LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 16 - That Wasn't Me Just Now
Lu Ping was indeed busy.
He was busy suspecting that there was a bug in the simulation.
The simulation clearly predicted that the Yan region would experience a once-in-a-century drought by the end of July, but tomorrow was August, and yet the weather was still pleasantly cool with a gentle breeze.
A drought would bring intense heat.
And the rebel army consisted mostly of the Yan region’s Ironclad Army, heavily armored and naturally unable to withstand high temperatures.
The Yan region was flat and expansive, and if the rebels were to flee, they would most likely head for the nearest place that could accommodate tens of thousands of people seeking relief from the heat—Lishi Valley.
So Lu Ping had planned to emulate Zhuge Liang by pretending to possess knowledge of both astronomy and geography.
But now…
The forecast was off!
Fortunately, Lu Ping had anticipated this and had prepared a Plan B.
If the strategy of driving the rebels didn’t work, he could change tactics on the fly and have his 150,000-strong army crush the Yan region.
The only consequence would be losing face.
And letting Lu Heng question his life choices.
Lu Ping had even imagined Lu Heng’s inner thoughts:
[Weren’t we supposed to follow the Emperor’s path of benevolent governance and advocate for surrender?]
[Weren’t the rebels also soldiers of the Great Jing, not to be wiped out completely?]
“Sigh, what a failure!” Lu Ping shook his head with a bitter smile but then noticed a bead of sweat falling onto the back of his hand.
“This is…”
Lu Ping looked up and suddenly realized that the scorching sun above was unusually glaring.
The soldiers in armor, charging forward, were sweating more and more frequently.
“It worked!”
Lu Ping finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ahead.
Lu Heng was still galloping on his horse when he suddenly heard a scout report, “Reporting to the vice commander, the rebels are fleeing towards Lishi Valley!”
“The Grand Preceptor is truly a divine being!”
Lu Heng reined in his horse, praised in amazement, and then spurred his horse onward.
…
“The rebels are fleeing towards Lishi Valley?” Luo Jinlan blinked her big eyes, looking confused.
She suddenly remembered what Lu Ping had said.
Didn’t he mention something about coordinating with him to drive the rebels to Lishi Valley?
But how did he know the rebels would flee to Lishi Valley?
With her half-star military strategy attribute, Luo Jinlan naturally wouldn’t connect the rebels’ retreat with the change in weather.
But she was still shocked by Lu Ping’s prediction.
The rebel crisis was basically resolved, and the previously arguing civil and military officials in the council hall were now all smiles.
Strategist Ji stepped out of the hall, laughing heartily. “I’ve long heard that Grand Preceptor Lu possesses extraordinary abilities, and seeing it today, I’m truly astounded!”
Luo Jinlan pouted. “Well, Ji, why didn’t I know you were such a flatterer before?”
Strategist Ji smiled awkwardly. “Yan Marquis, you flatter me. It’s just that Grand Preceptor Lu is indeed a remarkable man, someone I’ve admired for a long time.”
Although Luo Jinlan still had a skeptical expression, she secretly opened the simulation panel and began searching for information about Lu Ping.
One of the features of this simulation game, Mandate of Heaven, was that it would push characters or events of interest to each player based on their settings.
For example, Han Marquis Luo Jinxuan followed the principles of the kingly way, so her retinue included characters like Lu Ping, who could help her ascend to the throne.
But our Yan Marquis, with her immature love-struck brain, had a retinue full of handsome men.
It was similar to the current big data recommendations.
However, unfortunately for her, the Yan region’s harsh environment and rugged people didn’t provide any suitors that matched her aesthetic.
But through the rebellion, she had accumulated some military strategy experience, and with Lu Ping now on the same map as her, a simple search revealed his character card.
A golden legend!
Previously, she had only seen Lu Ping’s name appearing repeatedly in the simulated events.
But now, here was his character card, almost a one-to-one match with the real person!
“He… looks so handsome?”
First, Lu Ping’s appearance wasn’t bad to begin with, though not exceptionally handsome either.
However, a person’s charm comes from more than just their looks; their demeanor also plays a crucial role.
Joking aside, from Lü Bu, the most formidable warrior, to Yu Qian, the steadfast protector, and now to the brilliant minister Zhang Juzheng, although they were three entirely different people, Lu Ping had unconsciously absorbed some of their qualities.
For example, Lü Bu’s dominance, Yu Qian’s firmness, and Zhang Juzheng’s scholarly aura.
With such an excellent temperament, he could certainly be both strong and gentle.
So it wasn’t surprising that Luo Jinlan’s eyes suddenly became dreamy, with a smile creeping onto her face.
‘Sorry, the person you were chatting with just now wasn’t me.’
‘The innocent and carefree little girl you see now is the real Yan Marquis Luo Jinlan.’
“Strategist Ji, this is Lu Ping!”
As soon as Lu Ping stepped into the Yan Marquis’s residence, Luo Jinlan, like a fangirl, eagerly ran up to him, grabbed his arm, and introduced him to everyone in the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, everyone respectfully saluted Lu Ping.
Lu Ping glanced at Luo Jinlan beside him, his brows slightly furrowed, as if to say, ‘Are we that familiar’?
But Luo Jinlan ignored that, continuing to express the Yan region’s hospitality. “You’ve traveled all the way from Luoyang and must be exhausted. Come, rest in the hall.”
Lu Ping was speechless.
Where was the nobility that a princess should have?
She was a full-on silly sweetheart!
It wasn’t that Luo Jinlan’s appearance wasn’t attractive enough to catch Lu Ping’s attention.
As a princess, even though Emperor Zheng’s looks were somewhat lacking, his consorts were undoubtedly beautiful.
If Luo Jinlan inherited even a bit of her mother’s beauty, she would be considered a national beauty.
And indeed, Luo Jinlan did inherit her mother’s, the Emperor’s favored consort’s, beauty.
But the problem was…
She was too young…
Even the Han Marquis, let alone the straightforward Chu Marquis Luo Yingci, seemed to exude a maternal glow in comparison.
“May I ask, Princess, how should we deal with the 50,000 rebels in Lishi Valley?” Lu Ping withdrew his arm from Luo Jinlan’s grasp and casually asked.
Luo Jinlan, her eyes fixed on Lu Ping, said, “It’s all up to you.”
“After all, they are your subordinates, Princess. I wouldn’t dare overstep.”
Lu Ping deliberately kept his distance from Luo Jinlan.
At this moment, Luo Jinlan’s eyes were filled with Lu Ping’s tall and majestic figure, leaving no room to worry about the rebels.
“Strategist Ji, go handle it!”
Luo Jinlan pulled Lu Ping’s arm again, trying to drag him into the hall.
The young Yan Marquis was naive, but Strategist Ji knew that dealing with tens of thousands of rebels was a matter of great importance, not something he could decide on as a mere strategist.
So he remained still, waiting for Lu Ping’s instructions.
Lu Ping waved his hand and pulled his arm away again. “Please send some provisions, especially plenty of water, to the soldiers surrounding Lishi Valley. Keep the rebels encircled for a few more days until they surrender on their own.”
Strategist Ji asked one more question. “What if the rebels, driven to desperation, refuse to surrender?”
“If I give you an order, just follow it! Why are you asking so many questions?”
Luo Jinlan wasn’t pleased, giving Strategist Ji a glare before quickly changing her expression, smiling at Lu Ping. “The weather is hot, you should come inside and cool off.”