The First Lackey Under The Empress

Inside the palace, in the Autumn Wood, golden leaves scattered across the smooth stone slabs.

Under the sunlight, they resembled burning flames.

Xu Zhenguan stood quietly in the woods, her slender and beautiful wrist gently turning as she embedded the sword with the coiling dragon ornament into the stone slab's crevice with a "clang."

She pulled out a silk handkerchief and slowly wiped her fair and slender hands, asking with curiosity:

"Has he made any progress?"

The word "progress" here naturally referred to the case of the mole within the Jing Prince's estate.

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After Zhao Du'an entered the Divine Machine Camp, Xu Zhenguan initially held high expectations for him due to his impressive performance in the imperial office.

Therefore, even absurd requests such as the dismissal of Tang Ping and others were readily granted by the Empress.

Even when Xue Shence and others entered the palace, she blocked them all.

However, what followed were reports from the Divine Machine Camp filled with criticisms of Zhao Du'an indulging in pleasure and amusement.

It was as if he had completely forgotten his task of investigating the case.

Yet, Xu Zhenguan continued to let things drift, her curiosity piqued, wondering what this little imperial guard was up to.

She had heard about the so-called military exercise beforehand.

Now, witnessing Mo Chou rushing to report in such a hurried manner, her demeanor unusual,

it was only natural to assume that Zhao Du'an had caused some trouble again, leading to a breakthrough in the case.

However, Mo Chou, who walked closer, shook her head and said:

"Lord Zhao has not yet begun investigating the case, at least not that this servant can see."

A hint of surprise flashed in the Empress's beautiful eyes, and she asked in confusion:

"Then could it be that there was trouble during the military exercise? Did he clash with someone again?"

Mo Chou could not help but smile wryly and shake her head: "...Not really."

The Empress was now genuinely curious. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if she had encountered an intriguing puzzle, and she chuckled:

"Let me guess, since it's unrelated to the case and not a conflict, it couldn't possibly be that something went wrong with the exercise itself."

The strange expression on Mo Chou's face grew stronger, and she respectfully said:

"Your Majesty has keen eyes and sees everything clearly!

According to reports from below, during today's exercise, Lord Zhao presented two new types of firearms, which were used in conjunction with new battle formations, far surpassing the previous fire lances...

The Grand Council and the Minister of War both witnessed it firsthand and hastily wrote congratulatory memorials, submitting them to the palace..."

She recounted everything she had learned in detail.

Xu Zhenguan was truly stunned this time.

The autumn wind blew, slightly lifting the Empress's waterfall of black hair that hung straight down her back.

The strands of hair brushed across her fair cheeks, full lips, delicate nose, and eyebrows like distant mountains...

The movement of wiping her hands quietly stopped, and the handkerchief was subconsciously clenched tightly in her fair, moist palm.

"You said Zhao Du'an asked Gongshu Tianyuan and Chen Gui to cooperate in creating the new firearms?"

"Yes."

"Far surpassing the fire lances?"

"Yes. According to Zhao Qian's words, the blueprints stolen by the Jing Prince's estate are practically waste paper."

"He only provided some ideas in it?"

"Yes, that's what the head of the Firearms Bureau said."

Silence.

At this moment, the Great Yu Empress couldn't help but recall the scene she had witnessed with Zhang Tianshi in the Heavenly Master's residence some time ago, where Zhao Du'an was explaining things to Gongshu Tianyuan through a water screen.

She suddenly had a strong intuition that the core of these new firearms was also inseparable from that little imperial guard.

How did he do it?

Like the "Golden Three Strategies" described in the Literary Institute, it could only be attributed to his immense talent.

She found that she had naturally accepted this fact.

Or rather, she had become accustomed to the surprises that guy gave her from time to time.

But...

Is this surprise a little too big?

To solve the stolen firearms case once and for all... So, he wasn't wasting time these past few days, but he didn't investigate the mole either, instead doing something more important.

"Your Majesty?" Mo Chou's soft call woke her from her reverie.

