Zuo Wuji took an oath not to attack Daliang, so he did not accompany the army on the expedition and instead returned to Yuzhang to report.
Ye Chengxiu looked around and saw only Zhuo Ying and Yue Qingtian by his side. After an internal struggle, he finally nodded.
"Yes!"
"Are you sure?" Liang Xiao asked seriously.
"Sure!" Ye Chengxiu's firm reply finally made Liang Xiao resolute.
"Good, you go back and inform the Marquis of Zhenguo and your Emperor. Fifteen days from now, I will appear in the capital of Daliang."
"What?!" Not only Zhuo Ying and Yue Qingtian, but even Ye Chengxiu was shocked and paled.
Ye Chengxiu looked incredulous and asked Liang Xiao again. After receiving an affirmative answer, his heart was filled with disbelief!
He actually agreed?
"Marquis!" Yue Qingtian was so anxious that the veins on his forehead bulged, and he roared, "The soldiers will never allow the Marquis to go into a dragon's den and a tiger's lair!"
Zhuo Ying was about to join the劝阻, when he heard Liang Xiao say, "I should go."
Yue Qingtian and Zhuo Ying were instantly silenced, and they looked at Ye Chengxiu, their hearts burning with unreasoning anger.
Ye Chengxiu came back to his senses, looked at Liang Xiao, and could not hide his confusion. He asked, "Marquis An Guo, may I be so bold as to ask, why did you agree..."
Hearing this, Yue Qingtian and Zhuo Ying were even more furious: "It's not like Daliang didn't come up with the idea first!"
Ye Chengxiu was speechless.
Liang Xiao said without hesitation, "The two countries share the same origin. I once said that in the future, the people of Daliang, the army and civilians, and the Qian Dynasty will be one. Although our army has sea killers like the Heavenly Fire of Daqian, it should not be used for infighting, but should burn all foreign races."
Ye Chengxiu was full of shame and bowed to Liang Xiao. After handing over the official documents and the imperial edict, he returned to Daliang.
"Brother-in-law, why is this necessary! Daliang is in turmoil right now, and Qin Feng is likely using the lives of both armies to threaten you..." Zhuo Ying said anxiously.
From Gongsun Ye to the soldiers, how many people worried about any unexpected danger to Liang Xiao.
And now, he was going to venture into a dragon's den and a tiger's lair to reduce casualties between the two countries?
"Your concerns, I have considered them just now, but I have to go, and I must go. This is an unspeakable secret. Someone has been waiting for me for a long time."
Liang Xiao sighed for a moment and comforted him, "Don't worry, I will return safely. During this period, you will restrain the soldiers and hold your position, waiting for my news."
Zhuo Ying fell silent.
Liang Xiao had always acted steadily. He knew that he could not persuade him.
"Marquis, aren't they allowing one ship of people? I and Jiang Long will accompany you!" Yue Qingtian said anxiously.
The news of Liang Xiao's imminent departure to Daliang to meet Qin Feng quickly spread throughout the army. All the soldiers wore worried expressions, and they all asked their generals to go to Liang Xiao's tent to plead with him to give up the risky plan.
"Our army will surely break through and take Daliang. Marshal, you don't need to take the risk!"
In the end, these soldiers were all dismissed by Liang Xiao.
"This trip will surely lead to the unification of the two countries. Everyone need not worry."
Although the soldiers trusted Liang Xiao unconditionally, they could not help but worry. Hearing that they could have a warship to accompany them, personal guards and officers who were confident in their martial arts all volunteered to go.
The army and civilians in the Jiangnan area also received the news of Qin Feng's request for Liang Xiao to go to Daliang to surrender. They were all indignant.
"He killed all the aristocratic families, distributed land and money, just to buy over the army and civilians so that they would fight our soldiers! Shameless!"
"This Qin Feng is no longer the Marquis of Zhenguo of Daliang back then. He is not worthy of being called one of the three gentlemen of the two countries alongside our Marquis An Guo and Commander Zhuo!"
