Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 895 - 389, Red Flame Expands Army, Mood Changes_2

"Overall, these arrangements are mostly agreeable, and for the few who have objections, I have sent people to compensate them privately, and so far, there have been no issues."

Hou Yuxiao nodded and shifted his gaze to Hou Yucheng.

Hou Yucheng understood immediately and said, "In July, the total number of the Red Flame Army was 1.2 million, and the Zhaoyang Army 2.3 million. After taking over Jianye, I have not moved the Red Flame Army, only replenishing 50,000, but I mobilized the Zhaoyang Army, which has now expanded to 4 million. Under Hexi’s command, there are currently 5 million troops in total, with 2 million on external duty and the remaining 3 million troops rotating in and out of Five Elements Heaven for training every ten days. Big Brother, you know this,"

Of course, Hou Yuxiao knew; everyone had to pass through him to enter and exit Five Elements Heaven. At this moment, besides the 3 million troops training inside, there were also elite disciples of the nine major institutions of Hou Clan, including Lower Hou Sect, White Feather Guards, Black Feather Guards, Xuanting Bureau, etc., totaling over 100,000.

"Old Fifth, is it not possible to continue expanding with 5 million troops?"

Hou Yuduan shook his head directly and said, "It’s the limit."

Hou Yuxiao actually knew the answer to this question in his heart. The total population of the four prefectures in Hexi Dao is only over 80 million, and the total number of martial artists registered is less than 7 million. A 5 million army, plus the personnel of other family institutions, means nearly 90% of the Hexi martial artists have already been absorbed under the Hou Clan’s banner.

Not only is 5 million the upper limit for Hexi’s martial artist numbers, but it’s also the limit that Hou Clan’s finances can sustain. Besides supporting the army, the Hou Clan also supports nearly 300,000 martial artists from the nine major institutions. Expenses for monthly salaries, essential cultivation resources, and daily consumption are enormous. The total revenue from all four prefectures in Hexi only suffices to sustain this many, and further expansion would strain the family’s finances.

"If we cannot expand outwardly, then we must follow an elite route and expand the Red Flame Army’s numbers. Currently, the Red Flame Army has only 1 million, but among the other 4 million, there should be over 1 million whose cultivation is up to standard, right?"

Hou Yuxiao was aware of the cultivation among the people training in Five Elements Heaven, but he was unsure about the exact numbers.

Hou Yuduan nodded and said, "In the 4 million Zhaoyang Army, more than 1.3 million have cultivation at the Ten Layers of Body Openings and above, and some in the Gang Qi and Grandmaster Realm have long wanted to join the Red Flame Army. But I have not permitted it yet. Almost daily, people in Five Elements Heaven breakthrough. At the current pace, I estimate that within half a year, all 5 million troops should ascend to the Ten Layers of Body Openings."

Upon hearing "half a year," Hou Yuxiao’s brow furrowed immediately.

Three hundred million a month, in six months, that amounts to 1.8 billion karmic obstacles. He currently only has over 80 million left, enough to maintain eight days. After eight days, he cannot accelerate the time flow in Five Elements Heaven, let alone maintain it for six months.

1.8 billion karmic obstacles, that’s no small number.

"Old Fifth, can the Red Flame Army be expanded by another million?"

Hou Yuduan did not answer immediately. Doubling the Red Flame Army meant adding another million soldiers, which differed from ordinary recruitment in Hexi. The armor and weapons of the Red Flame Army, even high-grade warhorses, required tens of thousands per soldier, and expanding by a million would not come cheap.

Beside him, Hou Yucheng looked excited. He usually didn’t handle finances and only knew that doubling the Red Flame Army would double the family’s strength, filling his heart with exuberance.

"Barely holding on, maintaining 2 million Red Flame Army is possible with the family’s finances, but that’s the limit. Further expansion is impossible with the current family revenue, unless..."

Hou Yuxiao shook his head, understanding entirely Hou Yuduan’s implications.