"Uh..." Xu Zhenguan subconsciously responded, then said: "The firearm blueprints..."

Mo Chou said with a deep look in her eyes:

"To prevent leaks, they are only in the Firearms Bureau and have not yet been sent to the palace. The Grand Council has not touched them either."

Then, she talked about the aftermath of the exercise.

"Good, very good! Since the new firearms are not yet fully manufactured, leave it to the Firearms Bureau to supervise the construction!" Even with her composure, she could not hide her joy.

In battles between armies, the strong are indeed key.

But looking at the world, the absolute number of martial artists or sorcerers is too small.

And even with her cultivation, it would be difficult to resist thousands of troops and horses alone.

This further highlights the importance of mortal military formations.

How could she not be happy to hear such good news?

"And Zhao Du'an, quickly summon him to the palace..."

The Empress said halfway, then stopped, realizing it was inappropriate. After a moment's thought, she smiled:

"Xue Shence is hosting a celebration banquet for him tonight?"

Mo Chou understood: "Does Your Majesty intend to go there in person?"

Xu Zhenguan gently nodded and smiled:

"Travel light, without alarming too many people. Although the mole has not been found, such a great achievement, how can I not personally congratulate him? My lucky general has given me such a surprise, so I will also give him a surprise."

Mo Chou felt a pang of sourness in her heart, as if she had just tasted a lemon.

She thought to herself that Her Majesty was going to personally vindicate that guy.

...

...

Literary Institute.

Scholars were buried in their work, and in the spacious "office," stacks of official documents piled up like mountains on their desks.

As the new policies gradually unfolded, countless affairs flooded into the newly established Literary Institute, forcing the scholars to work around the clock, leaving them all with lifeless eyes.

However, these young officials were also growing at a terrifying speed through this training.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the door was pushed open forcefully.

The autumn wind rushed into the room, stirring the papers on the long desk, the rustling sound like pure white waves.

"What's happening? Why the rush?"

Han Zhou raised his head, his swollen eyes and saggy eye bags were the medals of his overtime involution:

"What document is it this time?"

The clerk who entered the door was panting and said:

"It was sent by the Minister of War, and it's related to the Divine Machine Camp."

Whoosh—

The scholars looked over in confusion, their expressions puzzled:

"The Divine Machine Camp? The one Zhao Xue Shi went to? It wouldn't be related to Zhao Xue Shi, would it?"

The clever scholars reacted quickly.

Behind a desk in the corner of the room, Dong Taishi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened his eyes:

"Bring it to me."

After a moment, Dong Xuan, in his twilight years, slowly sat up straight, rubbed his old, dim eyes, as if he didn't recognize the words on it anymore.

......

White Horse Bureau, back office.

The autumn wind was rustling, and the lush green leaves on the big tree in the courtyard were gradually turning yellow.

Old Si Jian, Sun Lianying, recently got a rocking chair and especially liked to sit under the tree and doze off, with a round cattail fan covering his body.

"Sir, there's new news from the Divine Machine Camp."

A messenger pushed open the small door and walked quickly to the front.

Sun Lianying didn't even open his eyes, and said softly: "Speak."

But when the subordinate messenger had only spoken half of the message, the old eunuch opened his eyes.

He kept clicking his teeth and was lost in thought.

Thinking to himself: Zhao小子, you're not going to catch thieves, you're playing like this?!

......

"Father… Father…"

Inside the Ministry of Personnel.

As one of the six ministries in charge of the transfer of officials in the world, this place is also where the Grand Chancellor Li Yanfu sits.

On weekdays, at noon, the old and frail Li Yanfu would rest in the inner courtyard, and outsiders were not allowed to disturb him.

However, today, a figure hurried over a series of thresholds.

Under the gaze of many officials from the Ministry of Personnel, he walked straight into the inner hall and pushed open the door.

"Young Grand Secretary" Li Yinglong stepped over the threshold.

