Chapter 334 Zuo Gong's Suspicious Tomb
As if sensing something, Shang Ruyi looked into Yuwen Ye's eyes, and for a moment when their eyes met, a light seemed to flash in both of their eyes.
But the next moment, Yuwen Ye smiled faintly.
He said, "This kind of thing is too abstract. Instead of trying to solve these nonsensical and baseless riddles, we should think about practical things, which might help us out of our predicament."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi sighed softly to herself.
It wasn't disappointment, but rather that she should have realized long ago that Yuwen Ye was always a very pragmatic person. For him, thinking about those unrealistic things was never as important as solving the problems at hand.
Such a person always walks with firm steps and always looks forward.
And the world can only be changed by people like this.
She asked, "So, what came to mind?"
Yuwen Ye said, "I suddenly remembered that the rebellion of the Zuo family back then also left behind many unsolved mysteries, some of which I still haven't figured out."
Shang Ruyi asked, "What is it?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Xiao Shan Gong died nine years ago, but Zuo Heng started his rebellion three years ago. There is a gap of five or six years in between. If he wanted to avenge his father, why didn't he start the rebellion immediately after his father's death, but instead started it suddenly many years later?"
"Perhaps, it's to accumulate strength?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then added, "Moreover, nine years ago, the world wasn't like this—"
She paused for a moment after saying this.
Nine years ago, Chu Yang had only been on the throne for a few years. At that time, he was still full of vigor and worked hard to govern the country. He had not exhausted the people's resources by building canals and palaces, nor had he launched several campaigns against Gou Li, which caused widespread resentment among the people. Furthermore, there had been years of war that made the people of the country suffer.
But she couldn't bring herself to say any of it.
The man who lay in a sea of blood before her eyes may have done many wrong things, but the one thing he never did was hurt her.
How could she bear to judge his merits and demerits?
Seeing Shang Ruyi suddenly stop and her expression immediately darken, Yuwen Ye immediately sensed her thoughts. His eyes also dimmed, but he didn't say anything. He remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "What you said makes sense."
Shang Ruyi gave a soft "hmm".
Yuwen Ye added, "However, there is another reason that has always puzzled me."
Shang Ruyi sniffed, trying to regain her composure, before asking again, "What's strange?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Actually, when Xiao Shan Gong had just passed away, the Zuo family, although they had lost their pillar, still had some wealth. However, in the years following his death, due to the suppression by the court, the Zuo family had completely declined. Yet, six years later, Zuo Heng suddenly had the resources to start a rebellion. Moreover, he seemed to have no worries about money at all. This is quite intriguing."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi was also startled.
Although she wasn't very knowledgeable about military affairs, there was one thing that even someone unfamiliar with military matters would know: maintaining an army is the most expensive thing in the world.
Moreover, Zuo Heng's work involves not only raising troops but also supporting one war after another, which costs money like water. It would be absolutely impossible to do this without substantial financial resources.
Shang Ruyi asked, "Are you wondering where his money comes from?"
"Um,"
Yuwen Ye nodded, then said, "Now that I think about it, perhaps these two things are related."
Shang Ruyi was even more puzzled: "Are you saying that the reason Zuo Heng delayed raising an army for five or six years was because he spent that time raising money?"
Yuwen Ye nodded.
Shang Ruyi said, "But where did he get such a huge sum of money in five or six years?"
Yuwen Ye did not speak immediately, but sat there quietly. However, there seemed to be a subtle glint in his deep, dark eyes. After a while, he suddenly asked, "Have you heard of Zuo Gong's suspected tomb?"
"...?"
Shang Ruyi stared at him with wide eyes—Zuo Gong's Suspicious Tomb?
Just then, the stall owner finally finished brewing the tea and delivered it to everyone. He returned, sweating profusely, and stopped when he heard these words.
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said softly, "I heard my uncle mention it. He said that before he died, Xiao Shan Gong seemed to be worried that his enemies would harm him after his death, so he specially set up twelve false tombs. On the day of the funeral, twelve teams with twelve coffins came out of the Zuo family at the same time and went in different directions. In this way, no one knew where he was really buried. Moreover, I heard that even the Zuo family members themselves did not know."
Yuwen Ye nodded and said, "Although no one knows where he is buried, it doesn't mean no one wants to look for him."
Shang Ruyi said, "But what's the point of finding his real tomb?"
"..."
"The dead are like riddles; surely there aren't really any enemies who want revenge on him, not even sparing his corpse?"
Yuwen Ye said, "In this world, love and hatred can certainly drive many people and things, but there is something else that surpasses love and hatred."
"What?"
"People die for wealth, birds die for food."
