Chapter 151: You're the Empress, huh?! Light up my smoke!

Lu Yuan violently smashed the table.

This genuinely startled Gu Qingwan and Gu Lie.

Originally, Gu Lie had wanted to say something because his sister suddenly changed her expression.

Gu Lie was afraid his sister would scare Lu Yuan.

As a result……

What Gu Lie didn't expect was…… Yuan Ge wasn't the slightest bit afraid of his sister, and he suddenly smashed the table.

Gu Lie, who had been holding a big bowl and drinking mutton soup, suddenly tipped over.

The mutton soup in the bowl spilled out.

Gu Qingwan's situation wasn't much better either, although her reaction wasn't as big as Gu Lie's.

But she couldn't help but tremble.

In the past, it was always Gu Qingwan smashing the table to scold others, but now it's her being scolded like this??

And you're an old woman??

For a moment, Gu Qingwan really wanted to twist Lu Yuan's head off.

Looking at Lu Yuan's stern face before her, Gu Qingwan was practically laughing in anger, gritting her teeth as she stared at him and said:

"Do you think this is child's play? Do you know how severe the bandit problem in the south is?"

To be honest, Lu Yuan really did lose his temper just now.

But……

Gu Qingwan's just now look of looking down on people really made Lu Yuan lose his composure a bit.

Military matters are definitely not something to be trifled with.

Even if Lu Yuan studied the Military God, it's still the same.

Furthermore, it's precisely because Lu Yuan studied the Military God that he understands all the more that leading troops in battle depends on many factors.

This really isn't as simple as it sounds.

Even if you gave Huo Qubing a bunch of the old, weak, sick, and disabled, he couldn't sweep the Northern Desert.

Lu Yuan was just putting on a show earlier.

But…… he's already put on the act, so he can't show weakness now.

Besides, 'single-handedly taking on seven cold-hearted ones' is just Lu Yuan talking nonsense.

But Lu Yuan does indeed understand some military matters.

After all……

The Military God wasn't read for nothing.

Of course……

Although Lu Yuan hasn't read much of the Military God, he can still sharpen his spear on the battlefield—better late than never!

Immediately, Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows and waved his hand, saying:

"Don't waste your breath on useless talk; no matter how much you say, they're just bandits."

"If the Great Zhou Dynasty's official troops can't beat the bandits, then the problem lies with you—why are you spouting all this?"

"If even fighting bandits is a struggle, I might as well not fight at all and just go home to farm."

Seeing Lu Yuan like this, Gu Qingwan really wanted to overturn her bowl of mutton soup onto his head.

Lu Yuan simply doesn't understand anything; he's lost in his own thoughts.

Yes, the other side are indeed bandits.

But how many bandits are there in the south?!

If the north is a vast plain, then the south builds cities in the mountains; aside from one large basin, the south is basically all mountains and rivers.

The Great Zhou Dynasty's regular troops can't even form a battle line in such terrain, let alone exploit any advantage.

There, the mountain passes everywhere are places where one man can hold off ten thousand.

Moreover, the bandit problem across several southern provinces has already grown to tens of thousands.

Usually, these people occupy the mountains as kings.

But when fighting breaks out, they also understand the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold'; they form alliances and pass messages.

Of course, the most important of all is……

Financial problems.

What Lu Yuan said is correct—they are bandits, but where will the money for suppressing them come from?

The Great Zhou Dynasty has just escaped from war and breathed a sigh of relief.

The state's granary has only just begun to have some surplus grain this year.

If this war continues, the state's treasury will again be deep in the red, and the Ministry of Revenue will be crying out for help.

"Do you think suppressing bandits is that easy? Do you think the imperial court previously had that much money to spend on bandit suppression?!"

Gu Qingwan stared at Lu Yuan with gritted teeth and shouted angrily:

By now, saying this much, it's no longer just a matter of whether or not to let Gu Lie go suppress bandits.

By saying this much, Lu Yuan is already talking about how the entire imperial court is……

Although Lu Yuan considers himself a military household and a member of the Ministry of War, he keeps saying the Ministry of War is incompetent.

But think about it—when Lu Yuan says the Ministry of War is incompetent, isn't he really saying he himself is incompetent?

But there are so many things to consider in this matter!!

