Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 218 Returning to the capital, the clues behind the secret letter

"kill!"

At Chu Shizhao's command, the soldiers who had been lying in ambush all around immediately fired arrows like rain.

Some of the men in black were shot by arrows and fell to the ground, but they did not panic. Instead, they quickly raised their shields and formed a defensive circle.

"Sure enough, he is not an ordinary killer."

Chu Shizhao narrowed his eyes.

"This kind of military coordination is obviously the result of professional training."

"Your Highness, be careful! They are trying to break out!"

Before he finished speaking, a man in black suddenly rushed out, holding two knives, and pounced towards Chu Shizhao like a black lightning.

Chu Shizhao sneered and swept his sword across.

"clang!"

Amidst sparks flying, the man's two swords collided with Chu Shizhao's sword, making a sharp metal collision sound.

"Good skill!"

Chu Shizhao praised, then changed his tactics, the sword tip was like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, going straight for the opponent's throat.

The man in black dodged it narrowly, but his shirt front was cut.

"Since you have such skills, why do you do such shameful things?"

Chu Shizhao said as he was fighting with the opponent.

"Without further ado!"

The man in black said in a hoarse voice, which was obviously specially processed. "Today is the day you die!"

"is it?"

Chu Shizhao suddenly smiled strangely, "Then you must watch carefully."

As he spoke, the force of his sword suddenly changed, from hard to soft, like a spring breeze blowing on willows; seemingly gentle, but actually concealing murderous intent.

The man in black obviously didn't expect Chu Shizhao to have this trick up his sleeve, and he had to retreat in a hurry, but it was too late.

"puff!"

Blood splattered, the man was stabbed in the right arm, and his two swords flew out of his hands.

Chu Shizhao did not stop, but moved forward, and with a flash of sword, he had already placed it on the opponent's neck.

"Now, can you tell me about your origins?"

However, the man in black suddenly laughed strangely: "Your Highness is indeed amazing, but..."

Before he could finish his words, he suddenly opened his mouth and crushed the poison hidden in his teeth. His body went limp and he fell to the ground and died.

"court death!"

Chu Shizhao frowned, then turned to look at the battlefield.

At this time, the other men in black had also been surrounded. Some died in battle, and some were captured, but all of them were like the man just now, preferring to die rather than surrender. They either died in battle or committed suicide by taking poison.

"Your Highness, we have searched everywhere, but have not found any valuable clues."

Wang De came over to report.

Chu Shizhao squatted down and carefully examined the corpse on the ground.

These people are well-equipped and their weapons are all top-quality goods, which is obviously not something that ordinary gangs can afford.

More importantly, their fighting style was clearly the result of rigorous training.

"interesting……"

Chu Shizhao stood up slowly.

"These people are very skilled and work well together. They have obviously received professional training. And they are willing to die in order to keep a secret. They must have undergone special mind control."

"Could it be a killer organization from the Western Region?"

Wang De guessed.

Chu Shizhao shook his head: "Not like that!"

"Although the assassins from the Western Regions are also very professional, they focus more on their personal martial arts and don't have this kind of military coordination."

"these people……"

His eyes narrowed: "They look like elite soldiers who have undergone military training."

"army?"

Wang De was surprised, "Could it be that..."

"good."

Chu Shizhao sneered, "These people are likely to be the death squad in the army."

"But the death warriors in the army should be..."

"It should be in the hands of the commander of the Imperial Guards."

Chu Shizhao took over the conversation, "And who is the commander of the Imperial Guards?"

"Yes
"Wang De took a breath and said, "It's Chu Shiren's confidant, Commander Xu!"

"It seems that we have alerted the enemy this time."

Chu Shizhao seemed to be thinking about something. "But this is also good. At least it confirms my guess."

"Your Highness means"

"Although the Gu family is powerful, they don't have this kind of death squad organization."

Chu Shizhao explained, "Although they are related to the Goshawk Hall, the Goshawk Hall is at best a gang force and it is impossible for them to have this kind of military training."

"So these people must be Chu Shiren who borrowed the Imperial Guards to pretend to be people from the Cang Ying Hall to deal with me."

"In this way, even if the matter is exposed, it will only involve the Cang Ying Hall and the Gu family, and he can stay out of it."

Wang De suddenly realized: "So that's why! No wonder these people are so skilled."

"but……"

A cold light flashed in Chu Shizhao's eyes.

"Since he dared to mobilize the imperial guards, it means he can't wait any longer."

"It seems that something unexpected must have happened in the capital."

At this moment, a scout came on horseback and said, "Your Highness, a large group of troops has been spotted ahead!"

