Xiao Qing's pupils contracted: "One thousand catties? Two to three thousand catties? How is that possible..."
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun remained silent, their eyes equally filled with shock.
They believed that Liang Xiao's words were not without basis!
So, how did he recognize these three plants?
Liang Xiao's prepared explanation was finally put to use: "These three crops, I had the good fortune to discover them in the past. It's a pity that, in my youthful ignorance, I couldn't protect the seedlings, and then encountered drastic weather changes. Despite the near failure, I accidentally discovered their characteristics... In short, Xiao Shuangzi, you just need to trust Big Brother."
Xiao Qing's pupils trembled slightly, his mind going blank.
He had asked the Emperor to send people to draw them, precisely for this day, to have the Emperor send people out to search for them?!
Xiao Qing had his people inspect the ink marks and roughly estimated that they had already experienced at least a month.
This meant that Liang Xiao had been planning this before he even met him!
His heart had always been concerned with the country and its people!
Xiao Qing wiped away tears that had flowed down at some point, and sighed, "Eunuch Ding, starting tomorrow, select the most reliable personnel from the palace. Each will carry three drawings and go to various parts of the country to search for the three crops."
Ding Wuyi, sensing the critical nature of the matter, repeatedly agreed.
Liang Xiao reminded: "These things might no longer exist within the borders of Da Qian, but we cannot give up hope. In the future, we can also send people out to sea to search in foreign lands, and by the way, spread the imperial prestige to overseas countries. Remember! Act in secret. Once discovered, do not act rashly. Follow the methods written above to protect the crops and return to report as quickly as possible!"
Xiao Qing and the other two nodded solemnly.
If enemy countries were to discover this, they would also pay attention to these crops.
At that time, the destruction of the crops would be a small matter. If enemy countries were to promote their cultivation first and then prohibit their export, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Regardless of whether Liang Xiao's yield claims were reliable, for Xiao Qing, finding these crops was the urgent priority. What if it was true?
Liang Xiao fell into thought again.
Da Qian was vastly different from that world, but some of its geographical environments were similar.
He did not hold much hope of finding these three crops domestically. In the future, he would likely have to improve the domestic sailboats and send people out to sea.
In any case, with a Xiao Shuangzi who was willing to trust him, many things became easier.
Xiao Qing lowered his head and softly asked, "Big Brother, after you and the Marquis Zhenguo are done, be sure to see the Medical Saint soon to heal your injuries and illnesses. Your Xiao Shuangzi absolutely cannot allow you to die young. Do you know why..."
"Is it because you can't bear to live without Big Brother?" Liang Xiao chuckled.
"Of course, I can't bear it, but that's no longer the main reason..." Xiao Qing hesitated for a moment as he spoke, then finally mustered his courage and sighed, "If your Xiao Shuangzi unfortunately passes away, and has not left any descendants... this world will be entrusted to Big Brother."
Upon hearing this, Liang Xiao and the other two were struck as if by lightning.
"Your Highness!" Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun cried out to dissuade him on the spot.
How could the ruler of a nation say such a thing to a subject!
"No!" Liang Xiao turned around, placed his hands on Xiao Qing's shoulders, and pretended to be angry, "I find even being an official tiresome! Besides, you must live, and you must live longer than Big Brother. Big Brother will not allow you to die young!"
Looking at Liang Xiao, whose eyes were already brimming with tears, Xiao Qing bit the inside of his lower lip and looked at Liang Xiao with tears in his eyes.
He... was destined to be unforgettable to the Emperor!
Realizing his loss of composure, Liang Xiao coughed strategically, straightened his face again, glared at Xiao Qing, wiped the tears from her face, and began to lecture. 138 Reading Network
"Children shouldn't always be so pessimistic. No wonder it affects your physical development! Xiao Shuangzi, have you been eating well and on time every day!"
Xiao Qing suppressed his tears and nodded, "Mm!"
"Have you been taking walks often to exercise your body?"
