Liang Xiao hurried to the main hall.
The "General Yang" mentioned by Chen Shaoling was none other than Yang Huan, the Lieutenant General of the Feathered Forest Guards, and his elder brother Liang Feng's father-in-law!
Yang Huan was currently having tea with Liang Qing in the main hall, his smile uncontainable.
After months of busy work, he finally had a chance to meet Liang Xiao!
In the Da Gan Kingdom, where literature was favored over military might, Yang Huan, born into a scholarly family, preferred wielding weapons and aspired to be a general. This often drew criticism from his elders.
His elders had arranged a marriage for his daughter, Yang Xuejing, with someone from a prominent aristocratic family. However, Yang Xuejing threatened to die if she couldn't marry Liang Feng.
At that time, the Left General Liang Qing had already retired and returned home, and Liang Feng wasn't even a Captain. In the eyes of the aristocratic families, he had no status or future!
Yang Huan was also displeased with his elders' arrangements. Although he didn't oppose the marriage, he still felt uneasy.
After all, Yang Xuejing was a woman of exceptional beauty, with a constant stream of suitors. Why would she fall for such a simpleton who didn't even know how to offer gifts? Liang Feng was also his subordinate; how could he avoid suspicion?
Especially after Liang Xiao's reputation as a prodigal son spread to the capital, Liang Feng and Yang Xuejing suffered much ridicule because of it!
But everything turned around with Liang Xiao's rise to fame!
First, Liang Feng, who had been suppressed, was successfully promoted to General of Loyalty and Valor. Then, Liang Xiao distinguished himself in the national selection and soared to prominence!
A few days later, Liang Xiao was enfeoffed as a Marquis and appointed to high office, respected by the Marquis of An Guo of the Da Liang Kingdom. Titles like "Twin Pearls of the World," "Twin Pearls of the Empire," and "Three Gentlemen of Two Kingdoms" were showered upon him. He was even chosen by the Emperor to marry the princess of the Guizi Kingdom.
The Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Da Gan Kingdom, strictly speaking, was a type of "Minister," only of lower rank than the Prime Minister.
Liang Feng's position in the Feathered Forest Guards rose steadily. Ordinary aristocratic families no longer dared to point fingers at him and Yang Xuejing!
When one person achieves success, his relatives and associates also prosper. Yang Huan, as Liang Feng's father-in-law, also received great respect. Those elders who had driven him out of the family and told him to establish his own household now tearfully begged him to return and manage their affairs, not daring to show any disrespect!
He finally held his head high!
Only Yang Huan could truly understand the fickleness of human nature and the warmth and coldness of worldly affairs. Sometimes, he couldn't help but hide in his quilt and weep softly.
This time, the Shadow Guard Commander Ding WuYi arranged for him to lead a thousand Feathered Forest Guards to accompany Liang Xiao to the East Sea. Compared to the constant busy work in the capital, this was like a vacation for him, and perhaps he could even earn some merit by following Liang Xiao!
Yang Huan could finally visit the Liang residence openly to meet this young man. He was somewhat impatient because, during this period, Liang Xiao's various accolades had been overwhelming and dazzling!
"Uncle Liang, your grandson is indeed full of hidden talents. He doesn't roar until he does, but when he does, he amazes everyone. I'm sure he's a good young man who truly loves his country and his people!" Yang Huan couldn't help but praise, completely unaware that he had repeated this sentence over a dozen times.
"Mmm-hmm, he does love his country and his people..." Liang Qing chuckled dryly.
Loving his country and his people was true, but as for being "truly"...
"Alright, since everyone likes it, when I have time in the future, I'll take you all to Baichun Tower to have some fun again."
Liang Xiao's voice arrived before he did.
Liang Qing, Yang Huan: ???
Zhang Yang's voice also came through, "Take me along then! I want to have some fun too!"
Go to Baichun Tower to have some fun again?
Again?
Even the earnest Zhang Yang was being led astray by him??
Both men were bewildered, watching Liang Xiao walk into the main hall with a smile, not forgetting to turn back and converse with Zhang Yang, Chen Shaoling, and others.
Chen Shaoling burst into laughter, "No problem! The steward of the Dugu family coughed up blood and fainted on the spot at Baichun Tower. It was truly gratifying. I remember that guy was called Dugu She. Didn't he usually act arrogantly?"
