"Husband, what is this..." Li Hongshu asked nervously.
Jian Qinwan snorted, "As expected, there are more men who like him than women!"
Chen Shaoling snapped out of his daze and frowned, "Junior Sister, what are you thinking! Big Brother admits he has a slight selfish motive. With me, your sworn elder brother, around, Ji Yun and Chang He will naturally give Marquis Anguo plenty of face in the future. I hope they can help me facilitate the marriage between Marquis Anguo and Junior Sister. We'll pool our wisdom!"
Jian Qinwan drew her sword on the spot. Chen Shaoling, with the others, made a hasty retreat.
Only Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan remained in the main hall.
Liang Xiao fell into deep thought.
He could never have imagined that the Three Sages of Da Gan would not care about Jian Qinwan's status or the prestige of the Three Sages of Da Gan!
But Liang Xiao knew clearly: the reason the Three Sages of Da Gan acted this way was because they knew Liang Xiao would become a consort, and they didn't want Jian Qinwan to have any reservations because of it.
Jian Qinwan was flustered and dared not meet Liang Xiao's gaze. She turned away, "I need to go back and rest too!"
Before Jian Qinwan could escape, Liang Xiao swiftly grabbed her right hand, "Bodhisattva."
Jian Qinwan's heart pounded like a deer's. She turned back with difficulty to look at Liang Xiao, "Are you... are you going to bully me now..."
Liang Xiao paused and gently placed Jian Nanfeng's letter into her hand.
"Bodhisattva, you are truly too kind. I will never allow anyone to force you."
His gentle words were the most powerful vow Jian Qinwan had ever heard in her life!
"Oh..." Jian Qinwan held back tears and again broke free from Liang Xiao's hand. Clutching her father's letter, she was about to flee when Liang Xiao's voice came from behind her.
"Whenever you come to your senses, I will be here."
Hearing this, Jian Qinwan wiped away the tears that welled up in her eyes.
"First, go find the flowers you promised me. But... you are not allowed to take any risks, otherwise, even if you find them, I won't want them. This time, you should take your second personal guard to the military camp first."
As she spoke, Jian Qinwan had already fled far away.
In the room, Jian Qinwan held her little sprout, her emotions complex. The three guards behind her, Diao'er and the others, felt heartache but dared not disturb her.
Liang Xiao went to check on Luo Qingxue, Yue Lian, and Zhen Mi, ensuring they were settled, before heading to the Northern Military Camp with Chen Shaoling. On the way, he went to Anxi County to pick up Yue Qingtian.
In the largest tent in the center of the Northern Military Camp, Marshal Lü Yi, upon seeing Liang Xiao enter, excitedly rose and patted Liang Xiao affectionately on the shoulder.
"A genius beyond compare, unprecedented in history! Quick, quick, sit down!"
Besides Liang Xiao's men, Lü Yi's retinue in the tent consisted of Nan Jiyun, Lü Changhe, Zhuo Wulue, Zhuo Ying, and three house guards.
"Who is this burly fellow?" The others soon noticed Yue Qingtian behind Liang Xiao.
"I am the Marquis's guard, Yue Qingtian. I owe the Marquis two hundred thousand taels and will repay him for life!" Yue Qingtian proudly patted his chest, as if owing Liang Xiao money and following him was a matter of great honor.
Everyone couldn't help but marvel.
But what was this about owing two hundred thousand taels?
Liang Xiao chuckled wryly.
After Lü Yi learned of Yue Qingtian's background, he also burst into laughter, "He is indeed an unusual person! Nephew, you truly haven't disappointed His Majesty's trust. You can find talent anywhere! But I wonder about this man's martial arts skills?"
Yue Qingtian raised his hands, holding a pair of iron halberds, and boomed, "I heard there's a general here named Nan Jiyun who is quite skilled. He always pretends to be weak. I can spar with him."
Everyone was stunned.
Nan Jiyun looked bewildered: Who am I? Where am I? How is this related to me?
Liang Xiao blushed and gave a strategic cough, "Qingtian, we can talk about sparring later. I have important matters to discuss with the Marshal."
Yue Qingtian readily agreed and said no more.
Lü Yi's gaze never left Liang Xiao, and he was even more surprised, "Is he truly not General Tian?"
