The old friends, under duress from Liang Xiao, finally dared to address him by name.
"Liang Xiao, you're still so young! Wonderful! A blessing for the Qian Dynasty!" they exclaimed, their faces flushed with excitement.
Qin Feng, Li Xiuyun, Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong... These civil officials had all served as prime ministers and were among the earliest meritorious officials, destined for historical renown, their lives not lived in vain.
Nan Jiyun, Nie Yuan, Lü Changhe, Zhuo Ying... These military generals had all held the ranks of Grand General and Marshal, bringing glory to their ancestors.
Liang Xiao chuckled, "Now you all seem like my grandfathers."
"We dare not! If you say that again, we'll lose years from our lives!" they cried in alarm.
Liang Xiao merely smiled, offering no comment, his heart filled with bitterness.
His elders had passed away one by one, and his contemporaries were now nearing their end. Liu Fan and Mo Hongming were already gone.
Even his own children were growing more mature than him.
Only his wife, like himself, seemed unchanged. Why could their children grow up...
Seeing Liang Xiao's despondency, Qin Feng consoled him, "Even if we grow old, our descendants will carry on our legacy and help you achieve universal peace!"
Liang Xiao laughed heartily and nodded.
Now, the entire nation believed that he and his wives were truly immortal. Arguing was futile; only time would tell.
Yet, he could clearly sense that his and his wives' physical functions remained as they were in their youth.
"I'll remember each of you," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Finally, the guests raised their cups, laughing and drinking with abandon.
After seeing the guests off, Liang Xiao returned home, still unable to shake off his melancholy.
"Brother Xiao, look at these socks the workshop just produced. They're so strange. Mi'er designed them for us. She said they're pretty. Are they pretty, Brother Xiao..."
Just then, Xiao Qing entered with Jian Qinwan.
Liang Xiao glanced back absentmindedly, his pupils constricting.
Xiao Qing was trying on black stockings, while Jian Qinwan was trying on white ones.
"You female demons, watch how this ascetic captures you!" Seeing this, Liang Xiao sighed, his blood surging.
He had no resistance to his wives!
Time continued to flow, and the Qian Dynasty's technology also developed continuously.
Based on Liang Xiao's concepts, the Ministry of Works, led by Zhang Yang, finally developed a reliable internal combustion engine, bringing them closer to gas-powered vehicles.
Experiments concerning "electricity" were also underway.
"The Emperor is simply omnipotent, constantly guiding the Qian Dynasty's development. He is a sage sent from heaven!"
The rapid increase in steel production greatly improved the quality of life for the common people.
By controlling key industries in advance, the Great Qian court's annual revenue continued to climb without any change in tax rates.
Even the two-tenths of official harvest from the屯田 (cultivated land) were compensated to farmers with money of equivalent value.
Each year, the court encouraged the populace to actively cultivate barren land in the south and west, and to mine for resources in the Taiji Peninsula and the Peacock Dynasty.
From the current perspective, appropriately increasing the income of workers and farmers did not seriously hinder the progress of the Qian Dynasty's industry and agriculture. Especially the increase in research investment and the improvement of researchers' treatment greatly boosted their enthusiasm.
The birth of the internal combustion engine was far faster than Liang Xiao's estimation, but the Qian Dynasty's military industry did not cease its development despite its invincibility.
However, the court always kept the new generation of weapons in reserve and did not use them unless a better quality replacement was developed.
The officials did not understand Liang Xiao's intentions, only knowing that doing as the Emperor commanded was always correct.
Three years later, Liang Xiao's son, Zuo Hucheng, also found Australia, annihilated the Tianri tribe that had entrenched itself there, and brought back dozens of surviving native women, handing them over to Liang Xiao for disposal.
"When we arrived, only these foreign women remained, having been... well, everyone else had already perished. These natives couldn't communicate with us, so there was nothing we could do."
Liang Xiao did not make things difficult for these few surviving innocent natives. He simply allocated them a piece of land and granted them the same treatment as ordinary citizens.
However, due to the persecution by the Tianri tribe, these natives seemed to fear outsiders and dared not interact with the Qian Dynasty's subjects. Liang Xiao did not force them.
Another fifteen years passed.
The Qian Dynasty swept across various continents, even venturing into the harsh northern lands. However, the soldiers there found no Inuit people, as Liang Xiao had speculated, only Tianri tribesmen and scattered bone fragments.
When the Great Qian fleet landed on the British Isles, they encountered fierce resistance from the British and chose to conquer without hesitation.
On the island, the tens of thousands of Tianri tribesmen, led by their new king, seemed unaware of the changes in the outside world. After retreating, they still chose to massacre the British subjects, leaving no survivors for the Qian Dynasty.
However, the Great Qian fleet had already circumnavigated Britain and blockaded the major islands, annihilating this group of Tianri tribesmen entirely.
Nan Jiyun led the troops and was symbolically dismissed from his post.
The Tianri tribe, which originally numbered in the tens of millions and was spread across the globe, destroying one nation after another, was defeated and scattered by the Qian Dynasty's army.
Upon learning of the situation on the British Isles, Liang Xiao was shocked.
