Inside the hall, the visiting Lü Changhe, filled with excitement, rose and bowed to Liang Xiao.
"An Guo Hou's abilities, we admire to the depths of our hearts!"
Lü Changhe's respect for Liang Xiao grew with each passing moment.
Putting aside whether Liang Xiao was the Heavenly General, even if he wasn't, the benefits Liang Xiao had brought to Xiao Qing and Da Gan were enough to be remembered for generations to come!
That was millions of pounds of gold, tens of millions of taels, which, if spent wisely, would surely revitalize Da Gan!
Moreover, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn would eventually be promoted…
Lü Changhe had already heard that some crops could be transplanted and grown without seeds, which meant they could multiply indefinitely and quickly become established…
"My father mentioned that An Guo Hou intends to train a small team similar to the Shadow Guard force?" Lü Changhe cut straight to the point.
Liang Xiao nodded slightly, offering no further explanation.
What he intended to train was actually a force akin to modern special forces, even more challenging to cultivate than the Shadow Guard!
However, he didn't have much time to arrange it at the moment, hence his need to first seek assistance from Xiao Qing and Ding Wuyi.
Lü Changhe said solemnly, "I have already sent someone to find the residence of the former Shadow Guard Commander, Senior Sima Jing. He happens to be living a tranquil life in Yan Prefecture!"
Liang Xiao sighed, "Isn't this elder approaching seventy years old? It might not be appropriate to trouble him…"
The Shadow Guard was a meticulously prepared force by the founding emperor, with extremely stringent and complex laws.
Only those loyal and brave individuals who became the Shadow Guard Commander could obtain the essence manual for cultivating Shadow Guards from the Emperor.
Even though Xiao Qing and Liang Xiao were as close as brothers, they could not violate the ancestral decree and teach Liang Xiao the methods of training the Shadow Guard, otherwise, the Shadow Guards themselves would object.
This was a top secret crucial for the survival of the Da Gan imperial family, ensuring they would not become mere puppets. No exceptions were to be made. Once the rules were broken, the Shadow Guard would cease to be the true Shadow Guard!
The Shadow Guard force cultivated through these methods, even if the sky were to fall, would only obey the Emperor's command, with protecting the Emperor as their primary mission. It was initially difficult even for He Zizhang and others, who had feigned their discharge from military service to attend to Liang Xiao.
Therefore, Xiao Qing could only recommend Sima Jing to Liang Xiao. Even if Sima Jing couldn't train an identical Shadow Guard for Liang Xiao, training a rather elite force would not be an issue.
Lü Changhe chuckled, "I have already visited Elder Sima. He wishes to meet An Guo Hou in person before making any decisions!"
Liang Xiao was overjoyed and immediately set off with Lü Changhe to visit Sima Jing.
Half an hour later, Liang Xiao's carriage sped away into the distance.
Amidst the bustling marketplace, several pairs of eyes were fixed on Liang Xiao.
It was Yan Jun, who had brought his followers, tracking Liang Xiao all the way to Yan Prefecture!
Yan Jun's words were icy, and killing intent flashed in his eyes: "This person is indeed cautious and difficult to deal with. It seems we may have to shift our target to his female relatives!"
A follower reminded him, "However, Zuo Wushang strictly forbade us from harming Liang Xiao's family…"
Yan Jun sneered, "Do you now understand why the Great Heng Kingdom cannot be restored? If I cannot even spare Liang Xiao, why should I care about his female relatives? Go and stake out the Liang Manor, and act when the opportunity arises!"
In a secret chamber, Hong Qu, a trusted confidant of Zuo Wushang, finally returned from the wilderness with news.
"Marshal, the Barbarian Chanyu, the Left Virtuous King, and the Right Virtuous King were furious on the spot and berated us for sacrificing the Barbarian elites. It was only after we handed over the fifty thousand taels of Da Gan silver notes you provided that their anger subsided…"
Zuo Wushang looked at the dejected Hong Qu and asked, "Do the Barbarians have any other reactions?"
Hong Qu said sternly, "The Left Virtuous King despises Liang Xiao to the core and hopes we will kill him at all costs, otherwise, the Barbarian tribes will reconsider their cooperation with us!"
Zuo Wushang said gravely, "Hong Qu, if Liang Xiao dies, or is unwilling to cooperate with us, our Great Heng Kingdom will truly have no hope of restoration."
Two other confidants exclaimed in shock, "Marshal, why would our hope of restoration be lost if Liang Xiao dies? We don't understand!"
Zuo Wushang dared not mention Yue Lian, and merely explained sternly, "Only this young man can help our Great Heng Kingdom achieve the great cause of restoration. Therefore, we must use coercion and enticement to make him cooperate with us; only then is there hope! Whether it be the Barbarians, the aristocratic families, the Southern King, or the Great Heng Kingdom itself, none of them are reliable partners. With us, it's merely mutual exploitation, and they could devour us at any moment!"
