He Wanli was the first to speak in opposition: "Your Majesty, think thrice! This imperial pardon tablet is no trifle matter. By what merit does Liang Xiao compare to the founding marquis who secured our nation!"
Liang Xiao pondered, his heart warmed.
Xiao Qing had not mentioned this to him, clearly wanting to give him a surprise.
It was also to let Liang Xiao understand that Xiao Shuang Zi trusted him!
At this moment, Wang Canghai also fell silent.
This was indeed no small matter. Even as prime minister, he believed Liang Xiao would not rebel, but how could he act on sentiment?
Upon hearing He Wanli's objection, Xiao Qing's face fell: "Does Minister He doubt my judgment?"
A bead of cold sweat appeared on He Wanli's forehead as he explained: "How would I dare doubt Your Majesty's wisdom! It is merely that in the past, the Marquis of Dingguo was only granted an imperial pardon tablet by the High Ancestor after he had retired from his successful career. Now, Liang Xiao is still in court; this action goes against propriety!"
"Prime Minister Liang is a wise minister bestowed upon me by the late emperor, one who can bring eternal peace. He has also achieved several earth-shattering feats. He is worthy of this honor! The matter I will propose shortly will make you all understand!"
Ouyang Ji also grew anxious and explained: "But Liang Xiao has no monumental military achievements. How can Your Majesty be so hasty in granting him..."
Dugu Qun's eyes widened with rage, but having just been infuriated by Liang Xiao, he was momentarily speechless.
Xiao Qing smiled: "No monumental military achievements? Destroying the Wo pirates, upholding our nation's prestige, and ensuring peace in the Eastern Sea, is that not enough?"
The crowd was silenced.
When put that way, it seemed to count.
Xiao Qing, evidently prepared, continued: "Speaking of military achievements, if all my ministers believe Liang Xiao is not worthy of this imperial pardon tablet based on military merit, I have a second matter to announce."
"I shall grant Liang Xiao command of ten thousand elite soldiers, to be used at his discretion, and will craft a new military tally for him. Furthermore, Liang Xiao is permitted to recruit private soldiers as his retainers, up to a maximum of ten thousand!"
"What!" Dugu Qun's face turned ashen, and he stammered, "Your Majesty, think thrice!"
Allowing Liang Xiao to recruit private soldiers was one thing, but to give him ten thousand troops and grant him military command?
Even he, the Minister of War, could not practically command troops, only having the power to dispatch them, and even then, dispatchments required the simultaneous approval of the Emperor and the Prime Minister!
Luo Changfeng and Liang Qing were both surprised and delighted, but also worried.
Their Xiao'er was only nineteen. Could he truly control so many troops without causing any trouble?
However, the matter of suppressing pirates in the Eastern Sea gave them some confidence.
Xiao Qing's expression turned stern: "These troops will accompany Liang Xiao in fighting against foreign races, achieving many glorious victories. By the way, it will also allow Liang Xiao to prove that he is worthy of the imperial pardon tablet I bestow upon him!"
Dugu Qun, with tears streaming down his face, kowtowed: "How can Your Majesty trust Liang Xiao so completely? If he rebels, who can punish him!"
Xiao Qing slammed his palm on the armrest of the dragon throne: "Whom should I trust if not Liang Xiao, who has repeatedly achieved great merit and cares for the nation and its people? If I trust you, have you ever shielded me from the barbarians? You only know how to sue for peace, cede territory, and pay reparations!"
Dugu Qun's face turned ashen, and he was left speechless.
He had strongly advocated for peace. After the barbarians invaded Yan Province and caused immense suffering, he had proposed ceding territory and paying reparations to "mend" relations between the two countries, earning him severe impeachment from Wang Canghai and others, nearly costing him his official post!
Xiao Qing continued: "As Liang Xiao has said, one day, Da Qian and the barbarians will inevitably switch roles in offense and defense. Why should only the barbarians be allowed to invade Da Qian, and not allow our Da Qian soldiers to drink horses in the vast desert!"
The officials murmured amongst themselves, their opinions divided.
Those led by Wang Canghai naturally had no objections, while those led by He Wanli vehemently opposed Liang Xiao holding military power.
Ouyang Ji had a sudden inspiration and said with feigned heartbreak: "Your Majesty! The Prime Minister, as the head of all officials, still does not hold military power. Why should Liang Xiao, a mere young scholar who has only served a few months, be allowed to lead troops? This matter is difficult for the world to accept!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Canghai could not help but turn and give Ouyang Ji a sidelong glance.
