"A most loyal subject serving the country! A fine song, a fine name!" Lü Yi exclaimed again, filled with emotion. "From now on, this song shall be the anthem of the Great Qian army. What say you?"
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded. The assembled generals were overjoyed and begged Liang Xiao to transcribe and teach it to them. They, unlike Liang Xiao and Zhen Mi, did not possess memories sharp enough to recall it after a single hearing.
Liang Xiao, prepared for this, produced the transcribed "Jing Zhong Bao Guo" from his sleeve and handed it to Lü Yi.
Lü Yi finally broke into a wide grin, disregarding his dignified demeanor. "Perfect timing to test your movable type printing! One copy for everyone!"
A ripple of amusement went through the crowd.
Liang Xiao then delivered a speech. He established military structures identical to the Qingtian Guard, set a training schedule, and arranged for Liang Zhan to liaunt with Nan Jiyun, facilitating future cooperation in leading troops. With Yue Qingtian and his three chiliarchs in the Qingtian Guard, and He Zizhang assisting in training, Liang Xiao was spared the necessity of personally imparting martial arts skills, thus concealing his true abilities.
Back in the military tent, Lü Yi lavished praise on Liang Xiao's performance that day, while Lü Changhe and Zhuo Wulüe also expressed their repeated admiration.
Yue Qingtian's face, crisscrossed with thick flesh, trembled with excitement. "Marquis, our Qingtian Guard should also learn 'Jing Zhong Bao Guo'!"
"Naturally," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation. This patriotic song, with minor modifications, was ideal as a military anthem. It would not only alleviate the soldiers' hardships but also strengthen their patriotic spirit. Ideology, after all, was a formidable weapon.
Lü Yi pondered for a moment before finally confessing to Liang Xiao, "Nephew, your uncle has underestimated your capabilities. With you here, I finally have the confidence to confront those aristocratic clans and no longer need to tread on thin ice. How about we request the Emperor to transfer Du Gu Yuncheng back to the capital?"
Liang Xiao nodded. "Let us both pen a letter to the capital, for His Majesty's perusal. He and Prime Minister Wang will weigh the pros and cons and make appropriate arrangements."
Lü Yi was both surprised and delighted. Lü Changhe and Zhuo Wulüe could barely contain their laughter.
Lü Changhe chuckled, "That little wretch Du Gu Yuncheng, relying on the support of those aristocratic clans, has caused us no end of trouble. It's best if he's transferred! But without an imperial supervisor, the clans will surely not be appeased!"
"Worry not, I have a plan," Liang Xiao replied with a smile.
The three were overjoyed. Liang Xiao immediately penned a letter and entrusted it to Lü Yi to be sent to the capital.
"What I'm even more curious about now is the effectiveness of the weapons that you had Mu Hong oversee the manufacturing of," Lü Yi said with anticipation. The Que Yue formation required specialized weaponry, for which Liang Xiao had even gone to the extent of authorizing Mu Hong to bypass Du Gu Qun and requesting Xiao Qing to dispatch his shadow guards for protection.
"I am confident in their efficacy against the barbarians," Liang Xiao stated calmly.
Lü Yi was ecstatic and added, "Since you've provided the movable type printing technique, Uncle has a suggestion. Once the movable type printing method is disseminated from the palace, we should immediately establish a bookshop dedicated to printing books. We'll seize the opportunity to profit before the Ouyang family's bookshop gets there first!"
In the Great Qian, the primary institutions for printing were bookshops, both official and private. The Ouyang family, headed by Minister of Revenue Ouyang Ji and his eldest son, Assistant Minister of Revenue Ouyang Ping, controlled numerous bookshops across the land.
Liang Xiao mused for a moment and nodded. "I have the same intention. Although learning this movable type printing technique is not difficult, gaining the first-mover advantage is beneficial. His Majesty will maintain our secrecy for now. To achieve universal literacy in the future, we must invest in this area, break the monopoly, force them to lower prices, and ideally, nationalize the Ouyang family's bookshops."
Lü Yi nodded solemnly, his gaze towards Liang Xiao filled with even greater respect. Breaking the monopoly of the aristocratic clans required more than just the existing scholars and commoners; it necessitated more people having opportunities to study, at the very least by reducing the cost of education. Movable type printing would significantly cut down on printing costs and time, leading to increased efficiency and eventual price reductions, especially since the paper prices in Great Qian were within the acceptable range for the populace.
