Liang Xiao smiled faintly, "What are you afraid of? No one cares about us."
With that, Liang Xiao and Yue Lian dismounted the carriage and walked towards the crowd, staying at the rear of the scholar contingent from the academy.
Gazing at the distant high platform, Liang Xiao's heart was filled with complex emotions.
At this moment, the people wept!
The common folk tearfully called out to the Heavenly General, especially the old, the weak, the women, and the children, who embraced and cried.
The Heavenly General, who brought peace to our Yan Province, would never return!
Liang Qing, who had already retired to his hometown, stood beneath the high platform, unable to hold back his tears.
Wang Canghai continued to preside over the ceremony, tears streaming down his face as he read the official document.
"It is a pity that the Heavenly General's remains are lost, and he cannot be buried properly! His Majesty has decreed that Shenwei Mansion shall be rebuilt as a temple to the Heavenly General after one year, for the nation's long-term worship! Furthermore, according to His Majesty's will, this place shall be the tomb of the Heavenly General, and the rocks stained with his blood in life shall be interred in this tomb!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage carrying a rock was brought to the high platform.
This rock was originally bluestone, but it was already stained red with blood.
Upon seeing the rock, countless soldiers and civilians below cried heartbrokenly, and some even fainted on the spot!
After days of propaganda, everyone understood the brutality of the battle that day.
The bloodstains on this rock were the Heavenly General's last trace!
The fate of the Heavenly General could be imagined!
The enmity between the Great Qian Dynasty and the savage tribes was irreconcilable!
On the high platform, the Minister of Rites quietly asked Wang Canghai, "Prime Minister, is it not inappropriate for His Majesty to not preside over the burial?"
Wang Canghai sighed, "His Majesty is still young and worried about losing composure. We ministers should understand and share his burdens."
The Minister of Rites had no choice but to proceed with the arrangements.
The suona sounded, and the ritual music began, a burial befitting a great general.
"We bid farewell to the Heavenly General, may he rest in eternal peace!"
With Wang Canghai's loud cry, the rock was tearfully placed into the coffin by the strong men.
Liang Xiao, from afar, frowned and shook his head, "This is simply absurd!"
Yue Lian's face turned pale with fright, and she quickly reached out to cover Liang Xiao's mouth.
"Young master, you absolutely must not speak carelessly here..."
Liang Xiao said helplessly, "It's absurd, it's absurd. A cenotaph would suffice, why must they place a stinking rock."
Yue Lian's heart pounded. Just as she was about to speak, a group of scholars from the academy in the distance had already heard Liang Xiao's words and were casting furious glances at him.
"Liang Xiao, it's one thing that you usually idle about, but even on this day of the Heavenly General's state funeral, you dare to be so disrespectful!"
"The Heavenly General sacrificed himself to save the common people from suffering, and you, who were also saved, are so ungrateful, you deserve to be expelled from the academy!"
The scholars began to denounce him, each one more indignant than the last.
Among the scholars, Liang Yun's face was ashen, and he glared at Liang Xiao with resentment.
A scholar next to Liang Yun nudged him and taunted, "Liang Yun, isn't Liang Xiao your cousin? He actually dares to disrespect the Heavenly General's state funeral like this. Doesn't he understand that he's not even worthy of licking the Heavenly General's shoes?"
Liang Yun gritted his teeth and shook his head, "He's lawless now, even my grandfather can't control him!"
The scholars' emotions became increasingly agitated. A middle-aged scholar walked over from a distance and stopped them, "What is all this commotion?"
This person was none other than the dean of the Yan Province Academy, Zhuo Wentao.
"Dean, Liang Xiao has disrespected the Heavenly General!"
The scholars all rushed to report to Zhuo Wentao.
Zhuo Wentao's brow furrowed. He glanced at Liang Xiao and sighed, "Forget it, he has already been expelled from the academy, and I can't control him!"
Several other scholars, unwilling to let the matter go, said, "Then report him to his grandfather, or to the Prefect, let them decide how long he can remain so arrogant!"
Liang Xiao swept his indifferent eyes over everyone, then suddenly chuckled and said, "If I remember correctly, the barbarians haven't even reached Yan Province yet, and you, as the future pillars of the nation, are already discussing how to surrender. While the soldiers are fighting and dying on the front lines against the barbarians, you are still in the rear discussing peace talks?"
