Chapter Twelve: There Was Never Any Turning Back

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Luo Fang did not respond directly to Xue Chengqian’s question. His inquiry struck not only at Luo Fang’s heart but also weighed heavily on everyone present. They vented their frustration at Lu Xiaoyuan’s hypocrisy with fervor and a barrage of coarse language. Yet, when faced with such a choice themselves, everyone knew what was “right,” but still found it impossible to make a firm decision.

“Brother, what exactly happened today? Didn’t you say that Brother Luo Fang had already accepted an official position with the government?”
“But I feel like everyone has become unhappy.”

Xue Chengqian looked at his timid younger sister and smiled gently.
“It’s nothing. It’s just that Brother Luo Fang and the others have encountered a very difficult problem, which is why they seem upset.”

Xue Chengqian knew that if even Luo Fang and his men were hesitant and distracted, the little one’s heart must be even more unsettled.
Little Luzhu cupped her rosy, chapped cheeks and gazed at Xue Chengqian with concern.
“Brother, do you feel troubled too?”
“If it’s not pleasant to stay with Brother Luo and the others, then we can leave. Little Luzhu has eaten well these past few days, she’s strong and can work hard, she won’t be a burden to you.”

Xue Chengqian sighed. “No, Luzhu, we’re not going anywhere. Wangjiang is chaotic, and everywhere else is even worse. We’re just waiting for a result—to see if Brother Luo and Sister Kang are willing to stay.”

“Sometimes I really envy you, kid. You never seem to hesitate about anything.”

At that moment, Luo Fang’s voice came from outside the door. He pushed it open with Kang Yu, Wang Huzi, and other trusted brothers following close behind.

“Brother Luo…”

Xue Chengqian stood and called out, seemingly greeting them but inwardly grumbling,
“Can you guys learn to knock before entering?”

Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud. In these times, who cared about knocking?

“Ahem, Brother Luo, have you made up your mind?”

Luo Fang sighed, “It’s not that easy. But Lord Lu has already issued orders. Unless we immediately leave the borders of Wangjiang, there’s no turning back.”

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“You just said Wangjiang is chaotic, and other places are even worse. That sounds like you have some inside information?”

Luo Fang’s words were an admission—he had indeed thought about abandoning everything and fleeing for his life.

All those grand ambitions, vengeance, protecting the people—all of it could be damned!

In this world, nothing was more important than the lives of oneself and one’s brothers.

Many of the brothers had privately spoken such truths to Luo Fang.

Yet, he still refused to leave, even knowing the road ahead was perilous. A certain feeling inside compelled him to press forward.

Perhaps it was his pride, or maybe he had realized that officials like Lu Xiaoyuan did not truly care about the lives of the displaced, fueling both his anger and a sense of responsibility.

Luo Fang came from a military family and was more worldly than the average citizen, but he could not articulate those lofty ideals.

In the Central Plains, long influenced by sages, people naturally held a sense of “righteousness.”

An inexplicable, indefinable “righteousness” not merely understood by scholars, but residing deep in every heart.

Xue Chengqian saw the expression on Luo Fang’s face and knew he had made a decision—likely because none of the other brothers could provide a satisfactory answer.

He needed someone to help reinforce his resolve.

“Brother Luo, forgive my bluntness, but Wangjiang is the only place left where we can stay. The entire northern frontier is probably even worse.”

“I know some brothers think that if we obey Lu Xiaoyuan’s orders and accept the official posts, it’s a death sentence in disguise. Not to mention the northern barbarians might attack; our weapons have already been confiscated. Even the bandit Yan’s gang may be uncontrollable.”

Luo Fang’s eyes brightened.

That night, he had spoken with Kang Yu and other confidants, as well as many “old brothers.” They all hemmed and hawed, too afraid to openly say they wanted to run.

But only at Xue Chengqian’s words did he hear the key point in a single sentence.

“Xue’s right. Even if we’ve got official titles, if we can’t suppress the displaced people, Lu Xiaoyuan won’t send a single soldier to help us!”

“Luckily, you advised me to keep some weapons beforehand. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even have the confidence to fight Yan’s gang.”

Kang Yu, however, questioned, “If what you say is true, Xue, shouldn’t we leave Wangjiang then? As long as we get away and don’t mingle with the displaced outside the city, who would dare trouble us?”

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“The world is vast. No matter how powerful Lu Xiaoyuan is, he can’t control everywhere else, right?”

Xue Chengqian shook his head. “Like I said, the entire northern frontier outside Wangjiang is probably even worse!”

Wang Huzi, seeing Xue’s words dismissed, stepped forward defiantly.

“Just because you say it, does it mean it’s true? Your intelligence isn’t as good as ours. What eye do you have to see things are worse outside?”

“Boss, we can’t keep listening to this kid! We’re in this mess because of him!”

Luo Fang snapped, “Am I still your leader? I’m asking Xue Chengqian here. Stop butting in!”

Wang Huzi was dumbstruck. He wanted to defend Kang Yu but dared not offend the leader, so he retreated quietly.

Xue Chengqian pointed outside and said, “We all know what the situation is beyond Wangjiang’s walls, but every day many displaced people still flee there. Doesn’t that tell us something?”

“We don’t know the exact situation with the northern barbarians, but everyone should remember that on the day Lu Xiaoyuan left the city, a large number of government troops arrived from other regions.”

“Also, that official Liu from Zhongzhou Prefecture mentioned reinforcements from other places when he spoke to Lu Xiaoyuan—does anyone recall that?”

Luo Fang frowned deeply.

These details, especially the exchange between Lu Xiaoyuan and Liu Yueting, had slipped his mind until Xue reminded him.

“But what does that prove?”

Xue Chengqian answered plainly, “It shows the government believes the northern border conflict won’t end easily. The rapid defeat at the frontier has likely encouraged the barbarians’ ambitions. The court places great hope on Wangjiang’s stronghold, concentrating forces here to hold back the northern armies.”

“That’s why reinforcements are gathering in Wangjiang. Other cities have probably been abandoned by the court—hold if you can, but if not, they don’t care. Now, Brother Luo, tell me, where else can we run?”

Luo Fang suddenly slapped his thigh, a spark of excitement shining on his face.

Though Xue Chengqian’s words did not improve their predicament, they clarified many of his doubts and connected numerous details he had observed.

Lu Xiaoyuan was fully aware of this, which was why he utterly neglected the displaced outside the city, even resenting Luo Fang for finding a way to settle them beyond Wangjiang’s walls.