“Why should I advise against it?” Liang Xiao asked with a half-smile.
“The policy of conquering land is quite enlightened, but if we were to purchase land on a large scale, it would deplete the national treasury. At that time, it would inevitably affect…”
Huang Xing intended to continue detailing the risks but stopped himself and asked, “Does Marquis An Guo know that His Majesty has his own plans?”
Liang Xiao nodded, “Ouyang Ji and others finally have an ‘opportunity to perform,’ and if they receive praise from the Son of Heaven, it can be considered a way to ease the conflict between the two sides.”
Huang Xing suddenly understood, “You mean, His Majesty merely gave a vague agreement to appease them, and the final decision on specific implementation still rests with His Majesty!”
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, “However, I do intend to seek an audience with His Majesty. If Minister Huang and Zhang Yang have anything else, I can convey it for them.”
He would absolutely not disclose the matter of the treasure, not even to his closest relatives. This was to avoid suspicion.
Huang Xing frowned, “The Ouyang family has been restless lately, all wanting to learn about movable type printing from me. I, as per the imperial decree, dare not reveal anything. The Huang family has no intention of venturing into the publishing business. If Marquis An Guo wishes to seize the opportunity, he must act quickly…”
“That is precisely my intention,” Liang Xiao nodded gravely.
He was going to see Xiao Qing today to discuss matters concerning various ‘workshops.’
Lu Yi had already led his troops away from the capital yesterday, and Liang Xiao also had to return to Yanzhou to resolve matters there, establish the training blueprint for the Great Qian Iron Guard and the Qingtian Guard, and then head south to seek talent.
In the Imperial Study, upon entering, Liang Xiao saw Khelrist sitting respectfully opposite Xiao Qing, her expression agitated.
Before Liang Xiao could speak, Xiao Qing said first, “My dear minister, Khelrist has learned of the retrieval of the treasure, but to avoid suspicion, she requests that I do not reveal the exact quantity…”
Liang Xiao looked at Khelrist and clasped his fists, “Many thanks for the treasure from the Kingdom of Gumo!”
Without this treasure map, his and Xiao Qing’s plans would have been delayed for several years, or even decades. He naturally could not delay his retirement and enjoy his life.
Khelrist, as the provider of the treasure, actively avoiding suspicion was truly commendable!
Khelrist rose and bowed to Liang Xiao, “I should be the one thanking you. This treasure rightfully belongs to Great Qian. If not for General Tian’s rescue, and Your Majesty and Marquis An Guo’s magnanimity, I…”
As she spoke, Khelrist’s eyes reddened, almost to tears.
Seeing this, Liang Xiao felt a pang of emotion.
He, disguised as General Tian, had saved the White Robed Army, and incidentally, rescued the diplomatic envoy of the Kingdom of Gumo. He had also promised Khelrist not to harm her. Little did he know such an opportunity would arise.
After Khelrist departed, Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao with a heartbroken expression, “Elder Brother, she has told me everything about your situation with Khelrist. You foolish elder brother…”
Ning Xuejun, standing behind Xiao Qing, also looked at Liang Xiao with an appreciative gaze.
Although the status of women in Great Qian was not low, the mainstream was still male superiority.
The fact that Liang Xiao could so respect a woman’s wishes was already precious.
With no outsiders present, Liang Xiao finally spoke softly, “Little Shuangzi, Shuang’er is just a princess. You are the ruler of a nation. You cannot mistreat Shuang’er further. After all, you haven’t even started a family yet…”
Hearing this, Xiao Qing suppressed a laugh and interrupted Liang Xiao, “I know!”
This fellow still thought that ‘Little Shuangzi’ was mistreating ‘Princess Ning Shuang’?
Only then did Liang Xiao feel at ease and said solemnly, “On the wedding night, elder brother will surely deal with her properly!”
Xiao Qing almost fell off her chair.
“Oh…”
Xiao Qing’s heart was in turmoil, and she quickly changed the subject, “Elder Brother, Little Shuangzi is currently discussing my father’s temple name and posthumous title with the Prime Minister and others. What do you think, Elder Brother? Temple name ‘Zhongzong,’ posthumous title ‘Wendi’?”
“Great Qian Zhongzong, Wendi. It suits him perfectly!” Liang Xiao nodded gravely.
