A scholar in plain clothes approached the storyteller's platform, smiling casually.
"Forgive my intrusion, sir, but your narrative is rather one-sided. I couldn't help but wish to add a few points."
The storyteller regarded the scholar before him, a hint of displeasure crossing his face. "General Tian is universally recognized as a God of War. How could I dare not praise him wholeheartedly? Young man, if you can offer a reasoned explanation that convinces everyone, and greatly enlightens me, I will give you today's reward money!"
The scholar quickly shook his head. "I wouldn't dare snatch your livelihood. I merely felt compelled to add a few words."
Seated in a corner, Liang Xiao quietly observed the scholar's profile. He appeared composed and at ease from beginning to end.
"Old Liu, you've been a storyteller for decades, and everyone knows your skill! Pay him no mind. There are always those who are young and arrogant, disrespecting their elders!" a wealthy young man interjected, not forgetting to cast a displeased glance at the scholar.
Old Liu smiled. "It matters not! As the saying goes, a gentleman's word is as good as his bond. Since I promised, I should let the young man express his views, though I hope he's not just being pretentious or seeking attention!"
The crowd no longer objected and urged the scholar to elaborate. Several burly men even began to clench their fists, their knuckles cracking, as if ready to teach the scholar a lesson.
The scholar in plain clothes remained calm and collected, his feather fan pointing to the map of Da Gan behind the storyteller.
"General Tian and his soldiers risked their lives to protect their homeland. That much is true. But the Emperor's titles for General Tian – Divine Might Heavenly General, Loyal Martial Marquis, and even his deification as a God of War – their meaning is understood by some, but not by all."
"Da Gan has long favored the civil over the military, placing scholars on an unprecedentedly high pedestal while degrading warriors. This led to the disaffection of soldiers during barbarian invasions, resulting in the Shame of Yan Province! His Majesty's actions are precisely to change this prevailing sentiment, to let the people of Da Gan understand that soldiers are also pillars of the nation."
"Behind General Tian are countless fallen soldiers of Da Gan, who must not be forgotten! We scholars should especially understand this truth, to no longer look down on the military, but to give them due respect. Only then, with General Tian as their leader, will the soldiers who died not truly be gone, and the spirit of Da Gan's army will be immortal!"
"Just as Marquis An Guo, Liang Xiao, said, 'The glory of one general is built upon the bones of thousands!' I believe General Tian would not wish for people to remember only him, forgetting the tens of thousands of fallen soldiers and the hundreds of thousands of tragically dead citizens of Yan Province. If the national humiliation is not forgotten, only then can General Tian manifest in spirit, to lead the soldiers of Da Gan to drink at the Sea of Sand!"
The scholar's impassioned speech, initially met with shock by the people of Longxi County, turned into deep contemplation, and finally erupted into continuous applause.
Li Jinyu, seeing tears welling up in the scholar's eyes, nodded slightly. "This man sees things clearly..."
Liang Xiao also nodded silently, lost in thought.
This person's speech was extraordinary; he seemed like a recluse.
The storyteller, after a long sigh, pushed the basin of copper coins before the scholar. "I have learned much! I am truly convinced, old man. All today's earnings are yours!"
The scholar in plain clothes immediately pushed the basin back. "The sea embraces all rivers, vast and tolerant. Your grace in accepting others, sir, earns my deep admiration. We are merely exchanging ideas, not vying for a livelihood."
The storyteller nodded, full of gratitude. "From now on, when I tell stories, I will certainly include your points, young man!"
"My brother is the most amazing!"
A young girl in a white dress joyfully ran up and hugged the scholar's arm, her eyes filled with pride.
Even though she wore a veil, everyone gazed at the lively girl, like a songbird. Seeing the light in her eyes and her radiant charm, they were captivated.
This must be a beauty of unparalleled grace!
A young nobleman couldn't help but rise and bow. "I wish to befriend you, sir. May I know your esteemed name?"
The scholar in plain clothes merely chuckled, patting his younger sister's head. She obediently nodded, and the siblings departed gracefully, their words tinged with melancholy.
"I dislike the path of swords and cultivation, preferring instead the romance of gazing at the clouds and peaks. With a fan, I traverse the mortal road, laughing through the seasons of life."
"I am but a fleeting visitor to this human realm, of little consequence."
The crowd watched the siblings' retreating figures, listening to the scholar's reply, and ultimately felt too embarrassed to follow and inquire further.
"This person must be an ethereal master," Yu Qingchuan couldn't help but praise.
Everyone nodded, looking at Liang Xiao. Liang Xiao remained silent.
Yun Xiu?
He had been observing and listening intently. He could be certain that the siblings had not looked at him just now.
This was because they had been sitting side-by-side, their backs to him.
Recalling the ninety-point examination paper, Liang Xiao sighed, ultimately deciding not to pursue them.
Perhaps it was just a chance encounter?
"Marquis An Guo, aren't you going to send someone to invite him over?" Yu Qingchuan asked curiously.
Liang Xiao shook his head. "If he had ambitions for an official career, he wouldn't be wandering the world. He would have sought me out long ago. If you happen to see him again, pretend you've never met, and absolutely do not disturb him."
The others, though not fully understanding, agreed.
Liang Xiao did not voice his true thoughts.
This person's actions were likely born of a desire for tranquility, but other possibilities could not be ruled out.
For instance, did he have ulterior motives?
Having spent the last two days reading the twenty-four chapters of the "True Teachings of Guigu" given to him by Liu Yunzi, Liang Xiao had become even more cautious.
No matter the world, the human heart is the most inscrutable.
He was now Marquis An Guo, no longer the dissolute noble of Yan Province. He had to think carefully about everything and remain wary of strangers.
"Ah, it's just a shame," Zhuo Xun whispered with a sigh, drawing Liang Xiao's attention.
Liang Xiao looked at Zhuo Xun, a jolt of realization striking him.
At this moment, Zhuo Xun wore a veil, revealing only her beautiful eyes.
Seeing Liang Xiao staring at her intently, Zhuo Xun's face under the veil flushed crimson. She lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze, yet feeling a flicker of joy in her heart.
This was the first time he had ever looked at me like this!
Inside the carriage, the disguised siblings sat upright.
The coachman was no longer Hong Qu, but an ordinary-looking young man in black.
Hong Jie had already donned a human skin mask and reverted to his identity as Hong Jie, a remnant of the Da Heng Kingdom.
"We've seen what we needed to see."
Xiao Jing's voice remained demure. "He certainly has patience. Brother, was that going too far?"
Hong Jie shook his head. "Those words were, in fact, my heartfelt sentiments as I played the role. But I am not a citizen of Da Gan, but a remnant of Da Heng."
A brief silence fell in the carriage; they understood each other without words.
The citizens of Da Gan, who could have General Tian as their savior, were at least happier than the people of Da Heng.
Their King of the Eastern Sea of Da Heng was a figure of historical renown, credited with expanding territory, but he had also massacred twenty cities, bringing another wave of devastation and earning much criticism.
While General Tian of Da Gan had saved hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians without killing a single person!
If Da Heng, on the verge of collapse back then, had had a figure like General Tian, it could surely have turned the tide!
Alas, their dream was the savior of the Da Gan people!
Xiao Jing finally understood why Zuo Wushang had been so eager to recruit Liang Xiao, regardless of the cost.
"Hong Jie, what are our next moves?" the coachman's voice sounded from outside.