Chapter 800: Chapter 493: Homecoming, Firearms, Monarch and Minister Admiring Paintings by Lamplight (6k)_2
Zhao Douan was silent, and it seemed that the only path before him was to step into the ranks of the "Heavenly Humans" to have the confidence to resist the hunt of Xuan Yin.
Yes, before that, he still needed to hold tightly to his wife Zhenbao’s backing... and resolve the Eight Princes’ Rebellion, otherwise, if the court fell, he would lose his support.
"Heh, after going around in circles, everything has returned to the starting point."
Zhao Douan mocked himself inwardly, but quickly perked up, becoming even more curious about his various "special traits".
"Thank you, Heavenly Master, for the reminder. I will be cautious, so as not to disturb you any longer." Zhao Douan placed the "wordless golden scripture" into his arms and respectfully thanked Zhang Yan Yi.
Yes, although old Zhang also coveted my body, his methods were aboveboard and he had shown kindness many times. Zhao Douan prided himself on being clear about grudges and favors.
Zhang Yan Yi felt uncomfortable with his serious demeanor and waved him away:
"Get lost, get lost, pretending to be a decent person."
Zhao Douan, with a cheeky smile, bid farewell and left.
After he left, Zhang Yan Yi suddenly asked, "Well, how was it?"
On the lush treetop of the large banyan tree in the courtyard, a vague face emerged:
"He doesn’t have the aura of that northern forest."
Unrelated to the Mubei Forest, huh... Zhang Yan Yi frowned, then relaxed, casually picking up the Heavenly Book:
"Go with the flow... or maybe the timing isn’t right. Let’s watch a bit more."
...
...
Leaving the gate of the Heavenly Master Mansion, Zhao Douan looked back at the building, burying his doubts in his heart.
Shaking his head, he gathered his spirits and rode home. The conversation with Zhang Yan Yi had unveiled a corner of the world’s mysteries, but those matters were still far from him.
Zhao Mansion.
As soon as Zhao Douan entered the alley, the servant guarding the gate’s eyes lit up, turning to shout excitedly into the courtyard:
"Master is back!"
Immediately, the entire Zhao Mansion burst into noisy excitement.
The mansion gates opened wide, and the servants rushed to greet him, their demeanor joyful, just short of beating gongs and sounding firecrackers.
"Dalang (Big Brother)!"
Zhao Douan stepped into the mansion and saw his stepmother and sister almost running to him, surrounded by servants.
In the heat of midsummer, You Jinhua, in a thin dark green long dress trailing on the ground, looked gentle and dignified, biting her lip, almost crying with joy as she saw her stepson return unharmed.
She ran up, holding Zhao Douan’s hand with one hand, raising the other to caress his face, her eyes full of concern:
"You’ve tanned, and lost weight."
Next to her, Zhao Pan, dressed in an egg-yolk yellow ru skirt, had a particularly "ladylike" appearance, but the eagerness in her eyes betrayed her nature as still the fierce girl from a martial artist’s household, smiling as she said:
"Big Brother’s spirit is full, with some rest at home, you’ll regain weight and your complexion."
No... it’s because my spirit’s been drained that I’ve lost weight... Zhao Douan thought to himself, showing a smile, and openly gave the mother and daughter a hug:
"I’ve returned, Auntie and Sis missed me at home."
Ah, this... unused to the etiquette of later times, the mother and daughter’s faces suddenly turned red, and the servants around them tactfully lowered their heads, pretending not to see—being used to their master’s occasional strange actions.
"Dalang, there’s a guest in the house." You Jinhua whispered, her eyes flustered.
"A guest?"
"Yes, it’s Chen Gui from the Firearms Bureau of the Divine Mechanism Camp, who arrived not long ago, saying he heard of your return and came to visit."
Chen Gui? Is it that technical talent in the army called "Chen Huoshen"? Zhao Douan’s eyes lit up:
"Where is he?"
...
A short while later, Zhao Douan was in the guest hall at home, meeting Chen Gui.
This chief craftsman in charge of firearms manufacturing still looked lean, with a goatee, and had a distinct aloofness and pride unique to "technical talents" between his brows.
Last year, Zhao Douan was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Divine Mechanism Camp, hosted a gathering, and connected Chen Huoshen with Gongshu Tianyuan, providing new designs for firearms.
He had developed a new generation of firearms for Yu Country, and afterward, he hadn’t paid much attention anymore. Now, over half a year later, Zhao Douan as the Deputy Commander has barely kept up.
"Master Zhao! This humble official heard of your return with His Majesty to quell the rebellion, and ventured to visit your mansion. Now seeing your demeanor, I know the rumors are true. Truly a blessing to Yu Country!"
Chen Gui respectfully stood up, the pride of a technical person gone from his face, not hiding his joy.
For such technical individuals, even if facing an emperor or minister, they offer only respect at most.
Their true admiration is reserved for "technical deities."
Zhao Douan, back at the Heavenly Master Mansion, taught Chen Huoshen and Gongshu Tianyuan, his high-level theories directly impressed Chen Huoshen.
It’s fair to say, within the Divine Mechanism Camp, those most convinced and acknowledging of Zhao Douan were this group of technicians in the Firearms Bureau.
"Haha, it’s been a while, old Chen, and you’ve learned to flatter now too."
Zhao Douan joked, motioning him to take a seat:
"What, Shi Meng didn’t come?"
Chen Gui obediently sat down, saying:
"Commander Shi leads the Divine Mechanism Camp, without orders, during such a critical time, he dares not enter the city recklessly, so this humble official came instead."
Ah yes, with Li Yanfu’s rebellion in the city, both imperial guard units in the Imperial City have turned traitor... Commanders of the Divine Mechanism Camp indeed wouldn’t dare make a move, lest they be tainted with ’rebel’ allegations...
Zhao Douan expressed understanding:
"I’ve heard the Qingzhou Army is pressing at the borders, the Five Army Camp is deployed in defense, and the Divine Mechanism Camp hasn’t been mobilized. It’s good you’re here, the chaos in the city has been settled, His Majesty returns in his prime, now we shall suppress those Vassal King rebels... how goes the firearm manufacturing?"
Chen Huoshen’s face immediately lit up, his expression elated, in a posture of presenting and boasting his achievements: