Luo Qingxue glanced at Liang Xiao doubtfully, then at Lü Changhe.
Liang Xiao calmly watched Lü Changhe and smiled, "What is it?"
Seeing Liang Xiao's pale, sickly appearance, Lü Changhe shook his head with a wry smile, "Apologies, I mistook you for someone else."
Liang Xiao merely smiled without speaking, and the carriage resumed its journey.
Watching the convoy disappear into the distance, Lü Changhe murmured to himself, "His eyes and build, they resemble, they resemble so much... but General Tian could never look so frail. This person appears to be in ill health, likely from overindulging in five-stone powder, and probably couldn't even lift General Tian's spear."
Lü Changhe sighed, then felt a inexplicable sadness.
"General Tian has already become a god, I heard he even manifested. What is wrong with me?"
Returning to his senses, Lü Changhe turned back to the white-robed soldiers.
"Commander, what's wrong?" a white-robed soldier captain asked with concern.
Lü Changhe gave a wry smile, "Perhaps it's the continuous sorrow of recent days, my mind is unsettled, and I mistook someone."
Everyone looked bewildered and followed Lü Changhe towards the imperial palace.
"White-robed soldiers return victorious! An audience with His Majesty!"
The Grand Eunuch announced loudly, and Xiao Qing personally led the civil and military officials out of the great hall to welcome them.
Lü Changhe was Xiao Qing's cousin, but to avoid suspicion, Xiao Qing did not give him special treatment. After accepting the salutes of the white-robed soldiers, she comforted them with tears.
"The white-robed soldiers have achieved numerous victories alongside General Tian, they are the pillars of our nation. Now, less than one in ten remain, and I am deeply grieved! We will select the elite from across the country to replenish the ranks of the white-robed soldiers!"
"Lü Changhe is promoted to General Anbei and enfeoffed as a Marquis. Each captain is promoted to Ya Men General, and the rest are bestowed official ranks of six hundred piculs! Seven thousand white-robed soldiers will each receive forty thousand coins, and fallen soldiers' families will receive an additional twenty thousand coins, to be collected by their kin! Anyone daring to withhold these rewards will face the severest punishment!"
The civil and military officials and the white-robed soldiers knelt and praised, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Xiao Qing sighed inwardly.
If not for the Ministry of Revenue's strong opposition, she would have rewarded them even more!
What harm would it do to enfeoff these captains as Marquis within the passes!
But with more than half of the civil officials vehemently opposing it, this was the highest reward she could secure.
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng exchanged a smile, feeling elated.
There were too few military officials qualified to attend court sessions, given the status of soldiers.
As Left and Right Generals, they did not hold much real power.
This time, the emperor's generous rewards would sufficiently inspire the soldiers at the front lines and encourage young men nationwide to join the army.
The civil officials below had varied expressions, each with their own thoughts.
Wang Canghai and several old ministers watched the white-robed soldiers with smiles of relief.
Dugu Qun, Ouyang Ji, and most civil officials wore forced smiles.
The situation where the civil official faction held the reins of power in the court had long been established, and they did not wish for these "uncouth individuals" to take a share of their pie!
After all, the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Forest Army, controlled by the emperor, were already spread throughout the capital, capable of decapitating them at any moment. They did not wish for any further threats!
After ordering the white-robed soldiers to rise, Xiao Qing smiled, "All generals, do you have anything to say? Speak freely!"
Dugu Qun and others felt a tightening in their hearts, watching Lü Changhe warily.
Lü Changhe replied, "Your Majesty, we have already paid our respects at the temple of General Tian. We wish to stay in the capital for this period and guard the Divine Might Mansion daily, keeping vigil for General Tian!"
"So be it!" Xiao Qing agreed with satisfaction.
Lü Changhe's tone shifted, he cast a glance at Liang Qing, and his voice gradually turned cold.
"However, I have one matter I do not understand, and I hope the Left General can provide an explanation!"
Everyone was stunned.
Liang Qing smiled, "General Lü, please speak your mind."
