Inside the Wei King's palace, the gates beckoned entry...
As Yang Xiu understood it, it was surely a matter of "extravagance," that the King of Wei found the palace gates too ostentatious and required them to be torn down and rebuilt.
However, in truth, two lines from Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace" revealed the reality.
— "Heavenly clouds form a celestial canopy; my home aspires to achieve and fulfill its desires."
— "Spreading benevolent governance throughout the realm; showing utmost reverence in the upper capital."
This was "Reverence in the Upper Capital!"
Add "life" to the gate, and those who enter this gate are truly alive!
Only those who acknowledged Old Cao as the King of Wei, only those who unequivocally sided with Old Cao, could continue to exist, to live!
But…
This layer of meaning.
"Hahahaha…"
Seeing Lu Yu in deep thought, Cao Cao surmised that Yu'er had likely guessed it. He then patted Lu Yu on the shoulder.
Immediately, he took the lead, striding with the power of a dragon and the grace of a tiger, towards the palace.
Among the officials behind him…
Xun Yu and Xun You exchanged glances.
Xun Yu spoke first, "To bend with the times, to respond to change with righteousness, circumstances change, and perhaps… one should ultimately change with the trend!"
Xun You pondered for a moment. "Uncle, your achievements are already beyond reproach to the Han dynasty. Today's title of King of Wei is also the Han dynasty's choice. Regardless of anything, our Xun clan has done nothing wrong. Uncle, you need not be too hard on yourself!"
Hard on himself?
Xun Yu smiled faintly. He looked up at Lu Yu, who was still standing at the palace gates, and lowered his voice, murmuring, "May this father and son truly bring eternal peace to the world…"
With these words, Xun Yu strode forward, the first to pass through the gate.
— Those who enter this gate are truly alive…
— After entering this gate, eternal peace shall be attained!
"Lord Ling Xun…"
"Marquis of Baima!"
Beneath the palace gate, Lu Yu and Xun Yu met each other's gaze…
— "Lord Ling Xun, please!"
— "Marquis of Baima, please!"
Lu Yu did not follow Cao Cao into the palace first. He supported Xun Yu, and together they walked into the palace gates, step by step.
Not long after…
The various lords paid their respects to the King of Wei.
They then slowly retreated…
At this moment, the sound of galloping horses approached from afar.
The knight on horseback appeared utterly exhausted, yet he still urged his horse forward, rushing towards them like a whirlwind!
As he reached Lu Yu… the knight on horseback dismounted with a flip, bowed, and handed over a letter.
— "Commander Lu! Confidential report from the Inter-Army Division!"
Inter-Army Division?
Lu Yu was startled and quickly unfolded the secret report.
The moment he unfolded it, his brow furrowed deeply…
This…
This news from Zhulong was like a bolt from the blue!
Lu Yu dared not delay for a moment. He immediately turned and hurried back towards the Wei King's palace!
…
…
Night had already fallen. Diao Chan stood amidst the wind in Luoyang city, by the banks of the Luo River. The new Marquis of Baima's residence was located here, with the Luo River flowing through it. The entire residence was like a garden!
Now… the back gate was open. She gazed at the main gate… seemingly waiting for something with a dazed expression.
The wind blew her sleeves, making her appear so thin and desolate. Beside her, three-year-old Ling Ju tugged at Diao Chan's hand.
"Mother? Who are you waiting for?"
"Waiting…"
Diao Chan was about to speak, but ultimately swallowed her words. Yet, she really wanted to speak.
Finally, she crouched down. "Your elder brother told Mother that a great hero would return tonight. Mother is waiting for him!"
The elder brother Diao Chan referred to was naturally Lu Yu…
In the past, one of the conditions Lu Yu agreed to with Lü Bu was to treat Ling Ju as a sibling.
Therefore, although Ling Ju was only four years old, she always called out "elder brother" whenever she saw Lu Yu.
Lu Yu was also delighted to have gained such a little sister!
"Great hero?"
Ling Ju opened her mouth, seemingly not understanding what the words "great hero" meant.
Diao Chan patiently explained, "He is a great hero who helps hundreds of thousands of common people in the Han dynasty defend the border, exchanging his own hard work for the safety of his family! In Mother's heart, he is a great hero!"
Oh…
Ling Ju scratched her head. "But the great hero hasn't arrived yet, it's so late!"
"I imagine great heroes are always very busy!" Diao Chan gently stroked Ling Ju's forehead. "Great heroes have to save the common people from fire and water! Perhaps… he will be a little late!"
