The sight of the gleaming armor and long sabers on the supply carts, glinting under the scorching sun, filled everyone with joy.
"We, the Qingtian Guard, can finally have some proper training!" The Qingtian Guards almost leaped for joy.
In addition to armor and weapons, there were also large quantities of complex military facilities for training, all built according to Liang Xiao's training concepts.
He Zizhang, the Shadow Guard captain sent by Xiao Qing to assist Liang Xiao, leaned close to Liu Fan and whispered, "As expected by Marquis Anguo, the Ministry of Armaments cannot mass-produce Bin iron weapons for the time being. Let's equip the Wu Zhang (corporals) and above with Bin iron gear first, and the rest will use iron! I need to supervise the progress of those workshop constructions."
Liu Fan understood and sent someone to escort He Zizhang to the workshops for supervision, while he stayed behind to distribute the weapons with the steward, Liang Wen.
On this day, the Qingtian Guard finally had their own armor and weapons, and their training was fully on track, no longer just practicing swordsmanship, sparring, and weighted running in their spare time...
In the northern military camps, the Da Gan Iron Guards and White Robe soldiers also received their own weapons. Each White Robe soldier was equipped with a set of body armor and was overjoyed. The soldiers in other camps were so envious that their eyeballs almost popped out!
"Remember, these good things equipped for us were proposed to His Majesty by Marquis Anguo!"
...
At dusk the next day, in the northeastern waters of Jinling, a large ship that had been sailing for several days finally docked.
Ito Masamune, the envoy from Izumo, stepped out of the cabin and gazed in the direction of Jinling with a cold glint in his eyes.
"There's a saying in Da Gan: 'Raise soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a moment!' Tamamo-no-Mae, now is the time for you to play your part for the Emperor!"
"As you command," came a voice from the cabin, soft and enchanting.
On the banks of the Qin Huai River, song and dance filled the air, and scholars and beauties continued their academic exchanges or sought good marriages with undiminished enthusiasm.
The Master of Yunxiu Studio arrived as scheduled to meet Liang Xiao.
Jian Qin Wan had already taken Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun to the riverside to admire the flower boats, keeping them away from Yunxiu Studio Master and the other two.
"We are considered half-friends now, wouldn't you say?" Liang Xiao said meaningfully.
"I am deeply honored," the Master of Yunxiu Studio replied with a smile.
Liang Xiao then noticed Lin'er's dejected expression and tentatively asked, "Lin'er, what's wrong?"
"Does Brother Xiao dislike Lin'er..." Lin'er said with a tearful voice.
"How could that be?" Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
"Then why do I always feel that Brother Xiao is intentionally keeping his distance from Lin'er?" Lin'er's eyes turned resentful.
Liang Xiao was silent for a moment, then explained, "Ah, I don't want to be impeached for abducting a child."
A child?
Zuo Jing, who was acting as Lin'er, was stunned and almost broke character, wanting to fly over and punch Liang Xiao.
If this continues, I'll have to change my tactics!
Considering that she was currently the innocent and pure Lin'er, Zuo Jing suppressed her anger and merely pouted coquettishly, "Brother Xiao, I'm seventeen years old..."
Liang Xiao chuckled dumbfoundedly, filled with questions, "Are all people in this family the same?"
Hong Jie, who was acting as the Master of Yunxiu Studio, chuckled, "My sister is ignorant of worldly affairs. Marquis Anguo, please do not take offense."
"It's nothing!" Liang Xiao replied with a smile, and then asked, "May I know who your teacher is?"
"I've merely read some miscellaneous books since childhood, and my teacher was my father. However, both my father and mother passed away early, leaving only a little family property," the Master of Yunxiu Studio replied.
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then asked, "Then what is your opinion on the current state of the world?"
The Master of Yunxiu Studio pondered and replied, "There are undercurrents, but it is not without solutions."
Liang Xiao then listed numerous issues, and the Master of Yunxiu Studio answered fluently.
This further strengthened Liang Xiao's resolve to win over the Master of Yunxiu Studio and the others, but he still needed to consider how to settle them after they were brought under his wing.
If this person could wholeheartedly serve Da Gan, he would be a wise minister for a generation. What a pity...
On the other side, Gong Yang He led eight hundred scholars, conversing pleasantly. However, everyone would intentionally or unintentionally glance towards Liang Xiao's direction with hostile eyes.
