No one could say for sure what Lu Ming was planning. This single move purged most of the intellectuals, a truly ruthless act.
If there were no successors, the nascent empire would be plunged into utter ruin.
As Prime Minister, Jia Xu had exhausted most of his energy in the past five days, sleeping less than twenty hours in total.
Five days later, Lu Ming received Prime Minister Jia Xu and Minister of War Xu Shu in the Golden Palace.
The Prime Minister was in charge of the purge, while Xu Shu was responsible for coordinating the military to prevent major problems from arising in the court and among the people.
"Is everything done?"
Lu Ming donned his dragon robe and sat on the throne.
This time, his attire was solemn, coupled with the palpable aura of killing intent—this was a true emperor!
"It's done. The Kong family of Beihai, the Kuai family of Jingzhou, the Xun family of Yingchuan, and the Pang family are the ringleaders.
The Wang and Yuan families of Langya were also involved to varying degrees.
The ringleaders have been executed, and the rest are imprisoned awaiting His Majesty's judgment."
Jia Xu handed a list to the eunuch Zhang Bao, who then passed it to Lu Ming for review.
Lu Ming glanced at the list and then set it aside.
"Was there any unrest?"
"There was some disturbance, but it has been quelled."
Jia Xu lowered his head, his weariness visibly apparent.
"Order the Imperial Physician Hua Tuo to treat the Prime Minister's illness. The Prime Minister should rest well for a few days and not overwork himself.
The people on this list must hand over all their money.
Then send them to Liaodong to cultivate the land, where they can only return after twenty years of atonement.
Don't let them take a single penny with them. Whatever they have, give it all back to me!"
Lu Ming didn't choose to kill them, knowing that killing them wouldn't have a good impact.
Although he didn't care about his reputation, there were clearly better ways to solve the problem.
Therefore, he decided to cut off their resources completely, eliminating any possibility of a comeback, to see how long they could hold out!
"Also, after they pay, make them write a confession."
Lu Ming gave the brief order; how to carry it out and how much money to extract was up to Jia Xu and his men.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jia Xu and Xu Shu responded simultaneously, feeling a sense of relief.
After all, it's extremely difficult for powerful families to unite.
The goal now was much simpler: seize their lands and incorporate them into the emperor's private treasury.
What the emperor would use them for was none of their concern.
After resolving matters of the court, Lu Ming turned his attention to the war outside Yumen Pass.
The Kushan Empire seemed eager to confront him head-on; to date, they had engaged in over thirty battles with Qin, with each side winning about half the time.
He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the dragon throne, his eyes narrowed.
Empress Wang Yi quietly approached, gesturing for the eunuchs to shush.
She then came behind Lu Ming, placing her soft, white hands on his temples and gently massaging them.
"Sister Yi, you're so kind," Lu Ming suddenly said, recognizing her without even opening his eyes.
Wang Yi smiled, her lower abdomen slightly protruding; it seemed she was pregnant again.
Her daughter, raised as a son and destined to be the future crown prince, was currently learning to read and write. "Husband, are you tired?" she asked.
"Shall I make you some ginseng soup to nourish you?"
"Okay."
Lu Ming removed Wang Yi's hand, pulled her to his side, and made her sit on the dragon throne.
"Husband, this won't do!" Wang Yi struggled for a moment, but was still pressed down onto the throne.
This was a throne reserved only for the emperor; anyone else sitting on it would be beheaded!
"It's alright, we are one.
Without you, the harem wouldn't be so peaceful.
What's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine; we are inseparable."
Lu Ming held Wang Yi's small hand. He had many women, but only a few were truly close.
Whether it was Lin Daiyu or Xue Baochai, these beauties of the Red Chamber were more like helpful wives and collectibles, spice in life. Only Wang Yi, his wife, truly understood him.
Wang Yi was deeply moved; as Empress, she too faced considerable pressure.
Fortunately, with Lu Ming's ascension to the throne, the pressure lessened considerably.
The former "Eternal Princess" status was no longer relevant; her position held no power.
Cai Wenji, meanwhile, devoted herself entirely to education. Previously concerned with the affairs of girls' academies outside the palace, she now worried about the education of the royal princesses.
Within the royal family, there was no such thing as "a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent."
This notion didn't mean women shouldn't read or write, but rather avoid political books and the intrigues of power struggles.
Lu Ming, however, disagreed. He believed it was better for his daughters to be educated, as literacy would enable them to lead important departments in the future.
Furthermore, women staying at home idle were prone to conflict.
Giving them something to do would improve things, and it would also give him more peace and quiet.
The so-called palace intrigues largely stem from idle gossip and idle chatter, which inevitably offends someone, leading to sabotage and backstabbing.
The conflicts escalate, eventually reaching a point of no return.
It's better to address the root cause from the start to avoid such turmoil.
"My lord, I've come to tell you that Himiko has been properly trained.
It was personally trained by Sister Chan'er, and Sister Chan'er has a gift for you, saying it'll make you happy."
Wang Yi smiled slightly. She didn't have a strong desire for sex; whether she had it or not wasn't that important.
She was more concerned about Lu Ming and her husband.
Or perhaps she would chat with the Empress Dowager, and the topic would turn to her.
Wang Yi added, "By the way, my lord, Mother said she hasn't seen you for many days and misses you."
Wang Yi's face was still flushed as she said this.
Because her own mother, Lu Ming's mother-in-law, was also one of Lu Ming's women. She used to serve Lu Ming alongside her mother, and the memory of mother and daughter playing together filled her with embarrassment.
She wondered why her husband preferred women of this age. Was it really that good?
The eunuch Zhang Bao had already discreetly retreated, dismissing the maids and other eunuchs.
What did they care about overhearing the Emperor and Empress's private conversation?
Having followed Zhang Rang for so many years, he had learned a great deal about reading people.
Besides, they were old acquaintances and loyal servants; otherwise, this former dynasty eunuch wouldn't be serving before the Emperor.