The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 275 - 241, a link in the plan

Facing Zhao Douan’s question, the two "students" in the room did not respond for a moment.

Gongshu Tianyuan propped his chin, feigned deep thought, and stared at the arc on the paper, lost in the novel calculation methods.

Chen Huoshen held the rudimentary blueprints, his cheeks reddened.

The barrage of information Zhao Douan had thrown out was too much, leaving the two of them puzzled and overwhelmed.

It was clear they needed time to digest it all.

"It seems we won’t be needing anything for the time being," Zhao Douan said with a satisfied smile, clapping his hands to draw their attention, and added, "So, can we try making this new type of firearm now?"

Chen Huoshen said excitedly, "Give me two... no, one night, and I can refine the matchlock gun’s blueprints into a prototype."

Gongshu Tianyuan, brimming with confidence, declared, "As long as he can draw it, I can make it."

"Good," Zhao Douan said, "in that case, how about starting with manufacturing this fire gun?"

Chen Gui was so eager to get started; seeing the firearms about to be forged by his hands, to be advanced once more, how could he, who had devoted most of his life to this, not be thrilled?

However, he nervously added, "I have no objections, but the priest, he..."

Gongshu Tianyuan, with a serious and earnest expression, stated, "I will give it my all."

After a pause, he elaborated, "Not for the Divine Mechanism Camp, but for my own cultivation."

Artisan God Magicians needed to make recognized artifacts to advance.

If these firearms truly became widespread, it would greatly benefit Gongshu Tianyuan’s cultivation.

In other words, Zhao Douan’s visit today was not about repaying a favor, but rather it made Gongshu Tianyuan even more indebted to him.

Whether it was the innovative knowledge or the opportunity to enhance cultivation and breakthrough boundries, both were significant in weight.

"My lord, I am in your great debt and do not speak of gratitude lightly; leave this matter to me!"

Gongshu Tianyuan patted his chest in reassurance.

Zhao Douan smiled, gesturing there was no need for such formal words, then cautioned them both, "As this involves new-style firearms, it’s a military secret. The manufacturing cannot be concealed, but I hope the blueprints and other secrets stay in your bellies, not to be known by a fourth person before the tests are successful."

Gongshu Tianyuan agreed without hesitation, full of confidence.

He indicated that no thief had managed to steal from the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Chen Huoshen’s heart stirred, recalling the incident of the "Fire Gun" being stolen by spies from Prince Jing Mansion—as the head of the Firearms Bureau, he had undergone several investigations.

If there were another leak... he could not shirk the responsibility.

Considering this, he repeatedly assured that he would not let the state’s key weapons be stolen.

Zhao Douan, however, was not anxious; on one hand, he actually hoped that someone would attempt the theft.

Moreover, even if the fire gun’s blueprints were stolen, it wouldn’t matter.

Because what he had disclosed this time was only the "matchlock gun," while he still held back the more advanced "flintlock gun."

He had done so to prevent any mishaps.

Anyway, the flintlock gun only had a different ignition method; the rest of the manufacturing process was quite similar to the matchlock gun, so they could start by studying the matchlock gun.

Once successful, they could switch to the flintlock without delay.

Immediately, the three of them agreed to collaborate on developing the new-style firearms.

Externally, it was only said that Zhao Douan had spent favors to have the priest act as a "consultant."

"I hope," Zhao Douan concluded, "that you can produce a batch of finished products as soon as possible, ideally within this month or early next month, even if it requires some Magician techniques, to test and validate in a military exercise."

The two immediately agreed, assuring they would complete the task.

With blueprints and Magician-grade craftsmanship, making a small batch was not difficult.

The challenge lay in how to mass-produce them using ordinary craftsmen afterward.

Chen Huoshen was already looking forward to the sensational impact the new-style firearms would make during their demonstration.

Not to mention the high-ranking officials of the Privy Council, even the Empress of the current dynasty would surely be astonished.

Thinking this, his view of Master Zhao was filled with more respect than anything else.

He thought, "Now, in the Capital Camp, countless mediocrities slander and question.

When they realize what changes Master Zhao has brought to the Divine Mechanism Camp, they will understand that Master Zhao’s arrival is a blessing for the entire Capital Camp, and indeed for countless soldiers. The previous resistance was just foolish."

After Zhao Douan finished giving instructions and prepared to leave, Gongshu Tianyuan suddenly called out to him, "My lord, please give this to my junior sister to try and see if it suits her."

As if performing magic, he produced a palm-sized wooden box and smilingly said, "I’ve just finished making it, I was about to send it over."

Zhao Douan paused for a moment, opened the box to look inside, and was slightly surprised. He smiled and tucked the box into his sleeve, nodding, "Very well. Get back to your work."

As he turned and left the room, he thought to himself, who says the disciples of the Heavenly Master are ignorant of worldly ways?

...

"My lord! You’re out!"

The moment Zhao Douan stepped out, he first heard the voices of the two "door guardians."

After nodding to them, he was surprised to see Priest Jin Jian sitting bored on a large water tank in the courtyard, legs idly swinging.

Qian Kerou explained, "The priest came over just a moment ago and, knowing you were engaged in important matters, did not enter."

So polite? Last time you sneaked a peek at me bathing, you weren’t like this... You’re obviously worried about being discovered by Gongshu Tianyuan... Zhao Douan inwardly ranted.