"Poor Commander Zhuo, I heard he is seriously ill and is still waiting for Marquis An Guo and General Zhuo to return to the capital to visit him..."
Qin Feng's reputation in the Jiangnan area was completely ruined.
In the capital, Zhuo Zifang, who was recuperating in bed at home, was both surprised and delighted to hear that Liang Xiao had brought Zhuo Ying to recover Jiaozhou.
"He's... he's returned. My great-grandfather's wish is about to come true... This child is truly remarkable..."
When Elder Mrs. Zhuo and Zhuo Yun heard Zhuo Zifang constantly muttering, they could not help but praise, "Marquis An Guo is indeed remarkable."
"Isn't he?" Zhuo Zifang's old eyes lit up, he coughed a few times, and said proudly, "From the moment I saw 'Since ancient times, who has not died? Let him leave his loyal heart to illuminate history,' I have believed... firmly believed!"
Everyone looked at the increasingly disoriented Zhuo Zifang and felt a wave of sorrow.
Even when he was asleep, he was still muttering about Liang Xiao and Zhuo Ying...
Yizhou, Chengdu.
The court's appointments were finally issued.
Liu Fan was promoted to the Prefect of Yizhou, and Li Xiuyun was transferred to the Prefect of Jiaozhou.
Upon receiving the news, thousands of people came to the East Gate to see them off.
Under the gaze of the crowd, a little girl holding a flower basket gave it to Li Xiuyun and asked in a childish voice, "Master Li, will you come back to be the Prefect of Yizhou in the future..."
Li Xiuyun looked around and saw that the people seemed to have the same question. He then smiled softly and said, "Don't worry, one Li Xiuyun has left, but there are thousands upon thousands of Prefects of Yizhou who will not be inferior to me and will prioritize the people. Because, today and in the future of Daqian, scholars do not love money, and generals do not fear death. Please believe in Prefect Liu. My achievements are also inseparable from Prefect Liu's assistance."
The people were reluctant to part. Finally, the new Prefect, Liu Fan, announced in public the presentation of the "Ten Thousand People Umbrella" prepared by the people for Li Xiuyun.
"I am the second official after Marquis An Guo to receive the Ten Thousand People Umbrella. But without Marquis An Guo's assistance to the Emperor in changing this land, perhaps today we would still be struggling in the political arena..."
Li Xiuyun's heart was stirred, and he looked to the southeast with deep respect.
Everyone echoed, "Our Emperor is a rare sage emperor for all ages, and Marquis An Guo is an unparalleled sage for all ages!"
Li Xiuyun finally left Yizhou for the next destination.
Yuzhang, Liang Xiao's wives heard about Qin Feng's "threat" and could not help but worry.
"The Princess Consort asked the ladies not to worry, he will definitely return safely." The shadow guards comforted them.
Jian Qinwan and the others merely nodded silently, their faces filled with worry.
They even had selfish thoughts, hoping that Liang Xiao would not risk himself for this matter and that the Daqian army would directly march south.
In the capital of Daliang, the common people also heard Qin Feng's conditions and could not help but wonder.
"That Marquis An Guo would not come, would he? Are we asking too much..."
Only Qin Feng, Zhirou, and Cheng Qing were overwhelmed with work.
This round of purges led to chaos in the court, with too many vacant official positions. It was a miracle that the country could continue to operate.
"Your Majesty! Commander Ye has returned!"
In the imperial study, Qin Feng and Zhirou listened to Ye Chengxiu's detailed report, and the look of surprise on their faces grew.
"Qin Lang..."
Zhirou looked at Qin Feng and saw that he was distraught.
"He actually agreed, hehe..." Qin Feng just murmured to himself.
"Issue an order to the whole country to guard the route. The Emperor and the Regent will meet Marquis An Guo Liang Xiao of Daqian as promised!"
The next day, Qin Feng set out from the Regent's mansion for the imperial palace.
As the convoy passed through a bustling market, a person in the distance, holding a sword, rushed from a rooftop and, with lightning speed, leaped towards Qin Feng's carriage.