“When the time comes, you only need to report to the Emperor. Not to mention my entire family, my ancestral graves will probably be dug up and my bones crushed to dust.” Zhang Jun said with a wry smile, “Lord Chu, how could I possibly joke about the lives of my whole family?”
That being said, the matter is of utmost importance.
Chu Jinjin took her life lightly. She should have died in the apocalypse. Living these extra years and being so happy, with a family and loving parents, she had no regrets.
Eight thousand people in Black Tiger Mountain Village—that's countless families.
Chu Jinjin stubbornly replied, "No, that reason isn't enough. What if you've planned this all along?"
Zhang Jun tried to offer a more compelling reason: "This humble servant also wishes to make a contribution. You are the Imperial Envoy, and when the rewards are distributed afterward, this humble servant should be the one to receive the greatest merit. Lord Chu, your entire family will also benefit from this merit and achieve fame. Aren't these two things enough?"
Chu Jinjin shook her head slightly: "Not enough."
Chu Jinjin had actually already believed it; rather than questioning it, she was convincing herself.
Everyone fell silent.
It seems there's no other way.
Chu Jinjin's caution is understandable.
Zhang Jun glanced at the sky, gritted his teeth, and said, "Lord Chu, if you hesitate any longer, there may not be enough time."
Chu Jinjin needs to persuade the people of Black Tiger Mountain Stronghold, while he also needs to persuade his superiors. They are not even 100% sure of success. It is not something that can be resolved in a short time until both sides agree.
If the officers and soldiers were to wake up before taking action, the opportunity for a surprise attack would be lost.
Chu Jinjin took a breath and was about to speak when she suddenly turned her head. Before anyone could react, a dart shot into the dark night.
Someone's coming!
He's quite skilled.
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat.
Chu Jinjin rushed towards the direction of the dart, so fast that she was almost invisible. She didn't know who it was, but to notice someone at such close range was obviously no less skilled than her.
A low male voice came from the night: "Miss Jinjin, it's me."
Chu Jinjin: "...Chief Jie?"
Jie Du was dressed in black, with his long hair tied back, but his expression was not good. He chuckled softly, "Miss Jin Jin, if it were anyone else, they would probably be dead by now."
He had just gotten close, before he could even see the person, when a dart struck without warning.
Chu Jinjin was both surprised and delighted: "Chief Jie, what brings you here? How many men did you bring?"
"Thank you, Mr. Xie." Jie Du looked at the dumbfounded soldiers, not knowing what had happened, and looked at Chu Jinjin in confusion, "What's this?"
This area is not within the Black Eagle Mountain stronghold's territory, but there are informants here. After receiving a message from Chu Jinjin's brother via carrier pigeon that had been stolen by Li Dahua, he traveled through the night and thankfully made it in time.
After listening to Chu Jinjin quickly recount what had happened, Jie Du felt at a loss for words.
They were old acquaintances, and Chu Jinjin felt as if she had seen a savior. She hesitated and said, "Don't just stand there, Chief Xie. You are knowledgeable and experienced. Give me some advice."
Instead of answering directly, Jie Du asked a seemingly random question: "Do you trust me?"
Chu Jinjin was taken aback for a moment: "I guess so."
“Then I will believe Miss Jinjin.” Jie Du looked deeply at the vibrant woman who seemed to be forever out of reach, his feelings extremely complicated. Reason told him that the two were not destined to be together, but how could he let go of her feelings so easily? Just like when he heard the news, he rushed over immediately.
Jie Du took a deep breath, banishing the inappropriate emotions he was having, and looked at Zhang Jun, asking solemnly, "Is the county town garrison under the command of Lü Yulei?"
Zhang Jun looked shocked: "How do you know my master's name?"
He turned to Chu Jinjin and asked, "Lord Chu, who is this brave man?"
Chu Jinjin proudly introduced, "Have you heard of the Black Eagle Mountain stronghold chief?"
Zhang Jun: "......"
I've heard more than just about it.
However, what shocked him even more was what followed. Jie Du took out a jade pendant and tossed it to him, saying calmly, "Give this to Lü Yulei and tell him that an old friend is waiting for him here."
Zhang Jun: "Huh?"
Chu Jinjin was also bewildered, and became even more curious about Jie Du's identity.
The leader of the garrison in a county town is a figure of considerable influence, with a status and authority far exceeding that of a county magistrate, roughly equivalent to that of a prefect.
Jie Du actually knew him, and judging from his tone, it wasn't just an ordinary relationship.
After Zhang Jun left, she couldn't help but ask, "Chief Jie, can you persuade this Lü Yulei?"
“I once saved his life.” After saying this, Jie Du paused for a long time, so long that Chu Jinjin thought he would not say anything more, before he added, “I did not mean to hide it, it’s just that the time was not right.”
Chu Jinjin quickly waved her hand: "No need."
She could vaguely guess what it was, but didn't want to know.
Chu Jinjin quickly changed the subject: "By the way, I didn't have time to ask in detail last time, how's the hot air balloon project going?"
Looking at the heavy but incredibly powerful siege weapons during the day, her biggest thought was how wonderful it would be to have a hot air balloon.
The mountain stronghold held a superior position, using hot air guns to fire arrows or other projectiles from above, leaving the government troops with no chance to fight back except to flee.
Jie Du smiled and nodded: "I was just about to tell Miss Jin Jin that it has taken off successfully."
Chu Jinjin became a hands-off manager, providing a rough map and explanation of the principles before leaving it to others. He himself participated and managed to barely understand what thermal expansion and contraction was.
The hot air balloon was made of lambskin, and just yesterday, it carried a hot air balloon with a weight equivalent to that of an adult for several hundred meters.
There are still many problems.
For example, more precise directional control is needed; you can't just fly over the enemy's head and never return.
Even so, he saw the immense power once it took shape, which, without exaggeration, would surpass that of a thousand troops.
He didn't notice that Chu Jinjin's expression suddenly became a little strange.
Chu Jinjin is the type of person who will repay a hundredfold if you are kind to her. She forcibly held back a sentence.
In the apocalypse, making bombs and similar things is common sense; everyone can do it. Although she wasn't particularly good at it, it wasn't a problem.
When she first transmigrated, she planned ahead every day and even searched for raw materials.
But she wasn't sure whether she should say it.
That could change the world.
The two chatted idly for a while, until finally, they heard light and quick footsteps approaching.
When Zhang Jun returned, the man running in front of him was disheveled and disheveled, looking like he had come in a hurry.
Lu Yulei's gaze immediately locked onto Jie Du, and he knelt down from a distance: "Young Master Jie, it really is you."
His lips trembled with excitement.
"There's no need for such a grand gesture." Jie Du accepted it very naturally. Chu Jinjin was extremely familiar with this kind of aura. What kind of environment shapes what kind of personality. For example, Chu Jinjin couldn't accept people kowtowing to her all the time.
Jie Du helped him up: "General Zhang, have you informed Lord Chu of your plans?"
Only then did Lü Yulei realize that there were outsiders present, and he solemnly greeted them: "This humble servant Lü Yulei greets Your Excellency the Imperial Envoy. I have offended you greatly during the day."
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