"Lord Thousand-Householder, look at this gas-sealing valve." Her fingertips brushed over the dents on the spiral bronze bolt. "This 'Triple-Linked' locking technique is a legendary skill from the breech-loading firearms improved by Yu Dayou during the Jiajing era when he suppressed the Japanese pirates. How could it bear the emblem of the Artisan Bureau of Thang Long Prefecture?"
Suddenly, signal drums sounded from the Zhang River. Thirty merchant ships from Champa, flying the "Ming" flag, cut through the waves, but the Zheng clan’s sun-and-moon banner at the bow revealed the banyan tree emblem of the Annam Lord Zheng’s mansion in the wind and spray. Xiao Heng’s scabbard shattered the sealing wax on a cargo hold; what spilled out was not grain, but bundles of "Meiguan Ancient Road Defense Maps," each roll sealed with red lacquer bearing Wan Youji’s "Governor-General of the Cabinet" seal!
"Report to the Assistant Commissioner!" An orderly cleaved open a crate of Guangnan cinnamon. "This cinnamon lining hides..."
Chapter 165