Xiao Qing pondered for a moment and then realized, "You mean the Medical Saint, Mu Xueqin, who was deified thirty years ago?"
"Precisely! With the Medical Saint's assistance, perhaps Young Master Liang might recover faster." Unconsciously, Ding Wuyi's address to Liang Xiao had become more respectful.
Medical Saint Mu Xueqin, whose medical skills were unparalleled, had saved countless lives!
In this era of the Great Gan Kingdom, there were "Three Saints": the Medical Saint, the Qin Saint, and the Sword Saint.
All three were masters of their craft, and the emotional entanglements between them were widely spoken of.
Mu Xueqin had a daughter with the Sword Saint, but the couple had long since parted ways.
However, ten years prior, Mu Xueqin had established a rule: she would not treat royalty, nobles, or their offspring!
Only when the current emperor fell gravely ill would Mu Xueqin be summoned for treatment.
The Medical Saint was also one of the few who knew Xiao Qing's true identity!
For powerful officials to threaten the Medical Saint? They would first have to contend with the three thousand disciples of the Sword Saint guarding the valley's interior and exterior.
Xiao Qing sighed, "Let's try, but even if the Son of Heaven issues a decree, the Medical Saint will likely not intervene."
Ding Wuyi reminded her, "Your Majesty could present all of Young Master Liang's calligraphy to the Medical Saint, claiming it was written by him. I will also inform the Medical Saint that 'Man Jiang Hong' was written by Young Master Liang, as well as those four lines of heart-felt verses."
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up, only to quickly cloud with reluctance.
She had painstakingly "tricked" Liang Xiao into giving her his calligraphy, and now she had to give it away?
Ning Xuejun, seeing this, finally spoke, "Your Majesty, the Medical Saint might not keep the calligraphy. Even if she does, Your Majesty could ask Young Master Liang to write it again..."
Xiao Qing finally made up her mind and had Ning Xuejun retrieve the "Bu Suan Zi · Yong Mei" and the complete untitled poem.
After Ding Wuyi and the shadow guards left with the calligraphy, Xiao Qing lowered her head dejectedly and said, "Granny Ning, why don't we go see him again tonight? I merely want to bring him medicine..."
Ning Xuejun readily agreed, discreetly observing Xiao Qing, whose face was already flushed crimson.
Liang Xiao and Yue Lian arrived at a secluded alley and frowned as they gazed at the dilapidated civilian houses ahead.
This was Zhang Yang's home.
Just as the guards were about to announce their arrival, Liang Xiao stopped them.
Liang Xiao led Yue Lian into the house, and a strong scent of medicinal herbs filled the air.
It turned out Zhang Yang was feeding medicine to a woman of unremarkable appearance.
"Young Master Liang, how did you find my home?" Zhang Yang asked in surprise.
The woman was also startled and unsure of what to do.
Liang Xiao smiled, "Please continue; we can talk after you've finished."
Zhang Yang understood. He pushed his chair towards Liang Xiao, inviting him to sit, and then sat by the bed to continue feeding the woman.
Liang Xiao watched, his heart filled with emotion.
Corrupt officials feasted at lavish banquets, rolling in wealth, while upright scholars, with their unyielding integrity, were destitute.
No matter the world, the human heart was always an unfathomable entity.
After the woman finished her medicine, she lowered her head in shame.
Zhang Yang then began to introduce her to Liang Xiao.
His wife, Madam Yang, had been frail since childhood.
Their parents had passed away early, leaving them to rely on each other. Madam Yang had accompanied him to the capital.
Liang Xiao asked Yue Lian to stay and care for Madam Yang. Zhang Yang, reassured, then invited Liang Xiao to another room.
Upon entering, Liang Xiao saw that the room was filled with numerous books and various homemade tools, with wood shavings scattered everywhere.
There were also several models. Liang Xiao could identify them as plows specifically designed for tilling land.
