The First Lackey Under The Empress

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly stiffened.

"Are you crazy?" After a long moment of exchanging glances, Haitang's somewhat sharp voice rose. Her eyes widened as she stared at Zhao Du'an, looking as if she had seen a ghost:

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"You want us to commit theft?!"

She suspected Zhao Du'an was joking.

But unfortunately, the two greatly shocked individuals only saw seriousness, and… seriousness in his eyes!

"What exactly do you want to do?" Zhang Han and Haitang exchanged a look before asking.

Zhao Du'an's gaze swept across their faces as he calmly said:

"You're both aware of the firearms case that happened in the Jing Camp last time, right?"

"Nonsense, that's what we're investigating… Wait a minute!"

Haitang, halfway through her sentence, suddenly realized something:

"You're also investigating this case?"

Zhao Du'an nodded, his expression serious:

"To be precise, the reason I went to the Divine Mechanism Camp was to ferret out the hidden internal spies who haven't yet been exposed."

"Weren't you researching firearms? We've heard about the drill ground exercises too…" Zhang Han frowned.

Haitang, however, reacted a step earlier, her eyes lighting up:

"Could it be that manufacturing firearms is also part of your plan?

On the surface, you're tinkering with these things, and today, through the exercises, you demonstrated the power of the new firearms in front of many military officers, to prove that the previous loss is no longer important… Is this also to lure them out?

Trying to attract the internal spies hidden within the military officer group to take action again?"

The female investigator, skilled in solving cases, was quick-witted and subconsciously entered a state of analysis.

But then she shook her head and said:

"That's not right! Even if the internal spies know about this and want to steal the new firearms again, it's impossible for them to choose to act at this time, especially by infiltrating and stealing… That's too reckless!

If I were the internal spy, I would definitely choose to wait… The manufacturing of firearms can't be hidden. It would be much easier to acquire them after mass production, and besides, the technology would be more advanced by then…"

Zhao Du'an shook his head, interrupting her:

"But by then, it will be too late! The people from the Jing Prince's Mansion hidden in the capital will also worry that, with the experience of the last theft, the imperial court will definitely take precautions.

And now, at this time, normal people wouldn't think that someone would steal at this critical juncture, which actually reduces the difficulty…

Of course, what the Jing Prince's Mansion's secret agents think is not important.

What's important is that I need the blueprints to be stolen."

Hearing this, the two were confused and looked puzzled.

Zhao Du'an leaned forward, beckoning them to come closer.

The three of them huddled around the table, their heads together, as if plotting something.

He stared at them and asked:

"Do you still remember how I initially ferreted out the rebellious faction in the Zhao Yamen?"

Haitang said unhappily:

"How could we not remember? You just used a trick…"

She stopped halfway through her sentence, suddenly understanding something, and blurted out:

"Are you going to… again?"

Zhao Du'an nodded with satisfaction:

"If a trick works well, why only use it once? This time, I'm going to trick them again."

As he spoke, he lowered his head, picked up a teacup from the tea tray, and placed it outside the tray.

He said, "This is the secret agent from the Jing Prince's Mansion hidden in the capital."

He then pointed to another teacup inside the tea tray:

"This is the internal spy hidden within the military officer group."

His finger drew an invisible line between the two teacups:

"The Jing Prince's Mansion uses secret agents to communicate with the internal spy and transmit messages… Last time, I eliminated that group of secret agents, but after so long, they must have replaced them with new ones.

Logically speaking, the new secret agents must have a way to contact the internal spy in the army, but there is no basis of trust between the two parties, and their communication must have a 'delay'…

Haitang, you also said that the internal spy would definitely not act at this critical juncture because the risk of exposure is too high.

So, if someone from the 'Jing Prince's Mansion' takes action at this time and steals the blueprints, what will happen?"

Haitang was stunned for a moment, then blurted out:

"The internal spy will definitely be surprised and become nervous… wanting to confirm the situation…

Ah! So, you want us to impersonate the secret agents and pretend to steal the firearms blueprints…

Then, we can observe the reactions of those suspected people and test them separately, just like when you tricked us in the beginning?"

Zhang Han's eyes also lit up, understanding the viciousness of this plan:

"Even if the internal spy endures it and doesn't take any action, the secret agents hidden in the capital, once they learn about this, will definitely realize that this matter is a trick…

At this time, the secret agents from the Jing Prince's Mansion will worry, fearing that the internal spy will be tricked and exposed… Therefore, the secret agents are also likely to become restless and take the initiative to contact the internal spy… Brilliant!"

How clever were these two?

Zhao Du'an only said a few simple words, and they saw through the disgusting nature of this deception tactic.

And in their hearts, they silently carried out subsequent deductions.

This tactic sounds complicated, but it is actually extremely simple.

It simply takes advantage of the information gap between the "secret agent" and the "internal spy."

The two parties are like a couple in a long-distance relationship, who will become suspicious due to external changes and be forced to take action.

Even if both parties see through this plan and know that the "theft" is fake, it doesn't matter.

Because both parties will worry that the other party will fall for the trick…

If they were familiar "partners," it might be okay, and there would be tacit understanding.

But coincidentally, the previous team of secret agents was killed by Zhao Du'an.

