This flattery was of an exceptionally high standard. Li Heng, therefore, abandoned his idea of trying it himself.
However, his fervor for the power of heavenly thunder did not diminish. He even directly named these primitive gunpowder weapons "Heavenly Thunder Seeds."
This matter was naturally up to him. What Lu Xuan wanted was funding.
"I've assigned Changyuan to cooperate with you. He's now the Minister of Revenue. He can allocate all the necessary funds and resources. Changyuan, listen to me: whatever is needed here, you must find a way to satisfy it. I will shield you from any attacks in the court. I want Heavenly Thunder Spears, more, more dangerous ones, countless Heavenly Thunder Spears."
From this day forward, this will be the foremost military secret service of my Great Tang Dynasty. Lu Xuan, I grant you this imperial privilege. Whoever attempts to spy on this place, you may act first and report later. I have only one request. I want the Heavenly Thunder Seed, and in this world, only I can possess it. You said this is only a small part of its power. I await to see an even stronger Heavenly Thunder Seed.”
"Yes, sir!" Lu Xuan bowed and accepted the order.
"Furthermore, starting today, you will begin selecting a group of elite soldiers from the various Imperial Guards to begin training them to equip themselves with the Heavenly Thunder Spear."
Li Heng returned to the palace with indescribable feelings, leaving only Li Bi and Lu Xuan to discuss work.
"With such weapons, peace and tranquility on the frontier are just around the corner," Li Bi said with some emotion.
"These things are only the most basic stage. Even if they can catch those grassland barbarians off guard and easily defeat them at the beginning, they are far from an overwhelming advantage."
Another workshop is researching how to make the potent fire oil used by the ants a regular practice. Their secret formula has too many flaws. It must be heated before use, but after heating, it's too unstable to be used on the battlefield. If they could make it so that it doesn't need heating before use and still maintain its potency, its power could be multiplied when used in conjunction with Heavenly Thunder.
"That's right. At that time, the soldiers can use catapults to throw out the thunderbolts and the fierce fire oil at the same time. The power of thunder and fire will surely make those grassland barbarians tremble with fear."
Li Bi was quick-witted and soon figured out how to use these two dangerous weapons. Lu Xuan, upon hearing this, also indulged in a bit of childish eccentricity.
"Hehe, by then, what we need will no longer be a matter of peace on the border. At that time, all that the sun and moon shine on will be Tang land."
After his teenage years, he returned to reality. Lu Xuan came home from get off work in the evening, only to find Xu Hezi waiting for him at the door.
"What's wrong?" Lu Xuan noticed that her expression was a bit strange.
"His Majesty's reward for you has arrived; it's in your study!" After saying this, she ignored Lu Xuan, turned around, and went back into the room, leaving only a wisp of fragrant breeze behind.
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Chapter 102 Changes on the Grassland
Lu Xuan looked completely bewildered. He turned and walked towards his study. Before he even reached the door, he could already hear that there was someone inside.
No wonder Xu Hezi was angry. Did Li Heng send another beautiful woman? Lu Xuan wondered as he pushed open the door and entered.
The beautiful woman inside also turned around. Lu Xuan stared intently, then froze.
"It's you?!?!?!"
Lu Xuan never dreamed that he would see Yang Guifei in his study... This legendary woman in ancient Chinese history, whose story is still being told a thousand years later, is now in his study!
"What are you doing??"
"Sanlang is dead, and there's no place for me in the palace. Where I am is not up to His Majesty's word. General Lu, I'm your man now," Yang Taizhen said in a melancholy tone.
Lu Xuan: "......"
Would he be tempted? That's a question that needs asking. If Yang Guifei were sent to your room, what man in China's five thousand years of history wouldn't be tempted? Lu Xuan is not only a man, but also a notorious lecher; how could he not be tempted? However, even for him, this was truly beyond his expectations.
"Um... please make your room in the study tonight. I'll have the servants clean your room tomorrow."
"Thank you, General." Yang Taizhen gave a soft curtsy. That scene, seemingly both angry and resentful, her brows trembled slightly, her body swayed gently, graceful and charming. Lu Xuan's heart skipped a beat at the sight, and he quickly left the study.
In Xu Hezi's room, Lu Xuan was eating a dinner that looked like it had been laced with an unknown amount of vinegar, looking utterly miserable. Xu Hezi was constantly piling food onto his plate beside him.
Lu Xuan grew angrier as he ate. How could he, a dignified General Protector of the Nation, be bullied by his wife? He decided to put down his bowl and teach this woman a lesson first.
After a long while, Xu Hezi nestled in his arms, gently drawing circles on his chest with her fingers.
"My dear Lu, now that you have a new love, will you forget about me?"
"How could that be? You are the love of my life. No matter what happens, I will never forget you." Men with wives often say these kinds of things without thinking.
"Really? Then kick that woman out."
"Alright, I'll kick her out right now. But once she's outside this gate, she probably won't survive."
Xu Hezi was startled.
"How could this be? Who...who exactly is she?"
It seems that Xu Hezi and Yang Taizhen didn't have much interaction. Yang Taizhen's true identity is unknown.
"It's a long story for her..." Fortunately, Lu Xuan told Xu Hezi the details of Yang Taizhen's background.
“No one dares to say anything here. But if she leaves my side, she will become a royal scandal. It won’t end well.”
“Ah! Then we dare not let her leave, but I also have a request.” Xu Hezi said, shaking his arm.
"Tell me, and I'll agree to anything you ask."
“You said it yourself. I want to be the older sister. Lu Lang promised me that I will always be the older sister at home.”
Lu Xuan: "...Of course, you're the lady of the house, that won't change." If I'd known it was that simple, I wouldn't have been jealous at all...
"That's good. Then leave the arrangements to me. When does Lu Lang plan to take her? Should I have four maids to liven things up for you?"
Lu Xuan: "...You little vixen..."
...............
Time never deviates even slightly because of anyone's existence. Another year has passed... In the northwest, Wang Zhongsi defeated the Turks and occupied vast swathes of land, but the situation has not improved.