This was merely Li Xiuyun's account. Six hundred volumes of ancient texts contained an immense amount of information, so much so that the Ye family would risk their lives to escort them to Luzhou, highlighting their importance. Even Liang Xiao was quite curious.
What other content did they record?
The Ye family was originally from the southwestern region of Xichuan. For them to suddenly flee to Luzhou in Jiangnan, rather than making a copy of the ancient texts and sending it to the capital earlier, there must have been a difficult reason behind it. It might even be related to the rebellion in Xichuan.
"If Xichuan cannot be pacified quickly, perhaps I should personally lead the troops!" Liang Xiao's expression grew solemn.
If Xichuan was unstable, many things could not be accomplished.
Fortunately, the generals in the Hanzhong area supported the imperial authority. At least, the troops of Nan Jiyun and the supplies of the Great Gan Kingdom could travel unimpeded on the road to Hanzhong.
As for now, Liang Xiao urgently needed to be at the center of power, assisting Xiao Qing in stabilizing the court, consolidating the fruits of conquering the barbarian lands, and upgrading military equipment.
For example, he couldn't just let the core disciples of the Dugu family escape, especially Dugu Qun. There would be a reckoning sooner or later... 138 Reading Network.
The He and Dugu families had already adopted a subservient stance, more obedient than ever before. This made it difficult for Xiao Qing to establish absolute legitimacy. He could only slowly cultivate talent to replace them.
After all, even if the families that pledged allegiance to Xiao Qing supported imperial authority, they would not want the emperor to punish ministers without reason. Xiao Qing needed to maintain a delicate balance and advance cautiously...
"The Xianbei in the northeast have always harbored hostility towards the Great Gan Kingdom, requiring the consolidation of defenses along the Great Wall and in the northeastern prefectures," Wang Canghai said solemnly.
More than 400,000 new recruits had been enlisted across various regions. These new recruits still needed to undergo training, and they were using the military equipment of the barbarian lands sent from the northern frontier. Innovation was urgently needed.
"Have Nie Yuan defend. As long as they are not careless or face a natural disaster, it shouldn't be a problem." Liang Xiao spoke, yet still uneasy. He immediately penned a letter and placed it in a brocade pouch.
Xiao Qing and the assisting ministers looked at the contents of Liang Xiao's letter, their faces filled with surprise. "Can it really be done this way?"
Liang Xiao smiled. "When the weather turns bitterly cold, we can send someone to try it out and see. This plan is just a backup, ensuring absolute security in the northeast. In fact, I secretly practiced it last year when defending against Zuo Xianwang. As long as the weather is cold enough, it is completely feasible!"
Having experienced the earthquake in Luzhou that collapsed city walls, no one was more concerned about natural disasters and accidents than Liang Xiao now.
Anything was possible. All he could do was to eliminate these possibilities with all his might!
Xiao Qing, both surprised and delighted, immediately dispatched his shadow guards to secretly send the letter to the northeast, to Nie Yuan.
High up in the West Palace Villa, Liang Xiao embraced Xiao Qing, gazing towards the northwest with piercing eyes.
Nan Jiyun was cautious enough in his campaigns, but Xichuan was a strategically defensible region, especially when attacking mountain cities. Caution alone would not suffice.
Moreover, a large number of members of the Huichun Sect were lurking in the Upper Xichuan region, and the common people were deeply harmed.
It seemed he truly needed to go there himself.
At night, Liang Xiao returned home to accompany his wife and children. Suddenly, an urgent report arrived: the Dugu and He families had come to visit, bringing a stack of calling cards.
Dugu Qun, He Wanli, Dugu Liang, He Anting, Dugu Xiao...
A total of twenty core members from both families came to pay their respects to Liang Xiao. They even voluntarily requested to be searched by the guards of Liang Mansion, hoping that Liang Xiao would feel at ease to meet them.
"What is this group of people up to?" Liang Qing asked, speechless.
He and Luo Changfeng, as the Left and Right Generals, had successfully retired to their hometowns yesterday, preparing to enjoy their old age. After all, the current situation was excellent, and they were no longer needed to merely represent the court. They were also eager to spend time with their great-grandchildren at home.
