Through the window outside the room, Lu Ming watched a group of women reading aloud and practicing their calligraphy diligently. The woman giving the lesson was young and graceful, her pelvis closed, suggesting she had never given birth.
"Who is that?" Lu Ming asked casually.
Jiang, who was serving nearby, glanced at them and whispered, "Master, it's Yang Xue. She was captured when we conquered Wuwei County. Her mother and sister were sent to the Education Bureau. They were recruiting instructors recently, and her character and talent were deemed suitable. Lady Cai approved her to become an instructor, teaching the women of the Education Bureau."
"Hmm, have her come to me after the lessons," Lu Ming said, then left. He needed to vent his frustrations.
Jiang nodded and respectfully saw Lu Ming off.
The Women's Academy and the Education Bureau were actually separated only by a wall; they weren't far apart.
No woman would try to escape. Even if she did, she wouldn't be able to make a living and would still starve.
There was no whipping or punishment here, so there was no need to run away.
Of course, some methods were still necessary; even women have their share of troublemakers who need to be taught a lesson.
Yang Xue was in a good mood lately. She had become a lecturer, and from then on, she would get two ounces of meat every day, which would also be shared with her younger sister and mother.
Although her father had resisted and been punished, she, her mother, and her sister were still alive, which was a good thing.
She had thought things would stay this way, but unexpectedly, things had taken a turn for the better. She had been appreciated by the madam because of her literacy, and she knew she had to seize this opportunity to improve her life.
Jiang came to the classroom and beckoned to Yang Xue. Yang Xue let the female students study on their own while she went outside.
"The Governor has arrived and thinks you're quite good. You'll serve him later. Once you're in the Imperial Music Bureau, you'll have to serve him. If you're fortunate enough to bear a child, your future salary and treatment will be even better. Don't be ashamed, and don't feel any shame. We're all unfortunate people; meeting you, Governor, is a blessing, a reward for good deeds in our past lives. Go and prepare yourself; come find me after class, and I'll take you." Jiang's words were blunt, a mix of coaxing and deception.
She wasn't worried about Yang Xue resisting. If she stopped feeding and rationing her and locked her up, most women would submit within an hour.
And the women here were worldly-wise; they were going to be humiliated anyway, and being humiliated by one person was better than being gang-raped!
Lu Ming had taken a liking to Yang Xue because of her introduction.
This was Ma Chao's future wife, and also Ma Chao's calamity.
Since she was Ma Chao's future wife, he naturally wouldn't hold back. He took the young Yang Xue in, intending for her to live a peaceful life as a teacher, avoiding being deceived by others, especially his first wife, Wang Yi!
In January of Jian'an 17 (212 AD), Ma Chao attacked Ji City. Wang Yi personally donned battle armor and assisted Zhao Ang in defending the city. She also rewarded the soldiers with her jewelry and ornaments to boost morale.
After Ma Chao intensified his offensive, the city's defenses became critical, and the city ran out of food. By August, most of the city's soldiers and civilians were wounded or maimed. Yan Wen, the governor ordered to break out for reinforcements, was killed by Ma Chao. The governor of Liangzhou, Wei Kang, and the prefect of Hanyang were horrified but, unable to bear the continued suffering of the people, decided to surrender to Ma Chao.
Zhao Ang earnestly advised against this, but Wei Kang refused to listen. After returning home, Zhao Ang discussed the matter with Wang Yi.
When Zhao Ang returned to his post, Wei Kang had already made peace with Ma Chao.
However, Ma Chao soon broke his promise, killing Wei Kang and the governor of Hanyang, and forcing Zhao Ang to send his son Zhao Yue to Nanzheng as a hostage.
At that time, Zhao Ang, along with Yang Fu and more than ten others, had previously served under Wei Kang and were subordinate to Ma Chao. They secretly plotted revenge for Wei Kang.
Although Ma Chao wanted to employ Zhao Ang, he did not fully trust him.
Ma Chao's wife, Lady Yang, had heard of Wang Yi's integrity and virtue, so she invited Wang Yi to banquets every day.
Wang Yi, seizing this opportunity, wanted to help Zhao Ang gain Ma Chao's trust. She said to Lady Yang, "In the past, Guan Zhong served as prime minister of Qi and achieved great merit; You Yu served in Qin and helped Duke Mu of Qin achieve great things. Now that Ji City has been pacified, to restore order, we must rely on talented individuals. Only in this way can the Liangzhou army compete with the armies of the Central Plains. Therefore, the art of employing people must be carefully considered." Lady Yang deeply agreed with Wang Yi's view and believed that Wang Yi was genuinely advising Ma Chao. Thus, she further cultivated a relationship with Wang Yi.
Zhao Ang also gained Ma Chao's trust through this relationship, thus avoiding disaster—all thanks to Wang Yi.
Later, Zhao Ang and Yang Fu decided to launch a rebellion. He said to Wang Yi, "I've decided to proceed this way, but everything must be foolproof. What will happen to Zhao Yue then?" Wang Yi replied sternly, "Loyalty and righteousness are the foundation of one's character. Now we must avenge the shame of our ruler and father. Sacrificing ourselves is insignificant, let alone a mere son. The reason why Xiang Tuo and Yan Yuan are remembered throughout history is precisely because they valued righteousness." Zhao Ang then made up his mind and joined the others in attacking Ma Chao.
At that time, the group decided that Jiang Xu would raise his army in Lucheng. Upon hearing this, Ma Chao would surely attack personally. Liang Kuan and others would close the gates of Jicheng after Ma Chao left the city.
After the plan was finalized, Jiang Xu and Yang Fu marched into Lucheng, while Yin Feng and Zhao Ang garrisoned Qishan.
Jiang Xu raised his army in Lucheng. Zhao Qu, who was in Jicheng, persuaded Ma Chao to leave the city to meet him in battle, and then killed Ma Chao's wife and children inside the city.
Having lost his stronghold, Ma Chao attacked Licheng, killing Jiang Xu's mother and brothers. He then set the city ablaze and fled, seeking refuge with Zhang Lu in Hanzhong.
Therefore, it seems Yang Xuesui, though talented, was still just a woman, lacking in cunning.
Beautiful, attractive, and serene, she could only be a decorative vase, unable to participate in anything else. Her only function was teaching and educating, and at night, she would spread her legs in bed for Lu Ming to have sex with, ejaculating into her uterus, using her womb to bear children for Lu Ming!
Poor Ma Chao, not only was his sister given to Lu Ming to be raped, but even his wife, who should have been his, was taken by Lu Ming. It's hard to say whether to pity him or say he deserved it.
But perhaps this is for the best, saving Yang Xue from suffering alongside Ma Chao.
Nowadays, Lu Ming no longer needs emotion to pursue women.
Unless they are women of high status or noblewomen, he still needs to employ some tactics.
Other women, he only needed to give the order, and plenty of them would throw themselves at him.
His status, position, and power allowed him to act with impunity, skipping the pursuit stage.
Like now, he'd taken a liking to Yang Xue, and a single word from him would make her obediently undress and wait in bed for his favor!