The crowd looked at Liang Xiao with anticipation.
To them, as the current top candidate for the Great Qian's imperial examinations, it was a privilege to hear him discuss the grand strategy of the realm.
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "If both nations are united in heart, with prosperous states and strong populations, then even if they become enemies in the future, the outcome will inevitably be: the realm divided in two, confronting each other across the river!"
As he spoke, Liang Xiao fetched a brush and ink, directly writing down eight characters.
The realm divided in two, confronting each other across the river?!
The hearts of the crowd skipped a beat, and they couldn't help but marvel in secret.
Simple, yet profound!
Ding Wu Yi was not angered by this but watched Liang Xiao with surprise.
Qin Feng, after a brief moment of astonishment, couldn't help but feel some doubt: "Could it be that I overestimated him?"
The realm divided in two?
The idea of Great Unification was deeply ingrained in people's minds. The two nations shared the same roots, and any nation with sufficient military strength would inevitably face a war.
He actually believed they should confront each other across the river?
Any emperor with great ambition and capable ministers would not abandon the pursuit of territorial expansion.
After all, how could one tolerate a neighbor snoring by their side?
Suppressing his doubts, Qin Feng smiled and asked, "Why not fight for ultimate victory?"
Liang Xiao's eyes were fixed on those eight characters, and he said with a serious expression, "War is merciless, and the common people cannot bear its cost."
As soon as he finished speaking, the astonished crowd was left speechless.
Qin Feng's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was engulfed by a storm of emotions.
The common people cannot bear its cost...
This short sentence struck him like a bolt from the blue, leaving him reeling for a long time.
All along, he and his lord had only considered how to contend for supremacy and achieve immortal merit.
Liang Xiao, however, could see further, focusing on the welfare of the common people!
At this moment, he felt the vast difference between them!
"My perspective was too narrow..."
Regaining his senses, Qin Feng closed his eyes, his words betraying his self-reproach, and added, "Whether noble or commoner, the life of every individual is, in essence, a timeless masterpiece, either grand and turbulent or serene and flowing. The common people are innocent and truly should not be made sacrifices of war at every turn..."
"You speak very well," Liang Xiao praised.
Qin Feng chuckled wryly, a bitter smile on his face.
Zhi Rou quickly hugged Qin Feng's arm, her expression ashamed.
Only she, who shared a deep connection with Qin Feng, could understand that her husband felt inadequate and deeply regretted his own thinking!
Luo Qing Xue and Yue Lian's eyes were already teary, gazing at Liang Xiao with deep emotion.
He cared for the common people!
Even Ding Wu Yi's eyes were moist.
At this moment, Ding Wu Yi finally understood how discerning his lord, Xiao Qing, was!
He was indeed the wise minister his lord had dreamed of, a hero most suited for his lord, and someone who could truly bring everlasting peace to the Great Qian!
After a long while, Qin Feng finally spoke again, "It seems I have always underestimated you."
The enlightenment Liang Xiao brought him was earth-shattering.
Without the support of the common people, even if one achieved grand ambitions, it would ultimately be but a dream, perhaps even leading to ruin within two generations!
In a hundred years, he and Liang Xiao would both be naught but dust. What would remain?
Liang Xiao simply smiled without comment.
He did not add that if the rulers of the Great Liang acted against the will of Heaven, the Great Qian would eventually rise to punish them. Once the Great Qian possessed overwhelming superiority over the Great Liang, the latter's loyalty would be only a matter of time.
However, the Great Qian currently faced internal and external troubles, while the Great Liang had figures like Qin Feng and a wise ruler like the Emperor of Great Liang. Haste was not advisable!
He knew very well that Qin Feng held similar thoughts.
The two nations' conditions were similar, and beneath the appearance of prosperity lay hidden contradictions that required the united efforts of sovereign and minister to reform slowly.
The scene fell into silence, and the officials responsible for recording the event dared not even breathe loudly.
Qin Feng couldn't help but ask again, "Then how do you view the rise and fall of dynasties and the ebb and flow of eras throughout history?"
Liang Xiao leisurely put down his teacup and replied, "The rise and fall of ages, like wind through sleeves; a century of change, spoken in a single dawn."
