Liang Xiao's expression was grave as he said in a deep voice, "I must request His Majesty to mobilize an army to the East Sea to prevent any emergencies there!"
After clarifying the situation in the East Sea, Liang Xiao left Zhang Yang and Liang Qing behind and immediately set off for the Imperial Palace.
"Big Brother means, the plants brought by those foreign merchant ships might include sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn?"
Upon hearing Liang Xiao's report, Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat. Even Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun's eyes were filled with longing.
They had previously heard Liang Xiao's solemn guarantee: the per-mu yield of these crops far surpassed that of Da Qian's grain, and could solve the problem of famine!
Even corn, the one with the lowest yield, could produce several times more kernels per mu than grain!
For this reason, Xiao Qing had sent a large number of loyal palace attendants with heavy compensation to search all over the country, and even some Shadow Guards were dispatched. Yet, they had found nothing!
If these crops could truly be found in the East Sea and promoted nationwide... it was unimaginable!
Liang Xiao's expression was uncharacteristically serious. "I heard that those foreign merchants from overseas have appearances that are vastly different from the people of Da Qian, the barbarians, and even those from the Western Regions... From now on, we must thoroughly clear the East Sea, rectify the administration there, and maintain control of the East Sea's military power, ensuring the safety of the salt fields while allowing those foreign merchant ships to travel back and forth with peace of mind!"
Xiao Qing also realized the seriousness of the matter and immediately nodded. "I will mobilize a unit of the Imperial Guards to accompany you on horseback, but it's getting late today. We can only depart tomorrow morning at the earliest."
"Then I will depart tomorrow morning!" Liang Xiao nodded solemnly.
Xiao Qing immediately wrote an order, instructing Ding Wuyi to mobilize the elite Imperial Guards, and also summoned Prime Minister Wang Canghai.
Upon hearing the situation, Wang Canghai looked at Liang Xiao and sighed, "Marquis An Guo, please forgive my presumption, but may I ask again: are you truly certain that the yield of those three plants is several times, or even more than ten times, that of grain, and that they are edible?"
As one of the four chief ministers, he was certainly qualified to know some secrets, but he could not believe that such divine items existed in the world.
However, despite his doubts, Wang Canghai did not try to dissuade Xiao Qing from secretly sending people to search.
What if it were true? Then it would be more than simply ushering in a few decades of prosperity!
If the common people could solve their sustenance problems, who would have the heart to rebel? It would first greatly alleviate the problem of civil unrest.
The court was currently promoting land reclamation, concentrating more and more land in the hands of the emperor. If these lands were used to plant sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn, and these were used as staple food, how much grain could the country collect, and how much grain could the national treasury store...
"Not only are they edible, but they also taste very good and go well with rice!" Liang Xiao said with a solemn face.
Wang Canghai's heart leaped. He knelt before Xiao Qing and requested, "Your Majesty! This old minister suggests increasing Marquis An Guo's authority in inspecting the East Sea. All military and civil affairs of the East Sea shall be decided by Marquis An Guo!"
Xiao Qing was overjoyed. "This is precisely my intention! I bestow upon my beloved minister Liang the Imperial Token of Authority, to command the military and civil affairs of the East Sea region, to order all armies, and to allow execution before reporting back! Simultaneously, mobilize one thousand Imperial Guards to accompany him!"
Thus, Xiao Qing immediately drafted a second imperial decree and bestowed upon Liang Xiao a finely crafted Imperial Token of Authority.
After receiving the decree and the Imperial Token of Authority, Liang Xiao requested of Wang Canghai, "I trouble the Prime Minister to send someone to deliver an urgent dispatch of eight hundred li to the East Sea, informing the Prefect and Commander of the East Sea that before my arrival, no soldier or official is to be dismissed or killed. Violators will be summarily executed!"
Wang Canghai was puzzled, but he readily agreed and immediately went to arrange for personnel to send the urgent dispatch to the East Sea.
After Wang Canghai left, Xiao Qing asked with confusion, "Why did Big Brother ask the Prime Minister to do this?"