Looking at the bed, the current Grand Chancellor, who had just opened his eyes and slowly sat up, had a subtle expression:

"Father… I…"

Li Yanfu's body was slightly hunched, sitting on the bed.

Some messy hair fell down, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle.

The Young Grand Secretary's voice gradually lowered under his gaze, and then he snorted coldly:

"Why are you so flustered? Where is your decorum!"

Li Yinglong opened his mouth, barely trying to explain:

"It was Father who told his son to keep an eye on that Zhao Du'an, and to report to you as soon as anything important happened."

"…" Li Yanfu sighed helplessly, waved his hand tiredly:

"Speak, what trouble has that little wolf stirred up again?"

Li Yinglong immediately gave a vivid description, and finally said:

"Originally, the conflict between the Zhao fellow and the military officer group was becoming more and more intense, and that Xue Shence also didn't like this person very much, but it is said that after today's exercise, Xue Shence personally wanted to celebrate his success."

He was quite disappointed, as if he had been hoping that the two families would fight soon.

He had been waiting for a long time, but as a result, a cannon sounded, and they shook hands and made peace.

Li Yanfu was silent for a long time, and let out a long breath, muttering:

"Could it be that His Majesty is helping him?"

......

......

Just as the news spread like ripples in the capital.

Zhao Du'an, who had once again been in the limelight, left the Divine Machine Camp and returned to the Imperial Censorate.

In the Pear Blossom Hall, he met two old acquaintances who were waiting here.

"Oh, our Vice Censor is back, and he hasn't forgotten his old employer after being promoted. That's rare, that's rare."

The heroic and spirited female investigator, Haitang, with her long legs, high ponytail, and a tear mole at the corner of her eye, said sarcastically with a sneer.

Sitting in the chair in the inner hall, she imitated Zhao Du'an and crossed her legs.

Opposite her, sitting upright was Zhang Han, the poker-faced face known as the "Imperial Censorate Volume King" of the Ninth Hall, with a seven-foot sword lying across the table in front of him.

At this moment, he also looked over, but took the initiative to stand up, clasped his fists and bowed:

"This subordinate has seen Zhao Vice Censor."

"Lao Zhang, Lao Hai, what are you doing? Are we strangers now? You and I are both comrades. I've only been out for a few days. Why don't you recognize me anymore?" Zhao Du'an laughed and piled on enthusiasm.

He had no airs of a fourth-rank official at all.

Lao Hai… Haitang, whose background and origin were suspected to be extraordinary, twitched at the corner of her mouth, extremely resisting this title:

"No, just call me Haitang."

Then, she stared warily at the smiling tiger-like Zhao Du'an, and changed her long legs to another posture:

"Speak, what did Ke Rou call us here to do? What kind of pit are you going to let us jump into again? Just say it directly, so we can die knowing why. Don't put on this smiling tiger look. I'm scared."

Zhang Han also gave an inquiring look.

"Why do you think of me like that? When have I ever tricked you?"

Zhao Du'an pretended to be sad and threw himself into the main seat, looking innocent.

Haitang sneered:

"Dare you say you haven't? Who was it who was investigating the internal spy back then…"

"Those are all things of the past. They were all misunderstandings." Zhao Du'an waved his hand, looking like he was hurt in his heart.

Then he smiled and said:

"However, there is indeed something I want to ask the two of you to help with."

Heh… I knew it… Haitang rolled her eyes.

Zhang Han's face was expressionless, and his tone was businesslike:

"What's the matter? Let's make it clear first, I won't help with anything outside of my duties."

"Haha, don't worry, I guarantee it's a good thing within your authority, and you can get great credit for it,"

Zhao Du'an smiled very sincerely, supporting himself on the thick desk with both hands, confirming that there were only three people in the hall.

Only then did he meet the two people's disbelieving gazes and said quietly:

"I need you to go to the Firearms Bureau and steal the blueprints for the new firearms."

??

Haitang and Zhang Han looked at him in astonishment at the same time, their eyes dull.