The crowd exchanged glances, remaining silent.
Even the most powerful Dong Zhuo remained calm and composed, seemingly unconcerned.
He was essentially the strongest warlord.
However, he had suffered heavy losses last time, losing over four thousand soldiers, and those who returned were incoherent and erratic. He had already decided to come out and demonstrate his power, which was acceptable.
But he disagreed with actually engaging Lu Ming in a real battle.
This was one of the few points in Li Ru's suggestion that he agreed with.
"Since no one is backing out, let's now discuss how to attack Hangu Pass. To ensure a smooth operation, starting today, strengthen the camp's defenses. Once the reinforcements and supplies arrive, we will begin the siege!"
Yuan Shao knew it wasn't the right time yet. His army hadn't arrived, so he couldn't control them. Their obedience was due to the Yuan family's reputation, not his own strength.
Chang'an City, Shanglin Garden.
Lu Ming was taking Lin Daiyu and Jia Tanchun for a stroll here, both of the charming young women now heavily pregnant.
They were pregnant after being impregnated countless times.
Recently, when he had nothing to do, he would let the women out so he could accompany them for walks and chats.
These pregnant women, to varying degrees, had developed feelings for him; they weren't just objects of sexual gratification.
Lin Daiyu and Jia Tanchun both carried fans, even though it was winter, they still habitually used them…
Because of their constitution, they didn't feel cold, but rather a little hot.
"Husband, Wang Li and the others are about to give birth. Are you planning to give birth in Chang'an or in the inner palace?"
Lin Daiyu mentioned it, touching her lower abdomen. In a few months, she too would give birth. She had heard that childbirth was very painful; she wondered if it was true.
"Yes, it's fine to give birth in Chang'an. I've already prepared kava and spider orchid tea for you both, so it won't be too painful. Besides, Yulan's medical skills are already very high; even Master Hua Tuo praised her highly. With her delivering the baby, there shouldn't be any problems."
Lu Ming wasn't worried about them having a difficult childbirth…
Because they were destined not to die. As long as he didn't die, they wouldn't die, so there was nothing to worry about.
"My husband always arranges everything perfectly without us even knowing. Being able to marry him is the most honorable and fortunate thing in my life."
Tan Chun's pretty face blossomed into a charming smile; it was a heartfelt sentiment.
At first, she had simply accepted her fate, feeling neither joy nor sorrow, all because she was forced into marriage, and as a concubine at that.
Now, it seemed that she, as a concubine, was more noble than most women.
If Lu Ming became emperor, they would at least be noble ladies, one a concubine.
Her status and position would naturally be high, and she could even return home to visit her family.
Although the Jia family had declined,
her family was still alive, and her mother, Lady Wang, was still alive. This was the best news for her. Ignoring the fact that Lady Wang had also been impregnated by Lu Ming, it was indeed very good.
Lin Daiyu glanced at Tan Chun without showing any emotion. She was truly a shrewd woman.
Despite holding power over the three departments, she showed no affectation or arrogance. Before her husband, she always maintained the demeanor of a young girl. This alone was enough for many women to emulate.
She knew of several women who had previously served her husband, who had become spoiled and arrogant, only to have their treatment reduced, even losing their maidservants.
Besides not being servants anymore, they had lost all authority.
She was referring to Yang Lian, Wu Kuang's former wife. After being taken by Lu Ming, she harbored resentment but gradually submitted because of her pregnancy.
In Didao, she also used her pregnancy to verbally abuse her other sisters.
She even hogged the yoga room, refusing to let anyone else use it, preferring to have it all to herself.
As a result, Lu Ming slapped her twice, reduced her servants' entourage, and threw her into the meditation courtyard to reflect on her actions. Aside from being brought food and drink, no one else came to see her.
She cried and made a scene, but in the end, she had to silently endure being neglected.
An old woman daring to act spoiled and arrogant—wasn't that foolish?
It wasn't that the opportunity was gone, but with so many women in Lu Ming's life, she would at most become a tool for sexual gratification, a tool for procreation. Anything more was impossible; absolutely nothing.
Yang Lian would definitely be nothing more than a tool for sexual gratification from now on, just a mature woman.
There were plenty of mature women out there. Being singled out as an example wouldn't necessarily lead to her death, but she could still be used as a tool.
"What are your wishes?"
Lu Ming gripped the railing, looking down at the overgrown garden below.
That place used to be a tiger park, meaning it was where tigers were kept for the emperor and empress dowager. This dates back to the Western Han Dynasty, a tradition inherited from the Qin Dynasty.
Lin Daiyu and Jia Tanchun exchanged a glance and both shook their heads, saying, "No."
"In my heart, you are, in fact, my wives. Worldly titles will not affect your place in my heart. Do whatever you want to do, don't wrong yourselves. Be my women, you'll only suck my cock, you won't suffer!"
Lu Ming turned his head, looking at the two women's charming faces, his heart stirred. He embraced them, breathing in their fragrance.
Lin Daiyu pursed her lips, her eyes slightly moist: "If my husband has the chance, please make the Prefect of Beihai, Kong Rong, suffer a bit. Father's death was largely his fault; he protected many salt merchants. Father's son drowned while sleeping naked because of those salt merchants."
Lin Daiyu's family was actually just a prominent local family…
Lin Ruhai was in charge of salt and iron.
Emperor Ling wanted to exploit the salt merchants, and Lin Ruhai was the touchstone. Unfortunately, he shattered at the slightest touch.
This led to his son's drowning, and he himself was so enraged that he fell seriously ill and died.
All of this was inseparable from the support of Kong Rong, who was the prefect at the time. Don't think that scholars don't need money.
This "scholar" title was merely an honorific among intellectuals…
And intellectuals had long been controlled.
Common people simply couldn't afford to study, nor could they afford to support a son who had to leave his job to study. Coupled with various harsh taxes, just surviving was a struggle. Therefore, these so-called celebrities are, in a sense, a group of petty thieves who control the upward mobility channels and leave no opportunity for ordinary people.