owlsbooks Chapter 1410 We Can't Wait Any Longer
Chapter 1410 We Can't Wait Any Longer
Zhu Biao said worriedly, "Uncle, the Salt Gang's disruptions everywhere have greatly affected our grain transportation and commercial activities. If this is not resolved quickly, it may cause public resentment."
Zhu Han stood up, walked to the map, pointed to several places, and said, "The Salt Gang is currently waging guerrilla warfare, and we cannot follow their lead. We must concentrate our forces and hold several key points. For example, Zhenjiang, Suzhou, Jiaxing, and other places. We should strengthen patrols and defenses to prevent the Salt Gang from taking advantage of any opportunities."
"At the same time, we must continue to investigate the Salt Gang's funding sources. Although we've shut down the money shops connected to the Shen family, they might have other hidden channels. Lu Chenzhou, have someone closely monitor the Shen family's movements and see if they've made any unusual moves recently," Zhu Han continued.
Lu Chenzhou nodded: "Yes, Your Highness. I will make the arrangements immediately."
Looking at the map, Zhu Biao suddenly said, "Uncle, is the Salt Gang's activity around like this a way to distract us and secretly plan a bigger operation?"
Zhu Han smiled slightly: "What the Crown Prince said is absolutely right. The Salt Gang will certainly not be satisfied with small-scale skirmishes. We must be on guard, and at the same time, we must find a way to draw out their true purpose."
A few days later, Lu Chenzhou hurriedly arrived at the study of Prince Han's mansion to report the situation to Zhu Han.
“Your Highness, we have noticed some unusual activity from the Shen family recently. They have been frequently contacting overseas businessmen, and it seems they are plotting something,” Lu Chenzhou said.
Zhu Han's eyes lit up: "Overseas businessmen? That's a new situation. Continue."
Lu Chenzhou continued, "Our undercover investigation has revealed that the Shen family may be colluding with some overseas forces, preparing to transport a batch of important goods by sea. But we don't yet know what the goods are."
After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Han said, "Sea transport? That could be a breakthrough. The Salt Gang has been recruiting large ships recently; could it be related to the Shen family's plan?"
Zhu Biao said, "Uncle, it's very possible. The Salt Gang has lost its source of funding, and they might want to cooperate with the Shen family to profit from overseas trade."
Zhu Han nodded: "Very likely. Lu Chenzhou, you continue to monitor the movements of the Shen family and overseas merchants. At the same time, strengthen patrols and defenses along the coast to prevent them from doing anything untoward."
"Yes, Your Highness." Lu Chenzhou accepted the order and left.
Zhu Han looked at the coastal area on the map, pondering to himself: "What exactly are the Salt Gang and the Shen family plotting? What kind of conspiracy is hidden behind this?"
Just as Zhu Han was deep in thought, a guard rushed in to report: "Your Highness, the Crown Princess requests an audience."
Zhu Han was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Please come in quickly."
A moment later, Gu Qingping gracefully entered the study. She was wearing a light blue dress, her face was gentle and beautiful, and her eyes revealed intelligence and liveliness.
"Uncle, I've heard that the matter between the Salt Gang and the Shen family has been making headlines recently, and I'm quite worried, so I've come to inquire about the situation," Gu Qingping said, bowing slightly.
Zhu Han smiled and said, "Qingping, you're very kind. The situation is indeed a bit complicated, but we already have a solution. Don't worry, there won't be any major problems."
Gu Qingping nodded: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, so I am naturally at ease. However, the arrogance of the Salt Gang and the Shen family is truly infuriating. I wonder if Your Majesty has any way to completely eradicate them?"
Zhu Han sighed: "The Salt Gang and the Shen family are powerful and deeply entrenched, and it won't be easy to eradicate them completely. However, we won't let them continue their evil deeds. We are currently investigating their conspiracy, and once we have evidence, we will take action."
Gu Qingping said thoughtfully, "Uncle, although I am a woman, I am willing to do my part for the court. Is there anything I can do to help you?"
He thought for a moment and said, "There is indeed something I need Qingping's help with right now. The Shen family has some businesses in the capital, and it's easier for you and the Crown Princess to move around the capital. You can secretly investigate the Shen family's activities in the capital and see if they have any connections with the Salt Gang."
Gu Qingping's eyes lit up: "Uncle, rest assured, Qingping will certainly live up to your expectations."
Zhu Han nodded: "We must be careful in this matter and avoid alerting the enemy."
"Qingping understands." After saying that, Gu Qingping took her leave.
