After Xiao Qing’s barrage of cooing and tender affection, Liang Xiao finally accepted the concept of the Sage and resolved to properly leverage the personal worship of the Da Qian army and populace to do more good deeds.
Xiao Qing’s face then bloomed into a smile, and she cooed again, “Brother Xiao, can you tell me now about the Grand Eunuch and the Emperor of Da Liang’s visions?”
Yesterday, when Liang Xiao returned to the capital and enjoyed family time with his wife and children, he hadn’t had time to explain it all to her.
It was also inappropriate to discuss such serious topics during their nighttime wrestling in bed…
Only the trustworthy Ning Xuejun was present. Liang Xiao then recounted his experiences in earnest.
The emperor and minister listened with growing astonishment, ultimately left dumbfounded.
Returning power to the people? Overthrowing the imperial system?
“It’s no wonder General An Guo has never dared to mention the Northern King’s experiences… I don’t understand their thoughts, and even find them utterly absurd, yet I also feel an inexplicable sense of reverence. It seems that the Emperor of Da Liang was influenced by our dynasty’s High Ancestor’s principle of the people’s paramountcy over the ruler, and truly cares for the people of Da Liang,” Ning Xuejun sighed.
Xiao Qing said softly, “Brother Xiao, if we can peacefully implement those three systems in the future and allow the people to live better lives, Shuang’er will also support it. However, it is imperative to first ensure that there are no disruptions. Shuang’er has a vague feeling that their visions and the systems you have provided are indeed the true path for this land in the centuries to come…”
Ning Xuejun was startled but quickly calmed down.
Those systems might not be realized within Xiao Qing’s lifetime. Therefore, future matters should be left to future generations to strive for.
If it could be achieved in this generation, Ning Xuejun also believed that Liang Xiao would never let her lord suffer any harm and would certainly protect him well.
Perhaps initiating constitutional monarchy would also be good?
Liang Xiao gently stroked Xiao Qing’s silken hair, saying with affection, “It is unlikely that we will see it realized in our lifetime. In the future, when the time is ripe, we will tell our children, and let them remember it generation after generation, never forgetting the hardship of the common people. We must also trust our descendants.”
Xiao Qing hugged Liang Xiao even tighter, promising obediently.
Liang Xiao looked at Xiao Qing, who was nuzzling into his embrace like a kitten, and felt even more tender. He held her close, comforting her to sleep.
She was twenty-one years old this year, already a mother, yet she remained as delicate and gentle as the first time he saw her, her girlish heart undiminished, trusting him and enjoying showing affection as always.
He absolutely must not let her down!
Luoshen Palace.
After understanding the situation, Zhen Mi did not feel the slightest bit of displeasure. She merely comforted the guilt-ridden Xiao Qing, “Mi’er had already reminded my sister that personal matters are trivial; the people are paramount, so do not worry. Mi’er has already gained Brother Xiao’s approval and affection, which is more than enough for this life.”
“However, Mi’er cannot be left at a disadvantage either!” Before Xiao Qing could respond, Zhen Mi, blushing, stood on tiptoe and kissed Liang Xiao’s lips. “I shall take your first kiss today as compensation~”
Zhen Mi’s casual response finally dispelled Xiao Qing’s guilt.
On this day, Liang Xiao, accompanied by Zhuo Xun, joined the Zhuo family for their customary pilgrimage to pay respects to the founding chancellor, Zhuo Mingfeng.
The more Da Qian’s education flourished and land reclamation succeeded, the more fervent Liang Xiao’s respect for this founding chancellor grew.
Although Zhuo Mingfeng’s thoughts could not entirely escape the constraints of his era, his establishment of red lines for official land and promotion of afforestation planted seeds for reform for future generations. Only Liang Xiao deeply appreciated the man’s foresight and wisdom.
“If our ancestor in heaven has spirit, he must be immensely comforted to see the prosperity you have brought to Da Qian. This golden age, at last, is as they wished. Liang Xiao, how I wish this land would never lose you, the Marquis of An Guo!” Zhuo Zifang sighed wistfully.
Having navigated the treacherous currents of officialdom for decades, no one understood the hard-won nature of today’s peace better than him.