He had never envisioned such a scenario. What should be done now?
If a nation develops without external enemies, internal strife would inevitably arise sooner or later.
Looking at the world, it was unlikely to find any ethnic group with a population exceeding fifty thousand. What would become of the Great Qian army's spirit?
What would happen if, one day, the army became lax, or even rebelled?
Even now, the Qian Dynasty had not deciphered the composition of the Silver Dragon Gold, White Dragon Gold, or the Elixir of Immortality.
Liang Xiao had to start making arrangements for the future.
"The Emperor said that the world isn't just inhabited by humans; there might be extraterrestrial visitors, billions of times more dangerous than the Tianri tribe! Is there really such a terrifying existence?"
The common people, after reading the newspaper stories, looked on in disbelief.
The next day, accompanied by Zhuo Yun and her two daughters-in-law, Liang Xiao visited a civilian residence.
Three elderly women were chatting animatedly. Although nearly seventy, the remnants of their former beauty were still visible.
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, Zhuo Yun, and his two adopted daughters, Xiao Xuan'er and Xiao Qin'er, they were startled.
Seeing that Liang Xiao still looked like the young man they first met, the three rejoiced and then greeted them with smiles.
"Marquis An Guo, I trust you are well."
The three were Ye Qingyi, Yi Rou, and Li Xin!
"I'll be blunt. I wish to welcome the three of you into my household, to become my wives, Liang Xiao!"
His words were astonishing, leaving the three bewildered.
"Marquis An Guo is jesting. We are all old women!" Ye Qingyi quickly rose to attend to Liang Xiao and his entourage, but Liang Xiao stopped her.
"You three have been hiding from me, even forbidding your daughters from revealing your whereabouts. Why must you do this?" Liang Xiao said with a sigh.
The three were stunned and lowered their heads in silence.
"Mother..." Xiao Qin'er tugged at Ye Qingyi's hand, her face full of concern.
Ye Qingyi glanced at Yi Rou and Li Xin, her eyes seeming to ask for their opinion.
Only after they silently nodded did she finally reveal her heart.
"We all knew that given your relationship with Zhuo Yun, Sister Zhuo Xun, and Godfather, Marquis An Guo would certainly marry us. But we clearly understood we didn't have that qualification. The other wives either found true love with you through hardship or were indispensable helpers along the way. We contributed nothing, and we shouldn't further share Marquis An Guo's affection with them...
"Because, if Marquis An Guo made an exception for us, it would be so unfair to the countless women in the world who admire Marquis An Guo... Not disturbing you is the best form of admiration. Just watching from afar is enough... At least, our daughters married the sons of Marquis An Guo, and we are related, which satisfies us."
Yi Rou merely gave a self-mocking smile, "Always troubling Marquis An Guo so much, we are truly ashamed..."
Liang Xiao clasped Ye Qingyi's slightly withered hand, stating resolutely, "You three have hidden from me for forty-five years. Do not escape again this time. From today onwards, you are my wives, just like Little Yun and the others!"
The three were momentarily at a loss for what to do.
After a long while, Li Xin trembled and said, "Our appearances have faded, does Marquis An Guo not mind..."
Liang Xiao did not answer. Instead, he walked towards the three and, under the shocked gazes of Zhuo Yun and her two daughters-in-law, kissed each of them on the forehead.
The three women were on the verge of tears, unable to control their emotions.
Zhuo Yun watched, her own tears streaming down.
The words he had spoken to her during their proposal were now being enacted for them.
Even after decades, he still cherished them, just as he cherished her and her sisters.
Even though he remained young, and even though he was worthy of marrying young and beautiful women.
"I only regret that I couldn't give you a timely wedding. I will hold one for you three days from now," Liang Xiao stated solemnly.
"No, a wedding is not necessary, Marquis An Guo. We understand Marquis An Guo's intentions, but after all, we are now in-laws. Regarding seniority, we do not wish to be a burden to you anymore. However... when we pass away, perhaps we can be interred in the ancestral tomb," Yi Rou sighed, Ye Qingyi and Li Xin nodding in agreement, still unable to control their emotions.
No matter how Liang Xiao pleaded, the three could not bear to trouble him further, but they eventually implicitly acknowledged their status.
Liang Xiao's wives.
Liang Xiao held the hands of the three, looking at each other, their hearts filled with remorse for having wasted the women's youthful years.
They conversed like family for a while, recounting the events of the years, until they reluctantly parted late into the night.
In the carriage, Zhuo Yun tightly held Liang Xiao's arm, her face full of affection, afraid to speak, lest her sobs disturb Liang Xiao's thoughts again.
Had she not also nearly missed him?
Liang Xiao's children were now middle-aged. Standing beside their parents, their children appeared more like parents.
But their children were only happy, preferring to believe the popular rumors of immortality.
There was only one thing that dissatisfied them.
"We have less and less in common with Mother. Every time they mention Father, they get infatuated..."
Whenever their children teased them, Liang Xiao's wives could only feign composure and ignore it.
After all, facts spoke louder than words...
