The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1542: Making a Choice

Ma Yao, with an inkling of Ye Shikai's potential for unconventional actions, had already dispatched Chen Ping to secure military command. The Ye Mansion now stands deserted, a clear signal to Ma Yao; should he discover this emptiness, he'll immediately deduce Ye Shikai's intentions to rebel. Time is of the essence, and Ma Yao might learn of this by tomorrow.

However, Ye Shikai has one crucial task to attend to before initiating his uprising.

At the heart of the military encampment.

Surveying the twenty thousand soldiers assembled below the platform, Ye Shikai was overcome with a complex array of emotions. These men had faced life and death alongside him, many having survived the brutal campaigns against the Wolf Clan. Yet, their demise this time wouldn't be at the hands of external foes, but from their own countrymen.

"Brothers, you must be wondering why I've summoned you all here," Ye Shikai began, his voice penetrating the profound silence of the assembled troops, carrying just enough volume for every man to hear.

"Among you, many have fought innumerable battles by my side, earned great military distinctions, and shared the desperate edge of the blade with me, eating from the same pot."

"General, if you have something to convey, please speak plainly. We have followed you for so long; simply issue your command, and we will face any peril without hesitation," a commander of five hundred men shouted emphatically from the ranks below.

"Very well, time is short, so I shall be direct," Ye Shikai stated. A sense of relief washed over him as he smiled, exchanging a knowing glance with Shangguan Jian. At this juncture, any pretense was unnecessary; it was time to reveal all.

"I'm certain you are all aware of the meteor that descended here, and some have even witnessed the inscriptions upon it. A few days ago, I received a clandestine directive from His Majesty the Emperor. His command is for us to eliminate all civilians within a fifty-mile radius, leaving no one alive."

"What? How can this be?"

"Indeed, is this not treating human lives as less than grass? Slaughtering them all will surely provoke an uprising among the populace."

"What are we to do? My parents reside nearby, and thousands of elders live in our villages."

Upon hearing the Emperor's decree, Ye Shikai's disciplined soldiers could no longer contain their shock, and a wave of commotion swept through the crowd. Ye Shikai recognized that many of his men had families residing in the vicinity; if they were to carry out the order to massacre civilians, their own kin would face annihilation. Anxiety was inevitable.

"Brothers, please calm yourselves and hear me out," Ye Shikai bellowed. Gradually, order was restored among the soldiers. Their faces were etched with gravity, clearly demonstrating their deep concern over the matter. They, too, opposed this secret order, as their loyalties and the Emperor's decree were fundamentally at odds. One side sought to preserve the empire's authority, while the other was bound by familial ties and kinship with the villagers.

"For a soldier, obedience is paramount, yet I cannot accept an order that demands the massacre of civilians. A righteous individual stands firm between heaven and earth, upholding the nation's interests above and protecting the people below. How can one possibly turn their blade upon their own citizens?" Ye Shikai's words resonated with profound righteousness and power, striking a chord with every soldier. Any person with sound judgment would likely find such a command unacceptable. The generals who opted to execute the secret order did so primarily out of fear of defying imperial authority, leading to such reprehensible actions.

"Therefore, I, Ye Shikai, hereby declare before this entire army that I shall rise against the Qin. Our inaugural battle will be to safeguard these innocent civilians."

"General Ye, I pledge my loyalty to you."

"General Ye, ever since we began following you, we have never known defeat. We place our unwavering trust in you."

"The tyrant intends to slaughter our fellow villagers; I will resist until the very end. I am willing to follow!"

While a significant number of soldiers below vociferously declared their allegiance, a palpable hesitation lingered among many others. This uncertainty was precisely why Ye Shikai had chosen to convene them for this crucial discussion.

"I welcome all who choose to stand with me, but I also understand the gravity of this decision. Once we rebel, your parents, wives, and children will undoubtedly face repercussions, including punishment or even death. Furthermore, past military achievements and titles may be forfeited. Thus, I shall not fault anyone for their choice. You are warriors who do not fear death, and considering the safety of your families demonstrates profound responsibility. I hold no grievances whatsoever." Ye Shikai was acutely aware that rebellion was a perilous gamble. Should it fail, not only he and his followers but also their families would face imprisonment.

"Now, heed my command: those willing to join me in rising against the Qin, please step to the left side; those who wish to depart, please move to the right."

"But... my parents are at home. If we rebel, they will assuredly be apprehended."

"Scoundrel! You ask me to slaughter my own kin? I absolutely refuse! Today, I rebel!"

"My fellow villagers are nearby, even if not rebelling, it’s a dead end. Might as well fight."

The soldiers divided into two factions, with a substantial majority, about three-quarters, positioned on the left. A significant portion of these 20,000 troops had been conscripted from East County and He Nei County, areas where many of their families resided within a fifty-mile radius. Given the emperor's decree to execute their families, these men, as husbands and fathers, couldn't possibly remain impassive. Their profound trust in Ye Shikai's strategic prowess fueled their belief that a rebellion might not end in definite defeat.

What brought Ye Shikai the most satisfaction was the unwavering loyalty of nearly all 3,000 cavalrymen, who sided with the left contingent. When this cavalry unit was initially established, they had commanded the Heyang County garrison, drawing most of their ranks from villages near Heyang. Consequently, they naturally aligned themselves with the uprising against the Qin. The fate of those from the Wolf Clan who had surrendered and joined the cavalry was inconsequential to this decision; their families remained on the grasslands. This elite cavalry, considered Ye Shikai's 'direct lineage,' was the best equipped, most rigorously trained, and most fearless of them all. With this formidable force, Ye Shikai felt a significant measure of confidence.

"Shangguan Jian, distribute twenty taels of silver to each brother on the right and allow them to return home," Ye Shikai instructed with a calm demeanor.

"Understood." Shangguan Jian directed several guards to bring chests of silver onto the platform.

"Brothers on the right, step forward and collect your twenty taels of silver."

Two hours elapsed.

"Old Ye, over 15,300 soldiers remain. The majority of the cavalry is still with us. Currently, our camp's provisions can only sustain us for five days. That scoundrel Ma Yao has cut off our supplies, likely out of fear that you would rebel," Shangguan Jian reported, presenting the statistical data.

"It is acceptable. Once our battle is concluded, we must depart without delay," Ye Shikai stated placidly.

"Old Ye, after we rescue these civilians, where shall we proceed?"

"Considering the current circumstances, once we initiate our uprising, we will undoubtedly face pursuit and obstruction from the Qin Army across all regions. To ensure our survival, our only viable option is to seek refuge in the Chu Territory."