Hong Qu and the other two fell silent.
What Zuo Wushang said was not wrong. The remnants of the Great Heng Kingdom, having endured numerous setbacks, were now treading on a knife's edge, living in extreme humility. Any slight misstep would result in utter ruin.
They were not afraid of taking risks, but given the current situation, even if they took risks, they would only be cannon fodder for these so-called partners!
It was no easy feat for the remnants of the Great Heng Kingdom to seek restoration. How could these supposed partners genuinely help them restore their kingdom? Maintaining a superficial harmony, exploiting each other, and taking what they needed was already a good outcome!
Just then, another confidant arrived with a report from outside: "Marshal! The people from the Hui Chun Sect are currently guarding Liang Xiao's manor in Yan Prefecture. According to reports from their fellow disciples, the Sect Master seems to be planning to kill Liang Xiao's female relatives to disrupt Liang Xiao's state of mind and then deal with him!"
"What?!"
Zuo Wushang slammed the table and rose in anger, "Didn't I repeatedly warn the Hui Chun Sect not to harm Liang Xiao and his family?"
The Hui Chun Sect was uncontrollable, their followers were too fanatical!
A favored minister of the Son of Heaven, a pillar of the nation, who possessed the virtue of preventing widespread illness, destined to be remembered for generations to come. How could he not have powerful protectors? And they actually dared to attempt assassination?
The confidant explained, "I heard that the Sect Master Yan Jun believes that 'Rebuttal of the Hui Chun Sect' was written by Liang Xiao, and he wishes he could eat Liang Xiao alive…"
Zuo Wushang's expression changed: "Throughout the world, there are only a handful of people who could write such a divine book to refute an evil cult. It is indeed possible that it was this young man…"
"Marshal, we are truly in a passive position. What should we do?" Hong Qu and the others were somewhat anxious.
Zuo Wushang remained silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth, "Find a way to notify Liang Xiao or someone from the Liang Manor that members of the Hui Chun Sect are preparing to assassinate personnel at the Liang Manor…"
"Marshal!" Everyone was greatly alarmed.
Facing an arch-nemesis like Liang Xiao, instead of assisting the Hui Chun Sect in eliminating him, they were going to extend goodwill to Liang Xiao?
Hong Qu trembled, "Marshal, we truly cannot comprehend this…"
Zuo Wushang sighed, "Do as I say! The Hui Chun Sect is using us, shouldn't we also secretly use the Hui Chun Sect to extend goodwill to Liang Xiao?"
Hong Qu's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "I understand! Marshal, let Hong Jie handle this matter. This will be an opportunity for Hong Jie to approach Liang Xiao and gain his trust!"
Zuo Wushang cast an appreciative glance at Hong Qu. "Remember, you can abduct Liang Xiao's female relatives, but under no circumstances are you to harm them, nor insult them. You must inform me immediately, or face military law! Furthermore, this person is extremely cautious; do not be too proactive, lest you arouse his suspicion. Qingyi and Yirou are cautionary tales. Find a way to make him notice that Hong Jie is a talented individual, that is all."
"If we can find an opportunity to abduct Liang Xiao, that would be best!" Hong Qu chuckled.
Zuo Wushang shook his head. "You are no match for him. Back then, on Mount Tianshan, it wasn't Jian Sheng Jian Nanfeng who saved him, it was self-rescue. Even I was defeated by him…"
The room was eerily quiet.
Their Marshal, Zuo Wushang, was a supreme expert in the world, who could once fight the Shadow Guard Commander to a draw!
How could he possibly be defeated by Liang Xiao?
Zuo Wushang sighed repeatedly, "Currently, the only ones in the Great Heng Kingdom whom I can fully trust are you few. I do not wish for you to take risks and be lost to Liang Xiao."
"I finally understand why the Marshal only wishes to recruit Liang Xiao. The Hui Chun Sect and the Left Virtuous King are simply overestimating themselves…" Hong Qu said with a wry smile.
If Liang Xiao was truly both cultured and martial, cautious and prudent in his actions, he would be a nightmare for any enemy!
Zuo Wushang nodded slightly and produced two palm-sized iron boxes, handing them to the young man behind Hong Qu. "Hong Jie, only your elder brother and I have seen your true face. Take these items to deal with Liang Xiao, do not waste them…"
The young man named Hong Jie mustered his courage and asked, "Marshal, you said Princess is still alive. Actually, the Princess accidentally fell into Liang Xiao's hands, didn't she…"
Hong Qu and the other two were shocked and pale!
Even Zuo Wushang's heart sank!