OFTLHFRO C146

Chapter 146: The Cat’s Gratitude

At noon, Luo Mingchen was studying maps with Huo Yan, discussing plans to repair the official road outside in the second half of the year, when Hu Zhongyi arrived hurriedly with his deputy general and strategist—people they hadn’t seen in a long time.

Upon hearing their approach, Luo Mingchen tilted his head and asked Huo Yan, “Is something going on recently?”

“Perhaps related to the previous smuggling of merchant caravans.”

Just as Huo Yan finished speaking, Hu Zhongyi and his companions entered the military tent.

“Younger Brother Huo, we have uncovered who is behind the smuggling caravans.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen was curious. “Hadn’t you finished investigating before?”

Hu Zhongyi sighed heavily. “How could we have quickly unraveled it? The matter is extensive. We deliberately let some suspects escape earlier, then waited and tracked for over a month before barely unmasking the masterminds.”

He then took from his deputy general a stack of letters. “These are the communication evidences. Guess who it is?”

Luo Mingchen picked up a letter to look. “How should I know?”

Huo Yan said, “The commander of Yunzhou.”

Hu Zhongyi, who was sipping water, nearly spat it out on hearing this and asked suspiciously, “How did you know?”

“Judging by their routes, someone must be aiding them there; otherwise, they wouldn’t bypass waterways for land routes through narrow passes. Among their goods were many tobacco leaves, which our empire forbids trading with foreigners. So even if other items pass scrutiny, tobacco surely cannot—unless they have someone over there.”

After Huo Yan’s analysis, Luo Mingchen opened a letter and read its contents aloud, “You guessed quite correctly.”

Hu Zhongyi felt frustrated. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier, making us waste so much time?”

“If I had spoken my suspicions too soon, the general might have formed preconceived notions and missed the real culprits. It’s better to investigate slowly to avoid mistakes and wrongful accusations.”

While Huo Yan spoke, he looked over the letters in Luo Mingchen’s hand and opened more.

Hu Zhongyi’s strategist remarked, “Since General Huo guessed the commander of Yunzhou, why not guess who his backer is?”

After a pause, Huo Yan replied, “Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.”

“Huh?”

Hu Zhongyi looked baffled at his strategist. “Why do you two say the same thing?”

Luo Mingchen paid no heed to their cryptic talk but sensed from Huo Yan’s tone that it involved a certain prince, which explained why they held back further investigation.

The strategist laughed, “Haha! General, it’s called a meeting of minds. Didn’t you say you came to ask General Huo for advice?”

“Then we just let a conspirator colluding with foreigners remain in the capital? Possibly holding a high post?”

Hu Zhongyi couldn’t comprehend their reasoning.

Huo Yan cast a meaningful glance at Hu Zhongyi’s strategist.

“General, don’t you understand? Who controls the commander of Yunzhou? That position is no small matter. To suppress a commander, especially in Yunzhou—that person must not be investigated. Even if uncovered, it’s we who suffer. Just hand over the goods and evidences directly.”

Even stubborn Hu Zhongyi caught on. “You mean…?”

The strategist sighed, “Yes, that’s the way. Just submit the goods and evidence.”

Though reluctant, Hu Zhongyi had no choice but to comply.

With this matter temporarily settled, Huo Yan informed Hu Zhongyi about Bingcheng’s situation.

“Wu that Old Dog actually agreed?”

This surprised Hu Zhongyi. Given Wu Qing’s nature, contenting himself quietly was rare, so honest compliance was unexpected.

Luo Mingchen replied, “We spoke with his strategist.”

“No wonder.”

Hu Zhongyi had no objections to their plan. “If there’s anything else, call on me.”

Huo Yan said, “Since the general is here, let’s discuss the road repair.”

Just as Hu Zhongyi was about to rise, “…”

That was hardly polite.

Examining their proposed route, Hu Zhongyi frowned. “Repairing the official road isn’t a one- or two-month task.”

“We’ll first fix it to Heishui River near Wolf King’s Fort. Our empire has trade relations with Wolf King’s Fort, making transport easier.”

Hearing this, Hu Zhongyi hesitated. “What can we trade with them?”

Wolf King’s Fort was an independent city-state, uninvolved in national conflicts. Though small, it was abundantly resourceful.

Luo Mingchen said, “In two months, we’ll have goods. Repairing roads is never a bad thing.”

Hu Zhongyi considered it. Though troublesome, road repair was useful. “Alright, do as you please. If you need manpower, tell me.”

“Good.”

After settling the route, the couple returned to their courtyard.

Rarely idle, they went to check on their three children, only to find them gathered around a stone table, fondly petting a cat.

Upon seeing them, Huo Xiang excitedly called out, “Little Daddy! Daddy! Come quickly!”

“What is it?”

Luo Mingchen, puzzled by such enthusiasm, approached and found the three not only petting the cat but also inspecting a diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg.

“Whoa!”

Luo Mingchen truly couldn’t help himself and sat down. “Where did this come from?”

Huo Xinyue slid into his arms adeptly. “Daddy, this is beautiful!”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen chuckled, “Wouldn’t it be? Such a big diamond would look good even in a pile of cow dung.”

Uh, well…

Huo Yuhui couldn’t bear to look at the diamond directly. “Little Daddy, this diamond is so neatly cut it must belong to someone. But where did Xiao Bai get it?”

Luo Mingchen poked the white cat’s rear. “Where did you steal this from?”

The leisurely grooming cat glanced sideways at him and resumed licking its paws under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Huo Yan studied the diamond for a while. “It looks familiar.”

Hearing this, the four looked to him.

Luo Mingchen was shocked. “You’ve been hiding secret savings?”

Huo Yan snapped out of thought, replying resignedly, “Not mine.”

Luo Mingchen asked, “Then where did you see it?”

“In our empire’s etiquette, only royals and first-rank marquises wear diamond ornaments. Such a large diamond appearing here either came from a tomb or was left carelessly by Wolf King’s Fort’s people.”

Hearing this, everyone looked at the white cat—but unfortunately, they couldn’t understand cat language, and the cat couldn’t speak human words. Their eyes were smaller than its.

Huo Xiang was confused, “Daddy, what is Wolf King’s Fort? Do they have many diamonds?”

“Wolf King’s Fort is a desert oasis, practically a small country, also known as an independent city. Its lord calls himself the Wolf King and is said to command wolves. Uncle Xiao said the people there are extremely fond of beauty, with gold, silver, and jewels everywhere.”

Huo Yan glanced at Luo Mingchen. “I saw this diamond at Xiaolin’s.”

“Really? Should we take it there to inquire? Maybe Xiao Bai got it from him.”

Though this was unlikely, how would they know without asking?

What if it was brought by Hua Niang?