Chapter 285: Missile Launch Silo

Originally, Lu Yuan had also been feeling worried just now.

But after reading the military report, he was looking at a map that came with it.

Lu Yuan then knew what Gu Lie intended to do.

The main force was moving forward, but three brigades had turned back and come to Liaobei.

This clearly is aimed at seizing Liaobei's seaport.

Speaking of this, it was still the last time Luuan drank with Gu Lie at home and brought it up.

I can't recall which evening it was when we were drinking and he said it.

Anyway, at that time Lu Yuan briefly explained the situation in Liaobei.

The reason the northern part of the Great Zhou Dynasty is so hard to develop is simply because it lacks a seaport.

Relying solely on railway transport is still insufficient.

Even if highways are built later, it's still the same.

Or to put it another way, with railways and highways, the north will naturally improve, but compared to other provinces, its speed will still be slow.

Other provinces are like walking on two legs, while Liaobei is naturally lame in one leg.

Without sea transport, it just won't work.

No matter what, it won't work.

Even on Earth, it's the same: wealthy, developed places are basically all in the southeast coastal areas.

There's no way around it; this is a natural advantage.

And now that this natural advantage of the north has been snatched away, Liaobei will be in trouble from now on.

Lu Yuan has probably mentioned this more than once over drinks, and he definitely said he wanted to take it back someday.

His little brother-in-law also took it to heart.

Well...

He really knows how to pick the timing.

But the fighting has already started; what else can be done?

This matter also bears some responsibility on me; my brother-in-law caused trouble outside, and as his brother-in-law I naturally have to help clean it up.

Lu Yuan thought it over, and it's actually not a big deal.

It's just that I have to cancel my vacation and get busy.

Being on duty here every day is definitely not acceptable.

At this moment, Gu Qingwan, sitting in Lu Yuan's arms, blinked her eyes curiously at her man and said:

"Little brother, what are you planning to do? Are you really going to war with the Rakshasa Dynasty? Although the Great Zhou Dynasty is developing so rapidly, many of your inventions have not yet been fully implemented."

"If we wait another three to five years, the Great Zhou Dynasty will surely be at its peak, and by then…"

In response to Gu Qingwan's words, Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows and said:

"If we don't fight, what else can we do? I guess the seaport has already been taken, and there's no turning back."

"Furthermore, if the Great Zhou Dynasty truly wants to develop well, it must have this seaport; otherwise, without it, Liaobei cannot develop."

"Anyway, Gu Lie has already acted, there's no turning back, so we can only support him from behind."

Of course, that was just making excuses.

Honestly speaking, it would still be best to fight after three to five years.

Liaobei has lacked this seaport for almost a century, so another three to five years won't matter.

Gu Qingwan also understands, but she let out a slight sigh and said:

"Just, the Rakshasa is a dynasty, and there are cultivators within its borders; if Gu Lie acts rashly and happens to disturb those immortals, and if the immortals intervene…"

This is actually also what Lu Yuan fears, and it's why he said he needs to get busy.

However, to console his wife, Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"Don't worry; I went to the Linglan Sword Sect once, and I know that immortals aren't the sort who just pick a random mountain peak to found a sect."

Immortal beings also prefer to go to places with clear waters and beautiful scenery.

As for the northern deserts above the Rakshasa Empire, that truly is barren mountains and evil waters, ten‑year‑frozen tundra, where you can grow only one crop of potatoes a year—such a god‑forsaken place, how could immortals be there?

Having said that, Lu Yuan chuckled again and said:

"Besides, even if there really are immortals, we're not afraid—what does our wife do?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingwan's eyes lit up and she immediately said:

"Exactly, we have Liyan; Liyan is at the Linglan Sword Sect…"

After saying that, Gu Qingwan suddenly blinked her eyes and said:

"But… the Linglan Sword Sect probably wouldn't get involved in this, you know…"

Before Gu Qingwan could finish speaking, Lu Yuan gave a slap, accompanied by his wife's infinitely shy coo, and raised his eyebrows, saying:

"I was talking about the second wife."

Second wife?

Gu Qingwan stared, then felt a bit dazed—'Isn't the second wife just me?'

Oh… right!

I myself am a cultivator!

To be honest, Gu Qingwan still isn't quite used to her identity as a cultivator.

