Mars's face darkened.
Achilles shattering the wall-destroying projectiles with his own might was something Mars found difficult to stomach.
"The Great Qian's Heavenly General has not reappeared. Since that is the case, I shall cut down every so-called 'Ever-Victorious General,' 'Flying General,' and commander of the White Robe Soldiers of Great Qian!" Denied the significance of personal valor, Achilles's expression held a rare touch of madness.
Hearing this, Mars merely smiled and offered no reply.
His true objective was provocation.
Great Qian continued to accelerate the production of weaponry, while also diligently refining 'Water Pattern Steel' to equip its top-tier legions.
Considering the Tian Ri tribe's western location and their potential to absorb Western armaments and even research gunpowder and firearms, Liang Xiao also adjusted Great Qian's armaments and battle formations to minimize close-quarters combat.
Simultaneously, Liang Xiao collaborated with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War to improve their own trebuchets, incorporating springs, pulley systems, and winches.
This was to ensure that even if all gunpowder barrels were depleted, stones could still be hurled further.
Based on his knowledge, the Romans had improved upon the ballista invented by the ancient Greeks, creating a heavy trebuchet named "onager," pushing the ballista to its peak. This formidable weapon might also fall into the hands of the Tian Ri tribe.
Of course, such seemingly terrifying weapons required more personnel to operate, and their actual destructive efficiency was only slightly superior to ordinary trebuchets, perhaps even less so. Their true utility lay in siege warfare and wall-breaking.
During the day, Liang Xiao dedicated his time to his family, and at night, he meticulously drew diagrams and texts for the Ministry of Works' review.
The Yue and Li families, during their time in the Great Qian capital, had fully experienced its prosperity.
Everywhere in the streets, one could find pastries, fried potatoes, fried sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes…
The sounds of children reciting scriptures could be heard in every alley and street. The Four Books and Five Classics, which once sold for over a thousand copper coins per volume, now cost no more than one hundred and fifty.
"As expected of a sage descended from heaven. Xin'er's infatuation with him is not shameful…" Li You, the head of the Li family, and his eldest son, Li Shiheng, sighed in unison after understanding the capital's atmosphere.
Li Xin, along with talented beauties like Ye Qingyi, had also become fast friends and were even considering adopting a baby girl!
If Li Xin's admiration was not for Liang Xiao, but for someone else, they would never have agreed to Li Xin's wish to remain unmarried forever.
But since it was this Marquis of Anguo… Forget it. As long as the child was happy, there was no need to expect her to continue the family line, and no one would dare to criticize such a decision.
Who could blame them when the object of affection was the Marquis of Anguo? Ye Qingyi and the others' choice not only faced no criticism but was even widely praised, which was simply unbelievable!
Of course, the most crucial reason was that Li Xin's maternal grandmother, the Chess Saint, had also lived a solitary life and adopted Li Xin's mother, who became the most prosperous young wife of the Li family.
The Chess Saint did not rekindle her past relationship with Liang Xiao's grandfather, Liang Qing. Liang Qing only visited a few times, apologized and reminisced twice, before returning to the Liang residence. The ice between them had melted, but they remained only old friends.
The Liang residence was gradually being managed by Liang Feng, while Liang Qing spent his days visiting between the Liang residence and the Marquis of Anguo's residence with Luo Changfeng, holding his grandchildren.
Liang Yun had married and had children in Luzhou. He had no immediate plans to return to the capital, but he had visited the capital twice to see his family.
A few more days passed, and the vanguard of Yue Yun's troops finally arrived at the western border of Great Qian.
"Our army successfully escorted the people of the Western Regions. We lost two hundred comrades and had two hundred and seventy severely wounded. We annihilated eight thousand one hundred elite enemy cavalry, capturing over ten thousand weapons and warhorses."
After understanding the casualties, Lu Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He dispatched personnel to handle the welfare of the wounded and fallen, and then welcomed Yue Yun and the King of Kuchihui into the tent to inquire about the process.
"As expected of a fierce general chosen by Liang Xiao!" Lu Yi praised heartily.
