For the next few days, Lu Ming would have Zou Shi persuade his aunt to drink every night, and then he would go and have sex with her again, sometimes twice in a row, until her vagina was swollen.
Afterwards, he would leave to have sex with other women, never spending the night in her room.
Princess Wannian and the others turned a blind eye; having been satisfied, they didn't want to say anything more.
After handing over the tasks, Lu Ming led 30,000 soldiers and set off.
They continued along the newly paved cement road, which was fast and stable to walk on.
However, once they left the cement road, the bumpy, uneven mud road was a real headache.
Lu Ming couldn't slowly pave the cement road, so he simply continued marching.
Wuwei County, Guzang.
Ma Teng looked at Ma Chao, his only surviving son, who had been brought back, his face dejected.
He was unaware that his son had actually recovered the next day. Lu Ming, however, challenged Ma Chao to duels every time, each time beating him half to death. The last time, he even broke Ma Chao's arm!
So much so that seeing Ma Chao's arm in a cast now looked somewhat comical.
"You're back?"
"I'm back. Greetings, Father." Ma Chao was an extremely proud and ruthless man. Without the system's certification, Lu Ming would never have considered him a confidant.
The reason was simple: when Ma Teng was recruited into the army, he took his two sons to Xuchang as hostages, leaving Ma Chao to manage Wuwei County.
If Ma Chao hadn't rebelled against Cao Cao, there would have been peace afterward.
But then, when Cao Cao attacked Hanzhong, he needed Ma Chao's passage.
Ma Chao, believing Cao Cao was using a pretext to attack Guo, shouted the slogan "The people of Xiliang, unite to punish the usurper Cao Cao!" and lobbied various military leaders of Xiliang—including Han Sui, who had killed his mother.
At this time, Han Sui's son was also being held hostage in Ye City.
Ma Chao uttered a statement that utterly shattered all moral compass: "Now, Ma Chao has abandoned his father and taken General Han as his father; General Han should also abandon his son and take Ma Chao as his son." He was implying, "I abandoned my father to recognize you as my father, and General Han should also abandon his son to recognize me as his son."
Such a person was beyond words.
Lu Ming never underestimated any opponent, and no matter how skilled such a person was, he would never trust him.
His constant challenges to Ma Chao for duels were also intended to temper his temper and instill fear in him!
"What do you think of Lu Ming?" After much deliberation, Ma Teng decided to arrange a marriage alliance with Lu Ming.
Especially with Han Sui cutting off all contact and rumors spreading, continued cooperation between the two sides was impossible.
At the mention of Lu Ming, Ma Chao's eyes betrayed unconcealed fear, as if recalling some demon.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't defeat his opponent. Lu Ming's martial arts couldn't be described as merely superb; "demonic" would be more fitting!
"Lu Ming is strong; I'm no match for him," Ma Chao lowered his proud head. He had to admit, even after such a crushing defeat.
Moreover, he astutely perceived Lu Ming's intentions. Land reclamation meant that, barring natural disasters or man-made calamities, there would be no crop failure.
Furthermore, agriculture was constantly developing; he had never seen windmills, water dragons, and other such things before.
He didn't know what Lu Ming was planning, but he could definitely predict that Lu Ming would not be content with the status quo. His ambition was vast, but he didn't know, nor did he understand, the extent of it.
Ma Teng glanced at his son with some surprise. Although he didn't particularly like this eldest son born of a concubine, he had to admit that he only had this one son now, and even if he had another, it would be too late.
This son was arrogant and proud, relying on his bravery to look down on everyone. It was somewhat rare for him to admit he was inferior.
"Someone advised me to send Yunlu to Lu Ming as a concubine, to arrange a marriage. What do you think?"
Logically speaking, marriages should be arranged by parents and matchmakers. Ma Teng was still alive; Ma Chao had no right to interfere.
Ma Chao was slightly surprised, unsure whether to speak, then thought of the tragic deaths of his two younger brothers.
Suppressing his anger and fear of Lu Ming, Ma Teng said, "The tragic deaths of Xiu and Tie are a blood feud that must be avenged. Lu Ming is a ruthless and ambitious man. I fear he will eventually annex our Ma family!"
"Do you think we can still control Wuwei County?" Ma Teng's expression was grave, lost in thought.
"I will defend Guzang to the death and not let Lu Ming succeed!" Although Ma Chao feared Lu Ming's strength, he still dared to fight. His courage was commendable, but the outcome would be dire.
"Heh, then my entire Ma family will be wiped out!" Ma Teng sneered, thinking his son had changed.
"He's still a hothead," Ma Teng said, "Three days later, you will escort your sister to Pengyang to visit Governor Lu. Mengqi, you are fierce and warlike, unwilling to be subservient to others, which is a good thing. But don't forget, the land of China is full of capable people; when it's time to bow your head, you must."
Ma Chao lowered his head and remained silent. He admitted that Lu Ming was strong, but making him submit was impossible.
Seeing Ma Chao's silence, Ma Teng shook his head. "You may leave."
"Yes, Father." Ma Chao breathed a sigh of relief. He truly didn't want to submit, but he didn't have Lu Ming's abilities, and the thought of it made him feel frustrated.
After Ma Chao left, Ma Teng said, "Sir, you may come out now."
A middle-aged man emerged from behind the screen; it was none other than Fu Gan, the official in charge.
"What does the gentleman think?" Ma Teng seemed to be asking about his marriage alliance with Lu Ming, but also seemed to be asking about his son, Ma Chao.
"The will of Heaven changes, the divine regalia shifts, and it belongs to the virtuous—this is the natural order. General, if you pledge allegiance now, you may very well be ennobled and appointed prime minister in the future. With the governor's abilities, Liangzhou is certainly not the end. The governor is exceptionally talented, but even he cannot cook without rice. Your patronage is like sending charcoal in snowy weather, much more likely to earn you favor than adding flowers to brocade!" Fu Gan was also concerned for his own future, not wanting to be tied to Ma Teng's carriage.
"Hmm, what you say is very true, sir. What do you think of Mengqi, sir?" Ma Teng wanted to ask.
But Fu Gan showed no mercy, stating bluntly, "Brave but lacking in strategy, vindictive, and narrow-minded—a general unfit to be a leader, utterly unfit for important tasks."
Wanting Ma Chao to inherit the legacy? Then abandon that idea immediately, abandon that unrealistic notion!