Liang Xiao nodded, "The 'Repeating Crossbow' was inspired by a divine being named 'Zhuge Liang' in my dream, so I'll call it the 'Zhuge Repeating Crossbow'! I must study it, but it's difficult to recreate. It requires many talents like Zhang Yang to assist before there's a chance."
"Taught by a divine being? What are the characteristics of this crossbow?" Xiao Qing was even more curious.
"If used well, it can fire ten shots at once!"
"Ten shots?!" Xiao Qing and Ning Xuejun gasped.
What kind of divine artifact was this?
Xiao Qing understood, no wonder Liang Xiao only had a concept for now.
"As for the Divine Arm Crossbow, its power is immense, but I only have a rough outline and need assistance. Perhaps in the future, we can specifically use these two weapons to slay the Savage Iron Cavalry!" Liang Xiao added.
Xiao Qing readily agreed.
If such weapons could be successfully manufactured and deployed on the battlefield in the future, they might achieve astonishing results!
She certainly believed Liang Xiao's "Moon-Slaying Formation" could defeat cavalry with infantry. Then, if the crossbow bolts in the Moon-Slaying Formation were replaced with "Zhuge Repeating Crossbows" or "Divine Arm Crossbows," wouldn't the effect be even better?
"From now on, Xiao Shuangzi will fully support the expenses of Big Brother's workshop and the Qingtian Guard!" Xiao Qing said happily.
"Oh dear, Big Brother is going to be kept by Xiao Shuangzi." Liang Xiao grinned.
Xiao Qing covered her mouth and giggled.
Liang Xiao observed her, his confusion growing.
Sometimes Xiao Shuangzi's words and actions were like a woman's, so much like Princess Ning Shuang!
Was it just because they were twins?
But with official matters pressing, Liang Xiao could only suppress his doubts and continue discussing the workshop with Xiao Qing.
Returning home, Liang Xiao again arranged for Liang Mansion guards to escort Yizui Baimiian to Baichun Tower to sell wine.
For the "Collecting Poetry Verses" event, these wealthy magnates of the capital had declared they wouldn't buy wine without an event.
Liang Xiao's move wasn't exactly a compromise, but rather to further expand Yizui Baimiian's influence and maintain the current price, especially since five hundred taels per jar was very expensive.
Jian Qinwan still wore her purple veil and accompanied him. Before leaving, she blushed and threatened her senior brothers and sisters not to "mess around" again.
"The arrival of the Marquis of Anguo graces this humble abode!"
On the high platform, Yirou's demeanor was proper, as always, as she saluted Liang Xiao, her eyes conveying unspoken emotions.
Liang Xiao merely smiled in response, but a seed of doubt was sown in his heart.
Yirou's words and actions appeared so respectful and admiring of him, yet she was no longer as infatuated and lost as before, nor did she seem to be putting on an act.
Calm and strong!
Jian Qinwan also observed Yirou's reaction and sighed inwardly.
Another woman hurt by love.
Compared to her, she was still fortunate. This "flower-picking thief" didn't want to let her go, nor could he bear to drive her away...
Below the stage, the crowd still watched with anticipation, their eyes fixed on the thousand jars of Yizui Baimiian.
Yirou's affection for Liang Xiao and Qin Xian's status as the future Marchioness of Anguo were already widely known, and people were no longer greatly surprised by these matters.
Now, they only wanted to know what else Liang Xiao would write!
Gu Shaoyan brought Gu Xiaoxiao and Mu Wanjun to support the event again. Mu Hong, however, had to rush the military equipment ordered by Liang Xiao, so he sent the Mu family steward and Mu Wanjun in his stead.
The Dugu family, having been extorted three million taels of silver by Liang Xiao, was severely weakened, and no one from their family was present.
However, the Ouyang family and the He family from the capital sent their stewards, also hoping to try their luck.
Having lost face due to "bad luck" last time, the Patriarch of the Duanmu family, Duanmu Chao, did not attend this grand assembly, with his eldest son, Duanmu Xiu, fully in charge, clearly determined to "draw" a win this time.
"Marquis of Anguo, if the quality of your poems this time is not as good as the previous two, we won't be buying!" Duanmu Xiu said resentfully.
