Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 805 Chain of Iron Chains

According to Shopkeeper Fu's estimation, this delaying strategy should be able to slow down Li Jinglong for at least two months. Because it would take more than a month to go to Yingtian Mansion here. This time, there should be two months.

However, it has only been one month since the last time the Ming Dynasty fleet was lured away. Why did the fleet leave and come back?

It was because Li Jinglong discovered the clue.

The reason was that it was the British "escape ship" that did not exist. It is said that Li Jinglong left here and chased all the way south. He did not find any trace of these escape ships on the islands along the Great Bay, and he pursued them all the way to Nanyang. Nanyang is dotted with many port concessions rented in the name of the Ming Dynasty and run by large merchants of the Ming Dynasty. If there is an escape ship, it must have landed on these Nanyang islands to supply supplies along the way. If a ship lands, it will be hidden from the eyes and ears of these Ming merchants. These concessions are the best outposts of the Ming Dynasty in the South China Sea.

Li Jinglong asked along the way, but found no information about the so-called British ship. Instead, he accidentally collided and captured a Venetian merchant ship that broke up and escaped during the Battle of Danjiang. The Venetian merchant on the ship told Li Jinglong that when his ship was escaping, he once wanted to dock at the port of the former Dadu Kingdom on the west coast of Dawan for supplies... However, just when they wanted to land, they took advantage of the opportunity. The fire on the shore saw the British warships being dragged into the harbor and hidden.

"You mean, the ships of the red-haired barbarians were dragged into the port and hidden?" Li Jinglong's eyes widened and he took a few steps forward. "Is this serious?"

"Of course it's true. We saw this with our own eyes. We dare to swear to God!" After hearing the interpreter translate Li Jinglong's question to them, the curly-haired Venetians all swore loudly, "It's because they saw this kind of thing." Strange things happened, so we decided to take the risk and drive all night... Fortunately, God blessed us, and those on the shore did not find our traces..."

Li Jinglong was speechless for a moment. What does this have to do with God? It was obvious that their boat was small, and they took advantage of the darkness... It was difficult to see a small merchant ship on the sea at night, so it would be difficult for people on the shore to find a small merchant ship. But the people on the boat could clearly see the fire on the shore. It would not be difficult to spot a ship being towed into the harbor from a distance.

"Young Master, let me put it this way, we were tricked by those bandits..." Li Gui fanned the flames to Li Jinglong from the side. "That gold...must still be in the hands of those bandits!"

"I know." Li Jinglong looked a little ugly. He already felt that he seemed to be being played, and he felt a little ashamed and angry. He was determined to live up to his father's reputation, but was tricked by some White Lotus cult bandits?

"...But, I have already sent envoys to Yingtian..." Li Jinglong was a little embarrassed.

"Young Master, Young Master, the messenger is back!"

"My young master, I have not arrived at Yingtian, but near Jiaxing, I met His Royal Highness the King of Zhou who was ordered to come to take charge of all affairs in the South China Sea." said the messenger with a dusty face.

"His Royal Highness the Prince of Zhou read the young master's letter and asked me not to respond to it. He also revised a letter and presented it directly to you, the young master."

"Oh? So fast?" Li Jinglong was happy at first, and then confused. "It's a long way to Yingtian. It's not even a month, but you've already made a round trip?"

If he had not sent an envoy, he would have gone to exterminate the White Lotus Cult bandits at this time, and he would have done so. After all, the cult bandits dared to deceive the Heavenly Soldiers, which was considered an evil plot...

"Young Master, why don't we go back to Dawan Island and wipe out all the White Lotus Cult bandits? Otherwise, how can we vent our hatred on the thieves for playing tricks on us?" Li Gui's temper when he was around Li Wenzhong in the past has returned. The old man's breathing became heavier at the thought of being able to kill the bandits.

But now, the messenger has set off. What if the Emperor wanted to let these White Lotus cult bandits go free and allow them to live in Dawan Island... If he rashly sent troops to wipe them out, wouldn't he be going against the imperial edict?

While Li Jinglong was still looking forward and backward, hesitating, he heard someone suddenly rushing outside the cabin.

"Oh? The fifth uncle is here?" Li Jinglong was overjoyed when he heard this. Although it was not the imperial edict from the Emperor, Uncle Wu must have had his reasons for intercepting his letter. Li Jinglong couldn't wait to take the letter from Zhu Su.

Who is Uncle Wu? Even Uncle Huang always obeyed what his fifth uncle said. Now that Uncle Wu has made a plan, all he has to do is follow his orders.

Li Jinglong opened the letter with confidence, thinking that Zhu Su must have arranged everything for him one by one in the letter. Unexpectedly, when the envelope was opened, there were only a few big words full of anger and flying dragons inside. "How can we allow thieves to sleep peacefully beside our couch?"

"This... Young Master, what does the Fifth Highness mean?" Li Gui was originally a bandit, and later became a soldier. It was only when he became old and became a steward that he roughly learned a few words. However, these ten big characters sounded clumsy when read, but he couldn't understand their meaning.

Li Jinglong was so excited that he shuddered. The fifth uncle has always been kind to him, but this time he sent the repair book, which clearly shows his reprimand towards him.

... Could it be that what I did was a big mistake?

"Turn the ship around!" Li Jinglong, who came to his senses, quickly ordered the soldiers on the ship.

"Speed ​​back to Dawan... Let's destroy the White Lotus bandits first!"

It’s never too late to make amends. Li Jinglong didn't know where his safety was wrong, but he knew that his fifth uncle would definitely not deceive him.

Now that he has made a decision, he will just do what he is told.

As a result, the Nanyang Fleet arrived at the west coast of Dawan Island again.

As soon as he arrived here, Li Jinglong immediately realized that these religious bandits really had bad intentions.

I saw that the sea surface of this port was densely covered with hundreds of wooden boats. Although these ships are not big, they are all connected by iron cables. From a distance, it looks a bit like the imposing force of Cao Wei's army chained across the river in Chibi.

Even at that originally simple port, it had only been around for more than a month, and the fortifications on the port were already densely packed, which was completely different from before. It was obvious that these White Lotus cult bandits never thought of surrendering to the Ming Dynasty from the beginning, but were focused on resisting.

They worked day and night to build warships and fortifications. The time he gave them made it more difficult for the imperial army to annihilate these religious bandits.

"...You damn cult bandits...give me a blast! With just these broken ships, you dare to resist my great soldiers."

"I want these bandits to know the consequences of stubborn resistance!"

Li Jinglong was furious and launched an attack on the port without sending an envoy to question him.

The Nanyang Fleet had strong ships and powerful guns. He did not believe that these broken ships, which were not as good as fishing boats, could pose any threat to the treasure ships.

(End of this chapter)