Chapter 37: Honey Trap

Transporting firearms to Prince Jing's Mansion... The moment Zhao Duan heard this, lightning struck his mind.

Many royal princes of the Dayu Dynasty were enfeoffed according to their local enfeoffments.

Of course, this is not a backward model of dividing the country's territory into pieces and assigning them to clans for management.

Instead, he was only given part of the property and land, which was equivalent to a gentry of extremely high standards. The administration and military affairs of the place were still under the jurisdiction of the court.

Today, there are eight powerful princes scattered across the nine regions and eighteen prefectures of Dayu, collectively known as the "Eight Kings."

Among them, the one who is recognized as the most powerful in the "Jiancheng Dao" located in the wealthy southern region is Prince Jing.

After the Xuanmen coup, Xu Zhenguan ascended the throne and became emperor. The Eight Princes remained silent at first, but then they sent congratulatory messages one after another, recognizing the empress's throne.

On the surface, everything is peaceful.

But it is not the case.

The kings have been managing the local areas for many years and have deep roots. Most importantly, they are all "clan relatives" and have the possibility of nominally inheriting the throne.

Therefore, the relationship between the Empress and the Eighth Prince became "ambiguous"...

As a niece, the empress wanted to reduce the power of her uncles and consolidate her position.

However, because the foundation is not stable, we cannot start for the time being and can only take it step by step.

It is not known whether there are any "ambitious" people among the eight kings who want to seize the throne, but it is true that they are all worried that the empress's knife will fall on them.

In addition, there are rumors that the remnants of the Second Prince's "Kuangfu Society" are active in various places and cannot be eradicated.

It's because of the support of the Eight Kings...

Of course, there is no evidence, just rumors.

…

"Do you know what you are talking about?!"

In the warm room, Zhao Duan asked in a deep voice.

Xiaoya, who had already been crying her eyes out, shuddered and whimpered:

"Everything I said is true. I dare not lie..."

Then, she choked up and gave a brief description of what happened.

Zhang Changji did have the habit of talking in his sleep, but every time he spoke, it was just a few intermittent and vague words.

Originally, even if Xiaoya heard it, it would be difficult for her to form a complete association.

But the soldier came so often...

There is a lot of talk in sleep, even if it is just one or two words each time, but when connected together, the amount of information is large.

According to Xiaoya, it was Zhang Changji who was suspected of secretly contacting people from Prince Jing's Mansion and helped them secretly transfer a group of firearms craftsmen and some finished firearms to the south.

"As far as I know, according to the law, Prince Jing's Mansion is allowed to have a private army, but the maximum number is 800 people, and that includes logistics personnel..."

"Firearms were military supplies controlled by the imperial court. Firearms craftsmen were hereditary and prohibited from relocating. The Beijing Camp was responsible for firearms manufacturing... Zhang Changji served in the Beijing Camp and had the authority to do so."

Zhao Duan's thoughts raced, his face showing both excitement and worry.

What makes me excited is that I caught a big fish with just one try, but what worries me is... the level of this matter is beyond my expectations.

"If it's true...what did Prince Jing's Mansion want to do by secretly stealing firearms manufacturing technology? It's terrifying to think about it!

Also, is a low-ranking lieutenant like Zhang Changji capable of completing this task alone?

Are there higher-level officials lurking behind him in the court?

This huge vortex between the empress and the eight kings is no less dangerous than the party struggles in the temple!

Ordinary people are involved in this, and it is very dangerous! "

"But...high risk also means high rewards!"

Zhao Duan's heart beat faster and he quickly made a decision.

Looking at Xiaoya, who was slumped in front of him, her clothes disheveled and her makeup smudged from crying, he said calmly:

"Very good. The information you provided is very valuable. Anything else?"

"That's all, only these." Xiaoya was uneasy, her eyes like a frightened deer. She bit her lip and said:

"My lord, I am truly innocent."