How could an ordinary commoner like Lu Yuan possibly settle this with just a couple of words?

Actually, Lu Yuan also knows he's acting a bit like his mother, a stubborn contrarian.

But since we've already gotten this far by arguing, what else can we do but keep arguing?

Lu Yuan glared and said:

「So, it's still the same problem: spending a lot of money means you're doing it wrong; if you did it right, you wouldn't need to spend so much. 」

Gu Qingwan was amused by Lu Yuan's anger and immediately gritted her teeth, saying:

「Great, you're so capable; tomorrow I'll bring you the plans, you draft a charter for me, and I'll see how skilled you are at this and how much money you can save!! 」

Lu Yuan, not backing down at all, said:

「Sure, what's the problem? If I come up with a charter better than yours, what do you suggest we do? 」

Immediately Gu Qingwan gritted her teeth and said:

「Whatever you say, that's how it'll be!! 」

Lu Yuan raised his head and said:

「Simple, then... 」

Having said that, Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows, gave a doubtful look, glanced up and down at Gu Qingwan, then said:

「Anyway, you've been babbling on for half a day—what position do you hold in the Ministry of War, and is what you say effective? 」

Immediately Gu Qingwan gritted her teeth and said:

「It works! 」

Lu Yuan slightly raised his eyebrows, hmm...

This woman's position in the Ministry of War isn't low, huh?

Immediately Lu Yuan raised his head and said:

「If I can do it, this time you arrange for Gu Lie to accompany me on the anti-bandit campaign. 」

Gu Qingwan originally didn't want to be so childish.

But, seeing Lu Yuan so full of confidence...

Gu Qingwan couldn't help but mutter to herself...

「This Lu Yuan…… could it be…… that he actually knows something about military affairs? 」

That makes no sense...

The information I previously got from the Nei Ne Qing Cang Wei basically didn't say anything like that.

Although Lu Yuan's third grandfather is a Vanguard General...

But a Vanguard General's duty is just to charge forward, and they don't actually lead troops in battle...

After Gu Qingwan thought carefully, she finally raised her head and said:

「Then it's set for tomorrow at noon!! 」

Gu Qingwan thought, if Lu Yuan could really come up with a foolproof plan, then losing face would just be losing face.

Compared to losing face, it's better than the court spending money and more soldiers dying.

One's own face is nothing compared to the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Meanwhile, Gu Lie, after blinking and regaining his composure, exclaimed excitedly:

「Then it's settled like that!! 」

Originally, just now Lu Yuan was arguing with his sister, and Gu Lie wanted to step in quickly to mediate.

Gu Lie really is seeing for the first time someone daring to stand up to his sister like that.

Of course, Lu Yuan doesn't know his sister's current status.

But no matter what, Gu Lie truly fears that if Lu Yuan accidentally makes his sister furious, she'll go home and destroy Lu Yuan's whole family...

After all...... let's not even talk about that situation.

Before this, Gu Lie had seen more than once his sister chatting amiably with a minister during the day, talking about opportunistic schemes.

But as soon as that minister left, his sister immediately turned and confiscated his family's property, and that very night had the whole clan executed.

Now that things have come to this, Gu Lie is truly afraid...

But when it came to sending him to report to the Ministry of War about this, Gu Lie couldn't think of anything else.

At this point, Gu Qingwan couldn't even eat her meal.

She had originally intended to have a good talk with Lu Yuan today.

But given the current situation, Gu Qingwan really can't stay any longer.

After tossing the remaining half of her baked bun into her brother's bowl, she turned and left directly.

Just before leaving, Gu Qingwan stared at the exceedingly excited Gu Lie and said:

「Go home early!! 」

After Gu Qingwan left, Gu Lie suddenly thought of something, stuffed half a baked bun into his mouth, looked at Lu Yuan and hurriedly said:

「Brother, you really still know how to deploy troops and form battle formations!! 」

Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows without changing expression and said:

「Of course, I can still bluff people!? 」

「Don't worry, brother knows you want to join the anti-bandit campaign; this time brother will definitely make your sister convinced and willing!! 」

Gu Lie right now is practically like seeing a lifesaver.

On the spot, Gu Lie wanted to kneel down and kowtow twice to Lu Yuan.

