Chapter 248 The Empress Arrives: Something Bad Happens, the Firearms Bureau is Attacked
Chapter 248 The Empress Arrives: Something Bad Happens, the Firearms Bureau is Attacked
Thanks to you... Zhao Duan's eyelids twitched, and the smile on his face became wider:
"What are you talking about? No matter where I go or what achievements I make, it's all because of you.
Today's so-called celebration party is also to save face for our imperial court, so as to avoid those soldiers in the Beijing camp from being overtly or covertly sarcastic. "
Ma Yan was stunned for a moment, then his expression softened and he felt comfortable being photographed.
After the two of them got into the carriage one after another, the wheels started rolling, and the faint moonlight shone in through the gaps in the curtains.
The two sat opposite each other, one on the left and one on the right. Ma Yan looked at him with emotion and said:
"I am amazed at what you have done in the Shenjiying."
Zhao Duan looked humble.
Ma Yan's stern face showed surprise:
“When you were promoted to the fourth rank, I originally thought that the position of future governor would be handed over to you, but I didn’t expect you to be appointed to the Shenji Camp.
At that time, I guessed that you were going after the traitor, but I didn't expect that what you did was bigger than anyone expected."
"Brother, you are so kind. Thanks for your guidance."
Remembering not to drift away, Zhao Duan quickly switched to "Xiao Zhao" state.
Ma Yan shook his head, waved his hand and said self-deprecatingly:
"Don't worry, I'm not that petty, and I know myself better.
Your Majesty handed the Imperial Court to me because, firstly, there was no other suitable candidate, and secondly, I was a lone minister. As for my abilities, they were mediocre. The only thing I was good at was martial arts. "
But the problem is... your boxing and kicking skills can kill me... Zhao Duan complained.
Ma Yan showed admiration and said:
"Tonight's celebration banquet is not only to clear your name, but also to give you a chance to gain a firm foothold in the army with your achievements. You must not neglect it, especially the officials of the Privy Council. Do you understand?"
Zhao Duan nodded and said:
“I don’t know much, but I have done some research.”
In the Privy Council, in addition to Xue Shence and Governor Wang, other important figures include a Deputy Privy Councilor, an Associate Governor of the Privy Council, and the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, a total of five people, one chief and four deputy.
The Privy Academician who is responsible for writing written reports... Next are the Director, the Clerk, the Secretary... and so on.
All of the above are suspects of being traitors in Prince Jing’s Mansion.
Zhao Duan chose to take action tonight so that he could easily round up this group of people at the celebration banquet.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, we can cut off all suspects in the Privy Council and their chance to contact the secret agents in Prince Jing's Mansion.
"That's good." Ma Yan, who knew nothing about this, nodded and said regretfully:
"Unfortunately, you failed to find the traitor. It's not perfect after all."
Zhao Duan sighed:
"So many people have investigated repeatedly, how can it be easy to find it?"
Almost everyone thought that Zhao Duan couldn't find the traitor, so he chose to manufacture new firearms to complete the empress's task in a roundabout way.
Little do they know that tonight, all of them will become part of the play.
……
Tonight's banquet is scheduled to be held in a mansion under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council, which is specially used for banquets for generals.
When Zhao Duan arrived, the courtyard was already crowded with people and brightly lit.
In the banquet hall, a group of military officials led by Xue Shence had arrived early.
Accompanied by a shout of "Zhao Chenshi from the Shenjiying Camp has arrived", people who were gathered in twos and threes in the hall to chat stood up and looked outside.
They greeted each other with a smile.
Show eagerness.
"Mr. Zhao, Mr. Ma, please come in!"
Shi Meng, the commander of the Shenji Camp, changed into a green robe and greeted them with a big smile:
"Just waiting for you."
Ma Yan consciously took a supporting role and allowed the former to welcome Zhao Duan, who was like the moon surrounded by stars, into the banquet hall.
There is a carpet in the center of the hall, with tables on both sides.
