Chapter 123
Zack was escorted away, while Yuwen Min and Lu Xuzhi began watching Lu Hanzhi make the telescope.
Yuwen Min watched as Hanzhi picked two suitably sized thin crystal slices and began grinding them with tools.
Thanks to parent-child activities at kindergarten, he had once helped his cousin’s little niece make a craft telescope.
He had a sudden inspiration back then and made an astronomical telescope for his little niece.
When he tried it at the time, the effect was surprisingly decent.
Unfortunately, the crystal slices Shadow Guard No. 1 had found weren’t very big. Only two pieces had acceptable transparency, but two pieces were enough—they could be made into one convex lens and one concave lens.
Lu Hanzhi spent the entire night wrestling with those two crystal slices.
Lu Xuzhi and Yuwen Min hadn’t slept either and stayed by his side, helping him.
So, aside from grinding the lenses, all the leftover scraps were processed with Lu Xuzhi and Yuwen Min’s help.
He made a simple wooden tube with two sections that could slide together to adjust focus, though due to limited materials, it was only a basic model for now.
Finally, Lu Hanzhi’s two lenses were polished.
He mounted the lenses on the wooden tube, held it up to his eyes, adjusted the focus, and said, “Done! Is it daylight yet? Let’s go outside and see how well it works.”
Yuwen Min and Lu Xuzhi were both curious and followed Lu Hanzhi up to the watchtower.
As they climbed the tower, Yuwen Min carefully supported him from behind, worried he might slip.
Ever since Yuwen Min had learned that Lu Hanzhi was pregnant again, he had been on edge.
The three of them reached the top of the tower. Lu Hanzhi aimed the telescope at the enemy camp, adjusted the focus, and could actually see what they were doing.
Then Lu Hanzhi witnessed an utterly outrageous scene: the enemy general was openly embracing a Western dancer and… having a wild outdoor romp in broad daylight.
Lu Hanzhi clicked his tongue. “This is too wild! No wonder they lost the battle.”
Yuwen Min asked, “Hmm? Han’er, what did you see?”
Lu Hanzhi put the telescope away. “N… nothing.”
Yuwen Min stared at him for three seconds, and Lu Hanzhi obediently handed over the telescope.
Yuwen Min took it and looked toward the same position. The enemy officers were deep in battle.
He put the telescope away and said, “All countries have such camp bugs; Great Zhao is no exception.”
Lu Hanzhi suddenly remembered the roster Yuwen Min had given him before and asked, “Is it that roster?”
Yuwen Min nodded. “Everyone on the roster is suspected of colluding with the enemy.”
Though he had known this for a while, hearing Yuwen Min say it aloud still shocked him.
Lu Xuzhi, nearby, seemed fascinated by the telescope, peering in every direction. This time he not only saw the wild antics but also someone sneaking food from the cooks.
Lu Xuzhi remarked, “This is amazing. With this, we can check on their movements anytime, right?”
Lu Hanzhi wasn’t paying attention to his second brother. He was thinking about something else.
After hearing Yuwen Min express concern about Great Zhao’s future, he said, “Probably they haven’t been properly educated in patriotism… they lack national spirit.”
Yuwen Min didn’t quite understand. “What?”
Lu Hanzhi said, “It’s a… kind of mental belief. Humans are naturally self-interested. But if from a young age they understood that the nation is the foundation of their survival—that a small trouble in the lips affects the teeth—they wouldn’t betray their country for personal gain.”
That made sense, considering Great Zhao was about to unify the land, wielding military power to stabilize the nation.
Military power could secure the state but could not fully shape it.
Lu Hanzhi continued, “Patriotic education cannot be neglected, best to start with children. Build schools, invest in education. If Wang Ye thinks it troublesome, I can provide funds, manpower, even textbooks. Teach them Great Zhao’s culture, history, deeds of heroes, patriotic generals, loyal ministers. Instill this spirit from childhood; it will unify the nation more effectively than military rule. Cultivating high-quality talent from a young age also benefits the country and people, with effects lasting generations.”
What Lu Hanzhi said was unheard-of to Yuwen Min, but when expressed, it made perfect sense.
Lu Hanzhi went on: “Knowledge and science are the country’s primary productive forces. Both must be emphasized and strengthened…”
Before he could finish, Yuwen Min stepped forward and kissed him on the lips.
He didn’t know if he was crazy or enchanted, but seeing Hanzhi ramble on made him want to kiss him.
Lu Hanzhi was flustered and pushed him away. “Hey, I’m talking about serious matters. Can you focus?”
Yuwen Min just smiled. “Hanzhi, with your strategy and talent, if you don’t pursue officialdom, it’s a waste.”
Lu Hanzhi said, “Not wasted. Who says serving the country must mean being an official? I can strengthen the nation by enriching the people through business. Founding schools lays the country’s foundation. I…”
Yuwen Min kissed him again, leaving Lu Hanzhi utterly dumbfounded, feeling like this audacious husband had to be stopped.
Meanwhile, Lu Xuzhi continued examining the telescope, studying its construction.
Just as he was about to ask Hanzhi the principle behind it, he turned and saw the two of them kissing.
He cleared his throat. “Could you two take this somewhere else? The soldiers below are about to get distracted by their sister-in-law.”
Yuwen Min, holding Lu Hanzhi, couldn’t suppress the surge of emotion in his heart.
He hadn’t realized he could feel so deeply for someone. He ignored onlookers and said, “Let them watch. Let them see how much I like you.”
Lu Xuzhi shivered, thinking: Yuwen Min usually looks stern, yet when he speaks of love, he has no shame at all.