However...... compared to Gu Qingwan's anger.

Gu Lie's excitement.

Lu Yuan's heart actually felt a bit empty...

《Military God》 Lu Yuan really did read it, but he didn't read much, just occasionally flipping through.

And after obtaining the Medical Saint, Lu Yuan hadn't even looked at the God of War.

Well, when I go home today, I really need to give it a good look.

While Lu Yuan was pondering.

Gu Lie beside him, overflowing with excitement, looked at Lu Yuan and expressed his loyalty:

"Brother, this afternoon where should we go? From now on, whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it—I'll listen to you!!"

Lu Yuan finished the last mouthful of mutton soup in his bowl, glanced at Gu Lie, and immediately snapped:

"Go home and sleep!"

……

Going home to sleep is impossible—going home to sleep just won't happen.

After finishing that bowl of mutton soup at noon, Lu Yuan hurried home.

Once home, he did nothing else, directly took out the God of War and found the mountain chapter within.

When his wife came back, Lu Yuan also read; at mealtime he also held the book and read.

Even when it was time to sleep, Lu Yuan kept reading.

Lu Yuan himself didn't even know how long he had been reading.

At night.

Eleven-thirty.

The bedside lamp in Lu Yuan's home was still on.

The warm room, with its warm-yellow bedside lamp, was extremely cozy and comfortable.

Lu Yuan leaned against the headboard, still holding the God of War in his hand.

He already had a rough idea.

But the plan he had in mind was lacking a formidable weapon.

Such a weapon does not exist in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However… the Artisan's Heart has it.

At this moment, Lu Yuan set aside the God of War.

He rubbed the corners of his eyes while leaning against the headboard; after who-knows-how-many hours of reading, his eyes were sore.

When Lu Yuan opened his eyes, he glanced at the inside of the bed.

At this point, his wife was already fast asleep.

She lay on her side, covered with a thin blanket, her jade hand tightly clasping his waist, her head resting on his belly.

Looking at his exceedingly cute wife, Lu Yuan's fatigue vanished completely.

He didn't even know how his wife came to be.

Her appearance, that of an exceedingly beautiful older-sister type, was alluring.

By rights, the temperament of such a gorgeous older-sister type should be like that of Gu Qingwan.

But in fact, his wife's personality happened to be exceedingly likable, soft and sweet.

This contrast of moe truly makes one unable to hold back.

Look at his wife's perky jade nose, her moist cherry lips—she looks even more adorable when asleep.

To be honest, I really don't want to get out of bed~

However, I really need to hurry up and draft that weapon's design.

Lu Yuan got out of bed quietly, turned on a small desk lamp, and was preparing paper and pen when—

then he suddenly heard a faint rustling from beside the bed.

Just as Lu Yuan turned his head, a piece of clothing had already been draped over him.

From beside his ear came his wife's soft, sleepy voice, still half-asleep:

"Brother~ it's cold at night~"

"Mwah~"

…………

The next day, early morning.

Lu Yuan was awakened by Gu Lie.

That guy showed up again right on time at eight o'clock.

Lu Yuan, still half-asleep, came to the bedside, saw the exceedingly excited Gu Lie pounding on the window, and couldn't help but feel annoyed, saying:

"Don't come looking for me so early from now on!!"

Having said that, Lu Yuan opened the door for Gu Lie, then got up to prepare to wash his face and brush his teeth.

"Go pour out the hot water and get water!"

Lu Yuan glanced at Gu Lie and felt utterly annoyed.

He had originally been able to sleep until nine or ten.

Gu Lie now had no temper toward Lu Yuan at all, hehe-laughing while holding a warm kettle in one hand and a water basin in the other as he ran out, saying:

"All right~"

After Lu Yuan finished dressing, he went to the water pool.

Gu Lie had even squeezed out toothpaste for Lu Yuan.

While Lu Yuan was brushing his teeth, Wang Yulan also walked out of the room.

Wang Yulan usually wakes up late, but lately it's been around this time.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, Wang Yulan happily greeted him:

Lu big brother, you got up early today.

Lu Yuan brushed his teeth while gazing at Wang Yulan and asked curiously:

What's up, Yulan sis? What good news, you're so happy.

