OFTLHFRO C153

Chapter 153: Taking Sides

Seeing their silence, Luo Mingchen sighed. “Let me be honest—if the Huo Family army doesn’t change leadership soon, destruction is certain. You four probably don’t know where Huo Yuntao’s gold mine is, but Xue Kang does.”

Li Yunde tried to say something, but Liu Changlian spoke first, “What gold mine?”

Luo Mingchen remembered the gold mine was only a guess between him and Huo Yan, so he rephrased, “It’s about the money. You must know how much military pay the court issues. How does Huo Yuntao pay the army so much? From his trades? A simple check shows that’s impossible. Did you think we don’t keep accounts?”

The three felt a headache from Liu Changlian’s question, which had betrayed them instantly.

Huo Yan continued, “News of our arrival reached Hancheng a month ago, yet the strategist gave me the real accounts, rather than falsified ones. With his skills, fabricating accounts would be easy and beneficial to Grand General Huo.”

At this point, the three knew they couldn’t pretend ignorance or remain silent.

Li Yunde said, “General, since you’re honest, I’ll be too. We don’t mean to betray the grand general, but we have grievances.”

In other words, if Huo Yuntao changed, they’d still follow him.

“Have you forgotten? This empire belongs to the emperor, and we are his subjects. Even Grand General Huo must obey the emperor. Do you intend to rebel with him?”

Huo Yan finished and saw Liu Changlian was not surprised, probably understanding Li Yunde’s ‘grievances.’

The four looked troubled; they knew more than Huo Yan but couldn’t say.

Huo Yan drummed his fingers on the table leisurely, “Rebellion means extermination of your entire family.”

Ji Bowen voiced reluctantly, “General, that’s not my intention. Grand General wouldn’t rebel.”

“Is that so?”

Huo Yan calmly said, “Now enemies surround us, plus internal strife. You are loyal patriots and should know the consequences of blind loyalty. Strategist, since you’ve done some things, why hide? Let’s be honest. I am no saint; my agenda doesn’t conflict with yours. Why not join me?”

Liu Changlian didn’t understand, but with Huo Yan saying this and Ji Bowen not denying, he stayed silent.

After a while, Ji Bowen sighed, “I thought the general would wait to secure the army’s loyalty before raising this.”

“Maintaining so many isn’t easy. I don’t want to build someone else’s legacy. Besides, some things require your full cooperation; defiance would be dangerous.”

Ruan Feng asked, “General, do you have methods for military pay?”

Huo Yan said, “If you agree, I will solve it.”

The four looked at each other, unsure what to say.

Usually quiet, Ji Bowen spoke, “I only want loyalty to the emperor, not to be anyone’s private army, risking family and friends.”

Their faces changed.

Xue Kang was promoted by Huo Yuntao, with no allies and extremely loyal.

They came from various clans, even small ones with living kin, unwilling to risk their families.

This distinguished Xue Kang from them.

They couldn’t wholeheartedly follow Huo Yuntao; he knew this.

After learning some of Huo Yuntao’s deeds, the four wavered.

Had Huo Yuntao’s legs not been injured, they’d have no choice but to follow him.

Now with Huo Yan in charge, frankly, they sighed in relief.

But they didn’t expect Huo Yan to force a choice.

After listening, seeing Ji Bowen already took sides while the other three hesitated, Luo Mingchen said, “Everything has pros and cons. You want to protect your families without betraying your old master? That’s impossible. You know Huo Yuntao’s character—we’ve lived with him years. He never told you his plans early, only when it was done. You know why, right? We won’t rebel, and other matters don’t concern us. Dilly-dally, and you’re dying with him, taking your families to hell. We’re gathering evidence to report this and will topple him.”

Luo Mingchen’s words were blunt and clear, exposing unspoken thoughts.

Between Huo Yuntao and the family, the three naturally chose the latter.

After understanding, the three saluted. “We will obey your orders henceforth.”

Whether Huo Yuntao’s legs heal or not, this was their only chance.

If they reported him rashly, suspicion would arise. The best would be scattering them across camps, but no general would lead them again.

Earlier, Huo Yuntao used this to threaten them.

Following Huo Yan was their only way to preserve their family and future.

Luo Mingchen drank water, glad consensus was reached after so long.

With answers, Huo Yan began assigning tasks.

Liu Changlian trained the second batch of soldiers with Xiao Lin. Ruan Feng and Li Yunde sought craftsmen from refugees for new weapon research and toolmaking.

Liu Changlian asked, “General, don’t we have specialists for weapons? Why recruit more?”

“The more talented, the better. Divide into teams to compete; maybe new inventions will emerge.”

Luo Mingchen nodded. If everyone slacked off, thinking ‘good enough,’ no hope remained.

After the three left, Huo Yan told Ji Bowen, “I heard Xiao Hui says the strategist knows many languages. I want him to teach more people.”

Ji Bowen thought a while. “That’s fine. But why does the general want them to learn languages?”

“Hancheng is a border city, neighboring Northern Yue, Xiaguang, and independent cities like Wolf King’s Fort and Liuli City. Business requires communication.”

Hearing this, Ji Bowen nodded in understanding. “Good.”

After they left, Huo Yan casually placed a small mirror on the table.

“Where did this come from?”

Luo Mingchen glanced, pretending ignorance. “From your body, I guess.”

Huo Yan laughed, embracing him. “I mean the reflective surface.”

“What about it?”

Luo Mingchen looked and suddenly understood. “You mean glass?”

Huo Yan nodded. “Looks clearer than regular bronze mirrors.”

