Chapter 1684: Chapter 1684: Think Tank
"Those useless generals, they’re all worthless," Ye Shikai cursed coldly.
"My lord needs the generals to help him seize the world, while the generals want to overthrow Qin, establish a Peaceful Age, and spare the people from the flames of war. The generals have grand ambitions, which I greatly admire," Xu Jia said, bowing.
"Mr. Xu, you mentioned that soon Xianyang will send troops to Xianyang. I know you may not want to disclose the reason, but I’m genuinely curious. Please, Mr. Xu, give me some guidance. Of course, if you’re genuinely unwilling to speak, I won’t force it," Ye Shikai continued to inquire, his tone very sincere. Although Xu Jia is indeed an extraordinary person, Mi Wen may not necessarily believe him. Xu Jia said that it won’t be long before Xianyang reinforces the Great Wall. Probably only Ye Shikai believes it, but he can’t convince others.
"Does the General really want to know?"
"Of course."
"I recently received intelligence that the Emperor is gathering the imperial guard and seems to be planning an Eastern Inspection."
"Indeed, I am aware of this matter. If the Emperor travels out of the city, it would be a grand affair known to all. But there’s no message from Xianyang, so the Emperor should still be in Xianyang City," Ye Shikai learned from the Hidden Guard, which was information from several days ago, and since then, Xianyang City has been silent...
"If the Emperor conducts an Eastern Inspection, he will certainly bring Xianyang’s main forces with him. But now the Emperor hasn’t made a move, does the General understand the reason?
"Because... the troops from Xianyang City are set to reinforce the front, so the Emperor has postponed the date of the Eastern Inspection."
"Exactly. Moreover, during an Eastern Inspection of the central plains, naturally, safety must be ensured. If he doesn’t defeat the Wolf Clan, he can’t be at ease for the inspection."
"With your words, sir, my doubts are dispelled. Thank you."
Ye Shikai returned to the mansion and saw He Linghan in the study, seemingly looking for something. She was flipping through things east and west so intently that she didn’t notice Ye Shikai’s arrival.
"Ahem."
"Hus-husband, why are you here?"
"Ling’er, what are you looking for? Do you need me to help you find it?" Ye Shikai smiled cunningly, and Ling’er’s face instantly turned red from forehead to ear. No need for words; her guilty look already "betrayed" her.
"No need."
"What are you looking for?" Ye Shikai walked to the desk; the books had been turned upside down, ruining their order. It seemed she was trying to find "that thing" among them.
"Nothing, just casually browsing."
"Lying," Ye Shikai tapped her nose, smiling lightly.
"You’re looking for this map, aren’t you?" Ye Shikai said casually, taking down a painting from the wall. Behind it was the Ba Shu Qin Army map gifted to him by Xu Jia.
"Husband, how did you know?" He Linghan didn’t refute and directly admitted.
"There’s nothing valuable in my study. You were so earnest in your search; I thought you must be looking for this map." Ye Shikai embraced her. He Linghan, usually calm and collected, was now like a child who had done something wrong, with guilt "written" all over her face.
"Husband, I heard that you are about to lead troops to battle, so..."
"So... you wanted to find the map. What is it, do you want to be my Think Tank?" Ye Shikai whispered in her ear, "Come on, you really don’t need to worry so much. This time, all conditions are favorable, and I’ll be back in at most a few months."
"You always say that. We’ve been in Linxiang City for only a few months, and how many days have you actually spent at home?" He Linghan was somewhat displeased, but didn’t dare to "explode" like last time, causing Ye Shikai to leave without farewell. So she could only glare at him.
"Haven’t I been with you recently?" Ye Shikai softly comforted her.
"How about this, I’ll promise you something." Ye Shikai drew close to her ear, murmuring a few words.
"Alright, then it’s a deal," He Linghan smiled immediately after hearing it.
....................................
Every day, ministers and generals came to Ye Mansion to seek an audience with Ye Shikai, but he always let He Linghan tactfully decline them. Without their saying anything, Ye Shikai had already guessed their intentions, so he simply did not meet them.
As for Ye Shikai, he spent all day in the courtyard practicing his sword. He was also waiting for news from the Hidden Guard; despite feeling anxious these days, he couldn’t show it.
"Husband, Mr. Xu has arrived."
"Quickly, invite him in." Ye Shikai rushed to welcome him, and Xu Jia tidied his sleeves and collar before stepping into the courtyard.
"Mr. Xu has arrived, I have failed to greet you properly, please forgive me."
"Haha, General Ye is now the top person in Linxiang City. Busy with visitors, ministers and generals outside your door are more numerous than the common folks in the market," Xu Jia joked.
"Mr. Xu is too kind. Exactly for this reason, I cannot personally go out to welcome you, so I had Mr. Xu enter through the side door. Come, have a cup of tea first."
"Thank you."
"This time, I invited you, sir, because there are two things I would like your opinion on." Ye Shikai dove into the main topic. If it weren’t important, he wouldn’t have asked Xu Jia to come personally.
"The first thing, it’s about the expedition date, isn’t it?"
"You are indeed an extraordinary person, sir."
"Your scouts have infiltrated Xianyang to gather intelligence. Even if relayed by carrier pigeon, it takes at least three days to reach Linxiang. Unless I’m mistaken, Qin’s main forces have already left Xianyang City at this moment, and within three days, you will receive news."
"Why is this?"
"As a strategist, if one doesn’t know astronomy above or geography below, they are a mediocre talent. The northern rainy season is about to arrive. If Xianyang delays the dispatch of troops into the rainy season, the ground will become muddy and impassable, hindering the advance of war horses and soldiers, not to mention transporting provisions and military equipment. So, they can’t afford to wait any longer; they will certainly dispatch troops."
"So that’s it."
"Last time I asked the General, if General Meng Tian could rely on the thirty thousand border troops to defeat the Wolf Clan, what are the odds? Actually, the real threat isn’t the lack of reinforcements, but the shortage of supplies, equipment, and necessary medicines for treatment. Troops should be prepared with supplies first before moving. The thirty thousand troops consume a large amount of supplies daily, entirely dependent on Xianyang and supplies from various counties in the central plains. General Ye was once responsible for transporting supplies, have you forgotten?" Xu Jia’s words suddenly enlightened Ye Shikai.
"As for the second thing you mentioned, General... I dare to guess, you are asking if I want to accompany the troops on the expedition, right?"
"Mr. Xu, I hope you will lend me your assistance. If you are willing, I will certainly appoint you as my Think Tank."
