Chapter 162 A single move that aims to conquer the world!
Mu Xiandao said, "Xingluocang has been occupied by the rebels!"
"What?!"
It was Shang Ruyi, who was sitting behind Yuwen Ye, who spoke up this time. She moved closer to the window in surprise and looked at Mu Xian, saying, "Xingluo Warehouse has been occupied?"
Mu Xian said softly, "Yes, it was when His Majesty was besieged in Yanmen County."
Which rebel group is it?
"I don't know yet, but when the messenger from the Ministry of War reported it, I think I heard the name 'Wang Gang'."
Wang Gang!
These two words, neither heavy nor light, struck like a thunderclap in a dry land, resounding in the hearts of some. Instantly, Shang Ruyi's heart trembled, and even Yuwen Ye's expression became more solemn.
Wanggang is actually a small village near Anyang. It was originally called Queshan Village. Because it was built against the mountain, it was a natural fortress that was easy to defend and difficult to attack from a military point of view. However, the place was too small and unknown. But three years ago, a man named Wang Quyi changed the fate of this place.
Wang Quyi was originally a legal officer in Dongjun, a low-ranking position with little power, but he was generous and charitable, and made friends with many outlaws. Later, he lost his official position due to a crime, escaped from prison and hid in Queshan Village. There, he recruited heroes and built a stronghold. In just two years, he transformed the place into a military stronghold, which he renamed Wanggang Village. He had many capable and skilled warriors under his command, and his followers numbered in the tens of thousands. Known as the Wanggang Army, it was a rebel force that could not be ignored.
Unexpectedly, they actually took action and occupied Xingluo Warehouse!
Shang Ruyi was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a long time. After a long while, she murmured, "It actually...it actually came true!"
"What came true?"
As Yuwen Ye's voice rang in her ears, a warm breath brushed against her cheek. Shang Ruyi shivered from the heat and turned her head, only to realize that she had almost squeezed into Yuwen Ye's arms in her eagerness to get closer.
Shang Ruyi blushed instantly and quickly shrank back.
Yuwen Ye glanced at her but said nothing. He only said to Mu Xian outside the window, "Go and investigate again to see if there is any more news."
"yes."
Mu Xian left in a hurry.
Once he left, Yuwen Ye lowered the curtain, turned to look at Shang Ruyi, whose face was still slightly flushed, and a half-smile flickered in his eyes: "What did you just say that was strange?"
Shang Ruyi coughed lightly, then said softly, "I... when I was wandering around Yanmen County, I heard the common people singing a prophetic song—"
For some reason, Yuwen Ye's expression darkened when he heard her say "strolling around".
He said coldly, "Oh?"
Shang Ruyi, unaware of the situation, recalled the events of that time and murmured, "After three generations of imperial rule, Wang Gang seized the people's livelihood..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen Ye suddenly frowned: "Stop!"
Shang Ruyi immediately looked at him: "You've heard of it too?"
"..."
Yuwen Ye glanced at her with a complicated expression and said, "Hmm. However, this is just nonsense from ordinary people. You shouldn't listen to it, much less write it down."
Shang Ruyi said, "I didn't pay much attention at first, but after hearing that news just now, I realized that the second line of this song has already come true."
"Wang Gang...is seizing people's lives?"
“Isn’t the population just grain? Wang Gang’s army occupied Xingluo Granary and seized the imperial grain, which is exactly what the saying means – Wang Gang seizes the population.”
"..."
Yuwen Ye remained silent for a long time before coldly saying, "This is nothing but a coincidence. There are so many rebel armies in the world, occupying various mountain strongholds. It's inevitable that there will be a rebel leader surnamed Wang, and the mountain he occupies will naturally be called Wanggang or Wangshan. As for seizing people... since they have become rebels, seizing grain and money is an inevitable means to expand their power. This prophecy is nothing but some dubious nonsense, so there's no need to pay attention to it."
"Can--"
Before Shang Ruyi could say anything more, Yuwen Ye interrupted her: "What we really need to focus on right now is the matter itself."
Shang Ruyi asked, "Are you referring to the matter of Wang Gang's army occupying Xingluocang?"
"good,"
Yuwen Ye said, "Although it was Wang Gang's army that occupied Xingluocang, this matter may not be easy for Wang Qu to accomplish."
Why do you say that?
"Wang Quyi is short-sighted and has no purpose or foresight in his actions. He once fought and killed with other rebel forces in order to seize a mountain stronghold. No matter how you look at it, he and his subordinates are a bunch of bandits."
"..."
"But this time, they made a big show of it and occupied Xingluo Granary."
"..."
"You must understand, Xingluo Granary is the dynasty's largest granary. If they occupy it, the court will inevitably send a large army to attack. So, their actions are aimed at countering the covetousness of the entire Daye Dynasty, and even other rebel forces. Wang Quyi—does he have the confidence to do so?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's heart suddenly stirred.
Occupying the largest granary in the country is tantamount to directly opposing the imperial court. In other words, Wanggangzhai's purpose in occupying Xingluo Granary was ostensibly to plunder the grain inside, but its ultimate goal was to formally challenge the imperial court!
This is not something that so-called bandits would dare to do!
Who is it that dares to stir up such a huge storm?!
Yuwen Ye said in a deep voice, "Moreover, Xingluocang has a strategic location and is convenient for both water and land transportation. It can be used to directly attack Luoyang, or to go up the Yellow River to take Tongguan, or even capture Xijing."
"..."
"Therefore, occupying Xingluo Granary is a strategic move with the ambition to conquer the world!"
"..."
"No matter how you look at it, this is not a decision that someone as short-sighted as Wang Quyi could make."
Shang Ruyi nodded.
She still remembers that when they were returning to Luoyang from Taiyuan, they encountered a convoy transporting grain from Xingluo Granary. At that time, Yuwen Ye said that whoever occupies Xingluo Granary will be able to dominate a region.
If even he recognized Xingluocang's role in the struggle for supremacy, then the person who would do this would either have heard his opinion or share his vision.
Such a person...
Shang Ruyi suddenly gasped.
Yuwen Ye looked down at her: "What's wrong?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi glanced at him, her eyes flickering, and said, "No, it's nothing."
Yuwen Ye frowned: "What have you thought of? Tell me."
His tone suddenly turned stern, as if he had seen through her hesitation and concealment, and was clearly questioning her.
Shang Ruyi felt a layer of cold sweat on her palms. After thinking for a moment, she cautiously lifted the curtain to look around. Although the outside was in some chaos due to the sudden news, Mu Xian's men were all around the carriage, so there was no one else eavesdropping.
She was relieved, and after lowering the curtain, she turned to Yuwen Ye and whispered, "I thought of someone."
"who?"
"Xiao Yuansui".
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