"Top secret?"
Gongsun Dingjun became even more curious.
"He also gave me a list and asked me to buy up all the shops in the city that had these materials in his name," Li Xiuyun said frankly, handing a list to Gongsun Dingjun for review.
Gongsun Dingjun frowned and sighed, "It's my fault for not studying hard before. I completely fail to understand the intentions of Marquis Anguo."
Li Xiuyun and Zhuo Zifang, standing beside him, blushed.
They had read many books, but they still couldn't understand!
It wasn't until Liang Xiao appeared at the Prefect's mansion that Gongsun Dingjun rose and saluted, "Your subordinate greets Marquis Anguo, General Zhen Dong!"
Liang Xiao simply returned the salute and asked urgently, "General Hengjiang, are those personal guards confirmed to be reliable?"
Gongsun Dingjun nodded solemnly, "They are all the most loyal and wise individuals from the Marquis Dingguo's mansion. According to Marquis Anguo's wishes, these chosen personal guards are quick-witted and meticulous in their work!"
Liang Xiao was then relieved and looked at Li Xiuyun.
Li Xiuyun understood and said, "I have already had people secretly transport the materials, and the venue has been arranged. There will be absolutely no idlers within a two-mile radius. You can focus on your research!"
Thus, Li Xiuyun went to inspect Luzhou, while Liang Xiao, accompanied by Zhuo Zifang, Gongsun Dingjun, and others, headed to the "venue."
There was also a workshop here, guarded by a hundred soldiers.
Fifty personal guards followed behind Liang Xiao, their hearts pounding.
Gongsun Dingjun immediately arranged for the hundred guards to patrol the surrounding area.
Liang Xiao reminded them, "Each guard will be rewarded with twenty taels of silver! But remember, unless you receive military orders, no matter what sounds you hear from this place, you are not to come and observe. Those who disobey will be executed on the spot!"
"Thank you, Marquis Anguo!"
The guards, surprised and delighted, immediately went on patrol.
"Liang Xiao, how incredible is this thing you are trying to create?" Zhuo Zifang couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
"It's more than incredible. If it weren't for the purpose of enhancing the defensive capabilities of Luzhou city, I would never wish for it to see the light of day, lest it cause widespread suffering one day," Liang Xiao sighed.
Zhuo Zifang and the others looked bewildered. Following Liang Xiao into the workshop, a pungent odor hit them.
Looking at the powdered materials scattered all over the ground and piles of wooden barrels, everyone exchanged confused glances.
Liang Xiao then had Gongsun Dingjun select the ten most nimble individuals and instructed them sternly.
"I will give you the secret formula shortly. Mix it strictly according to the proportions on the formula. Ensure the area is well-ventilated and dry, and there must be no open flames. Do you hear me clearly? No open flames!"
Liang Xiao emphasized this point again. The men nodded silently, not understanding his meaning.
Liang Xiao continued, "From the moment you come into contact with the secret formula until I give permission, you will lose your freedom for a period of time. The remaining forty brothers will be responsible for guarding you. If the secret formula is leaked, all fifty of you will be held collectively responsible, and the crime will be comparable to treason."
Everyone's hearts grew serious, and they all said, "We dare not."
Liang Xiao added, "As long as you strictly adhere to all the precautions on the secret formula, I can guarantee that you and your families will live in comfort and abundance from now on. Each month, you will receive an additional fifty taels of reward silver, and after the world is pacified, each of you will also receive a reward of a thousand taels of gold."
The men were both surprised and delighted, but soon some expressed disappointment, "Marquis Anguo, although the conditions are very tempting, we are all elites carefully trained by our Marquis. Would it be a waste of talent to work on this kind of task here instead of going to the battlefield..."
Liang Xiao said resolutely, "It is precisely because you are reliable that you should be the ones to do it! The merit of this endeavor will surpass that of each of you beheading a hundred or a thousand enemies on the battlefield!"
