The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 280 - 245, I report to Your Majesty, the Divine Mechanism Camp...

"This is what I have done!"

Below the cool shed, the autumn breeze brushed across the face, with the air filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder explosion.

The eardrums of the group of officials still retained the lingering echoes of the cannon fire and the continuous gunfire.

Yet, upon hearing Zhao Douan’s words, all were moved.

At this moment, they suddenly recalled a conversation that had taken place not long ago.

Zhao Douan once said, he had come to Divine Mechanism Camp to do things beneficial for the soldiers.

At that time, they scoffed at this claim, thinking it was just a pretty speech for the occasion.

But to their surprise, in just a blink of an eye, Zhao Douan’s "slap" had landed on their faces.

New firearms!

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A never-before-seen method for a new style of battle formation.

All of this was far beyond their expectations. They had thought it was merely a gilded performance, but they had not expected it to be this...

"Absolutely amazing!"

Someone, not knowing who, let out this sigh.

It quickly resonated in the hearts of everyone.

Honestly speaking, if we were to discuss mere power, this seemingly bustling drill was not very strong due to its small scale.

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

If... one day, this new weapon was distributed throughout the entire army, and if the scale of the battle formation were much larger, what would the scene be like?

You see, compared to bows and arrows, the greatest advantage of firearms lies not in their power but in their ease of use.

Not every soldier can master the bow and arrow, but these weapons, compared to crossbow arrows, are relatively easier to master and have a greater cover range... Even if they’re not accurate, as long as they’re fired en masse, they’re sufficient.

"This... is what you’ve been working on during this time?"

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

Zhao Douan had previously stated that the stolen firearm blueprints from Prince Jing Mansion were no longer important.

Indeed, with these new firearms, what did it matter if the Fire Guns had been stolen?

Thus, he truly wasn’t investigating the case, because he was doing something more important.

Ridiculous, everyone had been fooled by him.

At this moment, thinking back on the criticisms of Zhao Douan within Capital Camp, it suddenly seemed like a joke.

The merit of this new firearm alone was enough to silence all.

Who says this commander parachuted in is improper? Disagreeable?

With such a merit, which fourth-rank military officer could compare?

"The drill is complete, Chen Gui, head of the Firearms Bureau, has come to report back!"

At this moment, Chen Huoshen, who sported a goatee, came over, first saluting Zhao Douan, and then turning towards Xue Shence and the others:

"I have seen all the esteemed officials!"

Everyone recognized this "Fire God," Mr. Wang could not help but speak up:

"Chen Gui, what are these two types of firearms called? And how did you come by them? How come there wasn’t a whisper of them in the Privy Council?"

This was everyone’s doubt.

But Chen Gui remained silent.

"..." Mr. Wang fell silent for a moment, his thoughts dawning on him, and he turned his head to look at Mr. Zhao.

Zhao Douan smiled: "Mr. Wang is asking you, you should tell the truth."

"Yes," Chen Gui then lifted the gun in his hand:

"This is called a matchlock gun, and that faraway one is called Fire Cannon God General. Neither was manufactured by the Firearms Bureau but resulted from Mr. Zhao’s personal connections. He secured the help of the Heavenly Master Mansion’s priest Gongshu Tianyuan through private channels, along with Mr. Zhao’s advice, to barely create these ’experimental’ items..."

In Chen Gui’s explanation, the emphasis was put on Gongshu Tianyuan.

While he glossed over Zhao Douan’s contribution to the firearm design.

This was specifically instructed by Zhao Douan, who already considered facilitating the matter his own merit.

As for the design of the firearms, rather than seizing that title, it would invite many doubts.

It was more believable and realistic to give credit to Chen Gui.

Hogging credit... definitely wasn’t a good thing. Sometimes, properly lowering one’s profile was the way to maximize one’s benefits.

At the same time, giving credit to Gongshu Tianyuan not only plugged the mouths of many who might probe with questions but also bound Gongshu Tianyuan’s name with the firearms, assisting his promotion.

Exchanging a nominal title for a substantial favor from a Heavenly Master’s disciple made Zhao Douan’s machination click soundly.

After the narration, Xue Shence and others showed looks of enlightenment as they felt the matter become more believable.

A disciple of the Heavenly Master involved, plus Chen Gui’s life-long accumulation... and according to what’s said, the firearms on display today were made hastily using techniques aided by magicians... The process to hand it over completely to ordinary artisans for production still required at least a year...

Moreover, the matchlock gun also had several drawbacks, such as being sensitive to rain, among others...

This, in turn, made them feel that it was more "reliable."

"Well done! Excellent!"

The old Chief of Staff from the Ministry of War was overjoyed, caressing the matchlock gun, his eyes brimming with joy:

"Even so, compared to the past, it is a huge leap forward!"

He turned his head, looked at Zhao Douan, and said earnestly:

"Mr. Zhao’s actions today are meritorious through the ages, beneficial to the state, I shall personally write a memorial to commend you!"

What he had seen today had indeed given too many surprises to this Secretary, causing the old man to be overwhelmed with emotions, and he couldn’t help saying:

"May I take this matchlock gun back for a closer look?"

