Chapter 1677: Chapter 1677: Debate Among the Retainers
Ye Shikai removed so many officers that if it had been anyone else, they might have assumed he was plotting a rebellion. However, Mi Wen was not just "anyone." For several days, she did not come looking for him, whereas Ye Shikai, even though he had thought of his responses, was on edge every day, afraid Mi Wen might launch a "sudden raid" on his home.
Rumors in the military seemed to gradually die down. This was something done deliberately by someone. Shangguan Jian also reported to him that several suspicious individuals had been caught, but after investigation, it was found they were all Qin Army spies. Perhaps the real spies had long since fled Linxiang City, but at least this matter had been settled. The training of new recruits had also gotten on track, which was the scenario Ye Shikai wanted to see.
Since Mi Wen didn’t come for several days, Ye Shikai temporarily ignored the matter. The task of recruiting retainers was not yet complete. Ye Shikai spent his days with these retainers, as there were hundreds of them. Winning them over truly required significant effort. Additionally, he occasionally visited that "secret location," where he had constructed some simple houses. Although the houses needed to be built there, the items inside could be "transported" using the Storage Ring, making it much more convenient.
Two months later.
"General, currently heavy troops are gathered in and around Linxiang City, and whether they are elite soldiers or newly trained recruits, their morale is high. As for the court, it’s already on its last legs, breathing its last. There are rebel armies rising up and resisting everywhere. Heroes in the Qi region and Central Plains are overthrowing the court’s tyranny. Next year, our army’s major campaign to invade Shu aligns with the will of heaven and gains the people’s support; it’s a heroic undertaking."
"No, that’s wrong. Although there are rebel armies everywhere now, they are weak, some with only a few hundred people. Such small numbers can’t even withstand a single blow from the Qin Army. Furthermore, many of these forces are mere bystanders. If the court is overthrown, they will follow suit. If the court can suppress the uprising, they will turn to banditry. In short, the court’s power is still strong, their troops, horses, and supplies are several times those of the Chu territory. Once a decisive battle occurs, fighting outright for resources will not be in our favor."
Ye Shikai sat in the mansion of a retainer, listening to a group of people arguing about whether to fight or make peace, whether to seek peace through war or consider war through peace.
Mi Wen indeed had deep strategic planning. Over the past two months, she contacted many anti-Qin forces, among which were "warlords" with tens of thousands of troops, occupying over ten cities. They formed a coalition army with Chu as the leader to collectively resist Qin, standing on equal footing with the court. However, Mi Wen’s weakness was her haste, making her eager to invade Shu. Among Ye Shikai’s retainers, many held this view, especially those ambitious brave men eager for achievements, who held important positions in the army hoping for opportunities to gain experience.
"Enough, everyone stop talking." Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
"We are ministers, not the rulers. Since our ruler has decided to invade Shu next year and is determined, there is no need to discuss whether it is appropriate to set out. However," Ye Shikai shifted topics, "I want to know if our army sets out to invade Shu, should we divide our forces? If so, into how many routes? Which route should the main army take, and how much grain and forage should be prepared?" A series of questions from Ye Shikai left everyone speechless. The strategy for setting out was a significant matter, and these retainers didn’t possess the extraordinary talents of "Wolong and Feng Chu." Ye Shikai did not expect a foolproof plan but just hoped for a collective effort and several suggestions.
"General, since we must fight, even a tough bone must be gnawed. But the Ba Shu region is solid with mountains and rivers, easy to defend and hard to attack. If we fight city by city, not only is it cumbersome and laborious, but we don’t know how many Chu youth might be lost along the way. Therefore, we must dispatch surprise troops to flanking attacks from the back." A strategist stood up and said with a bow by the side.
"You have a point, but the Ba Shu region is not our territory. Dispatching surprise troops to flank is not that easy," Ye Shikai continued to ask.
"General, your words are true, but I also heard that several months ago, General Huo led a hundred thousand Chu troops to attack Ba Shu, and it was Wang Li who cut off their retreat. It was General Ye who stepped in, disguised as a traveling doctor, exploring the route, allowing the army to retreat safely." He spoke calmly, making many people surprised, as they did not expect Ye Shikai to have done such a thing.
"You know quite a lot." Ye Shikai smiled wryly. The fact he disguised himself as a traveling doctor to explore the route was known to few, aside from Mi Wen and He Linghan, perhaps only those guards who helped in his "disguise," and of course, Hu Zi, a hunter from Baimu Village. Unexpectedly, this person in front of him knew as well and quite accurately.
"Haha, since I’m willing to follow the general, naturally I understand the general’s experiences and abilities quite well."
"Well then, please continue," Ye Shikai nodded.
"As you command, General," the strategist nodded and said, "Since the general can disguise as a traveling doctor to scout, it shows there are still many routes unknown to us for troop movements. With more than three months until next year, we can recruit local villagers from Ba Shu for information. Moreover, last year, while traveling around, I visited the Ba Shu region where the Qin Army built twelve granaries. I recorded them all. Once we wage war, we can dispatch spies to destroy them. At that time, without food, the Qin Army will be defeated without a fight."
This person took out a map from his waist, revealing critical Qin Army locations in detail on it. Having this map was almost equivalent to conquering half of Ba Shu.
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Ye Mansion.
"Husband, what are you looking at?"
"Ahem, nothing." Seeing He Linghan enter, Ye Shikai hurriedly hid the map.
"Let me see." He Linghan, quick-eyed and swift-handed, snatched the map from under the book.
"This is... a map. And it’s a map of Ba Shu." Of course, He Linghan was no fool, immediately realizing what it was.
"Husband, why are you looking at this?"
"Ahem, we are setting out next year, so I’m studying the terrain in advance to devise strategies. As the supreme commander, if even I am clueless, it would lead to complete failures," Ye Shikai explained.
"But didn’t we agree? At home, we speak of family matters. This is official business. If you need to research, wait until tomorrow at the government office," He Linghan showed displeasure. To her, Ye Shikai was not only the supreme commander but also her husband.
"Very well, I will listen to you."
