Chapter 245: Your Majesty, the Divine Machine Camp...

That's what I do!

Under the pergola, the autumn wind blew across my cheeks, filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder explosions.

The eardrums of all the officials were still filled with the lingering sound of artillery and continuous gunfire.

But after hearing what Zhao Duan said, everyone was moved.

At this moment, they suddenly recalled the conversation that happened not long ago.

Zhao Duan once said that he came to the Shenji Camp to do things that would benefit the soldiers.

At that time, they scoffed at this statement, thinking it was just nice talk for the sake of appearance.

However, they didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, Zhao Duan's "slap" would hit them in the face.

New firearms!

A new type of battle formation that has never been seen before.

All of this was beyond their expectations. They had thought it was a gilded performance, but they hadn't expected it to be like this...

“It’s breathtaking!”

I don't know who uttered this sigh.

It quickly resonated with everyone.

Frankly speaking, if we only consider the power, this seemingly lively exercise is not really that strong due to its small scale.

But... the scene before them allowed these military generals to glimpse a possibility.

What if... one day, this new weapon is distributed to the entire army and the scale of the battle becomes much larger? What will the scene be like?

You know, the greatest advantage of firearms over bows and arrows is not their power, but their ease of use.

Not every soldier can use a bow and arrow, but this thing is easier to master than a crossbow, and can cover a longer distance than a crossbow... Even if it is not accurate, as long as it is dense, it is enough.

"This... is what you have been doing these days?"

Xue Shence stared deeply at this favorite minister whom he once looked down upon, and suddenly understood something.

Zhao Duan said before that the firearms blueprints stolen from Prince Jing’s Mansion were no longer important.

Yes, with this new firearm, the previous arquebus...so what if it was stolen?

So, he was indeed not investigating the case because he had more important things to do.

It's ridiculous that he deceived everyone.

At this moment, thinking about the criticisms against Zhao Duan in the Beijing camp, it suddenly seemed like a joke.

The merit of this new firearm alone is enough to silence everyone.

Who said that the commanding officer's airborne operation was inappropriate? Or that it was unacceptable?

Which fourth-rank military officer can compare with such achievements?

"The drill is complete. Chen Gui, Chief of the Firearms Bureau, is reporting in!"

At this time, Chen Huoshen, with his goatee, also came over. He saluted Zhao Duan first, then turned to Xue Shence and the others:

"This humble official greets you all, my Lords!"

Everyone recognized this "God of Firearms", and Governor Wang couldn't help but speak:

"Chen Gui, what are these two firearms called? How did they come from? Why was the Privy Council so unaware of them before?"

This is also everyone's doubt.

Chen Gui said nothing.

"..." Governor Wang was silent for a moment, then suddenly had an idea and turned to look at Mr. Zhao.

Zhao Duan smiled and said, "When Magistrate Wang asks you, you should tell him the truth."

"Yes," Chen Gui raised the gun in his hand.

"This is a matchlock rifle. The one in the distance is called the Divine Power General Cannon. It wasn't made by our Firearms Bureau. It was made as an 'experimental' item by Zhao Chenshi, who used his personal connections to gain the help of Gongshu Tianyuan, a priest of the Tianshi Mansion. With Zhao Chenshi's advice, he managed to create it..."

In Chen Gui's narration, emphasis was placed on Gongshu Tianyuan.

However, Zhao Duan's contribution to firearm design was glossed over.

This was something Zhao Duan had deliberately reminded him of. After all, it was his credit that made this happen.

As for firearms design, instead of insisting on grabbing such a title, it has attracted many people's doubts.

It would be better to push it to Chen Gui, which would be more authentic and credible.

Being greedy for credit... is definitely not a good thing. Sometimes, appropriately lowering your own presence is the way to maximize your benefits.

At the same time, giving the credit to Gongshu Tianyuan can not only shut up many people who question and inquire, but also bind Gongshu Tianyuan's name with firearms, helping him to advance better.

Zhao Duan was calculating how to trade an empty title for a real favor from a disciple of the Heavenly Master.

After listening to the story, Xue Shence and others suddenly realized that the matter was real.

With the help of the Heavenly Master's disciples and Chen Gui's lifelong accumulation... and according to him, the firearms we saw today were made as quickly as possible, catalyzed by sorcerers... It would take at least a year before ordinary craftsmen could completely forge them...

Moreover, the matchlock gun also has many disadvantages, such as being afraid of rainy days, etc.

This actually makes them feel more "reliable".

"Okay! Okay!"

The old minister of the Ministry of War was overjoyed, stroking the musket with a look of delight in his eyes:

"Even so, compared to the past, it has made great progress!"

He turned his head, looked at Zhao Duan, and said seriously:

"What Zhao Chenshi has done today will benefit the country for generations to come. I will personally submit a petition to commend you for your contribution!"

What he saw today really gave the Shangshu too many surprises, and the old man was so excited that he couldn't help but say:

"Could you please let me take this musket back and play with it?"

