Zhang Yang looked puzzled.
He had studied these tools, and while he wouldn't claim to be peerless, he was certainly among the most ingenious. He was also familiar with tools described in ancient texts.
What other treasure could consume his every waking moment?
Seeing Zhang Yang frozen in place, Liang Xiao simply dragged him out of the room.
Initially, Zhang Yang hesitated, but under Liang Xiao's repeated encouragement, he finally agreed.
Liang Xiao summoned all the guards of the Liang Manor to help carefully transport Zhang Yang's belongings.
Outside, Zhang Yang’s surprise grew as he saw the several carriages Liang Xiao had prepared.
"Young Master Liang Er..."
"Since we are friends, just call me Liang Xiao. It sounds too formal otherwise!"
Zhang Yang agreed and then asked, "Did you prepare all this beforehand, intending to bring me to the Liang Manor?"
Liang Xiao readily admitted it.
Zhang Yang finally understood Liang Xiao's confidence and couldn't help but sigh. He helped Yang Shi into a carriage.
"The young master has gained another friend!" Yue Lian whispered, her joy evident.
"No matter how many friends I have, I will never neglect you," Liang Xiao said, ruffling Yue Lian's head and comforting her as if they were alone.
Blushing, Yue Lian followed Liang Xiao into another carriage.
"Was that Zhang Yang just now? Is he moving?"
"What a shame, such a fine scholar, but he insists on studying things useless for official advancement."
Inside the carriage, Zhang Yang and his wife remained silent, overhearing the conversations outside.
Yang Shi looked at Zhang Yang with concern, her hand tightening on his, her eyes offering comfort.
Zhang Yang merely smiled faintly, his gaze and conviction unwavering.
To establish the heart for Heaven and Earth, to secure the people’s fate, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to bring peace to all generations!
When he heard these words emanating from the palace at the academy, a surge of passion ignited within him.
As long as it benefited the people, what did personal honor or disgrace matter?
Now, Zhang Yang could only hope that Liang Xiao's "treasure" would also benefit the common folk.
Upon arriving at the Liang Manor, Zhang Yang summoned the assistant steward, instructing him to arrange a quiet residence for Zhang Yang and his wife, and to send someone to seek medical advice for Yang Shi, handing him a hundred taels of silver in the process.
Zhang Yang felt a pang of guilt, but the thought of his wife's lingering illness made him accept.
Liang Xiao, meanwhile, returned to his own courtyard with Yue Lian, only to find the three elders still there.
Zhuo Zifang immediately inquired about the situation.
Upon hearing that Zhang Yang had been invited to the Liang Manor by Liang Xiao, Liang Qing, rather than being angry, was pleased. "Xiao'er can finally learn to treat talented individuals with respect!"
Zhuo Zifang also praised him. "I hardly involve myself in the affairs of the Imperial Academy, and I only heard about Zhang Yang incidentally. This young man's integrity is indeed in line with your own aspirations."
Luo Changfeng urged, "Xiao'er, quickly! Qingxue is waiting in your room. She doesn't want to break off the engagement anymore!"
Hearing this, Liang Xiao's initially cheerful demeanor changed. He rushed back to his room, finding Luo Qingxue sitting upright.
"You're back..." Luo Qingxue said hesitantly.
Seeing that his bookshelf was untouched, Liang Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He reminded her, "From now on, without my permission, you may not enter my room, not even my grandfather can."
Luo Qingxue blinked, then suddenly stood up and ran out of the room in a huff.
"Are you satisfied!"
"Satisfied," Liang Xiao pouted and walked into the room, retrieving several rolled-up blueprints from his bookshelf.
Luo Qingxue watched, her eyes welling up with tears.
Because I want to break the engagement, he already treats me like an outsider...
Luo Qingxue was unwilling to accept this. "I just want to ask you, you are only upholding General Tian out of a sense of duty, you don't actually like him?"