Gong Yang He led Gong Yang Long and the other two away from the crowd and whispered, "I just received news that Mr. Ito from Izumo will arrive soon. He told me that he has an excellent strategy to deal with Liang Xiao."
Dugu Xiao and the other two looked expectant.
"Marquis Anguo, Zhuo Lingjun, Grand Tutor, Governor He, the envoy from Izumo, Ito Masamune, requests an audience!"
A guard captain rushed over to announce, attracting the attention of everyone present. "An envoy from Izumo?"
Liang Xiao frowned.
Gong Yang He sneered inwardly.
Ito Masamune was the recognized envoy of Izumo and had the legitimate right to visit various places.
But Liang Xiao had driven away the Southern King at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet!
Zhuo Zifang whispered, "Liang Xiao, we can't just drive them away, but we also can't let them make a habit of it."
Liang Xiao understood and said loudly, "Bring him in."
Ito Masamune entered alone and cupped his hands towards Liang Xiao, "Marquis Anguo, I trust you are well!"
Liang Xiao said sternly, "According to the rules, foreign envoys should not have been invited to the Jiangnan Spring Banquet. Mr. Ito, you came uninvited. This time, we will allow you to observe as a visitor, but there will be no next time!"
Ito Masamune's heart sank. He looked up at Liang Xiao and smiled, "Thank you for your tolerance, Marquis Anguo! I heard on my way here that Marquis Anguo has arrived in Jiangnan and will likely attend the Jiangnan Spring Banquet. Therefore, I have specially brought our foremost talented woman from Izumo to pay a visit."
Everyone looked confused. Gong Yang He glanced at the three stunning girls behind Liang Xiao and immediately put on a sour face.
Brought a woman?
"Mr. Ito, you can observe alone. As for talented women, we can discuss that after the Jiangnan Spring Banquet concludes."
A soft, enchanting laugh came from a distance, "Does the foremost talented man of Da Gan not tolerate a mere young lady?"
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a petite and exquisite figure gracefully approaching.
She wore splendid Izumo attire, with a shawl draped over her shoulders, her skin as white as snow, and her charming eyes captivating.
The scholars and beauties present were first stunned, then awestruck, and all turned to look at Ye Qingyi, who had removed her veil.
Her beauty was stunning and could rival Ye Qingyi's, with an added touch of allure!
Ye Qingyi came back to her senses and merely sneered inwardly.
Liang Xiao quietly watched the petite girl from Izumo until she reached Ito Masamune's side and bowed to him.
"I am Tamamo-no-Mae, a maiden from Izumo, greatly admiring Da Gan culture. Marquis Anguo's name is like thunder in my ears, and I have come to pay my respects."
"Tamamo-no-Mae?" Hearing such a name, Liang Xiao felt a complex mixture of emotions.
The country of Izumo was truly like...
Many scholars were already captivated by Tamamo-no-Mae's beauty, and even Gong Yang's eight hundred scholars were completely mesmerized.
Could there truly be such a devastatingly beautiful woman in this world? She was like a fox spirit transformed...
Everyone couldn't help but ignite a flame of jealousy towards Liang Xiao!
At this moment, they finally understood that people always said there was no true number one in scholarship, but once someone was universally recognized as the best, did honor, wealth, and women all seem to converge upon him?
Jian Qin Wan and the other two behind Liang Xiao were also somewhat stunned.
This foremost talented woman from Izumo seemed to be trying to seduce their Liang Xiao!
The Master of Yunxiu Studio and the other two opposite Liang Xiao remained silent, but were extremely speechless.
Another beautiful woman!
Zuo Jing finally understood why Liang Xiao had been keeping her at a distance!
And this beautiful woman was a so-called foremost talented woman from a foreign country. How was Liang Xiao supposed to respond?
All eyes turned to Liang Xiao.
However, Jian Qin Wan and the other two were full of confidence. Their flower thief, young master, and great demon would surely give the other party a perfect rejection!
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then curled his lips and said, "Miss Tamamo-no-Mae, if there's nothing else, you should go back and wait for Mr. Ito's news. Don't overwhelm this Marquis. My home is full of tigresses, and you can't afford to provoke them."
Jian Qin Wan, Yue Lian, Zhuo Xun: ...