Thanks to Liang Xiao's collaboration with his late mother-in-law, Mu Xueqin, the medical sage, in promoting hygiene, the citizens of the Qian Dynasty also developed more accurate hygiene awareness. Coupled with good living conditions, the average lifespan also significantly increased.
Qin Feng, the Marquis Zhenguo, passed away at seventy-two without illness.
Gu Shaoyan died smiling in his sleep after drinking at seventy.
Mu Hong died of natural causes after drinking at seventy-four.
Lin Xiu died of natural causes at seventy-three.
Li Xiuyun died of natural causes at seventy-six.
...
Nan Jiyun died of natural causes at eighty-seven.
Lü Changhe fell accidentally after drinking, lay in bed for several months, and died of heart failure at eighty-six.
Nie Yuan died of natural causes at eighty.
Yue Yun died laughing three times at his birthday banquet, then lay down and passed away at eighty.
Yue Qingtian died of natural causes at ninety-two.
...
The civil and military officials left behind family teachings of loyalty to the Qian Dynasty, to Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, passed down through generations.
Ye Qingyi, Yi Rou, and Li Xin lived to over eighty before passing away peacefully, becoming members of the Liang family ancestral temple.
When the common people learned of this, they all sighed.
"Our Qian Dynasty has thirteen imperial consorts, three deceased, remember them all!"
Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing had become the Supreme Emperor and Empress, and their eldest son, Xiao Xun, steadfastly adhered to his parents' beliefs, governing with skill.
Only Zhang Yang lived to be a hundred, still visiting the Ministry of Works daily, leaning on his cane, wanting to see the results of the gas-powered vehicle.
On this day, the gas-powered vehicle finally achieved stable performance. The train and car started simultaneously, heading into the distance.
Everyone pushed two wheelchairs, one for Zhang Yang and one for Xiao Qian.
Behind them followed Liang Xiao's descendants.
Liang Xiao, still youthful, pointed at the distant train and car, exclaiming joyfully, "Zhang Yang, do you see? Those are real trains and cars, the ones you oversaw the research on!"
"Look at these electric lights, they can illuminate, there is electricity! These generators and lights were also developed with your participation!" Liang Cangsheng, now over seventy, turned a switch on and off on a table before him, like a child from his childhood.
Zhang Yang's cloudy old eyes gained a glimmer of light. He nodded repeatedly, "This old minister sees. Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Empress! Will these help the people of the Qian Dynasty live better lives??"
"Yes! This will be the Second Industrial Revolution, started by you. My descendants, your descendants, will inherit it. We will move forward from the past!" Liang Xiao stated resolutely.
With his wish fulfilled, Zhang Yang's face bore a smile, as if talking to himself.
"Good, very good. The Qian Dynasty is good, the Qian Dynasty is good..."
Saying this, Zhang Yang slowly closed his eyes, lowered his head, and passed away contentedly on his birthday, ultimately given the posthumous title of Wenzheng and posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis Changguo.
Liang Xiao had bid farewell to his last old friend.
The Second Industrial Revolution had begun.
The Qian Dynasty entered the Age of Electricity.
Phonographs, telephones...
Liang Xiao's children, now in their eighties, looked up at the planes flying in the sky, their surprise beyond words.
"Father and Mother didn't lie to us. Humans can really fly and travel the earth!"
Even though they were old, the eleven young men and women beside them were still their father and mother.
Liang Xiao's children all lived astonishingly past a hundred, dying of natural causes, which became a celebrated tale. The common people attributed it to the Supreme Emperor's blessings upon his descendants.
When the fifteenth son, Liang Zhen, passed away at the age of one hundred and one, Liang Xiao had seen off his last son.
His wives grieved deeply, but looking at the eternally youthful figure beside them, they still had something to hold onto.
At Liang Xiao's request, people of the new era affectionately called him "Sage Marquis An Guo."
Liang Xiao's descendants were spread across former meritorious official families such as the Liang, Nan, Lü, Zhuo, and Zhang families, upholding the family tradition of serving the country and the people. They were affectionately called the "Sage Clan" by the populace, signifying the families of the sage.
Under Liang Xiao's guidance, the Great Qian Emperor was tentatively designated as a symbol of the nation. The Emperor would be elected by the populace, assessed by Liang Xiao, and then appointed as Prime Minister, responsible for state affairs.
However, the highest level of financial authority and military power always remained in the hands of Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing, serving as the final safeguard.
The people were familiar with the deeds of Liang Xiao and his wife and had no objections.
In the world, apart from their own kin, no one cared more about their well-being than these individuals.
Over the past century, there had been occasional small-scale rebellions in various regions, and even assassination attempts targeting Liang Xiao and his wife, all of which were swiftly suppressed by Liang Xiao and the army of the Qian Dynasty's subjects.
No one knew what kind of person their Marquis An Guo was now, or why he had such a keen foresight for potential crises.
One day, the election of the first Prime Minister was a major national event.
"Marquis An Guo, the first Prime Minister Mu Cheng, accompanied by his Prime Minister's wife, Yang Wanqing."
Standing before Liang Xiao was a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor, and a middle-aged woman somewhat resembling Su Wanqing. Though not stunning, she was very serene.