"……fiscal?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback and immediately said, "You mean—"
Yuwen Ye said, "Xiao Shan Gong was extremely fond of money. It is said that during the years he served as prime minister in two dynasties, he searched for treasures all over the world and accumulated wealth that rivaled that of a country. However, after his death, this wealth suddenly disappeared."
"..."
"A few years later, Zuo Heng suddenly raised an army again, and he was no longer troubled by money."
Shang Ruyi said in astonishment, "You mean that during those years, Zuo Heng was searching for his father's true burial place, because the real tomb might be where Xiao Shan Gong hid his treasures?"
Yuwen Ye nodded.
"...!"
Shang Ruyi couldn't help but gasp.
This was something she had never considered before. If that were the case, then there would be a reason why Zuo Heng was able to raise an army in rebellion and cause such a great stir.
But--
At that moment, a doubt suddenly welled up in her mind.
Why was Yuwen Ye so focused on discussing this matter with her at this moment?
As he himself said, instead of trying to solve these nonsensical mysteries, it would be better to think about practical things—why should he keep nagging me about the Zuo family rebellion that was suppressed a few years ago, and the Zuo Gong tomb that had nothing to do with them?
This is unlike his usual style.
Just as Shang Ruyi was puzzled, the stall owner, who had only a vague understanding, came over and asked excitedly, "Gentlemen, is there really money in Zuo Gong's tomb?"
Both of them turned to look at him, somewhat surprised.
Shang Ruyi looked at him with a half-smile and said, "What, boss, you want to get rich too?"
Upon hearing this, the stall owner hurriedly waved his hand and said with a smile, "I am destined to be a busy man, how could I have such good fortune? I was just curious, and it seems that the people of Wanggang Village are also looking for Zuo Gong's suspected tomb. If there is really money inside, then they have come to the right place."
"...!"
Yuwen Ye's eyes flashed: "Are the people from Wanggang Village also looking for Zuo Gong's suspected tomb?"
"yes."
When did this happen?
"It was mentioned by the two leaders of their side when they stopped here for a rest just two days ago."
Yuwen Ye said calmly, "Do they know where Zuo Gong's suspected tomb is?"
The stall owner scratched the back of his head and thought hard for a moment before saying, "I don't know, but from what they're saying, it seems like they've found some kind of map."
"Oh? A map?"
"Yes, the two of them each had a piece in their hands, as if they were trying to piece it together, but they couldn't get it right."
Shang Ruyi's eyes flickered, and she smiled, "Boss, didn't you ask around? Even if you only get a clue, if you find it, it could mean a lifetime of wealth and honor."
The stall owner laughed and said, "Madam is joking."
"oh?"
"These kinds of things are mostly for the fortunate to see, and for the unfortunate to enjoy. For someone like me, I'd rather just honestly earn some hard-earned money and make a living."
I didn't intend to move. Although this person was talkative and poor, he had a certain insight into things.
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Boss, you are quite open-minded. It is your blessing to be able to think this way. Many misfortunes in this world are caused by coveting things that we should not have, which leads to a lifetime of suffering from which we cannot extricate ourselves."
Yuwen Ye glanced at her from the side.
The stall owner didn't understand what he was saying, so he could only smile apologetically and agree repeatedly.
After resting for a while and eating and drinking their fill, the two got up and walked towards the carriage, preparing to continue their journey. However, as they walked, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.
After thinking for a while, Shang Ruyi finally couldn't hold back and turned to Yuwen Ye, saying, "What a coincidence!"
Their stop at this tea stall was purely accidental, and their conversation about the Zuo family rebellion and the suspected tomb of Zuo Gong also seemed accidental. Why was it that the stall owner knew about these things? Moreover, according to him, the people of Wanggang Village were also talking about the suspected tomb of Zuo Gong a couple of days ago.
That's too much of a coincidence.
Yuwen Ye also turned to look at her, remained silent for a long while, and then suddenly said, "Perhaps, it's not a coincidence?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Perhaps someone else has the same idea as me."
"..."
Shang Ruyi pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized something. A flash of inspiration appeared in her eyes, and she looked up at him: "You mean—"
Yuwen Ye slowly said, "The four words 'Zuo Gong's Suspicious Tomb' will arouse the covetousness of the world once they are associated with a treasure that is richer than a country. However, finding the suspected tomb is not so simple. Perhaps Zuo Heng knew about it, but he is already dead."
"..."
"Therefore, everyone can only try to find a solution by looking at the people around him."
"..."
"However, those who participated in the Zuo family's rebellion have either been beheaded or wandered the world, long since lost to the dust of time. Now, only one remains whose name is still known—"
He paused at this point.
Shang Ruyi's breath caught in her throat.
The two of them looked up almost simultaneously, heading in the direction of Wanggangzhai.
Xiao Yuansui!
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