"Understood, the subordinate comprehends fully." Wan Qi Yuan nodded in agreement. At this moment, Ye Shikai was still uncertain whether the news of their rebellion against the court had reached Nanyang County. If it hadn’t, then the troops could still move ’openly’ within Nanyang County as long as the local garrison was unaware of this news, and Ye Shikai and his men would still be considered ’Qin Army.’

But if the local government had already learned of the news, then they would have to continue ’deceptively.’ Wan Qi Yuan was a very capable individual and acted decisively; if an emergency arose, he could handle it promptly.

"The Qin Army goes to the subordinate villages to collect grain at the beginning of each month and then sends it to the county town. We must act on the way." In the tent, Ye Shikai explained the plan to the officers under his command. The troops had suffered severe losses, and originally, the tent that was full of commanding officers now had only a few left. Ye Shikai couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter, but he restrained his emotions. Their difficulties had just begun, and as the army commander, if he became despondent first, then the troop would be ruined.

"General Ye, feel free to give orders. Although we have suffered severe losses, our spirit remains. We do not fear the local garrison at all."

"Alright, I’ll continue." Ye Shikai felt very relieved. He always believed that the leadership at various levels in the troops was a crucial position; if the general was afraid, then the soldiers underneath would lose their fighting spirit. So when selecting officers, he was personally involved, never allowing anyone to ’fish in troubled waters.’

"We are now near Wan City, the administration center of Nanyang County. There are many villages here, some with over twenty thousand people. The government collects thousands of shi (a unit of weight for grains) of grain monthly, sufficient for our army to eat for ten days."

"Old Ye, isn’t acting near Wan City too dangerous?" Shangguan Jian suddenly felt a sense of uneasiness, "Since it’s the county administration center, how could the military force be lacking? According to my understanding, Wan City’s garrison exceeds twenty thousand and is well-equipped. Among them, there are thousands of cavalry; if they receive the news and come out to encircle us, we have injured soldiers here and are unable to move quickly, will certainly be caught."

"I am aware of that too. I wouldn’t risk it if the situation wasn’t forcing me." Shangguan Jian’s concerns hit Ye Shikai’s heart. Although raiding grain was a good plan, doing it near Wan City was a ’gamble,’ a gamble with the lives of all their brothers.

But given the current situation, it was impossible for them to go elsewhere to raid grain. In two days, they would be out of food, then they would have to slaughter warhorses for sustenance; moreover, the longer they stayed in Nanyang County, the greater the danger.

"Therefore, I must set up a team of cavalry to distract the Qin Army."

"General Ye, let me go; I guarantee to draw away the Qin Army and cover our brothers’ retreat."

"General Ye, let me go."

"Let me go."

The remaining chiliarchs and Five Hundred Masters all volunteered. Everyone knew that leading such a small cavalry unit to distract thousands of Qin troops was akin to seeking death; it was a ’seeking death’ mission, but someone had to take it.

"Alright, regarding the arrangement of personnel, I have my own choice." Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling to everyone not to argue.

.....................................

"Old Ye, did you really arrange someone to distract the Qin Army?" After the officers left, Shangguan Jian immediately asked.

"Of course not; no matter who takes the task, it’s risking one’s life with slim chances of returning. How could I decide so easily?" Ye Shikai said frankly. Knowing it was a mission of death, he certainly found it hard to choose, unless he went himself. After all, he had recovered his Inner Strength and had many treasures in hand; escaping encirclement wouldn’t be difficult. But as the commander, he had to stay to direct.

"Old Ye, since you haven’t selected anyone, why not let me go?" Shangguan Jian suddenly said.

"What, you’re joking, right?" Ye Shikai stood up abruptly and shouted loudly, quite astonished. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"In the military camp, there are no jokes. Since I said it, I absolutely mean it." Shangguan Jian answered earnestly, suddenly kneeling on one knee, with both hands clasped in salute.

As Ye Shikai’s close confidant, his right-hand man, Shangguan Jian had always unconditionally supported Ye Shikai’s decisions.

"No, you are the army’s Deputy General; how can you go?"

"Old Ye, do you trust my capability?"

"Of course." Ye Shikai nodded in agreement, self-deprecating, "You were my guide into the army and a general capable of strategic planning; it’s a pity you followed me. Otherwise, within the Qin Army, you undoubtedly have boundless prospects."

"Then my command ability, compared to those chiliarchs, who is stronger?"

"You’re stronger." Ye Shikai hesitated for a moment, speaking the truth. Many chiliarchs were fearless of death but couldn’t be called strategic planners. They were brave generals, not strategists. Brave generals could fight unto death in adversity, but often at the cost of the entire army—a result Ye Shikai didn’t want.

"Since no one can surpass me, naturally this task should be mine. Old Ye, I appreciate your concern for my safety; consider me as a brother, and I shall entrust my life to you."

"Old Ye, let me be responsible for distracting the Qin Army."

"Shangguan, you..."

"Don’t hesitate anymore."

............................................

"Commander Xue, several soldiers in the vanguard camp have fallen ill due to the swampy miasma."

"The Left Guard Camp as well."

"Moreover, the water sources in the mountain also contain toxins, and numerous soldiers were poisoned after drinking."

Having been in the mountains for only a day, dozens had fallen ill, which left Xue San quite troubled. Hou Ganxian hadn’t lied; those pills were indeed effective. However, the miasma was truly ’severe.’ No wonder only the most experienced hunters dared to venture within.

Fortunately, no one had died from poisoning yet; if it was just an illness, Xue San wasn’t overly worried. Newly arrived, even acclimatization issues could easily cause illness, but recovery would follow; however, the situation with He Linghan in the carriage made him reluctant to relax. Within just one day, He Linghan seemed as if he’d suffered a severe illness, looking pale and frightening, and only improved slightly after taking herbal medicine.

"Hou Ganxian, how much farther is this mountain path?" Xue San inquired.

"The mountain path is rugged; although the distance between the two places seems close, the actual journey involves unavoidable twists and turns. I think, at the current pace, it’s another two days away. Once we leave this mountain, it’ll be flatland outside."

"Two days." Xue San murmured to himself, "Alright, just two days."