dognovel Chapter 457 Spy
Chapter 457 Spy
Zhao Hu and Cui Zhihao clasped their hands in a gesture of respect, their faces pale but their gazes resolute.
Just then, a soldier from the Beijing garrison rushed over and knelt on one knee: "Reporting to Your Highnesses and Lord Shi, an anomaly has been discovered at the granary in the west of the city!"
"Soldiers found more than a dozen barrels of kerosene and an unlit fuse in a cellar in the corner of the granary!"
Everyone's expressions suddenly changed.
The Chuzhou granary is one of the largest granaries in Jiangnan, storing enough grain to feed the Chuzhou army and civilians for half a year. If it were ignited by kerosene, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Shen Yanchu immediately drew his spear: "Lin Yiyu, come with me to the granary!"
"and many more!"
Shi Wanxia suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness Prince Xiang, the granary is located in an open area. If there are indeed rebels lying in ambush, we may fall into their trap."
"Why don't we have Young Master Cui take a few scouts to investigate first, and then go after confirming that it is safe?"
Shen Yanchu was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Miss Shi is very thoughtful."
"Wenzhu, take five scouts and quickly investigate the granary. If you find anything unusual, report back immediately!"
Cui Yu'an had just gone through a bloody night, and his eyes were bloodshot, but he still straightened his back: "Okay!"
He turned and walked away quickly, the long sword at his waist still swaying slightly, a mark left from the killing of rebels the night before.
The crowd stood on the street, gazing in the direction Cui Yu'an had gone, and the air grew heavy once more.
Although the morning light had already illuminated Chuzhou City, it could not penetrate the shadows deep in people's hearts—the conspiracy of the Prince of Rongyang was far from over, and this bloody battle was only the beginning of a storm.
Half an hour later, Cui Yu'an returned with a scout: "There are no rebels lying in ambush in the granary, but the oil barrels in the cellar are marked with the mark of the grain transport granary."
"Moreover, the fuse is made of 'tinder fuse' specially made by the Ministry of Works in the capital, which ordinary people simply cannot obtain."
"Specially made by the Ministry of Works?"
Shen Yanzhou frowned. "It seems that someone in the court is colluding with Prince Rongyang and can even mobilize the Ministry of Works' resources."
He looked at Shen Yanchu and said, "Zhizhou, immediately send someone back to the capital by fast horse to report this matter to His Majesty. At the same time, investigate whether the Ministry of Works has any records of stolen tinder recently."
"it is good!"
Shen Yanchu immediately ordered his soldiers, "Take two elite soldiers and ride the fastest horses back to the capital. Make sure the message is delivered safely to His Majesty. If you encounter any suspicious persons along the way, kill them without mercy!"
The soldiers received their orders and left, and the group then headed to the granary in the west of the city.
The granary gate was wide open, and several corpses of rebels lay scattered on the ground, clearly killed by Beijing garrison soldiers the previous night.
The cellar was located in the western corner of the granary. The entrance was covered by a stone slab. After lifting the slab, a pungent smell of kerosene wafted out.
Shen Yanzhou bent down and entered the cellar. The cellar was not large, only able to accommodate a dozen or so people. There were a dozen barrels of kerosene hanging on the walls, and the barrels were indeed engraved with the mark of the grain warehouse of the Grand Canal.
There was also a bundle of tinder next to it, with one end of the fuse sharpened, clearly ready to be lit at any time.
"Fortunately, it was discovered in time,"
Lin Yiyu looked at the oil drum, his tone grave.
"If the rebels had lit the oil last night and destroyed the granaries in Chuzhou, there would have been a food shortage in the city within ten days. At that time, the people would have been in chaos, and the rebels would have been able to seize Chuzhou."
Cui Zhihao squatted down and carefully examined the mark on the kerosene barrel. Suddenly, he said, "This mark is the special mark of the Grand Canal Governor's Office. It should have been taken back three years ago after the Grand Canal Governor was dismissed."
