With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

Seeing her expression, Lu Yan felt proud and continued:

"This hot air balloon can not only be used for viewing, but also for military reconnaissance, transmitting messages, and even..."

He paused and lowered his voice.

"Transport soldiers and launch surprise attacks on the enemy."

Chen Qingwan was startled, and looked at Lu Yan with a more inquiring look.

Lu Yan, ah Lu Yan, you are indeed not simple!

"Miss Chen, are you interested in riding with me and experiencing the feeling of looking down from the sky?"

Lu Yan made the invitation with a hint of cunning in his eyes.

Chen Qingwan hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.

I want to see what you are up to.

The two of them boarded the basket and slowly rose into the air with the hot air balloon.

The crowd on the ground gradually became smaller, and the houses turned into small cubes.

The cool breeze blew on her face, her clothes fluttered, and Chen Qingwan felt a wonderful feeling she had never experienced before in her heart.

The scenery of Shannan County is in full view, with fertile fields and scattered houses.

The rivers meander like silver ribbons.

In the distance, the rolling hills are covered with a layer of golden gauze under the reflection of the setting sun.

Chen Qingwan was so shocked by the spectacular scene that she forgot her words for a moment.

She had never imagined that this small Shannan County had such beautiful scenery.

"How is it? Miss Chen, is this scenery pleasing to the eye?"

Lu Yan's voice sounded in his ears, with a hint of smile.

Chen Qingwan came back to her senses and turned to look at Lu Yan.

He had a faint smile on his face, but his eyes were shining with wisdom.

At this moment, she suddenly felt that the man in front of her was not as bad as she had imagined.

"Under the governance of Lord Lu, the people of Shannan County live and work in peace and contentment, and are thriving. This kind of scene is truly rare."

Chen Qingwan exclaimed sincerely.

Lu Yan smiled, with a hint of emotion in his tone:

"I am only doing my best. My greatest wish is for the people to live and work in peace and contentment."

He pointed to the neatly arranged fields below and said:

"This land used to be barren, but now, after improvement, it can be used to grow high-yield crops, so that the people no longer suffer from hunger."

He pointed to the newly built houses in the distance and said:

"These houses are built for the homeless people, so that they can have a place to shelter from the wind and rain."

Chen Qingwan listened quietly, watching Lu Yan talk, her eyes full of admiration.

She originally thought that Lu Yan was just a local tyrant who was greedy for pleasure.

Now it seems that he is a good official who truly cares about the people.

As the hot air balloon slowly descended, Chen Qingwan's doubts gradually dissipated.

She decided to temporarily put aside her temptation to "rebel" against Lu Yan.

Instead, we should seriously examine his policies and actual results.

After landing, Chen Qingwan said to Lu Yan:

"Lord Lu, your talent is truly admirable. When I return, I will report the truth to His Majesty."

Lu Yan bowed and smiled, "Thank you, Miss Chen."

Chen Qingwan looked at Lu Yan deeply, then turned and left.

She thought to herself: Perhaps, this Lu Yan can really be used by me...

After returning to the inn, Chen Qingwan couldn't calm down for a long time.

Lu Yan's figure and the way he talked on the hot air balloon kept appearing in my mind.

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 look of deep thought.

He knew that Chen Qingwan's "truthful reporting" was just a polite remark, and the real test was yet to come.

The Empress is not so easy to fool.

After 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 move all my treasures out!"

Lu Yan waved his hand, with a hint of commanding the country.

Li Kui ran to the warehouse happily.

After a while, several soldiers came in carrying some objects covered with red cloth.

Lu Fei and others stared at the pieces of red cloth curiously, wondering what treasures were underneath.

Lu Yan smiled mysteriously:

"Everyone, this is our Shannan County's secret weapon!"

He pulled back the red cloth, revealing what was underneath - several oddly shaped cannons and an assembled catapult.

"Sir, this is..."

Han Sheng widened his eyes, pointing at the cannons, and was so surprised that he couldn't speak.

"Yes, this is the latest developed artillery and improved catapult."

Lu Yan introduced proudly.

"Longer range, greater power!"

"Sir, you are going to..."

Zhang Xun seemed to understand something and asked tentatively.

Lu Yan put away his smile, his eyes became sharp:

"Instead of just sitting there and waiting for death, we should take the initiative! Let's attack Jianmen Pass!"

Jianmen Pass is the most important pass on the outskirts of Beixiang State. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Taking Jianmen Pass is equivalent to strangling the throat of Beixiang State.

When everyone heard this, their blood boiled.

These days, they have been holding back their desire to teach those grandchildren a lesson.

"Sir, I am willing to be the vanguard!" Lu Fei asked first.

Zhang Xun frowned:

"Jianmen Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Beixiang State has tens of thousands of troops stationed here. A forceful attack would probably result in heavy losses."

"Forced attack? Who said we should force an 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 for a surprise attack on Jianmen Pass.

After everyone heard this, their eyes lit up. Victor Han slapped his thigh:

"Great! This hot air balloon is like a magical weapon! It will drop from the sky and catch them off guard!"

Night Owl is always calm, but he can't hide his excitement at this moment:

"I am willing to lead the special forces Night Owl Squad to take on this important task!"

Next, Shannan County entered a tense state of preparation for war.

The production of gunpowder continued day and night, and improved weapons and equipment were distributed to soldiers one after another.

Lu Yan even personally took part in the battle, training the soldiers in special tactics to adapt to the needs of hot air balloon warfare.

At the same time, the scouts sent by Lu Yan also reported back the defense situation of Jianmen Pass.

Based on the intelligence, Lu Yan constantly adjusted the battle plan, striving to ensure that it would be foolproof.

"Xiao Kui, what are your thoughts on attacking Jianmen Pass this time?"

Lu Yan asked with a smile.

Li Kui scratched his head and chuckled:

"I knew that the Lord would not leave me idle. I think we can..."

Li Kui leaned close to Lu Yan's ear and muttered something.

After listening to this, Lu Yan's eyes lit up:

"Good idea! Let's do as you say!"

It was midnight, darkness was falling, and it was pitch dark.

Jianmen Pass was closed, and the defenders of Beixiang State were drowsy.

He had no idea that danger was approaching quietly.

In the sky, several huge black shadows were slowly floating towards them.

By the starlight, you can vaguely make out several huge hot air balloons.