"In the short term, there’s no possibility of war, and there will certainly be no major changes in the four prefectures we control in Hexi. Currently, the situation in Shenzhou has reached a balance: Jin in the north, Rakshasa Holy Sect in the west, and the five holy lands of Hedong. These three forces are vying with us and King Wuwei; as long as they don’t act, we have no opportunity to expand our territories."

"Big Brother, did you leave out someone?"

Hou Yucheng’s reminder made all three instantly silent.

With no information on the Bingzhou Blood Spirit Demon Sect, it was not counted. Presently, there are eight holy lands in the world, and Hou Yuxiao identified seven, leaving out only the Qinjian Villa north of the river.

When Qinjian Villa was mentioned, the expressions of all three darkened.

This time, however, while their expressions were grim, unlike before when discussing Qinjian Villa, Hou Yuxiao and Hou Yuduan displayed not only hatred like Hou Yucheng but also a complex look in their eyes.

"Qinjian Villa is located in Jiangbei alongside the Great Jin, and if there’s no surprise, once Long Yu is dealt with, Jin will first target them. For Qinjian Villa to protect themselves, they must ally with the five holy lands of Hedong. Although there has been no news so far, the likelihood is high that they’ve already contacted the other side. At the moment, we don’t need to concern ourselves with Qinjian Villa; just keep an eye on our left and right."

"Right!"

Hou Yuduan skimmed over Qinjian Villa with a word, which Hou Yuxiao acknowledged with a nod, puzzling Hou Yucheng. The Hou family’s grudge against Qinjian Villa was profound, and the reactions of Big Brother and Old Fifth should not have been so indifferent.

"We only have three directions to expand: northwards across the river towards Jin, which can be ruled out; westwards, the Rakshasa Holy Sect likely has already taken Bingzhou, ruling two provinces alone. We can’t be their match, so that’s ruled out too. That leaves only the east..."

"Do we intend to act against King Wuwei?"

Hou Yuxiao stopped speaking abruptly at this point, ignoring Hou Yucheng’s query, and instead turning to look at Hou Yuduan, catching a glimpse of his complex expression.

"It seems that King Wuwei has never really targeted us. Without a good reason, moving against Hedong is somewhat......" ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Indeed, there are no suitable reasons or opportunities, so in the short term, Hexi will undoubtedly remain peaceful. Prioritize handling matters within the clan; the Great Jin Dynasty is currently searching the world for Long Yu. Once they eliminate Long Yu, they will begin mobilizing. Each holy land is certainly sharpening their weapons in preparation for the coming great war, and we cannot fall behind!"

Noticing Hou Yuxiao skip over King Wuwei’s matter, Hou Yuduan wanted to speak, but seeing Hou Yuxiao indicating for them to leave, he chose not to. He merely nodded and left Five Elements Heaven with Hou Yucheng.

Watching the duo depart, Hou Yuxiao stood alone with a shadowed expression, lost in thought for a long time before a cold smile formed, a glint of coldness in his eyes.

"Clearly with this power, why feign death back then, and watch as Yucheng and the others endured immense suffering, joining the Great Jin, bringing the Xuantian Secret Record, and taking control of the two Xuzhou roads across the river, what exactly do you plan to do?

Hou Jing... Hou Jing...... heh heh..."

Hou Yuxiao closed his eyes, choosing not to dwell on these affairs any longer. To him, the most important thing was the Hou Clan, specifically Hou Yucheng, Hou Yuling, Hou Yujie, Hou Yuduan, his wife Zhao Qingxue, his son Hou Wuji, his nephew Hou Wuqie, and the countless family members of Hou Clan, numbering in the millions, whom he needed to care for. There were so many priorities now that previously important people and matters seemed less significant.

"The current priority is to achieve sainthood. Once I become a saint, the three parties will earnestly begin wooing Hexi, and then the family’s strategic space can truly expand, and options will be greater, rather than being constrained at every turn like it is now!"

With his mind slightly settled, Hou Yuxiao folded his knees and sat cross-legged mid-air, immersing himself in cultivation just like the countless others in Five Elements Heaven.

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