"Of course not. I’m recruiting retainers; naturally, I have other uses for them." Ye Shikai wasn’t lying. Of course, even if he really said he was recruiting retainers just to save face, Shangguan Jian would still be suspicious. The two of them were simply too familiar with each other—they had fought side by side for nearly two years and knew each other’s temperaments inside out.

"What for, then?"

"For protection." Ye Shikai calmly uttered the two words.

"What? Old Ye, did I hear that right? You’re recruiting those brave men just for protection?" Shangguan Jian said excitedly, clearly stunned by this answer.

"You’re wrong. I’m not only recruiting Rash Men, but also strategists. Sometimes, one clever stratagem is worth more than a thousand troops, isn’t it?" Ye Shikai added.

"But... but that’s not the point. You still haven’t said who you’re guarding against. Thieves?" Shangguan Jian continued, "Besides, your guard already numbers one or two thousand men—enough to surround your residence three times over. What else do you need to guard against?"

"Against our lord." Ye Shikai decided not to hide it from Shangguan Jian. In this era, it was rare to have a truly loyal brother. Back then, when Shangguan Jian had been willing to rebel against the court with him, he had already been prepared to live and die together, loyal to the core without reservation. If Ye Shikai kept hiding things from him, that would be his fault.

"What?" Shangguan Jian turned his head to look around. Seeing no one nearby, he leaned close to Ye Shikai’s ear and whispered, "Against our lord? Why?"

"Shangguan, it won’t be long before I intend to leave."

"Leave? Where are you planning to go?" Shangguan Jian asked back.

"To a place no one knows about, to live a proper life with Ling’er." Ye Shikai’s tone was very serious. "And above all, our lord must not find out."

"Old Ye, you’re worried... that our lord won’t let you leave?"

"He who knows me is Shangguan Jian."

"Old Ye, you’re planning to openly go against our lord, then?" Shangguan Jian pressed at once.

"Not exactly. Recruiting these retainers—first, it’s to protect my safety; second, to have people to advise me. Besides, recruiting retainers isn’t against the law. Our lord has no grounds to interfere with me." Ye Shikai let out a sigh. If Mi Wen hadn’t repeatedly used He Linghan to threaten him, how could he have nothing better to do than recruit so many people?

"Old Ye, in truth your worries are justified. When our lord reorganized the army, although she replenished our troops, she placed her own confidants in all the key positions. I too have a vague sense of foreboding." Shangguan Jian continued, "If you really fear for your safety, I’ll put my guard under your command. They’re not needed to follow me around in the camp every day anyway."

"Much obliged." Ye Shikai clasped his hands in thanks. To have such a brother was a blessing across three lifetimes.

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

The next day.

"I am Yu Lian, from East County. I’ve heard General Ye is loyal and righteous, so I’ve come to pledge myself to you."

"I am Lin Lingzhi, from Ji County. I’ve come specifically to pledge myself to the General."

.........

What Ye Shikai had not expected was that even more people came to pledge themselves the next day, and the scene was even more "grand" than yesterday. Many of them were from other regions. It seemed they too had heard the news that Ye Shikai was recruiting talent and had traveled from afar to come. Ye Shikai hadn’t expected his reputation to be this widespread.

Of course, as with any "examination," Ye Shikai only accepted the best. After all, his family background was thin, and he didn’t have the wealth to support "three thousand guests." At most, he could take in around a thousand men. Naturally, if cultivators came, that would be a different matter.

Hyah, hyah, hyah.

"The lord has arrived!"

Suddenly a shout came from outside. The nearby commoners all dropped to their knees. Following the sound with their eyes, they saw Mi Wen on horseback arrive at the gate, a playful smile on her face, while Ye Shikai led the retainers he had just recruited out to greet her.

"Greetings, my lord." Ye Shikai clasped his hands and bowed.

"I heard you’re recruiting talent here, and the scene is livelier than the marketplace. How is it you didn’t invite me to come have a look?" Mi Wen wasn’t angry; instead, she smiled and teased him.

"My lord handles countless affairs every day and is extremely busy. I thought it over and over, and decided not to trouble you."

"As a General, why do you need so many retainers?" Mi Wen suddenly asked.

"I am a General now, but that doesn’t mean I will always be one, does it?" Ye Shikai had long since thought through all the questions Mi Wen might ask and had prepared his answers, so he showed no sign of panic.

"True enough. Going to war is bitter and exhausting, and if you should carelessly lose your life it would be terrible. It can’t compare to my ministers—who only need to come report in each day."

"Thank you, my lord, for your concern and favor." Faced with Mi Wen’s almost mocking tone, Ye Shikai remained unhurried, meeting all change with calm.

"Well? Won’t you invite me in to sit for a while?",

"Please, my lord."

Ye Shikai led Mi Wen into this so‑called "residence." Rather than a residence, it was more like a "fortress." Inside were rooms for lodging, storehouses for grain and weapons, and of course several studies—it truly had everything one could ask for. Naturally, buying such a large estate had cost Ye Shikai "a fortune in blood."

Mi Wen cast her gaze toward the sturdy men not far away. The weather was still somewhat cold, yet all of them were stripped to the waist, hoisting massive stones weighing several hundred jin. Each one was a burly hulk, and once armed, they would all be warriors capable of taking on ten men apiece.

"General Ye, you already have a guard in the army. Why recruit these strong men as well? Do you feel those guards are not up to standard?"

"Haha. My lord, you reside in Linxiang City, where there are tens of thousands of imperial guards. With so many troops, yet when you leave the palace to inspect my residence, you still bring four or five thousand Cavalry as escort. Are you perhaps worried that those tens of thousands aren’t sufficient to ensure your safety?" Ye Shikai’s single counter‑question left Mi Wen instantly at a loss for words. Frankly, recruiting retainers in Linxiang City was no different from provoking Mi Wen’s wrath; this was under her very nose. But Ye Shikai was gambling that she wouldn’t act rashly. That said, when she arrived today, she really did give him a jolt—those five thousand iron Cavalry behind her, and this was inside the city. If they blocked the street and charged, never mind these few hundred strong men—even if he summoned his guard over, it would be useless. Fortunately, Mi Wen did not make a move.

"There are some questions I want to ask you. This is not the place to talk. Come back to the yamen with me for a bit." Mi Wen said coolly. The recruited strong men could faintly sense something was off in the air. They slowly moved toward the gate, hands gripping tightly around their sabers, swords, spears, and halberds.

"Ahem. All of you stand down. The lord and I have some official business to discuss. Since it’s official business, it naturally should be spoken of at the yamen." Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling the crowd to disperse.