Xiao Qing’s father was also a benevolent ruler, diligent in governance, and cared for the people, allowing them to recover and prosper.
Unfortunately, the deep-rooted aristocratic clans of Great Qian and the contradictions of land annexation were historical problems that had not been resolved since the previous dynasty, Da Heng.
Receiving Liang Xiao’s sincere praise, Xiao Qing’s face lit up, “Indeed! After my father’s death, he could still send Elder Brother and General Tian to save Great Qian…”
As Xiao Qing spoke, she observed Liang Xiao’s expression. Seeing his calm demeanor, she became even more perplexed.
In fact, Liang Xiao often pondered whether he should reveal his identity as General Tian to Xiao Qing.
He could see that although Lu Yi and Wang Canghai respected him, there was still a necessary degree of caution.
But hiding it from such a lovely Little Shuangzi always made him feel a little guilty.
Maintaining the status quo, Little Shuangzi would remain the adorable Little Shuangzi, and there would be no need to worry about ‘accompanying a ruler being like accompanying a tiger,’ right?
After much thought, Liang Xiao decided that he would consider revealing his identity at least after officially becoming a consort.
Once he had made up his mind, Liang Xiao asked, “Then, what kind of temple name and posthumous title does Little Shuangzi hope to receive after her passing? Shizong? Shengzu? Shengzong? Wudi? Xuandi?”
Xiao Qing pondered for a moment and smiled, “That depends on what great achievements Elder Brother helps your Little Shuangzi achieve. One cannot bestow posthumous titles and temple names while still alive!”
Liang Xiao nodded with a smile.
Xiao Qing said seriously, “As for you, Elder Brother, after your passing, you will surely receive the posthumous title ‘Wenzheng’! Even if Little Shuangzi passes away before you, Little Shuangzi’s… descendants will still bestow honors upon you!”
Towards the end, Xiao Qing’s face turned red.
Little Shuangzi’s descendants would also be her and Liang Xiao’s descendants, wouldn’t they?
Wenzheng?
Liang Xiao fell silent.
This was the highest posthumous title for a civil official.
He was still alive, and his identity as ‘General Tian’ had already earned him the highest posthumous title for a military official, ‘Zhongwu’…
Liang Xiao blushed for a moment before replying, “Elder Brother hopes to pass away before Little Shuangzi in the future.”
“Why?” Xiao Qing asked, inexplicably saddened.
“Because elder brother knows he cannot bear to live without Little Shuangzi,” Liang Xiao sighed.
Xiao Qing covered her face and wept.
Liang Xiao patted Xiao Qing’s shoulder to comfort her, “We can both live to a hundred years old! A hundred years is too long, seize the day! Be happy!”
“Seize the day!” Xiao Qing then broke into a smile, tears ceasing.
The two began to discuss matters concerning the ‘workshops.’
The laws of Great Qian prohibited private manufacturing of weapons, but Xiao Qing, considering the needs of the northern military camps and the more exquisite weapon blueprints provided by Liang Xiao, after consulting with Wang Canghai and Lu Yi, decided to support Liang Xiao in establishing his own workshop in Yanzhou, specifically for researching new weapons.
Liang Xiao did not refuse; on the contrary, he greatly needed a workshop that he could command as if it were an extension of his own arm.
His former main profession was special forces. This miscellaneous knowledge was acquired to adapt to roles like teacher and student, and some of it was also a hobby, a pastime.
Even with Liang Xiao’s superhuman memory, it was unrealistic to fully recreate these technologies solely through his own thoughts. Many technologies were based on Liang Xiao’s impressions. For example, the curved-shaft plow required continuous research and improvement, and might even need the assistance of Zhang Yang and others.
At that time, he could confidently research and preserve black powder!
Liang Xiao had been hesitant to research and promote gunpowder because it was not practical against nomadic peoples like the Barbarians. Instead, the Barbarians might use gunpowder to destroy Great Qian’s military fortresses!
As for the common people of Great Qian not having firecrackers to play with, he didn’t care; there were no Spring Festivals or similar holidays here anyway!
“The weapons Elder Brother wishes to research, such as the ‘Repeating Crossbow’ and the ‘Divine Arm Crossbow,’ are these higher-level weapons than the existing strong crossbows?” Xiao Qing asked.