The excitement is as lively as ever, and the New Year atmosphere is getting more intense. Last night, the Jingzhao Mansion, the Jinyi Guards, and the patrol battalion surrounded the Zhao Prince's Mansion, and it became the talk of the people after dinner.
It is not surprising that any major event happens at the feet of the prince. The people have long been accustomed to it, and they are just making random guesses after they have had enough wine and food.
Early in the morning, Di Renjie and Bao Zheng went to the palace to meet the saint. They were busy all night last night, but in the end they were all in vain. Jinyiwei and Jingzhao Mansion were still busy investigating.
But the two of them must inform the Emperor of Chu about the progress of the case. There are only two days left until New Year's Eve, and all the officials, both civil and military, will be in the palace, sitting on the fire kang and enjoying life.
It was really a hot bed with wives and children. Only Di Renjie and Bao Zheng were busy with the case of missing people. They came outside the imperial study room and saw Emperor Chu busy with Shen Wansan. They stepped forward and stood aside to wait.
Not long after, the fireworks brought by Shen Wansan burst into bloom, and colorful flames shot straight into the sky. Emperor Chu looked happy and raised his hand to pat Shen Wansan on the shoulder.
"Shen Qing is really vigorous and resolute in his work. The fireworks are very successful and can be put into the market for sale. However, it is best to wait until nightfall to start."
"Your Majesty, why do you have to wait until after nightfall? If you put it into the market early, you can make money earlier. After nightfall, most people stay behind closed doors. How can you increase sales?"
Shen Wansan looked puzzled and expressed his thoughts. Emperor Chu smiled lightly and said: "Shen Qing has been in business for so many years, but he still hasn't learned marketing."
"Fireworks are a new thing, and few people know about it. Selling them during the day requires explanations one by one. Even if the fireworks are lit and released, the effect is not obvious enough."
"But after nightfall, just light one firework and it will become the focus of the whole city. The gorgeous and wonderful fireworks are the biggest advertisement."
"That's it. Your Majesty thinks so highly of me that I am ashamed of myself!"
"Okay, remember to send someone to bring the fireworks that the palace needs in the afternoon, and get out and get ready!"
Shen Wansan saluted Emperor Chu respectfully, turned around and left the square. Emperor Chu turned to look at Di Renjie and Bao Zheng, and they walked forward quickly.
"Why, judging from the dejected looks of the two beloved ladies, they must have accomplished nothing last night!"
"The humble minister is incompetent and has failed our emperor's holy grace!"
"The humble minister is incompetent and has failed our emperor's holy grace!"
Di Renjie and Bao Zheng looked ashamed, and bowed and saluted one after another. Emperor Chu raised his hand to signal the two of them to walk towards Nuange, and said as they walked:
"Huaiying, you have always been thoughtful and perceptive. What do you think about the investigation of the disappearance of the people so far?"
"Your Majesty, after last night's investigation, we can confirm that the disappearance of the people is closely related to the Fire Tribe, one of the eight ancient tribes."
"Weichen must increase his efforts and strive to solve the case within two days!"
Although the clues have been cut off at the moment, Di Renjie believes that there will be a turn of events, and the investigation last night was not without success.
"Huaiying, the case will be pointed at Prince Zhao's Mansion without any reason. Sometimes you should stay out of the case and think about the whole case."
"The authorities are confused, but bystanders are clear. Maybe they just ignored a small detail, and then the case entered a misunderstanding."
Emperor Chu motioned the two of them to sit down, but Di Renjie was in a state of shock. He murmured to himself, bowed to Emperor Chu and saluted, and quickly left the Nuan Pavilion.
Di Renjie stayed up all night yesterday, thinking about the development of the case. It seemed that everything was going too smoothly, from the moment Thief Zhi discovered the poison of ghost mist, to the final death of Marquis Fang.
There was always a feeling that someone was pushing the case forward behind the scenes. Di Renjie had been enlightened by Emperor Chu's words just now. Di Renjie had already figured out part of it, but he still needed someone to verify it for him.
"It seems that Di Qing has found a breakthrough in the case!"
"Wei Chen resigns!"
