Chapter 389 Ambush (2/2)
If he failed, Cao Cao did not mind if the former bandit died. After all, he had already informed Cao Ren with the clan chat. Had the caravan made it to Langye, Cao Ren would deal with them.
Zhang Kai, however, was oblivious to Cao Cao's scheme. He thought that he got the job that suited him best, a bandit. He planned to desert Cao Cao's forces if he scored sizable treasures and wealth from the eunuch group.
Soon, the eunuch escort troops arrived.
Within the caravan, the imperial eunuch was resting in his carriage. Meanwhile, a tall youth rode beside him.
He was Taishi Ci, Tong's bodyguard that was sent to counter Cao Cao's possible ambushes. Furthermore, the 100 men equipped with M2 shotguns and 9mm pistols, created by Diaochan.
These 100 bodyguards were a part of Tong's 5,000 royal guards, who were the only battalion authorized to use firearms as their primary weapons.
Taishi Ci guided the royal guards, crossing the ambush site.
Zhang Kai waved his hand, and all 500 ambushers aimed their crossbows at the troops.
At the same moment, Sun Jian and his generals caught up with them, ”STOP! PLEASE WAIT!”
All royal guards turned around. Upon looking back, one of the soldiers noticed a hiding bandit.
”AMBUSH!! PROTECT THE ROYAL ENVOY!”
Taishi Ci pulled out his pistol and fired at the direction of detected bandits.
Not only Taishi Ci used his pistol, but the royal guards also used their shotguns to attack the bandits in the bushes.
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
Zhang Kai, who was hiding at the forefront, was shot in his chest.
*WHOOSH*Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
*WHOOSH*
*WHOOSH*
The bandits also counter-attacked with their repeating crossbows.
Slug shells and bullets maimed one hundred ambushers in the forest, while hundreds of arrows also killed a few guards.
The exchange lasted less than 10 seconds as the royal guards ran out of bullets. Instead of reloading, they switched to melee weapons. Each of them pulled out their best cold weaponry, swords, spears, halberds, axes, and even maces.
The royal guards had a unique rule. Everybody could use any secondary weapon of their choice so that they could display their full potential in a free fight.
”KILL!”
”SHAAA!!”
Taishi Ci and half of the surviving soldiers rushed into the forest.
Meanwhile, Zhang Kai was crawling on the ground after he had been shot. He coughed blood as the shell went through his lung.
Taishi Ci reached him in a flash.
*SWUA*
Without being about to fend off for himself, Zhang Kai was killed by Taishi Ci, who did not realize that he killed an enemy general.
Out of 500 Cao Cao's men, only less than half survived from the gunshots. A hundred of the survivors ran away the moment they realized they were up against Tong's firearms.
As for the rest, they stood their ground and attacked the royal guards.
Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Cheng Pu jumped into the fray, helping the eunuch escorts.
Everybody scattered into the forest and attacked anyone with clothing that was not the same as theirs.
.
.
Each Sun Clan generals slew ten men, while Sun Jian killed 20. Meanwhile, Taishi Ci managed to claim 12 lives, and his men finished the rest.
When everyone returned to the eunuch carriage, they found that only half of the royal guards survived.
Taishi Ci grimaced, blaming himself for not detecting the bandits earlier.
Although his thought was in disarray, he did not forget to express his gratitude to Sun Jian and his generals.
”Thank you for your assistance, sir. Had it not because of you, more of my men would have died.”
Sun Jian waved his hand, ”Don't thank me. Thank his majesty for warning me about this peril.”
”Oh, did his majesty tell you about this ambush?”
”No,” Sun Jian looked at the eunuch carriage, ”But he should be able to tell us what had happened and why this happened.”
Taishi Ci followed Sun Jian's eyes and turned to the eunuch.
The middle-aged eunuch stepped down from his carriage and bowed to everybody in humble.
”Thank you, everyone, for your sacrifice and your protection. I assume that Sir Sun Jian wishes to inquire about the handkerchief?”
Sun Jian nodded, ”Yes. Can you tell us about it?”
”I can tell you, but your soldiers in Xiapi might have faced troubles by now. Do you have the time to listen to my story?”
”…”
Sun Jian's face lost color when he was reminded that over 25,000 men of their forces were still resting in Xiapi. He was about to pull his horse to return, but Huang Gai stopped Sun Jian.
”My lord, it's too late now. If Cao Cao sent these men to kill the envoy, he should have prepared other ambushers to kill us too.”
”What about my men? Are you telling me to abandon them!?”
”Cao Cao won't kill everybody for the sake of killing you! He will probably create a piece of false news about your death, so he can absorb everyone into his ranks. If you and the envoy die, Cao Cao could pretend that the imperial decree didn't happen!”
”!!!”
Sun Jian's eyes brimmed with tears of regret. He regretted working for Cao Cao now.
”Why is he fighting against his majesty!? Hasn't he been fighting for the people!? Just why!?”
The envoy shook his head, ”It's politic and greed, Sir Sun Jian. We're deeply sorry for involving you in our affair. We need to confirm Cao Cao's stance, or our Han Dynasty will face another crisis because of Cao Cao.”