Before the State of Daliang surrendered, Qin Feng had already eradicated the influence of the Spring Revival Cult at all costs.
Not all noble families were inherently evil. The former State of Daliang had noble families similar to the Gu and Mu families of the State of Daqian, but they were relatively more inclined towards self-preservation than those in Daqian.
These individuals had not committed acts of treason or brought disaster upon the nation; they merely played both sides, offending neither. Therefore, Qin Feng did not eliminate them entirely. Instead, he revoked their monopoly on official positions, though he did not dismiss those currently in office.
These families were also sensible. After witnessing the downfall of other noble families, they no longer dared to refer to themselves as such, adopting the practice of Daqian families and simply operating as familial lineages.
As for those noble families that were purged, some individuals were found to be innocent. This included household servants, maids, retainers, and a small number of younger family members.
Qin Feng showed leniency, but the seeds of resentment had already been sown.
Ultimately, Liang Xiao and Daqian did not allow Qin Feng to bear the burden alone. Instead, they employed a combination of rewards and punishments to appease these individuals, relocating them and the self-preserving faction to Jiangnan. They were placed under the care of Jiangnan officials to prevent any resurgence of their influence in their original territories.
As for Qin Feng, other than the enfeoffment of the Marquis of Zhenguo, which he could not refuse, he declined all other rewards arranged by Xiao Qing. This was to signify that his merits and demerits offset each other, and he would redeem himself through future expeditions to the State of Chuyun.
Zhi Rou and the others, upon arriving in the capital, would receive separate honors.
The arrival of Liang Xiao brought an unprecedented sense of security to the military and civilian population of Daliang. The people rejoiced and sang praises.
The noble families of this land thus became dust in the annals of history, never daring to resurface.
The next day, Liang Xiao dispatched Zhuo Ying to return to the capital to report, and to visit the increasingly frail Zhuo Zifang as soon as possible.
He himself needed to remain for a few more days to pacify the military and civilians and stabilize the situation.
"After the screening of unregistered and undocumented households in the fourteen prefectures of Daliang, the true population is twenty-three million. The population of Daqian has long since exceeded one hundred million..."
After Liang Xiao dispatched people to meticulously inventory the treasury and population of Daliang, it was discovered that Qin Feng, Cheng Qing, Ye Chengxiu, and several other military and civil officials had already contributed almost all their personal wealth to the national treasury to cover the recent deficits.
The wealth of these individuals was also returned to them.
Liang Xiao then convened the local officials of Daliang and admonished them: "From now on, you are all officials of Daqian. You must be diligent in your duties, refrain from favoritism or perverting justice, and never prey on the common people. The state will provide you with a comfortable environment and generous stipends."
On the same day, following the central government's suggestion, Liang Xiao raised the stipends of Daliang officials to the same level as those of their counterparts in Daqian.
The officials of Daliang pledged in unison: "Your subordinate will do his utmost to serve with loyalty and wisdom!"
With Gongsun Dingjun and others stationed there, Liang Xiao could rest assured.
These officials were all clean individuals who had survived Qin Feng's purges. Even if they harbored any wicked intentions, the thought of Qin Feng's iron-fisted methods and the presence of the garrison would deter them from any wrongdoing.
And behind Gongsun Dingjun, Qin Feng, and the others, there was also the Heavenly General, the Marquis of Anguo...
"The Marquis of Anguo recovered Daliang without shedding a single drop of blood!"
News of this spread throughout the land. The entire nation offered sacrifices and prayed to their ancestors overnight, comforting their departed kin.
Liang Xiao's wives, having endured a period of intense fear, finally embraced each other and wept.
"Only my husband could have achieved this!"
"The Marquis said that Madam can return to the capital first or go to Yuzhang to wait for him, as he will be rushing back to the capital after arriving in Yuzhang," the shadow guard reminded them.
Jian Qinwan, Kristi, Zhuo Xun, and Zuo Jing said in unison: "To Yuzhang!"
They did not forget to bring Yue Wenxin along.
News quickly reached the capital, and from Xiao Qing to the military and the common folk, there was universal joy!
