Some warships tried to approach the Xiaohai and launch a forced attack, but they were driven back by cannon fire as soon as they got close.
Even so, they couldn't withstand the sheer number of enemy ships, one after another.
Su Ziyang grew anxious as he watched the warships and the Yamato people getting closer and closer.
"Your Highness, Xiao Jin, if this continues, we won't be able to hold on for much longer."
Gunpowder on board is also limited and cannot be used indefinitely.
We couldn't throw explosives at those civilians either.
Xiao Yanchu spoke up, "Raise anchor and get the boat further away from the shore."
They need some time now.
Su Ziyang's eyes lit up. That's right! As long as the boat is sailed further away from the shore, neither ordinary people nor the Banner Army will be able to board it.
When Yuan Zhongyi saw that the Xiaohai was completely unharmed despite the attack by the Yamato warships, he truly witnessed the power of the Great Chu people.
No wonder the general was determined to capture these Chu people and take possession of the Xiaohai.
If Yamato also possessed these things from Chu, why would it not be able to expand its territory?
At that moment, Yuan Zhongyi saw the Xiaohai retracting its gangplank and his eyes narrowed. "Oh no, they're trying to escape!"
Once the Xiaohai leaves the coast, the Hatakemoto Army will be of little use.
They had anticipated this, which is why they had their warships surround the Xiaohai, but the enemy used cannon fire to tear a gap in their formation.
At this moment, Minamoto no longer cared about sacrificing the Hatamoto army and directly ordered, "Get up there! Don't let the ship leave!"
"Charge!" The Hatamoto cavalry all charged toward the shore.
They charged forward, hacking down any civilians who blocked their path.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from behind. Tokuyoshi Shingo and Minamoto no Tadayoshi turned around and looked surprised.
Why is he here!
Miyamoto Yoshiaki was the first to rush to Tokuyoshi Shingo, and took out a scroll. "By order of the Emperor, the Great Chu and the Yamato have never had any enmity and should live in peace. The entire Hatakemoto army is hereby ordered to retreat."
Tokugi Shingo glanced at the scroll, but didn't reach out to take it. Instead, he looked coldly at Miyamoto Yoshiaki and said disdainfully, "If you're not protecting the Emperor, what are you doing here?"
With a serious expression, Miyamoto Yoshitaka reiterated, "By order of the Emperor, Prince Hatamoto is to retreat immediately and must not harm the people of Akagami."
Tokugi Shingo suddenly laughed, “General Konoe, the people of Akagami have come to help my Hatamoto army voluntarily. We can’t let them down.”
Miyamoto Yoshitaka pointed angrily at the Hatamoto army guarding the seaside to prevent civilians from escaping and said, "Boss, is this what you call 'voluntary'?"
"Yes, I'm just ordering people to protect the people. Is there a problem, General?" Tokuyoshi Shingo said nonchalantly.
"Master, are you trying to disobey the Emperor's orders?" Miyamoto Yoshitaka asked in a deep voice.
“Heh, General of the Imperial Guard, the Emperor is currently bedridden and cannot possibly concern himself with such a trivial matter. I suspect that this imperial decree is fake, and that someone is impersonating the Emperor to issue the order. We will certainly not accept it,” said Tokugi Shingo calmly.
Miyamoto Yoshiyuki was not surprised by Tokugi Shingo's reaction, and sneered, "Whether it's fake or not, the elder can tell at a glance."
Every order issued by the emperor bears the emperor's personal seal, making it impossible for anyone to forge.
"No need to look. If I think it's fake, then it's fake, unless the Emperor himself tells me." Tokugi Shingo showed no respect whatsoever to Miyamoto Yoshitaka, the Imperial Guard Commander.
The Imperial Guard Commander, to put it bluntly, was someone who protected the emperor's safety. He had limited military power, and as a senior member of the shogunate, he was hardly someone the emperor would take seriously.
The emperor is currently in poor health, so how could he possibly come?
Tokugi Shingo's words not only showed disrespect for the Imperial Guard General, but also for the Emperor.
"Good, good, good." Miyamoto Yoshiaki said "good" three times in a row, then looked at Tachibana Chiyo who was tied up to the side, "Captain Hatamoto, release her."
Minamoto no Tadayoshi acted as if he hadn't heard anything, and his men made no move, continuing to hold Tachibana Chiyo captive.
"Release them!" Miyamoto Yoshitaka spoke again, his voice even colder, as he slowly drew the sword from his waist.
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