Reincarnation in the Three Kingdoms Era with a System

Chapter 755: 755 I will take care of your wife.

Even as the sun rose high in the sky, Yang Xuanzhen didn’t see Lu Ming emerge. Instead, he heard his daughter and wife moaning incessantly.

The thought of his wife and daughter being pinned down and brutally violated by Lu Ming filled him with shame—an overwhelming shame.

Was this selling his wife for personal gain?

Or selling his daughter for personal gain?

Perhaps both.

Lu Ming finally emerged at lunchtime, pulling up his trousers.

"Xuanzhen, sit down. The Raw Materials Department is a very important department, responsible for collecting raw materials.

Funding will definitely be provided; money and supplies will be supplied.

Your task is to provide sufficient materials to the Textile Bureau. If you don’t do it, the Ministry of Revenue will do it from now on. Don’t disappoint me."

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—that’s common sense. Therefore, besides the Raw Materials Department, there’s also the Ministry of Revenue.

The Ministry of Revenue is a classic department; it existed before the Han Dynasty, inherited from the Qin Dynasty.

The Imperial Household Department (Shaofu) was subordinate to the Nine Ministers, but not under the jurisdiction of other departments, not even the Chancellor.

This was because the Shaofu was essentially the emperor’s private steward and treasury, managing his finances.

And each generation of Shaofu officials needed loyal and devoted individuals to fill this role. Emperor Ling’s treasury was headed by Zhao Hou, but unfortunately, he died.

Both died of illness.

Therefore, Zhao Hou’s assets fell into Lu Ming’s hands...

As compensation, he would naturally support Zhao Hou’s son; one would suffice.

The Shaofu was a valuable asset. The Qin soldiers in the Battle of Julu were recruited by slaves born under its command.

If Xiang Yu hadn’t burned his boats and actually won,

the outcome would have been uncertain. At least the Qin Dynasty would have retained Guanzhong and controlled Hangu Pass.

Now, Lu Ming, as the King of Qin, hadn’t abandoned some of the Han Dynasty’s traditions, but rather selectively adopted the beneficial ones.

There’s no such thing as good or bad, only what’s suitable or unsuitable.

Therefore, the Imperial Treasury was also his source of income. He always advocated bringing all the land under his control, having displaced people cultivate it for him, thus ensuring a sufficient amount of land to allow for mistakes.

Moreover, his execution was much more efficient; if he said he wanted to establish agricultural settlements, he could do so.

Even when faced with a locust plague, he could handle it with ease.

Compared to the ancients burning incense and praying for the locusts to leave, he preferred to take the initiative.

The belief in ghosts and gods was very popular...

Locust plagues were seen by people as punishment from heaven, and they dared not fight against them, letting them run rampant, which would naturally lead to a gruesome death.

But Lu Ming didn’t think so. A locust plague was just a natural law; if someone were actually struck by lightning,

that would be divine retribution.

A tiny locust dared to claim it was divine retribution; that was what truly deserved divine punishment!

"Yes, Your Highness, this humble servant will certainly fulfill my duty and handle the matter well."

Yang Xuanzhen lowered his head, meekly agreeing. Lu Ming’s aura was simply too powerful. A man who had risen from the bottom, decisive and ruthless, a veteran of battlefields—how could a hothouse flower compare?

He thought for a moment, unsure of what to talk about, or what Lu Ming’s taboos might be.

Yang Xuanzhen forced a smile and flattered, "I wonder if Your Highness slept well last night?"

Hearing this, Lu Ming revealed a sinister smile, making Yang Xuanzhen tremble with fear. "Excellent, excellent. Tonight, I will be staying here for another night."

"That would be my honor!

Your Highness may stay as long as you wish."

Yang Xuanzhen’s expression was one of overjoyed delight; this was his capital to boast about.

It was tantamount to saying he was Lu Ming’s trusted confidant.

"If he weren’t a trusted confidant, why would he stay overnight at his house?"

"Tonight you’ll listen in from the next room. Any problems?"

Lu Ming’s perverse sense of humor kicked in.

He didn’t value Yang Xuanzhen at all. Even if he were to promote him, he would definitely arrange for a deputy to familiarize himself with everything here.

If necessary, he could replace him at the appropriate time.

But if Yang Xuanzhen remained obedient, willing to be a cuckold and wear the green hat securely, then he wouldn’t mind keeping him around indefinitely.

"Ah!"

Yang Xuanzhen hadn’t expected Lu Ming to go so far. Playing with his wife and daughter was one thing, but making him listen in was another.

This was a bit too much.

"What, you don’t want to?"

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow. He certainly had a perverse sense of humor.

It was exhilarating to commit adultery in front of one’s husband, but Yang Xuanzhen couldn’t die yet, so it was impossible for him to witness his woman’s naked body. Therefore, they were arranged to eavesdrop in the next room.

If they were allowed to see, there would only be one outcome: Lu Ming would decide to kill them!

"No, no, no, this humble servant was overjoyed and didn’t react in time. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

No matter how much Yang Xuanzhen cursed or grumbled inwardly, he couldn’t show it, not even the slightest expression of dissatisfaction.

This was the fate of the weak; the weak could only be dominated!

Lu Ming touched his wine cup, toying with it.

"After you take up your post, you must be diligent and responsible, and cultivate more talented people.

As long as you are loyal and dutiful, no one will make things difficult for you. If you suffer any injustice, come to me, and I will seek justice for you.

Don’t bother me with small matters. If you can’t even handle a small matter, then your abilities are limited."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Yang Xuanzhen felt a bitter taste in his mouth. What kind of situation was this? His wife had been taken advantage of, and he still had to thank the other party.

Wasn’t this outrageous?

Yes, it was outrageous. In this chaotic era, the plight of the weak was truly outrageous!

After a hearty meal, Lu Ming didn’t continue to indulge in women.

Instead, he went out to inspect the area, actually observing how silkworms were raised, and even asking many crucial questions.

It wasn’t a haughty inspection; in reality, he knew nothing.

For things he didn’t understand, he actually went back to ask, even though silkworm farming had nothing to do with his noble status as a prince.

The silkworm rearing and mulberry cultivation in Sichuan are exceptional, due to both the weather and the geographical environment.

Replicating them would be extremely difficult...

Furthermore, Lu Ming discovered that the local utilization rate was very low, practically nonexistent.

The silkworm droppings weren’t cleaned up after rearing...

While the mulberry leaves were harvested, the branches were left unused as firewood. Mulberry branches are unsuitable, even having an unpleasant odor, and this was simply wasted—clearly a particularly wasteful practice.