The crowd quieted down, looking at Liang Xiao with envy.
The envoys from various countries, having witnessed the majesty of the Daqian Emperor and his officials, dared not object and listened attentively.
Under normal circumstances, Daqian should have handled the matters of the envoys first, after which they would be dismissed.
Dugu Qun’s face remained stern, suppressing his anger, unwilling to commit an unforgivable sin by preventing Xiao Qing from bestowing rewards.
A eunuch brought forward a treasure chest, which Xiao Qing personally opened, taking out a silk scroll.
“My esteemed minister, Liang Xiao, Minister of Works, has achieved several great merits!”
“First, he read the imperial decree, deterred the barbarians, upheld our national prestige, and did not disgrace his mission!”
The crowd had personally witnessed Liang Xiao’s first merit and had no objections.
“Second, the measures for rectifying the bureaucracy, including the drawing up of the family trees of officials, were also proposed by Liang Xiao.”
As soon as the words fell, all civil and military officials were stunned!
“What? He proposed it? How is that possible!” Dugu Qun and others found it hard to believe.
This family tree map, which had kept them awake at night, was actually proposed by Liang Xiao!
Qin Feng remained silent, his expression growing more somber.
He had investigated this matter, believing it to be the initiative of Xiao Qing, who possessed the qualities of a young sage-emperor. He had even sent a letter back to his country overnight, suggesting that the Emperor of Da Liang emulate this move.
But now, the main figure behind this event was Liang Xiao?
“Third: ‘To establish the heart for heaven and earth, to secure life for the people, to continue the lost teachings of the past sages, and to bring peace to all generations.’ Such sage words were also learned from Liang Xiao by me!”
The entire hall erupted in exclamations!
Xiao Qing, beaming with pride, continued, “Fourth, Liang Xiao, in collaboration with Si Tian Zhang Yang, designed new farming tools that are about to be promoted nationwide. He deserves a reward!”
This time, the crowd was not as shocked, as most of them were unaware of what these new farming tools were.
Only Huang Xing, Wang Canghai, Luo Changfeng, and Liang Qing looked excited.
“Fifth, and an even more remarkable feat!” Xiao Qing continued, her face alight with excitement, taking another silk scroll from the chest. “The silk scroll shot into the Prefect’s mansion of Yanzhou City that day, and the peerless poem that flew in with the wind, were also written by Liang Xiao. The handwriting has been authenticated and is identical.”
“What?!” The entire crowd was caught off guard, cries of astonishment erupting from all sides!
Xiao Qing joyfully declared, “It is precisely because of this silk scroll that Yanzhou City could timely adjust its defenses and repel the barbarians, preventing the entire territory from falling, and creating an opportunity for our country’s counter-offensive!”
The crowd was dumbfounded, their gazes towards Liang Xiao becoming increasingly reverent!
“Can he also devise strategies?” At this moment, Qin Feng felt a prickle on his back.
There was such a thing?
Liang Qing, seated below, could not stop smiling. Suddenly meeting Liang Xiao’s gaze, his old face flushed, and he tactfully coughed twice, turning his head away from his grandson.
There was no doubt that he was the one who had handed over that silk scroll!
Luo Changfeng, covering his mouth, chuckled, his old eyes narrowing into slits.
Little Qingxue, this is Xiao’er’s capability!
Xiao Qing paused, looking at the sixth great merit, but ultimately refrained.
The sixth was rejecting the Spring Cult; she did not want Liang Xiao to be targeted by the villains of the Spring Cult again.
“Esteemed ministers, what do you think of my minister Liang’s merits?” Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“Minister Liang has achieved such five great merits, and I believe he deserves a generous reward!” Wang Canghai was the first to express his opinion, followed closely by Gu Hong, the Minister of Rites.
The other officials voiced their support in turn, even Dugu Qun could only reluctantly express his agreement.
“Then, how should he be rewarded?” Xiao Qing asked with a smile.
At this moment, Liang Xiao’s achievements were finally announced to the world, and her heart was filled with immense joy!
My esteemed minister, my elder brother, no one shall look down upon him!
He Wanli, the Minister of Personnel, could no longer hold back and stepped forward, saying, “Your Majesty is wise, and the decision naturally rests with Your Majesty! However, Minister Liang is currently the Minister of Works, with shallow seniority, and there are no suitable positions for an official promotion…”
Xiao Qing smiled and said, “I have already decided!”
