“A reincarnated Yinzai named Zhongkui?”
Chen Shi carefully asked for detailed information about Zhongkui’s reincarnation. The boat girl and the boatman didn’t know much about it. They only knew that this Yinzai made a mistake and escaped from the underworld, and was reincarnated in Du County, Jinzhou Province.
You only need to go to Duxian, find Zhong Kui, capture him, and deliver him to us." The boatman continued: "After we receive Zhong Kui, we will go to the underworld to help you regain your daughter's soul. She is not a felon like you in the underworld, and her custody is not so harsh."
The boat girl smiled and said: "When the two of us go, we will definitely catch them!"
Chen Shi looked at the two of them suspiciously. The boatman, boat girl, and his daughter had honest smiles on their faces, but he always felt that the guy in the underworld kept telling lies, and this guy named Zhong Kui was probably very difficult to mess with.
The boat girl and the boatman were extremely powerful. If Zhong Kui was really incapable of fighting, why didn't they go and instead give the credit to Chen Shi? "Okay! I agree!" Chen Shi said decisively.
The father and daughter breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly urged him to get off the boat, saying: "You are not going to the brothel, don't occupy our boat, we still have to do business! Now is the time when business is good!"
Chen Shi smiled and said, "Do you have to make money even if you are undercover?"
The boat girl sneered and said: "If you don't make money, how can you make ends meet? Where my father and daughter live, the rent costs several taels of silver a month! Add in the daily expenses, and it's really a waste of money. Does Chen Daguan want to go to a brothel? The slave family knows which girl can sing gracefully.
Chen Shi shook his head and said: "I don't have any money either."
"You can impress the girl with your talent, and you won't charge any money." The boat girl said with a smile. Chen Shi jumped to the shore and was not fooled.
"A solid man." The boatman praised.
The boat girl smiled and said: "If he wins, we, father and daughter, will cover our faces to rescue his mother's soul and repay his kindness. We will then tie up his mother and send them to the underworld. It is our credit again, and it is Double credit!"
Even though the boatman was calm, he couldn't hide his excitement: "Coupled with the support of the little King of Hell, we two..." "Win!" said the boat girl.
There are also people who sacrifice the Nascent Soul and hold themselves up to walk in the air, filled with brilliance.
There are even people who are escaping with fire light, water light or sword light, leaving traces of different colors in the air from time to time.
However, there were also people who lacked magic power and lost their footing and fell, or they collided in the air and died in pairs. At this time, the officials from Gongtian Mansion went to deal with it. Chen Shi was thinking about something while walking through the crowded crowd towards the inner city.
At this moment, Chen Tang came into his sight, wearing a black cloak and holding a lantern in his hand, waiting for him in the crowd. Chen Shi stepped forward and the two walked together.
Chen Shi told the request of the boatman and his daughter, Chen Tang was silent for a moment, and asked: "Are they trustworthy?"
"His father and daughter are ghosts and gods, and their words are lies. Only half of them can be believed, but whether they are credible or not, I have to do it." Chen Shi said. Chen Tang said: "About the news about Zhong Kui in Duxian County, I will have someone check it out first."
Chen Shi shook his head and said: "Your target is too big, and there are too many people watching you. I don't use your people, I use mine to investigate."
Chen Tang glanced at him and did not insist on using his own people, and said: "Jinzhou Province has fifty-four counties, and Xijing is also in Jinzhou Province. It is one of the most prosperous places. Du County is located among the mountains in the northeast, where the geography is dangerous. You must be careful when you go out for activities. "
Chen Shi smiled and said: "I will definitely be fully prepared."
"There is also a decree from the imperial court, asking you to be an ambassador to Guangjiku of the Ministry of Accounts, responsible for the dispatch of money and weapons in Guangjiku. Tomorrow you will go to the Ministry of Accounts to accept the post, and then go to Guangjiku. Someone will familiarize you with the process."
Chen Tang said, "Although the ambassador is not a high-ranking official, he is extremely important. The military equipment and baggage of all the troops in Xijing have to go through Guangjiku. The armaments and firearms of the imperial court also have to go through Guangjiku. Every weapon is crucial, and every kilogram of gunpowder is also of great importance."
Chen Shidao: "Chen Tang, this official is the one you paid for. Did I buy it? Or did you give it to me for personal gain?
Chen Tang shook his head, looked at him deeply, and said: "In the past few years since I was the right minister, Ambassador Guangjiku has changed seven people. Five of them were beheaded because they had dirty hands and took things they shouldn't have. The other two were secretly eliminated because of their manipulation of several military camps in Xijing, and the results were not found out afterwards."
Chen Shi was awe-inspiring. It seemed that this official position was not bought by Chen Tang.
Chen Tang said: "Someone wants to take advantage of you and me, so I arranged for you to be the ambassador of Guangjiku. Countless eyes are watching you, and as long as you make a mistake, there will be reasons to punish you."
