Chapter 245: Your Majesty, the Divine Machine Camp
Chapter 245: Your Majesty, the Divine Machine Camp...
That's what I do!
Under the pergola, the autumn wind blew across my cheeks, and the wind was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder explosions.
The eardrums of all the officials were still filled with the 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 Shenjiying to do things that would benefit the soldiers.
At that time, they scoffed at this statement, thinking it was just nice talk for show.
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 thought it was a gilded performance, but they didn't expect it to be like this...
"Amazing!"
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 because of its small scale.
But... the scene before them made these military generals 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 relatively 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 gazed 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 musket...so what if it was stolen?
So, he really wasn't investigating the case because he had more important things to do.
It's ridiculous that he kept it from 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 shut everyone up.
Who said that the commander's airborne operation was inappropriate?
Which fourth-rank military officer can compare with such achievements?
"The drill is complete. Chief of the Firearms Bureau, Chen Gui, please report back!"
At this time, Chen Huoshen, who had a goatee, also came over. He saluted Zhao Duan first, and then turned to Xue Shence and others:
"This humble official greets all the gentlemen!"
Everyone recognized this "God of Firearms", and Governor Wang couldn't help but speak:
"Chen Gui, what are these two firearms called? How did you get them? Why didn't the Privy Council know about them before?"
This is also everyone's doubts.
Chen Gui said nothing.
"..." Governor Wang was silent for a moment, then suddenly an idea came to him and he turned to look at Mr. Zhao.
Zhao Duan smiled and said, "If Magistrate Wang asks you, you should tell him the truth."
"Yes," Chen Gui raised the gun in his hand.
"This is a matchlock gun. The one in the distance is called the Godly General Cannon. It was not made by our Firearms Bureau. It was made by Zhao Chenshi through his personal relationship with the help of Gongshu Tianyuan, a priest of the Tianshi Mansion. With the help of Zhao Chenshi's suggestions, it was made as an 'experimental' item..."
In Chen Gui's narration, emphasis was placed on Gongshu Tianyuan.
However, Zhao Duan's contribution to firearms design was glossed over.
This was something Zhao Duan had deliberately reminded of. After all, it was his credit that made this happen.
As for firearms design, instead of trying to grab 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 are questioning and inquiring, but also bind Gongshu Tianyuan's name with firearms, helping him to advance better.
Zhao Duan was calculating very well, intending to trade an empty title for a real favor from a disciple of Heavenly Master.
After listening to the story, Xue Shence and others suddenly realized what was going on and felt that the matter was real.
With the help of the Heavenly Master's disciples and Chen Gui's accumulation of most of his life... and according to what he said, the firearms seen today were made as quickly as possible, catalyzed by the means of sorcerers... It will take at least a year before ordinary craftsmen can completely forge them...
Moreover, the matchlock gun also has many disadvantages, such as being afraid of rainy days, etc.
This makes them feel more "reliable".
"Okay! Okay!"
The old minister of the Ministry of War was overjoyed, stroking the musket, his eyes full of joy:
"Although this is the case, it is a huge improvement compared to the past!"
He turned his head, looked at Zhao Duan, and said seriously:
"What Zhao Chenshi has done today will benefit future generations and the country. I will personally write a letter to request credit for you!"
What he saw today really gave the Shangshu too many surprises, which made the old man's heart surge, and he couldn't help but say:
"Can you take this musket back for me to play with?"
Zhao Duan smiled but said nothing.
The Minister of War suddenly reacted, smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"It was 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. Except for Zhao Chenshi, other camps and offices are prohibited from having any contact with it. They can only provide full cooperation and defense to avoid repeating the same mistakes." The generals responded yes.
Only then did a smile appear on Xue Shence's solemn face.
He glanced at Zhao Duan and said:
"I will also ask His Majesty for credit for you. In addition, to celebrate, I will hold 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 help Zhao Duan resolve the slander and defamation.
Zhao Duan was also stunned, and clasped his hands together:
"Thank you, Privy Councilor."
Xue Shence glanced at him, waved his hand, and said calmly:
"You deserve it, no need to thank me."
After saying that, he turned and walked away, still looking cold.
This time, Zhao Duan suddenly found 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 doubted whether 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 which of the words I heard were true and which were false.
……
"Sir? You're looking for me?"
Under the awning, people 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 soon 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.
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. Instead, he 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 gently.
His eyes were full of deep concentration, and he said softly:
"Who do you think is the traitor in Prince Jing's mansion?"
The two were stunned, and Qian Kerou said subconsciously:
"Didn't you say that 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 curled up:
"An insider? 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 an imperceptible voice:
"I just don't know what the success rate is."
……
……
The military attachés dispersed.
The news of the exercise spread like a whirlwind, quickly reaching the desks of important figures in the capital.
royal palace.
In the Imperial Garden, Mochou hurriedly arrived there, holding up the hem of her official robe.
From a distance, I could see waiters standing around.
And 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 full 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 will be the first to wither and die in early autumn.
At this moment, the empress stood in the autumn forest, with golden fallen leaves under her feet, forming a sharp contrast with the still 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 floated 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 sent us memorials at the same time, reporting on the firearms drills of the Shenji Battalion today."
"Oh?" Xu Zhenguan looked up and tilted his head:
"Has he made any progress?"
(End of this chapter)