This day, the soldiers of the Imperial Guards stood at the entrance of the great camp, stunned as they watched Lü Changhe run laps around the camp with a hundred-jin sack, a smile on his face.
Liang Feng, Liang Xiao's cousin, who served as the Zhongjie General, stared at Lü Changhe, utterly bewildered. "Why does General Lü look so happy?"
"Perhaps he's discovered he has the physique of the Great Gan Iron Guard? Truly worthy of being the current commander of the White Robe Army, such a robust physique!" the soldiers exclaimed with envy.
In the courtyard, Liang Xiao held Jian Qinwan's little white dog, Xiao Douya'er, in his arms, telling the girls the story of "Farewell My Concubine." Jian Qinwan's maids, Chan'er and two others, were also present.
Jian Qinwan hid behind Luo Qingxue, trying to minimize her presence, but her beautiful eyes sparkled, her gaze still drawn to Liang Xiao and Xiao Douya'er.
Even Xiao Douya'er was so obedient in his arms, clearly accepting this male owner!
"The King's spirit is exhausted, what life is left for this humble concubine..."
The young girls were on the verge of tears, deeply moved by the farewell between the Overlord and his Concubine.
"How do you know everything? You're so good at telling stories!" Luo Qingxue's eyes were filled with starry admiration. If she hadn't been trying to maintain her composure as an elder sister, she would have already rushed into Liang Xiao's embrace.
Zhuo Xun had already leaped into Liang Xiao's arms, employing professional fake crying and launching a tear offensive to coax Liang Xiao into comforting her.
As he comforted the girl in his arms, Liang Xiao wore a gentle smile, as if he were in a different lifetime.
In his past, he had acted alone for missions, doing anything to gain the trust of his enemies. He had walked in the darkness, driven purely by his sole belief and sense of responsibility, completing one difficult mission after another, indispensable.
Yet, in the end, he couldn't protect his comrades and was betrayed by an international organization's mercenary group...
"I must protect them."
Hugging Zhuo Xun tighter, Liang Xiao gently tidied her slightly messy hair, his conviction unwavering.
Zhuo Xun seemed to sense that Liang Xiao was different from his usual self. She stopped faking her tears, left his embrace, and obediently held his hand without speaking.
She knew she was acting childish but wasn't foolish. In fact, she possessed an unusually keen sense of observation and could feel that her "great demon" had suddenly become heavy-hearted.
Liang Xiao looked at Luo Qingxue again, his heart filled with emotion.
This young girl, once so upright and chaste, it was he who had wronged her first. Yet, because of her past impulsiveness, she lived in self-blame, determined to atone with a lifetime of effort.
As discussed with Xiao Qing, after their wedding, it would be time to tell her the truth about the Heavenly General.
Liang Xiao then looked at Jian Qinwan, his eyes filled with tenderness.
This Bodhisattva, once aloof and unattainable, had later put aside all her pride for him. Though outwardly sharp-tongued, she was in reality kind and considerate, with a heart of compassion, and the only one who dared to tease him.
Christine... a maiden who loved the Heavenly General dearly, daring to confront powerful forces for him.
Liang Xiao then looked at Zhen Mi: this clingy child, calling him "Brother Xiao" incessantly, and wanting to write "Tales of the Great Gan Heroes" and "Legends of the Great Gan Warriors" with him as the inspiration.
And there were Liang Qing, Luo Changfeng, Liang Feng's family, Liang Yun...
Liang Xiao knew he had made too many enemies and wanted to protect his family even more!
"How is the training of the Sky Guardian Corps progressing?" Liang Xiao asked with anticipation.
These were his personal troops, his private army, in the truest sense. Liu Fan and Yue Qingtian had assured him that the Sky Guardian Corps was comparable to elite soldiers, but he wanted to see for himself.
However, he couldn't return to Yanzhou yet; there were matters to attend to in the capital.
At the very least, he had to get married and take these girls as his wives!
Following Xiao Qing's suggestion, after returning to Yanzhou, Liang Xiao was to recruit a force of two thousand men, train them, and send them to the capital to protect the Liang Mansion and the Marquis of Anguo's estate.
The Imperial Guards and Shadow Guards could not be stationed at Liang Xiao's residence.
Zuo Wushang arrived at Liang Xiao's courtyard. Seeing Zhuo Xun and Liang Xiao in such close proximity from afar, he felt gratified. "Marquis..."
Liang Xiao understood and went to meet Zuo Wushang alone.