He stopped and said, "Do you know why I am able to achieve the position of a third-rank official? I rely on my duty. I am meticulous in my work and will not make any mistakes." There have been no mistakes in the eight warehouses and four warehouses in the household department in the past few years. Since you have also joined the household department, please remember these four words. "
He handed the lantern to Chen Shi. Chen Shi took the lantern and saw the word "caution" written on the side facing him, and the word "小微" on the back. Be cautious.
Chen Tang said: "You are an official at the age of thirteen. If you are not careful, you will be caught. These four words, you and I encourage each other." Chen Shi looked at these four words, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Chen Tang, I won't cause you any trouble."
The two returned home and after dinner, Chen Shi returned to the room and saw a set of ambassadorial uniforms beside the bed, and two sets of official uniforms in the cabinet. Early the next morning, Chen Shi changed into official uniform. Chen Tang did not order anyone to come, but asked Sun Yisheng to lead him to the Ministry of Household Affairs.
The Hubu Yamen has a large number of people, but most of them are scribes and officials from the Qing Li Department of the fifty provinces. They are responsible for managing the money, grain, household registration, and materials of the fifty provinces. Xiniu Xinzhou is too big, and the household office is also bloated. There are too many people assigned by various aristocratic families, and there are only a few people in each department.
When Chen Shi followed Sun Yisheng as he walked by, he saw some people drinking tea, while others were going between departments, running back and forth between buildings and government offices, so busy that their legs almost broke.
There were several scholars who entered the Ministry of Household Affairs together, but they were all middle-aged, and they also served as ambassadors and deputy envoys. Chen Shi asked: "Master Sun, are the ambassadors and deputies in each treasury very diligent in replacing them?"
"Of course they are diligent." Several people want to give you money and beauties, as long as you give them a note and a deposit. They can still withstand this temptation for a day or two, but after a long time, very few can withstand the temptation."
"Their predecessors..."
"He was still alive a few days ago, but he should be in the Ten Thousand Souls Banner now." "Oh."
The two followed the inspector to Guangjiku, where Guangjiku's deputy envoys and junior officials were already waiting. After the officials introduced themselves, they took out Guangjiku's account books and took Chen Shi to visit Guangjiku's reserves.
Sir, Guangjiku has made 200,000 continuous lead bullets, 400,000 lead bullets, and 400,000 lead bullets for target guns; it has made 23,000 five-dragon spears and two three-eye fire blunderbuss. Thirteen thousand shots, 40,000 shotguns, and 80,000 large, medium, and small caltrops; sir, please come here."
Chen Shi looked at the pile of pellets and stopped in front of the caltrops.
I saw that this big iron caltrop was as tall as a person, a little taller than him. It had iron spikes with various thunder talismans imprinted on it.
“Sir, this kind of iron caltrop is painted with 36 lines of Nine Thunder Talisman, and engraved with 48 lines of Five Thunder Talisman inside. It is filled with 300 kilograms of gunpowder and white sugar. It is called Five Yang Thunder Gunpowder. It is very powerful.”
A small official responsible for supervising the manufacture of caltrops said, "The iron thorns of this object are floating. If the collision is slightly violent, the iron thorns will squeeze the gunpowder inside and explode. When it explodes, the outer shell of the caltrops will split into three thousand pieces, and each iron thorn will be broken into two hundred pieces."
Chen Shi's voice was trembling: "Here, take two out and go to the Quqiang River. I want to check the power to see if you have cut corners and fooled me." The inspector and a group of deputy envoys and minor officials looked at each other and said quickly: "Master Xiao Chen, you can't do it!"
Sun Yisheng also hurriedly advised: "Master Xiao Chen, you can't do this! If you take it out and blow it up, I'm afraid there will be countless casualties on both sides of the Quqian River! Moreover, if any of these weapons are missing, you will be the only one to ask!"
Chen Shi reluctantly looked away and walked forward, turning his head three times.
The inspector and the deputy envoys and minor officials looked at each other in confusion and thought: "This ambassador, I'm afraid he won't survive until next month and will be on the Ten Thousand Souls Banner." "Sir, please come this way. Here are the cannons built by the supervisor."
They followed Chen Shi, ran quickly, led Chen Shi to inspect the artillery, looked through the accounts, and said, "There are 1,000 general cannons, 2,400 prisoner-killing cannons, 2,400 Folang machines, 10,000 bowl-mouth blunderbuss, 3,000 rockets, and 5,000 nozzles."
Chen Shi came to a two-foot-long cannon and clenched his fists to prevent his hands from shaking with excitement. Seeing the dragon-headed rocket again, he couldn't bear it anymore, and his hands finally trembled.
"I'm going to try this outside!" Chen Shi said.
Sun Yisheng hurriedly stopped: "Master Xiao Chen, you can't try this!"
Chen Shi looked at these rockets, but saw that the rockets were about two feet long, with a dragon head and a dragon body, and even a dragon tail, but without four legs. They were filled with gunpowder and painted with wind and cloud symbols and thunder symbols on the outside.
This thing can ride on the wind and fly for dozens of miles in the air, at extremely fast speeds, and then explode with extremely powerful force! When it explodes, there are not only wind, thunder, fire and smoke, but also dragon roars and strange power, destroying everything!
Chen Shi looked left and right, reluctant to leave.