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, turned, and picked up his brush to write a poem, "Jinse."
Jinse has fifty strings, its silk-wrought chords evoke departed years.
Zhuang Zhou's morning dreams misled by butterflies, Emperor Wang's spring heart confided to cuckoos.
In the bright sea, pearls hold tears, under the warm sun of Lan Tian, jade emits smoke.
Can this feeling be saved for later remembrance? Alas, it was already bewildering at that time.
The crowd below cheered, and even members of the Ouyang family, political rivals, marveled in astonishment!
In the rear of the crowd, a masked woman in black coldly stared at Liang Xiao. She retreated into the curtain and whispered to a few of her cult followers, "He is the 'Marquis of Anguo' spoken of by Qingyi. They say he is completely unmoved by Qingyi's beauty and is a formidable opponent. I suspect 'Refuting the Spring Revival Cult' was also written by him. This person must be eliminated."
The cult followers were both shocked and angered!
"Refuting the Spring Revival Cult" was practically a divine book that countered evil cults!
A man whispered, "But General Zuo Wushang strictly forbids us from killing him! Cult Master..."
The Cult Master said coldly, "Then capture him and bring him back to the Holy Land for Qingyi to judge personally! However, attempting to attack him in the capital is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Notify cult members across all regions to watch his movements and act when opportune, without haste."
Though she spoke softly, her words were so chilling that one could feel as if plunged into an ice cave.
The Spring Revival Cult, an evil cult that roamed through various countries, primarily targeting the Great Liang and Great Gan, specifically seducing the populace into depraved acts and teaching them to burn, kill, and plunder, was listed as the foremost evil cult by all nations.
The elusive Cult Master of the Spring Revival Cult, the number one person below the Cult Leader, had personally come out to capture Liang Xiao!
Not long after, Liang Xiao wrote another short poem.
Towards evening, my heart feels unwell; I drive my chariot to an ancient hill.
The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, but it is already nearing dusk.
Listening to the cheers of the people, the Cult Master's gaze grew increasingly sharp. "To be able to devise such a method to manipulate people's hearts, I fear this person is not someone I can easily tempt..."
The Cult Master had already noticed Jian Qinwan behind Liang Xiao, a flicker of jealousy flashing in her eyes.
Even the contemporary Qin Xian was willing to lower herself for him, appearing in such a place of indulgence?
This time, "Can this feeling be saved for later remembrance? Alas, it was already bewildering at that time" and "The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, but it is already nearing dusk" were listed as single verses, while other verses had dozens or hundreds of lines.
Duanmu Xiu chuckled dryly, "Marquis of Anguo, can our Duanmu family not take all one thousand jars this time?"
The Duanmu family's losses last time were minimal; they mainly lost face, as the Duanmu family had various channels to resell Yizui Baimiian.
The Dugu family was in an awkward position, having both lost money and face.
The Patriarch of the Dugu family, Minister of War Dugu Qun, had even been forced by Liang Xiao to donate three million taels. This matter had spread throughout Great Gan, becoming a laughingstock for people's leisure!
Liang Xiao smiled, "One family cannot dominate; we must give others a chance!"
Duanmu Xiu glanced at the major noble families and sighed, "Which other families can purchase in large quantities?"
"The Gu family and Mu family both want twenty jars," Gu Shaoyan announced.
Everyone's hearts sank.
Last time it was the beasts Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong who managed to win the draw, and they still wanted to try their luck...
"May I ask if I am qualified to purchase five hundred jars?"
A gentle voice carried over. Everyone followed the sound and saw a masked woman in black, accompanied by her attendants, walk to the front of the crowd. She looked at Liang Xiao with a smile.
Yirou, who had been able to remain calm before Liang Xiao, felt her heart sink: Why had she come?
Duanmu Xiu frowned, "May I ask who you are?"
It was bad enough that the Dugu family had competed with them for Yizui Baimiian last time, but now strangers had also shown up!
The black-clad woman bowed to Duanmu Xiu and said softly, "I am Yan Jun, from Great Liang, the Yan family of the imperial capital!"
"The Yan family of the imperial capital? The foremost noble family of Great Liang!" Exclamations erupted from the surroundings.
Liang Xiao's brow furrowed as he observed Yan Jun and her entourage below.