Under Xiao Qing’s arrangements, Liang Xiao waited outside.
Only after Xiao Qing emerged, leaving with a smile that was neither here nor there, did Liang Xiao tiptoe into the room.
The bride, seated on the wedding bed, was stiff and upright, but her hands were clasped tightly, her fingers visibly trembling.
As Liang Xiao’s footsteps approached, the bride’s body began to tremble slightly. Liang Xiao could clearly hear her flustered breathing, and he couldn’t help but chuckle as he lifted her veil.
Her face, exquisitely beautiful with a light makeup, held a joy tinged with a hint of panic. Her starry eyes, filled with emotion, gazed deeply at her new husband, as if to brand his image onto her very soul.
The young woman before him had skin like condensed cream, pure as jade. Her slightly cold, elegant face exuded intelligence, her aura reminiscent of Xiao Qing, of Jian Qin Wan and Luo Qing Xue, and also of Yue Lian.
But she was, ultimately, herself, as unique as they were. Liang Xiao was lost in admiration for a moment, gazing until her face was flushed crimson. She lowered her head, her delicate neck blushing.
“Mier has become more and more mischievous, hiding in your sister Shuang’er’s room. But you can’t escape my grasp forever.” Liang Xiao finally came to his senses and smiled softly.
“Mier wanted to play hide-and-seek with Brother Xiao…” Zhen Mi’s voice faltered as she spoke.
“Your sisters all said that Mier is the most intelligent, with a photographic memory and a knack for flexible application. You’re not a bookworm, but truly talented,” Liang Xiao praised.
Zhen Mi’s eyes immediately lit up with joy. “It’s all because Brother Xiao taught me well. In the future, Mier will help Brother Xiao with even more things!”
Liang Xiao nodded with a smile, his gaze falling upon the books on the bed: “Chronicles of Great Qian Heroes,” “Tale of General Tian,” and “Empire’s Army.”
“Just now, Mier was reading these books?” Liang Xiao asked.
Zhen Mi nodded shyly. “Because these three books are specifically about Brother Xiao…”
Liang Xiao pouted. “I am a loyal fan of you three sisters. Don't believe me? Pick any passage and test me, I can recite it perfectly.”
Zhen Mi was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. “Mier believes Brother Xiao!”
“You call me Brother Xiao again and again. Your husband is a little unhappy now. You must make it up to me,” Liang Xiao teased.
Zhen Mi startled, then her face flushed red as she threw herself into Liang Xiao’s arms, as happy as a ship that had weathered storms finally reaching port.
“Husband~ Darling~ My Lord~ Naughty man~”
Liang Xiao was instantly delighted, laughing heartily as he held Zhen Mi in his arms and kissed her.
Zhen Mi could no longer feign composure, murmuring, “Please, please, husband, have mercy on Mi-Mier…”
That night, the maiden completed her transformation, marrying the man she vowed to spend eternity with. He was her benefactor and her lover.
This was the happiness she had yearned for in her life; compared to it, the pain of losing her virginity seemed insignificant.
The next day, the “wicked” Zhen Mi finally faced “retribution” from her sisters. While Liang Xiao was away, Zhuo Yun and Yue Wen Xin were the most eager to “interrogate” her.
Liang Xiao arrived at the Ministry of War and found Zhuo Wulue and others to discuss important matters.
“Everyone, from today onwards, you must select at least ten thousand of the most loyal soldiers from across the nation. They must be between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five,” Liang Xiao stated with a solemn expression.
Zhuo Wulue accepted the order without hesitation.
“Your subjects will meticulously select them, raising the selection criteria…”
Before Zhuo Wulue could make his promise, Liang Xiao eagerly added,
“There’s no need to raise the physical fitness criteria. As long as their eyesight is good and they are absolutely loyal! Absolute loyalty and absolute obedience are key! Preferably, they should be as devoted to the monarch and the country as the Hidden Wolf Guard and the Shadow Guard. In some time, I will go to Yanzhou and personally select a portion of them. Because these soldiers will soon bear even more important missions alongside the Hidden Wolf Guard!”
