Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng had already gone to the palace to wait. It was said that the White Robed Army would go to the Temple of General Tian to offer sacrifices and then proceed to the palace for rewards.
However, since Liang Xiao and his companions held no official positions, they could only watch from within the crowd.
Outside the Shenwei Mansion, it was already a sea of people, a cacophony of noise.
Countless citizens of the capital had gathered, looking north with eager anticipation.
The winter's chill seemed to be utterly insignificant to them.
Liang Xiao and his group waited quietly outside the Shenwei Mansion.
It was said that the common people had voluntarily formed a welcoming procession for the White Robed Army, stretching from this very spot all the way to the north city gate.
Within the imperial palace, Xiao Qing and the court officials were also waiting.
"General Tian's divine might is unparalleled, his achievements immortal. The soldiers on the front lines are equally worthy of the admiration of the military and the populace. Of the seven thousand White Robed soldiers who followed General Tian into battle and annihilated the enemy, nine out of ten have fallen heroically. Those who survived are all wounded. I will not permit anyone later to look down upon the White Robed Army; violators will be severely punished!"
Xiao Qing's clear, cold voice echoed in the great hall. The officials were solemn and readily pledged their obedience.
No matter how much the Great Qian dynasty favored civil officials over military ones, at this juncture, not a single civil official dared to incur the wrath of the masses.
The ministers of the Six Ministries had prepared proposals and presented memorials concerning the White Robed Army.
Xiao Qing approved them on the spot and smiled with satisfaction.
"It seems all you esteemed officials acknowledge the merits of our soldiers! The Ministry of Revenue must also cease to belittle the refugees!"
The officials below dared not disobey, responding only with humble murmurs.
"Why has His Majesty suddenly intervened in the matter of the refugees…" Minister of Revenue Ouyang Ji was enraged in his heart, yet maintained a smile on his face.
Just yesterday, Xiao Qing had personally ordered the Ministry of Revenue to increase its allocations to ensure that refugees would no longer starve, and had even dispatched his trusted eunuchs to supervise, preventing the Ministry of Revenue officials from pocketing any illicit gains.
"Liang Xiao!"
Outside the Shenwei Mansion, as Liang Xiao and his companions were idly waiting, a call suddenly came from afar.
Everyone turned to see Gu Shaoyan, Gu Xiaoxiao, Mu Hong, and Mu Wanjun approaching with servants from their estates.
Upon seeing Liang Xiao again, Gu Xiaoxiao and Mu Wanjun's gazes were filled with reverence.
Gu Shaoyan said, "Liang Xiao, I just asked Zhuo Lingjun and learned that you also participated in the Selection of Officials for State Affairs! Have you made any preparations for this selection?"
"No, the Son of Heaven himself sets the questions. Who can know what the Selection of Officials for State Affairs is about?" Liang Xiao shook his head.
Mu Hong smiled, "In any case, the more profound one's knowledge, the better! Your literary talent is outstanding; I and Shaoyan admit we are inferior. However, in other aspects, we will not concede."
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded.
In matters of scholarship, there is no absolute first; for these two, scions of noble families, to acknowledge someone from a military lineage like his was already quite commendable.
Mu Wanjun, hiding behind Mu Hong, said weakly, "Liang Xiao, Qingxue, I am very sorry about what happened that night. I have realized my mistake..."
Luo Qingxue said softly, "Let the past be the past."
The others felt a sense of relief.
Gu Shaoyan and his group bid farewell to Liang Xiao and went to meet their other friends.
Liang Xiao glanced at Luo Qingxue, who was conversing with Yue Lian and Zhen Mi, and felt a pang of emotion.
Due to the national policy of favoring civil officials over military ones, the military commanders of the Great Qian dynasty were widely marginalized.
To avoid suspicion, military men rarely associated with each other in private.
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng, as the Left and Right Generals, had such a close friendship that they even planned for their families to intermarry, which led to numerous impeachments by civil officials.
Lu Yi, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, also had a heroic son, Lu Changhe, but he had no connection with Liang Xiao and his two brothers.
Even Liang Feng, who served as a Commandant, merely exchanged pleasantries with Lu Changhe, fearing to be accused of forming cliques.
"Fortunately, I still have my little Shuangzi, who truly warms my heart."
Thinking of his sworn brother, Liang Xiao's lips curved into a slight smile.
