor of Liangzhou now; no one in Liangzhou dares to bully us anymore."
Lu Ming didn't respond; he knew what kind of person his sister was.
Sure enough, the older sister, Lu Xue, gave a bitter smile, "Little sister, that's how women are. They follow their husbands wherever they go. No matter how bad he is, he's still my husband. I can't have his children, and that's not his fault."