Several clerks whispered to each other: "This Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen, may not have to wait until tomorrow to board the Ten Thousand Souls Banner."
They led Chen Shi to see all kinds of weapons and equipment such as bows and arrows, large crossbows, chariot crossbows, spears, long knives, long axes, shields, waist knives, armors, golden drums, fire sickles, fire soldiers' poles and other weapons. There were tens of thousands of them, all of whom were drawn with talismans and offered incense every day!
In addition, there are tens of thousands of kilograms of saltpeter, sulfur, charcoal powder, sugar and other materials.
Chen Shi's eyes widened as he finally took a look at Guangjiku's weapons and equipment. It was already afternoon when he walked out. He was already hungry, but full of energy.
"I am in charge of so many firearms, I can destroy Xijing!" He thought to himself.
Sun Yisheng noticed his excitement and whispered: "Master Chen, you can't touch the things in Guangjiku. If you do, it will be a crime of beheading."
Sun Yisheng said sternly: "No way! The prosecutor has to reconcile the accounts!"
Chen Shi sighed regretfully and asked the prosecutor next to him: "Sir, are you corrupt?"
The prosecutor shook his head quickly.
Sun Yisheng was secretly worried: "I wonder who is so sinister and placed Mr. Xiao Chen in this position, clearly intending to make him make mistakes."
It's just that he is the ambassador of Guanghuiku and has his own duties. It is impossible to keep an eye on Chen Shi all the time. He has to return to Guanghuiku.
At this time, a group of more than ten people hurried over and laughed from a distance: "Ambassador Guangjiku, I have been ordered to come and pick up the fire starter! Why don't you come out to greet us?"
Sun Yisheng frowned slightly and looked outside, but it was a disciple of the Ma family who was beaten by Chen Shi on the way to the exam. He seemed to be called Ma Zongzhou.
Ma Zongzhou is wearing official uniform at the moment, and the dozen or so scholars around him are also rushing to take the exam. They are Zhou Qianying and others whom they met on the road. They are also wearing official clothes at this moment. Apparently, they have been assigned official positions after entering Xijing.
They are the ones who promote people, so it is normal for them to arrange official positions.
However, judging from their official uniforms, everyone's position is not low, some are from the eighth rank, some are from the eighth rank, and Ma Zongzhou is a seventh rank official.
Chen Shi led a group of petty officials out of Guangjiku and looked at the deputy envoy. The deputy envoy hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Do you have any documents, sir?"
Ma Zongzhou pushed the deputy envoy aside, walked towards Chen Shi, and said with a smile: "You have nothing to do with me here. Chen Shi, I have experience in Gongtian Mansion and am in the seventh rank. I'm here today to bring some firearms and weapons. Aren't you ready to welcome me?"
Chen Shi's face was as usual and he said: "Please show me the document."
Ma Zongzhou sat down and said with a smile: "Chen Shi, you met me, but you were not polite? Since ancient times, the official is one level higher than you, and I am two levels higher than you. You can at least kowtow to me, and all the things you have offended me in the past will be wiped out."
Zhou Qianying and Wang Ping looked at them with smiles.
Chen Shi raised his eyebrows, half smiling and said: "You want me to kowtow to you to apologize?"
Wang Ping said with a smile: "Mr. Chen, Mr. Ma is extremely merciful to ask you to apologize. You are the ninth grade, and he is the seventh grade. I want to punish you and give you little shoes. There are many ways."
Zhou Qian Yingrou He persuaded: "Yes, Master Xiao Chen. After all, Master Ma has a high official position and is willing to fight with you. Just lower your head and admit your mistake."
"Master Sun, close the door." Chen Shi said.
Sun Yisheng was stunned.
Chen Shi slowly took off his official robe and said calmly: "Do you think that if I put on these clothes, I wouldn't dare to kill anyone?"
He threw his official robe on the ground and walked towards Ma Zongzhou.
Ma Zongzhou knew something was wrong, so he immediately stood up, activated his skills, and changed his spells. However, as soon as his energy and blood began to stir, Chen Shi was already in front of him. Ma Zongzhou felt severe pain in his lower abdomen. He flew out like a cannonball and hit a general cannon, causing the huge cannon body to fall to one side!
Ma Zongzhou struggled to stand up and heard a series of bang bang bang bang sounds. He looked over quickly and saw Zhou Qianying, Wang Ping and others falling to the ground.
"I gave Chen Tang some face, and I have only been a good boy for a few days."
Chen Shi picked up Zhou Qianying, tied the girl to a dragon-headed rocket, and put the rocket on the turret.
He walked up to Ma Zongzhou. Ma Zongzhou was still resisting, but Chen Shi punched him away and tied him to a rocket.
"But even if I kill you, which of the Thirteen Aristocratic Family dares to ask?"
Chen Shi tied these people to the rocket one by one, and said to the stunned Sun Yisheng: "Master Sun, go inform Gongtian Mansion and ask them to come to me to apologize, otherwise they will be sent to heaven."
Sun Yisheng jumped up and ran out in a hurry, shouting: "Don't kill anyone first!"