BLHO Chapter 50

Chapter 50: The Choice

Chapter 50: The Choice

The relationship between the military camp and the Ministry of War has always been tense. Chen Chang, as an official in the court, is indifferent to the border situation, focusing only on his own career. During this period, regarding the troop dispatch, he has been aggressively pressing the He family army. Several visits were ruthlessly rebuffed by He Yuncheng.

“General He, hope you have been well.”

He swaggered in, his attitude extremely arrogant.

Several deputy generals felt their blood boiling at the sight of his face, but now, at this critical moment for the General’s Manor/Residence, they must be patient and not act impulsively.

Guo Yao forced a smile and politely greeted Chen Chang, “Lord Minister, please take a seat.”

Chen Chang glanced at He Yuncheng. “No need. To make a long story short, I have good news for General He today.”

“Oh?” Guo Yao pretended to be curious. “Please enlighten us, my lord.”

Chen Chang said, “The matter of dispatching troops has been delayed for a long time. General He is unwilling to carry it out. As the Minister of War, I naturally understand the general’s concerns. Indeed, the barbarians on the border are still restless, and Bei Sheng must be prepared to defend against the enemy at all times. I have already reported the border situation to His Majesty. His Majesty has decreed to withdraw the troop dispatch order.”

He observed He Yuncheng’s expression as he spoke.

He Yuncheng knew he wasn’t finished, standing silently, not responding.

Chen Chang chuckled vaguely and continued, “The newly appointed border defense general, Han Mao, will depart from Fengdu City soon to command the battle. Please hand over the military seal as soon as possible, General He, and do not delay military affairs.”

“What does this mean?” A deputy general beside him couldn’t contain his anger, saying, “Why should the He family army’s military seal be handed over to someone else? Chen Chang, you might as well just say you want to seize the general’s military power!”

Chen Chang, afraid that he would get agitated and attack him, took two steps back and pointed at him helplessly, “Everyone, this is a misunderstanding. The General’s Manor/Residence is currently entangled in lawsuits. I am being considerate of General He’s situation and also considering the stability of the war, so I am sending General Han to command the troops.”

“Bullshit.” That deputy general said, “Who doesn’t know that Han Mao is a relative of your wife’s family? You are abusing your power for personal gain, promoting your cronies, and dare to shamelessly say it’s for the court?”

Chen Chang glanced at him, not arguing with him. “Think what you want, I can answer to the responsibility I have.”

He walked up to He Yuncheng, his eyes full of meaning, and said, “General He has worked hard and made great contributions. No one can seize the He family’s military power, it’s just temporary. The military seal will be taken over by Han Mao, and once the storm in the General’s Manor/Residence subsides, it will be returned to its rightful owner.”

He Yuncheng stared at him. “And then?”

Chen Chang slowed his tone, ensuring that He Yuncheng could hear every word clearly: “As long as the general cooperates with the handover of the military seal, any difficulties the He family has that require the court’s assistance can be discussed…”

He stopped there. The implication in his words was already very direct.

Use the He family army’s military seal to exchange for Lin Shuangxu. If He Yuncheng is willing, this condition is negotiable.

He Yuncheng did not respond.

Chen Chang did not urge him, saying, “I’ll give the general time to consider it carefully. I’ll return to my residence and await good news.”

After speaking, he left.

The deputy generals were filled with anger, wanting to say something, but Guo Yao stopped them.

“It’s getting late. Let the general rest. We’ll return to the camp first.”

He didn’t want to interfere with He Yuncheng. Military power and the young master, the choice was for him to make.

After everyone left, He Yuncheng knelt alone in the He Family Ancestral Hall, worshiping his father, He Chong.

The military seal was tightly held in his hand, his knuckles protruding as he squeezed it.

He took over the He family army at a young age, leading hundreds of thousands of soldiers, fighting bloody battles, decisive in killing, never fearing anything.

This was the first time he didn’t know what to choose.

–

The corpses brought back from the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion were piled up in the Northern Garrison, shrouded in moonlight, with gusts of cold wind and a pervasive stench, making people shudder.

Li Yuliang stood among them, his face cold.

A subordinate returned to report that they had not found any trace of Song Jiting.

“Continue searching.”

“Yes!”

The little eunuch stood not far away, shrinking his shoulders, afraid to step forward.

He was ordered by the Emperor to summon Li Yuliang back to the palace, and this was the third time he had urged him, but the Grand Eunuch remained unmoved.

If he didn’t leave soon, dawn would break, and he couldn’t bear the Emperor’s blame.

He wiped his cold sweat and bravely stepped forward, “Grand Eunuch, His Majesty is still waiting for you in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. If you don’t return, His Majesty will be anxious.”

Li Yuliang’s eyes were sharp as knives, full of murderous intent. He stared at the little eunuch, scaring him so much that he almost wet himself on the spot.

His legs weakened, and he knelt on the ground, slapping himself fiercely, “This servant deserves to die, this servant is being nosy, Grand Eunuch, spare my life…”

Li Yuliang’s jaw moved slightly, and he looked at the sky.

The night had faded, and the morning clouds were like ink. Another night had ended, with no results.

Who on earth had committed this atrocity at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion?

Song Jiting, are you still alive?

–

By the time Li Yuliang returned to the palace, the sky had already brightened.

The lights in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were still burning, and Gu Huan leaned against the couch, having not slept all night.

Li Yuliang knelt and kowtowed after entering, “Your Majesty.”

Gu Huan’s eyes were calm, and he asked him, “Did you find the murderer?”

“No.”

“Then, did you find him?”

“No.”

“Your eyes are so red, Grand Eunuch Li, have you been crying?”

Li Yuliang’s breathing tightened. “No.”

“No…” Gu Huan repeated his words, suddenly letting out a soft laugh that sent chills down one’s spine.

“Li Yuliang, do you still have this Emperor in your eyes?”