“Minister of Works Liang Xiao, attend the decree! My minister has accomplished five great merits, and is hereby enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anguo, with an initial grant of three thousand households, to be further bestowed later. He shall concurrently serve as Minister of Works and Guanglu Daifu, and be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold. Liang Xiao is granted the privilege of not bowing to the Emperor when attending court, and not being required to hasten his steps into the presence of the Emperor, with the freedom to choose whether or not to attend court sessions!”
“Concurrent Guanglu Daifu? Not bowing to the Emperor, not hastening his steps into the presence, and freedom to attend court?” The crowd was greatly astonished, even Wang Canghai was taken aback.
Serving as Minister of Works concurrently with Guanglu Daifu was an unprecedented move!
Those privileges were even more groundbreaking!
Under normal circumstances, they might have thought Xiao Qing had gone mad.
But times were different!
This was an official reward bestowed in the presence of envoys from various countries. Let alone Dugu Qun, even the Grand Tutor would not dare to object and create trouble for himself!
Wang Canghai stepped forward, saying, “Your Majesty is wise! Minister Liang indeed has the merit of securing the nation and the talent to benefit the people!”
Since the heads of the officials had spoken, the rest could only voice their support.
Only Qin Feng looked at Liang Xiao with a knowing smile.
He was the Marquis of Zhenguo of Da Liang, and Xiao Qing’s enfeoffment of Liang Xiao as the Marquis of Anguo of Da Gan clearly carried a hidden meaning.
As expected, Xiao Qing looked out at the crowd with great spirit and declared, “Da Liang has the talented Marquis of Zhenguo, and I have the Marquis of Anguo; we can be called the Twin Gems of the world!”
Twin Gems of the world!
The hearts of the crowd sank, and the envoys from other countries dared not look up at Liang Xiao.
“Your subject, Liang Xiao, Minister of Works, thanks Your Majesty for your profound grace!”
After Liang Xiao rose, he felt helpless but could not bear to dampen Xiao Qing’s spirits at this moment.
He believed that Xiao Qing would not torment him to death.
As for that Guanglu Daifu title, he would seek out Wang Canghai and try to pass it on to him…
With his strategy in mind, Liang Xiao relaxed considerably. After rising, he met Qin Feng’s gaze.
In the entire Golden Hall, only this person could bring Liang Xiao a sense of crisis!
The Marquis of Zhenguo of Da Liang, a unique talent in the world!
Qin Feng finally smiled and cupped his hands, saying, “This Marquis thanks the Heavenly Emperor of Da Gan for the high praise…”
“He actually accepted it calmly?” The crowd was also surprised.
Even Liang Xiao secretly marveled.
As the saying goes, literati are envious of each other, and ‘if Yu was born, why must Liang be born?’ This Marquis of Zhenguo had long been famous, yet he did not mind being ranked alongside Liang Xiao as the Twin Gems of the world?
Xiao Qing was in high spirits and asked Liang Xiao to return to his seat, instructing the chief eunuch to read the imperial decrees brought by the envoys, to prevent Liang Xiao from becoming too weary.
After the imperial decrees were read, that of Da Liang was the most sincere.
She smiled and said, “Da Liang sending the Marquis of Zhenguo as an envoy shows their sincerity. May I ask what suggestions the Emperor of Da Liang and the Marquis of Zhenguo have for the relationship between the two countries?”
“As stated in the imperial decree, His Majesty hopes that the two countries will seek peace and refrain from conflict!” Qin Feng replied.
“Granted!” Xiao Qing readily agreed.
Daqian and Da Liang, the two countries were considered to be of the same lineage. Now that Da Gan was troubled by barbarians, and other countries were also coveting its territory, the borders were indeed surrounded by strong enemies. Any conflict with Da Liang, south of the Heng River, would be detrimental and without benefit, especially considering Da Gan’s limited warships.
Only then did Qin Feng relax and smile, saying, “This Marquis has one more humble request, which I hope the Heavenly Emperor of Da Gan will grant.”
Since the other party was so humble, Xiao Qing naturally did not want to show any displeasure and nodded, saying, “Please speak freely.”
Qin Feng then looked at Liang Xiao and smiled, saying, “This Marquis deeply admires your country’s Marquis of Anguo, and hopes that the Heavenly Emperor of Da Gan will permit this Marquis to have a gentleman’s meeting with the Marquis of Anguo.”