Was he going to mistreat himself?
Lu Ming would never mistreat himself.
He did this entirely because the plague would drastically reduce the population. Liangzhou was never a prosperous place, and it was essential to control the population decline.
This was also an opportunity to increase his prestige. Recruiting people wouldn't be too difficult later, since he could cure the plague. With his life guaranteed, any powerful and noble families who came would naturally bring a large amount of wealth and servants.
Once they came, they would be at his mercy, and he could do whatever he wanted with them. Once they were on his territory, they wouldn't have a say in what he said!
After leaving Diao Chan's room, Lu Ming went to Yang Biao's daughter Yang Lu's room and took her to bed while she was still reading, raping her once more.
Then he went to Zhao Hou's daughter Liu Ling's room and raped the still somewhat unruly girl again.
These two daughters of noble families and powerful clans were still a bit arrogant; they needed to be taught a lesson, until they were completely submissive.
As soon as Lu Ming left, Zhang Yulan rushed forward. "Husband, I'm going to check on my two sisters. They can't stand you! You always make them sore and swollen down there, hehe. Husband isn't someone just any woman can serve. Would you like to spend the night in my room?"
*Slap!* Lu Ming's large hand slapped her plump, round buttocks, eliciting a gasp from Zhang Yulan, her eyes glazed over.
"I love having you with Yu'er and Wenji! I'll fuck you all together next time! Go on, those two girls still need some training. My good wife, I'm leaving them to you." Lu Ming leered. Having Zhang Yulan to manage his harem wasn't so bad.
At least this young woman was uninhibited in bed and knew medicine, which could share some of the burden.
With the opening of the women's brothel, female doctors would definitely be needed in the future, and Zhang Yulan was quite suitable—graceful and poised, very good!
"My husband's words are my destiny," Zhang Yulan said with a charming smile. She enjoyed this feeling; her man trusted her and allowed her to act freely.
There was little difference between a concubine and a wife. No matter what happened in the future, her children would be guaranteed a life of comfort and security. This was already far better than other families.
After touring the city, Lu Ming began exploring, thoroughly investigating the situation.
As the exploration progressed, the map of the county town was also revealed.
During this time, he had already captured the magistrate, the county constable, and the registrar of Pengyang County.
Even after the decisive battle with Ma Chao and Yan Xing, Pengyang County remained closed, even knowing he was the governor of Liangzhou.
Clearly, they were defiant. Since they were defiant, there was no need for politeness.
He sent a troop of soldiers to infiltrate, open the city gates, and his army pressed in.
The magistrate, still fast asleep in bed, was arrested and imprisoned.
Pengyang County was brought under control; the county was relatively well-off.
All the thugs were arrested. Those who surrendered were allowed to, those who refused were thrown to dig ditches.
Using swift and decisive measures to eradicate the remaining evil, leaving no room for trouble to arise.
Such decisive measures reveal a compassionate heart.
Arriving at the prison cell, Lu Ming looked at the group of prisoners, a disdainful smile on his lips. "Gentlemen, how have you been eating and sleeping these days?"
Besides the three powerful figures of Pengyang, two local clan leaders were also imprisoned.
If they didn't cooperate, they were simply taken down.
A bloody massacre was preferable to Sun Ce's indiscriminate slaughter in Jiangdong.
Lu Ming would find a reason to eliminate these people, using the pretext of colluding with Han Sui and Ma Teng, plotting to overthrow the Han Dynasty and establish their own kingdoms, to justify confiscating their property and exterminating their clans.
That's what they say to outsiders, but internally they're accused of being uncooperative, unwilling to share the profits, and wanting to monopolize everything.
Furthermore, Sun Ce's death was merely the powder keg ignited by killing the Taoist priest Yu Ji. The priest saved lives and performed good deeds for the people, hence their worship. Sun Ce, on the other hand, waged war, his benevolence and virtue falling short of the people's; why would they worship him?
Seeing Yu Ji appear and the white-lined kneeling in reverence only fueled their resentment, without any justification.
If Lu Ming were in charge, faith would be crucial for the people in chaotic times. This is the time to utilize it, to properly care for the old Taoist priest and issue commands to the people in his name.
Killing him would be useless; it would only incite anger.
Lu Ming was also trying to infiltrate the faith sphere.
Rather than being controlled by others, he'd rather do it himself.
As long as their basic needs were met, he could gather the people in his spare time at night and teach them the doctrines of worshipping him—that would achieve the same effect.
There was still much to be done, and he was only just beginning; anything was possible.
Most importantly, his mind was unfettered, his imagination soaring. Things that people in this era couldn't even conceive of, dared not even dream of, Lu Ming could imagine.
"You scoundrel! You've indiscriminately killed court officials! You want to rebel!" County Lieutenant Guan Ren rushed to the fence, disheveled and filthy, yet still roaring angrily.
Lu Ming was merely a man from a remote small county town; how dare he treat him like this? He truly had no sense of hierarchy!
But it was he himself who lacked respect! Even though Lu Ming was already in such a position—the Governor of Liangzhou, his direct superior—he still judged people by their birth—he was simply courting death!
"Guan Ren, it seems you're still stubbornly clinging to your delusions. Heh, don't worry, I, the governor, will spare no one from the Guan family of over 130. They'll all be sent down to keep you company!" Lu Ming sneered, then added playfully, "Once the Jiaosifang is established, your wife and daughters will be sent there. Well-educated and sensible, it would be quite interesting to train them into dancers!"
Jiaosifang!
This didn't exist in the Eastern Han Dynasty, yet Lu Ming created it ahead of time.
The Jiaosifang was actually an institution managing music, dance, and opera—an institution designed to please the imperial court and nobility.
Moreover, the recruits were mostly recruited and trained from a young age, or it was a highly profitable business with no initial investment. The wives, daughters, and elderly women of corrupt officials—as long as they were female—could be sent to the Jiaosifang.
The ostensible purpose of the Jiaosifang was, of course, to train dancers to please the governor's office, but in reality, Lu Ming intended to turn it into his own den of iniquity!
Any woman with grace and beauty could be recruited into the brothel, and the emperor could choose freely, just like in his harem!
This was exclusively for lecherous thieves; it allowed them to take revenge on their enemies and satisfy their lust—it was practically perfect!