Chapter 1559: Chapter 1559: Personally Receiving

Ye Shikai led the team southward. Now that the issue of military provisions was resolved, they no longer had to worry about logistics. The remaining task was to avoid the Qin Army, and as long as they successfully reached the Southern County, they would be safe.

"Report to General Ye, just now while chatting with the officer of the grain convoy, they seemed unaware of our arrival in Nanyang County," Wan Qi Yuan suddenly said. Previously, Ye Shikai’s biggest worry was that if Nanyang County learned about his rebellion, they might take action and attack, but Wan Qi Yuan’s information brought him some relief.

"However, I cannot be entirely sure. That grain officer is merely a Five Hundred Master, with only a handful of three to five hundred men in his command. He may not know about such significant matters." Wan Qi Yuan couldn’t be certain; during their operation, he had claimed to be "allied forces," and with time pressing, he could only get a few words from the grain officer.

"No matter, our most important task right now is to leave here," Ye Shikai said, unable to ponder so much. Now they were heading straight for the Southern County in haste.

"By the way, is there any news about Shangguan?"

"Reporting to the General, Commander Shangguan led the guards to divert the Qin Army. So far... his whereabouts are unknown, but according to the original plan, he should be catching up to us by now and should arrive soon."

Ye Shikai estimated that since Wan Qi Yuan returned with the provisions, they had been marching for four hours straight. Among their ranks were injured soldiers and many infantrymen, while Shangguan Jian led all light cavalry, highly mobile. Four hours should have been enough for them to catch up, but the lack of news made Ye Shikai very worried, yet he dared not slow down.

"Everyone rest for an hour and eat some dry rations to regain strength," Ye Shikai ordered.

"Understood."

The troops halted. After such prolonged travel, even the warhorses were panting heavily, let alone the men.

"General Ye, how about I take some men to look for him? My brethren and I can change into civilian clothes to infiltrate the city and scout for information," Wan Qi Yuan volunteered, recognizing the concerns weighing on Ye Shikai’s mind, offering to return to Wan City to investigate. Ye Shikai hesitated greatly. Though Wan Qi Yuan was decisive in action, he possessed an innate "ferocity" typical of the Wolf Clan men, which made him intimidating and unlike an ordinary civilian. If only Xue San were here, as stealth and reconnaissance were his forte.

"Forget it. I trust Shangguan. He will bring the brethren back."

"Commander Shangguan leads only a hundred riders, exposed under the Qin Army’s watchful eye. If there’s short-lived engagement, they face near-certain death."

"Alright, take a team to scout around. If you find nothing, return. Otherwise... you risk danger yourselves."

"Understood."

Ye Shikai entered the "Wounded Soldier Camp." Although termed a wounded camp, it merely consisted of some straw mats laid haphazardly on the ground. With no proper military doctors left, those soldiers skilled in medicine served as medics.

"Ahhh."

"It hurts so much."

As Ye Shikai walked into the camp, the place was filled with injured brethren, wounded in fierce battles and left untreated effectively, their wounds starting to fester, groaning in constant pain. Luckily, before raising troops, Ye Shikai had set aside some medical supplies; otherwise, they wouldn’t have endured this long.

"Greetings, General."

"Greetings, General."

Upon Ye Shikai’s arrival, everyone saluted, even the most severely injured brethren gritted their teeth to stand up, stirring mixed emotions within Ye Shikai.

"Brethren, we have reached a critical moment, but once we reach the Southern County, we can rest and recover. Trust in me as you entrust me with your lives. I have failed you." Ye Shikai took out some medical supplies like alcohol, bandages, etc., from his Storage Ring. Although he had stored some medical items earlier in the ring, they were only enough for a few dozen men; now, with over a hundred injured brethren, these were but a drop in the ocean. Helpless, he first attended to the severely wounded.

"General Ye, what are these? We’ve never seen them before." The soldiers had never seen medical alcohol; at the Qin Dynasty’s technological level, they didn’t even have sterile gauze.

"This isn’t water but alcohol, which can be used to disinfect wounds. This white cloth is called a bandage, used for wrapping wounds, and these small sticks are called cotton swabs..."

Ye Shikai initially brought these items just for simple wound care in case of injury, never imagining they would need to be used for so many wounded brethren. Had he known this would happen, he would have stored an entire hospital in the Storage Ring.

While bandages could be replaced with clean cloth strips, even alcohol ran short. Ye Shikai knew clearly that these were but temporary relief; the only solution to the current predicament was to reach the Southern County swiftly and find Hua Liandie. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

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

In Southern County.

"Madam, how is your condition?" For two days, Xue San led the team through the miasma-filled mountains. Although many soldiers fell ill from the poison, He Linghan’s health was deteriorating with each passing day. Fortunately, by noon on the second day, they had emerged from the mountains and reached the Southern County.

"Don’t worry, I’m fine."

"That’s great, as long as you’re okay. We’ve reached the Southern County, and there won’t be any more Qin Army chasing us," Xue San exclaimed excitedly.

"Mm, where do we go next?"

"Don’t worry, madam, I’ve already sent men to inform Hua Liandie, and her people should be arriving soon."

"Mm, that’s good."

"Report to Commander Xue, a troop has appeared ahead of us and is approaching," a soldier reported hastily to Xue San.

"Who are they?"

"They aren’t wearing Qin Soldier uniforms, so they shouldn’t be the Qin Army. They appear to be local rebel forces."

"Great," Xue San sighed in relief. This location was a secret arrangement between him and Hua Liandie, known only to Xue San himself and Hua Liandie. It seemed the reinforcements had arrived.

Not long after, this troop arrived before them, dressed in white, donned with light armor, their weapons new with shiny blades and spearheads.

The person leading them was even more unexpected to Xue San. He initially thought Hua Liandie would dispatch trusted aides to meet them, but to his surprise, it was Hua Liandie herself. Clad in a General’s uniform, she looked heroic and confident, truly proving that women can be as brave and competent as men.

"Brother Xue San, you and your brethren have endured a lot on this journey."