"Well said, 'The rise and fall of ages, like wind through sleeves; a century of change, spoken in a single dawn'!"
Everyone exclaimed in awe.
The rise and fall of ages were but a breeze passing through sleeves, and a century of fluctuations merely a tale of a single morning.
What a breadth of mind, what a magnanimous vision!
"I am no longer qualified to discuss the grand strategy of the realm with you," Qin Feng finally broke the silence.
"Not only are you qualified, but you are truly worthy of the title of Marquis of Zhen Guo," Liang Xiao praised sincerely.
He had merely spoken casually, never expecting Qin Feng to truly take it to heart.
The last person to take his words to heart was his Xiao Shuang Zi!
Qin Feng neither rejoiced nor despaired, merely smiling briefly, he asked, "In your life, do you have a confidant?"
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, "Of course!"
Qin Feng pondered for a moment and nodded as if he understood, "I see."
It must be the Son of Heaven of the Great Qian!
Liang Xiao returned to his usual calm demeanor, gazing at Qin Feng and saying, "However, you are now also my half-confidant."
Qin Feng's expression brightened, and he also laughed heartily, nodding.
In the past, he only had Zhi Rou as his confidante, and as for the Emperor, there was always a distinction between ruler and subject.
That day in the hall, Qin Feng could see that Xiao Qing and Liang Xiao were not only ruler and subject but also close friends.
Even he did not receive such favor from the Emperor of Great Liang.
"From a national perspective, we will inevitably compete as we serve different masters. But from a personal perspective..." Qin Feng hesitated for a moment, then finally reminded, "You must pay close attention to your safety. The barbarians are always vengeful, never underestimate them."
Liang Xiao raised his cup in thanks.
Afterward, Luo Qing Xue and Zhi Rou also chatted about various topics, eventually exchanging poems with each other.
Liang Xiao and Qin Feng merely engaged in small talk, no longer discussing matters of state.
For there was no longer any need.
Qin Feng, engrossed in conversation, played a melody for everyone.
After the music, Liang Xiao rose to take his leave.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Qin Feng's heart was filled with melancholy, and he sighed repeatedly.
It was difficult to find a kindred spirit, even harder to find a confidant, and yet this kindred spirit and confidant hailed from the Great Qian...
Upon returning to his chambers, Qin Feng held Zhi Rou in his arms and whispered affectionately, "Later, I will request to take leave from the Son of Heaven of the Great Qian. Let us return home. Having met someone like Liang Xiao, this journey has been worthwhile."
"Then what are your thoughts on the Great Qian, Qin Lang?" Zhi Rou asked softly.
"With such a person there, we cannot harbor ambitions. To do so would surely lead to defeat, and defeat would mean the ruin of the nation," Qin Feng sighed.
Inside the carriage, Luo Qing Xue nestled in Liang Xiao's arms, her eyes hazy with joy.
Today, she had finally witnessed what it meant to be a gentleman's meeting!
Her beloved, and the Marquis of Zhen Guo, were true gentlemen!
She vowed to strive to become more accomplished, so as not to lose to Princess Zhi Rou, the Marquis of Zhen Guo's wife.
The next day, at the morning court, the Minister of Rites presented Qin Feng's document, and Xiao Qing glanced at it, marking it as read.
General Liang Qing of the Left and General Luo Chang Feng of the Right beamed with smiles, saying nothing.
They had learned from Luo Qing Xue that Liang Xiao had a cordial meeting with the Marquis of Zhen Guo and had gained the Marquis's high regard!
Even such a distinguished figure affirmed Liang Xiao's talent, meaning Liang Xiao's future words and actions would undoubtedly carry more weight!
Unlike the elation of the elders, Du Gu Qun and others, with dark expressions, stepped forward to present their memorial.
"Your Majesty, your humble servants have just learned that Assistant Minister Liang maintains close personal ties with the Marquis of Zhen Guo of Great Liang! Assistant Minister Liang, who concurrently holds the position of Grand Master of Hospitality and is a Marquis of a nation, has engaged in such unrestrained dealings with a high-ranking official of another country, even speaking recklessly and presumptuously of 'the realm divided in two,' an offense punishable by death!"
Luo Chang Feng and Liang Qing's smiles froze.
This was bad!