Chapter 162: Digging Up Your Ancestral Graves

"Dig up ancestral graves?" Tu Tu Kesiluo heard this and immediately perked up: "Now that's interesting. Big Brother, let's go right now."

He held not a shred of goodwill toward Fei Hou, who was bent on causing trouble for Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Song Song Yusheng shivered deeply once more.

Digging up Fei Hou's ancestral graves—what crime could atone for such an act! If Fei Hou learned he had aided a tyrant, the consequences were imaginable.

Seeing Song Song Yusheng's face alternate between terror and sorrow, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a low voice: "What's the matter, Magistrate Song? Are you unwilling to guide the way?"

Song Song Yusheng hastily forced a smile: "This subordinate dares not defy His Lordship; since the order has been given, this subordinate will certainly lead the way to Longyang Town."

As for the matter of digging up the ancestral graves, even if Fei Hou pursued accountability, that would be a matter for later.

But if he offended the unpredictable Jiang Jiang Mingyu before him, he would likely lose his life immediately.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded with satisfaction: "In that case, let us set out!"

One hour later, Jiang Jiang Mingyu led Tu Tu Kesiluo and three hundred troops, departing from the east gate of Longteng County.

Gazing at the desolate scenery outside the city, Tu Tu Kesiluo couldn't help but sigh: "When spring returns to the earth, this place will surely be a wonderful spot for viewing flowers. Fei Hou's ancestors truly knew how to choose a location; they actually found such a feng shui treasure land."

Faced with this peculiar remark, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head helplessly.

The group soon arrived at Longyang Town, where Fei Hou's ancestors were buried. Seeing Song Song Yusheng guiding the way, Commandant Li Li Zhihao, who guarded the imperial mausoleum, immediately stepped forward: "Magistrate Song, it has been a long time. What brings such high spirits today, leading so many people to visit us brothers? Surely you haven't seen our hardships and specially brought people to reward us?"

Li Li Zhihao was of medium build with a fierce appearance, clad in solemn armor that radiated an aura of majesty. Since he was guarding the imperial mausoleum, although respectful toward Song Song Yusheng, he still maintained a necessary distance.

Song Song Yusheng hastily stepped back one pace, allowing Jiang Jiang Mingyu to step forward. Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced at Li Li Zhihao, a slight smile curling the corner of his mouth: "It is not Song Song Yusheng; it is Jiang Mou who has brought people here. There is no need for concern; you may stand aside."

Commandant Li Li Zhihao scrutinized Jiang Jiang Mingyu from head to toe, his expression instantly turning extremely ugly: "Who are you, bringing so many people to intrude upon the imperial mausoleum without authorization? What are your intentions?" His eyes flashed with vigilance.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled lightly: "I am Jiang Jiang Mingyu."

Hearing this name, Li Li Zhihao's eyes lit up, and his previous displeasure vanished in an instant: "So you are Lord Jiang, who repelled the Other Xi Xia! I have heard your great name for a long time; you are a hero of our Great Feng!"

"Since Lord Jiang has honored us with his presence, please, come in, come in to pay respects at the imperial mausoleum." He seemed as though he had encountered an idol he had admired for years.

However, Jiang Jiang Mingyu not only remained motionless but also shook his head lightly: "You misunderstand; Jiang Mou has not come for any ghostly worship."

Seeing the sudden shift in tone, Li Li Zhihao's face immediately turned cold: "The imperial mausoleum is a critical zone; I beg Lord Jiang to watch his words. Desecrating the imperial mausoleum is a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire clan!" His hand lightly gripped the hilt of the precious saber at his waist, full of warning.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily: "To tell you the truth, I have come to level Fei Hou's ancestral graves. Step aside obediently, and Jiang Mou will not make things difficult for you; speak another word, and do not blame Jiang Mou for being rude."

Li Li Zhihao clenched his saber hilt, furious beyond measure: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, this Commandant respected you for your merits to the nation, yet not only do you desecrate the imperial mausoleum, but you also speak evil words; your crimes deserve ten thousand deaths!"

With that, he knitted his brows and waved to the tomb-guarding soldiers behind him: "Men, seize this madman, tear his body into ten thousand pieces, to console the spirits of the former emperors in heaven!"

Seeing five hundred tomb-guarding soldiers instantly surround them, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes narrowed sharply, and he shouted: "I will say this one last time: if you do not step aside, you will inevitably meet your death!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was already poised to strike; a blade rolling with cold light surged forward. Li Li Zhihao opened his mouth to speak, but felt only a chill at his throat as his consciousness gradually faded...