"I believe you," Zhao Duan said with a pleasant face:

"This is considered meritorious service for you. Remember, today's conversation with me, including my arrival, must remain confidential. When I bring Zhang Changji to justice, you will certainly receive a reward."

Xiaoya breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:

"I am a very tight-lipped servant. As for the benefits, I dare not accept them. I only ask for your mercy, my lord."

You just betrayed someone, and you tell me to keep your mouth shut... Zhao Duan was too tired to complain.

But he did believe that the other party would not speak nonsense.

Unless you want to die.

"Okay, I will keep you safe." Zhao Duan said.

Xiaoya was overjoyed and quickly crawled over to his side, her slippery hands moving around unruly.

"Then I will help you undress."

Ahem... Zhao Duan bowed slightly and stood up, saying seriously:

"This case is of great importance. I cannot afford to waste any more time. I will be leaving now."

If the case is true, and the court subsequently verifies the case and traces it back to here, and learns that a certain Zhao stayed here overnight, I wonder how the empress will view him.

Zhao Duan is a man with ambitious goals and will not make the mistake of losing the big picture for the sake of small gains!

Xiaoya's eyes were filled with resentment, but she still didn't give up. She felt uneasy if she didn't sleep with Zhao Duan, so she hurriedly said:

"I have some new toys here that you are sure to like."

"What?" Zhao Duan stopped and his curiosity killed the cat.

Xiaoya stood up, a smile on her face, and walked gracefully to the inner room behind the screen. She took something out of the wardrobe and said:

"My Lord, do you know why the two Zhang brothers are so attached to me?"

"Why?" Zhao Duan saw the shadow of a woman changing clothes through the screen and felt that the difficulty of controlling the gun had increased sharply.

"Just because I understand what they want."

As she spoke, Xiaoya walked out from behind the screen, having changed her hairstyle and clothes:

Her white clothes were as white as snow, her black hair was like a waterfall, she wore a gilded phoenix crown on her head, and held a blank "memorial" in her hand, pretending to be majestic and cold.

The same cosplay as Xu Zhenguan, the Empress of Dayu!

Xiaoya said calmly:

"Mr. Zhao, why don't you bow before me? Are you trying to deceive the emperor?"

Zhao Duan was stunned!

…

…

Outside the Qinglian Hutong.

In the darkness, Zhu Kui leaned against the carriage, waiting boredly, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the entrance of the alley.

"Why hasn't the master come out yet... is he really asleep?"

Not long ago, he witnessed with his own eyes a group of guests walking out one after another. He knew that the literary gathering must be over, but there was no sign of Zhao Duan.

Just as Zhu Kui was thinking about it, he saw a figure running back hurriedly in the alley.

"Sir, you're out?" Zhu Kui was cheered up and jumped out of the carriage to greet him.

"I almost couldn't get out." Zhao Duan's expression was complicated and he shook his head. The heat on his body was gradually soothed by the cool night air.

Zhu Kui was surprised: "With your determination, sir, you almost lost?"

Old Zhu has followed Zhao Duan for a year. Apart from other things, he still admires Zhao Duan's pure love for the empress and his determination not to touch any other women.

Because you have no idea how fresh the stuff inside is... Zhao Duan complained in his heart.

He finally understood why even the hypocrite Zhang Changshuo couldn't resist it.

She really understands!

In my previous life, there was a classic question:

Why is it that there is no shortage of beautiful women around big shots, but beauty traps still work on them?

The highly-rated answer said that the beauty trap is never about entertaining people with beauty, but about conquering their hearts.

What you think is a honey trap: Big star Liu Yifei seduces you

The real honey trap: Sixteen-year-old Zhao Linger hugs your arm and calls you "Brother Xiaoyao"

"Stop talking nonsense," Zhao Duan got into the carriage, exhaled deeply, calmed his mind, looked at the time, and said:

"Go to the government office."

The incident that the Zhang brothers were involved in was too big, so he had to find someone to share the risk.

Thanks to Li Shipu for the reward~

(End of this chapter)