The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 272 - 238, barely satisfactory

"Does Zhao Douan understand firearms? Frankly speaking, he doesn’t know much.

After all, this was not related to the ’profession’ he had in his previous life, but... somehow he knew more than ordinary people.

It was thanks to his involvement in the affairs of an ancient military museum due to his job, which, through the ’convenience of his position,’ allowed him to closely understand the entire developmental history of firearms.

Beside him, there was a professor-level expert explaining.

Thus, he became interested and further looked through some books and materials. Initially, he just saw it as knowledge to curry favor with his leaders.

Little did he expect that there would be a use for it in the future...

’Indeed, knowledge that seemed useless at the time will, at some moment in the future, cross time and space to strike you...’

Zhao Douan felt a sense of wonder at heart, and compared to catching a mole, this matter was obviously far more significant... Moreover, who said both tasks couldn’t be undertaken simultaneously?

If clues were cut off, then one must find a way to draw out new ’clues.’

However...

The thoughts in his heart were still unclear and the information on paper ultimately insufficient.

He needed to clearly understand the current state of Great Yu’s firearms.

’Haha, Master Zhao, how do you feel about your new appointment? If anything bothers you, just speak up.’

Suddenly, the door was pushed open.

A robust, towering military general entered with a laugh. As he entered the room, he first bowed his head to avoid getting too close to the doorframe.

Zhao Douan remained seated, simply smiling and inviting the other to sit:

’Can’t I invite the Commander over if there’s no matter at hand?’

Shi Meng, with his dark, tough face, his eyelids twitching, responded with a hearty smile:

’Of course! Of course! I’m just a rough man from the army who knows only how to handle guns and wield clubs. I was hoping to learn from someone cultured like Master Zhao.’

Tension quietly tightened within him.

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Fearful that Zhao might cause more trouble or that someone would unwittingly offend him.

In their conversation, an outsider would probably think that Zhao Douan was the highest official in the Divine Mechanism Camp.

Shi Meng, this third-rank military general, seemed more like a deputy.

’Haha, I was just joking with the general. How could I be so inconsiderate as to delay the general’s military duties?’

Zhao Douan crossed his legs and, smiling, gestured casually to the documents on the table, explaining:

’I just briefly looked at the firearms in the camp and became quite curious. I want to know more, especially about the latest ’Fire Gun.’ If possible, I’d like to meet the person who created it.’

Shi Meng had just sat down when his gaze flickered, thinking to himself:

Here it comes!

To him, Zhao Douan’s actions were clearly aimed at investigating a case.

The other military officers might not know the full story, thinking he was mostly there for decoration, but not someone at Shi Meng’s level.

This, however, made him breathe a sigh of relief—he wasn’t afraid of Zhao Douan investigating; he even hoped he could find something to report back to the Empress.

To end this ’temporary assignment’ early.

To send this ’Ancestor Zhao’ away.

If he had to investigate under the guise of understanding firearms, it was an unspoken understanding between them—at least that’s what Shi Meng thought.

’Haha, if Master Zhao wishes to meet, it’s certainly convenient. Our Divine Mechanism Camp’s firearms manufacturing is managed by the subordinate ’Firearms Bureau.’ The head official of the Firearms Bureau, named ’Chen Gui,’ is nicknamed ’Fire God’ in the military...

Heh, unlike the gods spoken of by the Magicians, he’s simply the ’God of Firearms’... This Fire Gun was developed by him. The Firearms Bureau is not far from the Divine Mechanism Camp, I’ll personally go there with you,’ explained Shi Meng.

The God of Firearms... what a grand reputation...

Zhao Douan smiled as he rose, ’Thank you, General.’

...

...

The Firearms Bureau was also situated in the South Suburb, not far from the camp, guarded stringently.

At first glance, most of it consisted of manufacturing workshops, and a grey courtyard housed the ’Firearms Bureau’ government office.

The head officer, known in the military as ’Chen Huoshen,’ was about fifty years old, slightly thin, and did not practice Cultivation.

His martial arts foundation was ordinary; he was an ’atypical’ military officer.

The Chen family ancestors were craftsmen from the Capital, gaining imperial favor for making firearms and exceptionally chosen as military officers.

By the time of Chen Gui, who became the head of the Firearms Bureau, although his rank was only sixth-rank, his position was very important.

Thus, he was considered a significant ’figure’ in the entire Capital Camp.

As a ’technological guru,’ he did not vie for power and stayed out of political struggles.

Even the third-rank Commander would act down-to-earth in front of ’Chen Huoshen.’

Especially after the successful development of the Fire Gun, he had the fortune to enter the palace and gain an audience, elevating his status further.

He certainly became the foremost among countless craftsmen in Great Yu, destined to leave his mark in history.

Although he belonged to the Divine Mechanism Camp, he could be said to head an independent government office.

Thus, the military officer greeting Zhao Douan that day did not include him.

At that moment.

A minor official hurried along the grey-white corridor, reaching deep into the government office.

Knocking on the door, he stepped over the threshold and respectfully clasped his hands:

’Sir, did you call for me?’

The room was cluttered, the Four Treasures of the study pushed to one corner, but numerous ’drawings’ were placed about.

The shelf in the room did not hold antique vases or swords and armor.

Instead, it held various firearm components.

’Chen Huoshen’ was not in an official robe but casually wore a short-sleeved tunic, his face as thin as his figure, sporting a goatee, his demeanor somber.

He had an unpretentious air different from the sharpness of the military officers or the elegance of the civil officers.

