Chapter 1662: Chapter 1662: The Army Returns to the City
Although He Linghan is a proper young lady, she still has a "little girl" side. At least right now, she doesn’t want to let go and allow Ye Shikai to leave.
"Ling’er, there’s still some time left in the three-month vacation from last time. I’ll spend this period with you, how about that?" Ye Shikai looked at He Linghan, who appeared quite content, and couldn’t help but smile. This is the kind of life he wants—to live quietly and peacefully with his beloved.
"Okay, but this time you mustn’t leave again." He Linghan pointed at his nose with her chopsticks, with grains of rice still stuck at the corner of her mouth, looking rather amusing. Ye Shikai burst into laughter.
"Alright, I promise you. The battles have ended now, and at least today, the Lord won’t be deploying troops." Ye Shikai stroked her forehead. Speaking of warfare, for the past two years, Mi Wen had been expanding her territory, frequently launching offensives against Qin. This year, it was the northern campaign to Nanyang, and the westward march to Ba Shu. The strength and resources of the people have long reached their limits. This reckless warfare is truly a path to destruction. Now there is still plenty of time until next year, which can be used for recuperation. Honestly, half a year is quite short, but it’s better than nothing. Additionally, Ye Shikai still wishes to persuade Mi Wen to abandon her plan to attack Ba Shu next year. Not to mention whether the Wolf Clan will invade the Central Plains from the south next year, her plan seems like "taking advantage of the situation" to some degree.
Ye Shikai had also once guarded the Great Wall, and was one of the thirty thousand frontier soldiers. He knew the cost to defend the Great Wall and understood its significance. If the Wolf Clan were to breach the Great Wall, it wouldn’t be just the Central Plains that suffer; as the saying goes, "lip loss, teeth cold", the Wolf Clan would undoubtedly continue southward. By then, how could the Chu Territory remain unscathed?
"Husband, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Ye Shikai lost in thought, He Linghan tugged at his clothes.
"Ahem, nothing. Just eat slowly."
Several days passed, and the two lived "quietly and peacefully." Everything in Ye Mansion was orderly, and the distant flames of war seemed not to affect Linxiang much. Apart from the heavy labors causing the people to complain constantly, other aspects remained stable.
A week later.
"Husband, where are you heading to?" Seeing Ye Shikai putting on his battle armor again, He Linghan asked curiously.
"The authorities just issued a notice saying the Lord’s army will arrive today. It requires all civil and military officials of the city to welcome them at the West Gate. Although the Lord granted me vacation, ultimately we are a Monarch and Minister. If I stay holed up at home and do not go, I fear people might speak ill of me behind my back." Ye Shikai explained, "Alright then, I will be back by evening. You wait at home."
"Okay then, husband, come back soon." He Linghan nodded in agreement.
....................................
On the day of departure, Huo Ziqing led fifty thousand troops from Linxiang City, and along the way, recruited fifty to sixty thousand local garrison troops. The army made their return, naturally disbanding the recruited soldiers. During the Battle of Ba Shu, Wang Li led the army to cut off the Chu Army’s retreat. If Ye Shikai hadn’t timely found a retreat route for the army, the entire hundred thousand Chu Army might have been annihilated. In general, the five thousand Linxiang Army suffered little loss; excluding minor injuries, the five thousand men lost only six to seven thousand.
Ye Shikai stood under the city gate, watching the army slowly enter the city. Most of these soldiers were recruited from Linxiang City and nearby counties. Their parents, wives, and children were all here. For these soldiers, they were lucky—they survived. Those who died in foreign lands didn’t even have anyone to collect their bodies.
"Shangguan."
"Old Ye."
"How are things with you? Any issues on the way back?" Ye Shikai moved forward, and the two shared a "big hug."
"Don’t worry, what could happen with so many people? But you suddenly left without a word, the Lord even came to ask me about it."
"Alright, let’s hurry and enter the city."
"Yes, let’s go into the city to drink and feast."
In the city, at the tavern.
"Shangguan, why did the troops enter the city straight this time? Haven’t they set up camp outside?" Ye Shikai inquired, noticing that as the army entered the city, except for the cavalry troops, the rest of the soldiers, including his and Shangguan Jian’s guard units, all entered the city.
"I was just about to explain this to you." Shangguan Jian set down his wine cup. "Originally, the city only allowed the garrison troops and the Lord’s guard troops to be stationed. But this time she issued an order allowing our unit to enter the city."
"Just us?" Ye Shikai asked.
"Exactly."
"The Lord is being so kind to us," Ye Shikai said in disbelief. Mi Wen always treated everyone equally, especially regarding "privilege issues." Even though he has a special relationship with Mi Wen, the soldiers under his command received treatment similar to those in other units.
"It’s all thanks to you," Shangguan Jian suddenly remarked.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You disbanded your troops privately in Ba Shu. Except for the cavalry troop, there are less than two thousand remaining. The military camp in the city is just big enough to accommodate them; otherwise, we’d have had to set up camp outside the city." Shangguan Jian explained.
"I see."
Ye Shikai hadn’t thought of it that way. When he disbanded the troops, it was mainly out of reluctance to let them all perish. Moreover, although less than two thousand soldiers remained, since they stayed, they are daring elites who have experienced countless battles. Having them around keeps the spirit of the unit alive.
"Old Ye, I heard from Wan Qi Yuan... the Wolf Clan will head south again." Shangguan Jian glanced around, ensuring no one was listening, lowered his head, and whispered.
"What, you know too?" Ye Shikai was startled.
"Could it be, you already knew?" Shangguan Jian was also surprised, seeing Ye Shikai’s reaction; it was clear he was already aware of this.
"Ahem, the Lord was the one who informed me. By the way, where did Wan Qi Yuan get the news?" Ye Shikai quickly explained.
"Old Ye, you forgot Wan Qi Yuan is a Wolf Clan member? He’s friends with several Wolf Clan merchants. This news was told by those merchants."
"Hearsay is unreliable, is this credible?"
"Hundred percent reliable. Wan Qi Yuan’s friend frequently travels between the Central Plains and the grasslands, selling fur, horses, and lambs from the grasslands to the Central Plains, and bronzes, grains, books, weapons, and armor from the Central Plains to the grasslands."
"Go on," Ye Shikai urged.
"Those Wolf Clan merchants recently purchased a large amount of weapons, armor, and grains from the Central Plains. It’s possible... it’s preparation for the Wolf Clan to invade south."
"As you mentioned, it’s just possible. Maybe the Wolf Clan is simply preparing food for the winter. As for weapons, the grasslands lack the Central Plains’ smelting technology. To obtain weapons and armor, they can only trade."