As these words escaped her lips.
*Thump…*
*Thump…*
Diao Chan seemed to hear a heavy footsteps sound from behind her.
She suddenly turned around. Beneath the rockery, a man with a tall, straight figure, dressed in a black robe and a bamboo hat, was slowly looking up at her.
His weathered face had sharp angles, and many small scars covered his cheeks. Those sharp eyes instantly softened completely!
Lü Bu… could it be the Lü Bu that Diao Chan longed for?
Who else could this man be?
*Thump…*
Seeing Lü Bu, Diao Chan almost broke down in tears. She ran towards Lü Bu as if driven mad.
"Mother…"
Ling Ju, not understanding, also chased after Diao Chan.
*Splash…*
Diao Chan buried herself entirely in Lü Bu's embrace.
And then there was Ling Ju. Lü Bu lifted her. Ling Ju was terrified at first, but when Lü Bu let her ride on his neck, Ling Ju giggled, "Higher, higher!"
She suddenly became exceptionally excited.
"Are you the great hero that elder brother mentioned?"
Elder brother?
Great hero?
Hearing these special terms, Lü Bu's eyes even welled up with a few tears.
He replied to his daughter, "Probably, yes!"
"Oh…" Ling Ju laughed. "No wonder, you lifted me up so high as soon as you saw me!"
"Hahaha…" Lü Bu laughed heartily. Having been away from the Central Plains for so many years, his emotions were even more fervent on this day of his return!
But as his gaze lowered and he saw Diao Chan, who was weeping in his arms, his smile immediately subsided. He didn't know what to say to Diao Chan.
Before coming here, he had prepared countless words…
But when he truly arrived here, he found himself… speechless, not knowing what to say.
He could only numbly reach out and pat Diao Chan's back.
After a long while…
Lü Bu finally uttered a sentence.
"Diao Chan, are you well?"
Once upon a time, on every frontier night, Lü Bu would dream of Diao Chan, and the most he would ask was: Are you well?
Of course, Lü Bu also had nightmares!
He would raise his Heaven-Slaying Halberd and shout: "Where is my Diao Chan!"
…
…
In the Wei King's palace, Cao Cao's eyes suddenly widened.
He abruptly stood up, grabbed the sword beside him, "Zi Yu, you… say it again!"
"Recently, Liu Bei obtained a beautiful white jade in Xinye city. Every night, he holds the white jade beauty and visits Lady Gan, claiming to compare their skin tones. However, what he actually does, the Inter-Army Division doesn't know! The only certainty is that Lady Gan is in great pain, to the point of wishing for death!"
Lu Yu explained in detail, "According to Zhulong's report, Lady Gan specifically went to talk to him… Zhulong's judgment is that Lady Gan has reached her limit! If she remains hidden in Xinye, it might trigger a change!"
This…
Cao Cao's expression was exceptionally solemn.
He turned and paced two steps to the left, then two steps to the right… Finally, he stopped and said, "Zi Yu, I know the Inter-Army Division has already begun its plan to seize Jing Province!"
"I was unwilling to interfere with your plans, but now I want to ask, how much time is needed to take Jing Province!"
This…
Suddenly, such a significant question was posed.
Lu Yu hadn't thought about it carefully. There were too many variables involved, and the opponent was Zhuge Kongming himself… often requiring action based on circumstances!
As for the specific time!
"My King, this… I truly cannot say for sure! Perhaps three to five months, perhaps half a year, or a year!"
Lu Yu provided an ambiguous answer.
"Furthermore, even if Jing Province is taken… that would only be Xiangyang and Nanjun. To capture the remaining cities, a capable navy would still be indispensable! For example, Jiangxia, Jiangling… the four southern commanderies of Jing. To speak frankly, even if the entire Jing Province could be captured now, the pressure of defense and naval warfare would be immense! Therefore, the army's southward advance will be at least a year later!"
A year?
Cao Cao pondered, squinting at the map hanging on the wall.
*Hoo…*
A heavy sigh.
He could not wait a year…
Lady Gan could not hold on for a year either. He had to make a swift decision!
With this thought in mind…
Cao Cao turned abruptly. "Zi Yu, I know your Inter-Army Division has already infiltrated Jing Province. Today, within this new royal palace, I issue the first 'Wei King's Decree'! I order the Inter-Army Division to safely bring Lady Gan back within six months!"