In his opinion, Jian Qinwan serving as his personal guard was simply because the Medical Saint wanted to marry off his daughter.
If Liang Xiao were General Tian, and his injuries had healed, would he still need a bodyguard?
But how could Liang Xiao have drawn his sword so quickly to sever Dugu Ling's head?
Lü Yi had even instructed the swordsmanship experts in the army to imitate Liang Xiao's sword draw. When they tried to chop at wooden stakes, not a single one could do it cleanly, nor could they even cut through the stakes!
General Tian had used a sword on the battlefield before; a spear alone couldn't solve the problem of enemies swarming him!
He Zizhang, the captain of the shadow guards who came to Yan Prefecture with Liang Xiao, had arrived at the Northern Military Camp in advance to convey Xiao Qing's intentions to him.
Liang Xiao would at least become a consort!
Now Lü Yi was also hesitating whether he should trust Liang Xiao without reservation.
He and Wang Canghai were the pillars of the nation, and Xiao Qing was the last surviving bloodline of the imperial family. Everything was precarious, and one had to be extremely cautious...
But these were not the only things that made Lü Yi's mood so complex!
Liang Xiao's father and uncle had once been his capable assistants. In the past, Lü Yi had naturally paid attention to the young men of the Liang family.
More than ten years ago, he heard that Liang Xiao was still a spoiled young master, and later became a notorious fop!
Why could he suddenly achieve greatness later?
His thoughts raced, finally converging into one sentence. Lü Yi finally sighed and said, "Nephew, you are truly a divine being bestowed upon Da Gan by Heaven..."
Everyone chuckled, "Marquis Anguo is, after all, someone protected by General Tian!"
Seeing Lü Yi's complex expression, Liang Xiao also smiled, "Uncle, you flatter me!"
"Flatter?" Lü Yi was taken aback, then shook his head and chuckled wryly, "You are too modest! Not to mention anything else, the efficacy of smallpox prevention alone is enough to make you famous for eternity!"
Everyone chimed in agreement. Yue Qingtian was even more astonished.
Smallpox, a dreaded disease that made people tremble, had a terrifying mortality rate!
The Marquis could prevent it?
Yue Qingtian knew he had followed the right person!
Lü Yi looked at Nan Jiyun, "Right then, Jiyun, take everyone to the training grounds and spar with this Mr. Yue. Shaoling is a renowned swordsman from Mount Tian, so he can also offer some guidance."
"I am the Marquis's personal guard and cannot leave my post!" Yue Qingtian protested anxiously.
Liang Xiao said, "It's fine, you go ahead."
He naturally understood that Lü Yi had very confidential matters to discuss with him.
Nan Jiyun understood and immediately rose with the house guards, leaving only Lü Changhe and Zhuo Wulue.
"Your ten thousand elite soldiers have been selected by your uncle. I've chosen the most loyal men for you as much as possible. I look forward to your future performance..." Lü Yi smiled.
Liang Xiao said seriously, "There's no need for overly elite troops. Ordinary ones will suffice."
Ordinary ones will suffice?
Lü Yi and the other two were stunned.
Since ancient times, which general did not favor elite troops? They were so much easier to command!
Liang Xiao immediately took out a compiled booklet from his belongings, "I have prepared a set of independent military laws that combine rewards and punishments. While I am away, the Liang family guards can help train them, and Uncle can also send people to supervise."
Lü Yi took the military laws and nodded slightly, sighing, "You have the bearing of a famous general!"
Zhuo Wulue took a look from Lü Yi's hand and couldn't help but praise him, looking at Liang Xiao as if he had found a treasure, "I never thought Marquis Anguo truly possessed talent as a general, not disgracing your father..."
Lü Yi smiled, "But what truly intrigues me is the 'Que Yue Formation' you mentioned to His Majesty. What kind of formation can defeat cavalry with infantry?"
Xiao Qing had sent someone to inform Lü Yi in advance to select ten thousand elite soldiers for Liang Xiao, and had also mentioned Liang Xiao's Que Yue Formation. This matter was only known to the three present, and they had been unable to figure it out.
How arrogant were the barbarian cavalry? How could infantry defeat tens of thousands of battle-hardened cavalry through formations?