CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 334 LEFT GENERAL’S TOMB

It seemed as if their hearts were connected. Shang Ruyi gazed into Yu Wenye’s eyes, and in that instant of eye contact, a spark seemed to flash between them.

But the next moment, Yu Wenye smiled faintly.

He said, "These things are still too elusive. Rather than solving these aimless and baseless riddles, it might be more helpful to think about practical matters instead. They might help us out of our predicament."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi sighed lightly in her heart.

It wasn’t disappointment; rather, she should have already understood that Yu Wenye was always a very pragmatic person. To him, thinking about things that were intangible would never be as important as solving the issues at hand.

This kind of person always moves forward with firm steps and a forward-looking gaze.

And only such people could change the world.

She asked, "So, what have you thought of?"

Yu Wenye said, "I suddenly remembered that the rebellion of the Zuo Family left behind many unsolved mysteries. There are some things I still can’t fathom."

Shang Ruyi asked, "What are they?"

Yu Wenye said, "Duke Xiao Shan died nine years ago, but Zuo Heng raised a rebellion only three years ago, with a gap of five or six years in between. If he was to avenge his father, why did he raise an army after so many years rather than immediately upon his father’s death?"

"Maybe, it was to gather strength?"

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and continued, "Moreover, nine years ago, the world wasn’t like—"

She paused at this point.

Nine years ago, Chu Yang had just ascended the throne for a few years. At that time, he was still vigorous and dedicated to governance; he hadn’t yet exhausted the people’s strength by building canals and palaces, nor had he sparked widespread dissent with multiple campaigns against Gouli Country, nor led the nation into endless wars that left the common people struggling to survive...

But she couldn’t say all of this.

The man who lay before her in a pool of blood perhaps had done many wrong things, but the one thing he hadn’t done was harm to her.

How could she bear to judge his merits and faults?

Seeing Shang Ruyi suddenly stop and her expression become somber, Yu Wenye immediately sensed her thoughts. His gaze also dimmed, but he didn’t say anything more; he just remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "What you said makes sense."

Shang Ruyi replied softly, "Hmm."

Yu Wenye continued, "However, there is another reason that always puzzled me."

Shang Ruyi sniffed and returned to her normal demeanor before asking again, "What is puzzling?"

Yu Wenye said, "Actually, when Duke Xiao Shan had just passed away, the Zuo Family, though losing their support, still had some family assets. But in the years following his death, because of court suppression, the Zuo Family fell completely. Yet six years later, Zuo Heng suddenly had the capital to raise an army for rebellion, and he seemed not at all troubled by money. This is quite intriguing."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi also felt a shock.

Although she wasn’t well-versed in military matters, there was one thing even someone uninformed would know, which was that raising an army is the most expensive endeavor in the world.

Furthermore, what Zuo Heng did wasn’t just raising an army; he had to support one war after another, which simply meant spending money like water. Without substantial financial resources, it would be impossible.

Shang Ruyi said, "You’re curious about where his money came from?"

"Hmm,"

Yu Wenye nodded, then said, "In hindsight, maybe these two matters are related."

Shang Ruyi became even more perplexed: "You mean the reason Zuo Heng delayed raising an army for five or six years was that he spent that time getting money?"

Yu Wenye nodded.

Shang Ruyi said, "But where did he get such a huge sum of money in those five or six years?"

Yu Wenye didn’t speak immediately, merely sitting quietly there, yet in those deep and pitch-black eyes, there seemed to be an elusive spark of brilliance. After a while, he suddenly said, "Have you heard of the Left General’s Tomb?"

"...?"

Shang Ruyi widened her eyes at him—Left General’s Tomb?

At this moment, the stall owner finally finished brewing the tea and handed it to everyone, returning with sweat dripping and hearing these words, he also stopped.

Shang Ruyi thought for a while, then whispered, "I’ve heard my uncle mention it. He said Duke Xiao Shan, fearing posthumous harm from enemies, especially arranged twelve decoy tombs before his death. On the day of the burial, twelve teams with twelve coffins simultaneously left the Zuo Family, heading in different directions, so nobody knows where he was truly buried. And it’s said, even the Zuo Family themselves don’t know."

Yu Wenye nodded and said, "Though nobody knows where he’s truly buried, it doesn’t mean people don’t want to find it."

Shang Ruyi queried, "But what’s the point of finding his real grave?"

"..."

"Once a man dies, what more could his enemies do to exact revenge, even taking his corpse?"

Yu Wenye said, "In this world, emotional grudges certainly drive many people and events, but there’s one thing that exceeds even emotional grudges."

"What?"

"Men die for wealth as birds die for food."

