Chapter 590 Zhao Duan’s Secret Weapon

"Who is this official looking for?"

The small door of the Tianshi Mansion opened, and a young man wearing a cotton-padded priest robe asked doubtfully.

Zhao Duan, wearing a mask, said calmly:

"I've come here at the invitation of Priest Gongshu Tianyuan. Please let them know that the Acting Chief of the Lihua Hall is here."

After not showing his face, it was difficult for Zhao Duan to enter the house by "face recognition".

The priest was stunned for a moment, but he didn't dare to delay. He said "wait a moment" and closed the door before rushing to confirm.

It was cold and deserted outside the Tianshi Mansion in winter. Zhao Duan stood in the wind to bask in the sun for a while before the priest returned and respectfully invited him in.

Following the familiar path, I arrived outside the courtyard where Gongshu Tianyuan was. Before I went in, I heard the sound of "ding-ding-dang-dang" coming from the "workshop".

The leading priest turned and left. Zhao Duan pushed open the gate of the courtyard alone and saw that the courtyard was covered with white snow. Following the sound, he pushed open the door of a room in the courtyard and was stunned.

In this house, which was converted into a "workshop" or "workroom" by Gongshu Tianyuan, there was no regular furniture, only scattered wooden shelves and workbenches, as well as tools scattered on them and on the ground.

And in the center of the workshop, stands a giant "cannon".

This cannon is many times larger than the ordinary Shenwei cannon. It is like a giant beast lying in the house, almost reaching the beams.

On top of the thick and intimidating giant gun barrel, a slightly plump young man in a dirty robe and with sweat on his face was sitting astride the barrel, waving a small hammer and hitting it.

He stopped moving, stretched his neck from the top of the cannon, and saw Zhao Duan's eyes light up:

"Brother Zhao!"

Gongshu Tianyuan flipped over nimbly and landed on the ground as light as a goose feather. He wiped the sweat off his face and wiped his dirty hands repeatedly on his robe before extending his right hand enthusiastically:

"I didn't want you to come today, so to avoid revealing your identity, I didn't go out to greet you. Please forgive me. Are you here to see Master?"

This is the "handshake etiquette" he learned from Zhao Duan.

"No, I came here specially to see you today."

Zhao Duan extended his hand and shook it, explaining:

"Didn't you say last time that I needed your feedback on any improvements I could make while using this puppet substitute? Here's my review of it... well, my experience."

After releasing his hand, he took out some papers from his sleeve.

Gongshu Tianyuan took it with both hands solemnly, as if he was about to read it carefully, and then he said self-deprecatingly:

"This place is too messy, not a place to talk. Shall we go sit down next door and talk?"

Zhao Duan nodded, and the two walked out of the workshop and came to the reception room next door.

"Brother Gongshu, what is the cannon in the room..." Zhao Duan couldn't help asking as he just sat down.

Gongshu Tianyuan uttered an "oh," puffed out his chest proudly, and a smug look appeared on his face:

"Didn't you ask me to further research new firearms in the first half of the year?

I've been busy these past few months. The firearms used by your Shenji Battalion have reached a bottleneck in their development.

However, while researching artillery, I was inspired and gained new techniques and ideas from the [Craftsman God]. So, I began to wonder if, without being able to mass-produce them, I could explore the limits of the power of the artillery's structure and techniques combined..."

Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, and then he said in surprise:

"You mean you created an 'experimental' weapon that can't be mass-produced?"

This was news he didn't know.

Gongshu Tianyuan couldn't suppress the smugness on his face:

"I haven't named this cannon yet, but I plan to call it the 'Tianyuan Cannon'. It's nearing completion and should be finished by the end of the year at the latest. I wanted to give you a surprise once it's finished."

Zhao Duan asked doubtfully:

“Is this thing very powerful?”

Gongshu Tianyuan smiled faintly and said something earth-shattering:

"According to my calculations, if the Tianyuan Cannon is fully charged with mana, it can theoretically fire a shot with a force approaching the Heavenly Man Realm."

"really?!"

Zhao Duan was really stunned.

A shot comparable to that of a god?

Can he really tinker with this thing?

He finally became more serious, and his expression became serious:

"Brother Gongshu, this is no joke."

Gongshu Tianyuan was unhappy:

"Brother Zhao, you may not believe in my character, but you cannot question my professionalism!"

The red-pointed priest said with great pride:

"This is not impossible, just like when you used the Scarlet Flame Sacred Armor, you briefly unleashed a Heavenly Realm technique.

"Antique armor from hundreds of years ago can do this. How can I, Gongshu Tianyuan, a disciple of the Heavenly Master and a master craftsman, be weaker than the ancients?"

"Also, although this cannon is huge, I have also engraved a shrinking array and a light feather array on it, which can reduce its weight and volume to the level of an ordinary divine cannon, making it easier to transport.

