"Uncle, do you have any good ideas for making money?" Lu Ming stroked his chin. He did have a decent idea worth trying, and if done well, it could expand his network of connections.
"No, I can only look outside to see if there are any bandits or something to get some money from. There are also merchants in the city who can lend money, but the Ten Attendants' demands this time are outrageous. Bah! Those penniless bastards actually dared to ask me for a thousand gold pieces!" Dong Zhuo gritted his teeth in hatred. Those worthless bastards dared to ask him for such an exorbitant price!
But he had no choice. This was the price after using his connections; otherwise, it would have been even higher.
Even Zhang Wen, the Grand Commandant, dared to ask for two thousand gold pieces, and that was the kind of price he had no choice but to pay.
Not paying was contempt for imperial authority, and would be punished!
The emperor has given his orders; if you don't come, what is that if not contempt for the emperor?
In the Han Dynasty, twenty taels equaled one gold coin, and one twenty-fourth of a tael equaled one zhu (a unit of weight). Therefore, one gold coin was equal to 24 zhu x 20 taels, which is 480 zhu. One copper coin was worth five zhu, meaning one gold coin would be equivalent to 96 five-zhu coins.
This seemed like a considerable sum, making the city gate entrance fee appear even more exorbitant.
Lu Ming was somewhat engrossed. A thousand gold coins wasn't a huge amount, but given the Dong family's resources, they only earned about a thousand gold coins a year. Now, a single official position requires so much money. Considering the previous rebellion, Dong Zhuo had practically emptied his coffers to raise troops, hence his current frantic state.
"I met a Hu merchant on the road and obtained a medicinal ointment for treatment. I've also been researching medicine recently. If Uncle can find some high-ranking officials to help me, I can make house calls and earn some fees. There are plenty of easy targets here, people with money but no life to spare; they're willing to spend it," Lu Ming revealed his thoughts. He did indeed possess medical skills.
His profession as a divine healer includes a skill called "Diagnosis and Treatment," which can be used to heal the sick and save lives.
Diagnosis and Treatment: You can use your rich and exquisite medical skills to treat injured or sick people and gain their favor.
Medical skills can be used to save lives, while unlocked blueprint medicines can accelerate healing and treat injuries and illnesses.
Combining the two allows for effective treatment of ailments.
Using medical skills to pave the way is Lu Ming's idea; on his journey here, he has been unlocking various medicine and food blueprints.
Food can build rapport at the dinner table, while medical skills can save lives.
His status and position are not like those of ordinary healers, to be used and then discarded; this is knowledge that can be exchanged for benefits!
With connections, dealing with that minor city gate official from today would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?
A direct conflict might be seen as treason.
But what if it's an attack from a higher dimension?
A mere minor official—he'll make him vomit up everything he's taken!
Can't get it out?
Then let him be ruined!
It sounds cruel, but Lu Ming didn't find it cruel at all.
If he didn't have money, he would definitely be stuck outside the city.
If he couldn't even get through the city gates, how could he be entrusted with important responsibilities?
This minor official was practically trying to kill Lu Ming. Under these circumstances, ruining his family wouldn't be too much.
After all, it was his future. Having his future blocked was like killing his parents; wouldn't he kill him?
"Medical skills? A foreign merchant?" Dong Zhuo stared wide-eyed with suspicion.
He didn't believe Lu Ming had such abilities. This nephew had always been visiting his home, trying to build a relationship, appearing quite close.
But he knew Lu Ming's limitations.
"A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence, Uncle. Didn't I ask you for someone last time? Jia Xu taught me a lot, and I often read as well. Regarding medicine, if you don't trust me, you can find someone for me to try and examine. That way, you can feel more at ease." Lu Ming knew it was difficult to change his impression overnight; he needed Dong Zhuo to act as a go-between, otherwise, there would be no need for all this trouble.
"Oh, really? That's perfect. Zhang Sikong's wife is in Chang'an, also seeking medical help. You can go and see her. Since you've mentioned it, I certainly trust you." Although Dong Zhuo was suspicious, Lu Ming's performance recently certainly lived up to the saying "a scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence."
He had never heard of Lu Ming's unparalleled bravery before; now it seemed he was not only a warrior but also a capable general. This was excellent.
He had many capable men under his command: Hua Xiong, Guo Si, Li Jue, Niu Fu, and others. Some were veterans who had served him for many years, and some were his sons-in-law.
From a relationship and benefit perspective, relatives are definitely more reliable than friends.
However, none of Dong Zhuo's relatives were trustworthy. His elder brother, Dong Zhuo, died young, leaving only a son, Dong Huang, whose abilities were questionable, though he was adept at playing with dogs and chickens.
He was too good even to be a figurehead, let alone entrusted with important responsibilities.
The only reliable ones were his two sons-in-law, but sons-in-law are sons-in-law, and sometimes unreliable.
Lu Ming's rise to power surprised Dong Zhuo, especially given his status as a nephew. This is why he was entrusted with important responsibilities. The most crucial factor, however, was that Dong Zhuo had no sons, hence his reliance on his nephew.
"I won't let my uncle down. When I entered the city, the gatekeeper charged me five strings of cash each. Once I've cured the powerful and wealthy in the city, I'll have them help me get rid of that gatekeeper. I'll make sure his family is ruined, his wife and children are torn apart!" Lu Ming's expression was somewhat ferocious. "He dared to charge fifty times the two-copper-coin entrance fee! He's courting death!"
This vindictiveness is typical of a petty person.
Generally, such people aren't liked, but Dong Zhuo was quite at ease with him. Firstly, because of their kinship, and secondly, because a petty person's nature is precisely because they are genuine and unpretentious.
Dong Zhuo, a man of military background, disliked the refined manners of scholars. He admired Lu Ming's approach—a swift and decisive revenge.
"Haha, good, you don't need anyone else, I can take care of him for you."
"No, Uncle, I want them to do it. They'll make them pay back everything they've taken, with interest. Otherwise, they'll think we Xiliang men are easy to bully!" Lu Ming clearly wasn't planning to let them off easily. If he was going to do it, he should consider the possibility of retaliation!
"Alright, then you can do it yourself. Good ambition, very good. Come, have a meal together, then come with me to visit Zhang Sikong. Anmin, work hard, and you'll have plenty of wealth and honor in the future! When you get married, your uncle will definitely give you a big gift!" Dong Zhuo now knew to call him uncle; before, he was all talk and no action, but in the end, it was all about self-interest.