Liang Xiao cast a questioning glance at Zhuo Zifang.
Zhuo Zifang understood and said, "I believe it should be handed over to Commander Ding to be presented to His Majesty for a decision. However, even if those topographical maps are found, it will likely be inconvenient to begin exploitation before His Majesty firmly controls the nation's military and political affairs. I trust in His Majesty's wisdom; if the treasure is found first, he will surely not mistreat Yu Zao."
Yu Zao nodded solemnly. "I need no rewards. I only wish to return to my roots and spend my life with Qingchuan. However, Ito Masamune also left behind a group of Iga ninjas to protect me, including several female ninja."
Liang Xiao smiled. "No matter. Let them mistakenly believe you are under my and Lord Zhuo's strict watch, unable to contact them for the time being. If necessary, they can be used to pass false information to Ito Masamune, or they can all be apprehended, leaving you without worries!"
Yu Zao then felt at ease and bowed thankfully to Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang.
"From this day forward, I am Yu Zao of the Great Qian, wife of Yu Qingchuan, and no longer Yu Zao of Iga!"
At this moment, carrying the hopes of her ancestors and retainers, Yu Zao finally submitted to Great Qian, becoming the citizen "Yu Zao" of the Great Qian!
"When you return to Tianshan, let your mother and father arrange a wedding ceremony for you then."
After congratulating the couple, Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang left Yu Qingchuan and Yu Zao to enjoy their time together.
Yu Qingchuan gazed at Yu Zao for a long moment, entranced.
It all felt like a dream!
He had been heartbroken by Sun Qin and resolved to remain single for over a decade, only to find himself favored by such a talented and beautiful woman?
Was this good fortune a reward from heaven for following Marquis Anguo?
To this group of Tianshan chivalrous warriors, Liang Xiao was already revered as a deity, and any good fortune was attributed to him.
Yu Zao had spoken with Yu Qingchuan several times today, yet she remained shy, her thoughts entirely occupied with the "drugging" incident last night and their passionate night together…
After a long while, Yu Qingchuan came back to his senses, mustered his courage, and softly said, "My wife…"
Yu Zao, both shy and delighted, embraced Yu Qingchuan.
Along the way, Zhuo Zifang, seeing they were alone, whispered, "Liang Xiao, look at Qingchuan, then look at yourself. Do you do justice to your parents?"
Liang Xiao shrugged helplessly. "Bodhisattva Nu and Yue Lian both wished for Princess Ning Shuang to be my first woman. As such an understanding young man, I could only agree."
"You're sick," Zhuo Zifang quipped.
"As if you aren't. Believe it or not, I'll badmouth you to the Fairy Painter every day?"
Zhuo Zifang's expression changed, and he quickly pleaded in a low voice.
Liang Xiao's mood was complex.
This old man truly treated him as an equal, not as a junior. He even forbade Liang Xiao from calling him "Grandfather" because of Zhuo Xun.
"Lord Zhuo, in matters of state, I have three confidantes in my life." Liang Xiao's gaze deepened.
Zhuo Zifang grabbed Liang Xiao by the collar. "What about me!!"
Liang Xiao, though accustomed to Zhuo Zifang's private demeanor, couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Of course. You are one, Xiao Shuangzi is one, Marquis Zhenguo of Great Liang is half, and the Master of Yunxiu Pavilion is also half."
Zhuo Zifang then released him and said, "Then you must seize the opportunity. Don't let the Master of Yunxiu Pavilion slip away, but also don't let him trick you."
Jian Qinwan and the Tianshan chivalrous warriors, upon learning of Yu Qingchuan and Yu Zao's confirmed relationship, also rushed to offer their congratulations.
Several additional print runs of the Great Qian Daily in the Jiangnan region, using the content from earlier editions of northern newspapers, were still showing significant impact.
Jinling, being the most prosperous area in Jiangnan, had land prices and consumer spending power second only to the capital. Buying a few newspapers to satisfy their curiosity was not unusual.
However, this move dealt an even more fatal blow to the Ouyang family's printing house, which had already been forced to cease operations!
Ouyang Sheng, who had sent people everywhere to smear Liang Xiao, was so anxious at his young age that white hairs had begun to appear on his head, and he was close to weeping every day.