After Bao Zheng saluted, he quickly chased after Di Renjie. Emperor Chu watched the two people leaving, knowing that today's disappearance case would have a result.
"Your Majesty, the Queen has invited the princesses and generals' wives from all the palaces into the palace. She is teaching them how to make dumplings in Ningxiang Palace. Please move away!"
"Xiao Guizi, go and tell the Queen that I still have government affairs to deal with, and she will be in charge of making dumplings!"
The female relatives from all the palaces in Ningxiang Palace were there. Emperor Chu felt uncomfortable even imagining it, so he walked out of the Nuan Pavilion and waved for Cao Zhengchun to come forward.
"Zhengchun, come with me to the Chu Palace, wander around Chang'an City, and experience the imperial city during the New Year!"
"Your Majesty, would you like to lead some Yulin troops to the entrance?"
Emperor Chu waved his hand, glanced sideways at Cao Zhengchun, and said: "With your strength, how can anyone get close to me? Besides, Chang'an City is the imperial city of Chu. How can we allow thieves to cause trouble here?"
.............
After leaving the palace, Emperor Chu took Cao Zhengchun to the Academy of Sciences first, because Emperor Chu knew that only the ministers in the Academy of Sciences were still immersed in scientific research.
After entering the Academy of Sciences, there were banging sounds one after another. Emperor Chu followed the sound and came to the inner academy grounds. At this time, Lu Ban, Shen Kuo and others were holding the first developed firecrackers for experiments.
After receiving the report from the guards, Lu Ban and others stepped forward to greet Emperor Chu: "How is it? I just heard the sound of the fire gun. Is it true that the first improved fire gun has been successful?"
"Back to Your Majesty, the improvement has been successful and is being tested!"
Lu Ban, Shen Kuo, Wen Boya and others improved according to the drawings given to them by Emperor Chu. The fire blunderbuss of Chu State today are not the bulky firearms used by the Guangming Empire outside Taichu City.
To be precise, the firearms that Emperor Chu gave to the Academy of Sciences for improvement already belong to the fifth stage of the evolution of firecrackers. The latest name nowadays is flintlock gun.
It's just that Emperor Chu incorporated some modern firearms into the flintlock structure. Now Chu's flintlocks are of different lengths.
There are long flintlock guns suitable for firearms camps, and there are also short guns similar to revolvers. While Wen Boya was talking, Emperor Chu had already stepped forward to take the long flintlock guns from the soldiers.
boom!
A sound spread, a wisp of green smoke rose in the sky, and Emperor Chu hit the target with his shot. This flintlock gun greatly improved the accuracy, and it was easy to use and could be carried by the soldiers of the firearms battalion.
Emperor Chu turned around and threw the flintlock gun in his hand to the soldiers, and said to Wen Boya and others: "The improvement of this firearm is very complete and can be mass-produced. Once the first batch of production is completed, I will order people to send it to Taichu City."
Zhou Yu and Qi Jiguang were stationed in Taichu City to train their navy. They faced the Empire of Light, which had strong ships and powerful artillery. They were in urgent need of such sophisticated flintlock guns.
"Your Majesty, I will arrange for craftsmen to start production immediately!"
"Bowen, the production matter is not urgent. The next day is New Year's Eve. According to my decree, all officials and craftsmen of the Academy of Sciences are ordered to rest."
"In addition, I will send people to the No. 1 Village and Household Department in the world to prepare New Year benefits for the Academy of Sciences. This is my reward for you."
The Academy of Sciences was the core of the Chu State. In addition to Wen Boya, Lu Ban, Shen Kuo, Zhou Yu, Zhang Heng and others, there were also many strange people from all over the country who came to serve.
They have contributed a lot to Chu State this year, and they are all meritorious officials. Therefore, the Emperor Chu's preparation of New Year benefits for them can be regarded as a kind of recognition of their work from the side. In addition, they can work harder in the coming year.
"On behalf of everyone at the Academy of Sciences, I would like to thank our Emperor for His grace!"
Later, Emperor Chu came to the front hall of the Academy of Sciences, wrote down the benefits to be awarded to the Academy of Sciences, and asked Cao Zhengchun to take them to the Ministry of Household Affairs and the No. 1 Village in the World, making sure to distribute all the benefits to everyone before dusk.
at this time.