Furthermore, to ensure the accuracy of the hit, it also has the ability to automatically aim. Once locked onto by the muzzle of the gun, it is equivalent to being locked onto by the divine consciousness of a cultivator in the Heavenly Realm."

After boasting, he coughed again and added:

"Of course, this is not without cost. It consumes a lot of energy. According to my estimation, if I use the energy-gathering array to replenish mana, even in a place with abundant spiritual energy, it will take a hundred days to fully recharge.

Moreover, after release, the gun body will be damaged and need to be reworked and repaired."

But Zhao Duan's eyes were already shining!

A movable, celestial-level cannon with Qi locking... the strategic significance of this thing can be imagined.

If it could be secretly delivered to the Eastern Front, and at the critical moment, it could deliver a powerful blow to the enemy...assuming that the Tianren Realm didn't personally intervene, it would be almost a nuclear-grade weapon.

Even if a person in the Heavenly Man Realm were to withstand a blow, he would definitely not feel good.

As for consuming a hundred days of energy...

Compared to the Scarlet Flame Holy Armor, which consumed all of Zhao Duan's family's wealth in smelting and required Pei Niannu's help, it could only barely reach the threshold of the Heavenly Man Technique... this is already much cheaper!

"Brother Gongshu, you really gave me a huge surprise." Zhao Duan sighed.

Who would have thought that just coming here to report the problem of this body not keeping warm would result in such an unexpected gain?

If it is completed by the end of the year and placed in the Houhu Lake in the capital to be charged, and everything goes well, he will be able to use it when he deals with Prince Jing in the spring of next year.

Gongshu Tianyuan smiled and said:

"I received a lot of guidance from Brother Zhao back then, and this is just a small reward."

In fact, the process of developing this Tianyuan Cannon has greatly improved his cultivation level, and he has already reached the world's middle-grade level.

——The improvement of the realm of the God of Craftsman is so simple and unpretentious.

…

…

Having unexpectedly obtained a secret weapon, Zhao Duan left the Tianshi Mansion in a happy mood, and his confidence in the action to eliminate Prince Jing next year was further strengthened.

Since Xu Jingtang can burst out god-level combat power, Prince Jing's background must not be underestimated.

Besides... he did not forget that the relationship between Prince Jing and Qingshan was unclear. Although Qingshan Wuxiankui did not go down the mountain after the Fengshan battle, perhaps due to the agreement between heaven and man.

But he must take into account the help that Qingshan's high-end combat power can provide to Prince Jing.

Thinking about the counterattack plan for next year, it was already late in the afternoon when Zhao Duan returned to the imperial court.

As I walked into the Pear Blossom Hall, I saw Qian Kerou and Zheng Laojiu gathered in the hall chatting and waiting.

"Sir! You are back."

Two members of the direct team stood up to greet them.

Zhao Duan said "yes", motioned them to sit down, and walked to the main seat. After sitting down, he asked:

"What's the situation with the delegation? They should have left the palace by now, right?"

He calculated the approximate time and came back on time.

Qian Kerou nodded and reported:

"As you instructed, we have sent people to wait outside the palace gate. The peace delegation just left the palace and has now been arranged to rest in the posthouse. Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan each led their own people to secretly follow the two delegations."

Zhao Duan nodded and asked:

"Did anything happen during the meeting?"

Qian Kerou said angrily as if complaining:

"Yes! Supervisor Sun sent someone to tell us what happened. He said that His Majesty and all the officials received an audience with the envoys. That Hejian Prince Xu Wenyan was foolish and naive, and behaved in many rude ways, but overall it was alright.

But that Princess Xu Xuelian of Yanshan fiercely complained to His Majesty in the Golden Palace, bitterly denouncing the thousands of people who cursed her on the way into the city, demanding an explanation from His Majesty, and…”

Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows:

"What else?"

Qian Kerou said angrily:

"That princess didn't know why she demanded the arrest of thousands of civilians. She also demanded that our members who were maintaining law and order nearby be handed over to her. She said that while the unruly people were despicable, it was our people who allowed them to commit evil that deserved the most severe punishment."

Zhao Duan laughed angrily and said coldly:

"Okay, okay, you're bullying my people."

If Xu Xuelian only asked for the punishment of the people who caused trouble, he would not be surprised. He had already prepared a few death row prisoners to be treated as the "main culprits" and that would be enough.

But this unruly little princess was so bold that she even brought the conflict to Hou Renmeng, Shen Juan and others who were present at the time.

But if we look into it strictly, it was indeed Lihuatang who allowed it to happen... This kind of punishment by naming someone is not easy to deal with perfunctorily.

"What does Your Majesty say?" Zhao Duan asked.

Qian Ke Judo:

"His Majesty only said that he would give the delegation an explanation, but the details still need time to be investigated."

Zhao Duan nodded. In a formal occasion, in front of civil and military officials, the best way is to just get by with it.

