Ye Shikai issued an order, and only then did the crowd disperse, although everything appeared natural, there was actually a hidden murderous intent, if Ye Shikai had ordered action just now, I’m afraid...

"Everyone, listen up, I and the lord need to go to the government office to discuss matters, you all wait here." Ye Shikai mounted his warhorse, taking only a small escort, leaving the rest of the retainers to stay in the mansion.

"Understood."

"Understood."

Inside the government office, Mi Wen had all attendants withdraw and also ordered the guards out of the door.

"Now there are only the two of us, what exactly is your reason for recruiting retainers?" Mi Wen asked directly, getting straight to the point.

Ye Shikai remained silent, at this moment, both probably knew very well what the other was thinking, Ye Shikai suddenly recruiting retainers, if not to "support the scene", what else could it be for, the answer is self-evident.

"It’s merely some retainers, what difference does it make?" Ye Shikai spoke lightly, as if it was a trivial matter.

"I lead troops in battle, commanding a hundred thousand army, I need some trusted aides to assist, don’t I? One hero needs three helpers, one fence needs three stakes, find some brave men, train them well, and they can go to the battlefield." Ye Shikai explained.

"As for those strategists and retainers, when I lead troops in battle, I certainly need some people to assist and advise, to point things out, the crowd brainstorming, having several strategies, only then can issues be considered more comprehensively."

What Ye Shikai said indeed made sense, although he had outstanding commanding ability, winning battles is not entirely just about the commander’s strategies, the whole army is a machine, from generals down to soldiers, they are all "parts" above, united in one heart, sincere and cohesive, strict in obedience, that is the key to winning battles.

Therefore, even if Ye Shikai recruited retainers not to guard against Mi Wen, it is still very necessary, after all, in future battles, with the help of retainers, he could be somewhat relaxed, if he occupied a high position in the future, he would need these people’s assistance even more.

"There are think tanks in the army, and you still need strategists."

"Really? If there were good think tanks under your command, then when Huo Ziqing commanded ten thousand troops to attack Ba Shu, he wouldn’t have had his supply line cut by Wang Li, would he?" Ye Shikai retorted, Mi Wen’s face turned iron blue instantly, he was speaking the truth, Chu Territory, although large in land, doesn’t have a great population, at least far less than the densely populated Central Regions, talent is also scarce, Mi Wen might rule one side, but barely counts as a "king", whereas the emperor in the court is the master of the whole world, in terms of prestige, she is far less than the Emperor.

"Even so, wouldn’t your recruitment of retainers be unjustifiable? You recently told me you wanted to live a peaceful life with Miss He, but now you’re recruiting retainers to strategize for you, isn’t that contradictory?" Mi Wen is also extremely keen, although Ye Shikai speaks reasonably, she knows Ye Shikai’s character well, someone who wants to stay away from the court, yearning for rural life, how could he change his attitude in just a few days, and such a complete reversal.

"Isn’t that because of you? Do you want me to leave..." Ye Shikai seemed to think of something, and immediately said, "Or I could resign immediately and then disband these retainers."

"Hmph."

Mi Wen snorted coldly, Ye Shikai was originally going to "kick" the problem back onto her, but Mi Wen obviously didn’t take the bait.

"Actually, I know very well, you just want to threaten me, if I really allow you to resign, that would be exactly what you want, right? I’m not that foolish." Mi Wen said coldly.

"In that case, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back, next year I have to attack Ba Shu, I need to go back and discuss with the strategists I’ve recruited." Ye Shikai slowly stood up, speaking indifferently.

"I allow you to recruit retainers, if you lack funds, I can provide financial support." Mi Wen suddenly said.

"That’s wonderful, to be honest, I’m just short on funds, how much does the lord wish to sponsor?" Ye Shikai suddenly turned around, with a shameless look, as if joking, recruiting hundreds of retainers, eating and drinking all require money, Ye Shikai never hides army pay, most of his foundation was gained from rewards from the Qin Army, of course, the Storage Ring has quite a bit of cash, but it’s all modern...

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

"Old Ye, the things you need." Shangguan Jian brought the escort, leading several carts to the gate of Ye Mansion, upon closer inspection, the carts were all filled with armor and weapons.

"That’s great." Ye Shikai nodded in response, he needed to organize his "private soldiers", naturally lacking weapons.

"All forged by the best Iron Armor Shop in Linxiang City, the armor has three layers thick, even a long spear can’t penetrate, bows and crossbows are strong and firm, the arrowhead is extremely sharp, capable of piercing Qin Army’s armor at eighty paces, I’ve inspected all of them." Shangguan Jian directed the soldiers to unload the armor and weapons, moving them into the mansion.

"What’s this?" Ye Shikai walked to the last two carts, above them were not weapons or armor, but... boxes, Ye Shikai curiously opened them, and inside, what caught his eye was... all silver ingots and copper coins, the boxes were packed full.

"Shangguan, what do you mean?"

"Old Ye, these are what I’ve accumulated over the years, to be honest, some are the... favors given by subordinates and outsiders, in the past two years our military positions have risen too quickly, many people have brought money to curry favor, you refused them, so... I took some, but most are rewards, gained by military merits." Shangguan Jian felt somewhat embarrassed, he knew Ye Shikai never accepts the "ill-gotten wealth" offered by others, but he wasn’t as pure.

"I heard you want to recruit retainers, the expenses will definitely be significant, I’m worried about your lack of funds, so I’ve brought all these over, if not enough, I can find more people to gather."

"No." Ye Shikai waved his hand, closing the boxes again "Shangguan, your intention truly moves me, but this is my matter, I absolutely can’t involve you, moreover, most of this money came from your military merits, you earned it by your abilities, not blown by the wind."

"Old Ye, listen to me, this money you can take, in these two years I could gain so many military merits, ultimately it’s because of your influence, otherwise, just relying on myself, I might at most be a Chiliarch now." Shangguan Jian mocked himself with a line "Besides, I have no relatives or ties in Linxiang City, what use is all this money to me? If it can help you, it has some meaning."