"Our Marquis of Anguo is only twenty years old this year!"
The soldiers and civilians of various regions were all proud and joyous.
Liang Xiao had brought better lives to the people of Daqian and protected them from the threat of smallpox, naturally earning him deep affection.
And now, he had swept through the wilderness and shaken the world!
In the height of summer, people like Du Guqun, gathered at the Dugu family's estate, felt their hands and feet turn cold, and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Is the wilderness really over? What's the difference from destroying a nation!"
Including He Wanli and Ouyang Ji, everyone felt as though a thorn was in their back, unable to sit still.
Would Liang Xiao settle scores with them upon his return?
This was the question in everyone's heart.
"No! Before we can achieve anything, we must serve this foolish emperor with the actions of true loyal subjects!" Du Guqun trembled.
The others swallowed with difficulty and nodded one after another.
They could already imagine what a prestigious figure Liang Xiao would be upon his return!
They still couldn't forget the imposing figure of the "foolish emperor" in the main hall just now, even more magnificent than before.
Clearly, it was because of Liang Xiao!
"Why does this foolish emperor trust so much that Liang Xiao won't seize his empire!!" Du Guqun was still unconvinced.
"What if we align ourselves with Liang Xiao and secretly instigate him to usurp the throne?" Ouyang Ping tentatively asked.
"I'm afraid it's impossible. It's still unknown if we can protect ourselves!" Ouyang Ji shook his head with a bitter smile.
Everyone was filled with sorrow and despair.
They were reluctant to give up their foundation in Daqian, but if they stayed, they could only be suppressed. They were now in a dilemma!
Even if they could survive until Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing passed away, they couldn't guarantee that their descendants wouldn't have similar strategic brilliance!
One Liang Xiao had already sent them from heaven to hell, and if there was another...
The more they thought about it, the more they shuddered.
In a secret chamber of a civilian house in Yanzhou, Zuo Jing stared intently at the candlelight, her small mouth pouting, her gaze resentful.
"Miss, if you continue to hesitate like this, you'll be queued up thousands of places back!" Yun Tian Weiqing reminded her.
"Ah? What do you mean?" Zuo Jing asked blankly.
Qing whispered, "We've already heard that led by Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou, those talented women and beauties who admire Liang Xiao have already reached a scale of five hundred people. They've even formed the 'An Guo Jia Ren Hui' (Beautiful Women of Anguo Association). We have no intelligence left to give to the Marquis of Anguo. If you continue to hesitate..."
"An Guo Jia Ren Hui? How do you know even this kind of intelligence so clearly!" Zuo Jing glared at Qing in embarrassment and shame, then mumbled, "I just want to beat him up and run away..."
Zuo Jing became sadder and sadder as she thought about it.
"This... what is it called, the association, it's formed for him, the Marquis of Anguo of Daqian, as the name suggests!"
She was just sad that she had to plan so cautiously just to see him, while those beauties could openly express their admiration for him.
On the Mobei Grassland, one hundred thousand Daqian soldiers escorted forty thousand captured barbarians, singing songs of victory, everyone in high spirits.
Their Vice Marshal had calculated their return date, and they would safely return home before winter, which was incredibly satisfying!
The troops in the best mood were the White Robe Army, the Daqian Iron Cavalry, and the Qingtian Guard.
They were already allowed to eat meat daily.
The Emperor specially granted meat rations to the northern soldiers for several months. Those who could already eat meat would receive additional small subsidies, like extra income.
However, compared to the subsidies, the rewards upon their return were the main thing!
Especially the White Robe Army, each soldier would receive about five taels of gold as a bounty!
As the soldiers returned victoriously, their spirits were high, only Liang Xiao, uncharacteristically, showed a hint of anxiety.
It was already the first day of July, and they were about to return to Mount Helan.
"Counting the time, they should be giving birth soon..." Liang Xiao was filled with urgency that he couldn't express.
His beautiful wives had started experiencing morning sickness after October 15th, meaning ten months of pregnancy would be soon!
If they gave birth prematurely, they should have already given birth?
And his Shuang'er, must be anxiously waiting in the capital now!
To Liang Xiao now, nothing was more important than his wife and children!
But as the commander, he couldn't leave the team alone.
What a worry!
"That... that, have you notified the Marshal?" Liang Xiao couldn't help but ask Lü Changhe.
Lü Changhe nodded, "Yes! The soldiers are already waiting at Mount Helan. When we rendezvous, the necessary matters can be dealt with immediately!"
Only then did Liang Xiao feel relieved.
He hoped to deal with the Left-Wise King on the day of the rendezvous, and then have Lü Yi lead the troops back to the north, so he could return to Yanzhou to see his wife and children first.
The soldiers gradually learned that Liang Xiao's wives were about to give birth, but since Liang Xiao didn't want to leave first, they couldn't march any faster. They could only console Liang Xiao occasionally.
The Chieftain of the Wilderness and the Left-Wise King were still tied to their chariots, looking somewhat disheveled, and trying to force out a smile.
Regardless, Liang Xiao had people treat them to good wine and meat daily, which had given them a glimmer of hope.
As long as they could save their lives, with their status, Daqian would at least take care of them!
Mount Helan, the burial ground of one hundred thousand soldiers, where Lü Yi waited with fifty thousand troops.
On the high ground, Lü Yi paced back and forth, "Why aren't they here yet!"
Ding Wu Yi impatiently said, "The army is already marching very fast, they can't fly!"
Lü Yi guarded the place every day, pacing back and forth from morning till night, extremely anxious.
Ding Wu Yi naturally knew that out of guilt towards Liang Anguo and his affection for Liang Xiao, Lü Yi's feelings for this child were no less than for his own son, Lü Changhe.
Moreover, Lü Changhe was also in the victorious procession.
Lü Yi glanced at the ground that Ding Wu Yi had already stomped into a pit, and couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Shameless old man, don't you look at how anxious you are!"
Ding Wu Yi chuckled and didn't refute.
He was even more anxious than Lü Yi!
This was his lord's favored man!
In the desert region, it was hot during the day and cold at night. He was worried that Liang Xiao wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Marshal! Vice Marshal and the others have arrived!!"
The roar of the messenger from afar startled the two chief ministers. The two of them rushed towards the mountain pass to watch.
To the north were one hundred thousand Daqian soldiers, a dragon stretching as far as the eye could see!
Liang Xiao, leading Lü Changhe and others, was at the very front of the procession, majestic and imposing.
"We respectfully welcome the General of the Flying Cavalry's triumphant return!!"
The fifty thousand soldiers of Mount Helan shouted in unison, performing a single-knee salute to Liang Xiao.
"General of the Flying Cavalry?" Liang Xiao was stunned, and quickly understood that he must have been promoted.
Originally, Lü Yi was the General of the Flying Cavalry, so he must have been promoted, and Liang Xiao took over his position.
For positions like General of the Flying Cavalry and General of Chariots, there might be a situation where there are no higher ranks to be bestowed. For example, if there was already a Grand General, or if the merit was not enough to be conferred as Grand General, a "Great" would be added to the military rank to show honor.
"Nephew!"
Lü Yi and Ding Wu Yi, leading a group of generals, galloped their horses forward, all excited.
Liang Xiao exchanged pleasantries with Lü Yi and the others on horseback. After inquiring about recent events, they all burst into laughter.
It took two hours for one hundred thousand soldiers to escort forty thousand prisoners and finally assemble at Mount Helan.
Lü Yi arrived at the chariot where the Left-Wise King was imprisoned and smiled, "Left-Wise King, I trust you are well!"