"Lu Ming, how long will it take you to set off to reinforce Bingzhou?" Emperor Ling didn't see this as a bad thing. Since the Yuan family had started, he was determined to use his shrewd business acumen to make this deal as profitable as possible.
Emperor Ling had done many absurd things before. He had previously ordered the creation of a miniature market in the palace, where rare treasures collected from the common people were sold.
Palace maids and concubines were arranged to pose as merchants and tourists.
The market was bustling with activity, with teahouses, taverns, singers, and acrobats—a veritable miniature society.
Liu Hong enthusiastically wandered through it every day, sometimes strolling around, sometimes drinking and listening to music, sometimes haggling with shopkeepers.
He even used a donkey to pull a cart, personally holding the whip as he rode through the streets.
This news spread among the common people, sparking a wave of imitations.
It wasn't "paper in Luoyang becoming expensive" anymore, but "donkeys in the capital becoming expensive."
The price of donkeys in the capital skyrocketed several times over in no time.
Such trading was somewhat unbelievable for an emperor, so Emperor Ling's plan was simple:
Since Lu Ming was so capable, let him lead troops into battle, sending his newly formed army to fight and forge a mighty legion for his heir.
As for the Yuan family, since they were involved, they would be forced to pay up and ensure the army's logistical support. If supplies were cut off, they would be held accountable.
In this way, if Lu Ming succeeded, Emperor Ling would gain merit and a powerful and obedient army.
If Lu Ming failed, he could use the opportunity to force the Yuan family to continue bleeding money, replacing some positions with his own people, even incompetent ones, just to secure their positions.
A shrewd merchant's job is to profit from both sides, making sure he's well-fed!
"Your Majesty," Lu Ming replied, "for entirely new recruits, it will take at least three months, and at most a year, to reach combat readiness. Furthermore, they must be provided with ample supplies daily—millet, meat, rations, and medicine are all indispensable." Lu Ming wasn't worried at all. Training a powerful army was difficult, but assembling an elite squad was achievable.
He could recruit followers and convert them into useful soldiers.
These soldiers often displayed formidable combat power; one could easily take on several.
With a battlefield map, once explored, a decapitation strike could be launched.
Utilizing mobility and powerful aggression, a surprise attack could be launched!
Eliminate the enemy commander, destroy the command post, and bring the enemy to their knees!
Following up with a pursuit would easily secure victory.
Furthermore, this could be combined with strategy. Unless the enemy employed advanced technology like rattan armor, defeat was unlikely.
Even if defeated, a swift retreat was possible, allowing for a rematch later.
This era was still primarily based on legionary warfare, with units charging forward one after another.
Skilled coordination was often essential; strength in numbers was key.
A single general couldn't exert much combat power unless they could lead a formidable cavalry force, using the general as the spearhead to penetrate enemy formations, causing them to lose coordination and fall into chaos.
Otherwise, even a general capable of defeating ten thousand men wasn't very effective; no one is invincible, and strength eventually runs out.
"Very well, I'll give you six months. Six months is enough for you to go on campaign," Emperor Ling said with a wave of his hand, making his decision directly.
Next, it was time to make the Yuan family pay a heavy price. After Lu Ming's sabotage, Emperor Ling harbored resentment towards the Yuan family. Were they preparing to seize power?
Then let them know who the true emperor is!
"Minister Yuan, you are to take charge of the Western Garden military supplies. You must ensure timely and sufficient supplies to guarantee the Western Garden army's combat readiness in order to suppress the rebellious traitors who have invaded our land!" Emperor Ling gave Yuan Kui no time or space to shirk responsibility, directly establishing the matter.
Good heavens, they can drag it out for half a year. Even if someone rebels, they can suppress it first, huh? This is really too much.
After the court session, Lu Ming was about to leave.
The surrounding ministers were avoiding him like the plague. Did they think they could survive after offending the Yuan family?
However, Marquis Zhao was kept behind, seemingly discussing something; otherwise, he might have been able to offer some assistance.
At this moment, as he reached the palace gate, a tall man entered. He was fair-skinned, beardless, and muscular, standing out from the other eunuchs.
Upon closer inspection, wasn't this the one who had delivered the imperial edict to him earlier?
The man approached Lu Ming, offering a forced smile and bowing respectfully. "Are you Commandant Lu, Lord Lu?"
"Indeed, it is I. May I ask your esteemed name?" Lu Ming didn't discriminate against eunuchs, nor would he mock them; there was nothing funny about it.
In modern times, homosexuality was commonplace. He wasn't particularly surprised by this, but it didn't stir any emotion within him.
Having lived through the age of the internet explosion, he'd experienced everything.
"This servant is Jian Shuo. Commandant Lu and I will be comrades from now on." So this tall eunuch was Jian Shuo. No wonder he seemed so familiar. Well, actually, he would have known once they spoke; he just asked deliberately.
Supreme General – Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong
Upper Army Colonel – Junior Eunuch, Jian Shuo
Central Army Colonel – Tiger-like General, Yuan Shao
Lower Army Colonel – Prefect of Longxi Commandery, Lu Ming
Commander of the Army – Gentleman of the Palace, Cao Cao
Assistant Left Colonel – Zhao Rong
Assistant Right Colonel – Feng Fang
Left Colonel – Grand Counselor, Xia Mou
Right Colonel – Chunyu Qiong
All colonels were under the command of Jian Shuo. Junior Eunuch Jian Shuo commanded all armies and reported directly to Emperor Ling of Han. This was part of Emperor Ling's preparations for the future succession; even He Jin was subject to his orders.
It is no exaggeration to say that after Yuan Shao came Lu Ming. His position was so high, ranking him third. Isn't that high enough? Moreover, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were also present, but they hadn't seen him.
"So it's Commandant Jian, I've heard so much about you. What brings you here, Commandant Jian?" Lu Ming feigned ignorance, though he truly didn't know.
He only had a guess: either someone was there to win him over, or someone just happened to be passing by.
As for mocking him, Jian Shuo didn't dare. It was obvious that Emperor Ling intended to use him; why would he oppose him?
It could only be said that Jian Shuo, being called one of the Ten Attendants, was truly lacking in common sense.
There was definitely infighting among the Ten Attendants, it just hadn't surfaced yet.
They all depended on Emperor Ling for their livelihood. If Emperor Ling were to die suddenly, the Ten Attendants' fate would be to find themselves a place to be buried as soon as possible, otherwise, those upright officials would teach them what cruelty truly meant!