"In addition to this, my Imperial Residence will also begin to deploy troops towards Xinye!"
Having said this, Cao Cao paused.
Then, with a deep exhale…
"Hoo…"
"Mei'er has done enough for me. I would rather betray the world than betray her!"
*Thump…*
Cao Cao's words made Lu Yu's heart skip a beat.
Wei King's Decree!
"Stealing" Lady Gan from Xinye…
Good heavens… Lu Yu mused, this was no easy task!
Unless… unless they flew!
That's right, the only way to bring Lady Gan back before the army's southern advance was to fly, to use an air force!
*Hiss…*
Lu Yu smacked his lips. Why hadn't he thought of this before? The Great Wei's naval warfare was not strong, and it could not be strengthened in a short period… So, why not use an air force!
An air force could be used to balance the navy!
Once utilized effectively, the troop deployments would be a complete dimensional reduction attack!
…
…
Within a courtyard of the Marquis of Baima's residence.
Ling Ju had already been taken away by her nanny, while Diao Chan was trying on a cloak for Lü Bu.
"I personally sewed these two cloaks. One was given to the Marquis of Baima, and the other I specifically kept for you…"
Lü Bu lowered his head, stroking the exquisite embroidery on the edge of the cloak, filled with emotion!
He suddenly looked up.
Grabbing Diao Chan's hand.
"Chan'er, there's something I need to tell you!"
"What is it?"
"Ling Qi and I plan to go to Donghai Commandery in Xuzhou!"
"Xuzhou? Donghai Commandery?" Diao Chan was greatly alarmed. "I heard from the Marquis of Baima that Hou Cheng and Wei Xu were killed by Ling Qi. Now, with your great contributions at the border, even if your identity is revealed, no one will say anything. There's no reason you can't stay in Luoyang! Why… why are you going to Donghai Commandery as soon as you return?"
Diao Chan's beautiful eyes lowered, filled with reluctance and lingering affection…
"For Ling Qi!" Lü Bu's words were very firm. "Chan'er, seeing you well makes me feel at ease. My accomplishments at the border are the process of Marquis Wen Lü Bu transforming back into Lü Fengxian of Jiuyuan. It is a salvation for a youth corrupted by decadence and debauchery, returning to become a guardian of the frontier."
"This feeling of salvation makes my whole body surge with energy! Ling Qi has also made many mistakes, and she needs to complete her own salvation…"
Speaking of this… Lü Bu paused. "The debts owed by the Lü family of Jiuyuan must be repaid!"
"Then… why Donghai Commandery in Xuzhou?" Diao Chan continued to ask. "General Zhang Wenyuan, General Gao Shun, General Zang Ba… they… can they also contribute to the Dragon Cavalry Camp? Husband, you are an unparalleled war god! Why can't you, Lü Fengxian, stay in the Dragon Cavalry Camp, by my side?"
*Hoo…*
Hearing this, Lü Bu let out another sigh.
"When I was summoned back, Zi Yu told me that he intended to send a troop to the overseas country of Yamatai, conquer it, and then use it as a base to conquer other continents in the world?"
"Other continents?" To Diao Chan, her husband Lü Bu's words… were simply unbelievable.
Isn't the world only the Great Han?
"This is the first time I've seen him describe these things in a letter…" Lü Bu's eyes revealed a hint of yearning. "I've come this time to talk with him, to see how vast and expansive the world is besides the Great Han? And whether my Heaven-Slaying Halberd can gallop within it!"
Helping Lü Ling Qi atone for her sins is the first reason.
The second is Lü Bu's longing for the so-called "other" continents. He is a born warrior, passionate about riding horses and engaging in fierce battles amidst chaotic armies!
He is full of curiosity and yearning for mysterious domains!
"Husband, have you decided?"
Diao Chan asked again…
Lü Bu did not answer, but his eyes became even more resolute!
Diao Chan did not persuade him further. She simply smoothed the cloak gently…
She… she hoped this cloak would accompany her husband, allowing him to soar in this truly meaningful world, his halberd shaking the eight directions!
…
…
Fifteen li outside Luoyang city, this is the camp of the Dragon Cavalry Camp.
At this moment, it was late at night…
Countless armored soldiers had returned to the barracks to rest, but Lu Yu… he appeared in the martial arts arena, and he also brought along artisans from the workshop, forge, and refinery.
