Even with Ke Lisi Ti's prior warning, Ye Cheng Xiu's words still struck Xiao Qing and Ning Xue Jun like lightning!
Over four million catties, equivalent to over forty million taels?
And it was GOLD!!
It was four times, not just double, the treasure from the kingdom of Qiuci?
Then, how much treasure was hidden in the wilderness?
Could it be eighty million taels of gold, or even one hundred and sixty million taels?
Excluding the gold Liang Xiao had found, the entire Da Gan kingdom couldn't scrape together eighty million taels of gold!
The barbarians had also cut off most of the passages to the Western Regions. If the barbarians found that treasure, they would have gold to trade with foreign nations to the west, and recruit soldiers…
Xiao Qing and Ning Xue Jun fell into a brief stupor, then simultaneously regained their senses.
A moment later, Xiao Qing looked at the letters from Ding Wu Yi and Liang Xiao, and listened to Ye Cheng Xiu's detailed account of the treasure hunt, her face filled with astonishment, forgetting even to cry.
"My elder brother is this amazing at tomb raiding too?" Xiao Qing almost jumped up, her small face flushed.
My stinky elder brother seems to be omnipotent?
Now Xiao Qing wished she could fly to the treasure's location thousands of miles away and throw herself into Liang Xiao's arms!
Without her elder brother, her beloved, when would she ever find this treasure?
"Unbelievable!" Xiao Qing suppressed her tears, still with a hint of a sob.
Upon learning that Liang Xiao and Ding Wu Yi had sent people to seek help from Lu Yi, Xiao Qing was finally relieved and ordered someone to escort Ye Cheng Xiu to the palace to rest.
Back in the deep palace, Xiao Qing finally couldn't help but throw herself into Ning Xue Jun's arms, weeping profusely.
"Grandma Ning, I really want to cry my heart out in his arms, but I can't bear to make him worry…"
Ning Xue Jun embraced Xiao Qing indulgently and comforted her, "Young Master Liang Er is deeply devoted to Your Majesty, and he can also understand Your Majesty's feelings for him. In fact, he likes whatever kind of sovereign you are."
Xiao Qing then broke into a smile through her tears, "No matter what, we must reward my elder brother well!"
Ning Xue Jun softly reminded her, "Your Majesty, compared to wealth, Young Master Liang Er went deep into the treasure site and almost died. Captain Ye mentioned it earlier. Therefore, to avoid any unforeseen circumstances, Your Majesty should make preparations soon and, while Young Master Liang Er is young and vigorous, continue the royal lineage with him!"
Xiao Qing, who had been happy and proud moments ago, blushed all the way to her neck, her breathing becoming somewhat rapid, "Oh…"
Her Grandma Ning was so worried about the continuation of the royal lineage!
With Xiao Qing being the only remaining member of the Da Gan royal family, she naturally understood the urgency of the matter. Even if she was unwilling, she had to force herself to do it.
Of course, she was willing…
But, how could she, as a young lady, open her mouth?
Confessing to Liang Xiao as Princess Ning Shuang had already used up all the courage she had in her life!
Allowing Liang Xiao to take concubines as the ruler of a nation was already a great compromise!
couldn't this scoundrel be a bit more proactive, a bit more daring, besides spanking my butt?
The more Xiao Qing thought about it, the more resentful she became. She even regretted telling Liang Xiao that they couldn't consummate their marriage for now. Of course, she would never say such private thoughts in front of Ning Xue Jun.
Ning Xue Jun sighed again, "Young Master Liang Er… alas, this child is good in every way, just not lecherous enough. Why must he promise my sovereign that we'll wait until after we're married."
Ning Xue Jun, who had watched her grow up, understood Xiao Qing's shy little thoughts perfectly.
Having her innermost thoughts revealed by Ning Xue Jun, Xiao Qing became even more reluctant to speak!
In the Northern Border military camp, Lu Yi also met another Shadow Guard captain in a secret chamber. To avoid suspicion, Lu Chang He did not enter.
"You actually found it? Over forty million taels?!" Lu Yi's pupils contracted violently!
Over forty million taels of gold, equivalent to over four hundred million taels of silver, was several years of the Da Gan kingdom's total fiscal revenue!
The Shadow Guard captain took out the urgent letters written by Ding Wu Yi and Liang Xiao, his heart trembling!
"Understood. We must immediately dispatch at least fifty thousand men to assist in the transportation and simultaneously guard the treasure site, allowing no villains to covet it!" Lu Yi decided on the spot.
