Xiao Qing's face fell instantly, and he glared at the crowd.
"My Lord Liang can write unparalleled works like 'Man Jiang Hong' that express concern for the nation and its people, and he can also draft policies on farming and contract taxes, promote the curved-shaft plough, utter four sage words, and secretly protect Yan Prefecture City! Do all of you lords believe that such a person would collude with the enemy and betray the country?"
"Each and every one of you, do you wish to force me to destroy such a loyal minister and make Da Gan cut off its own arms!"
In his fury, Xiao Qing slammed his fist heavily on the dragon throne.
The officials turned ashen, repeatedly stating, "We dare not."
This was the first time they had seen the imperial wrath, and the situation was dire!
Dugu Qun was still unwilling. He put on a worried expression and sighed, "Your Majesty, words can be terrifying..."
"Words can be terrifying? Isn't it precisely the rumors and gossip spread by your group?" Xiao Qing retorted.
The crowd was stunned into silence. Dugu Qun quickly slapped himself and begged Xiao Qing for forgiveness.
Xiao Qing sat regally on the dragon throne, looking down at the officials, with the aura of a ruler of the world.
"I have been having the same dream repeatedly of late."
Upon hearing this, the officials raised their heads to look at Xiao Qing, their faces filled with curiosity.
"In my dream, Lord Liang and General Tian stand before me, one as a scholar, the other as a warrior, one on the left, the other on the right, pointing to the heavens as they swear an oath. I cannot forget their oath in the dream: 'Your minister is willing to pacify the four seas for my Emperor and open ten thousand years of peace for Da Gan!'"
"This dream came to me because I miss my late father. General Tian and Lord Liang must be the wise ministers bestowed upon me by my late father, appearing in my dreams!"
Wise ministers appearing in dreams!
The civil and military officials were all shocked and pale. Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were weeping uncontrollably.
However, Liang Qing felt a strange sensation in his heart.
Oh dear, these dream-appearing wise ministers are General Tian and Xiao'er, but would Xiao'er and General Tian...?
Xiao Qing, who had been enraged, now had tears in his eyes, his voice gradually becoming choked with sobs.
"General Tian has already ascended to godhood. I will not allow Lord Liang to also..."
After finally calming himself, Xiao Qing's expression regained its dignity, and he said sternly, "My Lord Liang can only be judged by me. From now on, anyone in the court and the country who slanders General Tian and Lord Liang will have to face my wrath!"
With Xiao Qing having spoken so plainly, the civil and military officials were all awestruck, meekly nodding in agreement and bowing their heads.
At this moment, they "seemed to understand" why Xiao Qing favored Liang Xiao so much, granting him privileges like not having to bow when meeting the Emperor, not needing to rush when attending court, and being free to participate in court sessions!
Xiao Qing then gave a satisfied hum and looked at the white-robed elder below the steps: "Taishi Ling, were the events of the barbarian court audience recorded truthfully?"
The Taishi Ling hurriedly presented the chronicle being written, handing it to Xiao Qing for review.
The scene of Liang Xiao outmaneuvering the Left Virtuous King that day was recorded in detail, and Liang Xiao's words were recorded word for word!
Xiao Qing was delighted and hummed, "The matter of the dream-appearing wise ministers today must also be recorded truthfully for me!"
Liang Xiao, the Marquis of An Guo, Grand Master of Guang Lu, and Vice Minister of Works, is the current Emperor's dream-appearing wise minister!
News spread, shaking the capital!
Qin Feng, who was overseeing his guards packing their belongings, received the news and was also astonished.
"Zhirou, scholars do not speak of strange phenomena and spirits, yet now, I am beginning to believe..."
Zhirou looked at Qin Feng affectionately and comforted him, "Qin Lang is also my father's dream-appearing wise minister!"
Qin Feng smiled and nodded, but the envy in his eyes was hard to conceal.
After much thought, Qin Feng could not help but dispatch his guards to inform Liang Xiao of his return.
Liang Xiao was explaining the operation of the winery to Liang Yun in the courtyard when he received the news. He immediately got up and, with Yue Lian and Luo Qingxue in tow, rushed to the South City Gate to see him off.
Outside the South City Gate, the crowd was already immense. The common people wanted to catch a glimpse of the renowned Marquis of Zhen Guo of Liang.
Dozens of officials and scions of noble families had come to bid farewell to Qin Feng, with the Imperial Guards maintaining order.
