"Heh," Lu Ming chuckled lightly, then looked at Prime Minister Yadan, "Since you know I am the Governor of Liangzhou, then you must know that I have the final say in everything in Liangzhou, including your life and death!"
Faced with Lu Ming's aggressive and arrogant demeanor, Prime Minister Yadan, though somewhat displeased, still bowed and said, "What you say is quite true, sir. However, we have lived in Xiliang for generations, without committing any wrongdoing, so why are we being treated this way?"
"Alright, enough nonsense. This time you came..." "You may submit to me. You've surely seen the cement roads under my rule. If you submit, I can guarantee you food, weapons (especially iron weapons), and medical care. The grasslands are beautiful, but many children die young each year; birth, aging, sickness, and death make even access to medical care difficult. I have countless traditional Chinese medicine clinics under my jurisdiction, which I can open to you. I can also select the best from among you to study reading, writing, medicine, and metallurgy." Lu Ming painted a rosy picture, suggesting that teaching someone to fish is worse than giving them a fish.
This seemed to be emboldening the enemy. What if the apprentice learned everything, but the master starved to death?
Prime Minister Yadan was not foolish. On the contrary, to have reached the position of prime minister, he naturally possessed considerable talent and learning, as well as a certain vision for development. "Your ambitions are no small matter!"
"The Qiang people will be governed by the Qiang people; this governor will not interfere. However, you must listen to me and regularly provide me with soldiers, food, and supplies. I will send people to teach you farming and trade. If you do well, you can support yourselves. The Xianbei and Wuhuan are rampant now; they might even face national extinction. What does the Prime Minister think?" Lu Ming spoke with a mix of threat and persuasion. Now that the stick had been laid, it was time to offer a carrot.
Faced with such arrogance, Prime Minister Yadan was unsure of the other party's temperament and tentatively asked, "My lord, please don't levy exorbitant taxes. We will naturally obey your rule."
"Heh heh, there's a saying, 'Even a dried-up pond yields fish,' I'm sure you've heard it, Prime Minister. So rest assured, what I, the governor, want is to transform Liangzhou into a clean land, where everyone has food to eat, no more cannibalism, and everyone has clothes to wear, so no one freezes to death in the streets. Currently, Liangzhou is not yet under my control; there are still rebels who have carved out their own territories, and I, the governor, have no choice but to lead my army to quell the rebellion." Lu Ming spoke while eating, picking up his wine cup and chugging it down.
In short, it's either obey and become a dog, or be killed.
At this moment, Prime Minister Yadan was filled with inner turmoil, so he conceded, "The King is willing to discuss matters with you, sir, but other clans may not be."
"It's alright. Isn't the Chieftains' Conference about to begin? Is it meaningful for this governor to represent the Meiqiang tribe?" Lu Ming stared at Prime Minister Yadan. He now realized that the so-called Zhuge Liang's seven captures and releases of Meng Huo was utter nonsense.
Three months to pacify the Southern Barbarians—was Meng Huo really going to be captured every ten days?
Even a pig wouldn't be that stupid!
"Of course, of course. It's a great honor for you to come, sir. It's an honor to have you here." Prime Minister Yadan was sweating slightly. He had figured out that Lu Ming intended to bring the entire Qiang tribe under his control.
And let the Western Qiang govern them, which meant they would have to do a lot of the dirty work!
Would they fight?
Leaving aside whether they could win, the conditions Lu Ming had proposed were enough to make them unable to refuse! Medical care, food, and education—while education might not receive the same level of attention initially, the first two are a different story.
Although many intractable diseases couldn't be treated in ancient times, the medical skills of the Central Plains were undeniably superior to those of the northern frontier.
"In that case, let the Prime Minister return and discuss this thoroughly with King Cheriji. This opportunity will not come again if missed. I, the governor, will wait for you here for three days. After three days, it will be considered a forfeit. Prime Minister, please. Zhou Cang, escort Prime Minister Yadan out of the camp." Lu Ming quickly issued the order to leave; the matter was settled, so he should depart immediately.
Prime Minister Yadan dared not linger. This matter was of great importance; he had to ride back as fast as he could to discuss it with King Cheriji. "Yes, sir."
Prime Minister Yadan, riding swiftly back to the Western Qiang tribe, found King Cheriji without delay, recounted his observations, and clearly analyzed the advantages and disadvantages.
Although Lu Ming had taken the remaining prisoners into his service and had no intention of returning them, Cheliji still did not intend to wage war against Lu Ming.
Because Prime Minister Yadan had said that this might be a once-in-a-century opportunity.
A rare and excellent opportunity, a perfect chance to unify the Qiang people—perhaps they could even become historical figures remembered for generations!
Lu Ming was not idle either; he was conducting an investigation.
For him, supporting so many people with his own territory was unrealistic.
The best solution was to cultivate farmland and enable them to be self-sufficient.
Of course, not to let them manage it, but to let his trusted confidants manage it.
Grain absolutely could not be given to them; it could only be given to midstream industries—industries that would become obsolete without raw materials, and industries that would also become obsolete without downstream processing.
In short, it would definitely be a form of disguised exploitation. Only when they truly submitted and integrated into the group would other issues be considered.
"Farming here? That probably won't do! Ah!" Auntie had barely finished speaking when Lu Ming grabbed her large buttocks from behind and began thrusting into her violently.
"Ah…fuck me to death…be gentle…you little rascal…ah…um…ah…"
Wang Yi, who was also present, was stunned to see her husband suddenly raping her.
Auntie spoke boldly, but she was actually blushing and looking down, as Lu Ming's wife and her beloved niece were also present, making it very shameful.
The voluptuous, tall auntie was pressed onto the table and brutally fucked from behind, Lu Ming holding her large buttocks and thrusting hard, their genitals tightly connected.
His hard, iron-like penis thrust in and out of the mature woman's honey pot with great speed, causing her vaginal fluids to foam and stick to the points of intercourse.
"Farming is fine, raising fish is fine too. As long as it's planned well, it's all possible. I've also given Sister Yi's letter to Yadan. With them leading the way in taking down Xiqiang, everything else won't be a problem. Let them handle the troublemakers; even if it damages their reputation, that's their business." Lu Ming said breathlessly, his muscular physique making the women blush.