In the imperial study, Mu Cheng couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"Your son-in-law sees more clearly than others. They only see Liang Xiao's surface, but you can see his true character, and that he always puts the people of Da Gan first in his heart."
Liang Xiao's feint and attack into Xichuan was anticipated by Qin Feng, but there was nothing Great Liang could do.
Mu Cheng also didn't wish to act.
"To have successfully coerced ninety thousand into surrender, it is evident what an image Liang Xiao holds in the hearts of Da Gan's military and populace. This humble son is not even one ten-thousandth of Liang Xiao..." Qin Feng sighed endlessly.
Mu Cheng sighed only for a moment, then carefully took a cloth bundle from his embrace.
Qin Feng's gaze fixed upon it. The bloodstains on the cloth bundle had long since turned green, clearly indicating great age.
Under the astonished gazes of Qin Feng and Zhi Rou, Mu Cheng, with evident reluctance, untied the fastenings.
Inside lay a yellowed and curled envelope. Atop the envelope rested an ancient jade pendant, upon which were inscribed bold characters:
【Liang Family Secures the Nation】
Qin Feng's expression shifted. "This item and this letter, do they pertain to Liang Xiao's father?"
Mu Cheng nodded slightly, gazing northwards with a sorrowful expression. He finally revealed a secret of his "White Dragon Incognito" journey.
"The Northern King of Great Liang is, in truth, a history known to no one. From the moment the previous Northern King accepted the Northern King's seal, the military and populace of Great Liang never saw his true face."
"Back then, I was still under the control of the powerful minister Xiu Ping, the ruler in name only, filled with resentment. I secretly slipped out of the palace, intending to conduct an informal visit. Unexpectedly, I encountered assassins. The one who saved my life in that critical moment was none other than Liang Anguo, who was then traveling through Great Liang, evading the fourth daughter of the Yue family, Yue Hongxiu. I pleaded and cajoled, and we became sworn brothers."
"Later, I had a complete falling out with Xiu Ping, and the court descended into chaos. I was forced to flee the imperial palace, nearly losing my life to Xiu Ping. At the crucial juncture, it was twelve retired soldiers of Great Liang who stepped forward, sacrificing their lives to ensure my survival. The green blood on this cloth bundle is from the robes I wore that day, stained with the blood of these twelve righteous individuals. Liang Anguo rushed back upon hearing the news and, acting in disguise, assassinated Xiu Ping amidst the chaotic battle. I unexpectedly gained the support of the capital's populace, and legitimately reclaimed my power..."
"The entire Xiu clan rebelled, colluding with southern barbarians, and marched directly towards the capital. Liang Anguo, his face concealed by armor, led my army, beheading the enemy chieftain in the midst of countless soldiers, driving back the barbarians, and lifting the siege of the capital! But as you know, Liang Anguo hailed from a prominent military family of Da Gan and could not possibly become a subject of Great Liang. Therefore, no matter how high an official position or how generous the rewards I offered him, he refused to accept."
"Upon his return to his homeland, I gazed northwards across the river, contemplating for a long time. I returned and custom-made a Northern King's seal for him, proclaiming it to be unique for all time. Alas, he never returned to Great Liang. The military and populace of Great Liang all knew of the Emperor's sworn brother—the Northern King, who appeared out of nowhere, killed Xiu Ping with a single sword, slew the barbarian leader, and saved the capital. But he disappeared thereafter, hence his unprecedented ennoblement as King, which no one opposed."
"Liang Anguo, upon returning to his country, later became the An Guo General of Da Gan and died in Helan Mountain. Thus, Great Liang will never accept overtures from the barbarians, and even if one day they can cross the river and unify the nation, they will still fight against the barbarians."
Qin Feng and his wife stared at Mu Cheng, deeply shocked.
Liang Xiao's father and the Emperor of Great Liang had such a connection?
Zhi Rou regained her senses and said word by word, "Your Majesty has gone to such lengths, only to request Marquis Anguo to visit Great Liang. Is he preparing to hand over the empire of Great Liang?"
Qin Feng was also startled!
Mu Cheng shook his head with a bitter smile. "Do you think he would covet it? Would the aristocratic families permit it? It's impossible! How could I possibly put the son of my old friend in danger... It's just that I deeply wish to realize the vision that Liang Anguo and I once envisioned together. But such a vision absolutely cannot be spoken. Not even to you!"
