There is much that can be done, such as developing new weapons, improving steelmaking and shipbuilding, and so on. However, national development cannot be rushed. If we move too quickly and become too inspired, we must adapt based on our national conditions. Resolving land annexation is the immediate priority. As long as the common people have land to farm and can live and work in peace, why worry about the instability of the world?
Wang Canghai stroked his long beard and nodded slightly. "Second Young Master Liang speaks with reason. I never imagined that Second Young Master Liang, at such a young age, would act so prudently!"
Lü Yi remained silent.
These matters fell outside his area of expertise.
Xiao Qing listened obediently as Liang Xiao described the future prospects, and everyone else nodded along.
Having obtained such a fortune for free, others would have gone mad, and even the Emperor of the Great Liang would have been overwhelmed!
Yet, Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing had held back, secretly planned, and even considered how to use the money to trick others!
The more they acted this way, the more the three ministers of state admired them.
The powerful aristocratic clans were not easily dealt with. Xiao Qing's reforms were bound to infringe upon their interests, and sooner or later, the two sides would clash when their bottom lines were approached!
Since ancient times, every emperor who had fallen out with the powerful aristocratic clans had been inevitably overthrown!
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao deeply, with a hint of a sob in his voice. "Once the realm is pacified, I, Xiao Shuang Zi, will publicize all of Elder Brother's achievements to the world and reward you handsomely once more!"
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, shaking his head. After a moment, he said, "Xiao Shuang Zi, I hope to retire successfully one day, but I also promised to never let you be alone. So, I will always be here. I only hope you can understand me in the future and not let me handle military and political trivialities. Let others do these good deeds."
Liang Xiao held his breath for a few moments before curling his lips. "Like Zhang Yang and the others."
Xiao Qing beamed. "I understand! Let Zhang Yang and the others gain more experience; they can become renowned ministers in the future!"
Sensing the implication in Liang Xiao's words, Wang Canghai and Lü Yi also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At least Liang Xiao did not seem to covet power for the time being, only seeking carefree enjoyment.
Poor Zhang Yang and the others!
Somewhere in the Ministry of Works, a certain man surnamed Zhang, who was joyfully researching movable type printing with Huang Xing, suddenly sneezed.
"Xiao Shuang Zi will surely become a sage emperor for all time. Elder Brother and the Prime Minister will accompany you," Liang Xiao said with a smile. 138 Reading Network
Xiao Qing's heart swelled with sweetness.
"By the way, why don't I see Shuang'er for such an important matter?" Liang Xiao suddenly asked.
Wang Canghai and Lü Yi's hearts sank.
Xiao Qing, who was prepared, explained, "Imperial Sister is still recovering from receiving the smallpox inoculation..."
"Oh, Shuang'er actually worried that Elder Brother would dislike her. Elder Brother can't wait to spank her!" Liang Xiao grinned.
Everyone present choked for a moment!
Xiao Qing's heart fluttered wildly, and she mumbled, "Perhaps she'll be well tomorrow..."
Tomorrow, I'm going to be spanked by him, heavens!
Xiao Qing's emotions were quite complicated.
Liang Xiao still had matters to attend to in Yan Province. She also wanted to spend time with Liang Xiao as Princess Ning Shuang.
Wang Canghai and Lü Yi's brows twitched, and their expressions became somewhat peculiar.
This... she's offering herself up?
They, of course, understood Xiao Qing's thoughts.
Princess Ning Shuang was Liang Xiao's lover, while the current "Emperor Xiao Qing" was merely Liang Xiao's sworn brother.
Deeply in love!
Lü Yi glanced at Xiao Qing inadvertently and thought, "The child can't hold back any longer..."
Xiao Qing tentatively asked, "Elder Brother, if we disregard all other circumstances, when do you think you can become a consort and consummate your marriage with Imperial Sister..."
As she spoke, Xiao Qing blushed, not daring to look at Wang Canghai and Lü Yi, who were startled.
Liang Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled. "When Shuang'er turns eighteen? Or after her seventeenth birthday?"
In the Great Qian Dynasty, women married and had children at fourteen, but Liang Xiao, with his modern understanding of physiology, still had to consider Princess Ning Shuang's physical condition.
No matter how urgent the imperial family was to add to their lineage, it should at least be after sixteen years of age, right?
Xiao Qing's heart became even more flustered!
After her seventeenth birthday? That's less than half a year away!
"Xiao Shuang Zi, I..."
Before Liang Xiao could speak, Xiao Qing interrupted. "Xiao Shuang Zi knows Elder Brother's concerns. Are you worried about letting them down? Don't worry, Xiao Shuang Zi will find a way for you all..."
Liang Xiao nodded silently, a helpless wry smile on his face.
Wang Canghai and Lü Yi, however, felt their hearts burdened with complex emotions.
It was not problematic for Xiao Qing to seek Liang Xiao to continue the royal lineage, as Liang Xiao was already the most outstanding young man in the Great Qian Dynasty.
However, for a monarch to share a husband with someone was never a glorious affair, and it was impossible for the kind Xiao Qing to cruelly break up Liang Xiao's wives and concubines.
To silence the gossip, Liang Xiao must have sufficient accomplishments to command the respect of all the people, and the prevention of smallpox was one such accomplishment.
However, when that day arrived, Liang Xiao's prestige might surpass imperial power, which could again become a problem.
If there was no other way, Wang Canghai and Lü Yi would have to resort to the method left by the late emperor, which could barely achieve a balance of interests, but it would be difficult for Xiao Qing!
But judging from Xiao Qing's behavior, this child's eyes were only on her beloved, and she paid no mind to her own suffering or grievances.
Lü Yi and Wang Canghai finally understood why the Saint of Medicine insisted on sending Jian Qin Wan to Liang Xiao's side, regardless of whether Jian Qin Wan was a wife or concubine.
Even an emperor was willing to lower himself for him, let alone a Qin Immortal!
After sending Liang Xiao away, Xiao Qing gazed at the gold with rapt attention and murmured, "I must protect my Elder Brother well and not allow anyone to harm him!"
Lü Yi could no longer hold back and said, "Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a nation. You must pay some attention to propriety and boundaries..."
Xiao Qing stated resolutely, "My Elder Brother will never betray me!"
Lü Yi smiled bitterly. "Your Majesty, nothing is absolute. I am your maternal uncle and one of the four chief ministers, yet I must proactively avoid suspicion..."
Seeing Lü Yi's troubled expression, Xiao Qing lowered her head sadly.
From the rational perspective of a monarch, she naturally understood Lü Yi's well-intentioned advice.
However...
Xiao Qing suddenly looked up again and said solemnly, "If my Elder Brother wants this throne, or if I accidentally die, then this throne will be his..."
As soon as the words fell, Wang Canghai and Lü Yi's pupils contracted. "Your Majesty!"
"Commander Ning, you try to persuade her too!" Lü Yi desperately signaled to Ning Xue Jun, whose expression was unreadable.
Ning Xue Jun sighed. "Second Young Master Liang has no interest in the throne. He only serves His Majesty..."
"We must not act on emotion! If this continues, in the future, I will have to distance myself from and restrict Liang Xiao to avoid suspicion..." Lü Yi said with great distress.
Even Wang Canghai, who could accommodate a ship in his belly, fell into contemplation, then sighed. "Your Majesty, your current relationship with Second Young Master Liang is already beyond what ordinary people can comprehend. If you do not observe boundaries, it will not be good for Your Majesty or for Second Young Master Liang..."
Xiao Qing looked at Wang Canghai and Lü Yi and said word by word, "Uncle, Esteemed Prime Minister, do you know why I am so certain..."