"You're also a skilled craftsman?" Liang Xiao asked with a smile.
"Just useless trinkets," Zhang Yang sighed helplessly.
"Don't be so modest," Liang Xiao said, picking up a model and examining it, deep in thought.
His own bookshelf held some diagrams he had drawn himself, including models of farming implements.
The productivity of this world was incomparable to Liang Xiao's previous life. He was contemplating how to improve the current situation as much as possible, while also enriching himself.
However, most of the tools Liang Xiao was familiar with were quite sophisticated and could not be manufactured with the current technological level of the Great Gan.
For example, firearms were currently impossible for Great Gan's artisans to produce. Even gathering the necessary materials would be difficult, let alone producing something as relatively simple as a matchlock musket.
Even with Liang Xiao's extensive knowledge of firearm construction, building one would be a pipe dream.
Steam engines? Liang Xiao only understood the principles. It was impossible for him to design a functional steam engine.
However, with a large number of "researchers" working with him, slowly learning the theories he provided, it might be possible to see them within his lifetime. After all, he was only eighteen.
These skilled craftsmen were the best "researchers."
But such knowledge transfer had to be done with extreme caution and absolute secrecy. Especially for dangerous crafts like firearms and black gunpowder, the consequences of such technology being stolen by an enemy nation would be unimaginable!
Zhang Yang looked at Liang Xiao with confusion, not daring to interrupt.
He could not comprehend why Liang Xiao, born into a noble military family, would visit him.
After a moment, Liang Xiao sighed, "Thank you for your reminder last night."
Zhang Yang repeatedly shook his head, "It was the Heavenly General who manifested. How could I dare to claim credit as my own?"
Liang Xiao nodded in admiration and asked, "Your talent and skills are both excellent. It shouldn't be difficult to live a good life. Did you fall into such circumstances because you offended an official?"
Zhang Yang explained, "Not entirely. My skills are considered mere 'clever tricks and wicked crafts' by those scholars in the Imperial Academy. Before scholars achieve official status, pursuing such things is frowned upon."
"Then why do you pursue them?" Liang Xiao asked again.
"Because I have been poor since childhood and deeply understand the suffering of the common people. Coupled with my natural talent in this area, I naturally wanted to research tools that would benefit the people's production."
Liang Xiao sighed, "The real reason is that you are unwilling to abandon your wife, isn't it?"
Zhang Yang, while not necessarily handsome, possessed an air of scholarship and a practical skill. He should not have been so destitute.
Caring for Madam Yang and buying medicine were the primary expenses.
"As the ancient saying goes, 'A friend in need should not be forgotten, nor a wife who has shared hardship,'" Zhang Yang said earnestly.
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, "Then would you be willing to let me be your 'friend in need'?"
Zhang Yang was taken aback, both honored and flattered, but he also spoke frankly, "Young Master Liang's talent is astonishing, and he is not as dissolute as the rumors suggest. I am naturally willing. I just never imagined that you, born into a noble military family, would take notice of a humble scholar like me."
Liang Xiao's expression then became serious. "The nation and its people need talented individuals like you. You two should move into my Liang Manor. I will arrange for someone to treat your wife."
"No reward without merit!" Zhang Yang repeatedly shook his head.
"Pedantic!" Liang Xiao berated him.
"How am I pedantic?" Zhang Yang was stunned.
Liang Xiao said sternly, "Is your wife's health and working for the benefit of the common people less important than your principles? Moreover, I am not giving you benefits for nothing. You will be doing work for me, and I happen to need some skilled craftsmen recently."
Looking at the bewildered Zhang Yang, Liang Xiao continued, "I will only ask you this: between pursuing official honors and curing your wife and benefiting the people, which is more important?"
"Compared to that, official honors are insignificant," Zhang Yang replied without hesitation.
Liang Xiao then smiled with relief. "Then let's go to the Liang Manor. I will show you some wonderful treasures that are sure to keep you engrossed day and night."