According to the Ouyang family's estimates, if Liang Xiao's "One Drunk Century" continued to sell, they would have to continuously invest money in acquiring those old books.
It was an inescapable black hole that had plunged the Ouyang family and their partners into a mire!
Leveraging the momentum from the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, the public trial, and his promotion to Minister of Personnel, Liang Xiao paid several more visits to Jiangnan academies. Zhuo Zifang accompanied him, even lecturing publicly and imparting the ideology of concern for the nation and its people to the students.
Upon learning that Liang Xiao would hold examinations irregularly in the future, the Jiangnan scholars who had been disheartened by not being selected earlier were re-energized. They vowed to strive for improvement, hoping for another opportunity to be promoted by Liang Xiao.
The Gongyang clan, led by Grand Tutor Gongyang He, and Xiao Chang's Southern Prince's Estate, faced with Liang Xiao's formidable power, temporarily retreated.
Liang Xiao sent people to secretly investigate the Southern Prince's Estate in Jinling, but found no monks entering or leaving.
"The monks observed by Tie Che should be in hiding for now," Zhuo Zifang reminded him.
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, immediately leading his men towards the Southern Prince's Estate.
"What are you doing?!"
The Southern Prince's Estate was in chaos. Faced with over a thousand imposing Jinling troops brought by Liang Xiao, they were terrified.
The common people, having received the news leaked by Liang Xiao in advance, also flocked to watch.
Liang Xiao declared loudly in public, "Grand Ancestor High Emperor set a strict rule that the Southern Prince's Estate shall only be built south of the Yangtze River, but also no closer than five hundred li to Jinling, Luzhou, and Qiantang! This Marquis has come to request the Prince to relocate!"
The words caused shock throughout the crowd!
News of the animosity between Liang Xiao and the Southern Prince had already spread throughout Jinling, but no one expected him to dare to drive the Prince away from Jinling now!
Upon receiving the news, Xiao Chang and his two sons were furious. They rushed out of their residence and glared at Liang Xiao.
"What is the meaning of this? Are you bullying my royal family?" The Southern Prince's face turned ashen, his anger rare and public.
Liang Xiao said sternly, "It was the ministers who pressured the late Emperor, and thus he showed extraordinary grace and turned a blind eye to your Southern Prince's Estate moving to Jinling. However, the Southern Prince's Estate has failed to repay the Emperor's great kindness and has not adhered to the imperial decree. You are no longer qualified to remain in Jinling. I give you three days to move your entire household immediately!"
Except for the people Liang Xiao had brought, almost everyone present was petrified.
"How have I failed to adhere to the imperial decree?" Xiao Chang trembled.
Liang Xiao said coldly, "You have repeatedly inquired about state affairs, even interfered, and attempted to attend the Jiangnan Spring Banquet. Last year, you publicly recruited retainers with ulterior motives! I give you three days. If you still linger, do not blame me for my ruthlessness!"
Xiao Chang trembled with rage but dared not erupt in public.
It was the Gongyang clan who, together with the three great aristocratic families and clans of the capital, had pressured Emperor Wen, allowing him to establish a second Southern Prince's Estate in Jinling.
Now, Liang Xiao controlled the military and political affairs of Jiangnan, and he intended to drive him away!
But Gongyang He had no power to oppose Liang Xiao, and the capital was two thousand li away. An impeachment memorial against Liang Xiao, even with express couriers, would take at least five days for a round trip, by which time it would be too late!
Leaving such a prosperous place would drastically reduce his efficiency if he wished to accomplish great things in the future!
Filled with indignation, Xiao Chang pleaded, "Please, Marquis Anguo, show some leniency. This Prince will certainly be more mindful in the future!"
Everyone present was surprised again!
He's already backing down?
Liang Xiao ignored Xiao Chang and simply ordered his men to write the character "拆" (Demolish) on the main gates of the Southern Prince's Estate before leaving with his subordinates, leaving everyone stunned.
Returning home, Xiao Chang and his two sons were almost grinding their teeth into dust.
"Father, that scoundrel Liang Xiao is too lawless and unreasonable! We finally moved to Jinling, are we really going to go back?"