The main reason is that, as a cultivator, she doesn't really do cultivator stuff every day.

Basically, she feels no sense of participation.

After all, her cultivation isn't like that of proper cultivators who must practice immortal techniques and heart methods; she just eats potatoes and then raises her realm.

It's mainly for longevity, not for anything else.

But...

Before Gu Qingwan could say anything, Lu Yuan already knew what she was thinking, and immediately said:

This time I went to the Linglan Sword Sect and brought back quite a few excellent mind methods and immortal techniques.

I originally planned to let you cultivate after this matter was over.

But now that this has happened, from now on, whenever you have free time, wife, start practicing.

Having said that, Lu Yuan took out the Azure Lotus mind method from his storage space, along with quite a few immortal techniques.

Of course, this Azure Lotus had been improved by Lu Yuan.

Gu Qingwan, holding this stack of books in her arms, looked at Lu Yuan somewhat dazedly and said:

"There's no time for this now..."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said:

I'm not saying you should learn this just to go fight others; if you really wanted to go, I wouldn't let you. This is for future preparedness.

As for those immortals, if the immortals of the Rakshasa Dynasty really make a move, my meaning is, wife, you just need to stand up front.

Show off your cultivation level—you've already reached Spirit Transformation, haven't you?

They'll likely give us some face; if they really insist on a hard stance, we'll talk about it then.

Your man still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Gu Qingwan knew her man had tricks; ever since just now she's been very curious, and she cooed:

"Little brother, what else do you have? Hurry up and tell me, sis~"

As soon as Gu Qingwan finished speaking, Lu Yuan glared and said:

"Men's affairs, stop prying!"

Having been scolded by her man, Gu Qingwan gave him a flirtatious roll of her eyes, then said:

"Okay, okay, okay~~ Sis won't pry anymore~~ No scolding sis, okay~"

Even though her man didn't say anything, Gu Qingwan inexplicably trusted him.

Her man said there was nothing wrong, that he had tricks.

That definitely means he has tricks and there's nothing wrong.

Lu Yuan chuckled hehe, not waiting to say anything, when the chief eunuch's voice came from outside:

"Your Highness, Fan Weiming has arrived."

Upon hearing that, Gu Qingwan rose from Lu Yuan's body, but Lu Yuan also stood up directly and said:

"I'll come."

When Lu Yuan reached the door of the study, he saw Fan Weiming hurrying over.

On the way over, Fan Weiming already knew what was going on.

The reason His Highness flew into such a rage just now was because that prince had been causing trouble at the front, and this time he definitely had to go to the front himself to deliver the imperial decree.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, Fan Weiming immediately knelt and said:

"My lord, I've already prepared the carriage and notified the station to keep a train ready for the outer passes; shall we depart now?"

Speaking to Lu Yuan is the same as speaking to His Highness; there's no difference.

Lu Yuan waved his hand and said:

"No need to go to the outer passes; send someone back to Huangcheng to inform the Ministry of Rites that His Highness has settled down in Liaobei, and the Ministry can send people over."

Although Fan Weiming wasn't entirely clear why things had changed, he still nodded and said yes.

And just as Fan Weiming rose to leave, Lu Yuan suddenly remembered something and immediately said:

"By the way, there's also Qingbei; summon the people from Qingbei."

Fan Weiming blinked, looking at Lu Yuan in surprise.

Qingbei?

Qingbei is huge now.

In the past half year, Qingbei has become much more than just a university.

Qingbei now has many departments under it.

There are departments specializing in water conservancy, weapons, communications equipment, electric power, and all sorts of other miscellaneous fields.

Summon them all?

Before Fan Weiming could ask, Lu Yuan realized he'd misspoken and immediately said:

"Summon everyone from Qingbei's Weapons Research Institute, uh... and also the Communications Institute."

Upon hearing that, Fan Weiming understood and immediately nodded and said:

"Yes, my lord."

……

Over the next seven days, things became extremely busy.

Lu Yuan then began researching day and night, which truly made Gu Qingwan feel heartbroken and vexed.

This should have been a good rest and leisure time for her man, but her foolish brother messed things up, leaving her man no time to rest.

Gu Qingwan, however, knew her man still very much wished for a period of time when he could be idle.