Zhu Biao watched Gu Qingping's retreating figure and said with a smile, "Uncle, Qingping is clever and quick-witted, she will definitely be of help."
Zhu Han smiled and nodded, "I hope so. With Qingping's help, we might be able to uncover the Salt Gang and the Shen family's conspiracy more quickly."
As time went by, new information came from Lu Chenzhou's side.
"Your Highness, we have discovered that the Shen family is colluding with overseas merchants to transport a shipment of smuggled salt and weapons. The Salt Gang is also secretly cooperating, preparing to intercept them at sea," Lu Chenzhou said.
Zhu Han's eyes turned cold: "Smuggled salt and weapons? That's a serious crime. They're really bold. Lu Chenzhou, you immediately lead the navy to the coastal area and intercept their ships."
Zhu Biao said worriedly, "Uncle, since the Salt Gang and the Shen family dared to do such a thing, they must have made preparations. We must be careful in dealing with them."
Zhu Han nodded: "Your Highness, rest assured. I have made arrangements. This time, we will make sure they never return."
On the sea, the waves surged and crashed against the ship's hull with a dull thud.
"Reporting to the general, a suspicious vessel has been spotted ahead!" a lookout shouted, his voice carrying clearly through the sea breeze.
Lu Chenzhou perked up and immediately picked up his binoculars to look ahead.
In the distance, several large ships were seen slowly sailing on the sea. Their massive hulls and deep drafts indicated that they were carrying a considerable amount of cargo.
Judging from the appearance and trajectory of the ship, it was extremely similar to the ships that the Shen family and the Salt Gang might use, based on the intelligence they had received beforehand.
"Pass down the order: all warships, spread out in battle formation, and slowly approach the target. Do not alert the enemy," Lu Chenzhou calmly issued the order, his voice steady and powerful.
On the sea, the oars of the warships moved in unison, their bows cutting through the waves and leaving trails of white.
When they were still some distance from the target ship, Lu Chenzhou ordered again: "Stop advancing and observe the situation first."
The warships immediately stopped and bobbed on the sea.
Lu Chenzhou carefully observed the target ship and found that the people on board did not seem to notice their approach and were still busy in an orderly manner.
"General, they don't seem to have spotted us," a lieutenant said softly.
Lu Chenzhou frowned slightly, a sense of vigilance rising in his heart: "Don't be careless, this might be their trick. Stay alert and wait for the right opportunity."
Just then, several carrier pigeons suddenly took flight from the target ship and flew off in different directions.
Lu Chenzhou's expression changed: "This is bad! They're trying to tip us off! Immediately order an acceleration to intercept those carrier pigeons and prepare to board the ships for battle!"
The warships started up again and rushed toward the target ship like arrows released from a bow.
Meanwhile, several archers stood at the bow of the ship, nocked their arrows, and aimed at the carrier pigeons. With a few swift "whoosh" sounds, the arrows shot out like meteors, and several carrier pigeons were hit and fell into the sea.
As they drew closer, Lu Chenzhou could see the situation on the target ship clearly.
The salt gang members and Shen family members on the ship had clearly spotted them, and they all took up their weapons and prepared for battle. Makeshift fortifications were erected around the ship, and some archers hid behind them, ready to fire.
"Prepare for boarding action!" Lu Chenzhou shouted. "Have the archers suppress the enemy and provide cover for the boarding personnel!"
Once the warships approached the target vessel, the two sides were already very close.
The naval archers stood at the bow of the ship, nocking arrows and shooting at the target vessel.
Arrows rained down, and the Salt Gang and Shen family members on the target ship scattered to take cover, causing a slight disruption to the previously tight defenses.
"Board!" Lu Chenzhou gave the order, and several small boats were quickly lowered from the warship, carrying fully armed soldiers as they rushed toward the target vessel.
As the small boat approached the target vessel, the soldiers jumped aboard and engaged in fierce close combat with the Salt Gang and the Shen family members.
The ship was immediately filled with shouts of battle and flashing swords.
Lu Chenzhou also personally led a team of elite soldiers to board one of the large ships.
As soon as he boarded the ship, he charged into the enemy ranks like a tiger descending a mountain.
He brandished his longsword, the blade flashing, and wherever he went, enemies fell to the ground.
Upon seeing this, a leader of the Salt Gang shouted and swung his broadsword at Lu Chenzhou.
Lu Chenzhou dodged the attack by sidestepping, and at the same time, he swung his longsword, slicing through the leader's arm. The leader was in pain, and the momentum of his swinging broadsword immediately weakened.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lu Chenzhou stepped forward and kicked the leader in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Then, he pointed his long sword at the leader's throat.
