Mars frowned, "Three months? Isn't that asking the impossible? As the King of the Xiongnu Empire, don't you know how difficult it is to establish cavalry supply lines? It took us two years to barely set up supply lines capable of supporting 300,000 troops!"
Attila said in a deep voice, "The bows and crossbows and heavy weapons of the Qian clan are becoming increasingly powerful. Any ruler with a normal mind would have reason to suspect that their weapons will be modified to become even stronger, because what we are facing at this moment is an unprecedentedly united Qian clan. If the Tianri clan does not want to be swept away, or even annihilated, by the Qian clan, it is best to do as I say and build the supply lines at all costs, as soon as possible!"
Mars fell into contemplation, and after a moment, he chuckled, "Then we can only target the slaves of the Guishuang Dynasty. Do you still want to eat human flesh?"
"Isn't this the delicacy of your Tianri clan? The cavalry of the Xiongnu Empire does not eat human flesh. If the Tianri clan does not show enough sincerity, how can the Xiongnu Empire be at ease fighting alongside you? Understand?" Attila said in a deep voice.
Mars gritted his teeth, sizing up Attila, and said in a deep voice, "Four months is the limit, after all, we still need to mobilize trebuchets and ballistae, as well as sufficient siege weapons, such as siege ladders!"
"Then four months, just in time for our Xiongnu iron cavalry to arrive," Attila was finally satisfied.
A storm was about to descend upon the western borders of the Great Qian.
At Yumenguan Pass in the western region, they were still desperately consolidating the defenses, ensuring the thickness of the city walls, while not forgetting to build fortresses along the eastern route to prevent the enemy from taking risks to bypass Yumenguan Pass and attack various places by force.
Even though the defenses in the western region were as solid as gold, Liang Xiao was still not at ease.
Liang Xiao transferred half of the elite forces in the country there, including longbowmen, Great Qian archers, Shen Bi bows, three-bow ballistae, and continuously improved Shenwu cannons.
After research by the Ministry of Works, the new model of Shenwu cannon's type and range both surpassed the initial version by one fold!
This was also why Liang Xiao greatly praised Zhang Yang. He not only had extremely high intelligence but also strong creative and improvement capabilities.
Even so, the soldiers in the western region still trained rigorously every day, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
In Yanzhou, after Liang Xiao finished tasks related to the northern military camp, steel mill, and military equipment supervision, he was finally able to go home to rest.
Now he was the Emperor of the Great Qian, and the military and civilians also hoped that he could enjoy more peace and not always be personally burdened with state affairs.
As the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expedition, Zuo Wuji was happy to train troops in the north for Liang Xiao, as Liang Xiao had already given him the outline and details for training, and as long as he followed them with few mistakes, it would be fine.
Years ago, his family retainer Liang Tieche had been determined to avenge Liang Anguo and had investigated the Huichun Sect for many years. Later, he had witnessed firsthand Liang Xiao creating a peaceful and prosperous era all the way. Half a month ago, he had passed away with a smile at the age of seventy. His eldest son, with the support of the Liang family, had done business for several years and accumulated considerable wealth. His second son had joined the army for several years and had risen to the rank of centurion. Now, they were being trained under the guidance of Zuo Wuji and Zuo Wushang for Liang Xiao.
His second brother, Jian Canglang, and his fifth brother, Qiu Hanhai, were practicing swordsmanship in the Tianshan Mountains. The other children had accompanied Liang Xiao back to their hometown in Yanzhou, but these two children had visited their hometown in Yanzhou before.
Even Xiao Xun, the Crown Prince, had rarely left the capital.
At home, besides Luo Qingxue, who was reviewing the financial reports of Liang Xiao's industries, Liang Xiao's other wives were experiencing the life of "being a good wife and mother."
Their husbands were less busy, and their children were sensible, leading a relaxed and comfortable life. They could even stroll in the garden.