There are vertical candlesticks in between, casting a large halo of light.
Xue Shence sat cross-legged on the main seat in the front, chatting with Chen Huoshen who was also invited.
He stood up at this moment, exchanged greetings with Zhao Duan, and introduced him to many new faces at the table.
For example, the commanders of the various guards of the Imperial Guard...are important figures that Zhao Duan had never met when he was serving in the Imperial Guard.
Everyone is in harmony at this moment.
He was drowned in compliments like "young hero" and "pillar of the country".
The atmosphere is harmonious.
Just at this moment, a clear and high-pitched voice suddenly sounded outside:
"His Majesty is here!"
ga-
Suddenly, there was silence in the banquet hall, and everyone looked stunned.
"Your Majesty?" Xue Shence suddenly looked at Zhao Duan and found that the latter was also looking at him.
"..."
The two were silent for a moment, realizing that His Majesty's sudden arrival had nothing to do with the other party.
No... no one said Zhenbao was coming... While Zhao Duan was stunned, everyone in the hall had already walked out tacitly.
After walking a few steps, I saw the end of the stone path in the courtyard under the night sky.
Two strings of red lights floated out, they were eunuchs holding lanterns to lead the way.
Then, two figures came one after another.
The leader was a tall and graceful woman wearing a golden dragon robe and a light crown on her head.
Beneath the dragon robe, there is a lining of moon-white silk brocade.
The cold majesty and elegance are perfectly interwoven. Her thick black hair is tied into a high bun, showing off her long, white goose neck.
Extraordinarily tempting.
One step behind her was the equally beautiful "female prime minister", who followed closely behind her.
"His Majesty……"
Everyone was shocked again.
Then, dozens of military officials, led by Xue Shence, bowed and clasped their fists almost at the same time:
"My lord, see your majesty!"
Xu Zhenguan nodded slightly and said, "Stand up."
The lacquered phoenix eyes smiled at the dumbfounded Zhao and said:
"Mr. Zhao, I heard that you were celebrating tonight, so I came to join in the fun. Are you willing?"
In the night, under the lights, Empress Dayu with her hair in a bun and a small golden crown on her head has a unique charm.
If the emperor is majestic in the court, the beautiful lady is in the Heavenly Master's Mansion, the banished fairy is in the sword dance, and the female leader in ancient costume is in the imperial study...
The empress tonight lacked much of the majesty of the emperor, but instead had a more royal nobility.
Zhao Duan took a deep breath, bowed and said:
"I am honored to have your Majesty here in person!" The empress smiled, and she caught the astonishment and surprise on Zhao Duan's face.
A small sense of evil interest suddenly arose in my heart.
It was like he was suddenly frightened. Even though he was the emperor, he would not do such a boring and scary trick, but he felt inexplicably happy.
Xu Zhenguan arrived and instantly replaced Zhao Duan and became the focus of the whole audience.
After the greetings between the monarch and his subjects, the empress was welcomed into the banquet hall and naturally occupied the main seat.
The two rows of military officers below moved their buttocks at the same time.
Seats were reserved for Xue Shence, Zhao Duan, Chen Huoshen and others in the position closest to the empress.
Next, he inevitably asked about the details of the exercise. Zhao Duan reported in a disciplined manner, and the empress praised him highly.
The emperor and his minister never mentioned the word "traitor in Prince Jing's mansion" from beginning to end.
The night is getting darker.
Zhao Duan's gaze kept turning to the burning candlestick, and he would occasionally look up at the bright moon outside the hall.
Estimate in mind:
“It’s time for them to take action.”
……
……
outside the city.
In a forest near the Firearm Camp.
Several dark shadows walked out of the woods and crouched here.
Everyone was wearing night clothes. The first two people took off their masks and they were Haitang and Zhang Han.
"The firearms department is ahead. Remember what I told you. Fight quickly and decisively. Do not kill anyone, but it's okay to injure them."
