Chapter 826 Zhuge Liang
Tianxianglou, the largest restaurant in Zhengcheng.
Before arriving, Lu Ming had checked the map and found no assassins lying in ambush. He wasn’t worried about assassins, but rather about his sister and her companions being caught in the crossfire. Therefore, he focused his defenses on that area.
Even before he arrived, he saw Yang Biao and Wang Chen waiting at the entrance.
Yang Biao represented the Yang clan, and Wang Chen represented the Wang clan.
The two of them had come together to welcome Lu Ming, a gesture of utmost sincerity, as they represented the leaders of their respective clans.
The Langya Wang clan had a long and distinguished history, but recent wars in the Central Plains had inevitably affected even the Wang clan, leading them to leave their homeland.
Some went to Jingzhou, some to Hebei, and some to Jiangdong, but none went to Guanzhong, for reasons unknown.
"Prefect Yang Biao greets the King of Qin."
"Your subject, Wang Chen, greets the King of Qin."
"Rise, Tianxiang Restaurant, oh my, how grand!"
Lu Ming couldn’t help but praise it. The antique-style restaurant, cleverly decorated with pendants and lanterns, and with its six stories, offered a panoramic view of most of Zheng City. Standing at the top, one felt a sense of loneliness at the height.
"It’s just a humble country inn, nothing grand. Your Majesty flatters me. Please come in."
Yang Biao was somewhat acquainted with Lu Ming, and his daughter, Yang Lu, had been made a princess, making them, in a sense, in-laws—no, more like his father-in-law.
However, those who knew Lu Ming’s character knew that such posturing was pointless; it would only make Lu Ming dislike him more.
Upon entering Tianxiang Restaurant, it was already booked and not open to the public.
Upon entering, he saw a dozen or so young women standing on either side, scantily clad, their breasts clearly exposed. They placed their hands on their lower abdomens and bowed slightly to the King of Qin, saying, "Greetings, King of Qin."
Lu Ming merely grunted and left, leaving the young women somewhat disappointed; they had hoped to be chosen.
This young man was now the supreme ruler of this land. If he were chosen, a meteoric rise to power would be inevitable.
They proceeded to the sixth floor, the highest floor, where some cold dishes were laid out on the table.
After Lu Ming sat down, the dishes began to be served in succession.
Yang Biao personally poured wine for Lu Ming. He had originally prepared beautiful women to accompany him, but seeing that Lu Ming seemed uninterested, he hastily instructed the dancers not to be brought up.
"This humble official congratulates Your Majesty on conquering Ji Province. Given time, conquering Hebei will be no problem."
"Ji Province hasn’t been conquered yet."
Lu Ming picked up his wine cup, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I know there are others who rely on your two families for their livelihood. I only want half of the land outside Ji Province. You must find a way to gather the rest for me, and you can’t use my name."
"I will send people to investigate. If you damage my reputation, I will make sure yours is also ruined!"
Having obtained the benefits, the next step is to provide the rewards.
A beating followed by a sweet treat—this is standard procedure.
So Lu Ming put down his wine cup and reached for the fish with his chopsticks. "Besides the land, half of all the shops, workshops, and post stations in the city will belong to me."
"An academy will be established in the city, and you two will serve as vice-deans. All officials must study at the academy and pass the examinations before being promoted."
"For the appointment of officials in Hebei, I will give priority to the Yang and Wang families. As long as you wholeheartedly assist me, a mere prefecture is not the end."
Lu Ming explained his grand plan, mentioning that his craftsmen were researching new means of transportation.
In the future, those wishing to travel between different regions could use special carriages, much faster than riding horses.
And since all officials of the dynasty would graduate from the academy, it meant that the power of the vice-deans would be considerable!
Both men were shrewd; upon hearing this exchange, their breathing quickened.
They were already prepared to be ripped off; knowing Lu Ming’s style, he would undoubtedly take a large share.
They hadn’t expected such a generous reward. Just think of the Yuan family; it was because their disciples and former officials were spread throughout the land that Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were able to quickly establish themselves upon arriving in their respective regions, instead of being hindered.
Yang Biao felt a sense of unreality; his arm trembled, and he could barely hold his wine cup. Wang Chen felt similarly overwhelmed; it was too good to be true.
At this moment, a child standing not far behind Wang Chen spoke up, asking, "Will Your Majesty the King of Qin do the ’birds are gone, bows are put away; rabbits are dead, hunting dogs are cooked’ kind of thing?"
"The world is not yet settled, and the King of Qin has already asked for half. Given time, what will the King of Qin want? We are afraid we cannot afford the price."
"Please forgive my bluntness, but the King of Qin has offered too many benefits. If, in ten or eight years, the Yang and Wang families continue to serve as vice-principals of the academy, will they become the next Yuan family?"
"Shut up!" "The King of Qin’s reputation for benevolence is known throughout the land. How dare you, a mere child, question him!"
Wang Chen slammed his hand on the chair, not the table, fearing Lu Ming might misunderstand. He then bowed deeply to Lu Ming, saying, "I’m sorry, Your Majesty, this is my nephew, Zhuge Liang. He’s so young and yet he’s been so unruly, always talking back. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
Lu Ming was somewhat surprised to hear the name. He glanced at Zhuge Liang, who was not yet ten years old, so being called a "yellow-mouthed child" was normal.
Children at this age often had yellowish lips, hence the term.
"Heh, what he says makes sense. I knew you had this concern. Having a child raise it avoids embarrassment and also allows you to use it tactfully, preventing any impoliteness."
"Very well, since you want to know, then I can tell you clearly: those meritorious officials who followed me in conquering the world, as long as they have the people at heart and are willing to do practical things, instead of committing crimes and exploiting the people, I will not do the ’good bow put away and the hunting dog cooked’ kind of thing.
"The world has just been pacified, and the people are suffering. I hope that in the future, when there are starving people, your descendants will not utter such ridiculous things as ’Why don’t they eat meat porridge!’"
Lu Ming didn’t hide anything. For him, there was no need to. He could live a very long time, and naturally he would manage this world well, not indulge in unrestrained enjoyment.