Seeing this, the Shadow Guard captain secretly breathed a sigh of relief for Xiao Qing.
If Lu Yi intended to rebel, gathering fifty thousand men and seizing the treasure site in one fell swoop, he could use this gold to recruit soldiers and win people's hearts, posing a fatal threat to the Da Gan kingdom, and even having a chance to usurp Xiao Qing's position!
However, from Lu Yi's reaction, it was evident that the four trusted ministers appointed by the late emperor were indeed reliable, and there was no need to resort to the hidden measures laid out by Ding Wu Yi and Ning Xue Jun.
In the military tent, all the military officials of the seventh rank and above in the Northern Border military camp were gathered.
"Assistant Minister Du Gu, I hereby order you to return to the capital immediately to report to His Majesty!"
Lu Yi issued the command in an unquestionable tone, causing everyone to exchange confused glances.
Du Gu Yun Cheng sneered, "Marshal, I am the supervisor sent by His Majesty. You do not seem to have the authority to command me, do you? Do you know what your current actions mean? Wielding military power for personal gain, and disregarding imperial authority!"
"I hold a secret imperial decree, and when necessary, I can represent His Majesty in deciding all matters of the Northern Border military camp, including yours. I do have this authority!"
Lu Yi immediately took out the secret imperial decree and displayed it. Upon seeing it, Du Gu Yun Cheng broke into a cold sweat. "You!!"
He couldn't imagine that Xiao Qing would dare to grant such temporary privileges to a relative of the emperor.
"Return to the capital immediately with all your personal guards to report to His Majesty. No delays, or you will be beheaded!"
Lu Yi said, taking off his marshal's sword and handing it to Lu Chang He. "General An Bei Lu Chang He will dispatch five hundred men to escort you. With the marshal's sword, you can issue orders on behalf of this marshal. Those who disobey will be beheaded!"
Everyone was even more astonished. Why had Lu Yi, who was usually accustomed to yielding to the noble families, suddenly become so assertive?
At this moment, Lu Yi had no time to care about Du Gu Yun Cheng's feelings. His only concern was to ensure the stability of the Northern Border military camp and prevent the tragic scenes of barbarian invasions and the suffering of the people from recurring.
Du Gu Yun Cheng's face turned ashen, and he sneered, "Fine! I will definitely unite with all the civil officials and impeach you before His Majesty!"
After Du Gu Yun Cheng left, Lu Yi took out his marshal's seal and publicly drafted a marshal's document, handing it to Zhuo Wu Lue.
"This marshal will lead fifty thousand troops to suppress bandits south of Yan State! From now on, Yan State's Northern Border will strengthen its defenses and prepare for the barbarians. Assistant Army Advisor Zhuo Wu Lue will act on behalf of this marshal. Those who disobey will be beheaded!"
All the generals were solemn.
Nan Ji Yun and Liang Si, Liang Xiao's household guard, looked puzzled.
Lu Yi's actions did not seem like he was going to suppress bandits. There were no rebel armies of ten thousand men within the Da Gan kingdom at the moment. This was clearly just an excuse.
So, where was he going after leaving the military camp? If it was just to Yunzhou, there was no need to fall out with Du Gu Yun Cheng so urgently.
Rebellion? Even less likely!
After dismissing the generals, Lu Yi kept only Nan Ji Yun, Zhuo Wu Lue, Liang Si, and the Shadow Guard captain.
Lu Chang He had already gone to mobilize the troops. Ostensibly, it was to escort Du Gu Yun Cheng and the others, but in reality, it was to keep them under watch.
"Marshal, what exactly happened? Why so sudden? It's not like your style…" Zhuo Wu Lue hesitated, then spoke, seeing the Shadow Guard captain beside Lu Yi, full of concern.
Could it be that he was being sidelined by the Shadow Guards?
Lu Yi sighed, "No need to ask. In short, this marshal needs to immediately prepare fifty thousand troops, five thousand carriages, and thirty thousand tarpaulins to head south of Yan State. This matter concerns the rise and fall of the nation!"
Everyone's breathing hitched. The Northern Border military camp currently had only 150,000 mobilized troops. To suddenly withdraw 50,000 was no small matter!
If warhorses were brought along, fodder would also be needed. Counting the soldiers' rations, the logistical support would be a considerable burden!
Thirty thousand large tarpaulins would also be difficult to procure!
Everyone had heard the urgency in Lu Yi's voice and no longer spoke further, each pledging to firmly hold their positions in the Northern Border military camp.
One day later, Lu Yi's army finally marched towards the south of Yan State, alarming the entire Yan State!