ATPnovel Chapter 153 The Fastest Way to Make Money: Digging Up Graves
Chapter 153 The Fastest Way to Make Money: Digging Up Graves
"Alright, let's get back to business."
Lu Xiao thought to himself that even though he had come all this way, neither Shan Xiongxin nor Cheng Yaojin had come to seek refuge with him.
Perhaps they have their own reasons.
So he didn't force it, nor did he go looking for those people.
If fate allows, the two will meet again.
Without further delay, Lü Xiao led eight hundred Red Vanguard soldiers away quietly.
Under the cover of darkness, they set off towards the location of the Zheng family ancestral tombs, as Yuwen Chenglong had mentioned.
About an hour later, the group arrived at a hilly area that was backed by mountains and faced water.
This place has excellent feng shui, with mountains forming a screen and water veins surrounding it, making it a treasure land for burial sites favored by prominent families.
Under the moonlight, one can see the tombs and gravestones of varying heights, their sheer scale astonishing.
"This is it!"
Yuwen Chenglong leaped off his horse, took out a yellowed sheepskin map from his robes, and carefully compared it by the light of the torch.
"The main tomb of the Zheng family is here, with thirty-six accompanying tombs arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. I have studied it for a long time and I am absolutely certain that I am right."
He turned and called to the Red Valiant Army soldiers, "Brothers, grab your weapons!"
These fierce soldiers, who usually charge into battle, skillfully put down their swords, bows, and crossbows, and took out strangely shaped tools from their horses.
The shovel, rope, candles, and other items were all readily available.
The skill in his movements was clearly not something he had acquired overnight.
Lu Xiao was speechless as he watched this scene.
The elite Red Warriors he personally selected and rigorously trained have now been reduced to this state by Yuwen Chenglong.
They were a fierce and ruthless army during wartime, but in peacetime they became a professional tomb raiding team.
Seeing the eager glint in the soldiers' eyes, Lü Xiao rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat amused and exasperated.
"Your Highness, what do you think of our Guardian of Guanshan?"
Yuwen Chenglong leaned closer, not without a hint of smugness.
Mounted, they can break through enemy lines; dismounted, they can explore enemy strongholds.
He wasn't bragging, but there's no other team like this in the world.
Lu Xiao glanced at him, but ultimately said nothing, only waving his hand: "Let's finish this quickly."
"Yes, sir!"
Yuwen Chenglong, full of energy, turned around and began to give instructions.
The first tomb opened was the main tomb of the Zheng family.
The tomb entrance is made of heavy bluestone.
Several Red Valiant soldiers went to probe first, but found that it did not move at all.
"Get out of the way!" Pei Yuanqing stepped forward carrying the silver hammers, took a deep breath, his arm muscles bulged, and the two silver hammers slammed down in turn.
With a deafening roar, the stone gate shattered, sending dust flying everywhere.
Since the tomb door cannot be opened from the front, the only option left is to use brute force to create a miracle.
The tomb passage was deep and cold.
Yuwen Chenglong lit a torch and led the way into the room.
Lu Xiao stood outside the tomb with his hands behind his back, showing no intention of going in.
It wasn't that I was afraid of any traps or hidden weapons, but I just instinctively disliked this gloomy place.
Besides, if a giant rice dumpling really did jump out as the folk legend says, he didn't want to experience it firsthand.
About half an incense stick later, Yuwen Chenglong's excited shouts echoed from inside the tomb passage:
"Found it! Your Highness, found it!"
Several burly men from the Red Guard carefully carried out a gilded box, which, though small, appeared extremely heavy.
The box landed with a dull thud, raising a small cloud of dust.
Yuwen Chenglong opened the box himself, and in an instant, golden light burst forth, illuminating the faces of everyone around him.
Inside the box were neatly stacked gold ingots, each bearing the Zheng family's mark, gleaming alluringly in the firelight.
"That's all?"
"I asked," Lü Xiao.
"This is nothing!" Yuwen Chenglong hurriedly explained when he saw that Lü Xiao's expression was calm.
"Below the main burial chamber are hidden chambers, containing dozens of even larger boxes! There are also countless other jade artifacts and other items!"
Lü Xiao nodded slightly.
Although he possessed mountains of gold and silver, he couldn't help but sigh at the accumulation of wealth by powerful families.
