Liang Xiao arrived in the main hall and found Zhuo Zifang chatting animatedly with Liang Qing.
Zhuo Zifang quickly made Liang Xiao sit down and cautioned, "When the imperial selection takes place, you must be mindful of your boundaries!"
Before Liang Xiao could respond, Zhuo Zifang began to explain.
It turned out that the envoys from various countries had already set the dates for tribute and visits.
It would be after the imperial selection, sometime after the beginning of spring this year!
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the envoys from various countries would also send people to observe this special selection, an event that concerned the reputation of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Liang Xiao nodded, "Rest assured, I understand the limits."
Only then did Zhuo Zifang heave a sigh of relief and add, "The White Robe soldiers will return to their homeland the day after tomorrow and will receive the Emperor's reward. Their commanding general, Lü Changhe, is the son of the Imperial Uncle and the General of Cavalry. He is known for his ruthlessness. If you encounter him, be cautious to avoid any misunderstandings."
"Would he chop me down with a single stroke?" Liang Xiao chuckled.
Zhuo Zifang said earnestly, "With his fiery temper, it's quite possible he might act first and report later!"
Liang Xiao smiled but remained silent.
Lü Changhe, at the young age of twenty-six, was already the commander of the White Robe soldiers. After this campaign, he would undoubtedly be promoted to general upon his return to the capital.
The General of Cavalry, Lü Yi, as the Imperial Uncle and one of the Four Great Ministers, had been guarding the northern frontier since the barbarian invasion, unable to return home.
According to Liang Qing, Lü Yi, being of the imperial affinal clan and a military man, was constantly marginalized by the civil official faction. Entrusting state affairs to Wang Canghai while guarding the north was a measure of last resort.
Despite this, the civil officials in court continued to attack Lü Yi and even stationed a supervisor in the northern region.
"With this old man around, Changhe should also know his limits. Besides, Xiao'er is merely unconventional, not someone who would deliberately antagonize soldiers. After all, his father once fought alongside the General of Cavalry," Liang Qing sighed.
A wave of inexplicable sadness fell upon them.
The battle at Helan Mountain years ago remained a painful memory and an unforgettable humiliation for the soldiers and civilians of the Great Qian.
The defeat in that battle led to the complete annihilation of ten thousand elite soldiers. The soldiers covered Lü Yi's retreat. Upon his return, Lü Yi was demoted by three ranks, and it wasn't until the year before last that his original official position was restored.
Upon hearing the news of Liang Xiao's father's death, Liang Xiao's mother also fell ill and passed away in melancholy.
"Drive the chariot, trample through the Helan Mountain Pass!" Zhuo Zifang clenched his fist, his breathing becoming somewhat unsteady.
It was precisely because of the defeat at Helan Mountain that he, as the chief strategist of the Great Qian Dynasty at the time, felt he had failed the people and could only retire. The position of Minister of Personnel had remained vacant ever since.
Recapturing Helan Mountain was the fervent wish of every soldier of the Great Qian!
Sensing his loss of composure, Zhuo Zifang gave a wry smile and said, "Let's not dwell on sad memories. Liang Xiao, I heard at the academy about your heroic deeds at the Hundred Springs Pavilion last night!"
As he spoke, Zhuo Zifang produced a piece of calligraphy he had written.
Liang Xiao looked and saw it was indeed the poem "Mulan Ci."
"I have copied this 'Mulan Ci' twice and will send it along with that poem 'Man Jiang Hong' to Mount Tian, to the Sage of Medicine. I hope the Sage of Medicine, with a benevolent heart, will pity your talent and make an exception to treat you," Zhuo Zifang sighed.
"What's the use of sending this?" Liang Xiao frowned.
Zhuo Zifang explained, "His Majesty sent someone to Mount Tian, but the Sage of Medicine still refused to agree to treat you, not even giving them a chance to explain. However, Jian Qinwan, the beloved daughter of the Sage of Medicine, agreed to be accommodating."
"Those four lines of the scholar's heart, along with your poems and verses, His Majesty has sent people to deliver them, all for your speedy recovery. Naturally, I could not keep this to myself. I have already sent someone with them this morning."
