"Is General Tian the Marquis of Anguo??"
The officials exchanged glances, forgetting even to pick up their fallen tablets.
The God of War of Daqian, the Martial God of Daqian, the pinnacle of scholars and warriors, the most unlikely supposition.
"Yes, General Tian has always been alive. Have all my esteemed ministers forgotten? Young Master Liang was sickly back then. It was precisely because he sustained severe injuries in the decisive battle against the barbarians that he walked through the gates of hell."
As Xiao Qing spoke, he couldn't help but feel a sting in his nose.
During his most difficult times, he had still gone to disturb him, begging him to enter officialdom to save the nation.
Not only had he not blamed him, but he had also... agreed.
"I and the people of Daqian owe him too much; it is difficult to repay even in a hundred lifetimes!"
Xiao Qing's voice roused the still stunned crowd. They suddenly understood.
Yes, a scion of a military family, standing over eight feet tall, how could he appear so sickly?
If he had been indulging in wine and women, why had his complexion improved so much later, making him look so heroic and spirited?
So... it was for this land that he had shed blood and fought, for Yan Prefecture and even Daqian to gain a sliver of hope for survival!
Today, Daqian's prosperity is unprecedented, yet border disturbances are rampant.
What if Yan Prefecture had been lost entirely back then?
At this moment, the shock in the ministers' hearts turned into guilt. Their eyes reddened, and they sighed for a long time.
"A few days ago, Minister Liang once again transformed into General Tian and, south of Yuzhang City, beheaded the invincible War God of the Tianri Tribe, Achilles, thereby stripping him of his undefeated title. He also openly confessed his identity to the army and civilians. I have waited too long for this day!" Xiao Qing declared with great passion, as if talking to himself. He then came back to his senses and looked at the civil and military officials.
"General Tian, Marquis of Anguo... Do all my esteemed ministers now understand that he is the sage bestowed upon Daqian by Heaven to save our nation and ensure its survival! In accordance with my promise, Minister Liang's official position as the Divine Might General Tian will be retained, but for all eternity to come, only he shall hold this title."
"Your Majesty speaks the absolute truth!" The officials responded with overwhelming agreement, filled with respect.
"This empire of Daqian was built by the High Ancestor, but the High Ancestor said that this realm will forever belong to the people. And the one who has transformed this land and allowed the people to live and work in peace is he, Liang Xiao! Even with accomplishments that shake the heavens and earth, he remains loyal to his country and its people. How can I and the people bear any further shame towards him? We should give him our unreserved trust and support!"
The officials nodded one after another, their expressions solemn.
"After the battle of Yuzhang where Achilles was slain, I believe that in the foreseeable future, the army and people of Daqian can stand tall and look down upon foreign races, never to yield! He has shaped the soul of Daqian's military for our soldiers and also allowed the people of Daqian to stand tall."
"The citizens of Daqian today are united as one. I wish to refer to them as a 'nation.' What do my esteemed ministers think?"
"Nation?" The officials' eyes lit up.
"Indeed! Let the character 'Qian' be the name of our nation. From now on, regardless of their origin or wealth, as long as the army and people of Daqian identify themselves as belonging to this land and its culture, they are all members of the Qian tribe! Even if, after centuries, this land unfortunately undergoes a change of dynasty, I hope that future generations will remember this history—"
"The former Daqian fought against foreign races on this land, forging a prosperous era for their descendants. They can do the same now! I want future generations to always remember the glory of the past Daqian, to stand tall because of it, to plead for the people, to expel the foreign races, and to reclaim the territories of Daqian!"
After Xiao Qing's impassioned speech, the officials were both surprised and delighted, crying out in unison, "Our Emperor is wise!"
This was a path they had never imagined, but for some reason, it filled them with unprecedented enthusiasm.
The glorious history of Daqian must be remembered by future generations!
The word 'nation' is perfectly fitting!
"I hope the concept of the Qian tribe will never fade. The titles of General Tian and Marquis of Anguo shall henceforth accompany Liang Xiao's name, shining brilliantly for all eternity!"
Amidst their excitement, the officials prostrated themselves and praised.
