The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1486: 1486: Repelling the Robbers

“Listen up, everyone! Take the straw and hay from the carts and spread it all over the road ahead.” Ye Shikai devised a plan, instructing everyone to unload the dry vegetation from the carts and lay it out in front of them. His intention was to ignite the hay, creating a fiery barrier to impede the approaching bandits. Although this fodder was originally meant for the horses, there was no time to consider such matters now. Burning the hay was preferable to losing the grain.

“Hurry, everyone, let’s work together!” The group quickly complied, piling up a mound of hay that stood as tall as a person. In the distance, figures began to appear; it seemed the robbers were closing in.

Ye Shikai remembered a cart filled with fine wine, initially intended for guests at a wedding banquet. Now, it appeared it would serve a different purpose.

“Men, open all these wine bottles and drench the hay with the liquor,” Ye Shikai ordered.

“General, how much should we pour?”

“All of it.”

“Understood, sir.”

Watching jar after jar of precious wine being poured onto the hay felt like a profound waste. Not only was Ye Shikai pained by the sight, but even the soldiers and laborers felt a pang of regret. Yet, for their survival, this sacrifice was unavoidable.

“Quickly now, pour it everywhere,” Ye Shikai urged, knowing that the liquor-soaked hay would ignite instantly with just a spark.

“Hold on, leave some behind,” Ye Shikai suddenly had another idea and quickly stopped the soldiers beside him, securing the remaining dozen jars.

“Sir, what is your plan?” a curious soldier inquired.

“Everyone, pay attention! Pour this wine into smaller containers and tightly plug the openings with cloth. Await my command.” Ye Shikai took a cup-sized vessel, poured liquor into it, and stuffed the mouth with cloth, preparing to craft makeshift incendiary devices. Even though this liquor wasn’t high-proof alcohol, it should suffice for this desperate “guest performance” as a combustible weapon.

“Yes, sir.” Though bewildered, the group followed the instructions.

Not long after.

The group watched the approaching bandits, their hearts pounding with tension. Sometimes, the most terrifying things aren't sudden apparitions but gradual encroachments, moving closer step by step. This exerts immense psychological pressure on defenders, potentially causing those with weaker resolve to break and flee at the last moment.

“Everyone, stay calm and follow my orders,” Ye Shikai repeatedly called out to reassure them, especially the unarmed laborers who had never faced battle, let alone killed anything larger than a chicken or duck, much less human beings. Ye Shikai felt the need to continuously comfort them.

“Look ahead, the grain is in sight, brothers, charge!” At that moment, a horde of bandits rushed forward, brandishing long spears and knives, clad in mismatched attire, some sporting tattered light armor. Under their leader’s command, they charged directly towards the hay.

“Now is the moment.” Ye Shikai retrieved a torch and flung it towards the hay.

Whoosh.

The flames immediately consumed the liquor-soaked hay, spreading like a fiery dragon and engulfing the entire pile in an instant…

Aaaaaaa.

The bandits caught in the hay were engulfed by the raging inferno, screaming in agony. They flailed desperately to escape the flames, some rolling on the ground in a frantic attempt to extinguish the fire, while others futilely used their kettles to douse the blaze. Soon, several fell dead.

The burning hay created a wall of fire several meters high. It seemed the heavens themselves “favored” Ye Shikai, as a northwest wind began to blow, directing the thick black smoke towards the enemy ranks.

“Haha, General, this tactic is brilliant! They can’t even take a single step closer now.” The crowd, witnessing this, erupted in jubilation. Being outnumbered, they had to seize every advantage presented by favorable conditions, including time and geography.

“Everyone, silence and await my orders,” Ye Shikai commanded. The wind was strong, and the rolling black smoke, aimed at the enemy below, was likely suffocating them intensely.

“Do we have any more hay?” Ye Shikai inquired.

“Reporting, General, we have two carts remaining.”

“Excellent. Have some soldiers add more hay to the fire; ensure the flames do not die down,” Ye Shikai instructed.

“Yes, sir.” A few guards grabbed the remaining hay and threw it into the blaze.

“Listen up, once the hay is consumed, we will proceed to burn the grain.” He glanced at the grain in the carts, noting that while the straw mixed within could serve as fuel, it would also result in the destruction of the wheat.

“What? General, this is all grain! We cannot burn it!” Many of the laborers were heartbroken and shaken by this order. For common people, food was as vital as life itself, and simply having enough to eat was a significant aspiration. The order to burn the grain felt akin to burning money in modern times; it was a deep emotional blow…

“Do you wish to perish? Everyone heed my command: once the hay is consumed by flames, set the grain ablaze!” Ye Shikai bellowed. Though they yearned to implore him otherwise, witnessing his unyielding determination, they fell silent, their own survival being paramount.

In reality, the acquisition of this grain had come at a significant cost to Ye Shikai, causing him immense heartache.

“Everyone, find cover behind the grain sacks and carts. Do not expose yourselves.” As if a sudden thought struck him, Ye Shikai yelled. The throng swiftly sought refuge. Moments after his words, a volley of arrows pierced the inferno, embedding themselves into the piled grain sacks, thereby shielding the people behind from lethal projectiles.

“More arrows will follow. Everyone, remain concealed and keep your heads down,” Ye Shikai instructed, as the individuals retreated behind carts, fashioning a barricade from the grain sacks.

“The General’s assessment was accurate; had we been exposed, we would have been riddled with arrows by now,” the laborers marveled, observing the scene. Ye Shikai recognized that since the bandit forces were unable to advance, their recourse would be arrows; fortunately, they possessed an abundance of grain sacks.

“Sir, observe ahead!” someone exclaimed, pointing forward. The bandit troops, utilizing arrows for cover, prevented any resupply of hay. Seizing this opportunity, they employed long spears to dislodge the burning hay, attempting to clear a passage.

“Now is the moment!” Ye Shikai produced the “makeshift incendiary device” he had prepared earlier. He ignited the cloth at the bottle’s opening with a torch, then, with a powerful swing of his arm, hurled it forward.

The bottle shattered upon impact, its liquid contents splashing onto the assailants, who were instantly engulfed by the flames…

Aaaa!

A series of agonizing screams echoed as the advancing bandits were consumed by fire, collapsing to the ground in fiery agony.