OFTLHFRO C171

Chapter 171: I’ll Bite You

Although the three parties had signed a peace alliance, relations between nations had always followed the law of the jungle—might made right.

The reason Beiyue and Xiaguang had sent envoys to negotiate ultimately came down to one thing: they had lost the war.

Yet the Great Yan Dynasty lacked the confidence to strike back. In the end, it could only demand some compensation and let the matter rest.

It was hard to swallow, but it was the truth.

What mattered most now was to end internal strife as soon as possible and devote themselves to developing the people’s livelihood.

Only by growing strong could lasting peace be maintained.

If one placed their hopes on the mercy of the powerful, then before long, they would be devoured so thoroughly that not even the scraps of bone would remain.

This year, winter arrived a little later than last year—though not by much.

Luo Mingchen had planted a large amount of taro. When the taro promised to Wolf King Fortress ripened, he wrote a letter informing them. Not long after, Lan Fei arrived with his men to transport it back.

The remaining taro was stored in the cellar.

In addition to taro, they had also stockpiled napa cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and white radishes.

When the first snowfall of Cold City drifted down, Luo Mingchen stood by the window watching the snow—and also watching Huo Yan practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

That long spear of his—no one knew who had helped forge it. Normally it could be shortened, making it convenient to carry at all times. When needed, a flick of the wrist would extend it instantly, and the spearhead was razor-sharp.

Mornings after snowfall were especially quiet. Luo Mingchen watched silently for a long while.

Watching Huo Yan practice was a kind of pleasure—long limbs in motion were simply pleasing to the eye.

There wasn’t much entertainment here, and especially in winter, one hardly felt like moving at all.

After a clean, elegant motion of withdrawing the spear, Luo Mingchen smiled and applauded.

“Excellent! Amazing!”

Huo Yan, drenched in sweat, walked over to him and took a handkerchief from his chest, offering it to him.

“Can’t you wipe it yourself?” Luo Mingchen said.

Though his words said so, his hand had already taken the handkerchief and was wiping Huo Yan’s face, deliberately rubbing a little extra.

Seeing how obedient Huo Yan was, Luo Mingchen laughed. “You’re like a little dog.”

Hearing this, Huo Yan leaned in and lightly bit his lips, saying calmly, “I’ll bite you.”

Luo Mingchen snorted, unconvinced, and bit back.

Just then, the newly awakened Huo Xinyue witnessed the scene. She covered her eyes and shouted, “Daddy!”

Luo Mingchen turned his head and saw her: “……”

It was over—his image had completely collapsed.

Huo Yan pressed his lips together and smiled faintly, earning several fierce glares.

“Yueyue.”

Luo Mingchen climbed out through the window and lifted up Huo Xinyue, who was bundled up round as a little ball.

Meanwhile, Huo Xinyue still covered her eyes and said, “Daddy, I didn’t see anything!”

Those wide gaps between her fingers, paired with that sentence, struck Luo Mingchen straight in the heart. Still, he forced himself to keep smiling and asked, “What does Yueyue want to eat this morning?”

“Umm…”

Lowering her hands, Huo Xinyue thought seriously for a moment, then sighed. “Daddy, you make too many delicious things. Yueyue can’t think of anything.”

Hearing his little daughter switch back to calling herself by name, Luo Mingchen helplessly corrected her. “Yueyue, you should say, I can’t think of anything.”

Huo Xinyue blinked and obediently repeated, “It’s that I can’t think of anything!”

Luo Mingchen smiled and rubbed his cheek against hers. “Such a good girl. Then how about lamb soup noodles?”

“Okay~”

The one big and one small headed off to the kitchen, leaving Huo Yan behind without a second glance—who told him to keep smiling?

As for Huo Yan, he merely smiled and went back to the room to change his clothes.

This year, the people of Cold City had food and drink, thick cotton clothes and quilts, and an endless supply of charcoal. At last, they could truly get through the winter in comfort.

Because they had won the battle and signed a peace alliance, a mutual market would be opened after spring arrived.

The houses had already been repaired before the snowfall. Merchants would receive subsidies, and shops would be rented out first to those who wished to do business. As a result, there were quite a few people eager to open stores.

However, the couple still conducted thorough checks. Most subsidies went to people who had done business before, while a small portion went to craftsmen—those who made sugar figurines, carved wood, and the like. After passing an assessment, they too could receive support for a small shop.

As a result, expenditures increased significantly.

Even so, they did not delay distributing military pay to the soldiers.

But Ji Bowen, serving as both military strategist and accountant, felt heartache looking at the figures in the ledgers.

If things continued this way, even if Huo Yan wanted to use some funds, there wouldn’t be much left to use.

Because of this, Ji Bowen went to see the couple.

After hearing him out, Luo Mingchen asked in confusion, “Why do we need to use so much money? The vegetables grown on public land—shouldn’t the remaining funds be used to build up Cold City or benefit the common people? Could we even embezzle it for ourselves?”

By the last sentence, Ji Bowen’s head started to ache. “Lord Luo, this isn’t embezzlement… Look, during festivals, we still need to send some gifts to the officials of various prefectures, don’t we?”

Luo Mingchen was even more puzzled. “Why should we send them anything? Do they have anything to do with us?”

“Well… it’s not quite like that… What about General Hu?”

Luo Mingchen replied, “Wouldn’t it be enough to send some vegetables during the holidays?”

Ji Bowen realized that Luo Mingchen completely did not understand the ways of officialdom. Feeling distressed, he turned to Huo Yan. “General, greasing the wheels above and below is very important. We can’t keep subsidizing endlessly like this.”

“The initial investment is for greater returns later,” Huo Yan said calmly. “However, Mingchen is right. Those people are of no use to us—why should we curry favor with them? Do they intend to block our path when we pass through? If they want to make things difficult because of this, let them.”

“Then General, you don’t want them to put in a good word for your promotion?”

Ji Bowen was also reminding Huo Yan that he was only a general. Above him was still a grand general. Once Huo Yuntao arrived, Huo Yan, being lower in rank, would have to give way.

Huo Yan said, “What I need isn’t someone to speak well of me.”

Seeing that they truly had no intention of currying favor, Ji Bowen had no choice.

“In that case, this subordinate will take his leave.”

As he turned to go, Huo Yan called out, “Strategist.”

Ji Bowen turned back, puzzled. “Does the General still have business?”

“The reason I haven’t been promoted isn’t because no one spoke for me—it’s because His Majesty suspects that I stand on the Third Prince’s side, and that I am not a purely loyal subject he can make use of.”

Hearing this, Ji Bowen was stunned. “Then… is this a misunderstanding, or…?”

Huo Yan replied frankly, “It’s true.”

Ji Bowen: “……”

“His Majesty is old and suspects loyal officials without cause. Among the princes at present, which one is most suitable to be emperor—you, Strategist, surely know. Why Grand General Huo supports the Fourth Prince—you also surely know.”

At this point, Huo Yan’s expression grew much more serious. “The reason I’m being open with you now is because of your wholehearted dedication.”

Ji Bowen nodded. “His Majesty will eventually abdicate. In terms of character and talent, the Third Prince is undoubtedly the best choice for the throne. However, His Majesty does not favor the Third Prince, and will likely choose between the Fourth and Fifth Princes. The Grand General chose the Fourth Prince because he is easy to manipulate and control. As for the Fifth Prince…”

Luo Mingchen interjected, “He colluded with bandits and sold children and young girls. The siege of Yuanzhou Prefecture was also his doing. Dan Jun already confessed.”

Ji Bowen, who had only known that the Fifth Prince was ruthless: “……”