Many onlookers were aware of the existing animosity between Liang Xiao and the Gongyang family, and some had already begun to chuckle.
Seeing Gongyang He offer no response, Liang Xiao's expression turned to one of deep sorrow. "Your Excellency the Grand Tutor does not agree? Are my demands truly unreasonable, or does Your Excellency not possess the conviction to be loyal to Da Qian..."
Gongyang He's expression shifted. Suppressing the urge to slap Liang Xiao, he stammered, "I am the Grand Tutor of the court, of course I am loyal to Da Qian. Your demands are not unreasonable..."
Liang Xiao immediately ordered his men to fetch the writing materials he had prepared in advance.
"Your Excellency, please write with sincerity. If the quality of your calligraphy is not up to par with your usual standard, it will be unacceptable, and you may have to write it again," Liang Xiao said with soft, amused laughter.
Gongyang He wished he could kick Liang Xiao all the way back to the capital. "I understand! Can you please stop reminding me!"
Hearing the hint of tears in Gongyang He's voice, everyone in the Grand Tutor's mansion was disheartened. They had been repeatedly outmaneuvered by this scoundrel, and they hadn't yet found a way to retaliate! This scoundrel seemed to understand the art of specious reasoning and manipulating public opinion better than they, the scions of aristocratic families!
Liang Xiao glanced at the plaque, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He had to admit, Gongyang He's calligraphy was quite skillful. But that was not the point. The important thing was to pressure him publicly, undermine his authority, and force him to make a public declaration! In the future, if this man were ever found to have betrayed Da Qian, the people's wrath would be even more ferocious! He was publicly blackmailing Gongyang He morally, and he expected Gongyang He to retaliate. Then, they would see who was more adept at this game. Who was afraid of whom?
"Thank you, Your Excellency the Grand Tutor, for your magnanimity! I will ensure the people of Jinling know that Your Excellency personally inscribed the plaque for the bookstore, vowing loyalty to Da Qian. Anyone who dares to cause trouble at the bookstore will be deemed to be shattering the Grand Tutor's reputation and slapping his face!" As Liang Xiao spoke, he even turned back to give Gongyang He a playful wink.
Gongyang He nearly fainted from anger. After Liang Xiao finally left, the crowd of onlookers dispersed. Gongyang He's face was grim, and he remained silent. No one dared to speak, fearing they would incur his displeasure. As the Grand Tutor, he had lorded over others his entire life. He had always been the one to scheme against others; how had he ever suffered such a loss? Furthermore, if someone were to cause trouble at Liang Xiao's bookstore in the future, the bookstore might publicly seek his assistance. As the Grand Tutor who had inscribed the plaque, he would be in an awkward position if he refused to help!
Back in his private chamber, with no outsiders present, Gongyang He finally broke down, covering his face and weeping. "They've gone too far! Too far! One day, I will grind this beast into bone meal and ashes!!" Liang Xiao's actions forced him to make a public statement, which would cause him to lose face with both the Huichun Sect and Prince Nan. It might even lead his allies to harbor suspicions about him!
Dugu Xiao and the others stared at Gongyang He in astonishment. He was actually crying...
"You are so wicked~" In the carriage, Jian Qinwan sat on Liang Xiao's lap, patting his thigh and laughing heartily, completely forgetting how the detestable flower thief had been excessively bold the previous night.
Ouyang Sheng, back at Ouyang Bookstore, with a stern face, allocated funds to the shopkeeper to prepare for the acquisition of books printed by Liang Xiao's bookstore. A shop assistant reported, "Young Master! We've received word from the rival bookstore that we should prepare fifty to sixty thousand taels, or we won't have enough in the future!"
Fifty to sixty thousand taels?? "Damn it!" Ouyang Sheng could no longer contain himself and exploded into a hysterical tirade.
Returning to the Zhuo residence, Liang Xiao found Zhuo Zifang, about to inform him of the day's events, but saw Zhuo Zifang frowning deeply. "Liang Xiao, the judge from the Ministry of Justice has arrived in Jinling and is reviewing Nie Yuan's case. The situation looks grim!"
"Is it Gongyang He's people again?" Liang Xiao asked.