“You have nowhere to run, so just surrender!” Lu Chenzhou said coldly.
The leader gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Don't even think about it! No one in the Salt Gang is afraid of death!"
As he spoke, he suddenly struggled to get up and resist. Lu Chenzhou's eyes turned cold, and with a swift movement of his longsword, he ended his life.
Under Lu Chenzhou's leadership, the naval soldiers' morale soared, and they gradually gained the upper hand.
However, the Salt Gang and the Shen family members did not give up easily; they continued to put up a stubborn resistance.
On the other side of the ship, several Shen family experts formed a small formation, cooperating to resist the naval soldiers' attack. Their martial arts skills were superb, and the naval soldiers found it difficult to break through their defenses for the time being.
Upon seeing this, Lu Chenzhou immediately led several trusted men over.
He carefully observed the formation of these experts and found that although their cooperation was excellent, there was a weak link in the middle.
So he signaled a soldier to distract one of the experts, while he seized the opportunity to break into the enemy formation through a weak point.
He moved with lightning speed, instantly rushing to the front of a master, his long sword thrusting straight at the opponent's chest.
The expert reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side while simultaneously sweeping his longsword across.
Lu Chenzhou was prepared. He ducked to avoid the attack, then turned around and circled behind the expert, thrusting his longsword out again.
This time, the expert didn't have time to dodge and was stabbed in the back, bleeding profusely.
When the other experts saw their companion injured, their formation immediately fell into chaos.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lu Chenzhou led his soldiers in a fierce attack, quickly breaking through their defenses and subduing all the experts.
When they opened the cabin door, a pungent odor wafted out.
Lu Chenzhou looked closely and saw that the cabin was filled with smuggled salt and weapons.
The smuggled salt was packed into large sacks, piled up like small mountains; weapons were neatly arranged to the side, including long knives, spears, bows and arrows, and many other types.
"Just as I suspected! They actually dared to transport smuggled salt and weapons! That's a serious crime!" Lu Chenzhou said angrily.
Just then, a shout of killing suddenly came from outside.
Lu Chenzhou quickly commanded his soldiers to launch a counterattack.
He observed that the enemy ship had a cannon, which was aimed at their warship and ready to fire. If it wasn't stopped in time, their warship would be severely damaged.
"Send a group of archers to aim at that cannon and destroy it before it fires!" Lu Chenzhou shouted the order.
Upon receiving the order, the archers immediately concentrated their firepower and fired at the cannon.
Arrows flew towards the cannon like locusts, and soon, the personnel responsible for operating the cannon were hit by arrows and fell to the ground.
But the cannon was not completely destroyed and was still trying to adjust its angle in preparation for firing.
Lu Chenzhou was extremely anxious; he knew he couldn't wait any longer.
He selected several agile soldiers to form a commando team, preparing to force their way onto the enemy ship and destroy the cannon.
"Follow me, and be careful!" Lu Chenzhou said, leading the assault team in small boats towards the enemy vessel.
Upon returning to the capital, Lu Chenzhou immediately went to the Prince Han's residence to report the details of the interception battle to Zhu Han.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Han praised him highly: "Lu Chenzhou, you have made a great contribution this time! Not only did you successfully intercept the ships of the Shen family and the Salt Gang, and seize a large amount of smuggled salt and weapons, but you also thwarted their conspiracy and eliminated a great scourge for the court."
Lu Chenzhou knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind. This is what I should do. The success this time is also due to Your Highness's wise command and the brave fighting of the naval officers and soldiers."
Zhu Han smiled and helped Lu Chenzhou up: "You don't need to be modest. Everyone has seen your contributions. However, the Shen family and the Salt Gang are very powerful. Although they have suffered heavy losses this time, they will definitely not let it go. We still need to be on guard to prevent them from making a comeback."
Lu Chenzhou nodded and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have already arranged for people to closely monitor the movements of the Shen family and the Salt Gang. If there are any unusual situations, I will report to you immediately."
Zhu Han nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. In addition, the confiscated salt and weapons should be handled properly. The confiscated salt can be disposed of in accordance with regulations, while the weapons should be confiscated and put into the national treasury to replenish our military equipment."
Upon learning the news, Shen Wancai, the patriarch of the Shen family, flew into a rage: "I never expected the Prince of Han's Mansion to be so powerful, actually intercepting our ships and ruining our grand plan! What are we going to do now?" (End of this chapter)