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, and 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 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 enough bearing capacity.
The sphere of the hot air balloon is divided into two layers. The inner layer is made of fine silk and satin cloth, and the outer layer is made of sheepskin and pigskin. Isinglass is used in all spliced areas to ensure air leakage to the greatest 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.
Jia Xu frowned slightly when he saw the many hot air balloons on the ground and asked, "Your Majesty, is that all?"
Lu Xuan smiled and said, "That's all."
Jia Xu nodded and said without further questioning, "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 already tested it looked excited and prepared quickly. Some soldiers are responsible for supporting the sphere of the hot air balloon with thin bamboo slices to ensure that it can absorb the heat; some soldiers are also responsible for preparing the hanging basket and fixing it; and some soldiers are responsible for lighting the fire and placing the burning brazier so that for continuous heating.
The arrangement of the soldiers was very skillful and there was nothing awkward about it. As fuels such as charcoal, wood, and cow dung burn, billowing hot air pours into the sphere. The hot air balloon gradually expands and lifts off little by little.
But the gondola under the hot air balloon is still fixed with ropes, so that although the gondola rises little by little, it will not fly out.
Lu Xuan saw it in his eyes with an expression of approval.
Making a hot air balloon was not very complicated. He wrote all the steps on paper and asked Gan Ning to prepare. Now, Gan Ning has successfully completed it, and judging from the appearance of the hot air balloon, he has 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, widened his eyes, stretched his neck on his feet, and looked at it carefully with some restraint.
His tall body couldn't help but tremble slightly.
It’s really rising!
Moreover, it has already risen to half a person's height. If it were to fly out, it would have already directly lifted into the sky.
Jia Xu swallowed a gulp of saliva. He didn't expect that there was such a magic trick in the world that could slowly lift 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 ingenious that the king and the sage 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, the hot air balloons are truly stunning.
Jia Xu quickly adjusted his state, regained his senses, and asked: "Your Majesty, although the hot air balloon has expanded and lifted into the sky, when we reach Yangping Pass, how do we control it to 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: "With the guidance of Your Majesty, 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 taking off."
"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, which 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: "Due to 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 in the pass. After this group of soldiers is gathered, they attack in the pass, and with the participation of tiger generals like Xu Chu and Gan Ning, they can cooperate internally and externally. "
Lu Xuan smiled and said: "Wen He's judgment is good. In addition, the hot air balloon is launched. Such 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 wonderful idea has 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 Xuancai led the army and took away the people from Ju County. Grain, grass and equipment were taken in the direction of Yangpingguan.