Just like before.

Gu Qingwan thought, she definitely needed to find an opportunity to properly compensate her man and make sure he could rest properly for a while.

Of course, during that time, Gu Qingwan herself certainly wouldn't be idle.

When Fan Weiming brought the Ministry of Rites personnel, to be precise, it was the cabinet ministers, the six ministry ministers, the Imperial Guard, the Heaven-lifting Guard, and many others who came.

Gu Qingwan moved into the Duhufu in Liaobei.

Then the reckoning began.

Besides that, she also had to constantly keep an eye on the situation on Gu Lie's side.

She was truly swamped.

On a vast wasteland.

Lu Yuan was covered in dirt, his face grimy.

The wind and sand here are too strong; even if he bathes every day, after being out for just two or three hours he ends up like this.

Like a little imp, he looks especially dirty.

At that moment, Lu Yuan sat on a boulder, holding the freshly delivered military report, his expression somewhat astonished.

Hey.

Gu Lie, this kid…

He really pulls it off!!

What a partner, this guy has reached Lake Baikal!

This so-called largest freshwater lake in South Qingling Prefecture is said to have seals inside; hmm… perhaps they should be called lake seals?

Gu Lie, this kid, really gets it done.

After Lu Yuan finished reading the military report, there was a photo at the end.

Hey.

When did Qingbei manage to produce a camera?

He himself hadn't even known about it before?

But thinking about it, Qingbei University—Lu Yuan no longer concerns himself with it.

Though called principal, he is actually just an honorary principal.

Anyway, Lu Yuan taught all the basic knowledge that needed to be taught, especially pointing out the direction for these people.

For example, what plus what yields what in the end.

It's still the same saying: the era needs guides, and Lu Yuan has already shown the way.

It's like preparing a meal: Lu Yuan bought back the ingredients and seasonings, and also wrote down the recipe for what dish to make.

Any cook with a bit of experience could follow the gourd to scoop out the same.

So, producing these little gadgets is nothing surprising.

What Lu Yuan looks forward to more is that, once Qingbei's people understand what he left behind, when they themselves invent and create, they will produce something impressive.

After all, this world has spirit stones; Earth's technology fused with spirit stones, and Lu Yuan believes Qingbei will produce something great.

This photo is of Gu Lie.

By Lake Baikal, there's a fishing rod set up in front. There's a stool, a pole, and a dip net.

On the left side stands a large grill, on which a whole ox is being roasted.

At that moment, Gu Lie faces the camera, grinning widely with bared teeth, and his hand makes a "yeah" gesture.

Lu Yuan smiled at the photo, then turned it over to see Gu Lie's writing on the back.

It's all crooked, like dog scratches.

"Brother, let's go fishing."

Looking at those chicken‑scratch characters, Lu Yuan chuckled, "Never mind, I'm not free lately."

After looking, Lu Yuan took the photo and handed the military report to the person beside him, saying:

"Send it to His Majesty to have a look. Also, tell the Prince later that reaching Lake Baikal is about enough—don't go further north, there's nothing up there."

"Moreover, winter is coming soon; at that time our vehicles won't be able to start in the winter days."

At present, the vehicles of the Great Zhou Dynasty are still quite primitive, with no anti‑freeze equipment.

The soldier beside him in uniform immediately stood at attention and saluted, saying:

"Yes, my lord."

Lu Yuan then added:

"Also, tell His Majesty that not far from the Liaobei harbor outlet there's a large island, Kuer Island."

"Send a few observation ships."

The man again immediately stood at attention and shouted loudly:

"Yes, my lord."

Finally, Lu Yuan took out his canteen from his waist, rinsed his mouth of the dirt and sand, and then said:

"All right, you may go back."

The man nodded, then gave another salute, and only then turned and walked toward the nearby jeep.

He then drove off, disappearing into the vast desert.

Lu Yuan gulped down half a water flask, just burped, when a Viet Cong scout poked his head out ahead.

"Principal, principal!!!"

This person shouted loudly.

Lu Yuan flung the water flask aside, hurriedly walked forward and said:

"Coming, coming, what are you shouting for?"

As for what Lu Yuan has been busy with lately, it's this right in front of him.

Missile launch silo!

(End of chapter)