Chapter 983 Four Years Later

Four years passed quickly and unnoticed.

During these four years, Lu Ming inspected three prefectures annually, occasionally conducting surprise inspections.

No one knew where he would appear; all they knew was that failure meant dismissal.

Being an official was actually quite simple: just avoid inciting public resentment and complete the tasks assigned by the court.

In this era, there were plenty of jobs available to earn a living.

Food wasn't given away for free; even disaster victims had to work to earn a living.

And it was guaranteed that there would be food; it wasn't a case of starvation or meager porridge.

Large tracts of farmland were under his control, and the imperial granaries were overflowing.

Disasters varied in severity, and no one could predict the exact nature of the problems.

Fortunately, thanks to the observatory's early warnings, Lu Ming was able to make advance arrangements each time, minimizing losses.

Meanwhile, Bao Zheng was on a frenzied inspection tour, solving numerous cases.

Some cases even implicated the officials of Yuncheng. The most typical example was Cao Cao's son, who, exploiting his connections and favors with former officials of the Cao family, embezzled the grain and supplies allocated by the court for disaster relief.

Starting from the source, each place embezzled a little, and the amount was passed down through layers of officials. Each person took a small share, but the sheer number of people involved meant that by the time it reached the local authorities, very little remained.

One hundred thousand catties of grain, less than one hundred catties reached the local authorities—an outrageous amount.

When Bao Zheng investigated, he even faced an assassination attempt.

This was an extremely heinous act.

The court was furious, and Lu Ming personally ordered 10,000 men from the Imperial Guard, commanded by Lin Dong, to assist Bao Zheng.

Escorting troops—this meant killing!

Those former officials of the Cao family knew their scheme had been exposed.

This was serious!

They hurriedly sought help from all sides, believing that the law would not punish so many.

And indeed, that's how it turned out. While thoroughly investigating, Bao Zheng also suppressed the disaster and ensured the safety of the victims before beginning his plans.

Under the personal direction of Minister of War Xu Shu, all the county magistrates and officials in Yuzhou were arrested, along with their families.

For a time, Yuzhou even experienced a situation where there were soldiers but no officials.

In the palace, Lu Ming listened to the soft music and watched the young girls dancing before him—his daughters.

They had grown up, graceful and beautiful, but it wasn't time for them to marry, and he wouldn't allow them to.

Tan Chun, who had given birth to three children, was now a full-figured young woman. Aside from being more voluptuous, her figure remained as good as ever.

Her face possessed the charm and allure of a mature woman. She walked in, wearing high heels, glanced at her eldest daughter dancing, and couldn't help but feel that perhaps when her daughter grew a little older, her husband would deflower her!

She approached Lu Ming, who was being massaged on the shoulders and thighs by Xi Shi and Diao Chan, and whispered, "Husband, the three Cao sisters want to plead for their father. They asked me to inquire." "Cao Cao must die, and Cao Zhi must die too. There's no room for discussion."

Lu Ming wouldn't tolerate these people eating and drinking his food and taking from him under his nose—it was utterly beastly behavior!

Wasn't this related to Cao Cao?

Yes, it was. Even if Cao Cao wasn't involved, he was still guilty of lax discipline and deserved to die.

Several of Cao Cao's sons were involved. Knowing they shouldn't interfere, they still did. Did they really think that the three sisters, Cao Xian, Cao Jie, and Cao Hua, would make him compromise and back down?

Tan Chun sighed inwardly. She had already guessed the outcome, but she had only come to inquire out of a sense of duty.

The Jia family back then was the same; offend them, and they would be persecuted to the point of ruin!

However, at least one spark was left. Jia Baoyu did quite well, having figured things out. He was content to be a good-for-nothing, seeking neither merit nor demerit, and resolutely avoided key positions. He was perfectly happy sweeping the city gates and picking up trash every day.

The fate of the four great families was already clear. As long as they were honest and dutiful, nothing would happen.

If you can't manage your subordinates, then don't recruit them; otherwise, you'll be implicated.

The capable rise, the incapable fall. This was the foundation for establishing and stabilizing the realm. What was needed were capable people, those who could ensure a peaceful and prosperous era, and honest, dutiful servants.

At this moment, a palace maid came to report, "Your Majesty, Consort Yang Lu is requesting an audience."

"Let her in."

Lu Ming knew what was going on.

However, he let her in anyway, hoping Yang Lu would be sensible. ℴ𝗆

"Tan Chun, go and tell the three sisters to go back and think it over.

They don't need to serve the emperor this year; they should stay at the Cui Nunnery and cultivate themselves properly.

When they've figured things out, they should go and tell the Empress."

Lu Ming hadn't even met with the three Cao sisters.

They were too foolish.

Although he hadn't taken any action, it was out of filial piety.

After all, Cao Cao was their father.

But helping those of principle, not family, is only acceptable if there are outsiders present and the relatives aren't unreasonable.

If they are unreasonable, then there's no need for further discussion; they might as well just die. What's the point of helping?

Lu Ming had experienced such squabbles before.

Back in Tao County, it had happened.

At that time, the family business was still in Didao.

Of the two brothers' inheritance, his eldest uncle owned two-thirds, leaving him only one-third.

The key issue was that this one-third was fragmented, scattered here and there, all belonging to farmland and wasteland.

So he sold his family's possessions and went to Tao County, clinging to the Dong family as their nephew and grandson, seeking protection.

Despite being scorned, he rose to power.

And once he had power and influence, he sought revenge; his uncle was implicated and killed.

His cousin and aunt were also taken into his harem, used as tools for sexual gratification and procreation.

They became pregnant almost every year, clearly intended to be used as breeding grounds.

Lu Ming, who had risen from the bottom, step by step overthrowing the Han Dynasty to become emperor, detested this kind of thing.

He also knew that the four great families had only prospered again because of Jia Mu's supervision and reminders. Without Jia Mu's oversight, they could easily have gone astray, and then truly face confiscation and extermination!

And Jia Mu, a shrewd woman, would certainly not interfere; though heartbroken, she remained clear-headed.

She was Lu Ming's woman; once she entered the Lu family, she was a member of the Lu family.

As for the four great families' patronage, that was a favor; ignoring it was her duty.