Di Renjie, who left the palace, came to the West Market again alone. There were only a few people on the empty long street, and there was a smell of decay in the air.
Not long after, Di Renjie appeared outside the Luosha Pavilion. The windows and doors that were destroyed last night had been restored to their original appearance, but the delicate purple flowers had become broken flowers.
"Di Renjie, the royal guard, asks to see Xiang Rakshasa!"
There was no sound at all in the Luosha Pavilion. Just as Di Renjie was about to step forward, a delicate voice came from the pavilion:
"Master Di misses the slave family so quickly, please join the cabinet quickly!"
The fragrant Luosha did not appear from the pavilion, but the voice came from the void. Di Renjie suddenly raised his hand to look, and saw that he had propped up the window and half-drawn his figure out.
She has apricot eyes and peach cheeks, skin like gelatin, a spring onion-like jade gently touches her cheeks, she smiles charmingly, her eyes are like a pool of water flowing in the microwave, and a piece of snow-white is exposed in front of her towering double peaks.
Mesmerizing, truly stunningly attractive.
"Xiang Luosha, regarding yesterday's case, I still need your answers to some questions. Please come with me to the Jinyiwei command post."
"Is there anything that cannot be said in Rakshasa Pavilion and must go to the Jinyiwei command post?"
Xiang Luosha's spiritual eyes flashed, and he said in a meat-grinding voice. His other jade hand gently caressed a flying snake, and a fleeting ruthlessness flashed deep in his eyes.
"Xiang Rakshasa, I have come here to invite you specially. Is it because I don't appreciate the honor? Or am I afraid that you don't dare to go?"
"That's nonsense. Why don't I dare to go there? If you want to solve the case, you better not waste time here. Maybe the appearance of the ghost mist poison is just a coincidence."
Xiang Rakshasa glanced at Di Renjie, raised her hand and lowered the window, turned around and Teng She disappeared instantly behind her, only to see her figure flash and appear at the door of Rakshasa Pavilion.
The breeze blew by gently, Xiang Luosha's hair on his temples fluttered lightly, he was wearing a snow-white robe on his back, and he glanced at Di Renjie in front of him.
"Your Excellency is willing to waste your time on me, then I will follow you to the Jinyiwei Command Post."
The beautiful figure of the fragrant Rakshasa fell on Di Renjie, exhaling like orchid, with a delicate and charming look. If it were anyone else, he would have been fascinated by it.
But Di Renjie easily avoided her, with a solemn expression on his face, and said: "Where is Xiang Luosha, and who are you!"
At the sudden question, the expression on Xiang Luosha's pretty face froze, a murderous intention flashed across her face, and she chuckled: "My lord, are you doubting the slave family? The slave family is wronged!"
"That's right, you are not a fragrant Rakshasa at all. The famous black widow in West City, how could you not know how to use poison?"
"You are the one who came to Rakshasa Pavilion to buy the ghost mist poison. As for Fang Hou, you just hid the abducted people in Prince Zhao's Mansion. When you knew that Jinyiwei and Jingzhao Mansion began to secretly investigate the case, you used
The poison of the ghost mist led us to Rakshasa Pavilion."
"After that, everything is under your control. Every step I take is planned by you in advance."
Di Renjie's expression was as calm as a breeze, his eyes were like daggers, he stared at the 'Xiang Rakshasa' in front of him, and he raised his hand and pointed his dragon mace directly at her.
"Could it be that you can't find the murderer, so you want to use me to convict him? This is all your speculation without any evidence."
'Xiang Rakshasa' was filled with dark emotions, but his pretty face remained calm and pitiful, as if he had been wronged by Di Renjie.
"It's okay if you don't want to admit it. When you get to the Jinyiwei cell, your true colors will be revealed."
As Di Renjie's words sounded, ripples of true energy came from the void, and the space exploded inch by inch. Four people, Tie Dan Shenhou, Yao Yue, Li Yuanfang, and Duan Tianya, appeared and surrounded the 'Xiang Rakshasa'. (To be continued)