"This Liang Xiao, how does he always come up with ways to offend people! We absolutely cannot let this matter spread!"
Across the southwest, from warlords to landlords, all harbored resentment.
Once the common people discovered that the Great Gan dynasty no longer collected poll tax, their gratitude and support for the imperial court and for Xiao Qing would be unprecedented.
"Can we use the name 'Remove the treacherous elements from the side of the Emperor' to march on the capital, execute Liang Xiao's nine generations of kin, and then pull that dog emperor from his throne?"
Helian Heng summoned his strategists overnight, grinding his teeth, wishing he could eat Liang Xiao alive.
As the local warlord, the Helian family was the largest landlord in the region. Although they were already in open rebellion, they lacked legitimacy...
"My lord, this old servant now finally understands why Liang Xiao did not take advantage of conquering the barbarians, campaigning in distant lands, or even subjugating Xichuan and Jiaozhou." A white-haired aide stroked his beard and sighed, then forced a bitter smile, "It seems he considered that the promotion of 'Tan Ding Ru Mu' might cause nationwide unrest."
"So, he had the dog emperor send troops to garrison various regions, to prevent those landlords from rebelling?" Helian Heng felt a chill surge from his soles to the crown of his head!
He had even considered the consequences of promoting 'Tan Ding Ru Mu' today?
The elder comforted him, "However, this can also be an opportunity for my lord. The fact that he needs to suppress rebellions means he cannot deploy too many troops south. My lord can take this chance to sweep across the regions, expose his and the dog emperor's cronies, and blockade the routes into Sichuan!"
Helian Heng suddenly understood and ordered in a deep voice, "Also, instruct those landlords and scribes in Xichuan to thoroughly smear Liang Xiao and the dog emperor. Announce to the people of Xichuan that the imperial court intends to increase taxes, and that the division of land cultivation will be raised to eight parts for the officials and two for the people!"
Eight parts for the officials and two for the people?
The soldiers below were shocked.
This was tantamount to fleecing the people of Xichuan to death!
During the period of unrest in Xichuan, in cities like Jincheng and Bajun, over twenty figures stealthily entered the city under the cover of night. They found a secluded spot and used ropes to hoist three sacks from outside.
Upon entering the city, these masked figures in black immediately transported the sacks to the basement of a pre-arranged civilian residence. Upon opening them, they revealed that the sacks were filled with newspapers.
The content of the newspapers was the promotion of 'Tan Ding Ru Mu' and the land cultivation policies, as well as the benefits Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing had bestowed upon the common people in recent years.
Smallpox prevention, reduced book prices, conquering the barbarians, low-priced new crops...
The twenty-odd individuals each picked up a stack, ran out of the basement, and placed them at the doorstep of every household, regardless of whether the residents were literate.
The next morning, the common people found newspapers at their doors. Upon reading them, they were bewildered and ran to ask their literate acquaintances for explanations.
"His Majesty and Marquis Anguo have done so much good, and they even abolished the poll tax for all citizens of the country!!" Literate commoners across the land were stunned into silence.
"Why can't our Xichuan implement this? Is it because the Helian family is preventing it? Is the Helian family opposing the imperial court?"
Within a few days, resentment boiled among the people of Xichuan, and they no longer believed the propaganda of the Helian family.
Landlords across the nation, due to 'Tan Ding Ru Mu', now harbored intense hatred for Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, and were restless.
"Why has the garrison in the county town increased recently?"
The spies sent by the landlords to investigate hurried back to report, startling their masters!
In all counties and even some towns controlled by the emperor, Great Gan soldiers were stationed. The local landlords and gentry dared not act rashly because of this.
Moreover, these garrisons strictly adhered to military orders and never plundered the populace. The common people, grateful for the new policies, were deeply devoted to the imperial court...
Under such oppressive measures, peace was maintained across the land, and no landlord or gentry dared to openly criticize the imperial court.