“The future of the Qian dynasty must have an army that is absolutely loyal and absolutely obedient, loyal to the people, loyal to the Qian dynasty, and loyal to the emperor who serves the nation and its people. This will ensure that no matter which path the future Qian dynasty takes, there will always be those who supervise and correct it in a timely manner, and who annihilate all aggressors for the Qian dynasty, showing no mercy to any invader! Dignity lies only on the edge of a sword; the divine might of the Qian dynasty is truth!”
The officials of the Ministry of War, seeing Liang Xiao’s rare seriousness, all agreed and promised.
“Your subjects will prioritize selecting ‘respectable young men’ from the Yanyun region and the capital area. Similar to how the Hidden Wolf Guard was trained, their families will be well taken care of, ensuring they have no worries. At the same time, their loyalty and obedience education will be strengthened!”
Liang Xiao continued to instruct, “First and foremost, they must understand that what they are doing is one of the greatest and most noble endeavors in the world, for their families and for the Qian dynasty. For now, let them practice archery well; they will have great use for it. Our next plan is to completely annihilate the Tianri tribe, eliminating future troubles for generations to come! However, with our current conditions, relying solely on strong bows and crossbows is insufficient for us to march ten thousand, or even twenty thousand li, without defeat.”
Zhuo Wulue suddenly recalled the “new weapons” Liang Xiao had discussed with him previously, and realizing the gravity of the situation, he immediately took over the official documents from Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, mobilizing the personnel of the Ministry of War.
Liang Xiao then returned home, reassured.
On the last night of his wedding festivities, Liang Xiao crept into Zuo Jing’s room and lifted her veil.
Even as a wife and mother, she had not lost an iota of her former beauty. She gazed at Liang Xiao, her face flushed, filled with deep affection.
“You’ve worked so hard,” Liang Xiao said, his heart aching as he held her in his arms to comfort her.
She had been training female soldiers for him and Xiao Qing, ensuring their safety. To the common people, she had once been the most unassuming wife of the Marquis of Anguo, not even caring about her own status.
“I love it when you care about me like this; nothing else matters anymore…” Zuo Jing said softly.
“But tonight is our bridal chamber night, and that’s very important!”
Liang Xiao’s sudden laughter made Zuo Jing’s heart race. She had no choice but to let him carry her onto the bed…
After Liang Xiao’s wedding period concluded, Qin Feng immediately petitioned for battle, voluntarily leaving his wife and children in the capital under the care of the Shadow Guard.
Xiao Qing, going with the flow, also adjusted the command of the national army.
Nie Yuan was appointed Grand Marshal of the Eastern Campaign, with Qin Feng as his Deputy, responsible for commanding the East Sea Navy. Generals Ye Chengxiu and Yang Huan were to assist, escorting the Great Qian Sky Fire along the way and replacing Mu Hong in the East Sea. Mu Hong was to return to the capital to receive his enfeoffment.
Nan Jiyun was appointed Grand Marshal of the Western Campaign, with Yue Yun as his Deputy, leading Xilakeli and others to the western border to replace Lu Yi. The aging Lu Yi was also to return to the capital to receive his enfeoffment.
Zhuo Yingbei was appointed Grand Marshal of the Southern Campaign, with Shi Liuyun as his Deputy, to guard Jiaozhou and Daliang, while also suppressing the barbarians and remnants of the Huichun Sect south of Daliang. They were to assist the local officials in both regions and Jiangnan in stabilizing the situation, developing livelihoods, and preparing grain and provisions for the eventual campaign against the Peacock Dynasty.
Lu Changhe was appointed Grand Marshal of the Northern Campaign, with Zuo Wuji as his Deputy, to expand into the larger desert and more northern territories, establishing ranches and exploring mineral resources, until the entire Mobei and Hanhai regions were incorporated into their dominion!
The Great Qian was now unprecedentedly united, and by fortunate coincidence, it was a year of abundant harvest, making it a period of unparalleled national wealth and strength compared to the past thousands of years.
As long as the four corners of turmoil were cleared and internal stability was maintained, long-term peace would be secured.
While the Great Qian was preparing for its expedition, the Western world was also in turmoil.
The Ayubid dynasty, facing attacks from three major powers, was isolated and in retreat!