"Why should I like him?" Liang Xiao asked helplessly.
He could admit he was handsome, even boast about himself, but to say he *liked* himself?
Wasn't that perverse?
Luo Qingxue was momentarily speechless, merely staring at Liang Xiao with a mournful gaze.
This fellow wasn't a complete dandy and weakling, yet he had no ambition for an official career and lacked sufficient respect for the self-sacrificing General Tian!
Luo Qingxue's feelings were complex at this moment.
Towards Liang Xiao, she harbored resentment, disappointment, guilt, and the lingering affection of childhood.
As Luo Qingxue was lost in thought, Liang Xiao suddenly said, "Zhang Yang has just arrived at the manor, I must excuse myself. Yue Lian, please keep an eye on Miss Luo."
Before Luo Qingxue could fully react, Liang Xiao had already left with the blueprints to find Zhang Yang, leaving everyone bewildered.
"What new masterpiece does Liang Xiao hold now?" Zhuo Zifang's eyes glinted as he stealthily followed.
Luo Qingxue, tears in her beautiful eyes, watched Liang Xiao's retreating back, feeling lost.
In his heart, I am no longer as important as a friend he just met?
I didn't betray him, I just wanted him to have a bit of backbone, but he's jealous of General Tian...
"Grandfather, let's go back. Don't disturb him," Luo Qingxue said with a crestfallen expression and left alone.
Luo Changfeng could not dissuade her, and worried that Luo Qingxue, lost in thought, might wander off, so he had no choice but to follow her back.
At this moment, Zhang Yang looked around his spacious new home, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Yang Shi was already resting in the bedroom. The Liang Manor's own doctor had specially prepared a mild tonic for her.
He pondered whether this could be considered seeking favor with the powerful.
Just then, Liang Xiao entered from outside.
Seeing Zhang Yang's troubled expression, Liang Xiao clapped him on the shoulder and said sternly, "A scholar's duty is to the world, how can he be concerned with personal honor or disgrace?"
Zhang Yang was suddenly enlightened and bowed deeply to Liang Xiao. "My mind is cleared!"
As Liang Xiao urged Zhang Yang to take him to the study, Zhuo Zifang suddenly turned the corner from outside.
"What good business are you two discussing? Why not let this old man take a look?"
Zhuo Zifang's eyes were gleaming, fixed on the blueprints in Liang Xiao's hand.
Could it be another poem or piece of calligraphy?
"Zhuo Lingjun!" Zhang Yang exclaimed, flattered.
Zhuo Zifang surveyed Zhang Yang and nodded with satisfaction. "Following Liang Xiao, you might achieve tenfold what you would in the Imperial Academy."
Zhang Yang was stunned and looked at Liang Xiao in surprise.
There were rumors before that Liang Xiao had angered Zhuo Zifang to the point of disowning him as a disciple!
Zhang Yang felt his brain could barely keep up.
Liang Xiao, with a sigh, invited Zhuo Zifang to view them as well.
In the study, the two watched as Liang Xiao spread the blueprints flat on the table.
"Are these design drawings?"
Zhuo Zifang and Zhang Yang's pupils contracted. "They are design drawings for agricultural tools!"
Liang Xiao pointed to the first design drawing and said, "This is called the curved-shaft plow."
The two observed the structure closely, lost in thought.
Compared to previous plows, the curved-shaft plow had several significant improvements. Firstly, the straight shaft and long shaft were replaced with a curved shaft and a short shaft, and a freely rotating plowshare was installed at the tip of the shaft. This not only made the plow frame smaller and lighter but also facilitated turning and maneuvering, making it flexible to operate and effectively saving labor and animal power.
And in the Great Gan Kingdom, even the straight-shaft plow had not yet been widely promoted...
"Marvelous!" Zhang Yang exclaimed, slamming the table. "I never imagined such a simple tool could have such ingenious modifications. If it can be popularized, it will greatly reduce the need for human and animal labor!"