The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1493: Preparations Before the Battle

He Linghan made an appearance before all the soldiers clad in a striking red dress, a sight that cast a wave of surprise through the ranks. Many soldiers secretly pondered the wisdom of Ye Shikai bringing his bride to the very brink of battle. Typically, in such circumstances, commanding officers would dispatch personnel to ensure the safety of their families.

"Why would General Ye bring his newlywed wife to such a place?"

"Indeed, it's quite peculiar. Could it be that Miss He is a hidden master of martial arts?"

"Unlikely. I grew up and lived in Shangshui Village, and I never once heard that Miss He possessed any fighting skills."

The soldiers engaged in hushed discussions amongst themselves. The notion of a general bringing his new bride directly onto the battlefield was utterly unheard of. Nevertheless, they had to concede that the mere presence of He Linghan, brought forth by Ye Shikai, seemed to act as a potent 'calming pill' for every soldier, significantly bolstering their morale. Historically, throughout periods of war, the families of the elite were always sheltered far behind the lines; even amidst the fiercest combat, the generals' kin remained secure. In contrast, it was invariably the common folk who faced the brunt of the losses, with each household watching their elders dispatch their young ones clad in mourning attire. Many soldiers recognized this disparity, and secret grumbling was an inevitable consequence. However, Ye Shikai's decision to bring his newlywed wife sent a powerful message to all: Behold, I, your General, have brought my wife here, and I am prepared to fight to the very end. Should we fall, my wife and I shall perish together. If even the General commits to such a stand, what valid reason would any soldier have for not fighting with their utmost desperation?

"My brothers, lend me your ears! Today marks my wedding day, and these brigands dare to crash my celebration and demand a toast. Tell me, will you allow them entry?" Ye Shikai's voice boomed as he sat astride his horse.

"No."

"No."

"No."

The soldiers responded in perfect unison. Ye Shikai was renowned for his sharp intellect, strategic prowess, and unwavering bravery, a leader who consistently shared the hardships faced by his troops. His record of multiple victories against numerically superior foes was widely celebrated. It could be said without exaggeration that Ye Shikai was a General who had truly won the hearts of his soldiers, fostering a spirit of collaborative effort, thereby banishing any fear of defeat.

"Excellent! Let us first feast and drink our fill. Once victory is ours, we shall indulge in drinking and feast on meat." Ye Shikai gestured with his hand, signaling the guards to distribute all the wine and provisions to the soldiers and the young villagers assembled for the defense.

"Ling’er, please remain here once the battle commences." Ye Shikai personally found a secure dwelling for He Linghan, ensuring she would not venture out.

"Of course, I will heed your words." He Linghan nodded in agreement.

"Man Cang, you will take a few trusted men and remain here to ensure her protection." Ye Shikai issued the order.

"Understood, my lord. I shall guarantee her safety."

"Wait a moment, if Man Cang is not here, how will you guarantee your own safety?" He Linghan held Ye Shikai’s hand, her voice tinged with concern.

"Do not fret, my skills in martial arts are formidable. These bandits pose no threat to me. Furthermore, Xue San has returned; with him by my side, that is more than sufficient," Ye Shikai reassured her.

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

"What is the current count of our assembled forces?" Ye Shikai approached Luo Li to inquire. Luo Li, who had initially been tasked with guarding the grain stores, had promptly arrived upon receiving Ye Shikai’s summons. Fortunately, Ye Shikai had not yet had the opportunity to transfer the grain, both that which he had brought and the bounty gifted by Hua Liandie, to the cave warehouse; otherwise, it would have necessitated the division of troops for its security. At present, a mere dozen sacks of grain remained in the cave warehouse, and their potential loss was deemed inconsequential.

"We have consolidated the strength of several guard teams; our numbers now exceed three hundred. When combined with the Lord’s personal guard contingent, we approach nearly five hundred individuals. With the assistance of our village folk, this should present no insurmountable challenge," Luo Li responded.

"Xue San, take your squad and position yourselves concealed upon the rooftops," Ye Shikai instructed, turning his gaze towards him. "You comprehend my intent, do you not?"

"Rest assured, my lord, I am fully aware of your wishes." Xue San swiftly ascended to the roof, his squad following suit, dispersing and arranging themselves strategically atop the buildings.

"Everyone, listen meticulously: Thoroughly evacuate all inhabitants from the houses in East Village. Ensure no one remains behind," Ye Shikai commanded.

"But... General, might we inquire as to the reason? East Village enjoys a higher elevation and directly confronts the approaching robbers. Why would we abandon such a vantage point?" Luo Li voiced his query, and many soldiers mirrored his curiosity.

"Soldiers, carry out my orders without question."

Although Ye Shikai chose not to elaborate on his strategy to the assembled crowd, his authority was unquestionable. Despite the murmurs and discussions that rippled through the ranks, compliance was the only course of action.

Approximately one hour later.

East Village. A contingent of robbers slowly advanced from the distance. Some were clad in crude armor pilfered from the Qin Army, but the majority wore simple civilian attire. Their weaponry generally consisted of dilapidated implements, a reflection of their status as mere robbers lacking the means to forge proper weapons. Their spears were often little more than wooden shafts with crude iron pieces crudely fastened to their tips.

"Strange, why aren’t the troops coming to stop us when we’ve come with so many people?" A burly leader stood on the slope, looking down at Shangshui Village. East Village was the village’s entrance, and not only was there no Qin Army, but there wasn’t even a single civilian, making the silence rather odd.

"Don’t worry too much, Brother. There are at least a thousand of us here. If the villagers were smart, they’d have run away long ago. As for the troops, most are just wine sacks and food bags. The leaders would rather live than fight, bullying civilians perhaps, but against us, they won’t stand a chance." A confidant beside the leader said.

"But I heard that someone in the village is getting married today, and it’s a well-known General from East County."

"Don’t worry, Brother. If these Generals were really that capable, we wouldn’t exist. In my view, it’s just a coward."

The robbers reached the village entrance, but unlike usual, there wasn’t a single person in sight. It should have been mealtime, but the chimneys of each house had no smoke, making it look like a deserted village.

"Brother, I think the troops heard we were coming and all ran away. The villagers wouldn’t dare confront us either; they must have fled to nearby villages for refuge."

"Don’t let your guard down. You take two hundred people inside and see if there’s anyone left." The leader instructed.

"Yes, Brother, come on, everyone, follow me."

In the village.

"General, according to your order, my brothers and I have hidden well. Each household nearby has our brothers lying in ambush. Also, the equipment you asked me to prepare has been placed."

"Good, Chief Luo, you’ve done well. Following the plan, head to the village blacksmith’s shop immediately. It’s the highest point in the village, offering a panoramic view of East Village."

"I accept the order," Luo Li was puzzled and asked Ye Shikai, "General, why did you leave East Village?"

"Although East Village has high terrain, the road is narrow. If the battle doesn’t go well, it’s difficult for us to retreat. On the contrary, leaving East Village to the robbers essentially uses the narrow terrain to hold them at bay."