Liang Xiao immediately went to the Ministry of War with Zhuo Wulüe to meet General Chen Ming, who had rushed from the East Sea to deliver the news, and inquired about the detailed situation.
"Marquis An Guo!"
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, Chen Ming was momentarily overcome with emotion and spoke incoherently, recounting the story of the "He family of Da Zhou" to Liang Xiao.
It turned out that the He family of Da Zhou had split into several branches on an isolated overseas island called "Senluo Continent." He Yao's branch had been forced to flee Senluo Continent.
The remaining branches, integrated, were still no match for the Senluo people and were eventually forced into exile. They brought their treasures and goods to the East Sea, requesting to join Da Qian.
Supporting the Senluo people in defeating this branch of the He family army was a group of fair-haired, blue-eyed people numbering over ten thousand. They were said to have also drifted from afar! 138 Reading Network.
"The Tian Ri clan has even reached Senluo Continent?" Liang Xiao's brows furrowed, and a sense of crisis arose within him.
He was unsure if this world's circumnavigation was similar to Earth's, but the suspected presence of the Tian Ri clan overseas indicated that their shipbuilding technology was not significantly inferior to Da Qian's.
"Those people call themselves 'New Senluo people.' According to the gentleman who claims to be the head of the He family, those New Senluo people are quite resistant to the cold. They were defeated by the New Senluo people because they couldn't withstand an unprecedentedly severe winter," Chen Ming explained.
Liang Xiao immediately dispatched people to notify the Ministry of Works to accelerate research on warships and sent a message to Da Liang, informing them of the matter.
This was to prevent misunderstandings from Da Liang, and also to avoid the possibility of Da Liang being suddenly sandwiched by the Peacock Dynasty and the overseas Tian Ri clan, leading to their demise. If that happened, Da Qian would only be able to unify an empty land.
Wherever the Tian Ri clan passed, nations were almost wiped out. They then seized the classics of various ethnic groups, integrated them, and continuously improved their own race.
Regions like ancient Greece and ancient Rome might have already become cold.
Da Liang was hot, but compared to the desert, Taiji Kingdom, and the southern regions, it could be considered a treasure land. It absolutely could not be occupied by the Tian Ri clan. The people of Da Liang would eventually become citizens of Da Qian, and they must not be massacred by the Tian Ri clan.
Zhuo Wulüe also took several boxes from the table and opened them.
"These are medicinal herbs brought by the He family's fleet. They differ in appearance and efficacy from the ginseng of our Da Qian. The He family fleet calls them Senluo Ginseng, a precious medicinal herb that can be promoted for cultivation."
Liang Xiao looked closely and was startled.
This was American ginseng!
So, the geographical environment of Senluo Continent should be similar to the Americas?
Liang Xiao could no longer sit still and reiterated: "Speed up the research on warships and be ready for overseas combat at any time!"
Zhuo Wulüe, having learned about the brutality of the Tian Ri clan from the historical records of Da Zhou, realized the gravity of the situation. He immediately dispatched people to rush the construction of the latest warships, to guard against any changes in the East Sea, and incidentally to deter the Izumo Kingdom.
Liang Xiao also examined other medicinal herbs. Apart from Senluo Ginseng, the rest were local specialties. It was said that they were preparing to trial cultivation in the East Sea.
His memory was astonishingly good, and he had no recollection of these medicinal herbs, indicating that there were many plants here beyond his knowledge.
For instance, the "Crimson Gold Divine Wood" used to forge the Sunset Bow, which even the Cang Sheng Sword made of Silver Dragon Gold could barely scratch, and of which there was no other piece found within the borders of Da Qian to this day.
Xiao Qing, after understanding the He family's fleet, also decisively issued an order, enfeoffing the fleet captain as Marquis Gui Guo, with an annual salary equivalent to that of two thousand households.
At this time, over a thousand people from the He family fleet from Senluo Continent had established roots in the East Sea under Li Mou's command, with soldiers from the East Sea Garrison under Li Mou's supervision.
A large number of rare treasures were sent to the capital. One-tenth was used for tribute, and the remainder was sold by the government, estimated to be worth nearly two million taels.
