"Ding, Empress Song has become your consort."
"Ding, Empress Song, the deposed beauty empress. Exclusive skill: Loyal Warriors. Loyal Warriors: You can immediately recruit prisoners to your service, converting them into soldiers, clerks, farmers, and other basic professions, ensuring their eternal loyalty. Cannot be used on generals or strategists."
Upon seeing this, Lu Ming's eyelids twitched. This seemed weak, but it was actually very powerful!
Soldiers, generals, and strategists were all necessary.
He couldn't participate in every aspect of affairs, so he had to delegate generals and strategists to handle wars and maintain production in specific areas.
And basic units were always the foundation. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice; the more soldiers Han Xin commanded, the better.
Looking at Lu Ming's burning gaze, Empress Song blushed slightly. "What is it, my husband?"
This was the first time she had called Lu Ming "husband," and it was while she was sober, which made her a little shy.
Sometimes women are simple. Plenty of sex, pleasurable sex, and a touch of gentleness can easily conquer their hearts.
Although Empress Song was furious at Lu Ming's actions and shameless rape, she had to admit that her body was improving, and her feelings and impressions of Lu Ming were gradually changing. Plus, she was indeed being pleasured, so she began to succumb.
Emptiness, loneliness, and the sorrow of being deposed had left her heart ashen. This brutal rape, ironically, stirred a fighting spirit within her.
"It's nothing, my wife, you're so good. Rest well. Once things are settled here, I'll take you back to Longxi. I'll build you a garden to enjoy. Go out for walks whenever you feel like it. I won't let you be a caged bird, a canary. I'll make sure you live happily and joyfully!" Lu Ming's sweet words came one after another; he wasn't one to endure loneliness.
Being confined to a small palace held no meaning or pleasure for him.
"Yes, my lord, take care. The world is hard these days, and people are treacherous. My family has already been harmed by villains. I only wish for your safety." Empress Song had no other thoughts, nor did she seek revenge.
She only wanted to live a simple life, to have a child of her own—that was enough.
A wounded woman is easily satisfied.
After lingering tenderly with Empress Song for a while, Lu Ming left. Now that he had conquered her, he needed to test his skills.
Arriving at the open area where prisoners were held, he found it surrounded by fences, with archers stationed in nearby watchtowers, ready to shoot any who dared to escape.
These prisoners were unarmed, covered in wounds, and starving, having not eaten dinner.
"Are you willing to submit to me?" Lu Ming asked, his voice low yet sharp, penetrating, reaching the ears of every prisoner.
"Ding, Loyal soldiers activated."
"We are willing to swear allegiance to you, my lord, until death!" At this moment, nearly three thousand prisoners knelt on both knees, kowtowing to Lu Ming, prostrating themselves in the most humiliating posture, yet with astonishingly identical movements.
Watching the densely packed prisoners kneel before him, bowing in worship, the feeling of holding others' lives in his hands was unprecedented.
This gave Lu Ming an exceptionally pleasant and exhilarating feeling; this was the benefit of power.
Without the system's help, he certainly couldn't have done this.
Winning over people's hearts in chaotic times is an extremely troublesome matter.
No one can guarantee loyalty, especially someone as sensitive as him.
He was born unwilling to be subservient to others. In a peaceful and prosperous era, there was no way to prevent it, but now the Han Dynasty was in turmoil, and the future was uncertain; who would ascend to the throne was still unknown!
"Ding, 3783 prisoners have been converted into soldiers. They have been assigned professions based on their characteristics. Those who have reached the maximum level of their chosen profession, please change your profession."
Each profession has four stages. You can change professions at level 12, but it's generally better to wait until level 15.
The growth attributes at each of the three stages are not to be underestimated. Although you can easily defeat someone of the previous profession after changing professions, the difference becomes apparent once you reach the third profession stage.
A child born at full moon is very different from a premature baby!
After spending some time distributing the prisoners into the army, they are no different from ordinary people, except for their absolute loyalty. They are living, breathing human beings, only their loyalty remains unchanged.
After replenishing soldiers for each unit, Lu Ming returned to the main tent to discuss matters with Fa Zheng.
The prisoner issue was resolved, not only reducing the threat of a ticking time bomb but also saving unnecessary troop deployments, allowing the soldiers to be concentrated.
However, throughout history, very few have been able to achieve this.
Because loyalty is a problem; once a mutiny occurs, even the most brilliant general can hardly reverse the situation!
Fa Zheng was still studying the maps and intelligence. They were now only two days' march away from Ma Teng and Han Sui's main force, and given their recent defeat of their vanguard, the enemy would undoubtedly be even more vigilant.
"Xiaozhi, I plan to launch a night attack near Mingshan, targeting Ma Teng and Han Sui. You lead men to create the illusion of overwhelming numbers within the army, making them believe we're still here. I'll leave you three thousand men; I'll take the rest. They'll never expect that we'll not only find a strategic location to hold, but also launch a preemptive strike!" Lu Ming's eyes gleamed with excitement; he had suddenly come up with this brilliant idea on the way here.
"My lord, your strategy is truly brilliant! I shared the same thought; we both believe an ambush at Mingshan would be better. To defeat a superior force with a smaller one, a surprise attack is necessary. We must catch the enemy off guard. Rest assured, my lord, I will immediately have the craftsmen make flags overnight. Tomorrow, we will plant them on the fence and have the two groups of soldiers take turns shouting to create the illusion of a bustling crowd." Fa Zheng added to Lu Ming's plan, a crucial role for a strategist.
"Excellent! With Xiaozhi by my side, I'm like a tiger with wings! Haha, Liangzhou will be mine sooner or later!" Lu Ming was very pleased and trusted Fa Zheng completely.
He probably wouldn't have used the opponent's mother as leverage.
When Cao Cao threatened Xu Shu, he only threatened his personal safety.
But Lu Ming's threat was to rape the opponent's mother!
He would take her as a concubine, morally becoming her stepfather. Filial piety is paramount; how could he possibly commit such an act of insubordination!