That night, besides studying the blueprints, Lu Ming was also trying to make penicillin.
After penicillin, he could make other drug raw materials, even antibiotics.
He didn't understand the principles of production; he only knew that by using these materials and loading a skill bar, he could create the corresponding items.
Besides this, Lu Ming was also loading a skill bar.
This skill bar was exploring Luoyang City. Luoyang City was divided into east, west, south, and north, and he was in the eastern region.
Originally, Zhang Wen intended for him to stay overnight at his residence, but Dong Zhuo sent someone to summon him back, saying he had something to discuss, so he returned.
What Lu Ming didn't expect was that the burly Dong Zhuo had actually managed to establish a relationship with Empress Dowager Dong!
One was originally from Xiliang, and the other from Hebei. Xiliang and Hebei were both general terms for a region, encompassing many counties and villages.
This was originally an extremely unrelated connection, like a mad bull trying to catch a horse-drawn carriage, yet they had somehow managed to create one.
The reason was simple: Empress Dowager Dong was also greedy for money! This was the first time Lu Ming had heard this, but considering Liu Hong's own greed, it wasn't surprising given his mother's influence.
Dong Zhuo, however, wasn't as brainless as he seemed. He understood strategic maneuvering and wouldn't put all his eggs in one basket. His connection with the Empress Dowager certainly had some effect.
The power of the state was held by the emperor, empress, and crown prince. The empress, as the emperor's first wife, not only embodied the virtues of motherhood but also wielded considerable power.
Empress Lü of Emperor Gaozu of Han could privately punish Han Xin, the Marquis of Huaiyin; Empress Wei of Emperor Wu of Han strongly supported Crown Prince Li's rebellion; and Empress Wang of Emperor Yuan of Han could even assist her family's power struggles.
The empress became a crucial element in the political structure of the Western Han Dynasty, possessing a very special status and power.
The empress dowagers of the Western Han Dynasty wielded immense power. Even the normal appointment of a crown prince required approval from the Eastern Palace, the empress dowager's residence.
If the Empress Dowager disagreed and refused to affix her seal to the register, then the crown prince was not legitimate, and even the emperor could only watch helplessly.
This actually happened in the Western Han Dynasty, most notably with Empress Lü.
To consolidate her power, Empress Lü promoted members of the Lü clan and entrusted them with important positions, while simultaneously suppressing and persecuting members of the Liu clan. Emperor Hui of Han, Liu Ying, and the subsequent Emperors Shao and Shao, became her puppets, almost handing the empire over to the Lü family. The extent of her interference in politics and control over the court is evident.
After Liu Bang's death, Liu Ying ascended the throne as Emperor Hui of Han.
Liu Ying was weak-willed and indecisive, and power gradually fell into the hands of Empress Lü.
After Liu Ying's death, Empress Lü monopolized the government, turning the Liu family's empire into the Lü family's empire. The veteran officials and members of the Liu clan were deeply indignant, but fearing Empress Lü's cruelty, they dared not speak out.
After Empress Lü's death, the members of the Lü clan lived in fear and unease, fearing harm and exclusion.
Therefore, they secretly gathered at the home of General Lü Lu to plot a rebellion and seize the Liu family's throne.
This plot reached the ears of Liu Xiang, the Prince of Qi, a member of the Liu clan. To protect the Liu family's rule, Liu Xiang decided to raise an army to attack the Lü clan. He then contacted the founding ministers Zhou Bo and Chen Ping, and together they devised a plan to remove Lü Lu. All members of the Lü clan, regardless of age or gender, were executed, and the Lü group was completely wiped out.
After this, the power of empress dowagers in both the Western and Eastern Han dynasties was weakened, unlike the zenith of Empress Lü's reign.
However, it remained formidable. By the time of Empress Dowager Dong at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, her power had diminished considerably. She could still promote some of her own people indirectly.
However, she could not directly intervene in the power structure, firstly because the empress dowager's power was gradually weakened and returned to the emperor's hands.
Secondly, Empress Dowager Dong was actually a latecomer to the system, not a direct descendant of the legitimate line, so naturally she lacked significant authority.
Every empress dowager in the past started from within the palace, whether as a laundry maid, a noblewoman, a high-ranking concubine, or a palace maid, climbing the ranks step by step. They understood the ways of survival in the palace and the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, which allowed them to control the harem.
Lu Ming only had a superficial understanding of such matters; hearsay was less effective than personal experience.
The next morning, Dong Zhuo went to the palace to meet the emperor. This promotion was announced in front of all the officials at the court assembly, a kind of reward and honor.
However, Lu Ming wasn't qualified to attend; he didn't even have the right to attend court.
Therefore, he could finally sleep in at home, as he was exhausted from the previous day.
First, he had sex with Lady Zhang for about an hour.
Then came the test of willpower from Marquis Liu Bi, acupuncture treatment, and dispensing medicine—all keeping him extremely busy and exhausted.
A series of urgent knocks came at the door. His personal guard, Lin Rong, excitedly shouted through the door, "My lord, an imperial envoy has come to deliver a decree!"
"Hmm?" Lu Ming jumped out of bed, quickly put on his clothes, hastily rubbed his eyes, and took out the silver ingot to put it away.
In the living room, a tall eunuch was waiting, holding the imperial edict.
"This humble servant, Lu Ming, greets the imperial envoy." Lu Ming skillfully presented the silver ingot; the greeting arrived before the man.
The eunuch only hesitated for a moment before putting the silver away. He was pale and beardless, with a somewhat fierce appearance.
Compared to the other eunuchs, he stood out. Tall and robust, he didn't resemble a eunuch at all, at least not in appearance!
"Lu Ming, receive the imperial decree!"
"Your humble servant is here." Lu Ming gritted his teeth, knelt to receive the decree. That bastard! Sooner or later, he'd make someone kneel before him.
Dignity was worthless at this moment; as long as the benefit was in hand, everything else was secondary!
"The decree reads: Lu Ming, the county magistrate of Tao County, has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, is virtuous and kind, and his outstanding achievements are all evident. Considering his kindness and commendable righteousness, I hereby promote him to Prefect of Longxi Commandery. Respectfully!" The eunuch read with a strong voice, lacking the coldness of ordinary eunuchs.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Ming rose to accept the imperial edict, then took out some silver from his sleeve and handed it over. "Thank you, Your Excellency. Someone, prepare some wine."
"Prefect Lu, the wine is unnecessary. I have important matters to attend to. I appreciate your kindness," the eunuch said without any politeness, even refusing to drink the wine.