The First Lackey Under The Empress

Does Zhao Du'an understand firearms? Frankly speaking, not much.

After all, it's not related to the "profession" he was engaged in his previous life, but it just so happens... he knows a little more than the average person.

This is also thanks to his participation in the affairs of a certain ancient military museum due to his work, which allowed him to learn about the development history of the entire firearm at close range by taking advantage of his "position".

He also had a professor-level expert to explain it to him.

Therefore, he became interested and additionally looked through some books and materials, which he only regarded as knowledge reserves to please the leader at the time.

But unexpectedly, it has come in handy...

"Sure enough, the knowledge that I thought was useless back then will hit you across time and space at some point in the future..."

Zhao Du'an sighed inwardly, and compared to catching the internal spy, the importance of this matter was obviously greater... Besides, who said that two things can't be done together?

If the clues are broken, then think of a way to introduce new "clues".

However...

The thoughts in his mind were still vague, and what he saw on paper was ultimately insufficient.

He needed to truly understand the specific current situation of Dayu's firearms.

"Haha, Inspector Zhao, how do you feel about taking office? If you encounter anything, please feel free to speak up."

After a while, the door was pushed open.

A strong and burly general from the battlefield walked in with a laugh, lowering his head slightly when entering the room to avoid intimate contact with the door frame.

Zhao Du'an didn't get up, still sitting upright, just smiling and inviting the other party to sit down:

"Is it not possible to visit Commander Shi if there's nothing wrong?"

Shi Meng's dark face twitched, and his smile was hearty:

"Of course! Of course! I am a rough man in the army, who only knows how to wield a spear and play with a stick. I just want to ask a cultured person like Inspector Zhao for advice."

His heartstrings tightened quietly.

He was afraid that Zhao would cause some trouble again, or that some ignorant person would offend him again.

Between the two people's conversations, if outsiders saw it, they would probably think that Zhao Du'an was the highest official in the Shenji Camp.

Shi Meng, a third-rank military officer, was more like an assistant.

"Haha, I was just joking with the general. How could I be so ignorant as to delay the general from handling military affairs?"

Zhao Du'an raised his hand with a smile, pointing to the materials on the table, and explained:

"I just roughly looked at the firearms in the camp and was quite curious. I wanted to learn more, especially about the latest 'Fire Emitter Gun'. If possible, I would like to meet the person who created this thing."

Shi Meng had just sat down, his eyes flickered, and he thought:

Here it comes!

In his opinion, Zhao Du'an's move was clearly aimed at investigating the case.

The other military ministers may not know the inside story and think that he is mostly gilding, but Shi Meng's level is an exception.

This actually relieved him - he was not afraid of Zhao Du'an's investigation, and even hoped that he could find out something to explain to the Empress.

To end this "temporary position" early.

To investigate the case, entering from the name of understanding firearms is a tacit understanding that neither side will break - at least Shi Meng thought so.

"Haha, if Inspector Zhao wants to see him, it is naturally convenient. The firearm manufacturing of our Shenji Camp is managed by the subordinate 'Firearm Bureau'. The chief official of the Firearm Bureau is named 'Chen Gui', and his nickname in the army is 'God of Fire'...

Oh, unlike the gods in the mouth of the warlocks, it is an abbreviation of 'God of Firearms'... This Fire Emitter Gun was developed by this person. The Firearm Bureau's resident is not far from the Shenji Camp. I will personally take you there," Shi Meng explained.

God of Fire... What a big reputation...

Zhao Du'an smiled and stood up: "Thank you, General."

...

...

The Firearm Bureau is also built in the southern suburbs, not far from the camp, and is heavily guarded.

At a glance, most of them are manufacturing workshops, and a gray courtyard is where the "Firearm Bureau" yamen is located.

The chief official, nicknamed "Chen Huoshen" in the army, is about fifty years old, slightly thin, and does not practice cultivation.

The foundation of martial arts is ordinary, and he is an "atypical" military officer.

Chen's ancestors were craftsmen in the capital, and they were favored by the emperor for making firearms and were exceptionally selected as military officers.

In Chen Gui's generation, he became the chief official of the Firearm Bureau. Although his rank is only sixth grade, his position is extremely important.

Therefore, he is also considered a "figure" in the entire Jingying.

As a "technical expert", he does not compete for power and does not participate in court struggles.

Even the third-rank commander is approachable to "Chen Huoshen".

Especially after the successful development of the "Fire Emitter Gun", he was fortunate enough to enter the palace to meet the Holy One, and his status rose again.

He has become the head of countless craftsmen in Dayu, leaving his name in history.

Although he belongs to the Shenji Camp, he can be called an independent yamen.

Therefore, the military officers who greeted Zhao Du'an that day did not include this person.

At this moment.

A clerk hurried along the gray-white corridor to the depths of the yamen.

He knocked on the door, and when he stepped over the threshold, he respectfully bowed his hands:

"Sir, you were looking for me?"

The furnishings in the room were messy, and the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the table were piled in a corner, but a lot of "drawings" were placed.

On the shelves in the room, there are no antique vases, or knives, swords, and armors.

But various firearm parts.

"Chen Huoshen" was not wearing an official robe, but casually draped in a short-sleeved cloth shirt, his face and figure were as thin, with a goatee, and his expression was deep.

There is a simple and unadorned aura that is different from the sharp edge of military generals and the elegance of civil officials.

"Send this down to the craftsmen below to try and see if there are any improvements," Chen Gui said casually, taking out a hand-drawn drawing with fine lines, like a printed matter.

