Amidst the reverent gazes of the crowd, Liang Xiao led Qin Feng and his wife to the stage, looking out at the simple faces below.
"Do you see these common people? You firmly believe that as long as they submit to Da Gan, they can live a life like that of Da Gan's citizens. But is that truly enough?"
Qin Feng, puzzled, asked, "Please enlighten me!"
"Even if their lives improve, they will still have to toil and sweat, facing the yellow earth and the back of the sky. Is that truly easy? In the future, Da Gan, with its continuous progress in productivity, will strive to ensure that all citizens can afford meat daily, and that the costs of education and healthcare will be fully reimbursed by the state. The state will not permit any officials or bosses to lord over them and exploit their value."
"Since we are already making an effort, what I desire is to create a world that is even better and more progressive than the divine realm I have dreamt of. On this path, we must have many who can advocate for the people to assist us. Even if it cannot be realized in this lifetime, our descendants will follow in succession, continuing the path we have forged."
Liang Xiao's bold words elicited cheers from behind him, and even Qin Feng and his wife could not help but feel a sense of solemn respect.
They believed!
"There are no perfect saints in this world. I have indulged in pleasures and sunk into despair. But whenever this land faced a crisis of life and death, someone always had to step forward. When I opened my eyes and saw the flames of war spreading and the suffering of the people, my compassion ultimately overcame my cowardice. After retiring with honor as General Tian, I pondered. Since I had already started, why not see it through to the end!"
"When I came to Da Liang and saw its people, thin and gaunt yet still singing for me with joy, I understood from that moment on that I could not betray their expectations. One day, whether Da Gan or Da Liang, people from all corners of the world will merge into a single nation and stand at the pinnacle of the world.
"Essentially, you and I, Liang Xiao, are of the same kind."
Qin Feng said solemnly, "The current Da Gan is harmonious and prosperous, with heroes emerging. It does not lack a Qin Feng."
Liang Xiao immediately turned around, his expression displeased.
"The Kingdom of Chuyun invaded the northeast, annihilated the Kingdom of Taiji, and even delighted in cannibalism. How can the nation tolerate this? You are skilled in naval warfare. The nation needs you to train the navy and expel the Kingdom of Chuyun. The ultimate goal is to march to Chuyun's homeland, obliterate their nation and people, or at the very least, force them into eternal submission to Da Gan! Do you dare?"
"You Youmin has already lost his birth parents. Can you bear to let him lose his elder sister and brother-in-law as well?"
Qin Feng was stunned and fell into thought.
"What you are dwelling on is your own actions during this period, the excessive killings. But your actions were, in fact, for Da Gan. I will have the historians record that all this was done by our joint efforts. From now on, I will accompany you on this bloody path!"
As soon as his words fell, the officials of Da Liang knelt down one after another, speaking respectfully.
"Marquis An Guo is righteous..."
"No!" Qin Feng refused without hesitation.
"You have read extensively, how could you not understand what the 'Dong Hu's Brush' is? 'As you were the chief minister, you did not flee the borders, nor did you punish the rebels. Who but you!' Zhao Chuan, a relative of Zhao Dun, assassinated Duke Ling of Jin. When Zhao Dun returned, the Grand Historian Dong Hu wrote, 'Zhao Dun assassinated his lord.' When Zhao Dun tried to explain, Dong Hu's words left him speechless."
"I, and Da Gan, are enjoying the fruits of your unscrupulous actions. We must bear the responsibility with you," Liang Xiao finally spoke his mind.
He had been waiting for this day for a long time!
"Can I still persuade you?" Qin Feng said helplessly.
"You are bent on your own way and ruined my reputation. You must take responsibility for me," Liang Xiao pouted.
The crowd almost fell over.
Zhi Rou, who had been on the verge of tears, was also stunned and looked at Liang Xiao in surprise.
She remembered Luo Qingxue's "little reports" to her, saying this person was good at coaxing young girls.
Now, she saw that even grown men couldn't resist his cajoling.