Liang Xiao couldn't help but sigh, "This young emperor is truly thoughtful. It seems I should say fewer bad things about him to Xiao Shuangzi from now on."
"Xiao Shuangzi?" Zhuo Zifang's eyebrows twitched. He seemed to understand something and regained his composure. "In any case, after the spring warmth arrives, you must go to Mount Tian. Do not let His Majesty's good intentions go unfulfilled, and consider your own health."
Liang Xiao readily agreed.
Without the harsh cold and snow, he didn't mind a long journey.
Zhuo Zifang then laughed and cursed, "I heard you even refused the invitation of a disciple of the Qin Saint. You are truly audacious!"
Liang Qing, standing nearby, also shook his head with a wry smile.
Liang Xiao burst into laughter, "I am not skilled at playing the zither, what would I do by going to the Qin Saint? You must know that women over fifty are the most talkative."
Liang Qing couldn't help but roll his eyes at Liang Xiao, "You mustn't say such things again. If those who study the zither hear it, especially Miss Jian Qinwan, the esteemed disciple of the Qin Saint, she might come with a sword to strike you!"
Liang Xiao grinned, neither confirming nor denying.
Zhuo Zifang then discussed Liang Xiao's plans for the winery, marveling at them.
Fine wine better than the court's Song Ling wine?
Even Zhuo Zifang, who was not a heavy drinker, began to look forward to it.
In a secret chamber, Dugu Xiao knelt before the Left Virtuous King and Hu Yan Galuo, speaking with anguish.
"Please, Left Virtuous King, in consideration of my father's reputation, assassinate Liang Xiao for your humble servant!"
The Left Virtuous King said sternly, "This king has also considered this matter. After all, he is the grandson of the Great Qian's Left General. However, the capital's defenses are currently very strict, and I hear the White Robe soldiers will be returning in a couple of days. We cannot act rashly!"
Dugu Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "Your humble servant is willing to offer ten thousand taels of silver in exchange for Liang Xiao's life!"
The Left Virtuous King fell silent.
Hu Yan Galuo reminded, "Left Virtuous King, must we abandon the plan midway?"
The Left Virtuous King had originally intended to send someone to assassinate Liang Xiao, but after witnessing the increasing patrols of the Imperial Guards, he immediately abandoned the plan.
The Left Virtuous King's body trembled, and he muttered to himself, "No matter what, he is a person protected by the divine manifestation of the Heavenly General. If the Heavenly General manifests again for him, it would not only ruin our plan but also cause the Heavenly General to become entangled with this king..."
Hu Yan Galuo and Dugu Xiao looked at each other in astonishment.
This reason sounded absurd, yet they could not refute it!
Hu Yan Galuo sighed helplessly.
The Left Virtuous King, whom he admired most, had now become a frightened bird because of the Heavenly General!
Leaving the secret chamber, Dugu Xiao's face was filled with malice, and he gritted his teeth.
The accusation of beating refugees had been dismissed by Wang Canghai and the Emperor.
Seeking help from the barbarians, the Left Virtuous King was also a coward!
"There will always be a way. After all, I, Dugu Xiao, am the favored son of heaven!" Dugu Xiao murmured to himself. "It seems I must seek help from my teacher!"
As the events of the Hundred Springs Pavilion's Eastern Wind Gathering spread, Liang Xiao's name, along with "Mulan Ci" and that short poem, became known throughout the streets and alleys.
Countless young girls were enthralled, and several daughters of officials even came to the Liang residence, requesting to meet Liang Xiao and hoping he would compose a poem for them.
Unsurprisingly, Liang Qing turned away all unrelated visitors.
The price of paper in the capital, which had finally stabilized, began to rise again!
Another day passed, and Zhang Yang confirmed that the final structure of the curved-ridge plow required no further improvements. The Minister of Works, Huang Xing, returned to report.
The Son of Heaven issued a decree for the large-scale production of curved-ridge plows across the country, replacing existing farming tools!
Another day passed, and Liang Xiao, accompanied by Yue Lian and Zhen Mi, came to the Luo residence to visit Luo Qingxue.
Luo Qingxue held Liang Xiao's arm, her face filled with emotion.
"It's quite warm today. Let's go and wait for the White Robe heroes to return triumphantly!"