This sudden turn of events left the five hundred surrounding tomb-guarding soldiers stunned. After a long moment, one person shouted: "They are rebelling! Brothers, suppress them, and Your Majesty will surely bestow heavy rewards!"

Who could have expected Tu Tu Kesiluo to be so formidable? How could three hundred men oppose their five hundred? The tomb-guarding soldiers immediately swung their weapons and rushed at Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes congealed, and he shouted in a deep voice: "Since you seek your own death, do not blame Jiang Mou for being ruthless! Not a single one shall be left alive!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo and the three hundred Shangmu soldiers charged forward against the blade tips. How could these Taiping soldiers be their match? Not to mention the invincible Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Amidst the clashing of metal, in less than two quarters of an hour, all five hundred tomb-guarding soldiers were annihilated.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand expressionlessly: "Dig everything out; take all valuable items to serve as military provisions."

In the blink of an eye, the white bones of Fei Hou's ancestors were exposed to the sunlight. Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the imperial mausoleum, now reduced to ruins, and smiled with satisfaction in his heart: "If you wish to blame someone, blame your descendants for offending Jiang Mou!"

Then he turned to Song Song Yusheng, who was covered in sweat: "The day is not young; Jiang Mou will rest tonight in Longteng County. Let us return to the city!"

Song Song Yusheng, cold sweat streaming down his face, hurriedly responded and accepted the order.

The moonlight was like water, the starlight like frost. The night in Longteng County city should have been perfectly tranquil.

Song Song Yusheng lay on his bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. In his heart, he kept thinking about what a terribly wrong decision he had made today. By following Jiang Jiang Mingyu and participating in the rebellious act of digging up the imperial mausoleum, he had committed a great crime against heavenly laws. If the imperial court discovered this, he and his entire family would be executed along with nine generations of relatives.

He did not know what Jiang Jiang Mingyu was thinking, daring to be so audacious and reckless.

Just as he was pondering his miserable fate in the days to come, the tightly closed door was suddenly knocked upon.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Song Song Yusheng was startled, quickly jumped out of bed, and walked to the door. He asked cautiously: "Who is it?"

"It is me," came a low, familiar voice from outside.

Song Song Yusheng's heart stirred; as he opened the door, he also froze heavily in shock.

"How is it you?" he asked in surprise, looking at the person standing at the doorway.

The visitor was none other than Li Bo, the Commandant of the Longteng County City Defense Camp. This man was a short, fat fellow of modest height; moreover, one of his eyes had been blinded during a bandit-suppression campaign. Today, when the Shangmu soldiers occupied the City Defense Camp, he, hiding within the crowd, had not dared to utter a single sound. Thus, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had overlooked this person's existence.

Li Bo's cloudy, single eye cautiously scanned in all directions. Seeing that Song Song Yusheng's room contained only a dim oil lamp, with a table and a bed faintly visible in the darkness, he deduced that Song Song Yusheng likely had no other accomplices present. Thus, he whispered: "My lord, please allow me to enter and speak."

Song Song Yusheng felt somewhat puzzled, unsure what Li Bo wanted with him, but he still stepped aside from the doorway, gesturing for Li Bo to enter.

After entering, Li Bo firmly shut the door. He listened carefully for any sounds before lowering his voice to speak.

"My lord, I have heard all about today's events."

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, as an official appointed by the imperial court, having committed such a heinously rebellious act, truly deserves ten thousand deaths."

Song Song Yusheng, who had just been pondering his future fate, suddenly changed color; he asked in a low voice: "Commandant Li, what exactly do you intend to say?"

Li Bo chuckled coldly.

"My lord, nowadays Great Feng is engulfed in beacon fires everywhere; what Your Majesty hates most are these rebellious traitors."

"If we kill Jiang Jiang Mingyu tonight and send his head to Jingcheng, Your Majesty will surely bestow heavy rewards upon the two of us."

Seeing Song Song Yusheng's face turn several shades paler, the one-eyed Li Bo spoke with solemn assurance.

"Please rest assured, my lord; should Your Majesty inquire in the future about today's affairs at the imperial mausoleum,"

"we will certainly speak the truth, stating clearly that it was Jiang Jiang Mingyu who forcibly coerced you, and that you had no choice but to participate."

"At that time, not only will you be without guilt, but you will also be hailed as a meritorious hero for suppressing rebellious traitors; both of us will have a boundless future ahead."

As he spoke, a gleam of reverie and excitement shone in his cloudy, single eye.

As he spoke, a dreamy, excited light also shone in his dull, solitary eye.

Faced with such a huge temptation, Song Song Yusheng, whose expression had changed several times, fell silent.