"If this person is not eliminated, there is indeed no possibility of restoring the country," Xiao Jing's voice finally turned cold.
Hong Jie quickly reminded her, "Do not take his life for now, or the princess might follow him in death!"
Xiao Jing said coldly, "Don't worry, the first step is to capture him. If he refuses to cooperate after we succeed, I will sever his limbs to force the princess's compliance."
"That is a matter for the Marshal and your father. Do not act rashly, or what is the point of seeking support from the Yun Tian Guard..." Hong Jie sighed.
Xiao Jing did not respond, only gazing at the figure in the distance who was chatting and laughing, her eyes growing colder.
"To save Zhao with a golden hammer, Handan was first shocked. Two illustrious heroes through the ages, blazing bright in Daliang city."
"The Marquis of Anguo is indeed praising a chivalrous hero who dies for a confidant, for the country and its people, rather than a blind assassin!" everyone exclaimed.
Lord Xinling's rescue of Zhao was a risk of ruin, and the two heroes, one offering a brilliant strategy and then dying to prove his resolve, the other wielding a hammer to kill, both repaid Lord Xinling's kindness, ultimately facilitating the rescue of Zhao and etching their names in history.
"Indeed, you are all children of the martial world, full of chivalrous spirit. I believe you can all protect the common people and avoid needless fighting or violating the law with your martial arts," Liang Xiao said solemnly.
Everyone bowed their thanks again.
Liang Xiao looked at the poem that had been hung up, "This poem, 'Xia Ke Xing'..."
"It should be given to Great Hero Chen, to be kept on Mount Tianshan. That is the true holy land of chivalry! We shall sing this 'Xia Ke Xing' for the Marquis of Anguo!" Yang Chen proposed, and everyone echoed his sentiment.
Liang Xiao thought it was a good idea and decided to entrust 'Xia Ke Xing' to Chen Shaoling.
Chen Shaoling was overjoyed and almost wept.
The complete 'Xia Ke Xing'!
Liang Xiao then said, "Those of you who walk the martial world, if you plan to settle down in the future, you may consider joining me, Liang Xiao. Your treatment will be generous."
The chivalrous heroes were taken aback. After whispering amongst themselves, over twenty of them raised their hands and declared, "This is our lifelong wish!"
Liang Xiao was satisfied.
Regardless of the era, professional martial arts training was not affordable for ordinary families, as practitioners required a sufficient supply of meat.
These prominent chivalrous heroes mostly possessed martial skills or specialized techniques and often had their own networks. If managed properly, they could be a great asset in the future.
He did not care about his own minor reputation. However, if publicity work could help him retire sooner, there was no harm in utilizing it.
With over twenty heroes pledging their allegiance, the remaining ones began to consider.
Moments later, more individuals raised their hands, "We are also interested in settling down, and hope the Marquis of Anguo will not reject us!"
Liang Xiao responded with joy, "I will not fail your trust!"
Chen Xinyue looked at the over fifty people who had pledged their support and felt a sense of emotion.
The chivalrous heroes in the Chuzhou region were not as concerned with personal gain as they were with their reputation.
However, following a figure like Liang Xiao now might be more practical than their lives wandering the martial world, and it would better enable them to fulfill their ambitions.
Not all heroes enjoyed a life of constant wandering. She, a female hero of some renown, did not particularly enjoy running around but preferred to manage affairs at home, engaging in charitable acts with her father, achieving both fame and fortune.
With the support of the chivalrous heroes, the news of Liang Xiao's arrival in Chuzhou quickly spread through the streets and alleys within a day.
The Prefect Lin Ming also mobilized the Chuzhou Academy and scholars from various places to participate in the examination arranged by Liang Xiao.
Upon learning of the three taels of silver subsidy for each person, over five hundred scholars readily took the exam, with Liang Xiao personally grading their papers.
Liang Xiao's bookstores and other workshops had been set up by his staff well before his arrival and had quietly begun operations.
Chuzhou also had bookstores belonging to the Ouyang family. However, their scale was not comparable to those in Luzhou and Jinling. Having received Ouyang Ji's prior orders, they came to acquire books from Liang Xiao's bookstores, aiming to prevent Liang Xiao from selling his own books.