Unable to unite with landlords from other regions to revolt, this group of landlords finally began to sell their land at low prices, hoping to withdraw in time.
Liang Xiao, the Marquis of Dingguo's manor, and the royalist Gu, Mu, and Huang families, as well as the He, Lu, and Li families from Jiangnan... who had been waiting for the opportunity, generously acquired this devalued land. Even Liang Xiao's cousins, Liang Feng and Liang Yun, invested in land in the Donghai and Luzhou areas, respectively.
Especially Liang Xiao and Gongsun Ye, who almost bought everything available...
The monarch and his officials of Great Liang naturally considered that the Great Gan nation might push its domestic landlords and gentry to their own country. However, they did not dare to openly welcome or recruit them, lest it damage relations between the two countries.
But indeed, many landlords had already begun to pack up their families and flee south of the Heng River.
The Emperor of Great Liang, Mu Cheng, had, in effect, become one of the winners.
One day, Qin Feng hid in a side hall of Mu Cheng's palace, listening to Su Wanqing play the zither for Mu Cheng. He frowned, "Strange..."
This was the seventh time he had eavesdropped, and he was certain that only Mu Cheng knew he was hiding there.
Upon returning home, Zhi Rou saw Qin Feng looking dejected and quickly inquired about the situation.
"What Liang Xiao meant was that I should be wary of Consort Su. But I've listened to Consort Su play the zither seven times this month, and she has remained gentle and melodious, with no hint of strangeness."
"Could it be that Liang Xiao intentionally tried to sow discord between father and Consort Su..." Zhi Rou stammered.
Qin Feng repeatedly shook his head, "He would never do such a dishonorable thing; it's completely unnecessary. I must be overlooking something."
"I truly believe Consort Su and father are deeply in love," Zhi Rou said softly.
Qin Feng fell into deep thought.
In the room, Jian Qinwan nestled in Liang Xiao's arms and said softly, "Are you leaving for Yanzhou?"
Liang Xiao nodded, "Yanzhou is cold. You should stay in the capital and take care of the children."
Jian Qinwan blushed and said, "We can still have more children in the future..."
Liang Xiao was taken aback and comforted her, "We must first take good care of Little Xue'er and Little Canglang. There will be plenty of opportunities later!"
His wives had recovered exceptionally well after their recuperation. Their figures had not changed, and they were able to resume normal marital relations.
However, Liang Xiao did not wish for them to immediately endure the pain of ten months of pregnancy again, which would not be good for their recently recovered bodies. Therefore, he was extremely careful during their intimacy.
Jian Qinwan obediently agreed, hugged Liang Xiao tighter, and felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
The children were babbling, but their father still had to go and pacify the four seas and stabilize the nation. He had no time to savor the joy of watching them grow.
She no longer cared whether she was the "Qin Xian" (Zither Immortal); she only wished to walk this destined extraordinary life with him and their children, as a family.
With Zhuo Zifang's support, everything in the capital was more stable. Dugu Qun, He Wanli, and others only wished to express their loyalty during this period and dared not act recklessly anymore.
The next day, Liang Xiao arrived at the West Palace Villa to bid farewell to his wives before heading to Yanzhou.
Although Xiao Qing and the others were reluctant, they could only accept.
Looking at Xiao Qing, Liang Xiao's heart ached even more.
Zhuo Xun's constitution was relatively good. Xiao Qing had worked hard for two years and still had to review some memorials during her pregnancy, which worried him greatly.
Liang Xiao kissed each of his children and wives on the forehead and said softly, "Rest well, I will be back."
Everyone obediently agreed and, as Liang Xiao wished, remained at the West Palace Villa, not seeing him off.
"The Taiji nation repeatedly disregards our warnings and offends the might of Great Gan. This humble minister intends to lead troops to Liaodong to deter the petty villains!"
News of Marquis Anguo of Great Gan being ordered to Yanzhou for military training spread, and the common people wanted to welcome him, but they were told: "Marquis Anguo has already departed in advance."