Were these old foxes using him as a pawn to sow discord?
Xiao Qing's brow furrowed, and just as he was about to retort, Wang Canghai finally spoke: "Your Majesty, may this old minister offer a few words of fairness?"
After Xiao Qing agreed, everyone looked at Wang Canghai.
Wang Canghai said sternly: "This old minister is a civil official, and whether I lead troops or not is unimportant. The prosperity of the nation is the urgent matter. However, Marquis Anguo is only nineteen years old and is to lead over ten thousand troops. If they are stationed in the capital, it will indeed be difficult to win the hearts of the people."
He Wanli and the others nodded in agreement, sneering inwardly: This old scoundrel is finally useful!
Wang Canghai continued: "Therefore, it is acceptable for Marquis Anguo to lead troops, but he must not lead troops from the capital. Without the Emperor's permission, his subordinate forces must not approach the capital without authorization. The number of retainers entering the capital is to be limited to two thousand, and they must not approach the imperial palace."
"As expected of the Prime Minister, this is a proper arrangement!" Gu Hong, the Minister of Rites, was the first to express his approval, and the other officials quickly followed suit.
Xiao Qing was overjoyed: "Approved!"
The faces of Dugu Qun and the others, however, grew increasingly grim. In their hearts, they cursed Wang Canghai and all his ancestors.
Wang Canghai's few words were clearly a tactical retreat, appearing to restrict Liang Xiao, but in reality, allowing Liang Xiao to legitimately obtain military command!
The second matter was thus settled, and no one objected further.
Wang Canghai met Liang Xiao's gaze before Xiao Qing, his eyes filled with earnestness, and sighed.
Liang Xiao understood, his expression calm, and he nodded slightly, saying, "This subject will surely spare no effort, to repay Your Majesty's grace!"
Seeing this, Wang Canghai finally felt at ease and understood.
Liang Xiao was making a statement to him.
In Wang Canghai's view, Liang Xiao was still too young, even a bit impetuous. He might become a pillar of the state in the future, or he might become complacent and turn into a serious threat to the Emperor. The four chief ministers must treat him with caution.
However, Liang Xiao's recent actions and achievements undoubtedly earned Wang Canghai's deep admiration.
Moreover, this young man was destined to continue the imperial lineage with His Majesty...
But Wang Canghai did not grasp the deeper meaning of Liang Xiao's words: One day, he would return as a Heavenly General, and for his Xiao Shuang Zi, and for the people of Da Qian, he would sweep away all enemies!
Xiao Qing was in high spirits. With a slight tremor in his voice due to excitement, he declared: "The third matter! The method for preventing smallpox recommended by Prime Minister Liang, after being implemented in heavily affected areas, has led to a drastic reduction in patients suffering from smallpox. In some regions, the daily increase has dropped from hundreds to merely two or three. While cowpox vaccination cannot cure smallpox, it is indeed effective in prevention. A medical sage is indeed a medical sage!"
As he spoke, Xiao Qing, recalling his deceased elder brother, the true Crown Prince Xiao Qing, who had died of smallpox, his voice began to tremble with emotion: "Announce to the nation, comprehensive promotion of smallpox prevention. Henceforth, everyone shall be vaccinated, and this terrible disease shall be nipped in the bud. I hope that in a few decades or even centuries, there will be no more smallpox in the world, and future generations will remember Prime Minister Liang's virtue!"
The words had barely fallen, and the court was shaken!
"How can it be effective!" He Wanli trembled all over, disbelieving!
Could cowpox, contracted by cattle, also be used against smallpox in humans? It was simply inconceivable!
Xiao Qing said coldly: "Are you doubting my decree? If you do not believe it, I do not mind sending you esteemed ministers to inspect the heavily affected areas."
Hearing this, He Wanli and the others quickly smiled and said, "We dare not, we dare not..."
But at this moment, they felt as if thorns were pricking their backs, and sweat poured down like rain.
This method was actually effective!
Then Liang Xiao's merit might far surpass that of the medical sage Mu Xueqin!
In the future, Liang Xiao's reputation among the common people might reach heights they could not imagine!
At the same moment, in the heavily affected areas, the physicians of Tianshan, who were working diligently, also relayed the news of the effective smallpox prevention back to Tianshan, informing Mu Xueqin!