"how many people?"

"At least a thousand people, under the pretext of clearing out bandits."

Chu Shizhao sneered: "Oh, clearing out the bandits? What a good excuse."

"It seems that Allen Chu wants to catch us all in one fell swoop."

"Your Highness, what should we do now?"

Wang De was a little anxious. "We have too few people. We are no match for them at all."

"Don't panic."

Chu Shizhao looked at Wang De with confidence.

"Since they are under the pretext of clearing out bandits, we will give them a taste of their own medicine."

"Pass the order down, everyone change into the attire of these assassins just now."

"Also, clean up their bodies and disguise them as bandits."

"When the soldiers arrive, we will say that we were ordered to pursue the bandits and happened to encounter them here."

Wang De's eyes lit up: "Great idea! This way, even if they want to attack us, they have to consider their reputation."

"Not only that."

Chu Shizhao's mouth curled up slightly: "The bodies of these dead soldiers are the best evidence."

“Then let them explain why there are well-trained assassins pretending to be bandits?

"and……"

"I want to see which general is so enthusiastic and brings so many people to 'clear out the bandits'..."

on the official road.

Chu Shizhao and his men were slowly marching towards the capital.

Behind him were hundreds of elite cavalrymen led by Zhao Ming, who guarded the entire convoy tightly.

Inside the carriage, Su Wanting dozed off on the cushion. The early morning bumps made her a little tired.

"Your Highness, Wangjing Ridge is ahead."

Zhao Ming rode forward and reported in a low voice.

Chu Shizhao nodded slightly: "Wangjingling is a dangerous place and is the only way to enter Beijing. Let everyone be vigilant."

Zhao Ming took the order and immediately strengthened the defense on both wings of the team.

At this moment, a scout came on horseback: "Report! Suspicious people spotted ahead!"

Chu Shizhao frowned: "How many people are there?"

"About 300 cavalrymen, flying the banner of the Zhenjun Commander's Office."

"Ah."

Chu Shizhao sneered: "It seems that Commander Xu can't sit still anymore."

He turned to look at Zhao Ming: "General Zhao, why do you think Commander Xu is so anxious?" Zhao Ming looked embarrassed: "Your Highness, Commander Xu has always been on good terms with the Third Prince. Yesterday, I led the army to escort Your Highness, so I'm sure the news has reached his ears."

"So he's here to call for justice?"

Chu Shizhao raised a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth: "What a great prestige."

Just then, a cloud of dust rose from the road ahead.

I saw a group of cavalry galloping over, led by a man dressed in brocade clothes, who was the commander of the Zhen army, Xu Yuan.

"His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince."

Xu Yuan reined in his horse and stopped in front of the team, bowed and saluted with a half-smile on his face.

Chu Shizhao looked calm and asked, "How come Commander Xu has time to come here?"

"I heard that Your Highness was attacked by bandits, so I came to check on the situation."

Xu Yuan said, looking at Zhao Ming: "I just don't know why General Zhao is here?"

Zhao Ming clasped his fists and said, "Reporting to the commander, I was ordered to suppress the bandits. I happened to meet Your Highness, so I escorted Your Highness back to the capital."

"Really?"

Xu Yuan sneered: "General Zhao, do you know where the team we sent to suppress the bandits yesterday went?"

Zhao Ming remained calm: "I don't know."

"you……"

Xu Yuan was furious and was about to explode when he was interrupted by Chu Shizhao.

"Commander Xu."

Chu Shizhao said calmly: "You said those are the troops going to suppress the bandits?"

"Then I wonder why they would attack me? Could it be that this is the way the Zhenjun Commander's Office governs the army?"

Xu Yuan's face changed: "Your Highness is wrong. If those people really want to harm Your Highness, someone must be pretending to be the commander of the Zhenjun Mansion..."

"is it?"

Chu Shizhao took out a token from his bosom and said, "I wonder if Commander Xu recognizes this?"

Xu Yuan took a closer look and his face suddenly turned pale.

That was actually the special token of the Zhenjun Commander's Mansion!

"This……"

"Commander Xu, you don't have to explain to me!"

Chu Shizhao put away the token and looked at the other party indifferently: "To be honest, I have already sent someone to inform my father about this matter."

"When I return to the capital, I believe my father will give me an explanation soon."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan immediately took a step forward awkwardly: "Fourth Prince, I think there might be some misunderstanding here, otherwise..."

"No misunderstanding."

Before the other party could finish speaking, Chu Shizhao's expression suddenly became serious.

