I worked myself to the bone to become a saint, and survived on a deserted island with a stunning pri

"yes!"

"Hi!"

All eighteen people agreed at the same time.

The bamboo tube bombs were relatively easy to make. Chu Nan demonstrated them to everyone several times, and they gradually became proficient.

They worked from morning till evening, and finally the 1000 bombs were completed.

To prevent any defective products from being found, Chu Nan specifically selected 10 for testing.

Only one of them didn't explode; the rest all detonated. Chu Nan was very satisfied with his results.

Zhang San and the others cannot be fully trusted yet, so Chu Nan needs to gradually grow stronger to completely win over their hearts.

The next morning, Chu Nan summoned Zhang San and several other influential figures among the bandits.

"Qinglong Village is a two-hour hike from here, so we need to set off around noon."

Chu Nan used charcoal to draw on the wall, creating a simple map.

"We'll start from here and then circle around to here, because there are two directions to go up the mountain from Qinglong Village, so we'll split into two teams to attack."

Chu Nan explained as he spoke.

Chu Nan spoke quite plainly, so it wasn't difficult for anyone to understand.

"Including me, there are 68 of us in total."

"We'll split into two teams of 34 people each. I'll command one team, and Zhang San will command the other."

"Do you understand?" Chu Nan's gaze swept over the group of people, finally settling on Zhang San.

Zhang San nodded quickly: "I'll follow the leader's arrangements."

Chu Nan nodded slightly: "Each person should carry fourteen hand grenades."

"Hand grenades should not be used indiscriminately; their purpose is deterrence, not killing!"

"Also, the safety of our own people is the top priority. If there is any danger, we can use grenades to kill people," Chu Nan instructed again.

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison.

"If you understand, go back and convey my words to everyone. Make sure that orders are obeyed without question."

"If anyone messes things up, I won't even bother chasing them away; the brothers won't let them get away with it!"

"Once we take Qinglong Village, all the money and supplies inside will belong to our brothers."

"Yes, we will follow the leader's orders!" The crowd's voices were much louder, and even their eyes were much brighter.

The emotion in their eyes is called greed.

"Alright, go and get ready. We'll depart at 3:45 noon!" Chu Nan waved his hand, and everyone went back to prepare.

Chu Nan went to the side room next door, where there were some weapons, swords, and even some farm tools such as hoes and shovels.

After browsing through them, Chu Nan chose a red-tasseled spear.

The reason for choosing a gun over a sword is that the swords here are of poor quality and too light.

Secondly, because the length of the gun is sufficient, as long as the strength and speed are adequate, the power of the gun far exceeds that of the sword.

In reality, for Chu Nan, with his current physical abilities being 10 times stronger, the difference between using a sword and a gun isn't particularly significant.

It's just that Chu Nan has a personal fondness for guns.

The imposing Zhao Zilong of Changshan and Gao Chong, who wielded a chariot, were both fierce generals who used spears, so Chu Nan also liked spears very much.

"Once I get to the capital, I'll definitely ask my father-in-law for a suitable weapon," Chu Nan thought to himself.

When Chu Nan thought of the capital, he thought of Ji Menghan and Ling Hanxue.

I wonder if they were injured on their way back to the capital? Did they encounter any danger? Have they arrived in the capital yet? Have they explained the situation to the emperor?

These are all unknowns, and Chu Nan's trip to the capital wouldn't be of much use right now. If Ling Hanxue could receive his letter, they would probably feel much more at ease.

……

Dazhou, Kyoto!

As the political, cultural, and economic center of the entire Zhou Dynasty, Kyoto was second to none in terms of prosperity.

In this relatively impoverished feudal dynasty, the capital city had a population of over one million.

If we were to search for a similar era and place in the history of Earth...

It was roughly equivalent to Luoyang during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

The layout of the entire capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty was quite vast, with four cities in the east, west, south, and north, while the imperial city occupied the very center.

Inside the magnificent and imposing imperial palace.

Outside Mingde Hall.

Ji Menghan, dressed as an ordinary palace maid, stood to the side with her head bowed. Her appearance had recovered somewhat compared to when she was on the deserted island.

She stood outside the hall, a hint of anxiety on her face.

Inside the Mingde Hall, the emperor was discussing state affairs with several ministers, and she could only wait outside.

Two hours passed before several ministers and vice ministers emerged from inside. They passed by Ji Menghan without even glancing at her, and quickly left.

It wasn't until all the ministers and vice ministers had gone far away that this happened.

Ji Menghan took a deep breath and quickly stepped into the Mingde Hall.

"Father!"

Ji Menghan hurried to the desk.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man dressed in a black robe with gold trim.

It was none other than Emperor Ji Che of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Han'er, what brings you in such a hurry?"

Ji Che was middle-aged, and his many years as an emperor had given him an imposing and dignified air.

He only showed this kind smile when he was with his daughter.

"Father, I wish to lead troops to Dongshan City to search for Chu Nan," Ji Menghan said.

Ji Che frowned slightly: "Han'er, the timing is not right. Wang Kun is Zhao Wanzhi's student."

"If you lead troops there, Zhao Wanzhi will surely find out."

"Before I have clipped Zhao Wanzhi's wings and completely taken him down, you must not act rashly," Ji Che said earnestly.

"But Chu Nan is in great danger right now," Ji Menghan said anxiously.

He and Ling Hanxue traveled incognito and disguised themselves all the way back to the capital. They first went to the Ling family and immediately found Ling Hanxue's grandfather.

After learning everything, Ling Hanxue's grandfather secretly entered the palace that night and told Ji Che everything. Only then did Ji Che send someone to bring him back to the palace.

"Han'er, the palace is not safe now either, there must be Zhao Wanzhi's spies among them."

"You shall return to the Ling family tonight. The Ling family is safer than the Ling family by my side," Ji Che sighed.

"You and that girl from the Ling family absolutely cannot be exposed now; you must buy me time."

"Father, but Chu Nan..." Ji Menghan began anxiously, but before she could finish, Ji Che waved his hand to interrupt her.

"The illegitimate son of the Chu family, I never expected that he could save you on a deserted island. I am aware of this matter. Han'er, you don't need to worry. I am considering the bigger picture." Ji Che's expression turned slightly cold.

"Okay..." Ji Menghan's voice trembled, and a bitter look flashed across her pretty face.

"Your subject takes his leave..."

Stepping out of the main hall, Ji Menghan waved to the waiting eunuch beside her, who immediately understood. He led Ji Menghan out of the palace gate and then all the way to the back gate of the Ling residence.

"Princess sister!"

Upon seeing Ji Menghan, Ling Hanxue's pretty face revealed a look of surprise and delight.

The two of them didn't have much interaction before; they were merely nodding acquaintances.

After experiencing the deserted island and Chu Nan, their relationship had become incredibly close, even closer than that of biological sisters.