Having shed his official duties, Luo Changfeng felt relieved to reside in Liang Mansion, no longer worried about anyone pointing fingers.
"They cannot possibly have sincerely repented," Liang Xiao mused for a moment. He finally decided to meet them, but he also brought along a recording official.
"Marquis An Guo!"
Dugu Qun and the others, who were waiting in the reception hall, were being closely guarded by the Liang Mansion guards. As they saw Liang Xiao approaching from a distance, they all rose and greeted him.
"Your visit so late at night greatly surprises me, esteemed Marquis," Liang Xiao said with a meaningful smile.
As his words fell, all twenty people abruptly knelt towards Liang Xiao and kowtowed!
The surrounding Liang Mansion guards were dumbfounded.
How could the Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor of the court, along with ministers of rank five or higher, kneel before their second young master?
Liang Xiao was secretly astonished. He immediately called for everyone to rise, pouting, "Are you all trying to roast me over a fire? The Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor of the court only kneel before the Emperor. How can they kneel to a colleague? I will report this matter truthfully!"
"In the past, we deserved our punishment. We sincerely repent and only beg Marquis An Guo for mercy!" Dugu Qun and He Wanli pleaded in unison.
"Mercy?" Liang Xiao feigned surprise, then looked innocent. "I have always served the country and the people with my heart, focusing on actions rather than individuals. You all know this. If you all perform your duties diligently and serve your lord loyally, what is there to fear from others?"
After speaking, Liang Xiao still felt unsatisfied and had two recording officials document the events that transpired.
Dugu Qun and the others suppressed their hatred, their faces filled with sincerity. "In the past, we were blind and failed the Emperor's cultivation. From this day forward, we will truly mend our ways. We only hope Marquis An Guo will speak well of us to His Majesty, and from now on, we will work together wholeheartedly for the country and the people!"
Liang Xiao smiled. "You gentlemen may go and pledge your loyalty to His Majesty. Whether you beat your heads on the ground or donate money to show your resolve, you shouldn't come to me. I have always conducted official business impartially and performed my duties diligently. For matters beneficial to the nation, I will naturally dedicate myself. Do you understand my meaning?"
"Understood! We will certainly be cautious in our words and actions from now on and will never be arrogant..." Everyone replied obsequiously. The guards and recording officials were all stunned.
Liang Xiao smiled and patted the shoulders of Dugu Qun and He Wanli. "If you gentlemen can truly mend your ways and focus on your families, His Majesty will surely entrust you with important responsibilities."
Dugu Qun and He Wanli could only force a slight smile and nod repeatedly. "Marquis An Guo's teachings are wise!"
Patting someone's shoulder was an action typically done by elders to juniors or peers. Liang Xiao's gesture was self-explanatory!
Dugu Liang pleaded, "Marquis An Guo, this old man is living in idleness and wishes to serve the country. May I...?"
"Old Mr. Dugu should ask the Grand Tutor to approach the Emperor. What are you looking for me for?" Liang Xiao shook his head.
Dugu Liang could only leave with the others, but Liang Xiao called them back.
Liang Xiao instructed the recording officials to accurately record the content of their meeting and presented it to them.
"If you gentlemen believe this account to be true, please sign and seal it, lest I be slandered."
After reading the content, Dugu Qun and the others did not dare to disobey and signed one by one.
After sending everyone away, Liang Xiao immediately dispatched Liang Mingyu to the palace to deliver the record to Xiao Qing, reminding him, "One must not take this lightly."
Upon returning to the Dugu family, the twenty individuals broke their arrows and swore an oath: "We shall not be human if we do not destroy Liang Xiao and the incompetent emperor!!"
They had begged Liang Xiao for mercy in the most humble manner, creating room for themselves and subtly trying to trap Liang Xiao. Yet, Liang Xiao had acted so cautiously, maintaining an appearance of impartiality and leaving no room for external criticism.
While Liang Xiao was handling household affairs and stabilizing the situation in the capital, awaiting news from Xichuan, in the west of the continent, the new barbarian king Atilla, who had been expanding southwestward, personally led a vanguard of twenty thousand troops to sweep through the southwestern region.