Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lu Liangwei shook her head. “It’s simple. I can call some servants to come and help me later. How many do you want, Your Majesty?”
Long Yang thought for a while before replying, “Let’s make a hundred for now.”
“No problem.” Lu Liangwei agreed readily, and then, thinking of something, she suggested, “Your Majesty, if our army wears this mask, we can use medicine balls on a large scale without worrying about them affecting our army.”
Long Yang’s eyes lit up. “Are you saying we should use medicine balls in the battle?”
Lu Liangwei nodded, but after a moment’s consideration, she asked hesitantly, “Would it be appropriate?”
Knowing what she was worried about, Long Yang said in amusement, “There can never be too much deception in war, and whoever seizes the upper hand first wins. Besides, the medicine balls you developed can reduce unnecessary damage, which is a good thing.”
Hearing this, Lu Liangwei was slightly moved. “Then do you approve the usage of my chili medicine balls on the battlefield?”
Long Yang nodded and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “By doing this, the war may end early, and your father and brother may be able to return ahead of schedule.”
Lu Liangwei’s eyes sparkled eagerly. “I don’t want to sleep anymore, Your Majesty. I’m going to make the necessary arrangements right away to produce the medicine balls and masks as soon as possible.”
However, Long Yang was a little doubtful. “But this means that the number of masks needed will also increase. Are you sure you can handle it? You’re pregnant now, and you shouldn’t overwork yourself.”
He had tested the medicine balls’ power before, and he knew that once they exploded in an open area, the powder would spread rapidly. If they were to be used on the battlefield, their own troops would be equally affected by them, unless their soldiers wore this thing Weiwei called a mask.
However, this meant that they would require a large number of masks.
Lu Liangwei gathered her thoughts. Knowing that he was worried about her, she reassured him, “I know. I’l just work as much as possible within my limits.”
Long Yang stroked her hair and said gently, “Good. Don’t force yourself to do anything.”
Lu Liangwei said confidently, “Don’t worry. It’s actually really simple to make this mask. Besides, we have plenty of hands to help out in the palace. I’ll call them over in a while, and I’m sure we’ll churn the goods out really soon.”
Long Yang was still concerned. “You can let the servants handle the work. You mustn’t overexert yourself.”
“I won’t.”
“You should still get some rest later,” Long Yang insisted.
Lu Liangwei did not want to waste any more time, and she was no longer sleepy either. However, the Emperor had made up his mind, so she had no choice but to give in. “I’ll take a short nap, then.”
Long Yang said no more.
After showing him the pills, Lu Liangwei returned to her sleeping quarters.
Long Yang rested briefly with her before going to the imperial study to deal with state affairs.
Lu Liangwei had Zhu Yu summon all the maidservants skilled in needlework to Grand Phoenix Palace.
Naturally, the masks she made could not compare to modern medical ones, but they could at least provide some level of protection and filter out the smell of smoke.
While Lu Liangwei was supervising the maidservants making the masks in the palace, Long Chi had arrived in Xuyang.
Xuyang was Great Shang’s most barren region, and although the imperial court provided annual financial aid to the people here, it was only enough to keep them from starving to death.
The region was desolate because it was mostly comprised of swamps, which made it difficult to produce any crops.
Every official who took office there would not stay long before scrambling to find a way to get transferred away.
The moment Long Chi stepped through the city gates, he was dumbfounded by the stony desolation.