Zhao Douan smiled without saying a word.

The Minister of War suddenly realized his oversight, smiling wryly and shaking his head:

"It was inconsiderate of me."

Then, reluctantly, he handed the matchlock gun back to Chen Gui.

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

According to the norm, the blueprints of such critical items must be submitted to the Privy Council for preservation.

But since the theft of the firearms was still a recent event, who would dare to take them now?

""

If theft were to occur again, who would dare take that responsibility?

Xue Shence immediately made a decision:

"The research on the new firearms will be classified as top secret, to be managed solely by the Firearms Bureau. Except for Master Zhao, all other camps and offices are prohibited from access, and are only to provide full support and defense to prevent history from repeating itself."

All the generals agreed in unison.

A faint smile finally appeared on Xue Shence’s stern and solemn face.

He glanced at Zhao Douan and said,

"I will also commend you to Her Majesty. Moreover, to celebrate, I will host a banquet tonight in the city to clear your name."

The others were stunned for a moment, exchanging glances, thinking that Mr. Xue seemed to be in a really good mood.

As long as the banquet was set up, the news would surely spread throughout the imperial guard and every camp by tomorrow.

Xue Shence was using his own prestige to address the slander and defamation aimed at Zhao Douan.

Zhao Douan was also taken aback, then clasped his hands in thanks:

"Thank you, Secretariat Envoy."

Xue Shence gave him a glance, waved his hand and said detachedly,

"What you deserve, no need for thanks."

Having said that, he turned and walked away, still looking indifferent.

This time, Zhao Douan suddenly discovered that he could no longer feel the "pressure" that used to emanate from the other person.

...

The crowd gradually dispersed, each person leaving eagerly to share the news with their colleagues.

Young Master Tang Ping wandered through the crowd like a lost soul.

As he was about to leave, he turned his head for one last look at Zhao Douan’s fading figure and suddenly lost his fighting spirit.

He began to waver.

Doubting whether his scrutiny and hostility towards Zhao Douan was truly the result of others’ instigation.

Pressing his lips tightly, Tang Ping walked away.

He silently resolved to thoroughly investigate which of the words he had heard were true and which were false.

...

"Sir? You wanted to see me?"

Under the cool pavilion, as people gradually left, Hou Renmeng approached and asked.

Zhao Douan squinted, not uttering a word, but gave a look that signaled two direct subordinates from Lihua Hall to follow him back to his own room.

Once he confirmed no one was eavesdropping, he spoke in a low voice:

"I have a task for you to complete as soon as possible, and without alerting anyone else."

Then, he began writing a line of characters on a piece of paper and handed it to the two of them.

Both subordinates looked at the paper and were momentarily stunned, a bit surprised:

"Sir, you want to..."

Zhao Douan walked slowly to the window, without opening it, and peered through the cracks at the entrance of the barracks and the retreating group of figures.

His proportionate right hand rested on the chair beside him, gently tapping.

His eyes were filled with concentration and he said softly,

"What do you think, who could be the inside traitor in Prince Jing Mansion?"

The two subordinates were startled, and Qian Kerou instinctively said,

"Weren’t you saying not to investigate..."

Then the round-faced martial artist covered her mouth, realizing something.

Zhao Douan let out a gentle sigh, the corners of his mouth slowly curving upwards:

"A traitor? I have been investigating all along... The groundwork is nearly laid; it’s about time to close the net... The victory banquet is exactly to my liking."

Then he murmured in a barely audible voice:

"Only, I wonder what the chances of success are."

...

...

The military officers dispersed.

The news of the military exercise, like a whirlwind, quickly spread to the desks of various important figures in the capital.

Imperial Palace.

Inside the Imperial Garden, when Mo Chou, holding up the hem of her official robe, hurried to the garden.

From afar, she saw servants standing all around.

And in the center of the garden, on an open space, the silhouette of a fairy was practicing sword dance.

When the Empress practiced her sword dance, if she unleashed her full spirit, heaven and earth would tremble.

Thus, Xu Zhenguan often suppressed her cultivation to that of a mortal when practicing.

Even so, the sword edges slicing through the autumn breeze bestowed an inexplicable beauty.

Mo Chou approached in a daze, stopping at a distance.

In the palace, there is a type of tree known as Qiumu, which withers prematurely at the start of autumn.

At this moment, the Empress stood amidst the Qiumu trees, her feet covered in golden fallen leaves, which contrasted sharply with the still lush trees outside.

"Woo~"

As the sword edge whisked past, Xu Zhenguan slowly sheathed her sword, and the guided leaves spun at her feet, slowly arranging themselves into a Tai Chi yin-yang pattern.

"What has happened?"

The Empress’s voice drifted over, crisper than the autumn breeze.

Mo Chou bowed respectfully and said,

"To report to Your Majesty, the Ministry of War and the Privy Council both submitted reports regarding the Divine Mechanism Camp’s firearms exercise today."

"Oh?" Xu Zhenguan lifted her gaze and tilted her head:

"Has there been progress with him?"