He told the two, "Wait here for me, I’ll be back shortly."

Then, he gave Jin Jian a knowing look, and the two headed out of the courtyard.

...

Along the shaded path within the Heavenly Master Mansion, Zhao Douan, quite rarely, walked shoulder to shoulder with Jin Jian.

"How come the priest is here? Could it be you knew I was coming? Did you come to meet me specifically?" Zhao Douan asked with an innocuous smile.

"The profits from the follow-up have come out?"

Jin Jian, who had been walking silently, suddenly stiffened and quickly created some distance, desperately clutching her purse, shaking her head vehemently.

"No, there isn’t! There isn’t!"

Then, he explained:

"I came to look for my senior brother to see if that thing is ready."

"This?"

Zhao Douan looked disappointed, then took out a small box from his sleeve and tossed it:

"Your senior brother asked me to give it to you."

Gongshu Tianyuan probably already noticed Jin Jian lurking outside the door, so he gave her the item as a favor.

Jin Jian instinctively reached out to catch the box and held it in her hand, warily looking at him without moving.

Zhao Douan said with a smile, "Why don’t you open it and see? Does it fit well?"

Jin Jian hesitated for a moment before lifting the lid of the small box and taking out a pair of glasses with gold wire rims.

Gongshu Tianyuan’s craftsmanship was indeed exceptional, and the item he made was almost indistinguishable from the one Zhao Douan had drawn.

As for the lens’ optical axis made of crystal, the diopters... these had already been tuned.

Jin Jian looked curiously at the fascinating novelty, and under Zhao Douan’s urging and gestures, she carefully put it on.

On the bridge of her nose, perched a pair of large crystal lenses.

The unfocused eyes of the young girl suddenly found their focus.

"Wow!"

Jin Jian was stunned, her eyes widening dramatically.

She looked around in amazement as the once blurry world suddenly became sharp and clear.

She gazed around instinctively, then began to walk forward, soon crying out in astonishment.

She paused abruptly, her hands instinctively reaching up to adjust her glasses.

"Hehe, feeling a bit dizzy, right? It’s always like this when you first put them on. As long as things look clear, you’ll get used to it after a while," Zhao Douan said, smiling as he admired the otherworldly girl with glasses, reminding her.

Jin Jian nodded skeptically, then looked intently at him and said, "Thank you."

Zhao Douan responded with a smile:

"You should thank your senior brother, I couldn’t have made this by myself."

Jin Jian shook her head: "It’s not the same."

Zhao Douan teased her: "If you really want to thank me, you should at least make a gesture, right?"

Jin Jian clenched her nearly empty purse, bit her lip as if making a great decision:

"Next time you ask me to do something, I... I’ll give you a 20% discount!"

"...50% discount."

"30% discount!"

"60% discount."

"70% discount!!"

"Three..."

Jin Jian sighed, her head drooping in resignation: "Fine, 50% discount it is."

"It’s a deal."

Zhao Douan let out a hearty laugh, one of his rare moments of pleasure recently.

Jin Jian looked at him curiously:

"Speaking of which, what are you asking senior brother five to make this time?"

"Making something fun." Zhao Douan didn’t explain but asked instead:

"Has Priest Jin Jian been very busy lately?"

He noticed that the dark circles under the young girl’s eyes had gotten heavier.

Jin Jian, transforming into a glasses-wearing girl, nodded and said seriously:

"I’m intensifying my cultivation because the Buddhist Tao competition is approaching, and I might participate."

"Buddhist Tao competition?" Zhao Douan was taken aback.

A light bulb went off in his mind, and he blurted out, "That tradition?"

The last time at the palace, when the Empress gave him the "Six Talismans Treasure Armor," she mentioned that the Buddhist and Taoist magician factions had a tradition of competing.

A tradition that dated back to ancient times.

The combats and contests between the Royal Family of Great Yu and Martial Emperor City were modeled after the Buddhist Tao competition.

It was said that every competition, both sides would send their respective generations’ outstanding disciples to battle, and the outcome would affect the ranking of the two factions’ seats.

It was also a grand event for the entire cultivation community of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Each one attracted tremendous attention.

"When is it?" Zhao Douan couldn’t help but ask.

Jin Jian’s voice was ethereal:

"It’s this autumn, well, probably just a month or two away. If it’s delayed, at most until early winter."

My god... it’s coming up fast... Zhao Douan was amazed and said:

"And you still have the time to wander around here?"

Jin Jian spoke faintly: "Isn’t this me seeing you out?"

Thank you for that... Zhao Douan calmly said:

"I’m not planning to leave just yet. I thought you sought me out for something specific."

"...!" Jin Jian looked at him with reproach, then turned and walked away.

Such a waste of time!

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

"Wait, tell me exactly what this competition is about, hey?"

Zhao Douan called out several times, but the girl ran faster and faster until she disappeared from sight.

"Tsk... so foolish, yet representing the Heavenly Master Mansion..."

Zhao Douan sneered, wondering if she could possibly win.

But why was there a bit of anticipation in his heart about it?

He shook his head, knowing that there would always be time for excitement, but his current priority was to get the affairs of the Divine Mechanism Camp in order.

The so-called new firearms drill was not just a performance but also a part of the plan.

Zhao Douan looked up into the vast and deep blue autumn sky, murmuring lightly:

"You all had better understand what’s at stake."