’Take this down, let the craftsmen below try it out and see if there are any improvements,’

Chen Gui pulled out a delicately inked drawing, the lines so fine they resembled a printed work, and casually instructed.

’Yes,’ the minor official held it with both hands but did not leave.

’Is there something else?’ Chen Gui asked, puzzled, his spirit as a craftsman unchanged despite being a sixth-rank official.

The clerk hesitated and said,

"Mr. Chen, are you really not going to visit Master Zhao in the Divine Mechanism Camp?

I heard it for real, that group led by Young Master was stripped of their official robes within half a day because they offended Master Zhao yesterday.

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

Sporting a goatee and the pride of being a "technical expert," Chen Gui calmly said,

"So? Am I supposed to set aside the crucial matter of researching firearms and scurry over to pay him respects and share a drink? Humph, I’m not cut out for that."

Everyone in the Capital Camp knew that Chen Huoshen wasn’t versed in the interpersonal niceties and was more of a "scholarly gentleman."

Given his nature, he normally wouldn’t have been able to secure this position.

However, his creation of the Fire Gun had astonished His Majesty, and he had thus obtained this sixth-rank post.

Normally, he didn’t manage much, still immersed in firearms, hopelessly addicted, and hardly participated in any "social interactions."

The clerk earnestly advised,

"Mr. Chen, with your capabilities, in ordinary days, indeed, you don’t have to please anyone... Commander Shi too doesn’t care, but Master Zhao is different.

I heard he’s extremely vindictive. Since you didn’t meet him yesterday, if he holds a grudge, our little Firearms Bureau might not withstand Yama Zhao’s Execution Stick."

Chen Gui frowned deeply, although he paid little attention to the bureaucratic circle, but he had long heard of Zhao Douan.

The saying goes, "A new official lights three fires," and the Young Master was the first, and nobody wanted to be the second.

Just then,

suddenly, rapid footsteps approached again.

In the early autumn sunshine, another clerk’s face turned red:

"Mr. Chen, bad news, Commander Shi is bringing Master Zhao here; they’re already outside the government office, asking specifically to see you!"

It’s over... the man had come searching... the previous clerk turned pale, feeling disaster had struck.

Chen Gui’s heart sank, and he pursed his lips before walking outside:

"What’s the panic? I don’t believe that for this, he could strip me of my official robe too!"

...

After a while,

Zhao Douan and his entourage met the renowned "Chen Huoshen" in a hall at the Firearms Bureau’s government office.

"This is Chen Gui, the foremost authority on firearms in Great Yu."

Shi Meng introduced with a smile, then gave Chen Gui a look as he continued,

"This is Master Zhao, who has just joined the military and wishes to learn about firearms from you. Answer whatever he asks."

Inquiring about firearms... Chen Gui felt disdain.

Over the years, there were always some high-ranking officials coming to "inspect" the Firearms Bureau, all appearing concerned.

In reality, they were all "outsiders" who knew nothing about firearms, let alone the manufacturing of swords and armor.

Clearly ignorant, yet they all put on an act as if they were eager to learn.

Each time, Chen Gui could only grudgingly maintain a respectful façade to muddle through.

He thought Zhao Douan was just going through the motions.

Asking was fake, displaying authority before him and warning him to obey was real.

However, very soon, Chen Gui was surprised to find that his assumptions might not be accurate.

Zhao Douan’s initial questions were superficial.

But as they progressed, the inquiries went deeper, each striking the core.

Chen Gui could not think of being perfunctory.

Before answering, he had to ponder for a moment to come up with a response.

A true expert is revealed as soon as they take action.

The few questions casually posed by Zhao Douan showed his deep understanding of firearms.

Shi Meng was also taken aback.

But recalling the documents Zhao Douan had viewed, he simply thought it was the effort put into investigating a case.

In his heart, his regard for Yama Zhao silently increased

—a man of action, deservedly favored by His Majesty.

As for Qian Kerou and Hou Renmeng, who were attending from the side... both felt as if they were listening to the Heavenly Book, barely keeping awake.

"Mr. Chen, could you take me to see the ’Fire Gun’ on site?"

Zhao Douan asked with a smile.

"Certainly, I will have someone prepare for a test fire," replied the old craftsman with a goatee, rising to his feet.

Zhao Douan suddenly turned to Shi Meng, smiling,

"It’s getting late, and I still need to spend quite some time here. General, you needn’t accompany me and hold up military affairs."

Shi Meng hesitated for a moment, then nodded:

"Then I’ll return to the camp first. Call on me if there’s anything."

In matters of investigation, Shi Meng had to understand "avoidance of conflict."

He promptly took his leave.

Zhao Douan and his group then followed Chen Gui to view the quite heavy, waist-high cannon named "Fire Gun," and witnessed a "ten-arrow simultaneous shot."

"Boom—Boom—Boom—"

Standing under the eaves and witnessing ten large arrows tied with gunpowder being launched from a bronze cannon towards the ground in the distance, exploding.

The flame accompanied by smoke, the spectacle was impressive.

Chen Huoshen stood straight, his face revealing the pride and joy of a craftsman:

"Master Zhao, what do you think?"

He was quite proud.

Such power, even an ordinary Cultivation Martial Artist, if faced head-on, would suffer severe injuries.

Yet Zhao Douan merely squinted, looking towards the cloud-scattered, high autumn sky where the fleeting scarlet blaze had ebbed, and calmly said,

"Barely satisfactory."