That night, besides studying the blueprints, Lu Ming was also trying to make penicillin.
After penicillin, he could make other drug raw materials, even antibiotics.
He didn't understand the principles of production; he only knew that by using these materials and loading a skill bar, he could create the corresponding items.
Besides this, Lu Ming was also loading a skill bar.
This skill bar was exploring Luoyang City. Luoyang City was divided into east, west, south, and north, and he was in the eastern region.
Originally, Zhang Wen intended for him to stay overnight at his residence, but Dong Zhuo sent soone to summon him back, saying he had sothing to discuss, so he returned.
What Lu Ming didn't expect was that the burly Dong Zhuo had actually managed to establish a relationship with Empress Dowager Dong!
One was originally from Xiliang, and the other from Hebei. Xiliang and Hebei were both general terms for a region, encompassing many counties and villages.
This was originally an extrely unrelated connection, like a mad bull trying to catch a horse-drawn carriage, yet they had sohow managed to create one.
The reason was simple: Empress Dowager Dong was also greedy for money! This was the first ti Lu Ming had heard this, but considering Liu Hong's own greed, it wasn't surprising given his mother's influence.
Dong Zhuo, however, wasn't as brainless as he seed. He understood strategic maneuvering and wouldn't put all his eggs in one basket. His connection with the Empress Dowager certainly had so effect.
The power of the state was held by the emperor, empress, and crown prince. The empress, as the emperor's first wife, not only embodied the virtues of motherhood but also wielded considerable power.
Empress Lü of Emperor Gaozu of Han could privately punish Han Xin, the Marquis of Huaiyin; Empress Wei of Emperor Wu of Han strongly supported Crown Prince Li's rebellion; and Empress Wang of Emperor Yuan of Han could even assist her family's power struggles.
The empress beca a crucial elent in the political structure of the Western Han Dynasty, possessing a very special status and power.
The empress dowagers of the Western Han Dynasty wielded imnse power. Even the normal appointnt of a crown prince required approval from the Eastern Palace, the empress dowager's residence.
If the Empress Dowager disagreed and refused to affix her seal to the register, then the crown prince was not legitimate, and even the emperor could only watch helplessly.
This actually happened in the Western Han Dynasty, most notably with Empress Lü.
To consolidate her power, Empress Lü promoted mbers of the Lü clan and entrusted them with important positions, while simultaneously suppressing and persecuting mbers of the Liu clan. Emperor Hui of Han, Liu Ying, and the subsequent Emperors Shao and Shao, beca her puppets, almost handing the empire over to the Lü family. The extent of her interference in politics and control over the court is evident.
After Liu Bang's death, Liu Ying ascended the throne as Emperor Hui of Han.
Liu Ying was weak-willed and indecisive, and power gradually fell into the hands of Empress Lü.
After Liu Ying's death, Empress Lü monopolized the governnt, turning the Liu family's empire into the Lü family's empire. The veteran officials and mbers of the Liu clan were deeply indignant, but fearing Empress Lü's cruelty, they dared not speak out.
After Empress Lü's death, the mbers of the Lü clan lived in fear and unease, fearing harm and exclusion.
Therefore, they secretly gathered at the ho of General Lü Lu to plot a rebellion and seize the Liu family's throne.
This plot reached the ears of Liu Xiang, the Prince of Qi, a mber of the Liu clan. To protect the Liu family's rule, Liu Xiang decided to raise an army to attack the Lü clan. He then contacted the founding ministers Zhou Bo and Chen Ping, and together they devised a plan to remove Lü Lu. All mbers of the Lü clan, regardless of age or gender, were executed, and the Lü group was completely wiped out.
After this, the power of empress dowagers in both the Western and Eastern Han dynasties was weakened, unlike the zenith of Empress Lü's reign.
However, it remained formidable. By the ti of Empress Dowager Dong at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, her power had diminished considerably. She could still promote so of her own people indirectly.
However, she could not directly intervene in the power structure, firstly because the empress dowager's power was gradually weakened and returned to the emperor's hands.
Secondly, Empress Dowager Dong was actually a latecor to the system, not a direct descendant of the legitimate line, so naturally she lacked significant authority.
Every empress dowager in the past started from within the palace, whether as a laundry maid, a noblewoman, a high-ranking concubine, or a palace maid, climbing the ranks step by step. They understood the ways of survival in the palace and the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, which allowed them to control the harem.
Lu Ming only had a superficial understanding of such matters; hearsay was less effective than personal experience.
The next morning, Dong Zhuo went to the palace to et the emperor. This promotion was announced in front of all the officials at the court assembly, a kind of reward and honor.
However, Lu Ming wasn't qualified to attend; he didn't even have the right to attend court.
Therefore, he could finally sleep in at ho, as he was exhausted from the previous day.
First, he had sex with Lady Zhang for about an hour.
Then ca the test of willpower from Marquis Liu Bi, acupuncture treatnt, and dispensing dicine—all keeping him extrely busy and exhausted.
A series of urgent knocks ca at the door. His personal guard, Lin Rong, excitedly shouted through the door, "My lord, an imperial envoy has co to deliver a decree!"
"Hmm?" Lu Ming jumped out of bed, quickly put on his clothes, hastily rubbed his eyes, and took out the silver ingot to put it away.
In the living room, a tall eunuch was waiting, holding the imperial edict.
"This humble servant, Lu Ming, greets the imperial envoy." Lu Ming skillfully presented the silver ingot; the greeting arrived before the man.
The eunuch only hesitated for a mont before putting the silver away. He was pale and beardless, with a sowhat fierce appearance.
Compared to the other eunuchs, he stood out. Tall and robust, he didn't resemble a eunuch at all, at least not in appearance!
"Lu Ming, receive the imperial decree!"
"Your humble servant is here." Lu Ming gritted his teeth, knelt to receive the decree. That bastard! Sooner or later, he'd make soone kneel before him.
Dignity was worthless at this mont; as long as the benefit was in hand, everything else was secondary!
"The decree reads: Lu Ming, the county magistrate of Tao County, has rendered ritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, is virtuous and kind, and his outstanding achievents are all evident. Considering his kindness and comndable righteousness, I hereby promote him to Prefect of Longxi Commandery. Respectfully!" The eunuch read with a strong voice, lacking the coldness of ordinary eunuchs.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Ming rose to accept the imperial edict, then took out so silver from his sleeve and handed it over. "Thank you, Your Excellency. Soone, prepare so wine."
"Prefect Lu, the wine is unnecessary. I have important matters to attend to. I appreciate your kindness," the eunuch said without any politeness, even refusing to drink the wine.
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