"Say no more, just accept the money." Shangguan Jian didn’t give Ye Shikai a chance to refuse, as he signaled to the soldiers behind him to move all the money chests into the mansion.

"Actually, I know you well, Old Ye. You never do meaningless things. Recruiting so many retainers, you must have your own reasons, so I believe in you and support you."

"Good brother." Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian embraced tightly. Being able to make such friends, it was worth his journey through time.

"Alright, Old Ye, let’s talk business. According to the plan, the new recruits need to train in turns. It’s almost time for the rotation. You’re the commander of the army, and next year you’ll lead a large force to the expedition. You should also make an appearance and spend more time with the soldiers." Shangguan Jian suggested.

"You’re right, I’ve been meaning to do just that. I’ve been busy recruiting retainers these days and forgot about this. How about this, I’ll return to the camp tomorrow. I’ll bring along these brave men I’ve trained. They’re all carefully selected by me, not just simple-minded, physically strong rash men. If trained well, each of them can be a village chief, Hundred General, or even Five Hundred Master. Although these positions aren’t high, they are the psychological support for the basic soldiers. As long as these people dare to lead the charge, their fifty or a hundred subordinates will not be cowards." Ye Shikai knew very well the importance of junior officers to the army. When he was in the Qin Army, he paid particular attention to this.

"That’s great, most of the newly recruited personnel are new recruits, and it’s precisely these junior officers that we lack."

Ye Shikai led Shangguan Jian into the mansion. In recent days, he had selected quite a few retainers. For those who came to seek refuge, he did not accept everyone indiscriminately, especially strategists, where he preferred quality over quantity. Among those recruited, although not great sages or talents, they had unique insights into the development of situations.

Regarding the matter of next year’s invasion of Shu, Ye Shikai privately disclosed it to a few people. Their reactions were mixed: some agreed, some opposed, some suggested waiting for the right time before starting the expedition, and each had their own reasoning, leaving him with a headache.

Ye Mansion.

"Husband, why are you back so late today?" asked his wife as Ye Shikai finally relieved himself of his exhaustion upon returning home.

"Recruiting so many retainers is naturally time-consuming and laborious." Ye Shikai gently massaged his temples, "But the harvest is quite substantial. Most of them are talents and heroes from the Chu Territory. Although not ambitious enough to scheme for the entire land, they know everything about the Chu Territory very well."

"By the way, today the government sent a lot of money. The official who came explained that it’s financial assistance from the Lord." He Linghan said excitedly.

"Take it all. In the future, the household expenses will only increase." Talking about finance, Ye Shikai felt his heart aching. Those were all gleaming pieces of silver, going out a few hundred taels each day. Who could withstand that?

"Husband, when will we go to that paradise you mentioned? I’m really curious to see it." Mi Wen leaned on his shoulder and said softly.

"You’re really eager." Ye Shikai teased. Last time, he mentioned it to He Linghan, and unexpectedly, she still remembered it and seemed very interested.

"Of course. This Linxiang City is like a gilded cage. Although prosperous, it is not free. I also long for a pastoral life." He Linghan smiled gently, leaving a kiss on his cheek, "Life with just the two of us is something to look forward to."

"Alright, there’s no need to be so anxious. It won’t happen so soon." Ye Shikai smiled bitterly. To be honest, he hadn’t even had the time to visit that ’secret place’. He didn’t plan to take anyone there until he determined who was trustworthy, and of course, he hadn’t built any houses there, so it remained a barren land.

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

Military camp.

"Wan Qi Yuan, commander of the Linxiang City Cavalry, greets General Ye."

"Enough, Wan Qi Yuan, we’re familiar enough not to need these formalities." Ye Shikai gently tapped his chest with a fist, smiling faintly.

"How’s the training of the cavalry?"

"Everything is being executed according to plan. However, in the Chu Territory, there’s an emphasis on infantry over cavalry, so the expansion of the unit is facing many restrictions. Restoring the previous combat strength is impossible." Wan Qi Yuan sighed. Ye Shikai patted his shoulder in comfort. Although Wan Qi Yuan was of the Wolf Clan, he was sincere and open with his subordinates. Being of the Wolf Clan, he had a special fondness for warhorses. When the cavalry unit was first formed, most of the horses were bought from the grasslands, strong-limbed, extremely endurance, adept at long-distance raids. Most of the soldiers were skilled in riding, and once on the battlefield, they were like wolves among sheep. But now it’s no longer the same. After the Battle of East County, the Battle of Nanyang, and the Ba Shu engagement, those elite forces were long lost, and the reorganized troops naturally lacked the former strength.

"Later, if we are to engage the Qin Army, we’ll need good warhorses. Only then can we compete with them."

Mi Wen had once promised him that after arriving in Linxiang City, they could reorganize the cavalry, and she could provide funding. But given the real situation, maintaining a force of five thousand cavalry was barely achievable.

"Old Ye, you’re here." At this moment, Shangguan Jian also arrived at the gate of the cavalry camp with his guards.

"Of course, today is the rotation for new recruits, I definitely have to return." Ye Shikai said mildly.

"Alright then, the new recruits are in training. I’ll take you there."

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

"These soldiers don’t seem very spirited." Ye Shikai stood on the observation tower above, looking at the scene below with a solemn expression. The soldiers seemed listless, one might think they were ill.

"They’re new recruits, lacking training. A period of training should fix that." Explained an officer beside him.

"No, two batches of new recruits train alternately; this isn’t their first time. What on earth is going on?" Ye Shikai immediately sensed something amiss. If they had just returned from Ba Shu, a reluctance to train may have been understandable. But it’s been several months by now.

"Speak the truth, or there will be severe punishment." Ye Shikai commanded in a stern voice.

"Yes, well... there’s been a rumor in the army..."

"What rumor?" Ye Shikai’s face showed displeasure. He despised those who spread rumors, as unsettling military morale was an unforgivable offense.

"They’ve been discussing... that tomorrow the General... the General will lead the troops on an expedition to Ba Shu. The new recruits are afraid of dying, and some have already fled."