"...Wealth?"

Shang Ruyi was stunned and immediately said, "You mean—"

Yu Wenye said, "Duke Xiao Shan loved wealth greatly. It’s said that during his years as prime minister across two reigns, he collected treasures from all over the realm and amassed a fortune that could rival a nation, but after his death, this wealth mysteriously vanished."

"..."

"And in the following years, Zuo Heng suddenly raised the rebellion, yet he never again worried about wealth."

Shang Ruyi said in astonishment, "You mean that during those middle years, Zuo Heng was searching for his father’s true burial place because the real tomb might be where Duke Xiao Shan hid his treasures."

Yu Wenye nodded.

"...!"

Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but gasp.

This was something she had never thought of before. If this were true, it would explain how Zuo Heng could raise an army to rebel and create such a great uproar.

However—

At that moment, a trace of doubt suddenly welled up in her heart.

Why was Yu Wenye so focused on discussing this matter with her at this time?

As he himself said, rather than deciphering these headless riddles, it’s better to think about practical matters—such as the Zuo Family rebellion suppressed years ago, and the Left General’s Tomb, which has nothing to do with them—why did he go on and on about it with her?

This was unlike his usual behavior.

While Shang Ruyi was confused, the nearby vendor, who had been listening but only partially understanding, suddenly came over, looking excited, and said, "You two, is there really money inside the Left General’s Tomb?"

Both of them turned to look at him, slightly surprised.

Shang Ruyi looked at him with a half-smile and said, "What, boss, do you also want to get rich?"

Upon hearing this, the vendor hurriedly waved his hand and said with a grin, "I’m born to a life of toil, what luck would I have? I’m just curious, and besides, it seems the people of Wanggang Village are also looking for the Left General’s Tomb. If there’s really money in there, then they’ve found the right spot."

"...!"

Yu Wenye’s gaze flickered, "The people of Wanggang Village are also looking for the Left General’s Tomb?"

"Yes."

"When did this happen?"

"Just a couple of days ago, when their two leaders were resting here and talking about it."

Yu Wenye said calmly, "Do they know where the Left General’s Tomb is?"

The vendor scratched his head and thought hard, then said, "That I don’t know, but from what they said, it seems they’ve found some kind of map."

"Oh? A map?"

"Yes, the two of them each have a piece, as if they were piecing it together, but couldn’t make sense of it."

Shang Ruyi’s eyes sparkled, she smiled and said, "Boss, didn’t you ask them? Maybe you’d find a clue, and if you found it, it could be a lifetime of wealth and glory."

The vendor laughed and said, "Madam, you’re joking."

"Oh?"

"Things like this are usually seen by the lucky, not enjoyed by the lucky. People like me should just earn some honest money and go about our lives."

Unexpectedly, though the man was talkative and poor, he seemed to have some clarity about him.

Shang Ruyi laughed and said, "Boss, you’re rather open-minded. Being able to think like this is already a blessing. Many misfortunes in this world come from coveting things one shouldn’t and leading to a lifetime of suffering."

Yu Wenye looked at her from the side.

The vendor didn’t understand their words and could only smile and repeatedly agree.

The two rested for a while longer, ate and drank their fill, before getting up and heading to the carriage, preparing to continue their journey. Only, as they walked, they were each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then couldn’t help but turn to Yu Wenye, "How is it such a coincidence?"

They were resting at this tea stall by chance, talking about the Zuo Family rebellion and the Left General’s Tomb also seemed like a coincidence. Why did the vendor just happen to know about it, and according to him, the people from Wanggang Village were talking about the Left General’s Tomb a couple of days ago too.

It’s just too coincidental.

Yu Wenye also turned to look at her, remained silent for a while, and suddenly said, "Maybe, it’s not a coincidence?"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, "What do you mean?"

Yu Wenye said, "Maybe someone else had the same thought as I did."

"..."

Shang Ruyi focused her mind and suddenly thought of something, a light flashed in her eyes, she looked up at him, "You mean—"

Yu Wenye slowly said, "The four words ’Left General’s Tomb,’ once connected with treasures as rich as a nation, would incite the envy of the world. However, finding that tomb is not so simple, maybe Zuo Heng knew, but he’s already dead."

"..."

"So, people can only think of ways through those close to him."

"..."

"However, those who were involved in the Zuo Family rebellion back then either met their ends or drifted across the land, long lost in obscurity. There’s now only one person left whose name is still known—"

At this point, he stopped.

And Shang Ruyi’s breath also caught.

Almost simultaneously, the two of them lifted their heads and looked in the direction of Wanggang Village.

Xiao Yuansui!