The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1473: 1473: Attack from Front and Rear

Chapter 1473: A Pincer Attack Strategy

Ye Shikai spearheaded his forces into the dense mountain woods. Navigating the labyrinthine mountain paths without a guide was a surefire way to get lost, hence soldiers were strategically positioned along the routes to serve as escorts.

A rustling sound echoed from the dense foliage on either side. Ye Shikai turned his gaze, catching a fleeting glimpse of a shadowy figure darting through the trees.

“So, the rebel forces have indeed dispatched scouts,” Ye Shikai mused with a slight smile. The sudden decision to immolate their supplies and backtrack along their original path left the rebel army in utter confusion. The Qin Army had weathered over ten days of relentless downpour within the forest. With the skies now clear, the rebels were undoubtedly anticipating a full-scale assault from the Qin forces, preparing their defenses accordingly. However, Ye Shikai’s unexpected order to retreat completely threw them off, prompting them to deploy scouts to ascertain the situation.

Ye Shikai commanded his entire army to press onward. With all their provisions destroyed, the soldiers were left with rations that would last no more than a day or two. Ye Shikai was confident that his gambit would effectively deceive the rebel forces, lulling them into a false sense of security.

“Man Cang, how much further to the mountain's edge?” Ye Shikai inquired.

“Reporting, sir, approximately twenty li remain. A crucial junction lies ten li ahead; following the left path for another ten li will lead us out of the mountains,” Man Cang responded.

“Excellent. Instruct the men to maintain a slow pace and conserve their energy. We will make a halt at the junction, as I have further plans,” Ye Shikai declared, casting a glance at the sky. Dusk was approaching, and once nightfall descended, the decisive battle would commence.

“Understood, sir.”

The troops arrived at the junction, where the Qin Army had established an outpost. Upon seeing Ye Shikai leading his soldiers, the sentries at the outpost promptly emerged to greet them.

“Sir, the left path provides egress from the mountains, while the right path leads deeper within. Darkness is fast approaching; we should depart swiftly,” Man Cang remarked with a sigh, a hint of regret in his voice. Observing Man Cang’s demeanor, Ye Shikai couldn't help but chuckle.

“Sir, why do you laugh? We failed to annihilate the rebel army this time. Upon our return to the county, Commander Ma will surely taunt us.”

“Very well, prepare yourselves. We are going to fight,” Ye Shikai stated confidently, clapping Man Cang on the shoulder.

“What, fight… a battle?”

“Precisely, a decisive battle.” Ye Shikai pivoted his horse, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers behind him. Each face bore an expression of reluctance and disappointment. They had marched into the mountains, spurred by Ye Shikai's challenge, eager to prove their mettle and earn accolades for defeating the enemy. Now, after enduring ten arduous days, they were to return empty-handed, a prospect they found most unsatisfying.

“All troops, halt!” Ye Shikai’s commanding voice rang out, bringing the entire contingent to an abrupt standstill, their faces etched with bewilderment.

“All troops, heed my command! We advance along the right path, at full speed! Tonight, we shall obliterate the rebel forces, leaving not a single man alive!” Ye Shikai proclaimed. His timing was meticulously calculated; by now, the rebel army would be convinced of the Qin Army's retreat and the vulnerability of their camp. The element of surprise, coupled with Shangguan Jian's impending pincer movement from the rear, would guarantee the rebels' utter devastation.

“What, advance?”

“Did I mishear? We were just ordered to retreat.”

Ye Shikai's words struck the assembled soldiers like a thunderclap. The subtle difference of a single word, from retreat to advance, signaled a monumental shift in their objective.

“That is correct! We are charging back now to catch the rebel troops completely off guard. Furthermore, I can assure you all that Military Marquis Shangguan has already sealed their escape routes. With this battle, not one of them will evade their fate!” Ye Shikai's declaration was met with an enthusiastic roar from the soldiers. Man Cang, his earlier worry replaced by a broad smile, drew his twin blades and moved to the vanguard.

“We must cover ground rapidly and aim to reach their encampment before nightfall.”

“Charge!”

………………

The rebel encampment.

“Have you heard? The Qin Army has retreated today.”

“Really? They're withdrawing instead of attacking.”

“It's true. I witnessed it firsthand; they torched their entire camp, including their provisions and weaponry, and began their withdrawal.”

“In my assessment, the Qin commander is nothing more than a bumbling fool, likely spooked by the heavy rains and making a hasty escape.”

“Haha, an astute observation.”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

“Something is amiss…”

“Ahhh!”

In the midst of their casual conversation, several rebel troopers were abruptly transformed into human sieves by a hail of arrows raining down from the sky.

“Loose another volley!” Ye Shikai commanded, unleashing a devastating torrent of thousands of arrows. The cover of darkness prevented the rebel troopers on patrol from discerning the source, leaving them utterly exposed and defenseless against the sudden onslaught.

“It’s… the Qin Army! Quickly, everyone, sortie and engage!” The rebels, sensing the dire nature of the situation, scrambled for their weapons, some even neglecting to dress, rushing out from their barracks in disarray.

“All troops, heed the command, destroy the rebel forces,” Ye Shikai bellowed, drawing his sword. At his decisive order, the soldiers arrayed behind him charged like a pack of hungry wolves towards the rebel encampment, breaching its poorly defended gates in mere moments. Ye Shikai then retrieved a signal arrow and launched it skyward – this was the prearranged signal for Shangguan Jian, indicating that their rear assault would commence.

“Man Cang, let us charge as well.”

“Yes, I have been eagerly anticipating this.”

Ye Shikai, accompanied by his personal guards, plunged into the camp, their blades cutting down the hastily regrouping rebels. Outnumbered significantly by the Qin Soldiers, the rebels were caught completely off guard. After a brief, desperate resistance, their lines began to buckle under the pressure. Their expertise lay in forest ambushes, not in fortified defenses, and they were notably lacking in heavy armor. Against the well-equipped Qin Army, their swords proved ineffective against the formidable armor.

“There are too many Qin Soldiers; we… we must flee.” As confusion and disarray spread through the rebel ranks, their defenses rapidly crumbled.

“Sir, the rebels are retreating towards the rear of the mountain. There must be an escape route,” Man Cang observed swiftly. The fleeing rebel troops, in their haste, paid no mind to the stores within the warehouse. Ye Shikai, however, remained unperturbed, for… Shangguan Jian’s forces had already secured the rear.

“Heed my command, allow no one to escape.” As if on cue, Shangguan Jian appeared at the forefront, galloping on his horse, his sword a blur as he cut down several adversaries. The soldiers under his command were prepared, completely sealing off the rear mountain path. The rebels, finding themselves with no avenue of escape, were forced back into the camp, their movements becoming frantic and disorganized, like headless chickens. To their left lay a sheer mountain face, and to their right, a deep abyss. Escape was impossible.

“Lay down your weapons and surrender, and your lives will be spared,” Shangguan Jian commanded his soldiers to proclaim loudly. His words struck the rebels’ morale like sharp daggers, shattering their psychological defenses in short order.