“Then I must strive to live a hundred years,” Liang Xiao replied.
Zhuo Zifang shook his head. “You have not understood my meaning!”
Seeing Liang Xiao pause in confusion, Zhuo Zifang then pouted, “I wish you could truly be like an immortal, forever stationed in Da Qian, becoming a guiding light for the people of Da Qian, illuminating eternity!”
Liang Xiao was immediately rendered speechless and laughed. After a moment, he said, “Lord Zhuo, we must have faith in our descendants. Our generation has begun promoting education, and there is no reason why future generations would be worse than the previous ones. There will undoubtedly be more sages, constantly transforming this land.”
Zhuo Zifang shook his head vehemently.
“Have we not both read history books and seen that, from ancient times, dynasties have often lasted no more than a few hundred years? Why is that? Because the rulers of dynasties are, ultimately, human. And humans are prone to selfishness. How can we guarantee that every generation will be selfless? Perhaps, if just one generation causes trouble, it could be enough to doom the peace and prosperity that His Majesty and you have painstakingly created…”
“Liang Xiao, humans are the spirits of all things, yet even with wisdom distinct from beasts, they still fail to learn from history, merely repeating it. The more prosperous Da Qian is today, the more I dread to imagine how lamentable it would be if it were to decline in the future…”
Liang Xiao nodded in silence.
Zhuo Zifang’s words today were somewhat bold. In the era when aristocratic families held sway, such pronouncements would have certainly been attacked as seditious and distrustful of the Son of Heaven.
But Zhuo Zifang was right.
The only lesson humanity learns from history is that humanity never learns from history.
It is perpetually trapped in the cycle of history.
“Therefore, I selfishly wish that the people of Da Qian can never lose you. But I also understand that you cannot bear to leave your wife and children, and I do not wish you to suffer the pain of eternal loneliness. So, I will defer to your wishes and settle for the next best thing: at least you should live a hundred years, right?” Zhuo Zifang seemed to be talking to himself.
Liang Xiao patted his chest and promised, “I’ll strive to live to one hundred and twenty!”
Zhuo Zifang then chuckled, examining Liang Xiao, and nodded, “You are twenty-three, but I remember clearly that you are still as spirited and impetuous as you were back then. You will surely live to one hundred and twenty!”
Everyone couldn't help but smile, and Zhuo Zifang’s mood also brightened considerably.
“I am already a sixth-rank official upon arrival??”
Within the Marquis of An Guo’s mansion, Zuo Wuji was both surprised and delighted to hear that he could become a Da Qian general.
This Da Qian generalship was temporarily classified as a martial honorary rank, but under Liang Xiao’s command, its potential for maneuverability far surpassed that of a fifth-rank official. Many tasks could be entrusted to him, offering more opportunities for merit.
Of course, given Zuo Wuji’s past distinguished service in commanding the Zhenbei Army, he was worthy of such a crucial position. In the future, he might even climb higher through accumulating merit, and at forty-six, he was still relatively young compared to Lü Yi, with at least another decade or two of active service ahead.
To ensure that his grandsons, Zuo Hu Cheng and Liang Tian Cheng, could take pride in him as their maternal grandfather in the future, rather than only saying, “My father is the Marquis of An Guo,” he also intended to give it his all and make a great effort.
After all, Liang Xiao’s agreement to allow one of his children to take their mother’s surname was already the utmost benevolence. He also had to leave more of an inheritance for his grandsons.
Even if he could no longer fight on the battlefield, training elites like the Yuntian Guard for the country would be a great contribution.
The sixteen Yuntian Guards who surrendered with him were all former residents of the Great Heng Kingdom. After witnessing Xiao Qing’s kind treatment of their compatriots, they sincerely submitted and were assigned by Xiao Qing to Liang Xiao’s command for missions.
However, the women among them were all placed by Liang Xiao in the Marquis of An Guo’s mansion as female soldier captains, no longer assigning them to any dangerous missions.
Future Yuntian Guards would no longer select women.
The household members congratulated Zuo Wuji on their own, only Yue Wenxin was dejected.
“Brother-in-law, I, I want to join the army…”