The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1469: 1469: Torrential Rain

“Xue San, take a few nimble brothers to pursue them. Be cautious. If you can’t find anyone, return.” Ye Shikai gave his orders.

“Rest assured, sir. Leave it to me.” Xue San readily agreed, leading his men. They darted into the woods, vanishing instantly, much like a bird disappearing into a dense forest. Man Cang could scale walls with ease and navigate the thick woods as if it were flat ground, which was precisely why Ye Shikai selected him for the chase.

“The entire army will stand down. Sentries will be posted.” Ye Shikai commanded the troops to fall back and return to the camp.

“Shangguan, it’s raining heavily now. Remember to cover the granary with straw. If the food spoils, the soldiers will surely voice their complaints.” Ye Shikai observed the downpour, feeling a sense of overwhelm. When he was part of Dragon Teeth, he managed fewer than a hundred people, and concerns about spoiled food, leaky roofs, or transportation difficulties were non-existent. However, since assuming the role of a commanding general in the Qin Dynasty, he had to account for every detail, burdened by numerous worries.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already dispatched personnel to handle it. Our weapons and food supplies are stored on higher ground to prevent moisture and rust damage,” Shangguan Jian responded.

What was intended as a fierce battle had instead begun with such adverse weather, marking an “inauspicious start.”

Two days later.

“Old Ye, this is meat soup prepared by the kitchen. Drink some while it’s hot.” Suddenly, the skies opened up, and the temperature plummeted. The weather was already rather cool, but with this rain, the temperature might not even reach ten degrees Celsius. Within the mountains, the ambient temperature was even lower than outside.

“Thank you.” Ye Shikai gestured for the person to set the soup on the table.

“Providing for and clothing three thousand people in the mountains is a monumental task. Supplies must be transported by cavalry from the county town, and escorts are needed to meet them at the mountain pass and deliver them deep into the mountains. In the coming days, assign more soldiers to protect the transport teams; we must prevent these rebel armies from launching an ambush,” Ye Shikai reminded.

“Hmm, I will personally lead a contingent to safeguard the transport team. With this heavy rain, those bandits probably won't be able to set fires, will they? With so many supplies, even if left unattended, the bandits can’t carry them away.”

“That line of reasoning holds some weight.” Historically, the reason for setting fire to supplies was that they were too cumbersome to transport. If they couldn't be taken, they shouldn't be left for the enemy, hence the act of burning. However, with this torrential rain, even flammable materials would struggle to ignite.

Ye Shikai stepped out of the tent, extending his hand to feel the heavy rain descending from the heavens, his worry intensifying.

“Reporting to the General, the transport team has encountered an issue. The village chief has sent me to brief the two commanders on the situation.” At this moment, a soldier rushed in from outside, addressing the two with urgency.

“What, have bandits ambushed our transport team?” Ye Shikai’s heart nearly pounded out of his chest upon hearing this. If the supplies were compromised, the entire unit would face starvation.

“Ah, oh no, it’s not the rebel army intercepting the convoy. It’s due to the weather.”

“What do you mean?” Ye Shikai inquired.

“To General, these past few days have seen relentless heavy rainfall. The original roads have transformed into muddy quagmires. Furthermore, some low-lying areas are already inundated, with the deepest points reaching waist-level,” the soldier explained. “Our village chief has already guided people to reroute the transport. It might take some time, but please be assured, the supplies will certainly arrive, and our three thousand brothers will not go hungry.”

“Hmm, you have worked hard. I was just about to dispatch soldiers to assist your transport team,” Ye Shikai said calmly, brushing rainwater off his raincoat.

“Thank you, General. I shall take my leave now.”

Ye Shikai had initially presumed the storm would pass as quickly as it arrived. However, two days had elapsed, and the rain showed no signs of abating. The rainwater had insufficient time to drain and instead pooled with the existing mountain streams. Nevertheless, one silver lining was that Ye Shikai no longer feared rebel armies poisoning the water supply…

“I ventured outside the mountain today to consult with the local elders. This type of rain could persist for another ten days,” Shangguan Jian admitted with considerable helplessness. Failing to scout the weather conditions prior to the expedition was indeed a strategic miscalculation.

“What, so long?” Ye Shikai expressed increasing distress upon receiving this news.

“Indeed, the rain continues relentlessly. Many areas have become flooded, making movement difficult. In a few days, the transport team may be compelled to alter their route once more.”

“Wait, Shangguan, what did you just say?” Ye Shikai suddenly exclaimed, startling Shangguan Jian.

“You made me jump! What did I say? The transport team?”

“No, I meant the statement preceding that.”

“The heavy downpour is causing widespread flooding in many areas.”

“That’s absolutely true.” Ye Shikai suddenly approached the desk, unfurling a map.

“Shangguan, I have devised a strategy to defeat the enemy! This rain is proving to be an immense asset to our cause,” Ye Shikai exclaimed with excitement, clapping his hands.

……………

Modern Era.

European Dock.

“Sir, how are you feeling?” Several men, their clothes stained with blood, assisted Wang Kai into the cargo hold. They were all subordinates of Kui Tuo Si and trusted followers of Wang Kai.

“Do not worry, I shall not die just yet,” Wang Kai’s voice was weak, his complexion pallid. The wounds on his body were dried with old blood; he was severely injured, his Inner Strength completely depleted. More crucially, his spirit was low, his emotions in despair. Kui Tuo Si’s demise had deeply wounded him. He swore that if he could not personally exact revenge on Doris, he would not consider himself a man. Yet, at this moment, he was no match for Doris. To make matters worse, his base of operations had been utterly destroyed.

“Sir, we are currently targets of both Doris and Aphrodite. If we were to travel through the airport, we would undoubtedly be detected. Therefore, you will have to endure the journey in the cargo hold to Yanjing.”

“There is no issue with that. None of this matters. If avenging Kui Tuo Si requires me to swim there, I shall,” Wang Kai declared through gritted teeth, his heart burning with the desire to tear Doris limb from limb.

“Indeed, we must avenge the fallen Lord Kui Tuo Si. Please take care of yourself. Once we reach Yanjing, we will seek out the Moon God and formulate our plan for retribution,” an aide advised.

“My brothers, it is due to my incompetence that you are forced to wander like this,” Wang Kai said, looking at the seven or eight individuals by his side. A sudden warmth filled his heart. When one holds power, even surrounded by thousands of adoring followers, it pales in comparison to having a few loyal companions during times of adversity. Of course, the majority within the War God Temple were loyal men, but it was a tragedy that they were all gone.

“Sir, we are all willing to follow you to our deaths. We have unwavering faith that with your strength, you can make a monumental comeback. After we vanquish those two women and avenge Lord Kui Tuo Si, we shall return and construct an even grander temple,” they proclaimed.