“Of course…”

Luo Mingchen asked, “How about… trying to make glass?”

They had diamonds, perfect for cutting glass.

Making glass was tricky. He’d learned about it in high school, even tested once or twice.

Here people made liuli (colored glaze), so they could spend more time experimenting with glass.Chapter 153: Taking Sides

Seeing their silence, Luo Mingchen sighed, “Let me be frank—the Huo Family Army is doomed unless leadership changes soon. You four probably don’t know where Huo Yuntao’s gold mine is, but Xue Kang does.”

Li Yunde tried to speak, but Liu Changlian interrupted, “What gold mine?”

Luo Mingchen recalled the gold mine was a guess by him and Huo Yan, so he rephrased, “It’s about money. You must know the military wages from the court. How does Huo Yuntao afford such pay? From his trades? A simple check would prove impossible. Are you really so naive?”

The three felt the sting of Liu Changlian’s direct question and their own ignorance.

Huo Yan added, “The news of our arrival reached Hancheng a month ago. The strategist handed me real accounts, not forgeries. With his skills, falsifying accounts would be easy and serve Grand General Huo’s interests.”

At this, the three knew they couldn’t keep playing dumb or stay silent.

Li Yunde said, “General, since you’re honest, I’ll say it too. We don’t mean to betray the grand general but have grievances.”

Meaning if Huo Yuntao changed, their loyalty would remain.

“Have you forgotten that this empire belongs to the emperor, and we are his subjects? Even Grand General Huo must obey the emperor. Do you plan to rebel with him?”

After speaking, Huo Yan saw Liu Changlian wasn’t surprised—he understood what Li Yunde’s “grievances” meant.

The four looked troubled, knowing more than Huo Yan but unable to speak.

Huo Yan tapped the table slowly, “Rebellion means your entire family’s execution.”

Ji Bowen finally said, “General, that’s not my intention. Grand General wouldn’t rebel.”

“Is that so?”

Huo Yan calmly replied, “Enemies surround us, inner strife brews. You’re loyal patriots and know the dangers of blind obedience. Strategist, since you’re involved, there’s no need to hide. Let’s be honest. I am no saint; my aims don’t conflict with yours. Why not support me?”

Liu Changlian was unsure but, with no objection from Ji Bowen, kept silent.

After a pause, Ji Bowen sighed, “I thought the general would wait to secure the army’s loyalty before addressing this.”

“Maintaining so many is hard. I don’t want to build another’s legacy. Some tasks require your full cooperation. Hypocrisy will bring endless trouble.”

Ruan Feng asked, “General, any solution for the soldiers’ pay?”

Huo Yan said, “If you agree, I have a plan.”

The four looked at one another, unsure.

The usually silent Ji Bowen said, “I only want loyalty to the emperor, not to become someone’s private army risking loved ones.”

Their faces turned grim.

Xue Kang, promoted by Huo Yuntao, was loyal and had no alliances.

They came from families—even small ones— unwilling to risk kin.

That separated Xue Kang from them.

They could not fully support Huo Yuntao; he knew this.

Learning of Huo Yuntao’s deeds, the four hesitated.

If not for Huo Yuntao’s leg injury, they’d have to follow him.

Now with Huo Yan, they sighed with relief.

But they didn’t expect Huo Yan to force a choice.

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen saw Ji Bowen take sides but the other three wavered. He said, “Every choice has pros and cons. You want to protect family but not betray your master? Impossible. You know Huo Yuntao’s nature—we’ve known him years. He didn’t tell you plans until set. You know why? We won’t rebel; other matters don’t concern us. If you hesitate, join him in death, taking your kin. We’ll gather proof to report him and end him.”

Luo Mingchen’s words were simple and clear, exposing hidden thoughts.

Between Huo Yuntao and family, the three chose the latter.

They bowed, “We’ll obey your orders.”

Leg or not, now was their only chance.

Reporting Huo Yuntao abruptly would cause suspicion and scattering, and no general would accept them again.

Previously, Huo Yuntao used this to threaten them.

Following Huo Yan was their only way to keep family and future safe.

Luo Mingchen drank and felt glad consensus was reached.

Afterward, Huo Yan assigned tasks.

Liu Changlian trained the second batch of soldiers with Xiao Lin. Ruan Feng and Li Yunde recruited craftsmen from refugees to research new weapons and craft tools.

Liu Changlian asked, “General, don’t we have weapon specialists? Why recruit more?”

“More talents, better. Split into teams to compete. New ideas might emerge.”

Luo Mingchen nodded; if everyone slack off, no hope remains.

After they left, Huo Yan told Ji Bowen, “Xiao Hui says strategist knows many languages; I want him to teach more.”

Ji Bowen considered, “Fine. But why the languages?”

“Hancheng borders Northern Yue, Xiaguang, and independent cities like Wolf King’s Fort and Liuli City. Business needs communication.”

Ji Bowen nodded. “Good.”

After they left, Huo Yan placed a small mirror on the table.

“Where did this come from?”

Luo Mingchen glanced away feigning ignorance. “From you?”

Huo Yan laughed and embraced him. “I mean the mirror’s surface.”

“What about it?”

Luo Mingchen looked and suddenly understood. “You mean glass?”

Huo Yan nodded. “Clearer than bronze mirrors.”

“Of course…”

Luo Mingchen asked, “How about… trying glassmaking?”

They had diamonds, perfect for cutting glass.

Making glass was tricky. He’d learned about it in high school, even tested once or twice.

Since people here made liuli (colored glaze), they could try glassmaking with some effort.