Edward strictly implemented Marin's plan. By asking Queen Margaret and other nonsense, he extended the negotiation time with James IV, and also gave Kahn and others a preparation work, and bought enough time.
At the same time, according to Marlin's suggestion, Edward also tampered with the selection of Scottish Knights who escorted James IV back to China - he deliberately selected 50 Scottish Knights with ordinary martial arts skills. Of course, he did not select the weakest Scottish Knights. In that case, it would be too obvious. Therefore, he chose 50 Scottish Knights with lower martial arts skills. He did not give James IV any of the Scottish Knights with the strongest martial arts skills.
James IV was so angry that he jumped straight into this. But Edward's reason was also very good - those Scottish Knights with high martial arts skills could exchange for a lot of ransoms and were the most precious "collateral". Where could they be returned to Scotland at will?
On the war horse, Edward also smartly selected the war horse that was not powerful enough. Originally, according to Marin's intention, he could just give some horses to James IV directly. But doing that would be too conspicuous. Afterwards, if James IV was really killed, people would definitely doubt him.
So, at the suggestion of his confidants, Edward selected the group with the worst endurance from the war horses, as the mounts of James IV and his 50 entourage knights. Moreover, there were no transfers, only one rider for each person. In this way, James IV and his party could not get faster.
As for the most important armor and weapons, Edward also wanted to choose the worst one, but due to limited technology, it was difficult to do it. He could not give a bunch of junk to James IV, right? That was too obvious.
In the end, the task of preparing special weapons and armor fell on Marin's head...
Then, Malin asked his steel factory to prepare two special steels - one is high-purity cracked iron, and the other is pig iron with sulfur and phosphorus added...
The high-purity cracked iron is relatively soft. Marin made the forging staff into French plate armor. Wearing this relatively soft plate armor will definitely not be able to withstand the blunt attacks of Kahn and the wolf-tooth commando soldiers led by him. And the weapons made of pig iron with sulfur and phosphorus are made of two-handed swords and one-handed swords... The thing is very crisp and can easily break when touched with the enemy's swords... But from the appearance, you can't see the problem...
In the end, the batch of armor and two-handed swords, which seemed to be fine, were actually very problematic, were sent to London...
At first, Edward was a little unbelievable that these armors and weapons that looked unproblematic would have problems. Because, looking at the brand new plate armor and swords, there was no problem...
But after testing, Edward believed that Marin was reliable in doing things - the plate armor made of iron was immediately cut, and it was obviously not strong enough after one hammer. And the sword made of pig iron with sulfur and phosphorus was generally fine, and it was sharp enough. However, once it was head-on with the steel weapon, it immediately appeared - it was so crisp... Crack, broken...
...
In this way, at the end of March, Edward finally sent away James IV and his 50 escort Knights.
For safety, James IV and 50 guards all wore brand new French plate armor, and wore cold French two-handed swords and one-handed swords... This deceptive appearance satisfied James IV and reduced his vigilance...
But after seeing the war horses provided by Edward, James IV looked very bad-looking - because the war horses provided by Edward knew they were ordinary goods at a glance, and each person gave one...
James IV ran to protest to Edward, and Edward looked at him with caring eyes and said speechlessly:
"His Majesty James, your current identity is a released prisoner of war, not a distinguished guest of England. So, don't be picky. At least, the horse you give you is also a war horse. If you don't give you a slow horse, I'm already merciful!"
James IV choked, and then he realized that he was a free prisoner of war, not a foreign monarch who visited England... but he protested:
"At least, we have to be equipped with a replacement horse!" Just riding a war horse, and everyone wearing plate armor, they need to stop and rest frequently.
Edward waved his hand and said:
"No, I'm plowing in spring now, and horses can also cultivate the land. I don't have any extra horses for you!" This reason is very powerful. Spring plowing is a big deal, and James IV can't find an excuse to refute.
Then, under the escort of the English army, James IV and his party headed north, crossed Newcastle, and arrived at the border between England and Scotland...
When he arrived here, James IV began to get nervous. Before, in England, James IV was not worried about safety. Because Edward would not take the blame to kill him, the real king. Without even taking action in London, it would be even more impossible in other parts of England.
However, if you enter Scotland, it will be dangerous...
Because, after entering Scotland, if James IV is attacked and killed, Edward can completely separate himself from him.
Therefore, the journey from England to Scotland can be said to be the most dangerous. As long as England sends a team of cavalry to take off their English clothes and put on horse bandits' clothing, they can attack and kill him and then push him to horse bandits...
Therefore, after entering Scotland, James IV did not continue his journey immediately, but hid directly into a castle stationed by Scottish troops on the border, and hid for several days and refused to come out.
A few days later, James IV finally came out of the small castle on the border, and then asked the local guard to send a guide to take him along the path...
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content behind! However, the guard told him with embarrassment that there were bandits on the road...
"Horse Bandit?" James IV was shocked. This was the thing he feared the most. He could conclude that those horse bandits were probably dressed in English Knights and came to intercept him.
"Yes, there are basically signs of horse bandits' activities in the nearby small roads, which is very dangerous. If His Majesty takes those small roads..."
"Then let's go the main road, and you will take the 800 defenders in the castle to go on the road with me to protect my safety!" James IV thought for a while and ordered decisively.
"But... Your Majesty, I still have to guard against the British invasion!" said the guard weakly.
"I am the country!" James IV said the famous quote of the Sun King more than a hundred years in advance. He continued:
"If I was assassinated, and without leaving my children and my brothers did not survive, the Kingdom of Scotland will inevitably be in chaos. At that time, the English will easily destroy Scotland. Therefore, my life is very important and I cannot easily die by the hands of those Englishmen who pretend to be horse bandits!"
"But this border... needs someone to guard..."
James IV thought about it and said:
"So, you will come back halfway with my team and continue to guard against the English. This will not delay the defense of the border. I believe that in the second half of the way, the English army will be difficult to appear. After all, they cannot intercept me near Edinburgh. You must know that Edinburgh has thousands of defenders!"
Chapter completed!