After listening to Gongyang Qiu narrate the situation, Achilles's face turned ashen. "You bunch of idiots! Liang Xiao must be confronting the Southern King in Jiangnan. We must provide support as soon as possible!"
Gongyang Qiu nodded, sighing, "That bitch Meng Wuxin, I served her for two years and couldn't even get close to her, yet she publicly confessed her love to Nan Jiyun!"
Achilles cast a cold glance at Gongyang Qiu and sneered, "A dog licks until it has nothing. Once the allied forces take Jiangnan, there will be plenty of beautiful women for you to enjoy."
News of the great victories at Luzhou and Wurongzhou reached the capital on the same day. The entire city rejoiced, with lanterns and banners hung everywhere to celebrate the triumph.
As winter approached, more and more charcoal and weapons were transported to various border regions.
The Great Gan Kingdom, controlling the Monan, Hetao, and Hexi Corridor regions, was continuously breeding warhorses.
Almost all of the Xianbei territories had also been incorporated into Great Gan's domain. However, due to their proximity to Taiji Kingdom, which was largely occupied by Izumo, Great Gan soldiers temporarily refrained from developing that land.
Liaodong was also holding its cities under siege, seemingly waiting for something.
Launching counterattacks from the cities would consume too much military grain and carried considerable risk.
Izumo soldiers had processed Xianbei and Taiji people into large quantities of dried meat. They also learned from Great Gan's agricultural practices, even planting potatoes and sweet potatoes, thus maintaining their military provisions.
While the Great Gan Kingdom was prosperous now, the drought of last year had depleted too much of its grain reserves, making it unable to sustain multi-front warfare at this moment.
The consumption of arrows was also a significant problem.
One day, Zhang Yang personally set up a special steam engine and a special table.
This table resembled a primitive machine tool, equipped with various special pulleys, gears, animal belts, chains, and cutting blades. Powered by steam, it began cutting wood.
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Zhang Yang spent a full two hours repeatedly adjusting the angles and positions before finally cutting an ideal arrow shaft.
"It's done! This is the 'machine tool' model provided by the Marquis of Anguo. If we can make a few more, they will be able to replace workers in shaving arrow shafts in the future!"
Zhang Yang was the first to exclaim in excitement, and the officials of the Ministry of Works cheered joyfully.
The work of this "machine tool" was sufficient to compensate for the shortage of workers, and the arrow shafts it produced were of uniform size, ensuring archers had the best feel!
At this time, the officials of the Ministry of Works had not yet grasped the significance of the machine tool's creation, but they clearly experienced its convenience. They immediately increased production, while continuously improving its precision and efficiency.
Xiao Qing, upon learning of the situation, immediately granted a reward of one hundred taels of gold each to the twenty-five individuals involved in the research and development of the machine tool.
New technologies such as machine tools, steam engines, and spinning machines were classified as state secrets by the government and were to be used exclusively by the government to prevent enemy nations from stealing the technology.
According to Xiao Qing's plan, these new inventions would only be promoted among the populace after all border threats had been eliminated, to prevent remnants of the Huichun Sect from infiltrating the civilian population and causing trouble.
"Tell my beloved Liang, to let the soldiers shoot their arrows with confidence, for there are ample arrows from the rear!"
The grain transport official, carrying Xiao Qing's handwritten order, left the city. A large quantity of arrow shafts and white sugar was transported to Jiangnan.
In the Western Palace Villa, Xiao Qing took the opportunity to personally tutor her eldest son, Xiao Xun, and her second son, Xiao Qian, in their studies.
Looking at the twins diligently studying, Xiao Qing felt a surge of happiness. During a break, she gently stroked each child's head and said softly, "The future world described by your father, perhaps mother and father will not see it, but you have the opportunity."
The two children's eyes lit up, "Really?"
When Liang Xiao had free time, he would paint them grand blueprints of the future world, and they listened with rapt attention.
"Yes, as long as you study hard, treat the people well in the future, and ensure the nation develops steadily, you will have the chance to witness that era," Xiao Qing guided them earnestly.
"Even if I cannot achieve the great achievements of Mother and Father, I will be a ruler who preserves the state!"
"Qian'er will definitely assist the Emperor and pacify the four seas, and see trains and automobiles soon!"
Xiao Qing finally burst into laughter, her eyes full of tenderness, missing her beloved in the south.
It was indeed their father who was amazing, for even just a vision of the future could make her and the children yearn for it.
"Brother Xiao is right, we must believe in the efforts of future generations."
Liang Xiao, who was currently deploying troops in Yuzhang, also received news that the Ministry of Works was secretly rushing to build a second version of the steam engine.
"The spinning machine has also been improved and can operate using the power of the steam engine. The fabric woven is no less than that produced by hand, and the efficiency is astonishing. It is indeed the Marquis who has foresight and reminded His Majesty to arrange for some workers to transition in advance..."
He Zizhang personally conveyed this top-secret information to Liang Xiao, who was overjoyed.
"Zhang Yang's mind is truly brilliant!"
"Minister Zhang said that the key is the brilliant and feasible concept provided by the Marquis! The Marquis is the true divine being!" He Zizhang praised sincerely.
These were the heartfelt words he and Zhang Yang had held back for half a year.
Liang Xiao merely smiled.
His mind was indeed sharper than before, but it would be somewhat difficult for him to invent things on his own. After all, his focus was on governing and fighting wars, and these blueprints were drawn based on his existing knowledge.
The fact that the 'king of inventors' was Edison and not Einstein was telling enough.
"His Majesty, considering the interests of the court officials, has decided to let their respective industries earn the first pot of gold alongside the Marquis. If there are new machines, the Marquis will use them first, and they will follow," He Zizhang explained.
Liang Xiao nodded repeatedly, "Did they not strongly oppose the reforms?"
"Including the Prime Minister, they only expressed concerns about the future, but His Majesty promised to ensure they would not be harmed by the people. They trust His Majesty and the Marquis, after all, all reforms are gradual, and the families behind the officials have enough time to adapt," He Zizhang replied.
Liang Xiao was finally relieved.
The greatest resistance to reform often came from conservatives.
These colleagues were already quite accommodating. The emperor ate meat, and they drank soup, which was also good.
Of course, all of this was inseparable from Xiao Qing's absolute authority. The imperial power was unprecedentedly stable, a situation rarely seen throughout history.
And he had to make Great Gan invincible and the nation peaceful, so as to safeguard all achievements and eliminate any hidden dangers!
He was well aware that he had met the best lover, arrived in the best era, and had the best opportunity.
The future world might not have figures like him, Liang Xiao, and Xiao Qing, who could firmly unite this nation. After all, this place was different from his homeland.
And for now, the allied forces of Jiaozhou remained rampant, threatening the prefectural cities of Jiangnan.
"What is the situation in the western territories?" Liang Xiao asked again.
"The Great General has received ten Shenwu cannons, and with the assistance of Huihui cannons and three-bowbed crossbows, it is foolproof. Please rest assured, the soldiers in Jiangnan!" He Zizhang replied.
"What about Liaodong and the East Sea?" Liang Xiao inquired again.
"Liaodong is holding firm. The East Sea is rushing to manufacture that thing according to the Marquis's request. It is said it can indeed ignite on the sea..." He Zizhang paused, hesitating.
Liang Xiao understood and was satisfied.
Petroleum has a lower density than water and can be ignited on the surface. Since Great Gan could not perfectly utilize petroleum at this time, using it as a weapon would undoubtedly be effective...
Just then, Yue Yun arrived with several letters from afar, "Marshal! We have received a carrier pigeon from Yizhou!"