"Commander Xu, who do you think the emperor will believe?"

Xu Yuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly dismounted and knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, I am indeed inconsiderate on this matter. Please have mercy on me!"

Chu Shizhao looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Commander Xu really knows how to deal with current affairs."

"Get up. I never bear grudges. As long as Commander Xu behaves himself in the future, this matter will be over."

Xu Yuanru was as if he had been pardoned, and he quickly stood up: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your magnanimity!"

"but……"

Chu Shizhao paused for a moment before continuing, "I'm afraid the Zhenjun Commander's Office has accumulated a lot of problems over the years."

"I think it's time for Commander Xu to clean up your ranks, before things get exposed and it's too late to regret."

Xu Yuan's heart trembled, and he immediately understood: "Yes! I will go back and investigate thoroughly!"

Watching Xu Yuan lead his men away, Zhao Ming couldn't help but sigh: "Your Highness, you are really amazing! Just a few words made Commander Xu surrender."

Hearing this, Chu Shizhao smiled indifferently.

"Don't underestimate this guy. He is a smart man."

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have..."

Halfway through his words, Chu Shizhao suddenly raised his head and looked in the direction of the capital.

"He will soon learn how important it is to choose the right people to follow."

……

The team continued to move forward and finally arrived in the capital in the evening.

Just outside the city gate, Chu Shizhao met an unexpected person.

"Fourth brother, don't come here without any hatred."

He saw a young man in gorgeous clothes standing at the gate, looking at him with a smile on his face.

It was the third prince Chu Shiren.

"Second brother."

Chu Shizhao turned over and dismounted to greet him: "I wonder why Second Brother is here?"

"I heard that my fourth brother was attacked by bandits. As an older brother, it's okay for me to show some concern for him, right?"

Chu Shiren smiled and said, "Now it seems that Fourth Brother is really blessed. He was not injured even when he encountered bandits."

"It's so rare!"

"Luck is all luck!"

Chu Shizhao spoke in a deep and meaningful voice: "Those bandits are highly skilled in martial arts and well-equipped. If it weren't for General Zhao's help, I'm afraid I would have been doomed this time!"

Hearing this, Chu Shiren couldn't help but look at Zhao Ming behind Chu Shizhao.

"I see."

"By the way, I heard that Fourth Brother brought back a beauty this time?"

Chu Shiren suddenly changed the subject and looked curiously at the carriage behind Chu Shizhao.

Chu Shizhao was startled, but his expression remained calm: "She is just a merchant girl in trouble, why should you care about her, second brother?"

"is it?"

Chu Shiren smiled meaningfully: "Then the fourth brother must protect her well."

"The waters of the capital are deep, and some people might have bad intentions towards her."

Chu Shizhao frowned slightly: "Thank you for your reminder, second brother. I will pay attention to it."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Chu Shiren turned and left.

Looking at his back, a hint of coldness flashed in Chu Shizhao's eyes.

Chu Shiren, you finally can't hold it back anymore?
Very well, let me see what tricks you are trying to play!
After entering the city, Chu Shizhao first arranged for Su Wanting to live in his own villa, and then sent people to protect her strictly.

After dealing with these matters, he immediately went to the palace to meet the emperor.

In the main hall, the emperor was reviewing memorials.

"My son, I will meet my father."

"No gift."

Emperor Yongjin put down the memorial in his hand and took a few steps forward with great concern: "I heard that you encountered an assassin on your way back to the capital?"

"Yes."

Chu Shizhao reported the incident in detail, and finally took out the token: "This is the evidence found on the assassin."

The emperor took the token and looked at it, his face suddenly turned gloomy.

"What a jerk! They actually dared to attack you. It seems like they are really tired of living!"

"Father, calm down."

Seeing that Emperor Yongjin was angry, Chu Shizhao immediately spoke out to dissuade him.

"In my opinion, this may not be done by Xu Yuan alone."

"Oh?"

Emperor Yongjin looked at Chu Shizhao with some confusion: "So what do you mean?"

"I think there must be someone else behind this."

"It's just that I don't have any conclusive evidence at hand at the moment."

The emperor hesitated for a moment and asked, "How do you plan to deal with this matter?"

"I have already warned Xu Yuan. I believe that with this warning, the people behind him will be more restrained."

"As for the mastermind behind this, I will get to the bottom of it sooner or later."

Chu Shizhao said in a deep voice, hinting at something.

"it is good."

Emperor Yongjin nodded slightly: "Then I'll leave this matter to you. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Father."

After coming out of the palace, Chu Shizhao went straight back to the palace.

(End of this chapter)