Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Led by Zhou Tie, two hundred Peach Origin Brocade-clad Guards appeared in unison on the North Garrison's drill ground.

Fang Zheng Yi, with his hands behind his back, surveyed the scene and asked Zhou Tie, "Are all the men here?"

Zhou Tie replied, "Everyone's here. Just give your orders, sir."

Fang Zheng nodded and pulled Zhou Tie aside, taking out a map from his chest and handing it over.

The map depicted a detailed route of advance and a strategy for a joint hot air balloon attack.

Cities and various locations were marked clearly, with tactics and strategies for coordinated attacks laid out in meticulous detail.

Zhou Tie received the map, a look of astonishment on his face. "This map... did you draw it, sir?"

Fang Zheng shook his head. "No. What do you think of it?"

The map was naturally the result of Li Yuan Zhao's all-night efforts. He had handed it over first thing in the morning after finishing it, then went to sleep.

Fang Zheng didn't quite understand it either. Although he heard Li Yuan Zhao boasting about his military prowess every day, he still needed a professional to assess it.

Zhou Tie stroked his chin and pondered for a long time. "Impressive! It takes years of hard work to create something like this. However, there are some things I don't understand... What's with these balloons? And these things written as 'fire oil tanks,' what do they mean?"

"Sir, are you planning a war with this map?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Hearing Zhou Tie's words, Fang Zheng felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders. It seemed that Li Yuan Zhao hadn't been exaggerating after all.

Fang Zheng nodded. "The reason I called you here today is to entrust you with a dangerous mission. Go to war according to the instructions on this map. I've gathered the brothers here so they can decide for themselves."

War! Is it finally my turn to fight?

Zhou Tie's mouth stretched into a grin that reached the back of his ears. "Sir, you didn't need to go to all this trouble!"

Fang Zheng glanced at him sideways. "What do you mean?"

"Just ask, and you'll understand."

Fang Zheng shook his head and said loudly to the crowd, "Brothers! Today, I have an important task to entrust to you, and it will be dangerous! I'm putting it out there first, many of you have families, so the decision to go or not is in your hands. Don't worry about my feelings!"

"Your mission is to go to the border town front lines and participate in the war! Moreover, this battle is extraordinary. You will launch an attack on the enemy from the sky. Don't ask why yet, whoever is willing to go, raise your hand now!"

As soon as Fang Zheng finished speaking, all two hundred men raised their hands in unison, not a single one wavering.

Zhou Tie folded his arms and chuckled softly beside him, leaning closer to Fang Zheng and saying, "Sir, these are all soldiers I've trained. They're eager to fight. They're all strong young men, full of fire. After winning the last battle against Prince Wu's men, they're now filled with high morale, and they've been holding back a lot of energy. No one will be unwilling to go."

Seeing that all two hundred men agreed, Fang Zheng felt a surge of pride in his heart.

These are my people, truly willing to step up when needed! They have guts!

"Good! Very good!" Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly as he looked at everyone.

Zhou Tie asked, "Sir... but what exactly do you mean by attacking from the sky? Surely we can't fly, can we?"

"Yes! The county has just created something that can fly, called a hot air balloon. Tell the county to manufacture hot air balloons with all their might and have the brothers learn how to operate them as soon as possible. Once you're fully prepared, then choose a time to set off."

Zhou Tie was stunned, muttering, "My heavens... fly? Isn't that the work of gods! What battle could we not win?"

"Don't be careless! I'm entrusting these two hundred men to you, you must be extremely careful," Fang Zheng instructed.

"Regarding the hot air balloons, go to the Ordnance Department to understand the specific details, and make sure the brothers reach a level of proficiency in operation and coordination. Two hundred hot air balloons taking off together, don't kill our own people before we even engage the enemy."

Zhou Tie shook his head and sighed, "Sir, you know what? Someone like you really isn't suited to leading troops in battle, you're too soft-hearted. Don't worry, I understand."

"Bullshit! I'm not good at fighting? How did I bring the county up all these years?"

"That's just brawling, you're good at that, you're ruthless!"

"Get out!"