"Our Emperor is wise, Marquis of Anguo is a sage. The loyalty between ruler and subject also shines brilliantly for all eternity! Congratulations to our Emperor for gaining a wise and virtuous minister!"
Wang Canghai, Gu Hong, and others, who had led the bowing, finally felt a weight lifted from their hearts, unable to contain their joy.
No one would consider Liang Xiao's merits to be too great for the emperor, because he did not need the throne to prove his great achievements; the people still adored and remembered him.
Such was the grandeur of today. When the Empress's identity was revealed to the world, the people would only be overjoyed.
Their Majesty, who was united in marriage with him, and together they would create eternal great deeds!
Compared to this, the matter of equal lineage was insignificant.
"Congratulations to Princess Ningshuang on gaining a good match!" The officials, remembering the virtuous Princess Ningshuang, Xiao Shuang, offered their congratulations.
Xiao Qing's small face blushed instantly. Looking at the officials congratulating her from below, her heart was filled with joy: In a short while, you will all have to 'congratulate His Majesty on gaining a good match.'
Ning Xuejun and Ding Wuyi also finally felt a sense of relief, their moods greatly improved. They couldn't help but steal glances at Xiao Qing's reaction.
Tsk, tsk... she had turned into a lovesick little girl again.
However, since all the officials were bowing, they didn't need to remind Xiao Qing to mind her image.
Only Gu Shaoyan lowered his head, a hint of sadness in his heart.
Zhang Yang and Liang Xiao were friends through hardship; Hong Jie and Liang Xiao were confidants; Mu Hong had at least fought alongside Liang Xiao in campaigns.
Only he, adhering strictly to propriety and doing his utmost to avoid suspicion of factionalism, seemed to be the most distant from Liang Xiao.
Envy!
"Mmm~ My daddy is the invincible General Tian~"
In the West Palace Garden, Liang Xiao's children cheered and clapped their little hands, their pride evident.
Liang Xiao's wives were also overjoyed, their eyes sparkling.
"In the future, you must take your father as a role model and work hard," Xiao Qing still exhorted them.
"Hooray~" the children replied in their childish voices.
The truth about General Tian quickly spread throughout the capital. The entire city's army and civilians were first shocked, then disbelieving. After repeated inquiries and confirmations, they were overcome with ecstatic joy. They rushed to the Marquis of Anguo's mansion, Liang Mansion, and the General Tian Temple of Divine Might, to express their gratitude outside.
The General Tian temples in various regions and the Divine Might Offices in both Yan Prefecture and the capital were converted into shrines for General Tian's living worship, but the spirit tablets of the white-robed soldiers were still preserved.
"The spirits of these white-robed heroes in heaven will surely protect our General Tian!"
Zhuo Yun, who was preparing medicine for Zhuo Zifang at home, gasped for a moment upon hearing the news, dropping her spoon into the jar.
"Nation? Wonderful! A good word! The Qian tribe..."
Zhuo Zifang, lying in bed, listened to his family's account. His white beard trembled, and then his spirit became invigorated, his eyes shining brightly.
"Have the people of Daqian finally learned who General Tian is? Will no one ever mock him or question him again?" Zhuo Zifang clasped his wife Madam Zhuo's hand, his voice trembling.
"Yes, no one has dared to mock or question him for a long time. His Majesty said that no one else will ever be as respected and loved by the people as he is, not even His Majesty himself." Madam Zhuo replied with tears in her eyes.
He grew thinner each day, yet he still thought of the young man in Jiangnan, mentioning him most often.
"Xiao Yun?"
Zhuo Zifang also noticed tear tracks on Zhuo Yun's face and couldn't help but worry. He said, "Grandpa will tell Xiao Xun that when he returns victorious..."
Zhuo Yun repeatedly shook her head. "Grandpa, you don't need to blame yourself. Even if that incident hadn't happened, I would still have made the same choice today. Not to trouble him is the best way to respect him. Now, I only wish to promote chess well and spread the art of chess in Daqian, so that I can live up to his tolerance and understanding."
Zhuo Zifang finally understood Zhuo Yun's intentions and no longer insisted.