Zheng Laojiu beside him said quietly:

"Sir, if we want to get away with this, it's easy. At most, we can temporarily pretend to dismiss Hou Renmeng and Chen Juan from their posts so that no one can find fault with them. We can then reinstate them to their original positions later."

Zhao Duan said nothing.

Qian Kerou said indignantly:

"I'm just afraid that the overbearing princess won't give up and will make a big fuss about this matter and continue to cause trouble."

Zhao Duan interrupted calmly:

"That's not necessary."

For the sake of the overall situation, he can be a little tolerant, but if the other party is ungrateful and insists on coming to him, then it is not his character to be tolerant anymore.

He sneered:

"Earlier, Supervisor Sun said that this Princess Yanshan was domineering and arrogant, and was ten thousand times more powerful than me. I didn't believe it, but now I have witnessed it.

I don’t know what King Yanshan was thinking, he actually sent such a daughter to negotiate peace.

Is she thinking the court won't be bothered by her temper and choosing to tolerate her, or is she deliberately using her domineering personality as a cover to test the court's tolerance in preparation for formal negotiations later?"

Zheng Laojiu said quietly:

"Perhaps we are overthinking it, or perhaps Prince Yanshan has no one else to send.

Haha, the Prince of Yanshan has few heirs, so it's impossible for him to send his capable son as a hostage, so the only option is his daughter."

Zhao Duan's eyes flashed coldly:

"Guessing is useless. We have to see for ourselves what it is like. Besides, if this person insists on an explanation, it will be very troublesome. Where is this princess staying now?"

Qian Kerou opened her mouth and was about to answer.

Suddenly, a man in brocade clothes came hurriedly running in from outside the Lihua Hall. He had obviously just returned from riding a horse, and white columns of mist were spraying out of his nostrils as he ran.

"grown ups."

The Jinyi captain came outside the hall and saluted:

"The Shen Ji Division sent someone back to inform us that Princess Yanshan had left the post station and, along with some guards, was heading towards Jizhao Temple. It seems she was going to visit Princess Yunyang."

Jizhao'an?

Visit Yunyang?

Zhao Duan was stunned. This was something he didn't expect.

Then, a piece of information I had read before came to my mind:

The King of Yanshan has always been close to the King of Qingzhou, and the relationship between their descendants is also good.

After Xu Zudi, the prince of Qingzhou, came to the capital, he had a close relationship with Princess Yunyang and had even gone to help the eldest princess's son, Li Lang, and had picked a fight with Zhao Duan...

And Xu Xuelian does seem to have a close relationship with her aunt Princess Yunyang.

After arriving in the city and settling down, should I go visit my aunt first... Zhao Duan's heart moved.

Just because of feelings?

Or is it a "political show"?

"Well, I'll just go there."

Zhao Duan stood up and prepared to go to Jizhao Temple to meet the domineering princess.

At this moment, the secretary Qian Kerou suddenly seemed to remember something and slapped her head:

"By the way, sir, I forgot to report some information about Princess Yunyang to you."

"What's wrong with her?" Zhao Duan stopped and asked in confusion.

Ever since he threw this dissolute princess into a nunnery, he hadn't paid much attention to her. When the Eight Princes Rebellion broke out, almost everyone had forgotten about this imprisoned princess...

Qian Kerou had a strange expression on her face. She came closer and whispered:

"She's pregnant."

ah? !

A string of question marks slowly rose above Zhao Duan’s head.

…

…

Outside Jizhao Nunnery.

Since the destruction of Shenlong Temple, Buddhism has been banned in the capital, and the original Shenlong Temple has been closed down. The scene of prosperity here is no longer there.

In order to avoid trouble, the people in the capital would even deliberately avoid this place, and very few people approached.

Therefore, Jizhao Temple, located opposite Shenlong Temple, has become increasingly quiet.

If Prajna Bodhisattva had not secretly reached some agreement with the empress, this small nunnery would have been crushed when the Shenlong Temple was destroyed.

The group of young nuns inside are very grateful that they can still survive, and they are afraid of being noticed, so they are very low-key.

However, on this day, a group of uninvited guests came to the extremely quiet Jizhao Temple.

"Aunt Yunyang is confined here?"

Xu Xuelian rode on a huge white wolf and came to the outside of the ancient temple under the protection of the tall and strong guards of Yanshan Palace.

He frowned as he looked at the snow-covered steps and the closed temple gate. He dismounted and said coldly:

"Go knock on the door."

A moment later.

A young nun carefully opened the temple door and was frightened when she saw the ferocious-looking soldiers. She wanted to close the door, but she screamed and the courtyard door was forcibly opened.

Xu Xuelian walked straight in, broke into the depths of the temple under the frightened gazes of the nuns, followed the singing, and arrived outside a Zen temple.

Open the door of the Zen room.

Xu Xuelian was stunned when she saw the woman in the house holding her bulging belly and humming softly.

(End of this chapter)