The next few weren't exactly household names, but they were still military figures who left their mark on history.
Liao Hua, Zhou Cang, and Pei Yuanshao were all former Yellow Turban rebels in Qingzhou. By chance, they learned that Lu Ming was recruiting.
At that time, Lu Ming had just become a Colonel of the Western Garden Army. He had achieved a remarkable victory in Hedong, defeating ten thousand seasoned Yellow Turbans with only two thousand new recruits, and even killing Han Xian and others, thus gaining instant fame.
Being of humble origins, they felt a strong connection to each other.
After some discussion, the three decided to abandon their positions in Qingzhou and come to Lu Ming to see if they could successfully legitimize their actions.
"My three valiant warriors, please don't take offense. In my opinion, if the government is effective, everyone will have food to eat and work to do, so why would anyone turn to banditry? I implore you three to lend me a hand and restore peace and prosperity to Liangzhou!" Lu Ming certainly wouldn't refuse. Leaving aside Liao Hua, a mediocre general, even Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao were quite capable military guards.
"Yes, my lord." The three men wouldn't refuse at all; to be appreciated was already a great honor.
Lu Ming personally cooked a feast. With white wine and delicious food, the host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.
After the meal, Lu Ming brewed some ginger tea.
"Gentlemen," Lu Ming said, "Xiji City is a large city in Tianshui County. The Fan, Zhang, and Han families occupy this city. Today, I, the governor, discovered that these three families are colluding with the rebels. Han Sui and Ma Teng's armies have already been largely defeated by me and are no longer a threat. Now, I intend to recapture Xiji City. I wonder if any of you have any brilliant strategies?"
Gan Ning, however, casually clasped his hands and said, "My lord, now that the enemy is weak and we are strong, why not just attack the city directly?"
"Xingba," Lu Ming replied, "a general should not raise an army out of anger; this is a path to disaster. You must study military strategy diligently in the future. A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence. I look forward to you leading an army independently." Lu Ming rejected this approach. If they were to attack directly, why would he need to wait here?
Besides, the cause was unjustified, and the evidence was utterly worthless.
Xu Shu and the others remained silent, pondering deeply.
Only Huang Zhong and the others kept their heads down, drinking tea. They didn't understand; they were perfectly capable of fighting and charging into battle, but asking them to devise strategies was a different story.
Lu Ming didn't urge them. In fact, he had already thought of a plan, but he was deliberately testing them. An unexpected surprise would be best, but not essential.
Soon, Xu Shu raised his head, cupped his hands, and said, "My lord, why not try to win over one faction, suppress another, and keep them in check?"
"Yuanzhi is right. Here's what we'll do: I'll go into the city for a banquet. Yuanzhi and the other gentlemen can stay here for now. They've had a long journey; they should rest first. Xingba and Hansheng, you two will each lead a thousand-man unit. I'll give you a few days to familiarize yourselves with the troops. Later, I'll need you to lead troops into battle. Yuanfu, the three of you will come with me out of the city, temporarily serving as my bodyguards." Lu Ming assigned the duties. He needed to go into Xiji City to resolve the situation and also to show these scholars his abilities.
"Yes, my lord." The group responded, except for Shi Tao and two others who bowed respectfully; they hadn't yet decided their allegiance.
After Lu Ming left, Xu Shu saw his mother again.
She looked even more beautiful than before, and knew how to dress well. From his mother, Xu Shu received some shocking news: his mother had married Lu Ming as a concubine, and Lu Ming was now practically his father!
A stepfather is still a father!
However, his mother told him not to worry; things would remain the same.
She had only offered herself to Lu Ming out of gratitude for saving her life; she was doing well now, and he shouldn't worry about her.
Leaving Xu Shu in a daze, Lu Ming had already entered the city with his personal guards, without sending his army in.
He paid no attention to the county soldiers on the city gate tower. He kept a close eye on his map; once the county soldiers turned red, he would definitely not continue advancing but would turn back and try to take Xiji City!
A direct assault would come at a considerable cost, but capturing the ringleader would minimize casualties.
Along the way, they saw that the common people looked pale and sickly, and their eyes held fear and evasiveness when they saw them. It was clear that this was the result of prolonged oppression.
"It seems the three major families' rule is quite successful. Xiji City belongs to them, not the court. They prey on the people, oppress them—they deserve to die." Lu Ming scoffed, invigorating Zhou Cang and the others. Their lord was indeed still the same lord, not a vile tyrant.
Halfway there, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, leading a group of men, blocked Lu Ming's path. "I am Zhang Chun, head of the Zhang family. May I ask if you are Governor Lu?"
"That is indeed me. What brings you here, Registrar Zhang?" Lu Ming's smile remained unchanged, a half-smile that hinted at something else entirely, his intentions unclear.
Zhang Chun wasn't there to intimidate them; he was a merchant, his profession being to make money.
It was precisely because he was a businessman that he was so sensitive.
Upon learning of Lu Ming's possible arrival, he gathered information about him from various sources, from suppressing the rebellion in Hedong to stirring up trouble in Luoyang and his recent defeat of the combined forces of Ma Teng and Han Sui.
All of this led him to conclude that Lu Ming was a rare and valuable asset!
Ever since Lü Buwei of the Qin Dynasty, merchants had a role model: invest in capable people, and when they soared to great heights, they too could rise to prominence.
Therefore, Zhang Chun's visit was for investment.
Even when Liu Bei launched his rebellion, merchants invested, demonstrating that this trend hadn't disappeared; on the contrary, it was intensifying!
"I've come to welcome Your Excellency the Governor. May I show you the way?" Zhang Chun said with a smile. "I've prepared some provisions and supplies to send out of the city as military provisions."
"Thank you very much. Just send someone to deliver them." Lu Ming gripped the saddle, his mind racing, trying to figure out what the other party wanted.
It didn't seem malicious, but it also seemed like a test.
He had come not only to avenge his aunt but also to recapture Xiji City.
That would inevitably involve the three major families. His plan was even more radical than Xu Shu's: eliminate two of them and keep one under control.
He needed a lot of land for military farming and large tracts of land to grow other crops. Not just grain, but also timber and bamboo were crucial parts of the logistical system and couldn't be ignored.