Yue Lian couldn't help but chime in, "My young master at least understands national hatred and vengeance. But you, the future pillars, only think of ceding land and paying reparations! What right do you have to criticize my young master!"
Liang Xiao was stunned and couldn't help but give Yue Lian a thumbs-up, "Well said!"
With that, Liang Xiao shielded Yue Lian behind him.
The scholars were both shocked and enraged, pointing at Liang Xiao, their words jumbled.
"Good for you, a mere maid dares to criticize us scholars! Liang Xiao, both you and your servant are so ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"
Liang Xiao glanced at Zhuo Wentao and said coldly, "Dean Zhuo, these scribblers have learned nothing of the scholar's creed: 'To establish heart for heaven and earth, to establish life for the people, to continue the lost learning for past sages, and to open peace for all generations.' Instead, they have learned an unwarranted sense of superiority and have cultivated soft bones."
As he spoke, Liang Xiao led Yue Lian away.
Zhuo Wentao was struck as if by lightning. Then, with a dark expression, he reprimanded the surrounding scholars.
"How can you be so enraged and quarrel with others? It is unbecoming. Return to your places!"
Seeing Zhuo Wentao inexplicably angry, the scholars dared not speak further and returned to their seats, continuing to watch the state funeral.
Zhuo Wentao gazed at Liang Xiao's retreating back, his mind in turmoil for a long time.
"What he said just now does not sound like something a profligate young master would say. Was the academy's decision to expel him really wrong..."
He suddenly recalled Lord Liang's visit the other day to plead for his grandson, and something he had told him.
The mysterious silk scroll that had strategized for Yan Province city, the handwriting was Liang Xiao's!
But what truly shocked him were Liang Xiao's few words just now.
Every word was a pearl, and every word pierced the heart!
Inside the carriage, Yue Lian was still shaken, her eyes teary.
Liang Xiao comforted her, "Yue Lian, I won't allow anyone to bully you, but you don't have to stand up for me."
Yue Lian said with a serious face, "That won't do! I won't allow anyone to bully you either, young master!"
Liang Xiao smiled warmly and asked Yue Lian to return to the carriage first.
Turning to look into the distance, Liang Xiao saw the people beginning to raise offerings prepared at home, worshipping with devout expressions. He shook his head helplessly.
"Why go to such trouble and expense for me alone, it's absurd. If the common people cannot live in peace and prosperity, what is the meaning of my fighting in blood?"
In his eyes, this was the truly absurd part!
Back in the carriage, Liang Xiao felt inspired and sat down to write with a flourish.
Halfway through, a wave of drowsiness washed over him. Liang Xiao sighed, "Yue Lian, it's been a long time since I've been so focused. I'll take a nap and write more when I wake up."
Yue Lian agreed. After Liang Xiao fell asleep, she curiously leaned over and took a look, her heart filled with surprise.
"Young master can actually write such a poem!"
Excitedly, Yue Lian took the paper, walked out of the carriage, and was about to find Zhuo Wentao to plead for mercy.
A strong gust of wind suddenly blew. Yue Lian was caught off guard, and the paper in her hand was blown away by the wind.
Amidst Yue Lian's cries, the paper flew all the way to the high platform...
And covered Wang Canghai's face!
"Prime Minister!" everyone was startled.
Wang Canghai, displeased, removed the paper and looked at it. Suddenly, his whole body trembled.
【A nation of rivers and mountains enters the battle map, how can the people find joy in gathering firewood? Do not speak of the glory of sealing a marquis, for the success of one general is built upon the bones of ten thousand soldiers.】
Twenty-eight characters, leaping from the paper, delivered an unprecedented shock to Wang Canghai!
Wang Canghai immediately summoned several civil officials to admire it together. After carefully reading it, they sighed and wept!
"Prime Minister, who wrote this poem?" the Minister of Rites asked tearfully.
Wang Canghai shook his head and exclaimed, "I do not know, but I can be sure that only someone who truly understands the Heavenly General's aspirations and truly cares for the people could write such a magnificent poem! Quickly send someone to inform His Majesty!"