After settling the group of eccentric contestants, Lu Yan returned to the government office.
I stretched and heard a crisp "crack" sound.
Startled, he quickly touched his lower back; thankfully, he hadn't hurt it.
"Oh, what a worrisome life!"
He rubbed his temples, feeling a buzzing in his head.
During the Lunar New Year, everyone else is at home eating dumplings and setting off firecrackers.
But he has to deal with this mess here, it's really giving me a headache.
Looking around, the government office was empty and deserted, even quieter than his ancestral graves.
Apart from a few yamen runners on duty, there wasn't a soul in sight.
These constables all looked listless, some even dozing off on the table.
Some huddled together and whispered amongst themselves, probably complaining about his cold and unapproachable magistrate.
Lu Yan was furious. These guys had a more comfortable New Year than he did!
While I'm working myself to the bone worrying about the war, they're all just shirking their responsibilities and having a good time!
He was so angry that he wanted to drag all those guys out and give them a good beating.
"Oh well, never mind, let's not hold a grudge against a petty person."
Lu Yan muttered to himself as he strode toward the city wall.
He needs to go and check on the city's defenses.
We can't let the Northern Xiang Kingdom take advantage of this.
On the city wall, soldiers were patrolling nervously, the atmosphere as heavy as a pot of burnt porridge.
Each soldier was clad in iron armor and wielded a long spear.
His eyes were fixed warily on the distance, as if a thousand troops would charge at him at any moment.
As Lu Yan climbed the city wall, a cold wind blew in his face.
He couldn't help but shudder, feeling much more energetic.
Gazing at the distant, rolling mountains, my mind was filled with countless thoughts.
This mountain, this water, this city—all belong to Lu Yan!
Anyone who dares to invade will never return!
"Han Sheng!" Lu Yan shouted.
The sudden shock startled Han Sheng, who was dozing off, and he nearly fell off the city wall.
He hurriedly ran to Lu Yan, puffed out his chest, raised his head, and answered loudly:
"Reporting to Your Excellency, the city wall has been reinforced, and the rolling logs, stones, molten gold, and oil are all ready!"
I guarantee that any invading enemy will not return alive! I've even prepared a super, invincible, thunderous, gigantic firecracker.
We'll surprise them then!
Lu Yan nodded in satisfaction, patted Han Sheng on the shoulder, and encouraged him:
"Good! Whether you can defend Shannan Prefecture this time depends on you! If you fail, you'll all have to answer to me with your heads!"
"Please rest assured, my lord! I swear to defend Shannan Prefecture to the death! Even if the enemy descends from the sky."
"I guarantee I'll beat them to a pulp!"
Han Sheng was full of passion and high spirits; he was practically ready to break a boulder on his chest right there and then.
Lu Yan then inspected several important checkpoints without stopping.
He repeatedly instructed the garrison commander to strengthen vigilance and guard against any intruders, not allowing even a fly to get in.
They even checked the outhouses, just in case the enemy came out.
He knew all too well that the Northern Xiang Kingdom had always coveted Shannan Prefecture.
This turmoil in Java is the perfect opportunity for them to take advantage of the chaos.
After completing his inspection, Lu Yan dragged his weary body back to the government office.
He slumped into the chair, feeling like his bones were falling apart.
Being a prefect is more tiring than working a regular job in his previous life.
"Someone come here and bring me a pot of the finest tea!"
Lu Yan shouted at the top of his lungs. He just wanted to rest for a while and wait for news from Tu Rong.
A young yamen runner came running in excitedly and poured Lu Yan a cup of tea.
The tea was cloudy and had a few tea leaves floating in it.
Lu Yan picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and almost spat it out.
"What is this stuff? Is it swill? Soak it again!"
The young yamen runner trembled in fright and quickly replaced the tea with a fresh cup.
This time the tea was finally a bit clearer, but it tasted a bit like foot bath water.
Lu Yan didn't bother to argue anymore, gulped down a few mouthfuls, and finally recovered.
"I wonder how Tu Rong is doing?"
He muttered to himself, feeling restless.
At this time, in the Haixia Pass of Java.
It was truly a scene of deafening gongs and drums, crackling firecrackers, waving red flags, and a sea of people...
No, it's a different scene altogether.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was a dark and windy night, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
Only a few scattered stars twinkled in the sky.
Tu Rong and his naval troops were like night owls.
They stealthily made their way to the foot of the dike at Haixia Pass.
They all held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
They were afraid of disturbing the guards on the dike, or the fish, shrimp and crabs in the river.
This is a military operation, not a trip to the market to buy vegetables.
It has to be done secretly, without anyone noticing.
Below this dam, it was pitch black, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
Tu Rong and his companions groped their way forward, occasionally bumping into each other and exclaiming "Ouch!" or "Holy crap!"
If Tu Rong hadn't stopped them in time, they would have almost shouted the secret code, "Heavenly King covers the Earth, Pagoda suppresses the River Demon."
If this gets discovered, we're doomed.
After finally reaching the designated location, bundles of timed detonators were carefully placed at key positions on the dam.
This thunderclap bomb is no ordinary thunderclap bomb; it's a new type of explosive that Lu Yan spent a lot of time upgrading.
It is extremely powerful, has a wide blast radius, and is said to produce colorful fireworks effects.
The fuse hissed and sparked.
Tu Rong took a deep breath and asked in a low voice:
"Is everything ready?"
"Ready, Commander!"
The men answered in unison.
This is their first time blowing up a dam, it's so exciting to think about!
"Light it!" Tu Rong gave the order, and his men immediately lit the fuse.
Tu Rong stared intently at the fuse, silently counting down in her mind:
Five, four, three, two, one...
He dared not go too far, for fear of missing this crucial moment.
There is only one chance to blow up the dam; if it fails, the consequences will be unimaginable.
He had even started fantasizing about what would happen when the dam broke and the floodwaters surged.
The scene depicted Javanese soldiers crying and fleeing in all directions.
"Boom!" A deafening explosion echoed through the night sky.
Immediately following was the thunderous roar of the floodwaters.
The sound was louder than a hundred firecrackers going off at once.
It's more breathtaking than a thousand drums playing in unison!
The massive flow of water was like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins, or a herd of mad rhinoceroses.
Roaring, it breached the dikes and surged towards the towns and villages of Java.
The sheer scale of it was even more spectacular than a dragon emerging from the sea!
That speed is faster than a rocket, and more swift than a meteor!
Although Tu Rong's "new version of the Thunderclap Bomb" had a timer function, giving them ample time to escape.
But Tu Rong was still too close, perhaps to admire his "masterpiece" up close!
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