"Mm."
"Have you been sleeping well?"
"Mm..."
Liang Xiao frowned: "Why does the last one sound so hesitant? Haven't you been sleeping well?"
"I've had occasional insomnia recently. I've taken the imperial physician's medicine, but it's nothing serious." Xiao Qing turned his head away, not daring to look at Liang Xiao.
She would absolutely not tell Liang Xiao that she had been unable to sleep due to longing.
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun, having recovered from their emotion, looked at the two of them with smiles in their eyes.
Liang Xiao said with a smile: "Nothing serious? Then it might be loneliness. Don't worry, you can come to Liang Mansion occasionally, or Big Brother can go to the palace, and Big Brother will sleep with you."
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun almost fell over.
Xiao Qing's small face turned even paler. In a moment of desperation, he asked, "Big Brother, you, you don't happen to like men, do you..."
Liang Xiao's smile froze: "How could that be! Your Big Brother, I am a man of integrity, straighter than straight!"
Xiao Qing quickly waved his hands, nervously saying, "Big Brother doesn't need to accompany, accompany me to sleep. After tonight, Xiao Shuangzi will definitely sleep soundly every night..."
She was not lying, because after tonight, her scoundrel Big Brother, she would no longer have to worry every night!
"That's more like it..." Liang Xiao pouted, straightened his clothes, and said, "By the way, you can't become crooked yourself. Grow up well, find a few virtuous and beautiful concubines, and have offspring. Don't let the family line be broken!"
Xiao Qing had a flash of inspiration and tentatively asked, "Anyway, Big Brother definitely doesn't want Xiao Shuangzi to have no descendants, right?"
"Of course!" Liang Xiao nodded without hesitation.
"Then if, Xiao Shuangzi has someone he fancies, and only has feelings for this person..."
Liang Xiao's expression changed. He crossed his arms, looked confident, and raised his eyebrows.
"Don't worry! If persuasion doesn't work, even if Big Brother has to take the blame and snatch them, I'll bring them to the palace so you don't end up without descendants!"
Xiao Qing was stunned and secretly pleased, humming, "It's a deal..."
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun, who were guarding behind, lowered their heads, covering their masks, and suppressing their smiles: These two are truly remarkable...
It's just a pity that their master, the new Emperor, has just ascended the throne and his imperial power is unstable, making it unsuitable to announce the female identity of Xiao Qing to the world at this time.
Otherwise, Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun would have so wished that Liang Xiao would immediately become the Emperor's consort...
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly: "It's a deal! After all, you are the Xiao Shuangzi that Big Brother admires the most! In the future, Big Brother will take more blame for you. If any accidents occur, for the sake of the Da Qian empire, you must not share the responsibility with Big Brother."
"Big Brother will surely be admired by the people and remembered for generations!" Xiao Qing said with certainty.
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, gazing at the bright moon, his eyes deep.
"What is fame after death worth mentioning? What the common people truly care about is who can give them a better life. If not, no matter how exquisite the poetry, songs, or national policies, they will only earn their temporary respect. To them, it will ultimately be nothing but fleeting clouds, irrelevant to them."
Xiao Qing gazed deeply at Liang Xiao, hesitating for a moment in her heart, and thought, "Forgive your Xiao Shuangzi for being selfish one more time..."
Xiao Qing's thoughts stirred, and her demeanor returned to calm. She said, "What Big Brother said is excellent. However, I forgot to tell you something. Imperial Sister told me what you said about Xiao Shuangzi, and I've told Xiao Shuangzi truthfully. As a return, Xiao Shuangzi naturally wouldn't dare to hide anything, and I've also told Imperial Sister what you said about her."
Liang Xiao almost choked, and quickly turned around.
"Uh, Big Brother has something to attend to, so I'll take my leave. We'll end our chat here for today!"
Before Liang Xiao could escape, Xiao Qing, with a pout, grabbed Liang Xiao's lapel and stared at him resentfully.