Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains
Chapter 948 - 948: 410, confusion among three parties, first loss of control

November 25, 1332, New Yu Era

Yangzhou City, Bailu Headquarters

In the Zhengxin Hall, which has been converted to the Alliance headquarters, more than ten people are gathered together, each expressing their views on the matter of Hexi.

"Could this Hou Yuxiao truly have such a good heart?"

"Absolutely impossible, there must be something suspicious. I dealt with Hou Yuxiao ten years ago. He is greedy and cunning, with a nature like a sly fox, definitely not a good person. To say he is doing this for the people of Hexi, I absolutely do not believe it."

"Tsk tsk, over eighty million people, what a grand facade..."

"We cannot refuse him, and neither can the Great Jin. That's the cleverness of Hou Yuxiao."

......

Though their tones varied, most of the people evidently remained skeptical of Hou Yuxiao, believing that his so-called plea for the people is mostly hypocritical, with some ulterior motive.

Among the more than ten, only an elderly man with crane-like hair and youthful appearance, dressed in Confucian robes, and a young man in white standing beside him, did not speak. They waited for the discussion to end, and then the elderly man gently asked everyone:

"Since that's the case, why don't you tell me, what are his intentions?"

As soon as the elderly man spoke, the rest immediately fell silent.

Seeing everyone not speaking, the elderly man shook his head and turned his gaze to the young man in white beside him.

The young man thought for a moment and then bowed, saying, "I have also dealt with Hou Yuxiao. Although he is exceptionally intelligent, he does indeed treat his people quite well. For over eighty million people, asking our alliance and the Great Jin to establish a neutral zone, he might indeed achieve this. However, to say this is his sole purpose is impossible!"

The young man paused, then continued, "When our alliance and the Great Jin's armies landed, Hou Yuxiao immediately moved Hexi's five million troops to Xingnan Prefecture. Initially, everyone thought it was to keep a distance from both sides, but now looking back, it seems he did it intentionally for the sake of this neutral zone, which makes perfect logical sense, leaving no flaw for people to pick."

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.

Was there a need to be so tedious with obvious things?

Hou Yuxiao's widespread reputation owed itself to this neutral zone proposal, dispelling the malicious speculations people originally had about him.

"However…"

Just when everyone felt a bit disappointed, the young man abruptly changed his tone, saying sternly: "Too logical, and that precisely indicates abnormality. In this world, everything has imperfections—perfect logic simply doesn't exist. The fact that something appears perfect can only prove that all of this was deliberately arranged. Hou Yuxiao established a neutral zone for the people, but it is impossible that it's solely for the people. He must have other purposes. With this as a premise, it means that setting up a neutral zone in the name of the people was already part of his plan all along."

This proves that he has an unknown goal that requires the establishment of this so-called neutral zone as a prerequisite…"

As everyone listened to this, they gradually began to see the light, and the elderly man's face was full of admiration, his gaze fixed on the young man, signaling him to continue.

"The greatest function of the neutral zone is that it can openly become a no-go zone for the Great Jin and our alliance. Lord Fengtian and Tuoba Zun, in Tao City of Hexi, promised Hou Yuxiao in front of the whole world. Thus, this neutral zone is recognized by all. As long as the Hou Clan does not provoke, neither our alliance nor the Great Jin will recklessly venture in.

Therefore, whatever Hou Yuxiao does in the neutral zone has suddenly become much safer. The strongest asset in his hands in Hexi is that five million troops. If my analysis is correct, he intends to deploy this five million, though it's unclear how he will maneuver them."

...…

The elderly man smiled, gently patting the young man's shoulder, full of approval, and said: "Well said, Fa Zheng!"

"Worthy disciple of Master Ji…"

"Tian Shengzi, reaching the realm of a Great Confucian at such a young age, possesses the skill to discern human hearts, incomparable to ordinary people."

"So what does Tian Shengzi think? How will Hou Yuxiao deploy his troops?"

...

Upon hearing Hou Yuxiao's name from someone else's mouth, a cold glint flashed through Tian Fazheng's eyes. After pondering briefly, he first shook his head at the person who asked, then his expression turned composed, and he said calmly: "Whatever Hou Yuxiao intends, how he will deploy his troops, perhaps only he himself knows. Regardless of his intentions, in the upcoming battle of Hexi, the Hou Clan will have only two choices. We do not need to concern ourselves with what he intends to do, just whether he will align with us or the Great Jin."

Not hearing a definitive answer, the person appeared somewhat dissatisfied. However, seeing Tian Fazheng's calm demeanor, a thought stirred in his mind, and he asked:

"So what does Tian Shengzi believe? What decision will Hou Yuxiao make?" First published on NovelFire.

"The alliance, the Hou Clan, will inevitably side with our alliance!"

Tian Fazheng's resolute tone immediately awed the crowd.

For a moment, everyone forgot to voice their skepticism until Tian Fazheng himself, after a brief silence, looked up at the elderly man in Confucian robes and said: "Hou Yuxiao does not wish to be subordinate to others. If the Hou Clan were to side with the Great Jin, the outcome of this Hexi battle would leave little suspense from the current perspective. He can see this point, and therefore he will not act in such a manner.

I can be certain, and this is why I suggested that at the onset of the war, only Lord Fengtian lead seven hundred thousand troops across the river because I knew Hou Yuxiao would certainly stand with the alliance and resist Jin alongside us."