So he quickly descended the watchtower, refusing to witness more of their public affection.
Poorly stationed, the guard on duty at the watchtower couldn’t leave his post even a step.
Great Zhao’s military law was strict: abandoning one’s post was a capital offense.
Yuwen Min held Lu Hanzhi, looking into his eyes. “Han’er my heart belongs to you.”
Lu Hanzhi realized and said, “Wang Ye… must you confess here?”
Yuwen Min said, “When you arrived yesterday, I wanted to speak, but you… threw a thunderbolt at me, leaving me both shocked and delighted.”
Lu Hanzhi felt a bit embarrassed and said, “Wang Ye, did you want to… court me?”
Yuwen Min asked, “Court you?”
Lu Hanzhi smiled. “Yes, as in… enjoy each other night after night.”
Yuwen Min considered the implication in Hanzhi’s words and said, “Exactly. I intend to enjoy you night after night.”
Lu Hanzhi still smiled, remaining silent.
Yuwen Min, feeling a little impatient, asked, “Wang Fei, what do you mean? You must give me a response.”
At that moment, he hardly resembled a Wang Ye, and any trace of the future mighty tyrant was gone.
He was clearly just a lovestruck, clumsy young man, awkwardly confessing to the person he liked.
Lu Hanzhi’s face burned hot. As someone who was naturally shy, how could he possibly resist such an impeccable display of affection?
So he tilted his head back and said, “Wang Ye… shall I… recite a poem for you?”
Yuwen Min was momentarily stunned, then nodded. “Han’er’s poetry is always beautiful; recite it for me.”
Lu Hanzhi blushed deeply. Well, the poem was copied anyway—how could it not be good?
He cleared his throat and began:
“Tonight is what night, Pulling the boat to midstream. Today is what day, To share a boat with the prince. Shame mingled with favor, yet not disgraced. My heart, though troubled, does not cease, Upon seeing the prince. The mountain has trees, the trees have branches, My heart delights in you, yet you do not know.”
This deeply sentimental song of the Yue people perfectly expressed Lu Hanzhi’s current emotions, full of longing and tenderness.
Yuwen Min was captivated by the poem and even more so by the person reciting it.
He nuzzled close to Lu Hanzhi’s ear and murmured, “Han’er… if only you weren’t with child right now.”
Lu Hanzhi pressed his head against Yuwen Min’s chest and said, “Wang Ye… but Sacred-Handed Lin said light touches are harmless.”
Yuwen Min could no longer restrain himself. He lifted Lu Hanzhi and returned to the army’s main tent.
For a moment, they seemed to have forgotten who had just loudly cursed the enemy general for public debauchery.
Indeed, such things were contagious.
Lu Hanzhi thought back to the earlier events, secretly laughing as he nestled in Yuwen Min’s embrace.
He comforted himself: we are nothing like them.
We are two hearts in harmony!
Their public display of affection left the soldiers utterly sated with “dog food.”
Yet, for some reason, the soldiers held this Wang Fei in even higher regard.
Not only was he deeply affectionate, he had also produced Eight-Ox Ballista, barrels of flaming oil, and fire-gourd devices.
Thus, the army gained a new unit: the Fire Assault Army.
He had also created the thousand-mile eyes, capable of observing the enemy with pinpoint precision.
Having gone two full months without intimacy with Yuwen Min, Lu Hanzhi was understandably excited.
He felt a little anxious, but he simply could not control himself.
Mainly, it was because Yuwen Min was so intoxicating— Lu Hanzhi considered this perhaps the greatest perk of being in this story.
Unfortunately, his body had limitations—pregnancy was a factor.
If not for that, it would have been pure enjoyment.
Yuwen Min was cautious, making their intimacy last even longer.
Fortunately, they had just finished a battle, and the border was secure.
Lu Hanzhi was also exhausted. He slept until noon the next day.
After a night of travel and grinding lenses for the thousand-mile eyes, this sleep was especially deep.
Yuwen Min, still concerned, summoned a military doctor to check Lu Hanzhi’s pulse.
The doctor quietly felt Lu Hanzhi’s pulse, then slipped out of the tent to speak with Yuwen Min: “Wang Fei’s pulse is steady, and the fetus is healthy. You may rest assured.”
Yuwen Min’s ears tinged red. He asked, “Shall we prescribe some medicine to secure the pregnancy?”
The older doctor smiled, shaking his head. “To speak plainly, Third Master Lu is a standout among the capital’s Xiao Langjun. He has a naturally healthy constitution. Even if Wang Ye were a little reckless, as long as Wang Fei isn’t harmed, there’s no real danger.”
Yuwen Min nodded, thanked the old doctor, and returned to the tent to tuck Lu Hanzhi in, letting him continue sleeping.
At that moment, Lu Hanzhi turned over and woke.
Yuwen Min sat at the bed’s edge. “Did I wake you?”
Lu Hanzhi shook his head, yawning. “I’m well rested.”
Yuwen Min asked, “Hmm, when did you wake?”
Lu Hanzhi hesitated, then said, “Just when you… the doctor said Third Master Lu is a standout among the capital’s Xiao Langjun. He has a naturally healthy constitution. Even if Wang Ye were a little reckless, as long as Wang Fei isn’t harmed, there’s no real danger.”
Yuwen Min: …
Lu Hanzhi propped himself on his side, bouncing his leg. “Seriously, look at your army camp. Everyone up and down is only focused on the commander’s… private life. Is that interesting?”
He gestured and pointed.
Your favorite BL chaos wouldn’t be possible without coffee… lots of coffee….
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