"Yes," the clerk held it with both hands, but did not leave.

"Is there anything else?" Chen Gui asked in confusion, although he was already a sixth-rank official, his craftsman spirit remained unchanged.

The clerk hesitated and said:

"Sir, are you really not going to the Shenji Camp to visit that Inspector Zhao?

Your subordinate heard it clearly that the 'Young Lord' and his group were stripped of their official robes in just half a day because they offended Inspector Zhao yesterday.

It is said that Commander Shi went straight to the Privy Council, but when he came back at night, he didn't say a word... Zhao Yama is too fierce."

Chen Gui, who has a goatee and the pride of a "technical expert", said lightly:

"So? Should this official put down the important matter of researching firearms and run to greet him and drink wine? Humph, I can't do these things."

The entire Jingying knows that Chen Huoshen is not good at interpersonal relationships and is more like a "scholar".

With his character, he would not have been able to sit in this position at all.

But what can be done? The "Fire Emitter Gun" alarmed the Holy One, and that's how he got this sixth-rank official.

He usually doesn't care about things, and is still addicted to firearms, unable to extricate himself, and hardly participates in any "socializing".

The clerk bitterly persuaded:

"Sir, with your ability, you really don't have to look at people's faces in the past... Commander Shi doesn't care either, but this Inspector Zhao is different.

I heard that he is very petty. If you didn't go to greet him yesterday, if you are resented, our small Firearm Bureau can't withstand Zhao Yama's killing stick."

Chen Gui frowned deeply. Although he didn't pay attention to the officialdom, he had heard about Zhao Du'an for a long time.

The so-called "new official takes office with three fires", the Young Lord is the first fire, and no one wants to be the second fire.

Just then.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came again from outside.

In the early autumn sunshine, another clerk's face was flushed:

"Sir, it's not good, Commander Shi has brought that Inspector Zhao to the door, he has already arrived outside the yamen and named to see you!"

It's over... people have come to the door... The previous clerk's face turned pale, and he only felt that disaster had fallen from the sky.

Chen Gui's heart sank, he pursed his lips, and walked outside:

"What's the panic, this official doesn't believe that he can strip me of my official robe for this!"

...

Shortly.

Zhao Du'an and his party met the famous "Chen Huoshen" in a hall of the Firearm Bureau yamen.

"This is Chen Gui, the number one firearm expert in Dayu," Shi Meng said with a smile, and gave Chen Gui a look, and introduced:

"This is Inspector Zhao, hehe, Inspector Zhao is new to the army and wants to ask you about firearms. Just answer whatever you ask."

Ask about firearms... Chen Gui sneered in his heart.

In recent years, some high officials often come to the Firearm Bureau for "inspection", and they all look like they care.

In fact, they are all a group of "laymen" who don't know anything about firearms, let alone the manufacture of knives, swords, and armors.

They obviously don't understand, but they have to pretend to be humble and eager to learn.

Every time, Chen Gui can only bite the bullet and perfunctorily deal with it with superficial respect.

In his opinion, Zhao Du'an is also going through the motions.

Asking is false, showing authority in front of him and knocking him to listen is the truth.

However, soon, Chen Gui was a little surprised to find that his guess did not seem to be accurate.

The questions that Zhao Du'an threw out at first were still superficial.

But the deeper he went, the deeper the questions became, and each question hit the point.

Not to mention perfunctory, Chen Gui had to think for a moment before answering.

An expert knows if there is one as soon as he makes a move.

Zhao Du'an casually gave a few questions, which revealed that he absolutely understood firearms.

Shi Meng was also very surprised.

But when he thought of the information Zhao Du'an had read, he only thought that it was to do his homework for investigating the case.

In his heart, he silently raised his evaluation of this Zhao Yama a little.

He is a doer, worthy of repeatedly making great contributions and being favored by His Majesty.

As for Qian Kerou and Hou Renmeng, who were attendants from beginning to end... the two of them were completely listening to heavenly books, and only felt sleepy.

"Can Master Chen take me to see the 'Fire Emitter Gun' on site?" Zhao Du'an asked with a smile.

"Yes, I will order someone to prepare for a test firing," the old craftsman with a goatee stood up and responded.

Zhao Du'an suddenly looked at Shi Meng and said with a smile:

"It's getting late, I still have to spend a lot of time here, General, you don't have to accompany me, lest you delay military affairs."

Shi Meng hesitated for a moment, but nodded:

"Then I will go back to the barracks first, and send someone to find me anytime if something happens."

Involved in the investigation, Shi Meng must understand "avoidance of suspicion".

He immediately bid farewell and left.

Zhao Du'an and the three followed Chen Gui, first to visit the half-person high, quite heavy cannon barrel called "Fire Emitter Gun", and witnessed a "ten arrows salvo".

"Boom - Boom - Boom - -"

Standing under the eaves, witnessing ten thick arrows tied with gunpowder being fired from the bronze cannon barrel and exploding on the ground in the distance.

The firelight accompanied by smoke and dust, the momentum is not bad.

Chen Huoshen stood up straight, and a craftsman's pride and joy appeared on his face:

"Inspector, what do you think?"

He was very proud.

With this kind of power, ordinary martial arts practitioners would be seriously injured if they resisted head-on.

Zhao Du'an just narrowed his eyes, looked at the scarlet firelight that flashed by under the clear and cloudless dome of early autumn, and said calmly:

"Barely satisfactory."

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