Chapter 453: The Trap

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“What is going on?”

Looking at the six warships that appeared, Xiao Ming asked.

Seeing the six warships, the fishing boats ahead panicked like mice seeing a cat, turning sharply to try to escape.

Yue Yun’s eyes showed hatred and a hint of bloodlust. He said to Xiao Ming, “Your Highness, these warships come from Bisha City—Goryeo warships. We have often been bullied by Goryeo warships when fishing. They are very aggressive; whenever they see our fishing boats, they chase them. Many fishermen have been killed, and boats burned. They claim this sea belongs to Goryeo and forbid us from fishing here.”

“The history books say Goryeo are barbarians and lowly people. It’s true. Back when they were a vassal state of Great Yu, they were very respectful to us. Now that they have sided with the barbarians, they are so fierce against us,” Fei Yue’er said, her brow showing anger.

Xiao Ming looked at Fei Yue’er with some surprise. People said she was a strong woman, and in this patriotic feeling, she truly was unmatched by most women.

Yue Yun was also impressed by Fei Yue’er’s words, his eyes filled with respect.

“Your Highness’s consort is right. Now that our fleet has some scale, I want to be the first to deal with Goryeo and make them understand who really owns this sea,” Xiao Ming’s eyes narrowed.

At this moment, the six Goryeo warships seemed to have spotted Xiao Ming’s group. Instead of retreating, they charged forward.

“Consort, it’s dangerous here. You should go hide in the cabin for now,” Xiao Ming said to Fei Yue’er.

He had been in a good mood today, but these Goryeo warships ruined it.

Fei Yue’er understood that staying on deck now would only distract Xiao Ming. She nodded and went to the cabin. She was not worried about the fleet’s safety because she knew how strong it was.

Using a telescope, Xiao Ming looked at the Goryeo warships opposite. They were typical Goryeo “board house” ships.

These board house ships were huge, carrying nearly a hundred men. Their sailing speed was slow, but in battle, only dozens of sailors were needed to operate them flexibly. Goryeo’s navy commonly used these as their main warships at this time.

Watching carefully, Xiao Ming saw over a hundred Goryeo soldiers on the deck, some holding bows and arrows, some swords and knives. Some archers were shooting at the fishing boats.

The board house ships did not use sails as their main power; instead, wooden oars in the lower hull were rowed by crewmen, chasing the fishing boats.

“Your Highness, shall we attack now?” Yue Yun asked.

Xiao Ming was confused. “Are these Goryeo soldiers crazy? Don’t they see our warships? Why are they so arrogant?”

“Your Highness, they probably think we are also fishing boats. Dengzhou has never had warships before, and there are few soldiers on our deck. They don’t wear armor or carry weapons,” Yue Yun explained.

Xiao Ming nodded. “Then let’s play along and pretend to be fishing boats. Wait for my command.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The fishing boats ahead hurried closer to Xiao Ming’s warships under the Goryeo’s chase. The Goryeo warships kept chasing. Xiao Ming ordered all gunners on the warships to prepare, and the crew on deck to load their flintlock guns and hide behind the ship’s side, waiting for orders.

On the board house ship, a general wearing scale armor and helmet was inspecting the unusually large Great Yu ship.

They had never seen such a ship before. The large hull and many sails were unlike any ships in Wokoku (Japan) or Great Yu.

“General Park, these fishing boats seem scared stiff,” a deputy general said with a smile. “Why have Great Yu fishing boats gotten so big? It would be a shame to burn them now. Let’s just capture them and the king might reward us.”

Park Jeong-ho frowned deeply. They had been ordered to oversee fishing boats gathering abalone on Chang Island to offer to the king. Their boats were gathering abalone on the island’s side.

Just then, a fisherman gathering abalone in the water told them that fishing boats were coming from the south, so they hurried over, certain they were Great Yu boats.

For them, Chang Island was a special abalone supply area for the Goryeo royal family. They absolutely forbade Great Yu fishermen from fishing here, even though Chang Island was over 200 miles from Goryeo and only 30 miles from Great Yu.

“Something’s off. These fishing boats are too big, and the boats in front have all fled. Why don’t they run?” Park Jeong-ho dismissed the deputy’s suggestion.

The defeat of the Golden Horde by Great Yu was now well-known. This area seemed to be the territory of that Qi Prince of Great Yu, which worried him.

A vassal prince who defeated the Golden Horde was a serious threat to Goryeo. His land was just across the sea from Goryeo.

“General Park, since when have you gotten so timid? Everyone knows what Great Yu is like. Don’t overthink. Look, none of the people on that ship wear armor or carry weapons. It must be fishing or merchant boats. If you don’t attack, I’ll have to lead the soldiers myself,” the deputy said with a strange tone.

Park Jeong-ho’s face turned very ugly. This deputy was from the royal city with a strong background. Though his rank was lower, he always disobeyed orders.

“Deputy Kim, for safety, we should send vanguards to probe,” Park Jeong-ho said reluctantly, not wanting to risk soldiers’ lives.

Deputy Kim snorted, “Fine, send four warships to catch them.”

He ordered the warships to attack.

Four warships rowed forward. The board house ship approached the Great Yu ship. As they got closer, they saw people on the ship hiding in fear, which relaxed their guard again.

As they neared, on command, Goryeo soldiers on the board house ship threw hooks to catch the Great Yu ship.

“Kill!”

With the ship hooked, the Goryeo soldiers got excited, as it was almost like capturing the huge ship.

But their excitement quickly turned to fear.

“Boom! Boom!”

Loud explosions rang out. The board house ship suddenly tilted on its side, as if about to capsize.

The loud noise almost deafened the Goryeo soldiers on board.

As they struggled to keep balance, suddenly a row of men stood up on the Great Yu ship’s side. Flames and loud noises followed, and the Goryeo soldiers fell in groups.