Chapter 421
Zhu Yuanzhang's Wrath!!
at the same time.
Outside Yingtian Prefecture and the Imperial Guard camp.
The servants were delivering some necessary supplies to the Imperial Guard.
but.
Among this group of servants, several looked furtive, their eyes filled with apprehension.
They kept looking around the military camp, appearing extremely nervous.
Clearly, these people are not good people.
In fact it is.
These men were spies from Japan.
They had been lying low in Yingtian Prefecture for two or three years.
The purpose of these Japanese spies who infiltrated Yingtian Prefecture was singular: to obtain the secret formula for gunpowder.
just.
The area where the Ming Dynasty's gunpowder was stored was heavily guarded.
Therefore, these Japanese spies actually had no chance of coming into contact with gunpowder.
But the spies did not give up.
After making inquiries, these Japanese spies learned recently that there were servants regularly delivering supplies to the Imperial Guard's camp.
So they decided to go all the way and secretly assassinated the servant, then impersonated him.
They used this method to infiltrate the military camp in an attempt to obtain the Ming Dynasty's top secret: gunpowder.
It is undeniable.
Their operation was indeed a success.
At this moment, these Japanese spies had already obtained some of the initial gunpowder.
and so.
They looked quite nervous at that moment.
"It's been almost three years! We've finally obtained the gunpowder formula, and we can finally return to Japan."
One of the younger spies remarked quietly.
Upon hearing this, the leader of the spies immediately retorted angrily, "It hasn't succeeded yet!"
"Don't be happy too early!"
"True success will only be achieved when this gunpowder is taken out of the military camp!"
The lead spy continued, "When we pass through the camp gate later, we will definitely be subjected to a body search."
"Never carry gunpowder on your person..."
The others quickly responded, "Boss, how are we going to get out of here if we don't carry the gunpowder on our person?"
"Yes, yes, what should we do... Is this plan going to fail again?"
The spies' faces were filled with helplessness.
They went through great lengths to infiltrate the military camp by posing as menial laborers.
Furthermore, after a great deal of effort, they managed to steal gunpowder.
But now, they were unable to take the stolen gunpowder out, which naturally left these spies in a state of utter despair.
If they cannot smuggle the gunpowder out, then all their previous efforts will have been in vain.
"Place it under the carriage!"
At this moment, the leader of the spies suddenly spoke up.
He said in a serious tone, "When we go out together in the carriage later, everyone should put the gunpowder under the carriage."
"The guards in this military camp would never inspect the area under the carriage!"
When the lead spy revealed his plan, he immediately received everyone's praise.
Without hesitation, they quickly placed the stolen gunpowder at the bottom of the carriage.
"When we go through the inspection later, everyone better stay alert! Don't be nervous!"
"This time we will definitely be able to get the gunpowder out safely!"
The leader of the spies gave his men some specific instructions.
after that.
They then walked towards the entrance of the military camp.
Although the leader of the spies had instructed everyone to remain calm, it was the leader who lost his composure when they arrived at the gate of the military camp.
His face was gloomy, and his eyes kept looking around, making him look quite flustered.
These spies knew very well that if they were discovered, they would surely die.
It can be said.
At that moment, they were risking their lives and fortunes.
The gate of the Imperial Guard's camp.
At this moment, two armed guards walked up to the group of Japanese spies and signaled them to stop for inspection.
It must be said that the Imperial Guard's checkpoints at the entrances and exits of their camps were extremely strict.
Not to mention menial servants, even ordinary soldiers would be thoroughly checked when entering and leaving.
Its purpose was to prevent anyone from stealing supplies from the Imperial Guard camp.
"Stop!"
"Get checked!"
The two nurses approached the spies disguised as servants and began a routine body search.
at this moment.
Without exception, all five spies wore extremely panicked expressions.
One of the young spies was even trembling all over, looking quite frightened.
Just then, a guard noticed something amiss.
In his view, ordinary servants would be expressionless when being inspected, and might even chat with the inspectors.
This time, however, the servants looked serious and their eyes were unfocused. Most importantly, one of them was trembling all over.
This is clearly not normal!
and.
The centurion also noticed that the appearances of these menial servants were unfamiliar.
Due to various factors, the centurion subconsciously concluded that there must be something wrong with these menial servants.
"Have you finished checking?"
Baihu asked the two nurses in front of him who were in charge of the inspection.
“Everyone has been checked, and everything is normal,” the two caregivers replied in unison.
Upon hearing these words, the servants finally felt relieved.
The expressions on everyone's faces relaxed considerably.
I don't know.
All of this was observed by the centurion.
"Now that the inspection is complete, we'll take our leave." After saying this, the leader of the spies waved to the servants behind him, preparing to leave the Imperial Guard's camp.
but.
Just as the servants were about to leave, the centurion suddenly shouted, "Wait a minute!"
"Did I let you go?"
The centurion's voice was quite serious, which immediately made the faces of these Japanese spies tense.
The leader of the spies hurriedly walked up to Shirato and explained in a panic, "Hasn't the inspection already been completed?"
"We're just ordinary handymen!"
"Why can't I leave the military camp?"
After glancing at the spy leader, the centurion said, "We have indeed finished checking the bodies of you all."
"However... the carriage hasn't been inspected yet."
"Someone come here! Inspect this carriage!"
"Make sure to check carefully, and don't miss any part."
The centurion's voice was quite loud, and immediately more than a dozen guards arrived. They began to conduct a thorough search of the carriage according to the centurion's orders.
And this moment.
The spies panicked immediately.
After all, there was indeed a small amount of gunpowder hidden at the bottom of the carriage. If the guards discovered it, they would undoubtedly be doomed.
In an instant, beads of sweat appeared on the faces of these spies, and their bodies trembled involuntarily.