These powerful clans have been operating for hundreds of years, and their foundations are indeed profound.
"All items will be inventoried, packed, and transported back to Hulao Pass first, then escorted by the garrison at Hulao Pass to the Prince of Shuo's residence in Dongdu."
"We must act quickly and complete the first evacuation before dawn."
Lu Xiao gave the order.
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers of the Red Vanguard Army had a clear division of labor, with some continuing to go deeper into the tomb to move the materials.
Some were outside to receive and pack the boxes, while others were scattered to guard the area.
The entire process was well-organized and incredibly efficient.
Over the next few days, the Red Guards rested during the day and worked at night, thoroughly cleaning up the Zheng family's ancestral graves.
Not only the main tomb, but also all thirty-six accompanying tombs were destroyed.
Yuwen Chenglong worked day and night, his eyes were sunken, yet he was in high spirits.
The thrill of digging up someone else's ancestral graves is definitely much greater than digging up your own.
Pei Yuanqing reaped even greater rewards.
This kid initially scoffed at tomb raiding, but now he's the most enthusiastic about it.
His once well-fitting battle robe was now bulging with various jade ornaments and gold artifacts, jingling as he walked.
"Your Highness, whose family should we dig up next?" Pei Yuanqing sidled up to Lü Xiao, his eyes gleaming. "If we dig up all the treasures from the five major families and seven prominent clans one by one, how many riches would that be?"
"Those with names and surnames will not escape, but right now, Wagang Village is the real threat."
Looking at the convoy returning fully loaded, Lü Xiao spoke slowly.
Five surnames and seven prominent families—so many aristocratic clans.
It's impossible to dig it all out; there's simply no way to finish.
Next, he needs to figure out whether to continue dealing with Wagang Village.
After all, he is one of the rebel kings, and once he is defeated, he can get a specific reward.
Three days later, the Chixiao Army and the Hulaoguan garrison, which had completed the handover, withdrew from Xingyang one after another.
Almost at the same time that Lü Xiao left, the news had already reached Wagang Village.
Inside the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, Li Mi sat on a tiger-skin chair, and after listening to the scout's report, he let out a long sigh of relief.
The generals in the hall breathed a sigh of relief; that jinx was finally gone.
"Revenge! The Zheng family will avenge this blood feud!"
A piercing roar suddenly erupted from the corner of the hall.
Several survivors of the Zheng family, their eyes bloodshot and faces contorted in rage, cried out, "Lü Xiao, Yang Guang, I will tear them to pieces!"
These members of the Zheng family had come to Wagang to discuss important matters with Li Mi, and thus narrowly escaped the annihilation of their entire family.
Now that his family has been destroyed, he is filled with boundless hatred.
Li Mi raised his hand to quell the commotion in the hall and said in a deep voice:
"To avenge one's wrongs is the proper course of action."
However, the most urgent task is to strengthen our Wagang army and recruit more soldiers; otherwise, everything else is just empty talk.
An elderly man surnamed Zheng rose shakily, his eyes gleaming with an unusual light despite his overwhelming grief.
"What Master Mi said is absolutely right!"
"Although my Zheng family has suffered this calamity, our foundation is not yet destroyed. We will help you recruit soldiers and horses!"
The ancestors of the Zheng family had foresight.
In case of unforeseen events, they would collect gold and silver treasures every year and hide them in their ancestral graves.
Now that the family is in distress, this money will help Wagang recruit soldiers and strengthen its power!
I only hope that one day I can personally kill my enemies and restore my family's honor!
These words shocked everyone in the room.
A glint flashed in Li Mi's eyes as he slowly stood up from his chair.
He thought that Zheng's family fortune had been confiscated and that the promised gold and silver were no longer valid.
Little did they know, a cunning rabbit has three burrows.
Does the Zheng family still have a huge amount of hidden wealth?
"Tonight, let's take action! We'll surely obtain the funds needed to recruit soldiers and horses for Lord Mi!"
The old man, surnamed Zheng, said with great conviction.
Xu Maogong and Wang Bodang were overjoyed upon hearing this.
Although they had previously lost to Lü Xiao and lost several brothers.
But once you have the money, why worry about not being able to conjure up soldiers?
That night, the people of Wagang Village excitedly set off for the ancestral graves.