Luo Qingxue, who was attending to Liang Xiao's affairs in the capital, and Yue Lian, who was caring for the children, immediately rushed to the imperial palace to reunite with Xiao Qing and Zhen Mi.
"Your father is unprecedented and will never be surpassed!"
Xiao Qing held the two imperial princes, his eyes full of tenderness.
"The nation is unified!" The intelligent children also sensed their mothers' joy and hopped around in the Western Palace Villa.
Only Zhen Mi sat quietly to the side, her slender hands resting on her lap, her delicate body trembling slightly.
He was returning...
The truth about the Empress needed to be revealed to the world.
And then, he would marry me.
The thought of the future made even the usually calm Zhen Mi's breathing quicken.
"I have yearned for your return day and night."
Zhen Mi's reaction was observed by Luo Qingxue and Xiao Qing, and the two women exchanged a smile.
This child had truly suffered, waiting for so many years.
Inside and outside the capital, there was everywhere laughter, the beating of gongs and drums, and singing, celebrating the unification of this land.
No longer would they have to fight the State of Daliang, no more fear of casualties!
From now on, they could travel between the two regions with peace of mind!
"Grandfather, the Marquis of Anguo has... recovered Daliang..."
Upon hearing Zhuo Yun's voice, the sleeping Zhuo Zifang suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and bright.
"Really? Is it true?!" "Daliang..."
Zhuo Zifang's quivering murmur evoked a mix of emotions in everyone present.
He had dreamed of seeing the two nations united!
The roots of the Zhuo family were actually in Daliang. It was only when Zhuo Mingfeng led his entire family northward with the First Emperor of Daqian to pacify the Central Plains.
The failure to unify Daliang had been the greatest regret for Zhuo Mingfeng and the First Emperor of Daqian.
"How long until he and the soldiers return?" Zhuo Zifang smiled like a seventy or eighty-year-old child.
"Once Daliang is stabilized, he will return!" Elder Mrs. Zhuo clasped Zhuo Zifang's hand, sighing with emotion.
The Female Painting Immortal Li Jinyu, standing beside them, merely gazed in silence, her eyes seeming to convey a thousand unspoken words.
"Daliang has returned?"
Sword Master was discussing the Dao with Liuyun Zi, Chen Changqiu, Jian Nanfeng, and Mu Xueqin at the Liuyun Temple in the capital. Upon hearing the news, all were astonished!
"He is a good son-in-law!" Jian Nanfeng laughed heartily to the sky.
"He is a good younger brother!" Liuyun Zi also laughed like a ninety-something-year-old child.
Jian Nanfeng's smile faltered.
Liuyun Zi was both a teacher and a friend to him. The formation of this brotherhood between them, despite their age difference, was truly an indescribable event!
"The Spring Revival Cult has been almost eradicated, Grandfather!" Chen Feng, who had come to deliver the news, exclaimed with joy.
"Good, good..." Chen Changqiu merely nodded incessantly, his aged eyes no longer capable of shedding tears.
Gongsun Jing, far away in the Tianqin Mountains; Gongsun Ye in Yuzhang; Lü Yi in the Western Regions; Liaodong, Yizhou, Jiaozhou, Yanzhou...
Daqian did not have the Spring Festival. The grandest festival of the year was the mid-year Qianyuan Festival.
Now, the entire nation felt as if it were celebrating Qianyuan Festival every day!
"We await the Marquis of Anguo's return! We await our Heavenly General's return!"
The former capital of Daliang was also renamed Daliang City by the court of Daqian.
In Daliang City, Liang Xiao was preparing to depart for Jiangnan.
On the banks of the Heng River, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians spontaneously gathered to see him off, their eyes earnestly following Liang Xiao's fleet, their faces filled with reluctance.
The Marquis of Anguo was leaving, and the Marquis of Zhenguo was also leaving!
Liang Xiao looked back at the populace, his myriad emotions coalescing into a single sentence: "We shall meet again."
The military and civilians rejoiced greatly.
"The Marquis of Anguo said we shall meet again, so he will definitely come to see Daliang again!"
"By then, we must show him that Daliang's prosperity is no less than that of any other region in the country!"