Zhuo Zifang shook his head. "Not entirely. This person is the second-in-command of the Gu family, the younger brother of Minister Gu, Gu Shangshu, and currently a Yuanwailang in the Ministry of Justice. He is known to be impartial. It is said that as the 'judge' specially dispatched by the Ministry of Justice, after reviewing Nie Yuan's case, he believes the evidence is irrefutable and that there is no miscarriage of justice..."
"The Gu family? I'm not familiar with him," Liang Xiao said. The Ministry of Justice in the Da Qian Kingdom held jurisdiction over criminal law and even had the authority to dispatch representatives of the Ministry, known as 'judges,' to the provinces. These judges had the right to participate in local case judgments, and in some smaller areas, they could even hold absolute judicial power!
Zhuo Zifang said helplessly, "He is Gu Pinting's father. He usually lives a secluded life or works at the Ministry of Justice, so it's normal that you're not familiar with him. Even Prefect He, who is a close friend, has not received any special treatment from him!"
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and asked, "Has the Marquis of Dingguo arrived yet?"
"By my calculation, he should arrive before the afternoon," Zhuo Zifang replied, then comforted Liang Xiao, "You don't need to be anxious. Judge Gu's arrival here is not entirely a bad thing. At least until he definitively makes his judgment, Nie Yuan is safe, and the head of the yamen wouldn't dare to act rashly."
Only then did Liang Xiao relax and inform Zhuo Zifang about the matter with Gongyang He. Zhuo Zifang's frown finally eased, and he clapped his hands, laughing and exclaiming, "Excellent!"
In the high towers of the Da Liang Imperial Palace, Mu Cheng and Qin Feng, having received news of the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, wore solemn expressions.
"It seems that the Jiangnan region might also be 'rectified' by Liang Xiao. What are we to do?" Mu Cheng felt his scalp tingle and sighed helplessly.
Qin Feng said without hesitation, "Your son proposes we immediately send people to recall all scholars currently staying in Jiangnan."
Mu Cheng nodded and sighed, "That is precisely what I was thinking. We must also monitor and guide them. Otherwise, these scholars will likely be influenced by Liang Xiao sooner or later and become his supporters, which would be extremely detrimental to Da Liang! By the way, how is the Marquis of Zhenbei?"
"He has already stationed troops in the western border, guarding against the Peacock Dynasty," Qin Feng immediately took out a document from his怀 and handed it to Mu Cheng.
Mu Cheng looked to the north with a look of unwillingness. "Recently, the Peacock Dynasty and the southern barbarians have been making frequent moves. We cannot afford to be careless and must indeed show goodwill to Da Qian. When can we march north and secure the Central Plains? I do not wish for the Da Liang army to be unable to cross the Heng River from now on..."
Qin Feng remained silent. After a moment, the emperor and his minister exchanged bitter smiles. With the Marquis of An Guo of Da Qian present, did they still have a chance?
Even Qin Feng himself had not expected that his initial praise for Liang Xiao would be impeached by his political rivals in the court. As time passed, his political opponents who impeached him successively came to his door to apologize. Now, the military and the people of Da Liang admired his foresight even more! Fortunately, they had not offended Liang Xiao and Da Qian; otherwise, Da Liang would have been on the brink of collapse! But only Qin Feng understood the taste of this situation. An inexpressible bitterness. He did not desire such praise; it only proved that the military and people of Da Liang had been influenced by Liang Xiao, which was by no means a good thing!
Amidst his worries, Qin Feng solemnly reminded, "Father, you must stabilize the hearts of the people!"
A touch of bitterness reappeared on Mu Cheng's face. "I understand. We must strive for effective governance. Otherwise, if the hearts of the people falter one day, and Liang Xiao leads his army south, perhaps these people will welcome the soldiers of Da Qian with food and drink..."
Only then did Qin Feng feel at ease. If the Son of Heaven of Da Liang were not his father, perhaps the people would yearn for change and wish to submit to Da Qian, just as the scholars of Da Qian had submitted to the wilderness!
At this moment, a guard reported, "Your Majesty, the Left Chancellor Yan Liu has arrived with his daughter Yan Jun. They say they have urgent matters concerning Liang Xiao and the selection of consorts!"