A group of swordsmen, led by a man, blocked the path ahead.
"I am a disciple of the Sword Saint, Chen Shaoling from Tianshan. Is my junior sister here?"
Hearing Chen Shaoling's call, Jian Qinwan, surprised, pulled open the curtain, "Why has Senior Brother come to the capital as well?"
Confirming that Jian Qinwan knew Chen Shaoling, Liang Wen then halted the convoy.
Liang Xiao also emerged with Yue Lian, and they exchanged introductions and greetings with Chen Shaoling.
Chen Shaoling cupped his fists towards Liang Xiao, "For the country and its people, a true hero... I heard from my junior brothers that these were the admonishments the Marquis of Anguo gave them that day. I am truly impressed!"
Seeing that Chen Shaoling was not making things difficult for Liang Xiao, Jian Qinwan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, Chen Shaoling changed the subject, "From now on, I only hope the Marquis of Anguo will not neglect our junior sister. Other matters can be easily discussed."
"???" Jian Qinwan glared fiercely at Chen Shaoling and the others, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, "The Bodhisattva is kind-hearted; how could I bear to neglect her? I am merely ashamed of myself."
Ashamed of himself?
Jian Qinwan dared not look at Liang Xiao anymore.
Even with her renowned title of Qin Xian (Zither Immortal), in the face of Liang Xiao, she was the one who should feel ashamed...
Chen Shaoling let out a hearty laugh, "Look, our junior sister is shy. When can we drink your wedding wine?"
Upon hearing this, Jian Qinwan drew her sword on the spot and lunged at Chen Shaoling, "You are messing up a good pairing..."
Chen Shaoling was startled and quickly begged for mercy, then added, "So, Junior Sister is truly being forced by our Madam to come? I'll go back and plead with Madam to send someone to fetch you back?"
Jian Qinwan was anxious and gave Chen Shaoling a glare, "If you're not afraid of being kicked out of Tianshan by my mother, then go ahead."
Chen Shaoling's expression changed, and he dejectedly shook his head, "Alas, I'll just ask the Marquis of Anguo not to neglect Junior Sister..."
Just as Jian Qinwan was about to erupt, Chen Shaoling quickly found Liang Xiao to start a conversation.
"I went to Jiangnan to handle some matters. Marquis of Anguo, since the famine in the southeast, Jiangnan has not been very peaceful. Fortunately, with Zhuo Lingjun's return to Jiangnan, people's hearts have been greatly stabilized."
"We had also proposed this matter to His Majesty, to mobilize grain from the East Sea and the southwest to support Jiangnan," Liang Xiao nodded.
Chen Shaoling sighed, "Grain is not the problem; Jiangnan is, after all, a land of fish and rice. The main issue is the unrest in people's hearts, and the cause is unclear. Marquis of Anguo, when you have time, you might consider visiting Jiangnan. Jiangnan is a land of talented people, but the talents here are not united. They need a role model like you to be the backbone and unite them!"
"I will go there sooner or later," Liang Xiao said solemnly.
The realm was not yet settled, and his current peace was temporary. To cope with the coming chaos and the ravages of foreign tribes, he had to discover more talents.
After repeatedly reminding Liang Xiao to be careful in Jiangnan, Chen Shaoling, along with many Tianshan swordsmen, escorted Liang Xiao's convoy.
Half of these Tianshan swordsmen were disguised as men. They were all senior brothers and sisters who doted on their junior sister Jian Qinwan and, worried about her safety, had volunteered to protect her.
Mu Xueqin found them too noisy and, going with the flow, had sent them all out. As for their travel expenses and subsequent provisions, they could withdraw silver from money changers across the land with bank notes.
Tianshan was not rich enough to rival the nation, but it was not lacking in funds. This was not only due to the support of the Qin Sheng (Zither Saint) but also because almost all Tianshan disciples had experience in venturing out, often assisting in escorting convoys, protecting important figures, and eliminating evils for the people.
"Liang Xiao is going to Yanzhou?"
Upon receiving the news, all the major noble families were overjoyed, as if they had sent away a plague god.
Ouyang Ji sneered, "Great nephew, while he is away, continue spreading rumors and dilute the public's favor towards him. Simultaneously, publicize outwardly: our major noble families are donating tangible silver, while Liang Xiao only opens his mouth!" 138 Chinese Network
Ouyang Sheng also breathed a sigh of relief and agreed, gritting his teeth.
