Outside the Tongxuan Hall, north of the imperial palace.
Liang Xiao stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Qing, gazing at the spring water to the north.
Behind them, a table with writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and fruits was set up, with Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun, leading the shadow guards, keeping watch in the distance.
The spring breeze swept across their faces, the river water sparkled, and occasionally, fish leaped out of the water.
The banks were adorned with fragrant grass and lush green vegetation.
Liang Xiao stared at the river water, his mood becoming increasingly buoyant.
Xiao Qing secretly glanced at Liang Xiao, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
With him by her side, the beauty of the river indeed surpassed all previous experiences!
Observing the fish leaping from the water, Liang Xiao sighed, "I rarely see such beautiful scenery in Yanzhou."
Xiao Qing said softly, "Then let's come see it more often from now on. Every year."
Liang Xiao agreed, then reminded her, "Little Shuangzi, you are sixteen years old now. Your speech should become more manly."
Xiao Qing felt shy but retorted, "I know!"
No one else dared to speak to her like this, not even her closest companion, Ning Xuejun!
"Such beautiful scenery, why don't you bring your imperial sister to see it more often?" Liang Xiao asked.
Xiao Qing was prepared and replied, "My imperial sister doesn't like to be in the public eye. She prefers to read and write alone."
"Is that so?" Liang Xiao nodded slightly, unsuspecting.
Xiao Qing tentatively asked, "Big Brother, what do you think of my imperial sister?"
Liang Xiao was taken aback, then chuckled, "She's excellent! Truly deserving of all praise."
Xiao Qing's heart swelled with sweetness but she dared not push Liang Xiao too hard.
"Big Brother promised that no matter what, the Divine Doctor would treat you. So we can go to Mount Tian in a few days," Xiao Qing reminded him.
Liang Xiao nodded, "Naturally. If before I merely wished to live a peaceful life, now it is that I must live, and I will not allow myself to die young. This conviction to live is stronger than ever."
"Why?" Xiao Qing asked, confused.
"Because Big Brother won't let you be alone," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Caught off guard, tears welled up in Xiao Qing's eyes and streamed down her face.
"Nor can I let Qingxue become a widow, or even die for me. I cannot let my loved ones grieve endlessly," Liang Xiao added.
Xiao Qing wiped away her tears, pouted, and felt a strange pang of jealousy.
How enviable was Sister Qingxue!
Liang Xiao looked at Xiao Qing, smiling with warmth. He hooked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into an embrace, regardless of her blushing. He said, "With Big Brother here, you can cry as much as you want in private!"
Xiao Qing, who had just stopped crying, was once again overcome with tears. She looked up at Liang Xiao with a hint of resentment and huffed, "Big Brother was just teasing me for crying, why have you changed your tune!"
Liang Xiao pouted, "Because Big Brother understands. As the ruler of a nation, you must be strong in front of others. But you are still a child who hasn't fully developed, barely sixteen. I could lift you with one hand."
Hearing this, Xiao Qing almost wanted to throw Liang Xiao over her shoulder and into the river.
In reality, she was exceptionally well-developed, even slightly taller than Luo Qingxue. It was just that Liang Xiao always viewed her by male standards. What could she do!
Originally, she had lived a life of luxury and possessed a faint natural fragrance. Ever since meeting Liang Xiao, fearing exposure, she had deliberately used herbs to mask her scent.
Look, this fellow was now embracing me!
Xiao Qing felt a complex mix of resentment and sweetness.
But the thought of Liang Xiao's injuries filled her with worry.
At this moment, Liang Xiao was still admiring the river view, a look of contentment on his face.
Regardless of anything, he was still a winner in life to some extent!
With the Emperor being his favorite Little Shuangzi, he didn't mind contributing to protecting the vast territories of the Great Gan Dynasty, and then retiring with merit!
He believed in his judgment; Little Shuangzi was someone he could count on!
"Little Shuangzi, relax! Talk about whatever you want, Big Brother will accompany you," Liang Xiao said softly.
Xiao Qing's mood finally brightened. Blushing, she broke free from Liang Xiao and huffed, "Big Brother must have many secrets in his heart, but I won't ask for now. Let's talk about state affairs first."
Liang Xiao agreed with a smile.
At this point, Ning Xuejun and Ding Wuyi, after reporting, returned and stood silently behind the two, on guard.
"Big Brother, what do you think the Little Shuangzi should do to further improve the current situation where aristocratic families control the court?" Xiao Qing asked.
She had implemented significant improvements based on Liang Xiao's three essays, addressing the rampant nepotism within the court. However, the influence of aristocratic families in the government was deeply entrenched and could not be resolved overnight.
"Emphasis must be placed on popularizing education for the common people, but this cannot be accomplished overnight. It requires national fiscal surplus and gradual promotion," Liang Xiao replied. "As for the aristocratic families, to resolve their influence, one cannot be too hasty. If the root cause is not addressed, if the Du Gu family is gone today, another will emerge tomorrow."
"The root cause?" Xiao Qing's eyes lit up, and she looked at Liang Xiao eagerly.
Liang Xiao nodded and said, "The root cause is the insufficient imperial centralization of power, and the lack of talent in the country. Many official positions are monopolized by aristocratic families."
"Then how can power be centralized?" Xiao Qing asked again.
"Besides administrative measures, never forget: he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world! Why is it that the Great Gan imperial family has so few members, yet no one dares to covet the throne? It is because the hearts of the people are with your family. Anyone who dares to covet the throne, the officials will not agree, and neither will the common people! But if you lose the hearts of the people one day, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Liang Xiao's expression grew increasingly serious.
The Xiao family of the Great Gan was exceptionally unique, more beloved by the people than any dynasty in history he knew.
Almost every emperor possessed the demeanor of Emperor Wen of Han or Emperor Renzong of Song.
Generations of effort had forged a Great Gan imperial family embraced by all.
Ding Wuyi spoke with immense pride, "Regarding this, Second Young Master Liang need not worry. All the sage emperors of our dynasty have diligently governed and diligently loved the people, earning the support of the entire nation!"
Liang Xiao sighed, "Sometimes, the emperor's kindness and diligence alone cannot solve the situation. The stable hearts of the Great Gan people, at this point, are merely a superficial phenomenon."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing's expression changed, and the eyes of Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun also turned displeased.
"Do you believe our Lord is unqualified?" Ning Xuejun couldn't help but ask.
Liang Xiao shook his head, "It has no direct bearing on him. The chronic malady of land annexation has accumulated over many years, like a thousand-mile dike destroyed by an anthill!"
"Land annexation??" The three master and servants were shocked.
Xiao Qing vaguely grasped something and said urgently, "Big Brother, continue!"
Liang Xiao sighed, "The Yanzhou campaign and the barbarian invasion led to several northern commanderies being completely depopulated. After the soldiers reclaimed the lost territories, the aristocratic families and magnates of Yanzhou swallowed up that land at bargain prices. However, that land originally belonged to innocent citizens."
"Every time there is a famine and the harvest fails, farmers, forced by their circumstances, have no choice but to sell their land cheaply, eventually becoming tenant farmers or servants for landlords, unable to rise in life. Little Shuangzi, think about it, what will be the consequences if this continues?"
"Throughout history, no dynasty has been established with more legitimacy than Great Gan. Since ancient times, why have peasant uprisings erupted in every dynasty and empire? Is it not because the people can no longer live? Great Gan has endured for centuries, and now there are countless people who, at any moment, could be unable to survive!"