Zhao Duan smiled but said nothing.

The Minister of War suddenly reacted, smiled bitterly and shook his head:

"It's my fault for not considering it carefully."

Immediately, he handed the rifle back to Chen Gui reluctantly.

The other military officers of the Privy Council also came to their senses.

According to common sense, the drawings of such important items must be submitted to the Privy Council for safekeeping.

But it had only been a short time since the last firearm was stolen, so how could anyone dare to take it?

If it gets stolen again, who will take the responsibility?

Xue Shence immediately made the decision:

"The development of new firearms is classified as top secret and is under the jurisdiction of the Firearms Bureau. With the exception of Zhao Chenshi, all other camps and offices are forbidden from any contact. They are only to provide full cooperation and defense to prevent the recurrence of past mistakes."

The generals should claim yes.

Only then did a hint of a smile appear on Xue Shence's solemn face.

He glanced at Zhao Duan and said:

"I will also commend His Majesty for your achievements. Furthermore, to celebrate, I will host a celebration banquet in the city tonight to clear your name."

The others were stunned for a moment, looking at each other, thinking that Lord Xue seemed to be in a really good mood.

As long as this celebration banquet is held, the news will spread to all the guards and camps of the Imperial Guard tomorrow.

Xue Shence wanted to use his own prestige to resolve the slander and defamation for Zhao Duan.

Zhao Duan was also stunned for a moment, then clasped his hands together and said:

"Thank you, Privy Councilor."

Xue Shence glanced at him, waved his hand, and said lightly:

"You deserve it, no need to thank me."

After saying that, he turned and walked away, still looking cold.

This time, Zhao Duan suddenly discovered that he could no longer feel the "pressure" coming from the other party.

…

The crowd gradually dispersed, each eager to leave excitedly and share the story with their colleagues.

Young Master Tang Ping was in a daze, walking among the crowd.

Before leaving, he turned his head to look at Zhao Duan's back and suddenly lost his fighting spirit.

He began to waver.

He wondered if his doubts and hostility towards Zhao Duan were really instigated by someone.

Pursing his lips, Tang Ping walked away.

I secretly decided to check carefully to see which of the things I heard were true and which were false.

…

"Sir? You're looking for me?"

Under the awning, as the crowd gradually dispersed, Hou Renmeng walked over and asked.

Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes and said nothing. Instead, he gave a look and returned to his room with two direct subordinates of Lihuatang.

After confirming that no one was eavesdropping, he whispered:

"I have something for you to do. Do it as quickly as possible and don't alert anyone else."

Then, he picked up a pen and wrote a line on each of the papers and handed them to the two of them.

The two of them looked down, both startled, somewhat surprised:

"Sir, you are going to..."

Zhao Duan slowly walked to the window, but did not open it. He just looked through the crack at the barracks gate and saw a group of figures gradually moving away.

His well-proportioned right hand rested on the back of the chair next to him and tapped lightly.

His eyes were filled with deep concentration as he said softly:

"Who do you think is the traitor in Prince Jing's Mansion?"

The two were stunned, and Qian Kerou subconsciously said:

"Didn't you say you wouldn't investigate..."

Then the round-faced female warrior covered her mouth and realized something.

Zhao Duan sighed softly, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up:

"A mole? I've been investigating... I've almost laid the groundwork, it's time to close the net... A celebration party is just what I want."

Then, he murmured in a barely perceptible voice:

"I just don't know what the success rate is."

…

…

The military officers dispersed.

The news of the drill spread like a whirlwind, quickly reaching the desks of all the important figures in Beijing.

Imperial Palace.

In the Imperial Garden, Mo Chou hurriedly arrived holding the hem of her official robe.

From a distance, I could see waiters standing around.

In the center of the garden, on an open space, a figure dressed like a fairy was dancing with a sword.

If the empress unleashes her sword dance with such force, heaven and earth will be in turmoil.

Therefore, when Xu Zhenguan practiced sword, he often suppressed his cultivation to the level of ordinary people.

But even so, the sword edges that cut through the autumn wind give people an indescribable sense of beauty.

Mo Chou approached in a daze and stopped far away.

There is a tree in the palace called Autumn Tree, which is the first to wither and die in early autumn.

At this moment, the empress was standing in the autumn forest, with golden fallen leaves under her feet, forming a sharp contrast with the still lush green trees outside.

“Woo—”

The sword tip brushed past, and Xu Zhenguan slowly put away the sword. The fallen leaves pulled by the sword tip spun under her feet and slowly coiled into a Tai Chi fish pattern.

"What happened?"

The empress's voice drifted from afar, more refreshing than the autumn wind.

Mo Chou bowed her head respectfully and said:

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War and the Privy Council have simultaneously submitted memorials reporting on today's firearms drills conducted by the Divine Machine Battalion."

"Oh?" Xu Zhenguan looked up and tilted his head:

"Has he made any progress?"

(End of this chapter)