Everyone was stunned. Gongsun Ye immediately kicked Shi Liuyun, "You little bastard, we're busy with important matters now!"
Liang Xiao smiled, "No need for flattery. My wife is a disciple of the Qin Saint, so Marquis Dingguo is also my elder. You should follow him, be serious, and train diligently so you can eventually stand on your own."
Jian Qinwan, standing beside them, looked shy and uneasy, hiding behind Liang Xiao, not daring to show her face.
Shi Liuyun chuckled and readily agreed.
Liang Xiao then turned to Nie Yuan, "Shi Liuyun mentioned that you are accomplished in both literary and martial arts, not only matching his skill but also well-versed in military strategy?"
Nie Yuan was taken aback and repeatedly shook his head, "Marquis Anguo, don't listen to Liuyun's nonsense. My martial arts and military knowledge are still very immature and not worth mentioning."
Liang Xiao's expression changed, and he suppressed the urge to jump up and kick Nie Yuan. *This guy should be sent to Yanzhou to see who can put on a better act, him or Nan Jiyun.*
Zhuo Zifang pouted, "Liang Xiao is preparing for you to display your talents, and you still want to hide your abilities?"
Nie Yuan was surprised, then grinned, "I was wrong, Marquis Anguo. I have already heard from Liuyun and am willing to accompany you north and join your Qingtian Guard or the Da Gan Iron Guard..."
"That's more like it," Liang Xiao felt a bit better and continued, "There's a man named Nan Jiyun in the Northern Border Army. Not only is his martial arts exceptional, but he also pretends to be weak all the time, and even Qingti can't do anything about him. When you get to the Northern Border Army, find an excuse to spar with him in spearplay and teach him a lesson for me. Oh, and absolutely do not mention my name."
Nie Yuan believed him completely and readily agreed.
Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, Yu Qingchuan, and the others were speechless. *This person is too shameless, always looking for trouble for Lü Changhe and Nan Jiyun...*
After Nie Yuan and Shi Liuyun left with Li Jinyu, Gongsun Ye looked at Liang Xiao and nodded slightly, "Heroes are always young!"
"Compared to Marquis Dingguo, I'm still very green," Liang Xiao said humbly.
Gongsun Ye's face fell, "Qinwan calls me Grandpa Gongsun, why are you so distant?"
"Grandpa Gongsun," Liang Xiao quickly corrected himself, making Jian Qinwan even more shy.
"Qinwan, you've met your grandfather, and you haven't said a word?" Gongsun Ye looked at Jian Qinwan again.
"Hello, Grandpa Gongsun~" Jian Qinwan responded obediently.
Gongsun Ye finally felt at ease and said to Qin Xin, who was behind Jian Qinwan, "You two continue to follow Liang Xiao and Qinwan. Don't worry about my unfilial daughter."
Qin Xin solemnly agreed. *Actually, following Liang Xiao offered quite good treatment; one could eat and drink well without much pressure.*
Gongsun Ye looked back at Liang Xiao, his heart filled with complex emotions. His granddaughter, Gongsun Yu, was still young, and it would be difficult for her to command respect as a marshal in the future. After he was gone, the military power in Jiangnan would have to be entrusted to Liang Xiao or Lü Changhe. Shi Liuyun, though reliable in his duties, was often frivolous and not suited to be a grand marshal. Gongsun Dingjun had limited abilities; he could be a famous general as a city commander, but he was not marshal material.
Gongsun Ye sighed, "Liang Xiao, while you are popular in Jiangnan, recruit more talented individuals for the country. Don't underestimate the Gongyang clan just because your grand tutor suffered losses at your hands. They hold various official positions in Jiangnan and can always cause trouble for you in some way."
Liang Xiao nodded, "Generals are also scarce. Without enough generals, the Da Gan Empire can only defend its territory and cannot advance in all directions."
"That is true. Who knows when our Da Gan Empire will wage war with the Da Liang Kingdom? To the southwest is the Peacock Dynasty, to the west is the Kushan Dynasty, the north is barren, and to the northeast are the Taiji Kingdom and the Izumo Country. We must be prepared both militarily and civilly!" Gongsun Ye said with a serious expression.