This sworn brother had such a good temper, and only he could tolerate Liang Xiao, his impetuous elder brother. Liang Xiao liked him more and more.
Therefore, Liang Xiao was more than willing to help his little Shuangzi gain the Emperor's trust. And his little Shuangzi had not disappointed him, performing admirably.
Whether it was registering the clans of the officials or promoting "Refuting the Spring Teachings," everything proceeded in the direction Liang Xiao had predicted, and even surpassed his expectations.
Hearing Liang Xiao's words, Luo Qingxue's expression turned odd, and she teased, "You've said that three times already! Thankfully, that little Shuangzi is a eunuch, otherwise, I'd really suspect you of being a homosexual."
Liang Xiao smiled without speaking.
The capital city, bathed in the morning sun, was still covered in a layer of snow but had lost its former biting cold.
As noon approached, the gaze of the people grew increasingly fervent.
Liang Xiao sat on a chair provided by a guard, his eyes closed, resting.
A horn sounded in the distance, electrifying everyone. Liang Xiao also slowly rose and returned to his original position.
The north city gate was a frenzy of activity. A cavalry unit finally entered the city, and the crowd lined the streets to welcome them!
This cavalry unit was heavily armored, mounted on white horses, and clad in white battle robes, exuding an aura of grim determination, the very image of a battle-hardened army.
The young man leading them had a stern face and an imposing presence.
Seven hundred White Robed soldiers!
After entering the city, the White Robed soldiers dismounted, removed their weapons, and proceeded on foot.
"Great generals of renown do not hoard their power; a thousand armies and ten thousand horses make way for the White Robes!!"
The waiting populace erupted in earth-shattering cheers, welcoming the heroes' triumphant return.
The fervor spread from one to ten, then to a hundred, and soon the entire official road echoed with the repeated cries of the crowd.
From the back of the crowd, Luo Qingxue excitedly said to Liang Xiao, "I came up with that line!"
"Our Qingxue is truly a talented woman!" Liang Xiao nodded in praise.
"Hmph, not as good as you..." Luo Qingxue couldn't help but chide playfully, yet she couldn't conceal the joy on her face, much like a little girl praised by her parents.
"The White Robed Army is here!"
Amidst the cheers from afar, mingled with the surprised exclamations of the people, Liang Xiao and his companions turned their attention north with renewed vigor.
Seven hundred White Robed soldiers, led by the Feathered Forest Guards on either side, marched towards the Shenwei Mansion.
At the center of this formation were several carriages, their contents tightly covered by white cloths.
"Great generals of renown do not hoard their power; a thousand armies and ten thousand horses make way for the White Robes!"
The crowd's cheers grew even louder, and countless young men and women shrieked with excitement.
No one doubted that if not for the guards lining the official road, these people would have already surged forward like a tide to greet the White Robed Army.
"Is that General Lu, the commander of the White Robed Army? Truly a hero who has achieved greatness at a young age!"
People noticed Lu Changhe, whose face was stern, and praised him without reservation.
Having joined the army at sixteen and becoming a Colonel at twenty-six, he had followed General Tian to achieve countless victories and make a name for himself!
The most enthusiastic applause and cheers were directed at Lu Changhe, yet he maintained a somber expression, showing no hint of joy.
"What is wrong with General Lu?" the crowd wondered.
"What is wrong with the White Robed Army?"
Soon, it was discovered that all the White Robed soldiers wore solemn expressions, not a trace of joy among them!
Luo Qingxue also noticed something amiss, her heart filled with confusion.
Why could the heroes who followed General Tian return victorious but show no joy?
Only Liang Xiao, gazing at the carriages, seemed to understand something, and a look of sorrow also appeared on his face.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward due to the solemn expressions of the White Robed Army.
Under Lu Changhe's command, the seven hundred White Robed soldiers arrived outside the Shenwei Mansion and stopped, gazing intently.
Under the astonished eyes of everyone, Lu Changhe turned and ordered, "Welcome our fallen comrades, their heroic souls return!"
As soon as his voice fell, the seven hundred White Robed soldiers moved in unison, tearing away the white cloths from all the carriages.
The crowd looked closely, and their breaths caught in their throats.
Inside each carriage were several earthenware jars.
Each earthenware jar was inscribed with the name of a deceased soldier, and next to it, a small inscription detailing their life!
Without exception, all had fallen heroically in the decisive battle against the Savage Iron Cavalry!