Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 414: 207, Two Little Thieves_2

Hou Yucheng and Hou Yujie, at this moment, had expressions on their faces that were somewhat dazed.

When Hou Yuduan had just mentioned the top three noble clans under heaven, the pair had only felt a flame of hatred being kindled in their hearts, a flame that just happened to spark their desire to compare themselves with the Zhao Clan;

Upon mentioning the family influence covering an entire prefecture afterward, they didn't feel much, since if things went smoothly, Hexi Prefecture could very likely become the Hou Clan's domain;

But when he talked about spanning one... several... or even a whole state, both of them simultaneously shuddered inexplicably, their inner desires emerging and intertwining instantly with the flames of hatred at the bottom of their hearts, and suddenly burning fiercely.

An influence covering one, several, or even an entire state.

The Hou Clan would be a heaven-tier major power, or even... a Holy Land,

If it really came to that moment, the Zhao Clan would probably have been eradicated already!

...

This skill of drawing pie in the sky, Old Fifth is much better at it than I am!

Watching Second Elder and Fourth Elder already lost in daydreams, completely unaware that their thoughts had been led astray by Hou Yuduan, Hou Yuxiao slightly shook his head and spoke up to awaken the two indulged in their fantasies.

"I ask you, among the nine departments of the Hou Clan, which are the most important?"

"Of course, the Zhaoyang Army and the Upper Hou Gate!"

The Zhaoyang Army was the Hou Clan's private army, its exceptional status went without saying; and the Upper Hou Gate demanded the highest cultivation from martial artists, sure to be a gathering place for the family's experts in the future.

"It seems you also know that strength is fundamental, as long as we can firmly grasp the clan's troops and experts in our hands, there won't be any problem. That so-called Cabinet's petition system, when implemented, is just a facade for outsiders. As long as you three can firmly hold the positions of the commanders of the Upper and Lower Hou Gates and the Zhaoyang Army, the family's center of power will always be on our side. With this explanation, do you understand?"

Having said all this, Hou Yucheng and Hou Yujie immediately had an epiphany, revealing a hint of realization on their faces, finally showing a reassured expression.

The nine departments of the Hou Clan, Qian Cheng, Xuanting, Mi Yao, the four departments of the Prefecture Treasury, along with the Qinglong Association and the Zhaoyang Escort Agency—these six departments were all functional departments fundamentally different from the military institutions like the Upper Hou Gate and the Zhaoyang Army.

In other words, all the responsibilities and obligations carried out by the remaining seven departments ultimately needed the support of the Hou Gate and the Zhaoyang Army, otherwise, the seven departments simply couldn't operate…

"But as Old Fifth said, it's also correct; if the family wants to continue to grow and even become as powerful as the Zhao, Li, Qin—the three great noble clans in the future, then we must start to change our attitude towards those with different surnames.

The Hou Clan belongs to the five of us, true, but it also belongs to more than thirty thousand other clan members. As long as they loyally serve our Hou Clan, there is no difference between them and us. The development of the family cannot be achieved by us alone; we must unite all the forces we can. It's needless for me to say more about the principle that many hands make light work, right?"

"Elder brother, we understand!"

Hou Yucheng and Hou Yujie's expressions became slightly solemn as they replied in unison.

"Okay, that's all for now, almost forgot to tell you the main point!"

Seeing Second Elder and Fourth Elder looking normal, knowing they truly understood, Hou Yuxiao nodded and after a brief silence, a cold gleam rose in his eyes, and he lightly shifted the conversation to the main point.

"I haven't told you yet, today Master Fanyin has already sent an envoy with a message, by the twentieth at the latest, ten thousand soldiers of the Hou Clan must reach the western bank of the Tongtian River!"

After saying this, a worried look appeared on Hou Yuxiao's face.

This matter was of great interest to Hou Yucheng; upon hearing it, his face immediately filled with excitement, "No wonder you said you would give us ten days to fill the positions in each department. Within ten days, I will definitely have the Zhaoyang Army fully manned."

Hou Yuxiao shook his head directly and said, "The clan has nearly sixteen thousand martial artists of the five levels of body refinement and above, including the Upper Hou Gate, which has a full staff of 500, and the Lower Hou Gate with 2400 when fully staffed. Considering the other eight departments take a small portion of people, by calculation, your Zhaoyang Army can recruit more than twelve thousand people. The matter of replenishing the troops is, of course, not a concern to me!"

"Then what are you still worried about?" Hou Yucheng obviously noticed the concern on his face and asked.

"Gathering on the western bank, does that mean the Holy Church really intends to cross the river and attack the Hedong Six Prefectures?"

This question was asked by Hou Yujie, but nearby Hou Yuduan also nodded upon hearing it, and Hou Yucheng was reminded as well, their gazes suddenly focused on Hou Yuxiao.

Hou Yuxiao shook his head slightly and said, "During the great war, there are no boats going back and forth on the Tongtian River. We have no channels of information and don't know the situation on the Hedong side. But judging from this order from Zhan Taiqing, it seems they are planning to cross the river..."

Hou Yuduan pondered for a moment, his eyes showing a trace of confusion, "To forcefully attack the Hedong Six Prefectures with just the Holy Church's army of one hundred and fifty thousand and our Hou Clan's ten thousand men, doesn't the balance of power seem too lopsided? Zhan Taiqing doesn't seem like such an impetuous person!"

Previously, Xingnan Prefecture's army totaled one hundred and seventy thousand; in the attack on the Hexi Three Prefectures, more than twenty thousand were lost, so indeed only one hundred and fifty thousand remained now. Including the Hou Clan's ten thousand men, the one hundred and sixty thousand-strong army sounds numerous, but it depends on whom they are compared to.

The six prefectures occupied by Guangling Prefecture each had thirty thousand standing troops, plus one hundred and sixty thousand from the prefectural city, that's a total of over three hundred thousand men. Reliance on just this one hundred and sixty thousand, and moreover, crossing the river into enemy territory to attack, isn't that suicide…