Chapter 1686: Chapter 1686: Setting Out for War
The two shared a long silence, their eyes meeting but not speaking...
Throughout history, when husbands went off to war, wives stayed at home, worrying day and night, losing their appetite, and Ye Shikai understood this feeling. Last time, when he disguised as a traveling doctor and left alone, gone to Ba Shu for merely two weeks, He Linghan was already exhausted and weary. Now, heading off to Ba Shu for a military campaign, he commands over two hundred thousand Chu Army troops, and has provisioned fifty thousand stones of grain, enough for several months of consumption. Although Ye Shikai’s strategy is to fight a quick decisive battle, not a protracted one, the battlefield is ever-changing, plans never keep up with changes, and thus all preparations must be thorough.
In any case, as Ye Shikai leaves this time, he won’t return for months, leaving He Linghan feeling empty inside. She only hoped Ye Shikai would come back safely. Even if they truly won the war, her reward would only be some gold and silver sent by the government. But if they lost, as the commander-in-chief, Ye Shikai, even if not killed on the battlefield, upon returning to Linxiang City, might face exclusion or even punishment from court ministers. Hence, for He Linghan, this campaign brings her "a hundred harms but not a single benefit."
"Then go ahead, leave early and return early, stay safe," He Linghan remarked plainly, showing composure without much excitement.
"Ling’er, aren’t you excited?"
"Since knowing you’re leaving, why show sadness at parting?" He Linghan smiled faintly.
"Husband, promise me you won’t let anything happen."
"All right, I promise you," Ye Shikai responded with a nod, "I’m a cultivator; ordinary people are no match for me."
"Yet you must stay safe; if there are cultivators in the Qin Army, take care on the battlefield and look after yourself physically."
"Okay, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing." Ye Shikai exhaled in relief, having been worried about He Linghan’s reaction—whether she might become emotional, depressed, or even melancholic—but seeing she was mentally prepared, he felt reassured.
"By the way, remember the promise you made to me." He Linghan suddenly mentioned.
"Of course."
He Linghan abruptly turned and ran into the kitchen, bringing out several bags and placing them on the table.
"What is this?"
"These are snacks I had the servants prepare for you. On your march, there’s not much good food. If you crave a snack, take some." He Linghan opened the bag, revealing treats that, though not as delightful as modern conveniences due to the limited "material conditions" of this era, were tasty enough, and Ye Shikai wasn’t picky.
"Ling’er, I’m going to war, not vacation, and as a commander, how can I eat snacks openly? If the soldiers see, it wouldn’t be appropriate."
"It’s fine, you eat them inside your tent; nobody is watching. Besides, as the commander, you should have some... privileges." He Linghan quickly stuffed the bags of snacks into his arms.
"All right then, I’ll accept your kind gesture." Ye Shikai placed the "snacks" into the Storage Ring; it was He Linghan’s thoughtful intention, after all, and he couldn’t refuse.
"Husband, when are you leaving?"
"The departure date is set for the day after tomorrow." Ye Shikai replied.
"Do you have nothing tomorrow... if not, stay home."
"Hmm, sounds good."
.......................................
The day after tomorrow.
Ye Shikai dressed in his command attire and left home, rising early while it was still dark, and He Linghan had not awoken.
"Family Head, are you leaving now? The madam hasn’t woken yet." Hehua, noticing Ye Shikai was about to leave, asked softly.
"Let her continue sleeping; she’s been uneasy these days." Turning his head to glance at the room, Ye Shikai remarked coolly—a face-to-face goodbye is better avoided.
"Understood."
Accompanied by his recruited followers, Ye Shikai set out for war, among them brave men forming the death squad, Hidden Guard as his personal escort, and Xu Jia offering his support. Ye Shikai felt assured as the city’s drill grounds had already assembled a hundred thousand Central Army, he, as commander, naturally should preside over them.
"Man Cang, this time, you are in charge of three thousand vanguard troops; the responsibility is substantial, make sure not to fail the army’s expectations." As commander, Ye Shikai appointed trusted aides to key posts, not solely favoring the familiar; with Man Cang’s valor, the position was well-earned. These three thousand vanguard troops followed the training method of the "Wei Wu Zuo," their combat power strongest in the army.
"Rest assured, General Ye, this attack on Ba Shu, my Vanguard Army will definitely be the first to breach Chengdu."
Ye Shikai ascended the general’s platform and gazed at the grand army below, feeling the spectacular sight resonate within. It was his first time commanding such a massive force; the importance weighed heavily on him, and Ye Shikai dared not relax for a moment. Among these troops, many were new recruits, yet after months of drilling, they had become battle-ready warriors. Now, they awaited real combat.
"All soldiers, heed the order." Ye Shikai drew his sword and pointed it skyward.
"March out."
Five days later.
"Report, General Man led two thousand troops, breaking the Qin Army camp, beheading over three thousand, and capturing two thousand. Instructions needed on how to handle the prisoners."
"Escort them to the rear camp, guarded by the rear guard. If resistant, execute them on the spot."
"Report, Qin cavalry attacked our army’s front camp from the flank, now repelled, General Wang requests whether to send troops for the chase."
"Mr. Xu, what’s your view?"
"The Shu Road is complex and interwoven; Qin troops deployed cavalry not to catch us off guard but merely to probe. Let General Wang abstain from chasing."
"Understood."
As Ye Shikai stared at the sand-table map on his desk, he felt a headache coming on. As Xu Jia mentioned earlier, the Shu Road is rugged; deploying twenty thousand troops strategically is vital. Moreover, last time Wang Li built numerous strongholds along the route, and then the local garrison recruited civilian labor to dig deep trenches and erect high ramparts. Though direct assault could succeed, the losses would be high and time-consuming. Even the elite Iron Armor Army charged wave after wave, only to fall wave after wave.
"Mr. Xu, before the expedition, you advised deploying surprise troops; is now the time?"
"The General need not hurry; surprise troops, by essence, strike unexpectedly, attacking unprepared foes, yet it requires the right timing, geography, and unity." Xu Jia said calmly and with a gentle tone.
"But to enter Sichuan, the army must pass Gui Xiang; it’s unfavorable for large forces to maneuver while Qin has constructed several camps there supporting each other."