Jian Qinwan and Zhen Mi's zither, Zhuo Yun, Xiao Qing, and Zhen Mi's chess, Xiao Qing, Yue Lian, Zhen Mi, and Luo Qingxue's calligraphy, Zhuo Xun and Chloe's paintings, perfectly formed the top-tier "qin, qi, shu, hua" of the era. Yue Wenxin, Zuo Jing, and Jian Qinwan could also teach the children martial arts.
Only a certain person was always "slacking off," quietly and without anyone noticing, using the children's distraction to tease his wives.
But his laziness was precisely what his wives and children liked to see the most.
Even just seeing him sitting on a chair with a smile was a gift from heaven to his wives and children.
"From now on, Daddy will have more time to spend with you and your mothers."
Just as the children were chasing birds and butterflies, Liang Xiao suddenly spoke.
"Daddy is the best~" the children chirped in milky voices, cheering joyfully.
There was no more beautiful promise than this. Even though he had achieved more than any in history, he was still just a husband, father, son-in-law, grandson, and grandson-in-law when he returned home.
His wives looked at Liang Xiao, who was playing with their children, with blissful faces, lost in their gazes. Unconsciously, they all giggled foolishly.
This was the joy of family.
Zhuo Yun, Zhen Mi, and Yue Wenxin looked at the children and couldn't help but show expressions of envy. When they came to their senses, their faces were all flushed red, and they looked back at Liang Xiao with resentful eyes, as if saying: You should have married me sooner!
But... it had been more than a month since they got married, and they didn't seem to have had their periods?
"Ugh~"
Just as the three of them were feeling resentful, they all turned around and gagged involuntarily, startling Liang Xiao.
Jian Qinwan quickly took their pulses and then looked at Liang Xiao, "You're really amazing..."
The person in question first blushed, then his face lit up with joy.
After the great joy came worry.
Having experienced Xiao Qing's situation, he actually didn't want his wives to suffer the pain of childbirth again, but these three newlywed wives were extremely determined to have children with him.
Yue Wenxin wanted to leave descendants for the Yue family, Zhuo Yun hoped to bring her children to pay respects to Zhuo Zifang in the future, and Zhen Mi, who had been lonely and wandering, very much wanted to have a child with him.
The Medical Saint Mu Xueqin, who was far away in the Tianshan Mountains, rushed to Yanzhou as soon as she heard that Liang Xiao's wives were pregnant.
This was her promise: as long as Liang Xiao's wives were pregnant, she would personally care for them, just as she had treated the pregnant Jian Qinwan, treating them all equally.
The citizens of the Great Qian were full of gratitude, all hoping for their Emperor's family to be happy and harmonious, which was also their yearning for a better life in the future.
"If even someone like Marquis An Guo cannot live happily, then who else deserves to live happily?"
This was a widely circulated saying across the country, which gradually became a common saying, and then slowly evolved into a proverb...
The country had done its best to reduce the burden on the people, with many past exorbitant taxes and levies removed. Even corvée labor was minimal.
Even when conscripting civilian laborers, the court would pay them adequately, providing sufficient and good meals.
In the Ministry of Works, Zhang Yang looked at the weapons on the table, personally escorted by He Zizhang, with a solemn expression.
"Flintlock gun, this thing can penetrate two layers of armor, truly incredible... Does the Emperor want the Ministry of Works to mass-produce it as soon as possible?"
After receiving He Zizhang's affirmative reply, Zhang Yang looked at Huang Xing.
Huang Xing understood and stood up, saying, "I will personally supervise the production, but it will require the cooperation of the Shadow Guard for protection!"
He Zizhang readily agreed.
The Great Qian country already had the capability to produce flintlock guns, but mass production would still take some time.
The Crown Prince Xiao Xun and Prince Xiao Qian, after staying in Yanzhou for half a month, returned to the capital under the escort of the Shadow Guard to continue receiving instruction from Wang Canghai.
Although Wang Canghai had resigned, he was still revered as the "Imperial Tutor." Huang Xing even intended to cede the position of Grand Tutor to him, but Wang Canghai politely declined.
"Your Majesty, more mineral resources have been discovered in Yizhou!"