"Liang Xiao, that beast, can engage in commerce and politics. He's a prodigy, and he even has the Son of Heaven's protection! If he is not restrained, in time, our noble families will be uprooted by him! Uncle, I want to go to Jiangnan to instigate the noble families there to deal with Liang Xiao together!"
Ouyang Hong, standing by, said with a bitter smile, "You don't even have an official position, who will take you seriously? However, Dugu Xiao has already prepared to go to Jiangnan to find the Grand Tutor. Father has written a letter to you; take it to the Grand Tutor as well and see if he can help you restore your official career. After all, Liang Xiao is now our common enemy!"
The policy to prevent smallpox was already widely known in the capital.
Initially, some of the public resented Liang Xiao for treating them like livestock. However, upon hearing that the Yi Sheng (Medicine Saint) supported Liang Xiao, guaranteed the effectiveness of the measure, and that the government was mobilizing to administer the smallpox vaccine free of charge, they dispelled their doubts.
Currently, however, the smallpox vaccination was only being carried out in areas where smallpox was rampant, and ordinary people had not yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Furthermore, according to Liang Xiao's instructions, these areas were under strict quarantine, prohibiting people from entering or leaving these severely affected regions to other areas.
Liang Xiao's injuries had greatly improved, and he could withstand the jolting of the journey. Thus, the convoy traveled at an extremely fast pace, reaching Yanzhou in just two days.
Liu Anmin, the Prefect of Yanzhou, was also a student of Zhuo Zifang and had a good relationship with Liang Qing. Upon learning of Liang Xiao's triumphant return, he personally led people out of the city to welcome him.
A crowd had gathered outside the city, mostly young girls, with countless people craning their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Grand Champion of the Great Qian.
The people of Yanzhou knew that the mysterious person who had devised strategies and assisted Yanzhou City in repelling the fatal raid of the barbarians was Liang Xiao!
"Prefect, the Marquis of Anguo's convoy seems to be here!" a guard shouted excitedly.
Liu Anmin, excited, led his strategist and others forward and bowed to Liang Xiao, "This subordinate greets the Marquis of Anguo!"
Liang Xiao now held the positions of Guanglu Daifu and Minister of Works, with a higher rank than him!
Liang Xiao held Liu Anmin's hand and smiled, "Prefect Liu, there is no need for formalities. I still remember the kindness of being saved that day."
As Prefect, Liu Anmin of course recognized the prominent Liang family of Yanzhou, and it was he who recognized Liang Xiao and sent him back to the Liang mansion.
Liang Xiao's mention of the past in public also brought Liu Anmin some honor.
It was his men who had timely discovered Liang Xiao collapsed at the city wall!
However, Liu Anmin still had to be humble, waving his hand and saying sternly, "Not at all, not at all. It was the Marquis of Anguo's good fortune and the protection of the heavens! And now, after only a few months, the Marquis of Anguo has made a name for himself and become the youngest pillar of the nation!"
Jian Qinwan and the Tianshan disciples felt extremely uncomfortable.
"Those two beauties behind the Marquis of Anguo, are they both the Marchioness of Anguo?"
Some keen-eyed citizens noticed Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian behind Liang Xiao and exclaimed in surprise.
"N-no..." Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian shook their heads repeatedly, averting their gazes and not daring to look directly at the crowd.
"My junior sister is the Qin Xian of this era, sent by our Madam, the Yi Sheng, to protect the Marquis of Anguo!" Chen Shaoling said with pride, laughing heartily.
Hearing this, Jian Qinwan felt a surge of blood, wishing she could slice Chen Shaoling into dozens of pieces with her sword.
Only today did she realize how detestable this Senior Brother was!
"Qin Xian? Could it be the esteemed disciple of the Qin Sheng, and beloved daughter of the Yi Sheng and Sword Saint!"
The well-informed young scions of Yanzhou's prominent families exclaimed in shock.
The scene became somewhat chaotic.
In the crowd, Zhuo Wentao, the Dean of Yanzhou Academy, wore a bitter expression, while the scholars behind him lowered their heads in shame, not daring to look up at Liang Xiao.
"Dean, what should we do now?" a scholar asked Zhuo Wentao with a mournful face, seeking his opinion.
The once wayward young man expelled from Yanzhou Academy was now spoken of in the same breath as the Marquis of Anguo, the twin pillars of the realm, returning home in glory, and known as one of the "Three Gentlemen of Two Dynasties"!