Bai Yuan hesitated slightly when he heard this.
From a purely logical standpoint, as the instructor of the Gao Family Village Militia, lending such an important piece of equipment to an imperial suppression general was entirely reasonable. Refusing would actually seem strange.
But the problem was this—
These items were not Bai Yuan's personal property. They were collective assets of Gao Family Village. He had no authority to make such a decision on impulse.
At that moment, the golden-threaded image embroidered on Bai Yuan's chest suddenly gave a soft cough—so faint that only he could hear it.
Bai Yuan instantly understood.
Dao Xuan Tianzun had instructions.
He quickly turned to Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao and cupped his hands apologetically.
"Please forgive me," he said. "I suddenly need a moment alone."
He stepped aside to a secluded spot.
The golden-threaded Dao Xuan Tianzun spoke calmly:
"Gao Family Village transported three reconnaissance hot air balloons this time. Lending one to Cao Wenzhao is acceptable. However, his character must be tested first. If he is worthy, he may use it. If not, then he may not."
Bai Yuan inhaled sharply.
"A weapon of war like this—if it's handed to the imperial army, who knows whether one day in the future…"
He did not finish the sentence.
"…it might be turned against us."
Dao Xuan Tianzun laughed softly.
"It makes no difference. The technical difficulty of these hot air balloons is not high. Any competent artisan within the imperial system could replicate it after observing it a few times. There is no value in hoarding such a thing. On the contrary, letting Cao Wenzhao test it in real battle saves us manpower and risk. Of course—"
Dao Xuan Tianzun's tone turned firm.
"The prerequisite is absolute. His character must be clean."
Bai Yuan nodded.
"I understand. This subordinate will test him."
With this supreme directive in hand, Bai Yuan's path forward became extremely clear.
He returned to the two generals, a faint smile on his lips.
"General Cao," Bai Yuan said, "I've thought it over. We can lend you the reconnaissance hot air balloon."
Cao Wenzhao's face lit up instantly.
"Excellent!"
Bai Yuan raised a finger.
"However—this thing is expensive."
He gestured toward the balloon still floating in the sky.
"When we rent it out in Luoyang for amusement, one ascent costs thirty taels of silver. Just leaving it up here for a single day earns us three to five hundred taels without effort."
Cao Wenzhao fell silent.
"If the General wishes to use it for ten days, or half a month," Bai Yuan continued slowly, "then the rental fee would naturally be—"
Had this been someone like Zuo Liangyu, he might have flipped the table on the spot and seized it by force.
But Cao Wenzhao was not that kind of man.
After a few seconds of silence, he let out a long sigh.
"This general does not have that kind of money. I cannot afford it."
Bai Yuan's expression suddenly turned strange.
"General," he said lightly, "you've fought campaigns all across the realm. How could you possibly lack funds? Wouldn't it be easy to kill a few old women and children, cut off their heads, claim them as bandits, and receive generous rewards?"
The moment those words left his mouth—
Cao Wenzhao exploded.
"What did you just say?" he demanded.
Cao Bianjiao stepped forward at once, his hand gripping the hilt of his saber.
"Master Bai," he growled, "what do you mean by that?"
With a snap, Bai Yuan flicked open his folding fan, hiding half his face. His voice dripped with mockery.
"What do I mean? I merely spoke of the usual practices of the imperial armies, did I not?"
Cao Bianjiao was furious.
"You—!"
But Cao Wenzhao abruptly reached out and pressed a firm hand on Cao Bianjiao's shoulder, stopping him.
His face was dark, but his voice was steady.
"Master Bai," he said slowly, "it is true that discipline among imperial troops has long been rotten, and it is natural for the people to hold such opinions."
He met Bai Yuan's eyes directly.
"But I, Cao Wenzhao, am not that kind of general. And the Guanning Iron Cavalry under my command are not that kind of soldiers."
He continued coldly:
"I have no money. And even if I did, it would be used to pay my soldiers first. I will not rent this reconnaissance hot air balloon. It is not the only means of scouting. I have relied on my own scouts for decades and have fought my wars well enough."
He turned sharply.
"Bianjiao. We're leaving."
Cao Bianjiao was furious.
"Uncle! He insulted us like this—how can we just leave? He deserves a beating!"
Cao Wenzhao replied flatly:
"Why does he think the imperial army is like this? Whose fault is that?"
He spoke slowly, each word heavy.
"Instead of beating him, we should be beating those scoundrels who slaughter civilians and claim false merit. They are the ones who disgrace the army."
Cao Bianjiao could only sigh.
Just as the two turned to go, Bai Yuan called out:
"General—please wait."
Cao Bianjiao spun around, eyes blazing.
"What now? Are you looking for trouble?"
Bai Yuan spoke plainly.
"I've decided. I will lend you the hot air balloon."
"There will be no rental fee."
Cao Bianjiao froze.
"What?"
Even Cao Wenzhao turned back, surprise clear on his face.
Bai Yuan continued:
"I've long heard of General Cao. You served under Xiong Tingbi and Sun Chengzong, resisting the Manchu in Liaodong—fierce, cunning, and brave, earning great merit. In the seventh year of Chongzhen, you again faced the Manchu in Xuanfu and Datong. While other commanders hid behind their walls, you dared to challenge them head-on from the city."
He sighed softly.
"It was only because the enemy was overwhelming that victory was impossible."
With a snap, Bai Yuan closed his fan and bowed deeply.
"I salute you as a man of integrity. Therefore, this reconnaissance hot air balloon will be loaned to you—free of charge."
Cao Wenzhao was stunned.
"Oh… so that was the test."
He returned the salute.
"Master Bai, I noticed earlier—your fan has writing on the back as well. 'Six Arts,' correct?"
Cao Bianjiao nearly choked.
"Uncle! Are you really more surprised by the writing on his fan than by what he just said?"
Cao Wenzhao paused.
"Hm? When you put it that way… you're right."
The next morning, Cao Wenzhao led his army out of Luoyang, heading east toward Xingyang.
He assigned a special detachment to carry the components of the reconnaissance hot air balloon: the large wicker basket, the brazier used to heat the air, fuel supplies, and the massive balloon itself, carefully folded.
After seeing Cao Wenzhao off and ensuring his provisions were prepared, Fan Shangzheng also began making arrangements.
"Master Bai," Fan Shangzheng said seriously, "I must also join the suppression campaign. His Majesty has ordered that all rebels be eradicated within six months. I must participate in the encirclement."
Bai Yuan understood immediately.
Fan Shangzheng lacked confidence in his own troops and had come once again to seek assistance.
Bai Yuan cupped his hands.
"Very well."
The Gao Family Village Militia mobilized.
One thousand veterans and four thousand new recruits stayed behind to garrison Luoyang and Xiaolangdi. Bai Yuan personally led two thousand veterans and three thousand recruits eastward.
Once they left Luoyang, the severity of the situation became brutally clear.
Henan was utterly devastated.
A rebel force of three hundred thousand swept through the land like a plague of locusts, leaving nothing behind.
In the summer of Chongzhen's fifth year, the Yellow River had burst its banks, drowning vast regions. Immediately after came years of drought, lasting until the seventh year. And now—
The rebel army had arrived.
Natural disaster and human calamity struck together.
The people of Henan had not known peace for years.
East of Luoyang, the land lay completely barren.