"That’s good. In a couple of days, after the competitive gas among the nations are over, Lord Li Ming will have to inspect each military departnt one by one and prioritize the allocation of saddles and stirrups to the outstanding armies. At that ti, which armies are exceptional will be for Lord Li Ming to say. You young man, must not get confused about this."
The Grand General glared at him, then, rembering the effect of the saddles and stirrups they had tested before, he couldn’t help but rub his fingers together in anticipation.
"These saddles and stirrups, they really are convenient."
............
Looking over the entire camp, like the two discussing generals, there were many soldiers and commanders who beca excited by the introduction of the saddles and stirrups.
At the sa ti, Emperor Jianming had a tight grip on this news; aside from the soldiers at the hunting grounds, other places, apart from insiders who were puzzled by Li Ming’s promotion, the common folk didn’t even know of this matter.
The purpose, naturally, was to give the Xiongnu a surprise when the war began.
In Li Ming’s mansion, as the rewards were distributed, his residence was also changed for a more grandiose one, befitting his status.
Ten thousand gold, a hundred thousand silver, carts full of silk, not to ntion—naturally, they were all delivered to his residence. Only the ten beauties were sowhat special; they required his personal selection.
"Are you suggesting that I go to the Imperial Palace to select beauties?"
Li Ming stared wide-eyed at the eunuch ssenger in front of him, sowhat in disbelief as he repeated his words.
"Lord Li need not panic; these beauties are certainly not the Emperor’s won, but in reality, the maids of the Imperial Palace. However, these maids are all exceptional beauties. When rewarding his subordinates, the Emperor loves using these beauties most. You can rest assured that they will satisfy Lord Li."
Seeing that Li Ming seed a bit startled, the ssaging eunuch suppressed a smile and spoke softly, "This is an established rule, nothing uncommon. Lord Li Ming need not be surprised."
"Hmm, I see."
Li Ming paused, then let out a sigh of relief, quickly taking a prepared red envelope from Little He, who stood by his side. He smiled as he stuffed it into the ssenger’s hand, "I have been away from the capital for long and am not aware of the palace affairs. May I ask for your na, sir?"
"Ah, sir is too grand for ; I am but a lowly servant running errands and delivering ssages. You cannot call a sir. Just Wang Ling will do."
The eunuch received Li Ming’s red envelope with a full smile, speaking amidst laughter, then softly suggested, "Since the order has just been given, it’s best for you to have your servants hurry and take you in your carriage to select the beauties you like and bring them back without delay, lest complications arise at night."
"The noble ladies in the palace, being used to palace life, are quite domineering. If any of the maids are pretty, they are accustod to keeping them around, or saving them for others. I’m afraid by the ti you go, they might call them to their side so you won’t get to see them. If they start calling them, there won’t be many good-looking ones left."
Wang Ling spoke with a hint of mystery. Upon hearing this, Li Ming imdiately bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Envoy Wang, for the reminder. Without your precious advice, I would be clueless."
"Ah, it’s just a trifle, Lord Li Ming need not be so formal, not at all."
Wang Ling smiled and bowed slightly, "If there’s nothing else, then I’ll head back now."
"Envoy Wang might as well wait, I’m just about to take a carriage there. How about we go together?"
Li Ming called out with a smile, while Wang Ling repeatedly waved his hand, "I ca to deliver the imperial decree and it would be improper to accompany Lord Li back. Besides, I have a carriage that I arrived in, so we shall et another day."
"Very well, very well, it was my impertinence. Until another day."
Li Ming bowed repeatedly with a smile, then respectfully escorted the eunuch out the door.
"Guanyun, Liu Wu, Liu Zhuang, Zhao Xiu, co together and prepare a carriage, accompany to pick up the ten beauties bestowed by the Emperor."
After sending off Wang Ling, Li Ming imdiately called out loudly to his two followers in the courtyard; the four responded and hurried to prepare the carriage.
