The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1555: Seizing Provisions

"Then make haste, and remember, the combined bounty on our heads surpasses ten thousand gold. For such rewards, those prefectural governors will spare no effort," Ye Shikai quipped.

"You speak the truth. Presently, we command only five to six thousand troops, while a single county’s garrison can field thirty to forty thousand. However, their forces are dispersed across various counties, making rapid consolidation a challenge," Shangguan Jian unfurled the map and indicated the initially intended route.

"Old Ye, my original plan was to traverse San Chuan County, but our schedule has been disrupted. To circumvent potential pitfalls, I propose an alteration to our path. We shall proceed through Yingchuan County; this allows us to reach Nanyang County directly, potentially shaving off two to three days," Shangguan Jian suggested.

"Yingchuan County? But that region is entirely open plains, devoid of mountains for cover. Would such a route not expose our diminished force to excessive danger?" Ye Shikai inquired. The mountainous terrain had served as an invaluable "shield" for their advance; on rugged mountain roads, a larger army becomes unwieldy, hindering the effective utilization of numerical superiority.

"Indeed, Yingchuan County is a recognized battleground, easily breached but difficult to defend. Yet, Yingchuan County itself is not extensive, boasting a defensive force of merely twenty to thirty thousand. Furthermore, the prefectural governor there is known to be less than resolute, bordering on timid and fearful. Our military reputation, significantly bolstered by the decisive engagement against the Wolf Clan, precedes us, and I surmise he will hesitate to confront us with his full might," Shangguan Jian’s strategic insight surprised Ye Shikai, who had not anticipated such detailed knowledge of the counties bordering East County from him.

"Old Ye, while this maneuver carries an element of risk, we find ourselves in extraordinary circumstances, necessitating extraordinary measures," Shangguan Jian declared.

"Hmm, I concur with your assessment. Moreover, Yingchuan County is small in scale; we can traverse it swiftly and arrive at Nanyang County within two days," Ye Shikai mused for a moment before ultimately placing his trust in Shangguan Jian’s judgment. He promptly issued the order for his soldiers to change their course.

In truth, whether East County, He Nei County, or Yingchuan County, all lie within the Central Plains region, where mountainous terrain is significantly less prevalent compared to the Chu Territory, renowned for its intricate river systems and towering peaks. While pockets of unrest exist here, development is largely impeded by the difficulty in establishing easily defensible "strongholds."

Ye Shikai naturally held faith in Shangguan Jian, just as Shangguan Jian had believed in Ye Shikai’s bold decision to defy the Qin. On this occasion, Shangguan Jian’s prediction proved accurate; throughout their journey, apart from encountering civilians, Ye Shikai’s contingent met no resistance from the Qin Army and reached Nanyang County in little more than a day.

Late into the night.

Due to the imperative need to travel continuously, the soldiers were unable to secure proper rest by establishing a camp; they were compelled to find level ground and sleep directly upon the earth. Ye Shikai, as their commander, felt a pang of sorrow, but their present predicament regrettably offered no alternative for more comfortable accommodations. This very reality fueled Ye Shikai’s internal conflict when he made the fateful decision to rebel.

Had he not chosen this path, his brethren under his command could have avoided life-or-death confrontations, endured injuries without succumbing to a lack of medical attention, and been spared the rigors of outdoor sustenance and sleepless nights spent in a perpetual state of vigilance. When the uprising first commenced, he commanded fifteen thousand men, yet within a mere three days, only a third remained, with nearly a thousand suffering from wounds of varying severity. Gazing towards the uncertain future, he could not ascertain how many would ultimately survive; perhaps none would see the dawn.

Should such a grim outcome materialize, Ye Shikai would be consumed by shame, for these men had entrusted their lives to his leadership, and he had guided them down a path that seemed to lead everyone towards "certain annihilation."

Reflecting on their past journey, Ye Shikai’s heart was assailed by doubt; was leading these numerous comrades in rebellion against the Qin the righteous course of action or a grave error?

"Old Ye, we are pushing ourselves too hard; the men are utterly spent," Shangguan Jian remarked, approaching and offering the meager remaining wine. Ye Shikai took a deep draught, exhaling with a heavy gasp.

"Our current location is reasonably secure. Let the men have a well-deserved rest tonight."

"Agreed. Furthermore... our provisions are dwindling. We initially departed with five days’ worth of rations, the remainder having been distributed amongst the populace. Three days have now elapsed; without resupply, we face starvation even before departing Nanyang County."

"Absolutely not," Ye Shikai declared after a moment’s thought, impulsively slamming the wine jug onto the floor. "We absolutely must find a way to secure provisions. While the discomfort of foraging outdoors is manageable, suffering from starvation would undoubtedly crush the soldiers’ morale."

A demoralized military was only one concern; Ye Shikai genuinely couldn’t stomach seeing his brethren endure the pangs of hunger.

"Indeed, Nanyang County is a significant region, boasting numerous towns, villages, and a substantial population. It’s bound to have ample food reserves; we must devise a strategy to obtain some," Shangguan Jian suggested.

"The Qin Army maintains a considerable presence in Nanyang County. With our current strength, launching an assault on any town is simply not feasible. Not only would we fail to capture any provisions, but we’d also suffer heavy casualties."

"Do you have an alternative plan, Old Ye?"

"We cannot resort to plundering the rebels and brigands; their hoards are insignificant and hardly a solution. Furthermore, we absolutely cannot prey on the common folk. We are left with only one viable course of action."

"And what might that be?"

"We shall intercept a Qin Army food transport convoy," Ye Shikai explained. "Both you and I are former members of the Qin Army; naturally, we are well-acquainted with their transport operations. Typically, these convoys comprise five hundred to a thousand men. Since they are not engaged in front-line combat, these escorts are generally composed of the elderly, the infirm, the weak, and the disabled. We currently possess a cavalry unit. If our operation is successful, we can utilize their horses to ferry the captured provisions back. Our steeds are swift, so even if the Qin Army dispatches reinforcements, we would have already made our escape."

In days past, the Wolf Clan had adeptly employed the mobility of their cavalry to repeatedly raid villages and exploit commoners. This very cavalry unit under Ye Shikai’s command had been meticulously trained to emulate the formidable tactics of the Wolf Clan’s heavy cavalry. Even the warhorses had been acquired from merchants hailing from the steppes, endowing them with significantly greater power compared to the steeds of the Central Plains.

"Our window of opportunity is narrow. Once we have secured the food supplies, we must withdraw immediately. We will proceed directly south without any delay. Additionally, we can position an ambush detachment to engage and mislead any pursuing Qin Army forces."

"That, indeed, is an exceptionally sound strategy."

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

Nanyang County.

"Hou Ganxian, are you familiar with the local terrain?"

"Commander Xue need not trouble himself; I have resided in this area for the past five to six years. I daresay, within a fifty-mile radius, I could navigate to any location with my eyes shut," Hou Ganxian boasted.

"Excellent. Then, please identify a route that will lead us safely to Chu Territory," Xue San commanded.

"Certainly, Commander Xue. Direct your gaze towards these mountains before us; they mark a path leading to Southern County. While the mountain trails are arduous and present challenges for passage, they represent the most secure route. The Qin Army would never dare to pursue us through such treacherous terrain. Once we traverse these mountains, we will emerge in Southern County, which lies within the borders of Chu Territory."