Chapter 15: A Hero Who Saves the World and Rescues the People?

“Please rest assured, Lord Liang. The Zhongli family does not easily believe rumors and looks forward to future cooperation with you,” Zhongli Wanxue said as she took her leave. Liang Xiao watched her go, silently admiring her. This woman was no ordinary person. Her parting words first made clear she had no intention of becoming his enemy and expressed a willingness to collaborate, yet she did not offer any easy promises. He himself knew his current situation was unfavorable and that he must proceed with utmost caution. Whether the Zhongli family was trustworthy would become clear once they reached Pei County.

When Zhongli Wanxue returned to her cabin, her elderly father, Zhongli Xiu, was already pacing anxiously. “Wanxue! Did he behave rudely or disrespectfully?” Wanxue raised her delicate brows and replied, “Father, you have a keen eye. He will surely be an official who works for the welfare of the people.” Hearing this, Zhongli Xiu immediately grew wary. “It was only a brief meeting. You’re such a clever girl; don’t be fooled by his smooth words!” Wanxue leisurely sat down and began to write, inscribing two lines that Zhongli Xiu himself had previously praised about Liang Xiao:

“The rise and fall of empires is but a breeze through one’s sleeves; the vicissitudes of a century can be told in a single night’s words! For him, the rise and fall of dynasties and the ebb and flow of a hundred years are merely a breeze through empty sleeves, something to be spoken of in passing... what grand vision and magnanimous heart!”

“Ride the long wind and break the waves over ten thousand miles! What lofty ambition and heroic spirit—such is the way of a true man!”

Watching her daughter’s earnest and elegant handwriting, Zhongli Xiu’s face darkened as he began to offer earnest counsel. “Foolish girl! Today’s scholars speak sweet words but do wicked deeds. You must be more discerning!” Zhongli Wanxue was unconcerned. “Father, he is definitely different from the rest.” Zhongli Xiu’s heart bled. Were not these very words his own previous appraisal of Liang Xiao? How could he face such a boomerang return? This was bad, very bad! “In any case, you must not get too close to him. Whether the Zhongli family cooperates with him depends entirely on his future conduct!” Zhongli Xiu restrained his frustration. This was his precious daughter, cherished by the entire clan—held carefully lest she fall, treasured as if she might melt away! Zhongli Wanxue merely responded casually, her eyes lingering on the words she had written. He truly was different—after all, he was far more than just a scholar.

Returning to her cabin, Zhongli Wanxue gently opened the small window and gazed in the direction where Liang Xiao was, lost in thought. “Perhaps the reason he allowed Sima Lingyun to take credit and rewards was because he felt isolated and powerless, and thus chose to endure?” “As for Situ Luoyue, clearly betrothed to him, yet she flirted with Sima Lingyun at the northern border and became a battlefield legend... is it not the woman who was unfaithful?” “The maid beside him, with her kind and gentle eyes, looks upon me with only respect and tenderness—she hardly seems like a poisonous woman.” After long contemplation, Zhongli Wanxue suddenly snapped awake, her cheeks flushed. Was she falling into the trap of seeing him only in the best light? She took a deep breath, striving to remain calm and objective. Setting aside the possibility that he might be the general, focusing solely on Liang Xiao’s words and actions today... Once assured of her impartiality, she recalled his smiling face. “Ah, he is quite handsome... Fine, I’ll just admit I’m attracted to his looks!” Since childhood, she had vowed to marry only a hero who could save the world and help the people. Whether scholar or warrior, if he was a hero who aided the world’s suffering, even if hideously ugly, she would wholeheartedly stand by him. “If my man is both a hero who saves the world and strikingly handsome... well, then I have no choice but to accept reality.” Late at night, in the quiet darkness beneath the covers, a young girl’s delighted laughter softly echoed.

The next morning, the fleets set sail toward the northern shore. Those who had previously approached Liang Xiao had long since distanced themselves. Even the Zhongli family’s boats maintained at least fifty paces from Liang Xiao. Zhongli Xiu and his daughter did not visit him again. Zhongli Wanxue did not reveal Liang Xiao’s true identity to her father. Not only was she still uncertain of her recognition, but even if she was correct, Liang Xiao himself did not wish to disclose it, so she naturally remained silent. Seeing that his daughter no longer mentioned Liang Xiao, Zhongli Xiu finally relaxed. After all, it was natural for a young beauty to admire a young man for a while. He trusted his daughter’s judgment implicitly! The Zhongli family had never made a losing business deal. Even with his daughter’s casual management, the family had earned a substantial profit. Liang Xiao was prepared for the cold and warm treatment of others and did not take it to heart. The Sima family was at the height of its power, so it was only natural for strangers to react as they did. Now, his sole focus was to reach Pei County quickly and take control of the situation.

Pei County had no magistrate, only the deputy magistrate Yuan Bailong, who, according to the intelligence Wang Teng provided, was a loyal retainer of the Sima family. With the magistrate dead, Yuan Bailong held all the power in Pei County. However, the northern region’s people were mostly poor, and wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few, so Yuan Bailong’s share was not so easily gained. This trip included Liang Xiao’s own core team, two scribes introduced by Wang Teng, and ten guards assigned by the court. The guards, once they arrived at the Liang residence, accepted Liang Xiao’s gifts and were well-fed and treated, naturally showing him utmost respect and responding eagerly to his every request, handling every detail to ease his burdens along the way.

Zhuo Zifang fully approved of Liang Xiao’s decision not to immediately win over the Zhongli family. The situation in Pei County was uncertain; Liang Xiao had no roots there and was an outsider. Discussing cooperation was premature and might even be counterproductive.

“What’s this?” Inside the cabin, Zhuo Zifang watched curiously as Liang Xiao sketched some machinery on paper. “This is a plan for the future. Time is precious and must not be wasted,” Liang Xiao explained. The dream he had lived through felt so real that it gave him a sudden clarity, as if clouds had parted to reveal sunlight. Many contemporary techniques paled in comparison, with efficiency barely reaching one percent. These diagrams were attempts to combine his knowledge and memories of that “hometown” to improve some military equipment and craftsmanship, potentially bettering his situation. The diagrams also included the hometown’s numerical symbols and concepts, unintelligible to outsiders even if leaked.

Zhuo Zifang, watching with great interest, exclaimed, “These seem like brilliant ideas that must be kept strictly confidential...” Ling Yan poured tea beside them, looking at the diagrams with a puzzled expression. It was not that she was dull; even Zhuo Zifang occasionally showed confusion. Liang Xiao understood and, once the ink dried, carefully stored these diagrams in a large wooden chest. These were preliminary ideas; whether they proved useful would depend on putting them into practice once he controlled the workshops in Pei County.

In the afternoon, the fleets gradually arrived at the northern shore.