"Husband, we haven’t managed to clear out a place for them to stay at ho yet."
Seeing Li Ming’s actions, Little He, who was following behind, pursed her lips and took small steps towards Li Yang, speaking softly by his side.
"Hehe, there’s no need for Sister Little He to prepare so many rooms. Out of these beauties, four are ant to be given to them, while the remaining six are mine. Later, you and Yu’er can each take two to serve you, and just have the other two follow ."
"Oh, and place fifty taels of gold and a thousand taels of silver in each of the rooms for the four brothers who follow ."
Li Ming caught onto the thoughts of Little He, who had grown up with him since childhood. He laughed and reached out to grab her ample buttocks, planting a kiss on her red lips. The kiss made Little He’s figure soften, and her face turned slightly red, "Brother Ming, it’s broad daylight, don’t let others see."
"Hahaha, so what if they see? Can’t I be affectionate with my woman? Co on, stick out your little tongue."
Li Ming laughed heartily, his words laced with dominance. He then kissed Little He’s rosy lips. Little He squinted her eyes, showing no sign of resistance, obediently letting Brother Ming enjoy her, until the sound of footsteps was heard, and she bashfully let go of the kiss.
"I’ll go tidy up the rooms and things at the back."
Little He spoke softly, then quickly turned and left. Wang Guangyun and the other three, who had co out of the side door pushing the carriage, coughed twice before slowly making their way through the side gate.
"When we get inside later, each of you four will choose two. Make sure to keep your eyes wide open."
Li Ming looked at his four followers with a smile, his eyebrows raised. They were his followers and having them realized their dreams and ambitions was one thing, but benefiting from it was another. Naturally, he couldn’t forget about them when he had his own share of the spoils.
"Uh, how could we possibly accept this?"
Liu Zhuang coughed, and seeing the others looking over, coughed again, "What I an is, after Big Brother Li Ming has chosen, could you let choose first?"
"Get out of here with that. You’re not the best looking and yet you want the best pick. I’m here, brother, and you want to choose first?"
"Hahaha, let’s see who’s quicker to the draw."
"You guys have to give this scholar, who’s not so skilled in martial arts, a break!"
"........."
As the sun had just risen, the yellow glazed tiles on the rooftops of the Imperial Palace shimred in the sunlight, perfectly reflecting the royalty’s prestige and splendor. The grand doors of the palace were wide open, with beautifully carved panels inlaid with red agate, twinkling with enchanting lusters.
At the entrance stood two rows of guards in golden armor, spears in hand, their expressions solemn as if forbidding anyone from entering this sacred place. Past the grand doors, a wide stone-paved road stretched forward, with rare and exotic flowers planted on either side, dazzling the onlooker.
At the end of the road lay a grand building, its apex a majestic structure carved from white jade with the likeness of the Emperor still atop, his neck adorned with a golden crown that sparkled in the sunlight, exuding a strong aura.
Everything within the palace was the epito of opulence and fine taste, with doors of carved purple wood leading to different halls, the walls of these halls adorned with colorful paintings and screens inlaid with pearls, agates, amber, and other precious stones.
In the central hall’s banquet room, there was a massive jade dining table, its surface covered with silver platters and gemstones that glinted with a lustrous glow. The back garden of the palace was lush with green lawns, complete with elegant pavilions, towers, and rock pools, each architecture piece beautiful and exquisite in its own right.
Even more remarkable was the cactus garden in the sa backyard, filled with a variety of brightly colored and fragrant cacti, a sight that was simply srizing.
It was a breathtaking palace, its luxury and splendor enough to make anyone go mad with desire, and it also showcased the glory and dignity of Emperor Jianming.
Li Ming and his four followers rode in two carriages to the outer precincts of the palace, declared their identities, and were led into a courtyard from the side.
Before they had even entered, they spotted a tall maid in a green dress walking around the courtyard.
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