Qin Feng was a figure of equal renown to Zhuo Zifang. Even though he, like Zhuo Zifang, valued Liang Xiao highly, causing Dugu Qun and others to lose face, they dared not offend him completely.
Qin Feng scanned the crowd, sighed for a moment, and finally set off south with his family and guards.
As he turned, Qin Feng's eyes brightened, and his brows unfurrowed.
Liang Xiao had arrived with his entourage.
Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng wore the most displeased expressions, wishing they could kick Liang Xiao to the northern part of the city.
The two men simply bowed to each other and exchanged brief pleasantries before trying to rejoin the crowd, but Qin Feng stopped them.
"It is a great honor that the Marquis of An Guo has come to see me off!" Qin Feng said emotionally.
"Cough... cough..." Liang Xiao merely smiled, then suddenly could not help but cough.
Compared to yesterday, it was inexplicably cold today, with a north wind blowing, the sky covered in yellow clouds, and fine snow falling.
To everyone's astonishment, Qin Feng took off his brocade robe and draped it over Liang Xiao: "I apologize, it was out of my own selfish desire that I hoped the Marquis of An Guo would come to see me off."
Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng’s eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.
Beasts!
Even Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, Li Xiuyun, and others looked on with envy, shaking their heads and sighing.
Why wasn't it me who was draped with the robe of the Marquis of Zhen Guo!
"Thank you, Marquis of Zhen Guo." Liang Xiao did not stand on ceremony and offered his thanks.
In fact, it had little to do with the weather; his cough was a sequela from internal injuries and catching a cold.
Qin Feng looked at Liang Xiao, his feelings even more complex.
For the Great Liang kingdom, it would be good if someone like Liang Xiao died young!
But he and Liang Xiao had a mutual admiration, and he truly could not bear it.
Finally, Qin Feng took two personal letters from his baggage and handed them to Liang Xiao.
"I have consulted with the Son of Heaven of Da Gan regarding these, and their contents have been reviewed. You may rest assured and accept them; they may be useful."
Liang Xiao glanced at them and saw that the envelopes bore official endorsements. Wang Canghai nodded at him from a distance, and he readily accepted them.
Qin Feng gazed at the distant sky, seeing the geese returning north, and felt even more forlorn, sighing, "Geese return north, I return south. Who will I seek a confidant from hereafter?"
Having said this, Qin Feng turned to Liang Xiao again and said solemnly, "I have an impertinent request. If it is convenient for the Marquis of An Guo, would you be willing to bestow upon me a poem?"
Everyone looked at Liang Xiao with anticipation.
Liang Xiao nodded, had someone fetch ink and brush, and as he recited, he wrote with a flourish.
*Ten thousand miles of yellow clouds dim the bright sun, the north wind blows geese, the snow falls thick and fast. Do not worry about having no confidant on the road ahead, who in this world does not know your name?*
Exclamations, cheers, and applause erupted from the entire crowd, praising him continuously. Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian's faces turned red with excitement.
"Do not worry about having no confidant on the road ahead, who in this world does not know your name..."
Qin Feng came back to his senses, reciting the verses, and could not help but laugh heartily towards the sky.
He had long been indifferent to fame and fortune. Even when praised by Zhuo Zifang, he had merely smiled calmly, but now he could not conceal his joy.
To have such a person in the world, even if we serve different masters, my path is not lonely!
Zhirou looked at her Qin Lang tearfully, her heart filled with joy, and bowed deeply to Liang Xiao in gratitude.
Her Qin Lang was finally free from his former melancholy!
Qin Feng said solemnly, "Marquis of An Guo, I am not skilled in poetry, and have no way to repay you, so I will play a piece for you on the guqin."
Liang Xiao readily agreed, and Qin Feng immediately ordered a guqin to be brought. He played three lingering notes, performing on the spot.
This time, the guqin melody was gentle yet grand, expressing the sorrow of parting.
Countless women along the roadside shed tears at the sound of the music.
After the piece, Qin Feng's convoy finally set off.
Before departing, Qin Feng turned to Liang Xiao and said, "Your talent is ten times mine. I only hope that the two countries will maintain good relations. As long as the Marquis of An Guo of Da Gan is here, I will never dare to invade a single city or piece of land of Da Gan in my lifetime."
As his words fell, the entire crowd was stunned!