Lu Ming set aside a mansion for Dong Zhuo's funeral. Although it was kept low-key, the nobles and wealthy merchants of Chang'an received the news immediately and personally came to offer their condolences, bringing substantial sums of money.
With the man dead, debts are settled; at least Lu Ming couldn't say anything more.
After relieving the soldiers of their military command, he resettled them, providing them with ideological education. Those who wanted to stay were allowed to remain; those who didn't were given jobs.
Whether it was hard labor or mining, it was all work; whether they did it or not was up to them.
Lu Ming hosted a banquet for these former subordinates of Dong Zhuo, including his two cousins-in-law.
"You are all heroes who fought to protect Xiliang. I toast you all!"
Lu Ming picked up his wine cup and downed the wine in one gulp.
The generals, not daring to be presumptuous, all raised their cups in return.
"What a joke! Asking the King of Qin to offer them a toast? They might drink today, and tomorrow they wouldn't even know how they died."
This King of Qin was no good man. Compared to Dong Zhuo, he was far more cruel, yet far more astute. At least in Guanzhong, there were cement roads, rice paddies, and caravans everywhere.
That prosperity made them feel like they had entered a new world; everything seemed new and exciting.
Lu Ming put down his wine cup and waved for the dancing girls to leave. These girls were fully clothed, without a trace of nudity, completely different from the almost revealing veils they wore in the brothels.
"What are your ambitions, gentlemen? Do you wish to continue your service in the army, or enter the court as officials?"
The hearts of all the generals began to race. Even Niu Fu showed a hint of longing.
He had vaguely heard that his wife had already been taken as a princess by Lu Ming…
And his wife's family was living in the palace. Who knew what had happened there?
Only Li Ru slowly savored his wine, showing neither elation nor unease.
He was contemplating his future, wondering what he should do.
Lu Ming glanced around at everyone, then spoke, "Wen You, what are your thoughts?"
Li Ru hadn't expected Lu Ming to ask him first. He stood up somewhat flusteredly and bowed deeply to Lu Ming, "I will obey the King of Qin's orders. Whatever the King of Qin asks me to do, I will do."
Lu Ming nodded in satisfaction. What he was thinking, no one else knew.
"Very well. Since that's the case, I have something I need you to do.
To be honest, I don't trust you."
Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts tightened. They nervously looked around, as if axemen were about to rush in and hack them to death.
But after waiting for a long time, no axemen appeared.
The more timid ones, like Niu Fu, were already sweating profusely, almost wetting themselves.
Only then did Lu Ming slowly pick up his wine cup, take a sip, and say, "Although you have opposed me in the past, no one is perfect.
I am willing to give you a chance. Bingzhou is still suffering from attacks by foreign tribes.
I will settle you on the border of Bingzhou and provide you with provisions regularly.
You may plunder the foreign tribes on your own. Keep half of what you obtain, and give the other half to the Governor of Bingzhou. He will arrange for it to be sent to Chang'an."
*Clap clap clap!*
Lu Ming clapped his hands, and his personal guards came forward and hung a map on the screen behind him. Lu Ming then picked up a stick; this was a map of Bingzhou.
"Your defenses will be deployed in a straight line. Your mission is to ensure that not a single soldier crosses the Great Wall to harass Bingzhou.
Use war to sustain war. You are responsible for the resettlement of the women you capture.
Remember, the residents of Bingzhou are not to be harassed, nor are the surrendered Yi tribes settled within Bingzhou.
Regarding discipline, Minister Xu will discuss this with you thoroughly. When you return, you must ensure that this is implemented."
"Here, merit is rewarded, and demerit is punished.
Discard the methods you used with Dong Zhuo; from now on, you must accept the rules set by the King."
Lu Ming saw Xu Shu arrive and handed him the stick. "Now, let Minister Xu explain things to you.
Remember, from now on, for any military matters, consult Minister Xu; he is your superior.
For anything, you can go to Minister Xu. If he can't solve it, go to the Prime Minister."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Greetings, Minister Xu!"
Xu Shu nodded without a smile, taking the stick. Lu Ming had previously discussed with him sending these men to Bingzhou.
He was also worried about the situation in Bingzhou. Now, with these remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces, the border problem was solved.
"The King of Qin has said everything he needed to say, so I'll just add a few points.
While your task is to guard the border, there's a vast area here, in Liaoxi and Youzhou.
The Wuhuan and Xianbei territories are large. After annexing their lands and regrouping, you can advance eastward.
If you can capture Youzhou before the main army sets out, it will be a great achievement.
Our Qin army has always rewarded merit and punished wrongdoing. The families of soldiers who die in battle will receive aid from the army and be provided with work to support their families. Therefore, soldiers need not fear death."
Xu Shu began to elaborate on his strategic plan, essentially treating them as an unofficial force.
To deal with the foreign tribes, these ruthless soldiers are needed. As long as they're not within our borders, they can be completely ignored.
The people of Bingzhou have already suffered greatly. Entire villages have been wiped out, women are raped and then killed, and even infants are not spared.
These heinous acts of bestiality must be avenged in blood.
Lu Ming had no grand ambitions or desire to relieve suffering; he simply considered Bingzhou his own possession and wouldn't allow anyone to steal it—nothing more.
If anyone tried to steal it, he wouldn't hesitate to chop off their hands, then follow the trail and slaughter their entire family!
The generals below were already itching for action. Although they had been transferred to the border, this was still a good opportunity to make their mark.
Moreover, they were experts in warfare; if they were allowed to remain obedient, trouble would likely erupt within days.
To avoid discouraging those who had come to join them, and to make a show of it, sending them to the Bingzhou border was actually the best solution.
Both sides were satisfied; both sides felt it was quite good.
Only Li Ru, looking at the map of Bingzhou, seemed to have thought of something.
A mere grudge over having one's wife stolen is nothing. Besides, a wife can be replaced, but if the person is gone,
then everything is gone.