Only people of his and Lü Yi's, Zhuo Zifang's, and Liang Xiao's caliber understood that the Da Gan Empire was surrounded by powerful enemies, even if the surrounding countries temporarily lacked the ability to launch a full-scale invasion. They had to be vigilant in times of peace and not follow the example of the spineless individuals like Dugu Qun who always appeased enemies. Since the Da Gan Empire accepted the vassalage and tribute of the Kingdom of Qiuci, it was inevitable that it would draw the hostility of the Kushan Dynasty, another formidable enemy. If the Da Gan Empire had not accepted the vassalage and tribute of the Kingdom of Qiuci, the prestige of the Central Kingdom would have been utterly lost. Fortunately, the Kingdom of Qiuci was currently dominant in the Western Regions and could protect itself, posing no immediate threat.
At this moment, Jian Nanfeng walked into the courtyard, meeting Gongsun Ye's gaze awkwardly.
"Nanfeng, you've also grown gray-haired," Gongsun Ye sighed.
Jian Nanfeng remained silent for a long time, then cupped his fists, "Greetings, Father-in-law!"
"Insincere words," Gongsun Ye said with a helpless wry smile, not dwelling on it. After all, the other party was the Sword Saint, and it was fortunate he called him father-in-law out of respect for Gongsun Yu. His own daughter had drugged him and shattered his life's aspiration of seeking enlightenment through detachment. Ultimately, it was he, the father, who had been too harsh...
The atmosphere became awkward. Zhuo Zifang quickly tried to smooth things over, "Marquis Dingguo, Nanfeng, you are family now, no need to be so formal!"
They both just nodded and said no more.
Qin Xin and the Tian Shan knights tactfully excused themselves, leaving only Liang Xiao, Zhuo Zifang, Gongsun Ye, Jian Nanfeng, and Liang Xiao's three girls present.
"Master of Yunxiu Studio?" Hearing Liang Xiao mention the Master of Yunxiu Studio, Gongsun Ye also looked curious, "I will keep an eye on this person. I hope he doesn't cause any trouble for the Da Gan Empire!"
Jian Nanfeng had come to praise Liang Xiao, but since Gongsun Ye was also there, he could only stand aside sulking, taking down a pot of "Yi Zui Bai Nian" from his waist and drinking in silence. Jian Qinwan saw this and, as a junior, could only sigh helplessly.
After chatting for a while, Zhuo Zifang's mood greatly improved. "Since everyone is here, let's also celebrate Liang Xiao saving Nie Yuan and the Da Gan Empire gaining another good general. I'll bring out the 'fragrant pigs' I raise at home for a grand banquet?"
Liang Xiao's eyes lit up, "Let's go see!" The "fragrant pigs" of the Da Gan Empire were actually domestic pigs with delicious meat and a unique species to the Da Gan Empire, making them highly sought after. Zhuo Zifang immediately led the way to the pigsty.
"Bodhisattva, pigsties aren't very clean," Liang Xiao reminded.
Jian Qinwan tilted her head, "Hmph~ I just want to watch you, so what?"
Gongsun Ye looked bewildered, "You, you are really Qinwan? You're like a different person." Where was the cold and proud Qin Xian?
Yue Lian giggled, "Sister Qinwan is only like this when she's facing Gongzi..." Before Yue Lian could finish, Jian Qinwan shyly and vexedly rubbed Yue Lian's cheek.
Seeing that the three girls' eyes were almost constantly on Liang Xiao, Gongsun Ye couldn't help but admire Liang Xiao's skill in charming young ladies.
In the spacious pigsty, a group of plump, white-skinned pigs weighing several hundred pounds were scurrying around, attended by stable hands. Liang Xiao pointed to a pig huddled in the corner, "This one is depressed. It'll be fine after I give it a medicinal bath." He then pointed to another pig trembling in the corner, "This one caught a cold. I need to give it charcoal treatment quickly."
"You've even studied veterinary medicine?" Zhuo Zifang asked, confused. Everyone else also looked at Liang Xiao with surprise.
Two hours later, Zhuo Zifang's entire family, Liang Xiao's family, Li Jinyu and her son, Qin Xin, and dozens of Tian Shan knights sat around a grill, looking at the roasted fragrant pig and the three large pots of medicinal pork broth beside it, falling into silence. Medicinal bath, charcoal treatment...
"Why is everyone so quiet? Are you moved to tears by my virtue of caring for animals, with tears often in your eyes?" Liang Xiao's remark drew a wave of despair, and a few old seniors couldn't help but roll their eyes. *Utterly shameless!*
Just as everyone was about to start eating, the head of the guards, San Quan, reported, "Master! Princess Christia of the Western Regions has arrived with the Emperor's decree and requests an audience with Marquis Anguo!"