Chapter 516

First, the notice to the Eastern Japan has already been sent out.

There is still no result yet.

Although there is still no news from the Eastern Japan side, Great Ming has already made preparations.

The navy warships, cannons, and provisions were all ready, and the elite soldiers led by the Fujian Navy had also been selected.

The leader was none other than Zheng Zhilong.

One reason was that Zheng Zhilong had rich naval combat experience and had been a pirate before, capable of winning battles.

The second reason was that Zheng Zhilong had been a pirate before, so playing the role of a pirate suited him best.

The third reason was that Zheng Zhilong had dealt with the Japanese pirates and Eastern Japan before, so he understood them better.

Furthermore, Zheng Zhilong's whole family was in the capital, so Zhu Youjian felt at ease using him.

As for how Zhu Youjian wanted to fight, or when to fight, Su Qiao did not ask, nor did he want to know.

So when Zhu Youjian had finished eating the grilled fish and was preparing to leave, Su Qiao was all for it with both hands and feet.

Who asked Zhu Youjian and his group to delay his fishing.

However, just as Zhu Youjian was about to leave with Luo Luo Yangxing and the others.

Something went wrong!

A very long merchant caravan appeared on the official road, and had not even drawn the attention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

It was Sun Youxu and Zhao Xifang who noticed something was off at the first moment.

"Stop them!"

"Kill!"

Swish, swish, swish...

The merchant caravan, which had been chatting and laughing moments ago, instantly transformed into murderous assassins!

Crossbow bolts and blades were drawn out at the first moment.

Most of the Embroidered Uniform Guard brought by Luo Luo Yangxing did not even react before being shot dead on the spot.

The remaining ones fighting the enemy could only briefly hold them off, utterly unable to withstand the enemy's fierce slashing assault.

"Protect Your Majesty!"

Su Qiao heard a Battalion Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing beside Zhu Youjian shout something "brain-dead," and Su Qiao went up and gave him a great slap across the face.

Slap!

"Dare to expose Your Majesty's position, and I'll flay you alive!"

Su Qiao snorted coldly, then grabbed Liu Rushi, and hurriedly followed Zhu Youjian and the others to a nearby village, relying on the village's defenses to take shelter.

Originally, the number of Embroidered Uniform Guard brought by Luo Luo Yangxing, plus the guards by Su Qiao's side, was enough to wipe out the enemy.

However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was really too lax.

First, they did not detect the enemy at the first moment.

Second, their reaction speed was slow; caught off guard, more than half were killed!

Although the remaining ones bravely helped block quite a few enemies, they suffered heavy casualties.

370, Eastern Japan assassins fighting desperately!

After twists and turns, in the end only a few dozen guards remained, although they had finally managed to scatter the enemy.

That's right, scattered, not annihilated!

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard under Luo Luo Yangxing performed very loyally and bravely, and their martial skills were not bad either.

Yet neither Zhu Youjian nor anyone else gave him a pleasant look.

First, not detecting the danger at the first moment could be let go.

Second was that shout.

It really seemed like they were afraid the enemy wouldn't know the Emperor was here, deliberately passing a signal.

Can such a brain-dead teammate be brought along as a guard?

Although Su Qiao slapped him to stop it, following the principle of better to kill by mistake than let go, he was dealt with at the first moment.

What is the situation now.

Jingcheng was right before their eyes, yet they could not enter.

Who knew how many assassins were ambushed nearby.

This group of assassins was not weak in martial prowess, although not many remained.

Yet no one dared to risk breaking out with Zhu Youjian.

"Do you know who the assassins are?"

Zhu Youjian felt that being cooped up in this small village was really somewhat unbearable.

Mainly, it was frustrating!

The dignified Emperor of Great Ming, right at the gates of the capital, under the Son of Heaven's feet, and what happened?

A large group of assassins appeared, and he couldn't even go back.

Is there anyone more frustrated than him?

In the group chat, when Zhu Youjian was in the most danger, he could still call for reinforcements.

But he did not want to, or rather, did not dare.

If such a disgraceful matter were known by the Liezulie Sect, he really wouldn't be able to hold his head up!

So, before the most critical moment arrived, he still did not want to expose himself.

Luo Luo Yangxing also knew his impression score had taken a big hit this time, but fortunately he still remained calm and composed.

"Your Majesty, judging by their appearance, they should be Eastern Japan samurai!"

"The Dongying people dare to assassinate me, the Emperor?!"

Zhu Youjian didn't react at first, then fury overtook him.

Su Qiao stood to the side without speaking, though inwardly he was cursing up a storm.

They'd brought up striking at Dongying in court two or three times already, damn it.

The other side ganging up to assassinate you — isn't that perfectly normal?

Did you really think the Dongying people wouldn't catch wind of anything, that they'd know nothing at all?

They came to the Celestial Empire to spread their seed, arranging for large numbers of Japanese women to enter the homes of Great Ming officials, acting as spies.

This wasn't their first time doing it — they'd had that tradition since the Sui and Tang dynasties.

And the results were astonishing!

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that Zhu Youjian's impromptu incognito inspection was spotted and ambushed by the assassins?

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to dwell on such matters. We have too few men; breaking out of the encirclement will be near impossible. We can only wait for reinforcements. Once night falls and Your Majesty hasn't returned to the palace, both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot will notice something is wrong at once. They'll send people to look for us, and by then the assassins will have no choice but to flee."

Su Qiao spoke up.

"But during this time the enemy will certainly try every means to strike at us. We'll have to hold out for several more hours!"

Zhu Youjian, Luo Luo Yangxing, and the others came back to themselves and said.

Su Qiao nodded. "Exactly. There are still plenty of innocent villagers inside the village — best to have them hide somewhere. Also be careful of fire attacks; we can set up some traps inside the village and the like."

"Good, we'll do as Su Qing says. Get on it at once!"

With Su Qiao offering counsel at his side, Zhu Youjian regained his composure.

The other guards, too, seemed to have found their backbone, no longer looking as panic-stricken as before.

But whether it would actually work still depended on how the next several hours unfolded.

……

Just as Su Qiao had figured, the assassins knew that the longer they dragged things out, the worse it would be for them.

The assassins who had been scattered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard's frenzied killing quickly regrouped.

Counting roughly, there were still at least a hundred and sixty or seventy of them.

That was nearly twice the number of guards remaining inside Xiaohuang Village.

Even with so many men, storming Xiaohuang Village wouldn't be that easy.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards under Luo Luo Yangxing had no hand-crossbows, but Su Qiao's Embroidered Uniform Guard escort each carried one.

One quiver held ten bolts; each man carried three quivers.

Even without any archers brought along, the hand-crossbows alone were enough to give the assassins pause.