Liang Qing and Yang Huan breathed a sigh of relief, their old faces flushing simultaneously.
So it was that kind of fun. Just now, the images of Liang Xiao, Zhang Yang, and the Tianshan Swordsman had almost collapsed in their minds...
"Greetings, Uncle Yang!"
Liang Xiao resumed his serious demeanor and bowed to Yang Huan.
Yang Huan was overjoyed and quickly stood up, "Absolutely not! You are now the Marquis of An Guo, and your rank is far above mine. How can I dare accept your bow!"
"You are my elder brother's father-in-law. You have looked after my elder brother for so long; this礼数 (li shu - etiquette) is deserved." Liang Xiao smiled.
Yang Huan was inwardly ecstatic, maintaining a smile outwardly, "It is deserved! We are family!"
From the moment Liang Xiao was enfeoffed as Marquis, he had the confidence to interact freely with the Liang family, and Yang Xuejing felt more at ease living in the Liang residence!
Liang Xiao was such a powerful figure to latch onto; he couldn't let go even if kicked to death!
After everyone was seated, Yang Huan exchanged pleasantries and couldn't help but say, "Nephew, if you need any help from your uncle in the future, just ask. Your uncle will spare no effort!"
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, "I happen to need your help this time, Uncle. It's urgent and tiring."
Everyone was stunned.
He actually took their polite offer seriously?
Yang Huan nodded repeatedly, "Just say it!"
Liang Xiao said seriously, "This matter requires only you, Uncle. After all, you are the Lieutenant General of the Feathered Forest Guards, so proving your identity won't be difficult. I hope you can take a few dozen Feathered Forest Guards and travel day and night to the East Sea to protect someone named Nan Jiyun."
Yang Huan readily agreed but remained full of doubt.
Who was Nan Jiyun that Liang Xiao would mobilize so many troops to protect him?
Liang Xiao continued, "Uncle, this trip to the East Sea concerns the nation's fortune. If there are no accidents, the soldiers will be rewarded upon their return. If you can be credited with the first merit, I can also recommend you based on merit, not just kinship!"
Everyone suddenly understood.
This was an opportunity for Yang Huan to earn merit and get promoted.
Liang Xiao was not lying. The newly established salt fields in the East Sea were crucial and could be said to determine the fortune of the Da Gan Kingdom, not an exaggeration.
Even if Xiao Qing could find the treasure of the ancient Xiongnu king and obtain tens of millions of taels of gold, it wouldn't be enough to abandon these national foundations!
For Da Gan to solve the chronic ailments accumulated since its founding, a windfall wouldn't suffice!
Yang Huan suppressed his excitement and immediately declared, "I will ensure this person's safety!"
Thus, Yang Huan hurried with Liang Xiao to see the thousand Feathered Forest Guards. He publicly handed over the temporary military token issued by Ding WuYi to Liang Xiao, then took orders from Liang Xiao. He selected fifty Feathered Forest Guards, packed their provisions, mounted their horses, and set off for the East Sea.
The Feathered Forest Guards rode in formation to protect them, with the Tianshan Swordsman and the Liang residence guards accompanying them on horseback in the middle.
Reaching the carriage, Luo Qingxue glanced at Jian Qinwan and snorted, "Do I need to explain any further? You still have to ride with us!"
Jian Qinwan also snorted, "Fine, I'll ride..."
Inside the carriage, Liang Xiao sat in the middle, Luo Qingxue by his right side, trying to maintain her composure.
Jian Qinwan's reason for following was also for this moment!
She had to admit that she seemed to have grown fond of the feeling of sitting with Liang Xiao.
Now she finally understood what her mother, Mu Xueqin, had said was wise: if one is determined, what are mere洁癖 (jie pi - obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness) compared to it?
Liang Xiao, with Luo Qingxue in his left arm, gazed ahead, lost in thought.
Nan Jiyun was important, and the East Sea salt fields were also important.
But what could most affect the fortune of Da Gan was the stability of the East Sea!
To the southwest of Da Gan, south of Da Liang, and west of the Western Regions, there were many foreign countries!
If potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn truly existed in this world...
By driving away the pirates in the East Sea and ensuring maritime safety, foreign merchant ships could travel freely. Perhaps news about potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn could be obtained from them, or even found directly on their merchant ships!
This was the true grand plan for the nation. Let alone the pirates in the East Sea, they would kill gods and buddhas alike!