The carefree sixth prince, my father respectfully invites me to ascend the throne.

"Someone will discuss the future cooperation with you later, but let me make this clear beforehand: if anyone breaks the rules, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The smile on Yang Ling's face had vanished, and she looked at the person in front of her with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, the merchants immediately nodded in agreement. How could they not know the Ninth Prince's methods?

"Okay, let's all get down!"

Yang Ling waved to the merchants, signaling them to leave.

After everyone had left, An Yu walked in from outside.

"Your Highness, are you really planning to cooperate with them?"

Seeing the smile on Yang Ling's face, An Yu asked with some unease.

"Why not? The more people we hurt, the better it is for us. Don't you think we can make more money?"

Yang Ling stood up, stretched his limbs, and said with a wicked smile.

Upon hearing this, An Yu immediately nodded: "Your subordinate understands."

With that, An Yu prepared to leave.

Just then, Yang Ling spoke again: "Let Mingyue come back. I need her to do something else!"

After hearing this, An Yu nodded, said nothing more, and immediately withdrew.

Yang Ling sat in his seat, looking thoughtful. He had already spread his business throughout the Liangzhou region, and the next step was to expand into the Central Plains.

Once one's influence penetrates the Central Plains, whatever one wants to do will be a natural outcome.

Thinking of this, Yang Ling smiled smugly.

……

Somewhere not far away, the masked man was also looking at the person in front of him with excitement, but at this moment his attitude appeared extremely humble.

"The Third Prince has taken the bait. Now, if we can use him as a tool, it's not impossible for us to gamble in Liangzhou!"

The masked man cupped his hands and looked at the man in front of him with a serious expression before speaking.

The man, wearing a feather fan and a silk turban, had a confident smile on his lips. He was over seven feet tall and had a refined and elegant demeanor.

Hearing the masked man say this, he gently shook his head.

"This matter is not urgent. What we need to do now is to slow down Liangzhou's development as much as possible, and it would be best if we could tamper with their supplies."

"Your Highness is absolutely right. Tonight I will send men to burn all their provisions and supplies to the ground."

After the masked man finished speaking, a ferocious look appeared on his face, as if he wanted to take revenge.

"Go and make preparations. The more chaotic the situation in Liangzhou, the safer we will be."

……

Late at night, the city was completely silent.

Suddenly, flames shot into the sky, instantly engulfing the surrounding buildings, and the flames spread southwards.

"What's going on? Where's the fire? Help! Help! Help!"

The people who were still asleep were awakened by the noise and quickly climbed out of their houses and rushed towards the fire.

Unfortunately, the flames spread so rapidly that they were impossible to control and were even growing stronger.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

Yang Ling had just finished resting when he was woken up by the guards at the door. He frowned and said impatiently, "What is it?"

"Several granaries in the city are on fire, and the fire is now spreading towards our residence. We need to evacuate as soon as possible, or we will be in danger."

The guard said, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Yang Ling's face immediately turned extremely gloomy. He never expected that someone would dare to do such a thing.

"Immediately mobilize troops and salvage all the grain supplies!"

Upon hearing Yang Ling's order, the guard stood there, somewhat puzzled. Shouldn't they be trying to find a way to leave this place first?

"What are you still standing there for? Go!"

Yang Ling roared. He never expected that these people would dare to do such a thing under his nose. This was not only a provocation, but also an insult. They were simply courting death!

Upon hearing Yang Ling's angry shout, the guards were so frightened that they immediately turned and left.

After giving her instructions, Yang Ling hurriedly tidied up and left her courtyard.

"Your Highness, you can't go!"

"Your Highness, it's too dangerous for you to go out like this!"

Two guards blocked Yang Ling's way just as he was about to step out the door.

"Go away!"

Yang Ling roared and shoved the two guards aside before striding out of the room.

"You guys come with me!"

Yang Ling gave an order to the guards beside him, and a group of men in black followed behind him.

When they reached the city wall, they saw flames everywhere, thick smoke billowing, and the air filled with the stench of burning.

Many soldiers have gathered on the city wall and are working hard to put out the fire.

Yang Ling's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched, and a terrifying killing intent surged in his heart.

"Your Highness!"

A voice came from not far away, and a young man rode up on horseback. When he saw Yang Ling, he bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Yang Ling's eyes gleamed as he saw the newcomer.

A cold smile played on his lips: "I didn't expect it to be you."

This person was none other than Shen Yi, who had once helped him.

“I know Your Highness is concerned about the lives and deaths of the people, so I came here specifically to lend Your Highness a helping hand.”

Shen Yi's tone was very calm, yet it made people feel inexplicably close to him.

"Good, you've come at the right time. Go and investigate what exactly is going on."

Upon hearing Yang Ling's words, Shen Yi's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had anticipated this outcome.

His gaze fell upon the city gate, his eyes filled with icy coldness, but he quickly regained his composure: "Your Highness, rest assured, this humble general will do his utmost."

After Shen Yi finished speaking, he rode away on horseback, galloping towards the city.

Yang Ling looked at Shen Yi's back with admiration in her eyes. Shen Yi was indeed a talented person.

"Your Highness, what should we do now?"

The guard beside him asked in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at the city gate in the distance, and said, "Go and tell someone to close the city gate and not allow anyone to enter or leave."

"According to the order."

Upon hearing Yang Ling's order, the guards immediately carried it out. Before long, the city gate was closed, and the city walls were covered with crossbows.

"Hmph, since you are so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Yang Ling smirked and muttered to herself.

At this moment, squads of soldiers had arrived at the city gate. They looked at the raging fire with puzzled expressions.

"Strange, what exactly happened? Why did a fire suddenly break out?"

"Who knows? This fire came about so strangely. Could it be that even the heavens are displeased with Your Highness's actions?"