Lü Changhe stared at Liang Qing, clenched his fists, and said coldly, "Your humble servant heard a matter on his return from the border to Yanzhou, which greatly angered us white-robed soldiers. It is said that the Left General's grandson, Liang Xiao, not only disdained General Tian's achievements but also spoke ill of General Tian's state funeral?"
All seven hundred white-robed soldiers were filled with grief and indignation.
Liang Qing was shocked, while Dugu Qun and others rejoiced inwardly.
These rough fellows would eventually fall into internal strife!
Even Xiao Qing was momentarily taken aback.
Lü Changhe continued, "General Tian sacrificed himself to save Yanzhou. Liang Xiao was in Yanzhou at the time, wasn't he? I heard in Yanzhou that this boy is ignorant and untalented, yet he was born into a military family and is so ungrateful. Is this how he repays General Tian and all the people?"
"If the Left General cannot provide a reasonable explanation, I believe Your Majesty will administer justice impartially and arrest Liang Xiao!"
The white-robed soldiers behind Lü Changhe echoed in unison, "We concur!"
The civil officials in the rear secretly sneered, waiting to watch the show.
Dugu Qun said, "Indeed, General Tian sacrificed himself for the nation. How can he be defiled by a profligate youth?"
Liang Qing quickly said, "General Lü, my grandson did not slander General Tian..."
"Words are meaningless! Is this the Left General's explanation?" Lü Changhe's tone grew increasingly icy.
Xiao Qing finally spoke, "Minister Lü, Liang Xiao indeed did not intend to slander General Tian. On the contrary, he offended the imperial students in the capital to defend General Tian."
"Is there such a thing? Are the people of Yanzhou all lying?" Lü Changhe looked perplexed.
Xiao Qing sighed, "Everyone wait here. Minister Lü, accompany me to the Imperial Study."
Lü Changhe, with his doubts, followed Xiao Qing and Ding Wuyi to the deserted Imperial Study.
"Cousin, please sit," Xiao Qing calmly gestured to the seat opposite.
With no one else around, Lü Changhe became more at ease, sat down generously, and asked, "Shuangmei, what is going on with that Liang Xiao? You said what you said just now, and I don't understand."
Xiao Qing looked at Ding Wuyi.
Ding Wuyi understood, turned to the bookshelf, retrieved a stack of poems, placed them on the table, and spread them out.
"Shuangmei, you know, your cousin is just a rough person, he dislikes poetry and songs the most..." Lü Changhe rubbed the back of his head, smiling awkwardly.
Ding Wuyi put away the other poems, leaving three, and said, "General Lü, then let's look at these three."
Lü Changhe slapped his forehead and looked at the poetry he usually detested, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"It is rumored that a single battle caused a hundred gods to mourn..."
Lü Changhe stood up in shock, picked up the poem, and exclaimed, "Well written! Is this the complete poem of 'A general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers'?"
Ding Wuyi nodded, "Indeed, but the original manuscript has already been given to the Divine Doctor. This is a copy written by the Master. General Lü, you naturally wouldn't know about this on your way to the capital."
"The land of Ze and rivers enter the battle map... Recently, they have long flowed with blood!" Lü Changhe read on, his voice gradually choking.
The Yanzhou campaign flashed before his eyes!
"Only someone who truly understands General Tian and empathizes with us frontline soldiers could write such a poem!" Lü Changhe sighed profoundly.
Ding Wuyi smiled, "If this untitled poem is a masterpiece of its era, then this 'Man Jiang Hong' is undoubtedly an immortal classic!"
Lü Changhe eagerly opened the second piece, his body trembling.
"Well said, 'Do not wait in vain, and let youth turn white, only to regret in vain'! Well said, 'With lofty aspirations, we shall feast on the flesh of barbarians, and with a laugh, we shall drink the blood of the Xiongnu!'"
Reading the entire lyric, Lü Changhe no longer cared about his appearance, his eyes wet with tears!
"This lyric surpasses all poems of ancient and modern times, expressing the hearts and minds of our army's soldiers!"
Lü Changhe murmured to himself, then suddenly came to his senses and trembled, "Shuangmei, could these two poems be from the same person?"
Xiao Qing finally nodded, "Indeed. It is Liang Xiao, the grandson of the Left General, whom you wished to arrest with your own hands."