Recalling Liang Xiao's proposal to the Emperor to improve soldiers' treatment, these elite soldiers also believed Liang Xiao's words implicitly and swore, "We will not fail Marquis Anguo's trust!"
Gongsun Dingjun reminded him, "Marquis Anguo, one should not accept rewards without merit. It would be better to settle this after the enemy is repelled, lest our Marquis punish us..."
Liang Xiao nodded, finally relieved, and took out the secret formula, displaying it to Zhuo Zifang and the ten men.
"We just need to mix according to this proportion?" everyone was stunned.
It was that simple!
"Look further down. I will personally guide you today until you are proficient," Liang Xiao said with a serious expression.
When everyone looked closely, they simultaneously gasped and nodded, "We will be extremely careful and cautious."
Zhuo Zifang pulled Liang Xiao aside and asked in a low voice, "Liang Xiao, what exactly is this thing that requires such secrecy?"
Liang Xiao sighed, "It's something that can enrage gods and spirits. In short, it must not be leaked, otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
Zhuo Zifang nodded slightly.
Liang Xiao just looked back at the workshop, sighing inwardly.
This was something that should not have appeared in this world, at least not in this era.
"Since gods and spirits are enraged by it, can't we just not do it?" Zhuo Zifang asked worriedly.
Liang Xiao shook his head, "Warfare is a matter of great importance to the state, a place of life and death, the way of survival. It cannot be neglected. In fact, we only have ten thousand elite soldiers. Although it seems we are well-defended and impenetrable enough to hold on until reinforcements arrive, what if something unexpected happens?"
Zhuo Zifang nodded and lamented, "That's true. Until the moment of success, we must not let our guard down..."
Luzhou city appeared to be well-prepared, but what if the timing was unfavorable?
Throughout history, there were records of lightning striking and destroying city walls. There was even the possibility of earthquakes, floods, and even the uncertainty of how many spies were within the city.
"This is compelling. I must see it for myself," Zhuo Zifang's curiosity was finally piqued by Liang Xiao.
"Commander Zhuo, you are also not allowed to leak it," Liang Xiao pouted.
Zhuo Zifang laughed, "If I were to leak it, you could report me to His Majesty and have my entire clan executed!"
"I dare not, I dare not."
Before Liang Xiao could finish, Zhuo Zifang chuckled again and changed the subject, "However, you have to give me something to keep me quiet, right? Just help me deal with Xiao Yun and find a way to bring her back from Da Liang?"
Liang Xiao's expression changed, "Commander Zhuo, can you pay attention to your demeanor? You are becoming more and more shameless."
Zhuo Zifang narrowed his eyes and examined Liang Xiao, feeling contempt. "Hiss~ How is it that when these words come from your mouth, I don't feel ashamed, but even a little proud? Do you think I can't see through your pretense? This is called fighting poison with poison, fighting shamelessness with shamelessness!"
Liang Xiao blushed. The two simultaneously cleared their throats tactfully, understanding each other's unspoken thoughts.
It was only when facing Liang Xiao that the esteemed Commander Zhuo would expose his shameless side.
"Rumble!"
Loud roars echoed from the venue. The guards patrolling the surrounding area were terrified, but remembering Liang Xiao's prohibition, they could only go to Gongsun Dingjun to report.
Gongsun Dingjun suppressed the shock in his heart and reminded them, "You don't need to worry too much. Pretend you didn't hear anything and don't go near. Marquis Anguo is doing great work that benefits the country and the people!"
Twenty li southwest of Luzhou city, in the Bai Niu Mountain area.
A large number of troops were hidden in various places in the mountains, keeping silent and awaiting their master's command.
Yan Jun personally reviewed the troops on a desolate patch of land in the mountains.
Lü Ma'er, the chieftain of Bai Niu Mountain, slyly approached and said, "Sect Master, the army has been gathering one after another. When can we charge into Luzhou to steal money and women?"