Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After a full day, Xiao Letian was utterly exhausted.

Countless people approached him with fervent enthusiasm, asking about the details of his paper.

Never having been so welcomed, he naturally reciprocated with the utmost zeal.

Dealing with each person individually was truly tiring.

But none of that mattered; what embarrassed him the most was when people asked him what it was for.

He could only remain speechless.

The higher-ups had repeatedly ordered secrecy regarding the hot air balloon.

However, his paper was written precisely for controlling hot air balloons. Others only knew the content of his paper but were unaware of the existence of hot air balloons.

Even if he had mouths all over his body, he couldn't explain what this thing he wrote was actually for, or why it qualified him to advance from undergraduate to vocational student.

Fortunately, Mo Xiaohu came to his rescue and gave him a good pep talk.

He said that before long, the hot air balloon would be revealed to the world, and then all doubts would be dispelled.

To this, Xiao Letian could only smile helplessly.

......

"Zheng Yi, what is 'Fang Zheng Yi's Fluid Mechanics'? You've published a book, how come朕 (zhèn, the emperor's self-reference) didn't know?"

Emperor Jing held the newspaper and looked at Fang Zheng with curiosity.

Fang Zheng's face twitched a couple of times, his mind racing, his heart roaring madly.

Damn it, I was careless!

He had sought a bit of empty fame, and now everyone in the court was inquiring about where they could find his Fluid Mechanics to study it.

He had managed to fool the others.

But how was he supposed to explain this to his father-in-law? What if he continued to ask detailed questions?

Was he really supposed to go and study fluid mechanics!?

After a moment of thought, Fang Zheng braced himself and said, "Your Majesty, that... there's no such book. I made it up, ahem! From now on, articles published by the East Suburb School will need to cite previous works. I just gave them an example, who knew they would print it."

"Ha... ha, what a fuss this has caused, you see, I have to criticize them!"

Emperor Jing glanced at him speechlessly: "Alright, but is there any use for what's written in this paper? 朕 did understand it, but it doesn't seem worthy of causing such a stir in the capital, does it?"

"Your Majesty is right. However, this is also a new discovery. We just want to set an example for other students, encouraging them to discover and create. As for its usefulness, let's wait for future exploration," Fang Zheng said noncommittally. He couldn't explain it even if he wanted to.

The crown prince had privately dispatched troops to aid Yi Shun, creating a two-hundred-man shortfall in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He was still keeping it hidden. If he revealed the hot air balloon in advance, coupled with the crown prince's unusual behavior, Emperor Jing's keen perception would likely allow him to discover the clues at once!

Being discovered wouldn't necessarily cause any major problems, but he and that kid Li Yuanzhao would probably have their behinds beaten to a pulp!

He could only delay for now... hoping that Yi Shun could win a beautiful victory.

......

Yi Shun.

A battle had just ended. The enemy had retreated, leaving only a few dozen corpses on the battlefield.

Liao Qun, the chief military officer of Yi Shun, looked at the bodies on the ground with a solemn expression.

Probing... the enemy was probing again. This was the third time.

In these past few days of continuous fighting, the main force had not been seen. They were only feigning attacks to lure the troops into the mountains.

He had been stationed in Shanwei City for two years and understood the tactics of the Yi Shun natives, so he had made preparations in advance.

He divided his troops into two groups, with the central officer leading one group and the two groups flanking to encircle and annihilate the main force!

Unfortunately, the natives were too slippery... it seemed that a protracted war was inevitable.

As he was pondering, a man rode up from behind.

Liao Qun looked up and his head began to ache again.

The person in front of him was Cui Jun, the supervisor sent from the capital. At this moment, Cui Jun was staring at him with a face full of anger: "General Liao, why aren't you chasing them again?"

Liao Qun shook his head: "It's the same as before, they are luring us deeper. The terrain is unfavorable to us, we absolutely cannot chase! Retreat back to Shanwei City first."

Cui Jun was furious: "Luring us deeper, is that the only reason you have?"

"This official was ordered by His Majesty to supervise the army. After these few battles, I have found that the enemy is nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs. Yet you have repeatedly avoided battle, what exactly is your intention!"

"The enemy has not been conquered for a long time, do they still take us seriously? If this continues, won't they become even more rampant? What if they unite with other mountain strongholds? I'm afraid it won't just be Yi Shun, other places will also rebel. Can you bear the responsibility!"

Liao Qun endured his annoyance and patiently explained: "Lord Cui, I have said all that I can say. We can't fight for now, we mustn't fight. The time is not right yet!"

"Don't I want to fight a good, hearty battle? But the soldiers under my command are also lives. Knowing it's a trap, am I supposed to send them to their deaths?"

"Look at the tall mountains and dense forests ahead, who knows how many people are hidden within, how many traps and mechanisms there are. We cannot fight no matter what!"

"The Yi Shun natives have been stationed there for who knows how many years. The Qian Kingdom also wanted to destroy them, did they succeed? Even if our Great Jing is strong, it still takes time. As long as their main force doesn't come out, it's normal for this battle to last for several years. Let's wait a little longer, until they don't have enough food and go out to plunder, then we'll fight them to the death!"

Several years to finish the battle? You want this official to stay in a trash place like Shanwei City for several years?

Cui Jun's heart flared up: "This official doesn't want to hear your excuses! Immediately send troops to pursue! Otherwise, I will definitely report to His Majesty that you are guilty of dereliction of duty!"

Liao Qun's eyelids twitched wildly after hearing this.

He was a soldier, and he had his own spirit!

This bastard had threatened him more than once, and now he was bringing out this set of nonsense again.

"Cui Jun! I see that you came from the capital, I gave you some face, don't be so shameless! If you want to fight, go fight yourself! I'm not fighting!" Liao Qun cursed loudly.

"Rebellious! Rebellious!" Cui Jun's face turned red, he didn't expect this guy to suddenly dare to contradict him.

"Rebellious your mother! Cui Jun, I fuck your mother! You're just a civil official, a supervisor sent from the capital, and now you're managing me. You know how to report me, right! I'll report you too! Let's see whose side His Majesty will take!" Liao Qun kept cursing.

He had the confidence to do so. His Majesty was familiar with military tactics. As long as he submitted his memorial, His Majesty would definitely know the advantages and disadvantages.

Cui Jun sat on his horse, his face turning green and white.

This was the first time he had been cursed so directly, and he felt a sense of shame and anger.

His face became hotter and hotter, and the fire in his heart finally couldn't be contained. Cui Jun roared: "Liao Qun! You spineless thing, you're not fit to command troops!"

"You're not going, are you? Bring me a knife! This official will lead two thousand soldiers to personally defeat the enemy! Open your dog eyes wide and watch me!"

Cui Jun kept panting heavily, his chest rising and falling, obviously he was very angry, but his mind was still online.

He had already fought with the natives several times, and whether it was physical fitness or combat power, they were far inferior to his side.

Two thousand people, going into the mountains to kill a few hundred enemies, winning a small victory would not be a problem. He would make Liao Qun submit!

Liao Qun laughed in anger and shouted to the back: "Bring two thousand people, follow Lord Cui into the mountains to kill the enemy!"

Two thousand people came out one after another.

Liao Qun sneered: "Lord Cui, take care."

"I don't need you to worry, you should think about how you're going to explain your dereliction of duty to His Majesty!"

Cui Jun snorted and roared at the two thousand people: "Follow this official! Kill one enemy, reward one tael of silver! Kill the enemy chief, reward one hundred taels! Follow me and kill!"

After speaking, he wielded his knife and rushed forward, taking the lead, followed closely by two thousand people, stirring up a cloud of dust...