The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1506: Ma Yao’s Request

For months, Ye Shikai had ascended to become the preeminent war hero under Ma Yao's command. His rapid promotion, facilitated by Meng Tian's endorsement, ignited envy among his peers, particularly other generals who found their own advancement prospects diminished. Yet, Ye Shikai's capabilities were undeniable: strategic acumen, boundless courage, firm control of military might, and a retinue of elite warriors. Within East County alone, his cavalry, honed by Wolf Clan instructors, faced no equal.

The persistent threat posed by the rebel army left Ma Yao in a state of distress. The absence of his key asset, Ye Shikai, was a constant source of anxiety. Therefore, upon learning of Ye Shikai's return to Pu Yang, Ma Yao, bearing numerous gifts, made a personal visit even before Ye Shikai could report to the Commander Mansion.

"This must be my sister-in-law," Ma Yao remarked, his gaze settling on He Linghan beside Ye Shikai. "I had heard tales of her beauty, like that of a celestial being, and seeing her now, the rumors do not do her justice."

"You are too kind, Mr. Ma. Please, do come inside," He Linghan replied, her demeanor exuding a graceful hospitality befitting a lady of the house. She ushered Ma Yao in, simultaneously directing servants to prepare tea.

"Mr. Ma's visit to my humble abode today is surely not solely for congratulations, is it?" Ye Shikai inquired mildly once they were settled in the main hall.

"Haha, indeed, congratulations are only part of it. My primary purpose today, Ye, is to discuss a pressing matter with you," Ma Yao signaled subtly, a gesture Ye Shikai understood perfectly. The nearby attendants and guards were promptly dismissed.

"Very well, Mr. Ma. Now that it is just the two of us, please, speak your mind freely."

"Ye, to be perfectly candid, broaching this subject weighs heavily on me," Ma Yao confessed, his expression a mask of troubled indecision.

"Sir, please, just state it plainly," Ye Shikai urged, his mind already braced for what was to come. He was acutely aware that being Ma Yao's "trusted war hero" often entailed undertaking the "dirty and arduous" assignments.

"You have recently vanquished a considerable number of rebels, capturing a vast quantity of prisoners. Their sheer numbers are becoming unmanageable; our county jail is rapidly reaching its capacity."

"So, you are suggesting..."

"Criminal soldiers."

As anticipated, though Ye Shikai had prepared himself, hearing these three words still brought a wave of unease. Earlier, in Heyang County, he had facilitated the recruitment of a contingent of prisoners while preparing to reinforce the northern front. Among them was Man Cang, whom Ye Shikai had brought under his wing through moral suasion. At that time, commanding only a small squad of a few dozen, securing Man Cang's allegiance naturally brought the rest into line. However, he now led over eight thousand soldiers. Integrating thousands of criminal soldiers, as Ma Yao intended, was a far more complex undertaking than mere verbal commands could manage.

"The county has agreed to release two thousand able-bodied prisoners for recruitment, with the hope of... entrusting their management entirely to you. What are your thoughts on this arrangement?"

"No problem," Ye Shikai responded without hesitation. He recognized that Ma Yao's visit was less a discussion and more an official directive. Refusal was not an option. Rather than passively accept, he chose to proactively engage, enabling him to set certain terms.

"Haha, you truly are an invaluable pillar of the court, Ye. If you have any conditions, do not hesitate to voice them," Ma Yao stated, having anticipated some resistance and surprised by Ye Shikai's ready acceptance.

"Since I will be responsible for their training, absolutely no interference will be permitted. They shall answer only to my command; no other general may issue orders to them." Ye Shikai raised his index finger, laying down his first condition.

"Understood. No problem."

"Furthermore, I will personally compile a list detailing their required equipment and provisions, ensuring there are no unauthorized deductions in their pay or supplies."

"Agreed."

"Excellent. Given that you have agreed to these two conditions, Mr. Ma, I shall not require anything further." Ye Shikai nodded in acceptance.

"Splendid! I shall arrange for the necessary weapons and gear to be prepared immediately. Ye, should any new requests arise, please do not hesitate to inform me," Ma Yao said, visibly relieved to have divested himself of such a troublesome responsibility.

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

Military Camp.

"Old Ye, these criminal soldiers are a handful, no doubt. We've only just concluded the training of three thousand new recruits, and now another two thousand are being added, and they're criminals to boot. Should any incidents occur, we'll be the ones to face the repercussions." Shangguan Jian was already present upon Ye Shikai's return to the military encampment. He was meant to have returned to the village to celebrate Ye Shikai's wedding but was compelled to rush back due to Ma Yao's urgent military orders. Ye Shikai understood Shangguan Jian's predicament without needing extensive explanations, especially after hearing reports of ongoing bandit activity near Shangshui Village. Shangguan Jian's peace of mind had been thoroughly disrupted, leading him to dispatch four reconnaissance teams in a single day. It was only upon receiving confirmation of Ye Shikai's decisive victory against the robber group that he could finally find some respite.

"They are all soldiers, so what’s the distinction? If we fail to lead them effectively, it simply highlights our own incompetence." Ye Shikai dismissed it with a wave of his hand, his tone nonchalant, though a knot of anxiety tightened within him. Among these soldiers were numerous rebels he had previously vanquished, men who had languished in captivity only to don the Qin Army’s uniform now. It was a rather peculiar turn of events.

This situation presented a double-edged sword. The obvious drawback was that these men were formerly Ye Shikai’s defeated enemies, imprisoned and harboring a natural bitterness, making them difficult to bring under control. Conversely, the clear advantage was their firsthand experience of Ye Shikai’s might, a fact that instilled a degree of fear, however grudging it might be.

"Since you’ve made your decision, as your Deputy General and as your brother, I will offer my full support." Shangguan Jian stated resolutely. Despite this declaration, Ye Shikai sensed that Shangguan Jian harbored underlying displeasure. The Deputy General’s primary role was to follow the Main General’s commands, and therefore, he must stand by Ye Shikai’s choices without actively subverting them.

"In truth, I already have a plan to manage these criminal soldiers; the most effective approach is to win their loyalty through moral means." Ye Shikai said with composure. As prisoners, they had endured considerable hardship, thus harsh military discipline might prove ineffective. Furthermore, managing two thousand criminal soldiers individually was impractical, necessitating their willing submission from the heart.

Criminal soldiers represent a rather exceptional category, often considered a final option. In the absence of dire manpower shortages, no general would willingly opt to employ them. When armed, assurances of their allegiance become uncertain, and in the event of treachery, their restraint becomes a significant concern.