Christie, leading Zhen Mi, came to the West Palace Garden to meet Xiao Qing, presenting them with "The Biography of General Tian" and "The Biography of Daqian Heroes Volume II" respectively. The two women exchanged smiles.
This was the story of General Tian Liang Xiao, and also the story of the Marquis of Anguo. They had finally waited for this day to release them with confidence!
Xiao Qing also quietly took out a copy of "The Biography of the Marquis of Anguo" from her sleeve, her small face blushing.
"The ministers are cooperating, not causing me trouble like the noble clans. I have also become much more leisurely! When he returns, I will announce the matter of the Empress to the world, and I will also release this book. Let the world know how I eloped with him, hmph~"
Jian Qinwan and the others looked at the three sisters who were acting like lovesick girls with envy, wishing they had the writing skills to write one themselves.
However, they remembered that they all had significant roles in Zhen Mi's, Christie's, and Xiao Qing's books, so they were content.
Upon receiving the two stories of General Tian from Xiao Qing, the Anguo Bookstore started working overtime. The Daqian Daily also printed an extra edition overnight to announce this momentous news to the people of Daqian.
The next day, when the people heard that "The Biography of General Tian" and "The Biography of Daqian Heroes Volume II" were about to be released, they flocked to the Anguo Bookstore to inquire.
"These two books will be sold at cost price, depending on the local prices, tentatively set at eighty wen!"
The people rejoiced and began saving money.
The people of Yan Prefecture, upon learning the truth about General Tian, were all deeply grateful and ran to the Liang Mansion and the General Tian Temple to pay their respects.
From then on, people knew what the true appearance of General Tian should be.
The statues of General Tian in various regions were not dismantled, as they were all wearing ghost masks.
People simply moved the statues of the Marquis of Anguo next to them, changed the inscriptions, so that passersby would know the truth.
The people across the country, filled with gratitude, packed their household grain in various sacks and containers and sent them to the government offices, donating them voluntarily, all for the purpose of sending them to the border.
"Marquis of Anguo is still fighting foreign races on the front lines. Our entire clan has discussed it, and we will fully support the soldiers of Daqian! If we can defeat the Peacock Dynasty and the Kushan Dynasty, drive out Izumo country, reclaim Jiaozhou, and unify Da Liang, and uphold the might of our Qian tribe, even if it impoverishes our family for generations, it doesn't matter, as long as future generations can live and work in peace!"
The people petitioned one after another, expressing their hopes for the future.
The local government officials, facing the people's generosity, no longer refused. They paid to purchase the grain, but most of the people left after depositing their grain, leaving the guards no time to register their names.
The people of this land were also slowly awakening their national consciousness and moving towards unity.
The officials and ministers of Da Liang also received urgent reports from Yuzhang, all of them astonished!
"Could such a strange person and extraordinary event exist in this world??"
Even Zhi Rou and Qin Feng, who had long suspected the truth about General Tian, couldn't help but feel their breathing quicken.
This was an unprecedented sense of pressure!
They could already imagine the reaction of the army and civilians of Da Liang upon hearing this news.
"General Tian is the Marquis of Anguo of Daqian?" "Such a sage, along with the Nine Cauldrons and the Imperial Seal, are all in Daqian..."
The entire capital seemed to have experienced an earthquake.
The officials from the noble clans, fearing that Zhi Rou would lead the army and civilians to surrender to Daqian, all knelt outside the Imperial Study, begging Zhi Rou to resist to the end.
The unification of the two countries did not align with their interests. They still wanted to be superior to others, to be great landlords, and to continue taking the lion's share.
Zhi Rou had no choice but to convene a meeting of officials in the Imperial Garden.
"We will go all out to support Your Majesty in resisting Daqian and will never allow the empire to fall into the hands of foreigners. How can Your Majesty forget the hardships of Emperor Wu's expansion?"
Zhi Rou sighed, "I am tired. Let the Emperor speak with you."
The crowd looked at Qin Feng with fear in their eyes, daring to be angry but not to speak.
In just a few short months, the noble clans had been purged by Qin Feng multiple times, especially the former officials who had shirked their duties in various regions, most of whom had been imprisoned, and at least a quarter had died in prison.
Their hatred for Qin Feng was almost as great as their hatred for Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao had only severely damaged their interests.
