Chapter 590 Zhao Duan’s Secret Weapon

Chapter 590 Zhao Duan’s Secret Weapon

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 came here at the invitation of the priest Gongshu Tianyuan. Please inform him that the acting police officer of Lihua Hall is here."

After not showing his face, Zhao Duan found it difficult to enter by face recognition.

The priest was stunned for a moment, but he didn't dare to delay. He said "wait a moment", closed the door and hurried 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-dong-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, and its height almost touches the beams.

On top of the thick and intimidating giant gun barrel, a plump young man in a dirty robe and with sweat on his face was sitting astride the barrel, swinging 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 turned over deftly and landed on the ground as light as a goose feather. He wiped the sweat off his face and wiped his dirty hands on his robe repeatedly before extending his right hand enthusiastically:
"I didn't want you to come today, so I didn't go out to greet you to avoid exposing your identity. 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 if I had any suggestions for improvement while using this puppet substitute, I would come to you for feedback? This is the evaluation report I've been using for a while... well, my experience."

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

Gongshu Tianyuan took it with both hands solemnly, as if he was going to read it seriously, 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 of them 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 but ask as he just sat down.

Gongshu Tianyuan said "oh", puffed out his chest proudly, and showed a smug look on his face:

"Didn't you ask me to further study new firearms in the first half of this year?
I have not been idle in the past few months. The firearms used by your Shenji Battalion have temporarily reached a bottleneck in improvement.

However, in the process of studying artillery, I was inspired and obtained new techniques and ideas from the [Craftsman God]. So I wondered if I could explore the power limit of the combination of artillery structure and techniques without being able to mass-produce them..."

Zhao Duan was stunned for a while before he said in surprise:
"You mean you made 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 almost finished and will 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 strong?”

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 close to that of a heavenly being."

"really?!"

Zhao Duan was really stunned.

A shot comparable to that of heaven?
Can he really make this thing?
He finally took it seriously, and his expression became serious:
"Brother Gongshu, this is not a 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 Red Flame Sacred Armor, you briefly performed a Heavenly Realm technique.
"Antique armor from hundreds of years ago can do this. How can I, Gongshu Tianyuan, be weaker than the ancients as a disciple of the Heavenly Master and a master craftsman?"

“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, in order to ensure the hit rate, it also has the ability to automatically aim. Once locked by the muzzle of the gun, it is equivalent to being locked by the consciousness of a celestial realm cultivator. "

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 be fully charged.

And 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 function... the strategic significance of this thing can be imagined.

If it could be secretly delivered to the Eastern Front and fire a shot at the enemy at the critical moment...assuming that the Tianren Realm did not personally take action, it would be almost a nuclear-grade weapon.

In fact, even if a person at the Heavenly Man Realm were to withstand a cannon shot, 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 savings for smelting and required Pei Niannu's help, this was already too cheap!

"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 charge, and if everything goes well, he will be able to use it when dealing with Prince Jing in the spring of next year.

Gongshu Tianyuan smiled and said:
"I received a lot of guidance from Brother Zhao, and this is just a small reward."

In fact, the process of developing this Tianyuan Cannon had greatly improved his cultivation, and he had already reached the middle level of the world.

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

……

……

Having unexpectedly obtained a secret weapon, Zhao Duan left 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 should 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 again after the Fengshan battle, perhaps due to the agreement between heaven and man.

But he must take into account Qingshan's high-end combat power to help 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 Lihua Hall, I saw Qian Kerou and Zheng Laojiu gathered in the hall chatting and waiting.

"My Lord! 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 come out of the palace by now, right?"

He calculated the approximate time and came back on time.

Qian Kerou nodded and reported:
"According to your instructions, we sent people to wait outside the palace gate. The peace delegation came out of the palace not long ago and is now arranged to rest in the post house. Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan each led people to secretly follow the two delegations."

Zhao Duan nodded and asked:
"Did anything happen during the audience with the Emperor?" Qian Kerou asked angrily, as if she was 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. The Hejian prince Xu Wenyan was foolish and stupid, and behaved in many rude ways, but overall it was okay.

But the Princess of Yanshan, Xu Xuelian, complained to His Majesty fiercely in the Golden Palace, denouncing the fact that she was scolded by thousands of people on the way into the city, and demanded an explanation from His Majesty, and... also..."

Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows:
"What else?"

Qian Kerou said angrily:
"That princess didn't know that she had requested that thousands of civilians be arrested, and she also requested that the people from our sect who were maintaining law and order nearby be handed over to her. She said that although the unruly people were hateful, it was our people who allowed them to do evil that should be punished most severely."

Zhao Duan laughed angrily and said coldly:

"Okay, okay, you are bullying my people."

If Xu Xuelian only asked for the punishment of the people who caused the 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 have been the end of it.

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.

However, 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 Kejudo:

"His Majesty only said that he would give the delegation an explanation, and it would take time to investigate the details."

Zhao Duan nodded. In a formal occasion, in front of civil and military officials, the best approach was to just get through 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 Shen Juan from their posts so that no one can find fault with them. Then we can restore them to their original positions later."

Zhao Duan said nothing.

Qian Kerou said indignantly:

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

Zhao Duan interrupted calmly:

"No need to say it."

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 Princess Yanshan was domineering and arrogant, and was ten thousand times more powerful than me. I didn't believe it, but now I have seen it for myself.

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

Did she think the court would not be affected by her temper and chose to tolerate her, or did she deliberately use her overbearing character as a cover to test the court's tolerance in order to prepare for formal negotiations later?"

Zheng Laojiu said quietly:
"Perhaps we are overthinking it, or maybe the King of Yanshan has no one else to send.

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

Zhao Duan's eyes flashed coldly:
"It's useless to just guess. We still have to see it with our own eyes. 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 running in hurriedly from outside 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 with his fists:
"Shen Jisi sent his subordinates back to inform us that Princess Yanshan left the post station and took some guards with her to Jizhao Temple. It seems that she is going to visit Princess Yunyang."

Jizhao'an?
Visiting 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 Yeonsang has always been very 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 helped the eldest princess's son Li Lang and had found fault with Zhao Duan...

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

After entering the city and settling down, will I go to visit my aunt as soon as possible... Zhao Duan's heart moved.

Just because of feelings?

Or is it a kind of "political show"?
"Well, I'll just go there for a while."

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

At this time, the secretary Qian Kerou suddenly seemed to remember something and slapped her head:
"Oh, sir, I forgot to report some information about Princess Yunyang to you."

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

Ever since he threw this dissolute princess into a nunnery, he had not paid much attention to her. When the Eight Kings Rebellion came, almost everyone had forgotten about this imprisoned princess...

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

"She is pregnant."

what? !

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 in the past is no longer seen.

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

Therefore, the Jizhao Temple, located opposite the Shenlong Temple, became 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 quaint 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 got off his mount and said coldly:

"Go call the door."

Russian qing.

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 gate was forcibly opened.

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

Open the door of the Zen room.

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

(End of this chapter)