He had finally revealed his shameless face...
But no matter what, Zhi Rou's worries had lessened considerably.
She insisted on facing death with Qin Feng, but if possible, she wished to atone for her sins alone.
She hoped her Qin Lang could survive, even if it meant retiring!
"Years ago, I asked you how you viewed the rise and fall of dynasties. 'The prosperity of ages for millennia, a century of change in a single night.' This was your answer." Qin Feng gazed at the vast sky, feeling his vision suddenly open up.
"Naturally! A thousand years are but a fleeting moment. Let us strive today and see if we can leave a peaceful era for our descendants a hundred years from now," Liang Xiao said with great spirit, his words full of longing.
Zhi Rou felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders. She hugged Qin Feng's arm, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Your Majesty? Ah! It's the Regent... Hmm, the Marquis of Zhen Guo... That's not right, Lord Qin..."
The hundred officials were so excited that their titles became jumbled, filled with trepidation.
Qin Feng finally made up his mind, let out a long sigh, and said, "From now on, call me Qin Feng or Lord Qin."
"From now on?"
Hearing the implication, everyone was overjoyed and profusely thanked Liang Xiao.
"Thank you, Marquis An Guo!"
Liang Xiao then turned around and smiled, "Our Grand General has requested from His Majesty that upon your return to Da Gan, the title of Marquis of Zhen Guo will be transferred to you. His Majesty has already granted his approval and has enfeoffed him as Marquis of Jing Guo. Additionally, Prime Minister Wang has been enfeoffed as Marquis of Fu Guo. Their status is equal to that of Marquis of Ding Guo, Marquis of An Guo, and Marquis of Zhen Guo, collectively known as the 'Five Marquises of Da Gan'."
Gongsun Dingjun and others finally smiled broadly, greeting the people of Da Liang.
The Qin Feng couple's willingness to cooperate and Da Liang's peaceful return to Da Gan, avoiding further suffering for the military and civilians, was a great merit in every sense. Therefore, bestowing the title of Marquis of Zhen Guo was not excessive.
However, from now on, the Marquis of Zhen Guo of Da Liang would no longer exist, replaced by the Marquis of Zhen Guo of Da Gan.
"By Imperial Decree: Da Liang returns. The name of the former country shall be its place name. All citizens of Da Liang are now citizens of Da Gan. Their property shall be preserved, and plunder is strictly forbidden. The entire territory of Da Liang shall be exempt from land tax for three years!"
On this day, Zhi Rou publicly submitted the letter of surrender and the state's imperial jade seal, pledging allegiance to Da Gan.
The military and civilians of Da Liang did not feel humiliated; instead, they were filled with boundless joy.
The Gan clan!
After a hundred years of division, it was finally over. They were fortunate to become members of the Gan clan, just like the citizens of Jiaozhou, Xichuan, and Nan Zhong.
They also chose to believe that Xiao Qing and Liang Xiao would not mistreat them.
And their beloved Qin Feng couple would be spared their lives and treated with favor.
More importantly, the land and silver that Qin Feng had previously distributed to them did not need to be handed over, and Xiao Qing had even exempted them from land tax!
Da Liang's return finally had a happy ending for all.
That night, Liang Xiao hosted a banquet. The Qin Feng couple sat to the side, and people from both nations drank and celebrated together harmoniously.
Da Liang had returned, but the land developed by Mu Cheng and Qin Feng far surpassed that at the founding of the nation, thus requiring a large number of talented individuals for governance.
The Qin Feng couple proactively avoided suspicion and traveled to the capital to meet the Emperor, as they could no longer remain.
According to the central government's arrangements, Gongsun Dingjun was appointed as the interim governor of Da Liang. Yue Qingtian and others volunteered to assist in its defense.
Furthermore, the former Prime Minister of Da Liang, Cheng Qing, was appointed as the Prefect of Da Liang, with many Da Gan civil officials assisting him.
On the day of Da Liang's surrender, Liang Xiao also sent an urgent messenger back to the country.