Haitang gave instructions to a group of elite confidants in a serious tone.
Everyone nodded silently and rubbed their hands ready to go.
Zhang Han opened the map again and used the moonlight to determine the location of the "blueprint" and the attack route.
Next to the Firearms Bureau, there are military officers from the Shenjiying Camp guarding it.
Although Zhao Duan had made arrangements, the guarding force was relatively weak tonight.
But we have to do it. Only if there is a real robbery can the effect be real. The exercise must be carried out in full... These are what Zhao Duan said.
"It's almost time, move!"
At Zhang Han's command, the mask was pulled up, leaving only the eyes exposed.
A group of elite soldiers from the imperial court crept silently towards a building lying on the ground like a giant beast under the full moon in the distance.
However, when they arrived at the gray-black building of the Firearms Bureau.
I was shocked to find that there were bodies lying all over the ground, some unconscious and some dead.
The entire government office was completely silent, with no sound of anyone except the flames burning in the brazier.
"What's going on? Did Zhao Duan arrange someone else?" Haitang was confused.
Zhang Han squatted down and turned over a body lying on the ground.
It was clearly seen that the neck had been cut by a sharp weapon and blood was flowing out.
In the light of the fire, the corpse's eyes were wide open and it seemed to be shouting.
"died!"
Zhang Han's face darkened, and he touched the temperature with his hand:
"It hasn't been long since he died!"
At this time, the rest of the elite troops who had been dispersed and sneaked in to search also returned one after another.
One person said:
"Sir, the whole government office has been searched, especially the room where the blueprints are kept. The blueprints for the new firearms have disappeared!"
It's like five thunders striking the top.
Oops!
Zhang Han and Haitang's expressions suddenly changed, and they realized what had happened.
"Is he a secret agent from Prince Jing's Mansion, or a rebel from the Kuangfu Society..."
The two looked at each other, and their hearts sank suddenly!
I realized that something terrible had happened. The enemy hiding in the dark was so bold that he actually raided and stole tonight...
"I didn't hear any noise. They must have used some kind of talisman to isolate the inside and outside of the government office."
Zhang Han's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and his tone was urgent:
"Haitang, go back to the city and inform Zhao Duan! The rest of you, follow me to chase the enemy!"
"Yes!"
The well-trained Jinyi soldiers took immediate action.
Haitang opened her mouth, she wanted to say:
I'm afraid the enemy has already fled for a while. How can we catch him in the middle of the night?
But in the end, swallow the discouraging words.
Haitang gritted her teeth and had to return to the city in person to prevent the message from being interrupted. Her figure flew across the night sky like a wild goose.
He found a horse hiding in the dense forest, whipped it hard, and galloped towards the city amid the neighing of the horse.
There was panic and anxiety in his eyes.
Facing the autumn wind at night, I anxiously looked at the magnificent city in the distance:
"Zhao Duan...something serious has happened..."
However, the people who were acting separately did not notice it.
On the treetops in the distance, a sorcerer's figure was calmly overlooking the scene.
……
In the banquet hall.
The banquet is half over!
The emperor and his ministers enjoyed themselves together in a harmonious atmosphere, with the hall filled with laughter and conversation.
However, Zhao Duan, who was supposed to be the protagonist of the night, was exceptionally quiet.
Suddenly, there were the sounds of hurried horse hooves approaching outside the house, accompanied by the shouts of the empress's guards.
The sharp-eyed and sharp-eared military officers in the hall stopped talking and looked outside in confusion.
Xue Shence frowned, glanced at the empress, and was about to order someone to inquire.
Outside the hall, Haitang, having taken off her nightgown, came running towards us.
From a distance, before I could see the situation in the hall clearly, anxious voices exploded:
"Oh no! The Firearms Bureau was attacked and the blueprints were stolen!!"
A brief moment of silence.
Then, there was an uproar at the celebration banquet!
(End of this chapter)