Zhou Tie chuckled sheepishly, and Fang Zheng said helplessly, "During the training period, the Crown Prince will go and explain the battle tactics to you in detail, as well as the specific situation on the battlefield. Remember it carefully, but remember one thing, never let him go up in the air!"

"This... so the map was drawn by the Crown Prince?" Zhou Tie was dumbfounded. "He's only in his twenties, and I haven't heard of him ever being on a battlefield!"

"Yes."

"He's a genius..." Zhou Tie exclaimed.

......

Eastern Palace.

Li Yuan Zhao, seeing Fang Zheng Yi return, immediately rushed forward impatiently and asked, "How was it? How many people are willing to go?"

Fang Zheng Yi said proudly, "All two hundred of my Peach Origin County's loyal patriots are willing to go."

Li Yuan Zhao's face lit up with joy, and he rubbed his hands together. "That... didn't you say you were taking the map I drew to find a professional to assess it? What did he say?"

"He said you're a genius."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Yuan Zhao's tail instantly wagged, and he stepped on a stool with one foot, triumphantly saying, "What did I say? What did I say? You didn't believe me!"

"I was born with the ability to read maps! When I was little, I went to the Imperial Study to greet my father, and the first time I saw a map, I didn't think it was just a map, it was a clear view of real mountains and real water!"

"My father said, 'What are you pretending to be knowledgeable about? Go look at it, point it out to me!' I went up and pointed, and I got everything right!"

"Did His Majesty also praise you as a genius?" Fang Zheng asked.

"No, he told me to get out and stop making trouble in the room."

"....."

Fang Zheng Yi said, "Your Highness, now that things have been settled, Peach Origin County is starting production and training at the same time, you can go over there at any time."

"But one thing, keep the noise down, don't let His Majesty know."

Li Yuan Zhao nodded.

Fang Zheng Yi whispered, "Also, those two women... don't you dare blab about it."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it a secret for you, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." Li Yuan Zhao grinned mischievously.

I haven't even done anything yet! You're slandering me every day, blackmailing me!

Fang Zheng Yi gave a forced smile.

......

With the matter settled, Peach Origin County immediately kicked into high gear.

All available manpower was mobilized to start producing hot air balloons and goggles.

On the other hand, the selected candidates who were ready to go on the expedition also began intensive training using the hot air balloons that had already been produced.

Xiao Le Tian also accompanied them in flight, while simultaneously gathering experience.

In one month, his number of flights had accumulated to more than two hundred!

He could be called the first person in the Great Jing to fly in space... Even the soldiers of Peach Origin County admired his enthusiasm.

The profound flying experience accumulated every day was enough for him to write a bachelor's degree thesis.

At the same time, the day of the expedition arrived, and the equipment and luggage were packed.

At this moment, more than two hundred benches were placed on the drill ground, with a bowl of wine placed on each bench, specially to hold a departure ceremony for them.

Fang Zheng Yi and Li Yuan Zhao, of course, arrived on time, and Li Yuan Zhao, looking at the two hundred strong men on the field, felt a surge of excitement.

He had been coveting Lao Fang's elite soldiers for a long time, especially after spending a month getting to know and training with them, he had discovered that the physical qualities of this group of people were outrageously strong!

Almost every one of them could reach or even exceed the standards of an ordinary military general, which was definitely an unattainable realm for ordinary soldiers.

Such a strong army was finally under his personal command today!

Fang Zheng Yi looked at his profile, smiled, and took a step back, leaving the stage to him.

Li Yuan Zhao said loudly, "Brothers, today you are going on an expedition, I wish you all a victory and a triumphant return!"

After saying that, he picked up the big bowl and drank it all in one gulp, smashing it on the ground!

Two hundred men roared in unison, and at the same time picked up their wine bowls and drank them dry.

Fang Zheng Yi sighed in his heart.

The Crown Prince is really becoming more and more like a bandit, which is really good...

After everyone had finished drinking, Li Yuan Zhao looked at Zhou Tie: "Act according to the plan, and be flexible in case of unexpected situations."

Zhou Tie clasped his fist in agreement.

Seeing this, Li Yuan Zhao shouted: "Depart!"