The new secret agents and the internal spy are likely to lack understanding and trust.

And even if this plan fails, there will be no loss, anyway, the blueprints have not really been stolen.

A costless and profitable venture!

"Why has the imperial court's repeated investigations been interrupted? It's because the enemy has stopped moving. As long as we make them move, the clues will surface on their own."

Zhao Du'an smiled, but his eyes were as calm as the sea before a storm.

What he didn't say was:

The reason why he urgently finalized the action tonight was precisely because of tonight's celebration banquet.

People with influence in the military officer group will all be present.

At this moment, Haitang and Zhang Han's eyes changed when they looked at him.

They only felt a chill running down their spines.

They rethought and discovered that what Zhao Du'an had done since entering the Divine Mechanism Camp was like a large, constantly spreading net.

Manufacturing firearms not only made up for the loss of stolen firearms, but also completed a reversal of his reputation in the army, and even became a prerequisite for implementing the deception tactic…

A triple win.

No, if you count the meritorious performance and making friends with Gongshu Tianyuan, it's a quadruple win.

This person probably has eight hundred tricks up his sleeve, right?

Haitang suddenly sighed softly and said:

"I finally understand a little why His Majesty values you so much."

Zhang Han pursed her lips and exhaled:

"I was a little unconvinced when you tricked me last time… Now I'm completely convinced."

I always feel like you're slandering me… Forget it, I won't argue with you… Zhao Du'an put his arms around the two colleagues, smiling like a fox.

In a low voice, he began to mutter, explaining the details of the action tonight.

… …

… …

At the same time.

Inside a remote residence in the capital.

A man with ordinary looks, wearing a short shirt, carefully confirmed that there was no movement outside, and then covered the window with a black cloth, and the room suddenly darkened.

He turned back and saw that the round table in the room was already full of people.

In the middle of the round table, a large candle on a candlestick was burning.

During the day, it spread a dim yellow halo.

Casting shadows of the figures around the table on the pinkish-white walls.

The huge, ghostly shadows swayed with the candlelight, hideous and terrifying.

"Cough."

At the head of the round table was a mysterious person wrapped in a robe and wearing a hood.

If Zhao Du'an were here, he would definitely think that this attire was quite similar to the previous leader of the Jing Prince's Mansion's secret agents, that wanted "Law God Sect" criminal priest.

"Is all the information here?"

The mysterious person asked in a cold voice, a man's rough voice.

"Leader, it's all here. We have repeatedly confirmed that the Divine Mechanism Camp has indeed developed new firearms that far surpass the previous ones," someone replied.

The mysterious person "hmm"ed and didn't waste any words. He directly took out a map and spread it on the table.

By the candlelight, the words "Firearms Bureau" on the map were clearly visible:

"The reason for summoning you here is to formulate a plan of action to raid the Firearms Bureau tonight and steal the blueprints."

Among the group of secret agents, some looked natural.

Others were startled:

"Leader, why so hasty?"

The mysterious person said coldly:

"Time waits for no man. You have all seen the letter that the Prince sent a few days ago. That group of trash from the Kuangfu Society can't accomplish anything, forcing us to make some achievements as soon as possible.

The Prince attaches great importance to the firearms matter. If we can obtain the blueprints, we will be greatly rewarded."

One person hesitated and said: "Why not contact that person…"

The mysterious person snorted coldly:

"The imperial court's strict investigation has already frightened him. The previous few contacts were repeatedly evasive.

Do you think he will act at this time?

Heh, no one would think that we would be so bold as to act at this critical juncture. This is going against the grain. The less they expect it, the greater our chances of success."

Another person said worriedly:

"But the current blueprints are probably not perfect. How about waiting until they are perfected…"

The mysterious person was furious:

"But by then, it will be too late! With the experience of the last theft, the imperial court will definitely take precautions…"

He slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice:

"I have made up my mind, you don't need to dissuade me, just execute!"

"Tonight, that Xue Shence will hold a celebration banquet for Zhao thief. At that time, all the military officers in the city will be present, which is when the Firearms Bureau is empty. You need to cooperate with me to raid this place!"

His finger stabbed fiercely at the center of the map illuminated by the mixed light of the candle.

Around him, a group of secret agents responded at the same time:

"Yes!"

… …

… …

Afternoon passed in the blink of an eye.

As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, the capital was shrouded in night.

Zhao Yamen.

Zhao Du'an dressed neatly, carefully straightened the Frostwind Sword hanging on his waist, and stepped out of the hall.

He smiled at the four investigators waiting outside the door:

"Let's go."

A group of people walked out of the yamen, but happened to bump into Ma Yan, who was standing with his hands behind his back, waiting at the gate.

"Director!"

The officials saluted.

Zhao Du'an also surprisingly cupped his fist and paid respect to his nominal senior brother.

There was no other way. Ma Yan was a third-rank official, and also one rank higher than him.

For now, he was still senior brother, not Little Ma.

Ma Yan, a tall eunuch with a thin, stern face, restless, messy eyebrows, and large, knobby hands with very few smiles, looked at Zhao Du'an and gestured at his spacious carriage:

"Let's go together. Tonight is your celebration, and this old one will also bask in your glory."