Lu Xuan smiled softly and did not rush to answer Jia Xu's question. He asked, "Xingba, have you brought everything?"
"Bring them all back."
Gan Ning answered firmly.
Lu Xuan nodded and said: "In that case, let's give it a try."
He looked at Jia Xu and Zhang Ren, smiled and said: "Let's go and see how our soldiers control Shengtian? Once you see it, you will understand how we are going to break the Yangping Pass controlled by Cao Jun.
"
Jia Xu and Zhang Ren looked expectant as they both followed Lu Xuan. Under Gan Ning's guidance, they soon arrived at an open area outside the city.
Here are more than 300 soldiers brought back by Gan Ning.
All the soldiers were very tired, but there was excitement in their eyes.
There are hot air balloons on the ground around them.
The hanging basket of the hot air balloon is made of bamboo and a little wood, which reduces the weight to the maximum extent but has sufficient bearing capacity.
The sphere of the hot air balloon is divided into two layers. The inner layer is made of fine satin cloth, and the outer layer is spliced with sheepskin and pigskin. Isinglass is used in all spliced areas to ensure that there is no air leakage to the maximum extent.
This was what Lu Xuan ordered Gan Ning to prepare during his stay in Guancheng.
Lu Xuan wanted to attack Yangping Pass. Even if he had strong troops and strong horses, Yangping Pass was extremely steep and difficult to attack.
So, hot air ballooning is an option.
Even though there are many problems with hot air balloons, this is already the simplest and more controllable method. As long as the wind direction is selected appropriately and proper control is performed, people can fly into Yangping Pass.
When Jia Xu saw the many hot air balloons on the ground, he frowned slightly and asked, "Your Majesty, is that all?"
Lu Xuan smiled and said, "That's all."
Jia Xu nodded, without further questioning, and said, "I'll wait and see."
Lu Xuan ordered: "Xingba, let the hot air balloon fly first."
"Here!"
Gan Ning answered with cupped fists.
He looked at the soldiers on the side and ordered: "Get started quickly and let your Majesty see our results."
The soldiers who had been experimenting for a long time looked excited and prepared quickly. Some soldiers were responsible for supporting the sphere of the hot air balloon with thin bamboo slices to ensure that it could be heated; some soldiers prepared the hanging basket and fixed it; and some soldiers were responsible for
Make a fire and place the burning brazier so that it can provide continuous heat.
The soldiers' arrangements were very skillful, without any awkwardness. As fuel such as charcoal, wood, and cow dung burned, billowing hot air poured into the sphere, and the hot air balloon gradually expanded and lifted off little by little.
However, the hanging basket under the hot air balloon is still fixed with ropes, so that although the hanging basket rises little by little, it will not fly out.
Lu Xuan saw it in his eyes with an expression of approval.
The making of the hot air balloon was not very complicated. He wrote all the steps on paper and asked Gan Ning to prepare it. Now, Gan Ning has successfully completed it, and judging from the appearance of the hot air balloon, he also made some adjustments to make it so stable.
Jia Xu's wrinkled old face was full of shock and disbelief. He walked to the side of the hot air balloon, his eyes widened, he stretched his neck on his feet, and looked at it carefully with some restraint.
His slender body couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Really lifted!
Moreover, it has already risen to half a person's height. If it were to be released, it would have already directly lifted into the sky.
Jia Xu swallowed a gulp of saliva. He did not expect that such magic could exist in the world and could slowly rise into the sky. He looked at Lu Xuan and asked, "Your Majesty, what is the name of this thing?"
Lu Xuan replied: "This is a hot air balloon."
Zhang Ren looked shocked and replied: "I didn't expect that this so-called hot air balloon can really rise. This thing is so ingenious and so ingenious that I, the great king, will admire it."
Jia Xu glanced at Zhang Ren.
You Zhang Ren, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, has actually learned to flatter you.
However, hot air balloons are indeed shocking.
Jia Xu quickly adjusted his state, regained his senses, and asked: "Your Majesty, although the hot air balloon has expanded and taken off, when we get to Yangping Pass, how are we going to control it and fly over? What should we do when it falls?
Landing? Also, how many people can a hot air balloon carry?"
A series of questions, each one is key.
All have to face it.
Lu Xuan looked at Gan Ning and ordered again: "Xingba, tell me."
Gan Ning looked excited and replied: "Relying on your Majesty's guidance, the hot air balloon we developed needs to control the direction. This cannot be done with hot air balloons. We can only determine the wind direction in advance and use the wind direction to move forward after liftoff."
"When the hot air balloon is falling, you need to predict the road conditions on the ground in advance, and then turn off the flames little by little. The hot air balloon will naturally descend slowly."
"Of course, it's normal for some accidents to happen when you fall."
"These are minor issues."
"In the end, each hot air balloon, based on our current size and specifications, can only carry twelve soldiers. This is the maximum limit. If there are more people, it will not be able to carry it. In addition, it is best for the soldiers to be lean and brave.
The thinner you are, the better you can carry it."
Gan Ning answered quickly.
Although hot air balloons have such shortcomings, Gan Ning still believes that hot air balloons are a great weapon.
Jia Xu stroked his beard and thought for a while, then asked: "How many hot air balloons are there currently?"
"Thirty-five!"
Gan Ning sighed: "Because of tight time and heavy tasks, we have only made thirty-five hot air balloons so far."
Having said this, Gan Ning added: "If we have more time, we can make some more. For example, if we go from Ju County to Yangping Pass, it will take a certain amount of time to collect some raw materials. When we arrive at Yangping Pass, we must also determine the wind direction.
You need the right wind direction to get in, and you have time to make a few.”
Jia Xu nodded after listening.
Hot air balloons are indeed a good thing.
He looked at Lu Xuan and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I suggest that we collect materials for making hot-air balloons in Ju County, let the craftsmen give instructions, mobilize more soldiers to assist, and strive to make more hot-air balloons."
"If we can secure sixty hot air balloons, more than seven hundred troops can enter."
"When considering landing, we should lose some soldiers to ensure that at least five to six hundred fresh troops are inside the pass. After this group of soldiers is gathered, they attack inside the pass, and with the participation of tiger generals like Xu Chu and Gan Ning, we can cooperate internally and externally.
"
Lu Xuan smiled and said: "Wen He's judgment is good. In addition, the hot air balloon is launched, and items that have never appeared before can scare the guards at Yangping Pass."
Jia Xu said with emotion: "The ancients wanted to fly into the sky, but no one could do it. Now the king's fantastic idea allowed Gan Ning to make a hot air balloon and achieve the feat of flying into the sky. The king's move will be remembered forever."
Lu Xuan's eyes sparkled and he said modestly: "It's just a little trick, not worth mentioning. After all, the skills of hot air balloons are not mature enough. However, it is enough to break through Yangping Pass with a hot air balloon."
He arranged it.
The soldiers under his command searched for materials for making hot-air balloons in Ju County. After collecting the materials and cloth, they stayed in Ju County for another day, reorganized the army, and prepared hot-air balloons. Lu Xuan then led the army and took away the people from Ju County.
Grain, grass, equipment, and head towards Yangpingguan.