Xiao Qing finally grew angry, "The impudent little devils dare to invade our borders! They are truly audacious!"
Mu Hong stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I have followed Marquis Anguo on campaigns for years and have a grasp of military strategy. I volunteer to go to the Eastern Sea to assist in repelling the pirates!"
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang in succession. Seeing their nods, he made his decision and immediately appointed Mu Hong as the Marshal of the Eastern Sea. He would join forces with General of Expedition to the East, Nie Yuan, who was defending Liaodong, to resist the Wokou pirates.
On this day, Liang Xiao, Mu Hong, Hong Jie, Zhang Yang, Gu Shaoyan, and Liu Fan, who had returned to the capital, gathered together, reminiscing about the past and sharing knowing smiles.
"Years will pass, and when we return, the good times and beautiful scenery will remain!"
As goblets clinked, they discussed state affairs with lofty spirits.
They were no longer mere common scholars; they had become pillars of the state, bringing glory to their ancestors.
The court had stripped Gongyang He, the rebel, of his title as Grand Master of Deliberation. Now, Hong Jie held that position. Though a supernumerary official, he served with a merit comparable to that of a third-rank official, assisting the Ministries of Works, Revenue, Personnel, Rites, and Justice with his invaluable contributions.
"If the Marquis of Zhenguo in the Great Liang is unwilling to accept unification, I fear the southern campaign will drag on endlessly," Mu Hong worried.
"Preparations have been made. The tide of unification is beyond the power of any single person to stop. It is the innocent populace I pity. I am also curious to see what choice he will make," Liang Xiao said meaningfully.
He was already aware of Qin Feng's actions in Great Liang.
Ultimately, Qin Feng was still Qin Feng of Great Liang, upholding Mu Cheng's dying wish to prioritize the welfare of the Great Liang people.
At the same moment, Qin Feng was at the Regent's mansion, learning about the situation on the front lines.
"Regent, our losses on the front have exceeded twenty thousand. The remaining 180,000 troops refuse to obey the order to retreat. I suspect either Jiaozhou troops are supplying them, or the powerful clans have already made preparations!"
Qin Feng listened to his subordinate's report, his expression unusually grim.
"I see now why these domestic clans have increased their grain purchases in recent years. They have likely been planning this for a long time to support this campaign."
The faces of the generals grew increasingly unsightly.
The fact that these powerful clans could circumvent Mu Cheng's surveillance and gather enough provisions for 200,000 troops indicated their long-standing intention to rebel, and their extensive networks.
It was no wonder Mu Cheng was so eager to invite Liang Xiao to Great Qian for a diplomatic mission, to curb these powerful families. The conflict between them was irreconcilable, and it remained to be seen whether Mu Cheng could suppress these restless clans.
The refusal to retreat on the front lines, while still flying the banner of Great Liang, would surely invite repercussions from Great Qian once they repelled the enemy forces from Jiaozhou. The conflict would inevitably spill onto Great Liang's own soil.
Great Qian, in preparation for trade and the expedition to Yun, had amassed a large fleet of new warships, reportedly capable of maintaining high speeds even against the wind!
This was a capability that Great Liang's warships lacked.
Furthermore, Great Qian was continually developing new weaponry, with countless longbows, divine arm crossbows, and three-bow ballistae…
Great Liang's attempts to replicate Great Qian's longbows were hampered by inferior performance and limitations in national strength and yew wood reserves, resulting in extremely low production capacity.
Great Liang was now internally fractured. Once Great Qian invaded, any situation was possible.
As everyone was feeling dejected, Ye Chengxiu arrived from outside and signaled to Qin Feng.
Qin Feng understood and immediately followed Ye Chengxiu out of the room.
Ye Chengxiu whispered, "We have finally located three palace maids and a wet nurse who served Consort Yan back then, and we have taken them under our protection."
Qin Feng's expression became serious, "Have any clues been found?"
"When we found them, we discovered they were all mute. I suspect the Yan family hasn't acted against them yet because they feared the former Emperor and you would become suspicious and continue to investigate the matter. After all, the events back then were never fully resolved, and they lived near the imperial palace. But after the former Emperor's death, they are still alive. This is difficult to explain. Perhaps they are not important to the Yan family..." Ye Chengxiu replied.
Qin Feng immediately went with Ye Chengxiu to meet them.
In a secret chamber, three white-haired women, upon seeing Qin Feng, prostrated themselves in fear and gestured frantically.
