A few days later, news of the victory at Anyi City reached Luoyang, and also reached Huangfu Song, who was still fighting the Yellow Turbans in Yicheng.
Looking at the victory report in his hand, Huangfu Song, whose hair and beard were beginning to turn white, felt a sense of pressure.
He had previously inflicted heavy losses on the Yellow Turbans, even cutting off the heads of many bandits and making mounds of skulls!
This was used to deter those who harbored ill intentions, but the effect was still so poor.
Now, a junior had actually taken the lead in defeating the Yellow Turbans, and even with the weaker forces defeating the stronger ones, with fewer troops defeating more.
The new recruits and the Yellow Turbans were actually not much different; both lacked training.
And now, Lu Ming had actually defeated more than ten thousand Yellow Turbans; clearly, the opponent was not just a figurehead.
"At Anyi City, Lu Ming achieved a victory with fewer troops, taking the lead. Take a look!" Huangfu Song circulated the intelligence report, while others had won the battle, he was still dawdling here.
Several attacks had been launched, and they had even been driven back!
These new recruits were driving him crazy, forcing him to adopt a cautious, step-by-step approach.
However, this placed immense pressure on logistics, even leading to shortages of provisions!
Yuan Shao was the first to receive the victory report. Compared to the reports sent to the court, this one contained much more detailed descriptions.
"Hmph, it's nothing but taking advantage of someone's misfortune. Commander, this was clearly a surprise attack from behind by Lu Ming while the Yellow Turban rebels were engaged in battle with the city's local troops. He defeated the Yellow Turbans, which can only be described as mediocre, not particularly brilliant. This victory report is somewhat exaggerated!"
His words were a bit sarcastic. In military matters, victory is paramount. Whether it's underhanded or honorable, it all serves the purpose of victory.
Cao Cao was the second to review it. As Yuan Shao's follower, he immediately sensed something amiss with his unique perspective.
Lu Ming wasn't as incompetent as some people made him out to be. It was foolish of Yuan Shao to ignore such talent.
He took it, glanced at it, and then passed it on without offering any opinion.
A defeated general is not worth mentioning; why laugh at others?
They themselves hadn't won a major victory.
Guo Tai's strategy was far more cunning than previous Yellow Turban campaigns; he preferred surprise attacks and arson, striking and retreating without engaging in a decisive battle—it was utterly treacherous!
"Right now, we must besiege Yicheng, forcing the Yellow Turbans to fight us to the death in one decisive battle. Without Yicheng as a foothold, they cannot hold out. I've decided to divide our forces into three groups, reaching Yicheng within five days to fight Guo Tai to the death!" Huangfu Song decided to do this; there was no time to delay. Coupled with Jian Shuo's sarcastic remarks and Lu Ming's provocation, he made this risky move.
Anyi City, without the bandits, began to regain its former vitality, though it wasn't as prosperous as before.
Lu Ming was already waiting in front of the military camp to greet the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial decree. It was Zhang Bao, an old acquaintance; it seemed he had finally made it big.
"Lord Zhang, we meet again," Lu Ming said with a smile, pulling out a gold ingot and handing it over. His methods of bribery were becoming increasingly skillful.
Zhang Bao calmly accepted the gold ingot, glancing at it, his heart pounding slightly. "General Lu, you are too kind. I have come to offer my congratulations. By His Majesty's decree, Lieutenant General Lu Ming has rendered meritorious service in suppressing bandits and is hereby awarded the rank of Lieutenant General and granted the title of Earl."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lu Ming rose to accept the decree, unable to deny it. While Lieutenant General was technically a general, it was merely a transitional position, dependent on actual power.
Zhang Bao then produced another imperial decree, this time from Emperor Ling, ordering Lu Ming to return to the capital.
"Congratulations, General Lu! Congratulations! His Majesty has already arranged to marry Princess Wannian to you upon your return to Luoyang. Congratulations!" Zhang Bao approached with a fawning smile. It was only because Lu Ming didn't dislike eunuchs; otherwise, other civil officials would probably have turned away, feigning disgust.
Eunuchs have always been discriminated against, both openly and covertly.
Even the Ten Attendants were not immune to being called "scumbags" behind their backs!
"Congratulations on your rise to power, General Zhang!" Lu Ming gestured to an invitation. "Come to the camp for a drink. Would you like to accompany me back to Luoyang?"
"I have other matters to attend to and must return first. Please, General!" Zhang Bao didn't mind staying for a drink. He was here to make money, and now that Lu Ming was being generous, he certainly wouldn't make things difficult for him.
Cooperation is cooperation, but the due payment must be made in full! Even eunuchs need connections, and naturally, money.
After seeing Zhang Bao off, Lu Ming returned to the backyard and dragged Madam Zou, who was doing yoga, to bed and started having sex with her!
They'd only done it once that morning, and it wasn't even noon yet, and they were already at it again!
Even Madam Zou, a mature woman, was finding it hard to keep up. Plus, she had never given birth, and her vagina was tight and hot, making it impossible for Lu Ming to stop.
A few days later, Luoyang.
At Princess Wannian's residence, Princess Wannian was in her study reading the Four Books and Five Classics. Because of her noble status, she often had access to books that most scholars couldn't find.
She elegantly picked up a bamboo scroll, resting her chin on her right hand. Her appearance was indescribably refined and elegant, possessing the beauty of a well-bred lady—knowledgeable, reasonable, gentle, and virtuous.
Tap tap tap, a series of footsteps approached. Zhang Yulan walked in excitedly, holding the letter. Seeing Princess Wannian and Cai Wenji still reading, she said, "Lu Ming is coming back."
"So what if he's coming back? What's there to be happy about?" Princess Wannian clearly didn't have a good impression of Lu Ming. Who would ask her if she masturbated!
A man asking a woman a question is somewhat excessive and abrupt, even in modern times, let alone in ancient times.
Cai Wenji's hand holding the book trembled slightly. She was reluctant to be betrothed by the Empress Dowager, and although Lu Ming was currently very popular, his image as a warrior wasn't very suitable for her choice of spouse.
However, women don't have many choices. Since it was a marriage bestowed by the Empress Dowager, she could only accept it.
Just like when she married into the Wei family, she didn't like it at all, but she had no choice.
"Yulan is so happy, it's not just because Lu Ming is coming back, is it?"
No one doubted the relationship between Zhang Yulan and Lu Ming; they were both doctors, so they probably discussed it.
The two didn't seem to have a physical relationship at all, and neither Cai Wenji nor Princess Wannian knew the pleasures of making love with Lu Ming!
Especially for a widow like Zhang Yulan, who, after experiencing it once, had developed a taste for it.
Even Empress He's mother succumbed to the allure of being raped to orgasm; if mature women couldn't resist, how could young women possibly resist!