Qin Feng had directly taken their lives!
"If you were to fully support me, why are you so stingy, not mentioning money at all?" Qin Feng asked with a smile.
The crowd all claimed, "Our families are impoverished!"
"Impoverished? Do you believe it yourselves?" Qin Feng laughed heartily, then his face fell. "You call me a traitor to the nation, but are you not? Since you are unwilling to contribute to the nation, you have no right to lecture His Majesty!"
More than half of the officials glared at Qin Feng, unable to retort.
Whether they had money or not, the Xuan Wei knew very well, as fields and residences could not be hidden...
Qin Feng scanned the officials and said loudly, "Your Majesty, in upholding the legacy of Emperor Wu, everything he does is for the people of Da Liang to live and work in peace. I allow you to insult me to my face and will not hold you accountable. However, if your actions are to oppress the people, or to cause the people further suffering, then I do not mind turning hostile. Do you know what your fate will be then?"
The crowd stared at Qin Feng, gritting their teeth.
Qin Feng enunciated each word: "Heavenly streets tread upon the bones of officials and nobles!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd trembled in their hearts, daring not to look directly at Qin Feng.
Returning home, the officials gathered to discuss.
"If we allow him to suppress us like this, and once the scholars he has cultivated gain influence, we will have no chance of turning the tables!"
"No, we must curse him severely in the historical records and make him infamous for all time! Say that he and his soldiers ate people, just like the Tianri Kingdom recorded in the historical records of Da Zhou, not only eating them alive but also pounding the people into stone mortars and making meat pies..."
"That's too absurd. Can the meat made this way really be eaten? Will future generations believe it? At least it should be like eating pork, to eat human flesh, that would be more reasonable!"
"As long as it becomes the sole authority in Da Liang's historical records, someone will eventually believe it. Do you think the people will think independently?"
The anger of the crowd had reached its peak, but because Qin Feng held military power, they were helpless and could only consider manipulating the historical records.
"However, the one currently writing the historical records is the Prime Minister's son, Cheng Ling, he will not agree!" an official sighed.
"Then let us prepare the content ourselves, and when we regain power in the future, we will change the historical records!"
The members of the noble clans, facing Qin Feng's magnanimity and daring not to offend the people, became increasingly bold, adding fuel to the fire and smearing Qin Feng.
Meanwhile, Su Wencheng was finally escorted to the Regent's Mansion.
Looking at Qin Feng, whose hair had turned white, Su Wencheng smiled and said, "I am Concubine Su's elder brother, the former uncle of the state. I hope the Regent will show mercy and give Su a chance to serve the country again."
Qin Feng shook his head helplessly.
"You are the Pope of the Huichun Sect, the culprit responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Daqian soldiers. When you poisoned the prince, why didn't you think of yourself as Concubine Su's brother? The army and people of Da Liang can no longer tolerate you, and I certainly cannot keep you, but I can grant you a dignified end."
Su Wencheng was speechless, knowing he could not escape his fate. He asked Qin Feng for a cup of poisoned wine and drank it in one gulp.
In the Yuzhang military camp, due to the arrival of Daqian's Elite Cavalry and White-robed Soldiers, Liang Xiao adjusted the personnel.
Lu Changhe was appointed commander of the cavalry, Nan Jiyun as deputy commander; Zhuo Ying as commander of the infantry, Yue Yun as deputy commander. The two deputy commanders, along with Liang Zhan and Shi Liuyun, were heads of various units.
Yue Qingtian continued to lead the Qingtian Guard, currently responsible for the security and defense of Yuzhang, and charging into battle during wartime.
Yuzhang had already assembled twenty thousand Daqian Guards, fifteen hundred Shadow Guards responsible for various tasks, and five hundred Stealth Wolf Guards responsible for intelligence missions.
All the soldiers sharpened their weapons and horses, waiting for Liang Xiao's command to advance south with the ferocity of tigers and wolves, ensuring that wherever Daqian's forces passed would be its borders.
"Marshal, the envoy from Da Liang has arrived!"
In the military tent, Liang Xiao welcomed an old acquaintance.
It was Cheng Qing, the Prime Minister of Da Liang.