The He family members, having received their enfeoffment, felt relieved and pledged allegiance to Da Qian. They also sent people to pay homage to He Liuzhu.
Hearing that there was also a He family in Jiangnan, and that many of its members were now rising in the capital, the He family's fleet sent people to visit He Jingyun to check the family tree and see if they were related.
From then on, the East Sea gained another He family focused on overseas trade, but they remained rooted in Da Qian, where they felt the most secure.
Xiao Qing and Zhuo Xun's three sons were plump and fair after their full moon. Liang Xiao was also relieved.
The infant mortality rate in ancient times was very high, even among royalty. However, he and his wives could not bear such a loss.
Liang Xiao's wives had already discussed that Yue Lian would be responsible for looking after the children daily, Jian Qin Wan, Clisti, and Zhuo Xun would teach them music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and Luo Qingxue would be in charge of the family's enterprises.
For the safety of Xiao Qing and her son, Zhuo Zifang and others voluntarily took on administrative琐事, allowing Liang Xiao more time to spend with his wife and children.
The promotion of "Tanding Rumu" (a tax policy) still required long-term feedback, so Liang Xiao could not leave the central government casually.
Da Qian was more peaceful than before, but resources were limited. Strengthening national defense also required avoiding excessive militarization.
Once the treasure of the ancient Xiongnu King deep in the desert was discovered, over one hundred thousand troops would be needed for escort at any time. If the Xianbei cavalry came to harass, at least two hundred thousand soldiers and at least one hundred thousand laborers would be required.
Until the country was completely stable, the garrisons in various places could not be withdrawn casually; local landlords and powerful families had to be strictly guarded against rebellion.
Jiangnan also needed strengthened defenses to prevent invasion by the Jiaozhou warlords.
The western borders, the northeast, the East Sea, and the Jiangnan coast all required a large number of troops for defense against enemy countries, guarding salt fields, and escorting merchant ships.
With such arrangements, Da Qian's military strength was somewhat stretched, and it was temporarily impossible to launch multi-front expeditions. At most, it could support one route.
To allow Liang Xiao to pacify Xichuan, the western and northeastern regions dared not dispatch troops casually.
Therefore, Liang Xiao still had to assist Zhuo Wulüe in continuously improving Da Qian's military system and ensuring the mobilization efficiency of Da Qian's army.
However, these琐事 were handled by dedicated personnel, allowing Liang Xiao more leisure time to spend with his family.
At night, Liang Xiao's family gazed at the autumn river scenery, their spirits high.
Liang Xiao looked at the river and suddenly recalled the promise he made to "Xiao Shuang Zi" here, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
He often looked at himself in the mirror; compared to the year he got married, he seemed unchanged.
He had some doubts about the true efficacy of the "elixir of immortality," moving from initial fear to gradual acceptance.
Looking at Xiao Qing, who was nestled in his arms for warmth, Liang Xiao felt content.
If he were truly unfortunate enough to live forever, for the sake of this young girl's wish for eternal peace, he would have to live on, protect, and develop this land until he witnessed its transition from feudalism to a utopian communism...
Furthermore, the elixir of immortality only improved his physical fitness and did not have any clear records of eternal life. Liang Xiao only hoped that he would not explode one day.
Looking at Jian Qin Wan and the children laughing in the distance, Liang Xiao couldn't help but smile again.
They hadn't changed much either.
Even after having children, they were still like young girls, youthful and full of vigor.
So, the reason he hadn't changed was because his physique was better than ordinary people, and he still looked young. This was logical, right?
His wives were unaware of Liang Xiao's internal monologue. They were all happy and joyful, occasionally looking at Liang Xiao with affection. Seeing Xiao Qing, they were filled with gratitude. The family of more than ten people was harmonious and joyous.
In the deep mountains of southwestern Da Liang, a group of ragged peddlers and hawkers sat around a dilapidated courtyard, all looking anxious.
The elder sitting at the head of the table had sharp eyes.
He bore a striking resemblance to Liu Yunzi, and before him lay a copy of "Ghost Valley's True Transmission"!
"The Huichun Cult has infiltrated Da Liang. This is an omen of impending chaos."