Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

"Is that Shenglong Mansion?" Looking at the city that suddenly rose up from the flat ground in the distance, Lu Yu's eyes that had been dim for several days finally showed a glimmer of light.

After moving south from Bac Ninh, a series of difficulties in the expedition to Annan became apparent.

It’s not just miasma and malaria.

More important are water and food.

The entire army is strictly prohibited from consuming boiling water unless it is boiled water.

All food must be inspected by a doctor first, and anything moldy or miasmatic must be discarded or burned.

As a last resort, Lu Yu even formed a hunting team to hunt some game in the virgin forest to supplement nutrition for the wounded soldiers.

The expeditionary army was stationed thirty miles away from Thang Long Palace. There was a river between the two sides. This river was regarded as the first obstacle set by Ruan Tanwei, followed by the elephant herd and archers.

Therefore, Lu Yu did not plan to attack by force.

He is waiting!

Lu Yu was convening a temporary meeting in the Chinese army's tent during the Huaxia expedition to Annan.

"If we cannot cross the river within three days, Li Qingsong will no longer wait for us and will directly attack Thang Long Mansion," the military transport officer reported to Lu Yu about the camp's food supply and military situation.

"Three days?" Deputy Commander-in-Chief Guan Baojun frowned when he heard this and said solemnly: "Our army has nearly 20,000 people, and it takes half a month to build a ship. Crossing the river in three days is simply as difficult as climbing to the sky!!"

"Now that the war is urgent, Li Qingsong has been urging it for three days in a row." Lu Yu looked at Guan Baojun: "General Guan, you are familiar with water warfare, can you step up the preparations?"

"The Red River is too wide, and the current is fast. It's the flood season now," Guan Baojun rolled his eyes and said for a long time, "Unless we steal the boats from the opposite side, we won't be able to cross the river without enough big boats."

After listening to Guan Baojun's words, everyone in the tent whispered to each other and looked a little impatient.

The food is only enough for five days. If they can't even make it through within five days, then even if Li Qingsong leads the army across the sea, he will be unable to do it!
"Sir, why don't you try a hot air balloon?" A voice sounded from the corner of the tent.

Everyone followed the sound and saw Ding Kuangshao from the Construction Department of the Society speaking: "Wouldn't it be enough to make a hot air balloon, transport a team of elite soldiers to fly to the other side at night, and sail the ship to our side?"

"Yes! Hot air balloon!" As soon as these words came out, the whole tent was filled with voices of sudden realization.

"As long as we can cross the river, we will capture Shenglong Mansion at night, and then cooperate with Li Qingsong, who is attacking from the sea, and we will be able to make a big deal!"

"But where are there enough and tough enough balloon cloths?" Guan Baojun questioned.

"The material of the tent is strong enough. I was mainly responsible for manufacturing all the hot air balloons in Beijing," Ding Kuangshao said confidently: "If you allow me, I will make a hot air balloon that can accommodate ten people in three hours!" Send people safely to the other side!”

"Seriously?" Lu Yu was overjoyed when she heard this.

"I can issue a military order!" Ding Kuangshao nodded.

"Okay, I allow you," Lu Yu said, pointing to the big tent above his head: "I can give you this big tent as a test subject for the first hot air balloon!"

After hearing this, Ding Kuangshao stood up and walked to the tent: "Within three hours, a hot air balloon that can fly over the Red River will be presented to you!"

"If it succeeds, you will be the first to conquer Shenglong Mansion this time!" Lu Yu settled the matter with a wave of his hand.

At this time, in Shenglong Mansion, Ruan Tanwei was already standing at the top of the city, looking at the stars on the bank of the Red River from a distance, with endless worries hidden in his eyes.

"Sir, why worry? Those Han people are blocked on the bank of the Red River. They don't have a piece of armor and support, and they won't be able to cross the river within half a month. Judging from their food reserves, they will definitely collapse without attack!" Ruan Tanwei said The deputy followed closely behind him, trying to ease his master's sadness. "You know nothing!" Ruan Tanwei immediately cursed after hearing this: "The thoughts of those Han people are more sophisticated than the monsters in the Nine Netherworlds of the Underworld! If you are distracted, their fangs will already be on your neck. The next moment is to wait for death!”

"I understand! I don't dare to be distracted in the slightest!"

"I ordered you to go down and pay attention to patrolling. There will be three shifts every night. No omissions are allowed. Any troubles must be reported to me!" Ruan Tanwei patrolled for several times before walking towards the city with his hands behind his back.

"My subordinate understands!"

The deputy general bowed and sent Ruan Tanwei away.

As soon as Ruan Tanwei left, soldiers wearing straw hats came forward and followed the adjutant to complain.

"Boss, is Master Ruan so vigilant? The Red River has protected our Shenglong Mansion for more than a hundred years. With those Han people and no ships, it would be impossible to cross the river for a year and a half! We can sit back and relax and go back to have a drink. "

"It's okay to say this to me, but if it reaches Lord Ruan's ears, you will be seeking death!" The adjutant glanced at his subordinates: "Go and do your own thing!"

"Hey, I know, I know."

call!
At this moment, a gust of wind came from a distance, as if it was coming from the Red River.

"What's the sound?" The adjutant turned his head and looked in the direction of Honghe River.

"Hiss, the sound of the strong wind is like the sound of the wind blowing the tarpaulin," the soldier wearing a straw hat walked to the battlement, looked into the distance for a while, and murmured: "It should be that the sails of the ship were blown by the wind."

"Send someone down to take a look," the adjutant said, feeling a little flustered.

"Sir, it's so dark. Let's go have some drinks. Brothers, please have a rest. There has been a lot of noise these past two days. We are really exhausted!" The soldier with a hat in a hat said with a sneer on his face: "Let's go, let's go, my subordinates have prepared snakes." The wine is full of vintage, adults, go try it!”

"How many years?" The adjutant raised his eyebrows, feeling a little moved.

"I've been soaking for three years," the coir rain soldier rubbed his hands: "The weather is too hot, let's have a drink and feel refreshed!"

"Hmph, you have a filial piety, let's go," the adjutant nodded, and led by the coir raincoat soldier, he headed down the tower.

At this time, it was by the Red River three miles away from the city.

The Annan soldiers who were originally guarding here had been lying on the ground, dead for a long time.

Several Han soldiers had already climbed onto the ship and raised the mast. The strong wind blew and the canvas immediately bulged.

In the darkness, he slowly drove towards the other side.

At this time, Lu Yu had already led everyone to wait on the shore.

"Coming," Lu Yu immediately ordered when he saw the ship starting to move: "Forward battalion, prepare to board the ship!"

The commando team of more than 500 people has been prepared for a long time. Everyone has silver helmets and bright armor, holding sharp blades and gearing up. As long as they board the other side, facing a group of quail-like Annan soldiers, the situation will be a one-sided massacre!

"Prepare to send a signal to Li Qingsong. As soon as the first batch starts to climb the city, his side can attack!"

Lu Yu looked at Shenglong Mansion hidden in the darkness, with murderous intent in his eyes. (End of chapter)