South of Xichuan, the barbarians seized the opportunity and entered Xichuan, threatening the prefectures and counties!
"Report the situation to the northern border and the capital immediately. The Huichun Sect is lurking in Xichuan, causing trouble!"
Garrison commanders in various parts of Xichuan sent messages to their respective regions.
The personal guards of the Liang Residence escorted Liang Yun. They were all dusty and dishevelled, looking back westward with confusion. "Why are there so many Huichun Sect followers lurking in Xichuan!"
Outside Jincheng, the Tianshan swordsman Ren Changfeng resolutely handed his long sword to his junior brother, tucked a short sword into his waist, put on hemp clothes, and plunged into the refugee tide to gather information.
At this time, the northern border had not yet received news of the sudden peasant uprising in Xichuan.
On the open-air carriage, Zuo Jing nestled in Liang Xiao's arms, gazing at the myriad lights, her heart filled with warmth.
At this moment, she was the happiest woman in the world.
She only regretted that this happiness was destined to be short-lived, as she could not betray her father's nurturing kindness.
"You are not allowed to say I am the wife of the Marquis of Anguo, after all, I am not your lawfully wedded wife..." Zuo Jing reminded him weakly.
Liang Xiao sighed, "Why do you always think for me!"
Zuo Jing had a flash of inspiration and said, "Since my cousin and I look alike, just pretend I'm my cousin!"
"You are you, she is her, both are unique," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Zuo Jing's heart grew even warmer, and she couldn't help but snuggle closer into Liang Xiao's embrace.
Yanzhou had lifted its curfew, and the night market was unprecedentedly prosperous.
"It's the Marquis of Anguo and the Marchioness of Anguo, Princess Wanhua!"
Sharp-eyed citizens spotted Liang Xiao's carriage and happily bowed and greeted him as usual.
Liang Xiao merely smiled and waved in response.
"See? You don't need to explain to everyone specifically~" Zuo Jing said triumphantly.
But in her heart, she was immensely proud.
At least, he was her man now!
At this moment, Zuo Jing wished even more that Liang Xiao could truly lure her father to Daqian, though she knew it was impossible...
Liang Xiao sighed helplessly, then agreed, holding Zuo Jing, and gazing at the bustling night market, his heart filled with emotion.
Youthful days of fine clothes and spirited steeds!
Now he had the fine clothes and spirited steeds, but he was no longer a youth, but a parent.
Hearing that Zuo Jing was returning to Daliang, Liang Xiao's wives all told him to accompany her well, and even Zhuo Xun could not bear to disturb them.
That night, Liang Xiao took Zuo Jing to the night market, and after returning home, he personally cooked supper for everyone.
"How can you be skilled in both literature and martial arts, and also cook? I can only burn down the kitchen..."
Zuo Jing praised the corn and pork rib soup wholeheartedly.
Everyone couldn't help but smile.
Nan Jiyun, Lu Changhe, and others were also in Yanzhou, returning to their homes and enjoying a rare holiday to spend time with their families.
Lu Yi's troops were about to return to Yanzhou, and then they would go their separate ways.
Nie Yuan was the General Who Conquered the East, guarding the northeastern region and suppressing rebels.
Zhuo Ying was the General Who Conquered the South, returning to the Jiangnan region to assist in defense, suppress rebels in the southwest and Xichuan, and guard against Jiaozhou.
The General Who Conquered the West, Nan Jiyun, would naturally go to the western border to protect the Western Regions that had surrendered to Daqian, and suppress the Kushan Dynasty and its vassals in the Western Regions!
Daqian needed more troops to guard the three mountains and the Hetao region it had acquired, as there were still the Kushan Dynasty and the Xianbei tribe in the northeast, both direct threats.
As compensation, Xiao Qing specifically sent people to inform the northern border that tens of thousands of herders in the Qilian Mountains, who had once been enslaved by the barbarians, were to be given meat daily and not neglected.
These ten thousand herders were all young. Although they had lost the opportunity to procreate, they were deeply grateful for the court's kindness and diligently herded for Daqian.