From the moment they bought books, the Ouyang family was on a path of no return.
They could afford to buy books at double the price, not only considering the lower cost but also fearing that once Liang Xiao's bookstores began selling, the public would become accustomed to this price, and the Ouyang family would never again be able to sell a book for a thousand coins.
This would be an even more fatal blow to the Ouyang family's bookstores. Their only path was to drive Liang Xiao into bankruptcy!
Unfortunately for them, they had stepped into a bottomless pit...
Because the Ouyang family offered double the price, Liang Xiao instructed the bookstores in various regions to continue raising the prices of printing materials, especially ink. This made the Ouyang family even more reluctant to spend money on printing ink.
According to the Ouyang family's calculations, printing books themselves now might cost them as much as five hundred and fifty coins per copy!
This led the Ouyang family to rely more heavily on acquiring Liang Xiao's books priced at three hundred coins, waiting for the day Liang Xiao went bankrupt so they could sell them themselves, thus solving the problem once and for all.
In the Daliang Kingdom, the Chuzhou region placed greater emphasis on chivalry, and even the writings of scholars possessed a more resolute spirit than those from elsewhere.
Many scholars, unhindered by the authority of noble families, lamented the ills of the gentry in their examination papers.
Liang Xiao had initially doubted if these scholars were merely pandering to him, but recalling that the noble families had limited influence in the Chuzhou region, he was relieved.
These exam questions were not only for the noble families but also encouraged everyone to freely apply their knowledge and express their opinions.
Virtue was important, but so was ability!
Liang Xiao selected thirty scholars from the papers and hired them.
One of them happened to be Yang Chen's cousin, Yang Wenfeng, who scored eighty-three points.
As Liang Xiao was feeling somewhat tired, a paper filled with pearls of wisdom caught his attention.
"Rare indeed..." Liang Xiao exclaimed for the first time.
Jian Qinwan, who was playing the zither, and Jian Qinwan and Zhuo Xun, who were massaging Liang Xiao's shoulders, both looked at him in surprise.
Liang Xiao was seen writing diligently, grading the paper, and assigning a score.
"Ninety points?!" Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun exclaimed in unison.
Jian Qinwan's heart also jolted, and she looked at Liang Xiao.
This was the first time Liang Xiao had awarded a score of ninety.
Liang Xiao immediately summoned the examiner and asked, "Whose paper is this? Why is this the only one without a name?"
The examiner looked at it and was shocked, "Ninety points? I am not sure, as many candidates in Chuzhou are from out of town..."
"Investigate whether this person is capable of being employed. I will personally question them, and imposters will bear the consequences," Liang Xiao nodded.
Seeing the seriousness in Liang Xiao's tone, the examiner quickly went to verify.
A moment later, the examiner reported, "Reporting to the Marquis of Anguo! The candidates are all certain they have signed their names, as they hope to receive the Marquis of Anguo's evaluation!"
Liang Xiao fell into a brief silence, and after a long while, he sighed, "I know who it is, no need to inquire further."
On the official road east of Chuzhou, a carriage was speeding towards Jinling, driven by Hong Qu.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Jing, with her arm around Hong Jie, appeared docile.
Hong Jie could no longer bear it. He removed his mask with his left hand and said, "Xiao Jing, I have a family. Since we are alone now, there's no need to pretend to be close siblings..."
"Brother~ You are the master of Yun Xiu Zhai now, and I am Lin'er. Do you truly think Lin'er likes this? If Brother wishes to avoid suspicion, Lin'er can castrate Brother first."
Xiao Jing's docile response sent a chill down Hong Jie's spine, and he simply let things be.
What kind of woman is this...
At the same time, the divine manifestation of the Heavenly General in Luzhou also spread throughout the Daliang Kingdom, shaking the entire nation!
Emperor Mu Cheng and the Marquis Zhenguo, Qin Feng, who were drinking and playing Go, their hands holding wine cups trembled violently. They stared at the chessboard, now covered with pieces from the "Drunken Hundred Years" game, unable to make a move for a long time.