Wang Yulan looked at Lu Yuan and smiled, saying:

It's not that, when I went home the other day, my mother figured it out for me. When we previously wanted to have a child, the timing was a bit off.

Now I understand, we're starting to try for a child.

Wang Yulan also didn't pay attention to Gu Lie beside her.

After all, when Lu big brother brought this up the other day, that person was also there beside us.

Lu Yuan nodded upon hearing this, so it's about that matter.

Immediately, Lu Yuan laughed and said:

Alright, then you guys put in some effort, aim to conceive before spring~

Lu Yuan washed his face, brushed his teeth, and then started eating.

After finishing his meal, he went as usual to the free clinic.

Anyway, he wouldn't see Gu Qingwan until noon, so he still had some time in the morning and couldn't idle.

First he went to the Drum Tower side to look for the patient he saw yesterday.

He asked about the situation, which was just recording the clinical condition.

The same medicine produces two different reactions in different patients.

Most people are the same, but for those that differ, to a newly interning doctor, this different clinical reaction is precious clinical experience.

By noon.

He arrived at the top-notch restaurant in the Huangcheng.

Outer Building.

This isn't a restaurant of the Huangcheng; it's opened by wealthy merchants from Jiangnan.

Dishes like vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp, and beggar's chicken—the food here is not ordinary fare.

Those who come here to eat are either rich or noble.

Lu Yuan had never come here before—not because he couldn't afford it, but mainly because it's far from his East City Gate.

It's not worth making such a long trip just for the two of us to have a meal.

Lu Yuan thought that when the new year comes, he'd invite his father-in-law and such to the city for the New Year's Eve dinner, setting a table at Outer Building.

That would be impressive~

This is the private room Gu Lie reserved in advance; Gu Qingwan hasn't arrived yet.

Lu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and took the seat of honor directly.

Gu Lie beside him handed over a big red-covered menu, smiling as he looked at Lu Yuan and said:

"Brother, order whatever you want for lunch, it's on me."

Lu Yuan glanced at Gu Lie and then said:

"Nonsense, if it's not you treating, then am I supposed to treat?"

Gu Lie then hehe-laughed and said:

"Yes yes yes, I misspoke."

Today we really need to attend to Lu big brother well.

Gu Lie seemed to have figured it out.

Nowadays, the only one who can save me from this sea of suffering is Lu big brother.

That is, today's meal.

If this meal works out for Lu big brother, then I'll be set.

If Lu big brother doesn't succeed, then I shouldn't even think about going to the battlefield to suppress bandits.

From now on, I'll honestly just follow Lu big brother fishing; doing the free clinic will be enough.

Lu Yuan also didn't hold back, clack clack clack ordering a lot.

No choice, that's just my usual standard~

After Lu Yuan finished ordering, not long later Gu Qingwan arrived, still in yesterday's attire.

Thus, Gu Qingwan directly flung a large map onto the table, glaring at Lu Yuan and saying:

"Hurry up and look, hurry up and speak—I'm busy today."

Lu Yuan pursed his lips, tch, the plan is still quite big.

Immediately, Lu Yuan took the map and began to examine it.

The things recorded on this map are really detailed.

This map is absolutely not an ordinary map, but a standard military map.

The map is extremely detailed, recording mountain paths, cliffs, small trails, and everything else in great detail.

Moreover, the bandits' gathering places, even with numbers, are also marked.

Being able to produce this military map is truly not something just anyone can do.

However, considering Gu Lie and Gu Qingwan's status as Imperial Relatives and Nobles, and how capable they are in the Ministry of War, Lu Yuan didn't think much further.

Instead, he carefully examined this map.

Gu Lie then immediately stood up, went to the door of the private room, poked his head out and said:

Come when it's time for you to serve the dishes; if I haven't called you, don't come in.

The waiter outside the door immediately said respectfully:

"Got it, gramps~"

About twenty minutes later.

Lu Yuan's mouth corner revealed a trace of a proud smile.

He then took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and held one in his mouth.

He then tossed the lighter to the somewhat impatient Gu Qingwan waiting nearby.

You're Gu Qingwan, right?!

You're the empress, right?!

Light my cigarette, gramps!

Thanks to Yanbei and Yanhuayeleng for the 100-point book coin reward, thank you very much~

(End of chapter)