The next afternoon, Lu Yi's troops finally returned to the western border of Yanzhou. As it was getting late, they simply set up tents in the western region, not rushing back to the barracks.
Liang Xiao led a thousand officers and soldiers to the military camp to rendezvous.
In the military camp, the soldiers listened to Liang Xiao read Xiao Qing's imperial decree, and everyone's face was filled with joy.
The pensions and rewards were unprecedentedly generous, and the three armies were overjoyed!
The spoils of this battle, even for a low-ranking soldier, could ensure their families lived a few years of carefree life!
Most importantly, this money could give their children the opportunity to receive an education!
The two hundred thousand soldiers had learned on the way that Anguo Bookstore had defeated Ouyang Bookstore, leading to low book prices and enabling more people to access books.
"As expected of our Deputy Marshal, he excels in both civil and military affairs. Even in business, he benefits the country and the people, and deserves to be the richest man!"
The entire army praised Liang Xiao.
However, some soldiers also expressed their regret.
"In a little while, everyone will be guarding different parts of the country, and the Marshal and Deputy Marshal may not always lead us in battle!"
"The Deputy Marshal should indeed be stationed in the court, continuing to seek welfare for our Daqian soldiers and people. The fighting should be left to us! Wherever the Deputy Marshal is needed, he will go. He is the stabilizing force of Daqian!"
The soldiers in the military camp whispered amongst themselves.
As soldiers of the northern border, the great threat in the north had been eliminated. As the elite of the country, they naturally had to undertake the defense of various regions, unwilling to tarnish the reputation of the northern border.
In the tent, Liang Xiao and Lu Yi sat at the main table, with Nan Jiyun and others flanking them. They rarely drank together.
"The barbarian menace has been eliminated, but our country cannot underestimate border threats. Xichuan is unstable, and there are many warlords in the southwest and Jiaozhou. Neighboring countries are eyeing us. Seven days later, I will go to the western border to lead troops in defense, ready to support the Kushan Dynasty and Xichuan!"
All the generals clasped their fists and said, "The world is not yet settled, and we are willing to fight for the country!"
Lu Yi then smiled with satisfaction.
"Nie Yuan will lead forty thousand troops to guard the northeast, Lu Changhe will guard Yanzhou, Zhuo Ying will lead thirty thousand troops south to assist in defending the Jiangnan region, and Nan Jiyun will accompany me with seventy thousand troops to the western border! Grand Marshal Liang Xiao will be stationed in the capital, overseeing the overall situation..."
Lu Yi assigned tasks to everyone on the spot, and no one had any objections, feeling excited.
Everyone hoped to continue to achieve meritorious deeds.
To "seal the wolf's lair" was enough to go down in history, but they were still young and had great potential!
Especially Nan Jiyun and Nie Yuan, who were grateful for Liang Xiao's patronage and Xiao Qing's trust, wished they could shed their blood to repay the country's kindness.
Yue Qingtian knew his abilities were limited and devoted himself to being Liang Xiao's household general, training the Qingtian Guards for Liang Xiao.
The Daqian Iron Guards and the White Robe Soldiers would all rush to the western border to deter the Kushan Dynasty, so that the Guizi Kingdom would not lose its backing and the Western Regions would not feel disheartened.
Lu Yi gazed at the spirited generals with a sense of wistful loss.
He was grateful for the former emperor's favour and had done his utmost.
As the Grand Marshal, the current General of Daqian, he could not continuously lead the northern border troops, lest court officials object, creating hidden dangers for the country and future generations.
The sedition of civilians could not compare to the direct harm that generals and warlords brought to the country.
Even Liang Xiao had to consider avoiding suspicion and return to the central government temporarily, accepting the emperor's dispatch to stabilize the situation.
Everything Daqian had today was hard-won and should not be lost due to temporary relaxation!
"After we have lived through anxious times, we can hang up our armor and return to our fields, living in peace and contentment with the common people!"
Finally, everyone in the tent drank heartily.
The Great Liang Kingdom was in turmoil.
In the imperial palace, Qin Feng publicly accepted the imperial decree and set off for Daqian, preparing to meet Xiao Qing and Liang Xiao to show his sincerity.