Catching Monsters

Chapter 505 As if afraid I'd steal the credit.

"What?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing frowned slightly and looked the two of them up and down.

Then Qi Hede said, "This item was designed and made by Lord Jiang. Without his approval, of course..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing felt a pang of envy. If he could present this item to his father, it would be an immense achievement.

But it's so painful that it can't have anything to do with me.

Xiao Jingqing stared intently at the object before finally saying helplessly, "Okay, I understand."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Qi Hede and Hu Leqi dumbfounded. They looked at each other, wondering what was going on.

About half an hour after Xiao Jingqing left, Jiang Yun and Xu Xiaogang arrived after hearing the news.

The two rode directly to the artillery testing ground.

After Jiang Yun dismounted, he asked the two men what had happened that day, and they naturally told him the truth.

After hearing this, Jiang Yun's face darkened. He took a deep breath, realizing he was too late; otherwise, he would have at least detained Xiao Jingqing here temporarily.

People will only be released after the artillery actually appears on the battlefield. The artillery is a serious matter, and if the news leaks to the rebels, we're doomed.

“Lord Jiang, His Highness the Eighth Prince is of noble status, and we dare not stop him,” said the two Imperial Guards following behind Jiang Yun, bowing their heads.

“It’s not your fault.” Jiang Yun shook his head, then looked at Qi Hede and asked, “Where is the artillery at now? Can we start mass production?”

“It’s not precise enough.” Qi Hede shook his head and said, “There is still a risk of barrel explosion, but the probability has been reduced. If it were really put into the battlefield, it would not be enough.”

"At the very least, the inner wall needs to be polished even more finely."

"But Lord Jiang, rest assured, the overall craftsmanship is not complicated. Once you have a finished product, you will have a reference."

"If you want to make it, the speed will be much faster."

"Okay." Jiang Yun nodded heavily, then said, "Thank you for your hard work, please finish the product as soon as possible."

……

On the way back to the capital, Xiao Jingqing was somewhat absent-minded, having just witnessed the power of the cannons with his own eyes.

And most importantly, that thing could be used without a cultivator.

If the army is well-equipped and of appropriate size, a few rounds of artillery bombardment would probably be enough to rout the enemy without even a fight.

Such a good thing...

Moreover, his elder brother Xiao Jingzhi often visited Jiang Yun.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jingqing said in a deep voice, "Guards, return to the palace."

Upon returning to the palace, Xiao Jingqing immediately went to the door of the Imperial Study. It was already noon. After the eunuchs inside reported to him, he was quickly led inside.

"Jingqing is here, perfect timing, come and have a meal together."

At the dining table next to the Imperial Study, Xiao Yuzheng was eating lunch.

"Yes, thank you, Father." Xiao Jingqing slowly sat down next to Xiao Yuzheng, and after thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Your subject has come here specifically to tell Father some good news."

"Some time ago, Commander Jiang, Duke Xu, and I came up with a rather ingenious idea..."

"Now that we've seen initial results, I'm here to inform Father. If Father has time, you might as well leave the palace this afternoon to see how powerful that thing is."

After hearing Xiao Jingqing's description, Xiao Yuzheng's face immediately showed interest. He narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "Jingqing, this matter should not be made up. A magic weapon that ordinary people can use without cultivation?"

"And it's also incredibly powerful?"

“This matter is absolutely true.” Xiao Jingqing nodded. “If it were used on the battlefield, the rebels would probably be wiped out very quickly.” Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng put down his chopsticks, having lost his appetite. He turned to the eunuch in the room and said, “In that case, notify Du Huai’an of the Ministry of War and Zhao Yuming of the Ministry of Works, and have them bring some craftsmen to accompany me to take a look.”

After saying this, Xiao Yuzheng smiled and said to Xiao Jingqing, "If what you say is true, I will reward you handsomely."

"Your subject does not seek any reward. I only see that Father Emperor is worried about the southern rebels every day, and I think it would be enough if I could share Father Emperor's worries and solve his problems." Xiao Jingqing said sincerely, "This credit shall be given to Lord Jiang and Duke Xu."

"Your subject is already the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, and does not seek any further rewards."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng gave Xiao Jingqing an appreciative look and slowly said, "Very good, Jingqing. Among you brothers, you are the one who takes credit and power the least seriously."

"Sometimes, being too power-hungry is not a good thing."

"I will heed my father's teachings."

Soon, upon hearing that Xiao Yuzheng was preparing to leave the capital, the Imperial Guards quickly made arrangements. A large number of Imperial Guards soldiers prepared the imperial carriage, and Du Huai'an and Zhao Yuming also rushed over to accompany him. The group then headed north of the capital in a grand procession.

……

Inside the dense forest manor, Jiang Yun and Xu Xiaogang were sitting in a living room, discussing how to secretly manufacture cannons.

Before it is officially used on the battlefield, everything must be kept strictly secret. Jiang Yun has already planned to requisition a factory and then have the Embroidered Uniform Guard guard it.

Not only were the factory workers not allowed to leave easily, but the Imperial Guards also had to supervise each other.

Just then, a member of the Imperial Guard rushed over from outside, panting, and said, "Reporting, sir, a lot more people have arrived, saying they want to see the cannons."

"They're almost at the manor."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun frowned and quickly stood up, saying, "Didn't I give the order that no one is allowed to approach? Just stop them directly. If you force your way in, what's the point of the knife in your hand? I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

The subordinate lowered his head and said awkwardly, "Sir, if I were to use a knife, you would be unable to bear the responsibility... It is His Majesty the Emperor who has come."

"What?"

Jiang Yun was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at Xu Xiaogang beside her.

Xu Xiaogang narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "His Highness the Eighth Prince probably took this to curry favor."

Damn...

Jiang Yun cursed inwardly. Despite his displeasure, he and Xu Xiaogang quickly arrived at the manor. Before long, a large number of imperial guards arrived.

Unable to traverse the narrow forest passages, Xiao Yuzheng, accompanied by Xiao Jingqing, Du Huai'an, and Zhao Yuming, walked to this location.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Jiang Yun and Xu Xiaogang quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"No need for formalities." Xiao Yuzheng said with a faint smile, glancing at Xiao Jingqing beside him.

Xiao Jingqing hurriedly said, "Father, this thing was made entirely by Lord Jiang and Duke Xu. It is made of iron and mixed with gunpowder..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. Of course, the cannon was something he and Xu Xiaogang had created.

Hearing that he was about to explain how to make the cannon, Jiang Yun quickly interrupted, saying, "Your Majesty, this item is not yet finished. I originally intended to report to Your Majesty after it was completed, but..."

At this point, Jiang Yun glanced at Xiao Jingqing and said indifferently, "Today, His Highness the Eighth Prince heard the news from somewhere and came here specifically to take a look. I'm afraid he can't wait to let His Majesty know about this treasure."

"It must have been hard on Your Highness the Eighth Prince. You only learned about this item today, yet you made two trips and even invited His Majesty over."

Upon hearing Jiang Yun's words, Xiao Jingqing remained unfazed and smiled faintly, "Lord Jiang seems quite anxious, as if afraid I'll steal the credit. Don't worry, I've already told my father that the credit for this belongs to you and Duke Xu, and has nothing to do with me."

(End of this chapter)