Jian Qinwan and Chen Shaoling looked at Liang Xiao, deeply moved. In the end, it was all for the good of the people!
Liang Xiao and Lü Yi's trio exchanged further discussions. Liang Xiao ultimately left Liang Zhan to assist the less experienced Nan Jiyun before departing the northern military camp with Jian Qinwan, Yue Qingtian, and Chen Shaoling.
At Liang Mansion, Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian learned of Liang Xiao's heroic deeds at the northern military camp and were filled with joy and admiration. Zhen Mi, clapping her hands with delight, asked, "Once Brother Xiao promotes movable type printing, can Mi'er try publishing books?"
"Of course! Let everyone know that our Mi'er is a talented woman at the age of eleven!" Liang Xiao declared proudly. He had taken in Zhen Mi years ago, fearing her destitution and admiring her resilience, never imagining she would turn out to be such a prodigy. However, Zhen Mi's motive for publishing was not to showcase her talent but to increase her Brother Xiao's income.
"In another year or two, I fear I will have to concede to you!" Luo Qingxue praised.
Jian Qinwan finally couldn't resist. Glancing at Luo Qingxue, she sat down and said gently to Zhen Mi, "Mi'er, you must also teach me more about composing poems and lyrics then. This disobedient disciple always tries to outperform her teacher in zither skills; how can I let her surpass me in poetry?"
Luo Qingxue's blood immediately surged, and she retorted, "Once you become my concubine, I'll teach you a few lines!"
The two began their usual bickering. Liang Xiao supported his forehead, a wry smile on his face. Fortunately, Chen Shaoling and the others were not present, or they would have been utterly astonished. Who would have thought that the outwardly noble and ethereal Qin Immortal would be bickering like children with Luo Qingxue here? Fortunately, Yue Lian and Zhen Mi were there to mediate, so Liang Xiao was not worried about the two stubborn girls escalating their argument.
"Jing Zhong Bao Guo" quickly spread through the Qingtian Guard camp in Anxi County. The entire contingent learned to sing it, with several individuals weeping and offering repeated praise. The people of Great Qian, Liang Xiao realized, were more emotionally attuned than he had anticipated. This military song was precisely what was needed.
Under Yue Qingtian's personal leadership and the assistance of He Zizhang and others, all aspects of the Qingtian Guard operated in an orderly fashion. The members gradually became accustomed to the daily training intensity: weighted running, formation marching, martial arts practice, and so on. Once the weapons from the capital arrived, the Qingtian Guard and the Great Qian Iron Guards could commence more specialized training and steadily enhance their combat effectiveness.
A day later, each member of the Qingtian Guard received at least five taels of silver. Those holding positions of Wu Zhang or higher received more, with the three chiliarchs each receiving fifteen taels.
"Why are we being paid today?" The Qingtian Guards exchanged bewildered glances. They had only been enlisted for a few days!
He Zizhang announced loudly, "It is the Marquis's intention. From now on, we will receive one month's wages in advance at the beginning of each month!"
As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted from the entire assembly. Including the earlier rewards, each of them had now earned at least ten taels from Liang Xiao! In a whole year of labor, they wouldn't have saved ten taels.
Only He Zizhang secretly smiled wryly. "The Marquis is undertaking such ambitious projects; I fear it will eventually become unsustainable..." As shadow guards temporarily detached from the imperial shadow guard army, their primary duty was to protect Liang Xiao's family and assist him in training his troops. However, after following Liang Xiao for some time and being influenced by his example, He Zizhang had been won over and fully dedicated himself to Liang Xiao's cause, habitually considering Liang Xiao's welfare. The training for these Qingtian Guards was rigorous, and their appetites were substantial; the daily cost of their meals alone was an immeasurable sum for ordinary people!
Just as He Zizhang was worrying, a familiar figure appeared in the distance, causing his expression to change. He immediately led the newcomer to Liang Xiao.
"Greetings, Marquis of An Guo! The commander has instructed this subordinate to inform the Marquis of An Guo: we have located the target at Fierce Tiger River and request the Marquis's assistance!"