"The fact that it is here now indicates that someone has secretly kept the wooden barrel with this mark, and may even still be using the old staff of the Grand Canal Governor's Office."
Shi Wanxia suddenly remembered something. She looked up at Shen Yanzhou and said, "Your Highness, among the rebels who attacked the city gate last night were former subordinates of the former Grand Canal Transport Commissioner. Perhaps they know the origin of the wooden barrels."
"Why not interrogate those captured former subordinates? Perhaps we can get some clues out of them."
"it is good!"
Shen Yanzhou immediately ordered, "Cui Zhihao, interrogate the captured former canal transport officers immediately. You must find out the source of the kerosene barrels and their contacts in Chuzhou!"
Cui Zhihao accepted the order and left. Just as everyone was about to leave the cellar, they suddenly heard a commotion outside the granary.
A soldier from the Beijing garrison rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Highness! A suspicious caravan has been spotted outside the city. They claim to be coming to Chuzhou to sell grain, but they refuse to show their travel documents and are even trying to force their way into the city!"
Shen Yanchu's eyes narrowed: "Forced entry into the city? It's probably Rongyang King's reinforcements! Lin Yiyu, come with me to the city gate!"
The two hurried toward the city gate, with Shen Yanzhou, Shi Wanxia, and Li Changyu following closely behind.
At the city gate, a caravan of more than a dozen carriages was parked outside the city. The carriages were covered with black tarpaulins, so it was impossible to see what was inside.
The city gate guards, armed with long spears, blocked the caravan outside the city. The caravan's leader was a tall, burly man.
Wearing a long blue silk robe, he roared at the guards, "We're here to sell grain! Why won't you let us into the city? If we delay our business, can you afford to compensate us?"
Shen Yanchu rode his horse to the city gate and looked down at the leader: "I am Shen Yanchu, the Prince of Xiang of the current dynasty."
"If you are grain traders, why don't you have any travel documents? What exactly is on the cart?"
The leader saw the silver armor on Shen Yanchu's body and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he still tried to remain calm: "So it's His Highness Prince Xiang. The travel documents... we lost them on the way. The carriage was full of grain. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can send someone to check."
"Oh?"
Shen Yanchu sneered, "You lost your travel permit and still dare to force your way into the city? Young Master Lin, take a few soldiers down and inspect the carriage!"
Lin Yiyu accepted the order and led five soldiers down the city gate to the carriage.
Shen Yanchu, spear in hand, leaped down from the city gate. His spear moved like a dragon, instantly sending two rebels flying: "Traitors, don't run!"
Lin Yiyu and Shen Yanchu fought side by side, both possessing superb martial arts skills, making the rebels no match for them.
In just a quarter of an hour, all the rebels in the caravan were killed, except for their leader who was captured alive.
Shen Yanchu pointed his spear at the leader's throat: "Speak! Whose men are you? Why are you carrying weapons into the city?"
The leader trembled with fear, but still gritted his teeth and said, "I...we are His Highness Prince Rongyang's men, ordered to come to Chuzhou to assist our covert operations in seizing the granary!"
"Who is the hidden agent?" Shen Yanchu pressed.
Just as the leader was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed, black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and he instantly collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
"It's highly poisonous!"
Lin Yiyu crouched down to examine the leader's body.
"He had a poison sac hidden in his mouth; he had prepared to commit suicide long ago."
Shen Yanchu's face was gloomy: "It seems that Rongyang King's mole is still hidden in Chuzhou City, and he is not of low rank, otherwise he would not have made these rebels so loyal."
He turned to look at Shen Yanzhou on the city gate, "Your Highness, it seems we must speed up the investigation, otherwise things may get complicated."
Shen Yanzhou nodded, his gaze sweeping over the corpses below the city walls. He knew in his heart that this contest with the Prince of Rongyang had only just begun.
Although Chuzhou City has been defended for the time being, the hidden traitors, the crisis in the capital, and the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival—everything is like a sword hanging over our heads, ready to fall at any moment.