Liang Xiao sighed and explained, "I heard that the people of the East Sea are fierce. There are countless upright scholars from humble backgrounds like Zhang Yang. The warriors in the East Sea should not be any different. I previously heard Zhang Yang mention a general named Nan Jiyun. This person offended Du Guchun and was transferred to the East Sea to be a boatman..."
Xiao Qing suddenly understood. "Big Brother is worried that if they know you are going to the East Sea, they will try to eliminate those talented people in the East Sea who could be useful to us at all costs?"
Liang Xiao smiled and praised, "Little Frosty is always so smart, you understand immediately! We must not overestimate the moral bottom line of our enemies in all matters, especially those powerful aristocratic families that are difficult to control. We must think and guard against them in the worst possible way."
Xiao Qing nodded repeatedly, deeply agreeing, and felt even sweeter in his heart.
Unexpectedly, Liang Xiao changed the subject and asked, "Little Frosty, after you read the secret strategy Big Brother gave you, did you cry?"
Ning Xuejun, who was beside them, couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Xiao Qing's nose twitched, and he turned his head away. "I did not!"
Ning Xuejun stifled a laugh, but Liang Xiao merely sighed.
"What's wrong, Big Brother?" Xiao Qing asked, looking at Liang Xiao with confusion.
Liang Xiao said, "Big Brother hopes Little Frosty will grow up quickly, but he is also reluctant."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao with resentment, and tears welled up in his eyes.
How annoying!
"Hahaha! Don't be sad, Big Brother is here!" Liang Xiao comforted him, stroking Xiao Qing's head, his heart complicated.
To accompany a ruler is like accompanying a tiger. When his Little Frosty grows up, can they still be like this?
If his achievements overshadowed the emperor's prestige, he could only retire early. This was also why he dared not reveal his identity as the Heavenly General to Little Frosty.
He was truly reluctant to lose this adorable adopted brother, his most understanding companion...
With his head being stroked by Liang Xiao, Xiao Qing's face was already flushed with embarrassment, and he dared not speak, but he was no longer so sad.
Unexpectedly, Liang Xiao changed the subject again. "Little Frosty, when Frosty helps you handle state affairs, you can tell her about these secret strategies and see if she cries, then secretly tell Big Brother. Big Brother will educate her again, so she can enjoy blessings and not always worry about state affairs!"
Ning Xuejun's pupils constricted, and she almost flew over to kick Liang Xiao out of the Imperial Study!
This was utter shamelessness!
Xiao Qing mumbled, "Imperial Sister will not cry!"
Upon returning to Liang Mansion, Liang Xiao recounted the matter of the Imperial Token of Authority to Zhang Yang and Liang Qing.
Liang Qing's white beard trembled with excitement, but he quickly calmed down. "Xiao'er, from now on, you must be even more cautious in your actions. Do not abuse your power or meddle in illicit dealings, and never give your political enemies a reason to impeach you!"
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly.
Upon learning that he and Liang Xiao would depart for the East Sea tomorrow morning, Zhang Yang also breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Liang Xiao, why has my position as Secretary of Agriculture been promoted to Grand Master of Court? Did you ask His Majesty for something again?"
Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong had solid reasons for their promotions. After all, they were the top three in the selection of state officials, and they had the backing of the Gu and Mu families. Gu Shaoyan's position as Minor Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments and his father Gu Hong's position as Minister of Personnel complemented each other, allowing him to inherit his father's mantle at any time.
Liang Xiao pouted. "Don't tarnish my reputation. It must have been my grandfather who said it!"
Liang Qing looked bewildered. "How is it related to this old man again? However, my grandfather and Zhuo Lingjun have indeed spoken to His Majesty about Zhang Yang a few times... Zhang Yang, you are now worthy of bringing glory to your ancestors, but you must also guard against arrogance and impatience. Only then will you have a boundless future."
Zhang Yang was immensely grateful and nodded repeatedly.
On the coast of the East Sea, deep within a military camp, a soldier rushed to the entrance of a military tent with a dusty face.
"Brother Nan! The pirates from Izumo Kingdom have appeared at sea again. When will this end if it continues like this!"