Seeing her expression, Lu Yan felt smug and continued:
"This hot air balloon can not only be used for sightseeing, but also for military reconnaissance, transmitting messages, and even..."
He paused, then lowered his voice.
"Transport soldiers and launch a surprise attack on the enemy."
Chen Qingwan was startled, and her gaze toward Lu Yan became more inquisitive.
Lu Yan, you are indeed extraordinary!
"Miss Chen, would you be interested in riding with me and experiencing the feeling of looking down from the sky?"
Lu Yan extended an invitation, a hint of cunning in his eyes.
Chen Qingwan hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
I'd like to see what you're really up to.
The two boarded the gondola and slowly rose into the air with the hot air balloon.
The crowds on the ground gradually shrank, and the houses turned into small cubes.
A cool breeze caressed her face, her clothes fluttered, and a strange feeling, unlike anything she had ever experienced before, welled up in Chen Qingwan's heart.
The scenery of Shannan County is breathtaking, with fertile fields and scattered houses.
Rivers meander like silver ribbons.
In the distance, the rolling mountains were draped in a golden veil under the setting sun.
Chen Qingwan was so overwhelmed by the magnificent sight that she was momentarily speechless.
She never imagined that this small Shannan County could have such beautiful scenery.
"How is it, Miss Chen? Is the scenery to your liking?"
Lu Yan's voice rang in my ears, tinged with a hint of amusement.
Chen Qingwan snapped out of her daze and turned to look at Lu Yan.
He wore a faint smile, but his eyes gleamed with wisdom.
At that moment, she suddenly realized that the man in front of her wasn't as bad as she had imagined.
"Under Lord Lu's governance, the people of Shannan County live in peace and prosperity, a truly rare sight."
Chen Qingwan exclaimed sincerely.
Lu Yan smiled, a hint of emotion in his voice:
"I have only done my best. The people living in peace and prosperity is my greatest wish."
He pointed to the neat rows of fields below and said:
“This land used to be wasteland, but now, after improvement, it can be used to grow high-yield crops, so that people no longer go hungry.”
He then pointed to the newly built houses in the distance and said:
"These houses were built for homeless people, to give them a place to shelter from the wind and rain."
Chen Qingwan listened quietly, watching Lu Yan speak eloquently, her eyes filled with admiration.
She originally thought that Lu Yan was just a pleasure-seeking local tyrant.
In retrospect, he was a truly good official who cared about the people.
As the hot air balloon slowly descended, Chen Qingwan's doubts gradually dissipated.
She decided to temporarily put aside her probing of Lu Yan's "rebellion".
Instead, they carefully examined his policies and their actual effects.
After landing, Chen Qingwan said to Lu Yan:
"Lord Lu, your talent is truly admirable. I will certainly report back to His Majesty truthfully upon my return."
Lu Yan cupped his hands and smiled, "Thank you, Miss Chen."
Chen Qingwan gave Lu Yan a deep look, then turned and left.
She thought to herself: Perhaps, this Lu Yan can truly be used by me...
Back at the inn, Chen Qingwan's mind remained unsettled for a long time.
Lu Yan's image kept flashing through my mind, along with the image of him talking eloquently in the hot air balloon.
She realized that her opinion of Lu Yan had changed.
After Chen Qingwan left, the smile on Lu Yan's face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
He knew that Chen Qingwan's "reporting the truth" was just a formality, and the real test was yet to come.
The Empress is not so easily fooled.
Upon returning to the county government office, Lu Yan immediately summoned Lu Fei, Zhang Xun, Han Sheng, Ye Xiao, and Li Kui.
"Xiao Kui, go and bring out all my precious treasures!"
Lu Yan waved his hand, his gesture carrying a hint of commanding authority.
Li Kui ran happily to the warehouse.
A short while later, several soldiers carried in several items covered with red cloth.
Lu Fei and the others stared curiously at the few clumps of red cloth, wondering what treasures lay beneath them.
Lu Yan smiled mysteriously:
"Gentlemen, this is our Shannan County's secret weapon!"
He ripped off the red cloth, revealing underneath—several oddly shaped cannons and an assembled catapult.
"My lord, this is..."
Han Sheng stared wide-eyed at the cannons, speechless with astonishment.
"That's right, these are the latest artillery pieces and the improved catapults."
Lu Yan proudly introduced.
"Further range and greater power!"
"Sir, what are you trying to do..."
Zhang Xun seemed to understand something and asked tentatively.
Lu Yan's smile vanished, and his eyes sharpened.
"Instead of waiting to be killed, let's take the initiative and attack Jianmen Pass!"
Jianmen Pass, the most important pass on the outskirts of Beixiang Kingdom, is easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Taking Jianmen Pass is tantamount to strangling the throat of the Northern Xiang Kingdom.
Upon hearing this, everyone's blood boiled with excitement.
These past few days, they've been holding back their energy, wanting to teach those bastards a lesson.
"My lord, I am willing to be the vanguard!" Lu Fei volunteered first.
Zhang Xun frowned:
"Jianmen Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack. The Northern Xiang Kingdom has stationed tens of thousands of troops here. A direct attack would likely result in heavy losses."
"A strong attack? Who said we should launch a strong attack?"
A sly smile appeared on Lu Yan's lips.
"Let's try something new."
He explained in detail the military uses of hot air balloons and the plan to launch a surprise attack on Jianmen Pass.
Everyone's eyes lit up after hearing this. Han Sheng slapped his thigh:
"Brilliant! This hot air balloon is simply a divine weapon! It descended from the sky, catching them completely off guard!"
Even the usually composed Night Owl couldn't hide his excitement at this moment:
"This humble general is willing to lead the Night Owl Special Forces team to undertake this important mission!"
Shannan County then entered a state of intense preparation.
Gunpowder was manufactured day and night, and improved weapons and equipment were gradually distributed to the soldiers.
Lu Yan even personally took charge, training soldiers in special tactics to meet the needs of hot air balloon operations.
At the same time, the scouts sent out by Lu Yan also reported back on the defenses of Jianmen Pass.
Based on intelligence, Lu Yan continuously adjusted the battle plan, striving for absolute success.
"Xiao Kui, what are your thoughts on this attack on Jianmen Pass?"
Lu Yan asked with a smile.
Li Kui scratched his head and chuckled:
“I knew it, the adults wouldn’t let me sit idle. I think we could…”
Li Kui leaned close to Lu Yan's ear and whispered something to him.
Lu Yan's eyes lit up after hearing this:
"Great idea! Let's do it your way!"
In the dead of night, darkness fell, and it was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
At Jianmen Pass, the garrison of Beixiang Kingdom was drowsy.
They were completely unaware that danger was quietly approaching.
High in the sky, several huge black shadows were slowly drifting in.
By the starlight, one could vaguely make out that they were several huge hot air balloons.
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