Chapter 1657: Chapter 1657: Disbanding the Troops
After this bloody battle, only a little over seven thousand out of thirty thousand remain. In another army, the remaining soldiers would have likely fled long ago. At this moment, when morale is at its lowest, any leader would choose to rally the troops, perhaps through an inspiring speech or by harshly dealing with deserters. Yet, Ye Shikai has allowed the soldiers to decide for themselves whether to stay or leave. To anyone else, this would seem "absurd," but Ye Shikai does not think so. As the commander-in-chief, he cannot let all the soldiers disperse; otherwise, who will fight? But now that the battle has ended, although his action violates military law, he firmly believes that these soldiers have the right to choose their own destiny.
"This..."
"So many people die in battle. I still have parents to support at home..."
"Yes, we’re lucky to be alive. If there’s a next time, we might not be so lucky."
The soldiers whispered among themselves. Having fought the Qin Army for four days, only one in four survived, considering themselves lucky to have survived. Although they are now out of immediate danger, many are still haunted by the experience. Survival is a human instinct, and moreover, they are not the rulers. Even if they conquered the world, the land would not belong to them. What they truly desire is peace, to live and work with their families without fear.
"General, I... want to go home."
"I do too."
"So do I."
"Old Ye, this isn’t quite right. These thirty thousand were the elite of the army. Now only over seven thousand remain. If we disband, how will we account for it when we return?" Shangguan Jian said softly to one side.
"If the warriors have no fighting spirit, even the most elite troops are useless. Besides... they’re truly exhausted," Ye Shikai said calmly.
"But... when we return..."
"I’ll take responsibility for anything," Ye Shikai interrupted before Shangguan Jian could finish speaking. He walked to the side and placed two flags, left and right.
"Listen to me, everyone. If you want to go home, stand under the flag to the left, take off your armor, and return your weapon. I will give each of you five taels of silver. If you wish to stay, stand under the flag to the right and return with me to Linxiang City to receive rewards for this campaign." After speaking, Ye Shikai turned to leave.
"General, you’re really just letting them go like this?" Man Cang inquired.
"That’s right. Let them go in a while. Remember, give each one five taels of silver. Let’s end things on good terms."
An hour later.
"How many people do we have left?" Ye Shikai sat in the grass, watching the soldiers leave one by one. Though somewhat disappointed, he had no regrets.
"Less than two thousand, I suppose. Most have left; the remaining are mostly those we recruited in Linxiang. Their families are in the city, so naturally, there’s no need for them to leave," Shangguan Jian sighed. Privately disbanding a troop is a serious offense, and thinking about it gave him a headache.
"Old Ye, maybe... when General Huo asks, we just say there are only two thousand left."
"Do you think he’ll believe that easily? With so many leaving, there’s no way his informants wouldn’t notice," Ye Shikai retorted.
"What should we do then?"
"I wasn’t planning on hiding it in the first place," Ye Shikai said calmly. "Alright, let’s get going."
.................................
Chu Army, camp.
"What, General Ye, you actually... disbanded the army on your own accord?"
"A total of 5,126 left," Ye Shikai said calmly.
"General Ye, it’s a capital offense to disband the army without permission, especially with so many soldiers leaving..."
"I’ve always said, one person does, one person bears responsibility."
"How about I go and plead with her on your behalf? You’ve achieved so many military merits. I can also gather some other generals to plead with you. Our lord will surely forgive you."
"General Huo, there’s no need to worry yourself. I will report this matter truthfully to our lord, and however she decides to deal with me, I accept it," Ye Shikai said, clasping his hands in a salute. "Still, I appreciate your kindness, General Huo, thank you."
"General Ye, don’t be hasty. Our lord is soft-hearted, not hard-hearted. Let’s discuss this calmly, say some good words, and she will surely pardon you."
"I understand her better than you do. If I were to hide this matter or if you were to plead, it would only anger her further. Don’t worry; I know what I’m doing," Ye Shikai waved his hand. "Alright, let’s change the subject... say, how are things now?"
"The entire army is circumventing, and we’re back on the main road. The rear guard is keeping watch, but so far, there’s no sign of movement from the Qin Army. We’re on open plains now, able to set up formations, and the Qin Army wouldn’t dare pursue rashly."
"You’re right; we have the numerical advantage, and the Qin Army won’t pursue us. Besides, Wang Li already achieved what he wanted by securing Ba Shu, so he’s won either way."
"Our campaign to invade Shu failed this time, and I’m partly to blame."
"General Huo, this isn’t your fault. Honestly... when I heard you were on an expedition to invade Shu, I already anticipated this outcome. Ba Shu is known as the Heavenly Mansion; there’s no way the imperial court would easily give it up. I just didn’t expect Wang Li would cut off our army’s supply route so decisively."
"This..."
"Report..." Suddenly, a messenger hurried in from outside, expression flustered, nearly stumbling.
"What’s the matter, rushing in like this, where’s your discipline?"
"Reporting to both generals, the lord... the lord is here, leading twenty thousand guards and is currently camped thirty miles out."
"What, how could this be? Linxiang City is a thousand miles away. How did the lord arrive so quickly?" Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian were both taken aback, obviously not expecting Mi Wen to suddenly appear here.
"This... subordinate doesn’t know either. According to reports from the local garrison, the lord set out from Linxiang City three days ago and only arrived here this morning."
"Could it be... the lord foresaw our route?" Huo Ziqing muttered to himself.
"That seems the only explanation, otherwise, how could the lord have known where we would be just after our retreat?"
"What should we do?" Shangguan Jian asked.
"Since the lord is here, she naturally wants to see me. Rather than being summoned by her, it’s better to go on my own."
"That’s not a good idea, General Ye. If the lord finds out now about your decision to disband the troop without consent, she’ll be furious. We’d better first test the waters for her mood, then find a suitable time to tell her," Huo Ziqing advised.
"If the lord arrived here in the morning, she would have already learned about this affair. If it’s good fortune, there’s nothing to fear; if it’s a disaster, you can’t avoid it."