The couple remained bewildered.
"You have already delivered the Northern King's seal to Liang Xiao. When I first learned of Liang Xiao's rise, I was pleased, then jealous, and finally, I was pleased. That Liang Anguo's son could achieve such a feat, leaving a legacy for all time, and that his father too would be remembered in the annals of history, not merely as the Northern King recorded in the chronicles of Great Liang."
"I am well aware that if there is anyone in this world who can truly have a meaningful conversation with me, it would be none other than Liang Xiao. I wish to personally show him Liang Anguo's letter, so that he may understand my ambitions! Liang Anguo kept my secret for me, and I have kept my promise, guarding the secret of the Northern King of Great Liang for him for twenty years, so as not to burden the Liang family in Da Gan. His heart ultimately lies with Da Gan. Everything he did for me was first for loyalty and righteousness, and second for the suffering people of Great Liang in the past."
"Even if he is unwilling to help me, at least he should strive to realize his father's aspirations, right? I also wish to see if he truly resembles his father as much as they say..."
Qin Feng gazed at the yellowed envelope in Mu Cheng's hand and suddenly understood. "So that's how it is..."
At this moment, he seemed to comprehend Mu Cheng's so-called "absurd" actions.
Then what was written in this letter that made Mu Cheng so cautious and unwilling to let anyone other than Liang Xiao see it...
It was clear that this was something Mu Cheng would rather take to his grave than let anyone see, except Liang Xiao.
In the teahouse of Great Liang's Chess Sage, Mu Cheng specifically sent word.
"Coerced over ninety thousand into surrender??"
Zuo Jing gently stroked her pregnant belly, closing her eyes, afraid of revealing her inner pride to anyone.
"Miss Zhuo Er, you see? Your Marquis Anguo is not a cruel and bloodthirsty villain after all; he understands how to subdue the enemy without fighting!" Yue Wenxin's beautiful eyes seemed to sparkle.
"What 'our family'? Don't always speak so carelessly..." Zhuo Yun blushed.
When she had first heard that Liang Xiao had beheaded fifty thousand, she had indeed been shocked and fearful.
Now, it seemed he was only ruthless towards foreign races?
"What's the use! No matter how well he does, he's still a Da Gan person, and the scoundrel son of the scoundrel Liang Anguo!" a senior commented disdainfully.
Yue Wenxin was about to retort when a helpless sigh echoed from behind the screen, from the Chess Sage.
"Hongxiu, after so many years, have you still not let go? The most beautiful woman in Great Liang back then, yet you chose to cut your hair and present yourself as a man. Why the hardship..."
The senior angrily retorted, "He ruined this junior's life, and this junior doesn't even have the right to hate him!"
Silence fell upon the teahouse; everyone was lost in their own thoughts.
The Xianbei people, upon learning of Xichuan, were both shocked and enraged.
"We were actually tricked by Liang Xiao..." the King of Xianbei said, erupting in laughter.
Liang Xiao had merely used a diversionary tactic to frighten their Xianbei cavalry into fleeing into the desert, preventing them from approaching Liaodong further!
The ninety thousand surrendered troops were resettled in Hanzhong and Nanzheng. Notably, the sixty thousand who surrendered willingly could be utilized as reserve forces at any time.
Liang Xiao's army marched on, now stationed fifty li outside Jian'ge.
"The Helian family guarding Jian'ge has at least thirty thousand troops. The Huichun Sect and the Sun Moon Army are uncertain, likely not many. However, if they defend fiercely, thirty thousand soldiers are enough to hold such a strategic pass," Liang Xiao said, looking at the map with a grave expression.
The mountain paths were treacherous, and the time wasted extinguishing fires meant the Da Gan cavalry had failed to catch up to Helian Heng.
Da Gan's gunpowder was running low, and every bit used was a reduction. They could not indiscriminately bombard; efficiency was paramount.
As scouts reported that Jian'ge was already defended, and the soldiers had only marched for one day, Liang Xiao did not immediately attack Jian'ge.
Meanwhile, led by Helian Heng, two thousand men, exhausted from their journey and their horses weary, finally escaped back to Jian'ge.