"It is thanks to the bravery of my comrades, not the merit of this humble general alone!" Yue Yun replied modestly.
Lu Yi waved his hand and said, "Everyone has made contributions, of course. But the general bears the greatest responsibility! Is Loulan truly unwilling to submit to Great Qian?"
The King of Kuchihui nodded, "If Loulan had not guided us, perhaps we would not have been pursued by the people of the Kushan Dynasty… That unit was likely one of the Tian Ri cavalry that your country will face in the future."
Lu Yi chuckled, "Excellent! Liang Xiao has prepared a calligraphy piece for the frontline soldiers in advance!"
A framed poem, with spirited brushstrokes, was carried into the military tent.
Everyone looked closely and clapped their hands in praise.
The poem's title: "Song of the Army!"
"Dark clouds over Qinghai, snow mountains loom,
From a solitary city, the Jade Gate Pass is dimly seen.
Through a hundred battles, golden armor pierced by sand,
Until Loulan is broken, we shall not return."
"With such a masterpiece from the Marquis of Anguo, shouldn't it be preserved in the capital…" Everyone was excited, but quickly calmed down.
Lu Yi laughed heartily, "Actually, this was written by Liang Xiao before we parted ways years ago, intending to give it to me. But I suggested that this calligraphy piece be used as a reward. Whoever achieves the greatest merit in defending the Western Regions, defeating Loulan or the Kushan Dynasty, will be awarded this piece by my hand! Yue Yun is worthy of this reward!"
Gasps of astonishment echoed through the tent, and everyone congratulated Yue Yun.
Yue Yun quickly said, "Marshal, this humble general dares not accept such a precious treasure! Moreover, Loulan has not been conquered, and the threats from the Kushan Dynasty and the Tian Ri tribe are increasing daily. We cannot be careless. This treasure should be stored, and the rewards can be discussed after we have defeated the Kushan Dynasty."
Lu Yi cast an appreciative glance at Yue Yun.
"Do you see? This is Yue Yun's way of leadership, not arrogant or impatient! Then, let us proceed with other rewards. This calligraphy piece will remain in the military treasury, and all generals will have the opportunity to earn it as a prize!"
Everyone's breath hitched, their hearts raced, and they all declared, "We are determined to achieve great deeds with the Marshal!"
For these soldiers, such border poetry, combined with Liang Xiao's calligraphy, was beyond measure of wealth.
Whoever earned this reward would undoubtedly etch a vibrant stroke in the annals of history!
The people of the Western Regions, escorted by the soldiers of Great Qian, gradually entered the western territories, were allocated land, and, according to Xiao Qing's directive, were granted twenty years of tax exemption for these lands.
Should the conflict in the western regions become protracted, and the people of the Western Regions be unable to return for a long time, this would ensure their settlement here.
With the Western Regions showing allegiance, the King of Kuchihui accepted Lu Yi's proposal to travel to the Great Qian capital to receive the Emperor's enfeoffment.
Meanwhile, in the capital, at the Marquis of Anguo's residence, a group of uninvited guests arrived.
Seven princes, under the surveillance of the Shadow Guards, visited simultaneously.
"Congratulations on your successful return to the capital, Marquis of Anguo! On behalf of my father, the Emperor, who has protected you so diligently, please petition your Great Qian Emperor to allow us to return to Da Liang!!"
The First Prince Mu Qing and the Second Prince Mu Ning pleaded with tear-stained faces, along with four other princes, their faces etched with misery.
Even the Third Prince Mu Xuan wore a bitter expression and cast a pleading look towards Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao shook his head, "The itineraries of Your Highnesses are not something this Marquis should decide, nor does our Emperor wish to interfere in this matter."
"Why?" The seven princes were perplexed.
Liang Xiao scanned the faces of the seven. Thinking of their utter lack of resemblance to Mu Cheng and Zhi Rou, and their complete lack of brotherly affection for each other, he felt a sense of helplessness. He forced a smile and said, "This is, after all, your father the Emperor's wish. It is a kind invitation that our Emperor could hardly refuse."