Zuo Wushang said with shame, "It has been confirmed. My little brother has truly severed all ties with us, even forbidding us from seeing him again! The people I sent explained to him that what happened back then was Gongyang He's doing, but he still refused to cooperate, only saying he hated the Great Gan to the core. His hatred for the Great Gan is even deeper than ours..."
Liang Xiao nodded in silence, no longer forcing the issue.
"He promised never to expose your identity as the Heavenly General, as if he had never heard of it. But he also said that you'd best never appear in Daliang again, and especially not in front of Xiao Jing, or he would personally make you crawl back..." Zuo Wushang said with an embarrassed expression.
Liang Xiao frowned, "He wouldn't have said anything if he hadn't, but now that he has, I feel awkward not going to Daliang..."
"Calm down! Now is not a good time to go to Daliang..." Hong Jie exclaimed in alarm, quickly advising him.
"After the situation stabilizes, we'll see," Liang Xiao sighed.
Everyone finally relaxed.
Xiao Qing kept his word, meticulously protecting their families and compatriots, ensuring they had abundant food and clothing, living conditions no less than those of high officials in the capital, and without fear of retaliation from the Returning Spring Cult.
They, along with Zuo Wushang's other elite subordinates, were even more dedicated to serving Liang Xiao.
After Zuo Wushang faked his death, Hong Jie, as the Grand Marshal of the Great Heng Kingdom, submitted to the Great Gan and was enfeoffed as a Zheng Yi Da Fu. This not only appeased the populace but also provided talented individuals like Hong Jie with official positions, killing two birds with one stone.
Now, Zuo Wushang was still training the most capable personal guards for the Liang Mansion for Liang Xiao, striving to make their abilities approach Liang Xiao's idea of "special forces."
Liang Xiao returned to the courtyard. Jian Qinwan stammered, "My, my mother, they are already on their way..."
"Father-in-law and Master?" Liang Xiao asked anxiously.
"Also on their way..." Jian Qinwan said nervously.
For the past half-year, she had been testing the limits of her actions, teasing Liang Xiao, and knew she was deeply in debt, fearing Liang Xiao would settle accounts.
But she knew she couldn't hide forever!
The way this "flower thief" had spoken to her in bed filled her with embarrassment even now.
Liang Xiao patted Jian Qinwan's shoulder. "Sigh, my Bodhisattva, don't worry, it's not the wedding night yet. You won't be eating your husband."
"You, you, you..." Jian Qinwan's face turned red.
Luo Qingxue and the others couldn't help but admire Liang Xiao's shameless demeanor. Even Zhen Mi couldn't help but praise, "Brother Xiao's face is getting thicker and thicker!"
Secondly, on his way home from the West Palace Villa, Liang Xiao paid a visit to the Ministry of Works, meeting Huang Xing and a bewildered Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang sighed, "Liang Xiao, His Majesty suddenly told me to work hard and strive to replace you as the Minister of Works in the future... Did you say something to His Majesty again?"
Liang Xiao's expression instantly darkened. "Nonsense! You are a scholar, and you've already reached the rank of Tongyi Da Fu. How can you still tarnish my reputation? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"
"Alright..." Zhang Yang said, half-laughing, half-crying.
Huang Xing also patted Zhang Yang's shoulder. "With great ability comes great responsibility. This is the trust His Majesty and Marquis Anguo have in you!"
Zhang Yang then nodded, took out Liang Xiao's diagrams, and exclaimed, "This type of reverse wind rigging can indeed be improved. It might even approach the lost craftsmanship of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Huang Xing also praised it highly.
The Great Zhou Dynasty had disintegrated, and many of its texts and facilities were destroyed by barbarians. This even caused a technological regression in later generations, a tragic loss for this land.
These were diagrams Liang Xiao had given them yesterday after the court session, asking them to research and improve ships and sails to enhance the stability and speed of the Great Gan's vessels.
Liang Xiao said, "This is just a concept. It still requires your research and refinement."
Zhang Yang and Huang Xing looked at Liang Xiao as if they were looking at a monster.
Could this truly be something he learned from a divine being during a dream journey to the divine realm?
However, with the preliminary blueprint for improved sailing technology, the two were very excited and volunteered to continue its refinement.
After a thorough discussion with them about the improvement methods, Liang Xiao was overjoyed.
Indeed, for professional matters, one needed professional help like Zhang Yang's!
Upon returning home, Liang Xiao told the girls the complete story of the Chu-Han Contention.
Half an hour later, a guard reported, "Second Young Master! The Saint of Medicine has arrived at the manor. The Sword Saint and the Qin Saint are also here! Judging by their expressions, it seems they are not getting along very well..."