By this time, the guards had finished searching the interior of the carriage and found nothing unusual.
However, the guards did not stop their search; instead, they began searching the exterior and underside of the carriage. Upon seeing this, the spy leader panicked.
Obviously.
He knew very well that the plan had been completely exposed.
Since things have come to this point, the only option left is to take a gamble.
The spy leader decided to go all in and take a gamble.
"Bros!"
"Kill out!"
At the leader's command, several of his spies immediately rushed towards the surrounding Imperial Guards.
They attempted to preemptively seize the weapon from the guard.
to be frank.
These spies from Japan possessed a certain level of martial arts skills and were considered top talents within Japan.
However, compared to the Jinyiwei soldiers, their martial arts skills were at best amateurish.
They were no match for the Imperial Guard.
Almost instantly.
A dozen or so Imperial Guards suddenly appeared in front of the spies and surrounded them.
"Boss... what should we do now?" A young spy was already quite panicked after seeing that they were surrounded.
But the leader of the spy operation remained relatively calm.
He knew that things had come to this point and there was no way out. If he wanted to survive, he had to fight for his life!
"rush out!"
"These guards are just ordinary soldiers; they are no match for us!"
After saying this, the spy leader took the lead and rushed directly to the guards with lightning speed.
But before the spy leader could make a move, two Imperial Guard soldiers kicked out simultaneously!
Two sweeping kicks instantly knocked the spy leader to the ground!
at the same time.
Other Imperial Guard soldiers also rushed towards the other spies.
For a while.
The two sides immediately engaged in combat.
Although these spies fought almost to the death, their martial arts skills were truly no match for the Imperial Guards.
Plus.
The Imperial Guard also had a numerical advantage, so these Japanese spies had absolutely no advantage!
In an instant.
Apart from the leader of the spy operation, all the other Japanese spies have been captured and taken down by the Imperial Guard.
immediately.
All the other guards gathered around the spy leader.
Upon witnessing this scene, the latter realized that the plan had completely failed.
With things having come to this point, the spy leader decided to commit suicide.
But the guards did not give him a chance!
"Take him!"
"We must capture him alive!"
At the centurion's command, a dozen guards rushed in front of the spy leader with lightning speed!
Three times five divided by two.
The Imperial Guards easily subdued the spy leader.
"Say!"
"Who the hell are you!"
The centurion stood in front of the spies and loudly questioned them.
But clearly, these spies did not answer the centurion's question; everyone remained silent.
"Did not say?"
"Row."
When the centurion saw that the spies were being stubborn, he wasn't angry at all. Instead, he said to one of the guards, "Notify the Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately!"
"Let them come and take these spies away!"
"I will obey your orders!"
Then, Baihu said to the other guards, "The reason these people are so nervous is that they are afraid of discovering something."
"Continue inspecting this carriage!"
In the following time, the caretakers immediately resumed their thorough search of the carriage.
It didn't take long.
The guards then searched the bottom of the carriage and found a small amount of gunpowder.
"Report! It's gunpowder!"
"These men stole a small amount of gunpowder from the military camp!" The guard immediately informed the centurion.
When the centurion saw the small amount of gunpowder, his expression became somewhat serious.
He is very clear.
If these gunpowder were smuggled out by spies, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Not long after, Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, also led dozens of Embroidered Uniform Guards into the military camp.
"Commander Jiang, these menial workers stole some gunpowder from the camp and were caught by the guards as they were leaving."
"However, these people are quite stubborn and haven't said a word."
After the centurion explained the situation to Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the latter nodded and said, "Hand these people over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard will make them talk."
immediately..
These spies were then taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard has many methods. Although these spies were very stubborn in the Imperial Guard's camp, they quickly opened up after being taken to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison and supported by the Embroidered Uniform Guard's various methods.
After learning the true purpose of the spies, Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, immediately went to the Wenyuan Pavilion and informed Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty.
now.
Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion.
Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting on the dragon throne, drinking tea, looking quite relaxed.
"This humble general, Jiang Huan, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
"Jiang Huan, what brings you here?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked Jiang Huan while sipping his tea.
Without hesitation, the latter immediately said, "Your Majesty, I have come here to report an important matter to you."
"Japan sent some spies to infiltrate the Imperial Guard's camp in an attempt to bring gunpowder to Japan!"
"In addition, there are some workshop items, but please rest assured, Your Majesty, all the Japanese spies have been captured."
"They're all locked up in the Imperial Guard's prison now!"
As soon as Jiang Huan finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting on the dragon throne, immediately became serious.
He shouted angrily, "Hmph! These Japanese dare to send spies to infiltrate our Great Ming Dynasty!"
"And they even dared to steal gunpowder? They're practically asking for death!"
"Guards! Summon His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Grandson of the Crown Prince immediately!"
Obviously.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard that Japanese spies had infiltrated the Imperial Guards' camp, he was naturally furious.
He pressed Jiang Huan further, asking, "How many spies were there in total?"
"Your Majesty, there are five in total! These five spies have been lurking in the Ming Dynasty for three years."
Jiang Huan informed Zhu Yuanzhang of all the information he knew.
"Besides gunpowder and workshop supplies, what else did these spies steal?" Zhu Yuanzhang continued to press.
"Your Majesty, the spies have only obtained gunpowder and some workshop materials so far."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath.
"These spies are simply courting death! How dare they infiltrate our Great Ming Dynasty? They really don't want to live!"
"Jiang Huan, your Embroidered Uniform Guard must continue the investigation! Make them reveal everything these spies know!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" Jiang Huan replied.
At this time, Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Imperial Grandson Zhu Ying had also arrived at Wenyuan Pavilion.
...(End of chapter)