Chapter 378

So he discussed it with Liu Rushi, then packed his things and planned to head to Tianjin Guard to take a ship south.

It happened that the new-style sea ship Su Qiao had helped design was already being built at the Tianjin Guard shipyard.

Su Qiao had never had the chance to go see it before, so now he could take the opportunity to look in along the way.

231, raid!

Liu Rushi was very happy knowing she could go south this time.

After all, she had lived in the south for over ten years.

Although the memories from before might be a mix of good and bad, for the current Liu Rushi, it still counted as her hometown.

Actually, going south didn't require bringing much.

According to Su Qiao's thoughts, just casually bringing a few changes of clothes would be enough.

It's just that Liu Rushi's packing was troublesome.

The flowers and plants in the courtyard all needed to be arranged for people to help look after; as for the rest, she didn't bring much either.

She and her maid Qing'er each carried a small bundle.

Qing'er also held a wooden box in her arms; no one knew what was inside.

Ma Kui and the others had long arranged a carriage at the gate.

Ma Kui and his dozen or so men escorted Su Qiao as they leisurely left the capital.

……

In the shadows, several pairs of eyes stared as Su Qiao's group departed in their carriage.

"Quick, send word—Su Qiao has already left the capital!"

Su Qiao's route was not concealed: from Jingcheng to Tianjin Guard, and after that, taking a ship directly to Suzhou.

Some people with ulterior motives, if they wanted to make a move on Su Qiao, could only act from three locations.

One was to strike on the road from Su Qiao to Tianjin Guard.

The other two were one to act on the ship, and one to act when the ship docked and stopped in Suzhou.

No matter which one, it required close planning.

And the danger was very high in every case.

At sea it wasn't easy to control things; besides, who knew whether Su Qiao would take a navy warship south, or an ordinary vessel?

This was too uncertain.

Instead, the stretch from Jingcheng to Tianjin Guard was something that could be pinned down.

Taking a carriage from Jingcheng to Tianjin Guard required three days.

If fast, a little over two days would be enough to arrive.

After leaving the capital, Ma Kui and the others became extremely alert, afraid Su Qiao might run into danger.

At night, everyone stopped at a small town.

Over a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guard were wound tight as bowstrings; Su Qiao watched and felt tired on their behalf.

So he spoke up to advise: "Alright, it's already late, no need to be this tense—everyone should still arrange proper time to rest."

"Mr. Su, we cannot be too cautious. I hear the Bai Bai Lianjiao still has some fish that slipped through the net outside. You left in such a high-profile manner today—surely someone in the shadows has ideas."

Ma Kui, who rarely spoke on ordinary days, actually said quite a bit this time.

Su Qiao burst out laughing upon hearing this. "Of course I'm clear on that, but if they want my life, they don't have the chance—besides, they don't even have an opportunity to act right now."

"Mr. Su, you've already made arrangements?"

Ma Kui asked, eyes wide with astonishment.

Su Qiao's personal safety was basically arranged by him, Sun Youxu, and Zhao Xifang.

He hadn't seen Su Qiao make any arrangements either.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Alright, everyone get some rest early."

Su Qiao didn't elaborate, chuckled twice, patted his shoulder, and went off to sleep.

Leaving Ma Kui alone standing in place, a strange gleam flickering in his eyes.

From here to Tianjin Guard, there was only a little over a day, nearly two days of road left.

If someone with intent wanted to set up an ambush for Su Qiao, it would likely be on this next stretch of road.

After all, whether in the capital or Tianjin Guard, Great Ming's troops could be mobilized at any time.

Zhu Youjian, before Su Qiao set out, had also given him very great authority.

A tally that could directly mobilize troops.

It also counted as one of Su Qiao's safeguards for going south.

A sleepless night!

At night, just as Su Qiao had guessed, nothing happened—a peaceful night.

Rising early to feed the horses and eat dry rations, everyone continued on the road.

Inside the carriage, Su Qiao whispered a few instructions in Liu Rushi's ear.

Liu Rushi obediently nodded.

……

When night fell again, they stopped by a stretch of woods not far from the official road.

There were no villages ahead or behind, so everyone had to camp out.

Fortunately, the tents they'd prepared were all there, so they didn't have to make the sky their bed and the earth their blanket.

After Ma Kui and the others finished their work, they arranged for everyone to stand watch.

Some were in charge of scouting the nearby situation, some were in charge of cooking and tending the fire, and others were in charge of feeding the horses..

GLOSSARY:

【Su Qiao, Liu Rushi, Tianjin Guard, Qing'er, Ma Kui, Jingcheng, Suzhou, Great Ming, Zhu Youjian, Sun Youxu, Zhao Xifang, Bai Bai Lianjiao, Embroidered Uniform Guard】

They took turns, which was quite easy.

"Mr. Su, we'll reach Tianjinwei tomorrow. If we cross safely tonight, we'll be completely safe afterward," Ma Kui said, bringing a bowl of soup to Su Qiao.

Su Qiao glanced at him, smiled, and nodded. "That's right. But they won't dare come tonight. They're a bunch of rats, driven mad by the Embroidered Uniform Guard's arrests. Where would they find the courage to harass me?"

"Mr. Su, are you referring to the Bai Lianjiao?"

"Of course. Didn't I provoke them before?"

"Oh, I thought Mr. Su meant there were other forces involved," Ma Kui said with a dry laugh, scratching his head.

Su Qiao took the soup and instructed Ma Kui, "Keep everyone on high alert tonight. Make sure everything is arranged. I'll rest first; we'll set out early tomorrow morning."

"Got it!"

Su Qiao carried the hot soup into the tent.

Late at night, with just over an hour left until dawn.

About seven or eight li away from where Su Qiao had stopped, a group had gathered.

"Tonight is our only chance. Su Qiao has only a dozen or so Embroidered Uniform Guard around him, while we have over forty capable fighters. Taking them out will be easy! But don't let your guard down; absolutely do not let him escape!"

"Rest assured, Strategist!"

If Su Qiao were standing here, he would certainly recognize them.

The so-called Strategist was none other than Xu Chunming, who had blocked him in Jingcheng before.

He had only met the other party once, after which Xu Chunming vanished without a trace.

He never expected the other party to appear here.

And to be planning an ambush on Su Qiao!

Xu Chunming and his men swiftly mounted their horses, each displaying great proficiency.

They spurred their horses and charged straight toward Su Qiao's encampment.

In theory, it would be best to creep forward slowly, as that would increase the success rate of the surprise attack.

But!

Xu Chunming rejected this suggestion.

Although there were their own people within Su Qiao's ranks, there were also hidden sentries posted far out.

If they walked forward cautiously in the dead of night, who knew where the hidden sentries were?

It would be even easier to expose themselves.

It was better to ride straight over.

In that case, even if they alerted Su Qiao and his men, the distance was only seven or eight li; they could reach them in just a few dozen breaths.