Zhuge Jun and Cao Mu were also among them…
Just this afternoon, Lu Yu, in conjunction with the artisans from the three workshops, prepared a large quantity of materials! And they made many strange things…
Now, it seemed they were going to test them in the martial arts arena.
At this moment, Lu Yu also looked nervous. He watched the artisans prepare, while murmuring to himself.
"Make a small hole in the egg, remove the yolk, add dew, seal with oiled paper, and expose it to the sun. It can then lift off, three to four feet from the ground!"
What he was reciting was recorded by the Northern Song scholar Su Shi in "Classified Records of Natural Phenomena."
To put it plainly, it was the so-called "Ai Fire Makes the Egg Fly," meaning to make eggs fly… ah, no, to make bullets fly!
Lu Yu had repeatedly explained the specific steps to the artisans.
First, take an egg, remove the liquid, put ignited ai grass into the eggshell, and it would fly into the sky when encountering a strong wind.
It seemed the preparatory work was done.
Afterwards… it was a long wait.
Indeed, usually, the night wind was strong, but tonight it was exceptionally calm.
Finally…
After an hour of waiting, a gust of wind finally arrived.
And all the eggshells in the martial arts arena, ignited by the easily flammable ai grass, truly flew up…
Thousands upon thousands…
They were like fireflies in the dark night, instantly illuminating the night sky!
"This…" Cao Mu, who was watching, widened his mouth in disbelief, looking up at the sky. "Is Lu Zi Yu casting a spell?"
Zhuge Jun shook his head…
He suddenly thought of the second experiment Master Lu had prepared…
It seemed that based on this "Ai Fire Makes the Egg Fly," there was a further reinforcement.
The almost sky-filling flying eggs attracted the attention of all the Dragon Cavalry Camp soldiers. Thousands of them emerged from their tents… witnessing the sky, witnessing the eggs in the fire slowly ascending. This scene… was incredibly healing!
"Excellent!"
Lu Yu also exclaimed subconsciously.
Indeed, the records in "Huainan Wan Bi Shu" compiled by Liu An, the King of Huainan of the Western Han dynasty, were true. Lighting ai grass could indeed make eggs fly.
Of course, if interpreted scientifically.
It meant that as the inner shell of the egg was heated, the gas expanded and expelled downwards, pushing the eggshell upwards…
In Lu Yu's memory, this principle was further explained by Gao You, a disciple of Lu Zhi—
— "Take an egg, remove its contents, burn ai grass, and place it inside the empty shell. A strong wind will then lift it, making it fly."
Of course, none of this was important.
"Continue…" Lu Yu immediately ordered.
This time… many artisans placed strange "hats" in the martial arts arena. Although called hats, they were actually frames made of bamboo strips, with the top and four sides covered with paper, and the bottom plate holding pine resin.
In simple terms, these were what the descendants would call "Kongming Lanterns"!
Once all preparations were complete…
This time, no wind was needed. Lu Yu directly ordered "light the fire"!
Instantly, countless "Kongming Lanterns" ascended!
They slowly rose, not quickly, but extremely steadily…
Success!
Lu Yu's mouth curved into a quite pleased smile…
"Master? What is the purpose of experimenting with these…" Zhuge Jun was curious. Being fascinated by all trades, he naturally wanted to know the underlying principles and his master's ultimate goal!
Lu Yu turned around, pointed at the Kongming Lanterns in the air, and then pointed at Zhuge Jun.
"I have a task for you!"
"Making these… strange hats?" Zhuge Jun asked in return.
"No!" Lu Yu waved his hand. The experiment had succeeded, and now it was time to do something big!
Lu Yu's expression became a bit more serious, and his tone became much more solemn. "These are child's play. The workshop, forge, and refinery need to unite to manufacture hats that can carry people into the sky!"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu took out a manufacturing diagram from his懷中.
This was a manufacturing diagram for a hot air balloon, which he had painstakingly recalled from many books.
The principle of a hot air balloon was almost identical to this "making eggs fly" and these Kongming Lanterns.
And…
Lu Yu had seen many people in countless穿越 novels on Qidian Chinese Network successfully create hot air balloons in ancient times.
He decided to try it as well!
If successful, the Great Wei would have an air force unit that could be relied upon, in addition to cavalry and infantry!
This would greatly benefit the conquest of Jing Province and the conquest of the world!
Most importantly…
Lu Yu could not think of any other method besides a hot air balloon that could quietly "steal" Lady Gan from Xinye city!
— Go forth, Flying Balls!
…
…