A Xuan Guard explained, "They mean that back then, they secretly hid a menstrual record book of Consort Yan under the floor of her sleeping quarters. It also contains entries of her intercourse dates with the former Emperor..."
Qin Feng's expression changed, and he immediately dispatched people to search the palace secretly.
In Luoshen Palace, Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing listened to Zhen Mi's zither music with gratified expressions.
Zhen Mi, having studied under Jian Qinwan, had achieved considerable skill. While not on par with Jian Qinwan, she could be considered a master.
After the melody concluded, Xiao Qing said softly, "Mi'er, when your Xiao Gege returns, I will announce your identity to the world and then bestow upon you the title of Princess, and betroth you to Xiao Gege."
Zhen Mi was both surprised and delighted. A blush then spread across her cheeks, and she shyly nodded.
Zhuo Zifang, at home, was playing chess with Zhuo Yun when he suddenly leaned backward and fell unconscious, terrifying the Zhuo family.
Liang Xiao rushed over upon hearing the news and found Zhuo Zifang lying on his sickbed, his complexion less ruddy than before.
"Do not worry. It is merely a slight cold. This old man is still waiting to see you unify the two kingdoms," Zhuo Zifang reassured him.
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly, "It is a promise!"
Zhuo Zifang smiled and nodded. He parted his lips slightly, looked at his family beside him, but ultimately remained silent.
Hua Xiong, taking advantage of the Zhuo family's conversation with Zhuo Zifang, pulled Liang Xiao aside and explained in a low voice.
"I inquired with the Zhuo family's physician and learned that Zhuo Lingjun's appetite has been declining in recent years, and he often suffers from loss of appetite. To be frank, I estimate that it would be a miracle if Zhuo Lingjun lives for another year..."
Liang Xiao was filled with worry.
Few live past seventy, especially considering the medical conditions of the time were far inferior to modern standards.
But he truly could not bear to part with him.
"Zhuo Lingjun, you must rest more in the future, eat a light diet, and consume less preserved vegetables, salted eggs, and other foods with excessive salt."
Zhuo Lingjun nodded repeatedly as he listened to Liang Xiao's admonishments. "This old man will refrain. You must leave early and return soon, and unify Great Liang."
Liang Xiao repeatedly agreed.
Zhuo Zifang officially retired and returned to his hometown. After Xiao Qing consulted with the officials, it was finally decided that the Minister of War, Zhuo Wulu, would concurrently hold the position of Chancellor, overseeing the Six Ministries.
After bidding farewell to his wife and children, Liang Xiao set off for Zhongzhou.
The one hundred thousand troops of Zhongzhou, having conserved their strength for a long time, had been waiting in the military camp south of Zhongzhou City.
Behind them were two hundred thousand laborers and logistics personnel responsible for transporting supplies.
"All three armies, heed my command: march south, defeat the rebels, reclaim Great Liang, and take Jiaozhou!"
The one hundred thousand strong army, fully equipped, was expected to march over fifty li per day.
On the very day of the march, an earthquake suddenly struck the area around Zhongzhou City, shaking the land violently.
Liang Xiao immediately ordered the entire army to halt and rest in place, sending messengers back to Zhongzhou City and the capital to inquire about the situation.
Zhongzhou City reported back first: "Only a few civilian houses collapsed within the city, with no significant damage!"
Liang Xiao was then relieved and ordered the army to rest in place for a day, awaiting news from the capital.
A day later, a swift rider from the capital's Shadow Guard arrived with a report.
"The capital felt only minor tremors with no casualties. Your Lord and the officials learned of the earthquake in Zhongzhou, and many ministers believe that departing today portends great misfortune, suggesting the Marshal postpone the departure. However, Your Lord has instructed the Marshal to decide for himself..."
Liang Xiao stated sternly, "Earthquakes are natural phenomena. As long as we avoid marching near high mountains and rivers, there is no reason to delay."
Just as Liang Xiao was preparing to order the advance, another urgent report arrived by horse.
"Reporting to the Marshal! Ten miles to the south, the road surface has cracked, and black water is spewing forth, incredibly viscous!!"
"This..." The generals behind Liang Xiao turned pale with shock.
News of Zhuo Zifang's illness had spread throughout the capital and Zhongzhou. Now, not only had the army set off coincidentally with an earthquake, but such an anomaly was occurring on the road they were about to travel?
"Could it be that Heaven itself is decreeing to stop our army's advance?"