Xue San and his group are trying to escape to Southern County, but the direct mountain path is blocked by a dangerous miasma. Despite concerns for He Linghan's health and the risks involved, she insists on taking the mountain route to avoid pursuers, overruling Xue San's plan to bypass it. Meanwhile, Ye Shikai prepares his soldiers for a crucial 'food raid' using fresh armor and cavalry.
"Understood, this subordinate comprehends fully," Wan Qi Yuan affirmed with a nod. At this very moment, Ye Shikai remained uncertain if the news of their rebellion against the court had yet infiltrated Nanyang County. Should this intel remain undiscovered by the local authorities, his troops would still be permitted to traverse Nanyang County under the guise of 'open' operations, and Ye Shikai's forces would still be recognized as part of the 'Qin Army.' However, if word had already reached the local government, a more 'deceptive' approach would be necessitated. Wan Qi Yuan, a thoroughly capable individual, was known for his swift and decisive actions, ensuring any emergent situation could be handled with promptness.
"The Qin Army typically ventures to the subordinate villages at the start of each month to gather grain before transporting it to the county town. Our operation must occur during this transit," Ye Shikai delineated the strategy to his assembled officers within the tent. The army had endured severe casualties, and where the tent once brimmed with commanding officers, only a sparse few now remained. Ye Shikai couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness, yet he resolutely suppressed his emotions. Their trials had only just commenced, and as the army commander, succumbing to despair first would spell ruin for the entire troop.
"General Ye, please issue your commands. Despite our heavy losses, our spirit remains unbroken. We harbor no fear of the local garrison whatsoever."
"Very well, I shall proceed," Ye Shikai declared, a sense of relief washing over him. He firmly believed that the caliber of leadership at every echelon within the troops was paramount; if the general faltered, the soldiers under his command would inevitably lose their will to fight. Consequently, he personally oversaw the selection of officers, ensuring no one could exploit the situation for personal gain.
"We are currently situated near Wan City, the administrative hub of Nanyang County. This region boasts numerous villages, some housing populations exceeding twenty thousand. The government customarily collects thousands of shi [a traditional Chinese unit of dry volume] of grain monthly, a provision sufficient to sustain our army for ten days."
"Old Ye, wouldn't operating near Wan City be unduly perilous?" Shangguan Jian voiced a sudden unease. "Given it is the county's administrative center, how could its military strength be insufficient? Based on my understanding, Wan City's garrison surpasses twenty thousand men, all well-equipped. Among them are thousands of cavalry; if they receive word and move to encircle us, with our injured soldiers unable to effect rapid movement, we would assuredly be captured."
"I am fully aware of that danger. I would not court such risk if the circumstances did not compel me," Ye Shikai admitted. Shangguan Jian's concerns resonated deeply within him. Although raiding for grain presented a viable solution, executing it in the vicinity of Wan City constituted a 'gamble,' a perilous wager with the lives of all their comrades. Yet, in their present predicament, venturing elsewhere for provisions was simply not feasible. In mere days, their food supplies would dwindle, forcing them to resort to slaughtering their warhorses for sustenance. Furthermore, their prolonged presence in Nanyang County amplified the inherent danger.
"Therefore, it is imperative that I establish a detachment of cavalry to act as a diversionary force against the Qin Army."
"General Ye, permit me to undertake this task; I pledge to draw away the Qin Army and secure the retreat of our brothers."
"General Ye, allow me."
"Let me go."
The remaining chiliarchs and Five Hundred Masters all volunteered. Each understood that commanding such a diminutive cavalry unit to engage and divert thousands of Qin troops was tantamount to a 'death-seeking' mission, yet the necessity of it meant someone had to accept the role.
"Very well, concerning the personnel assignments, I have already made my selections," Ye Shikai stated, raising a hand to signal for further arguments to cease.
.....................................
"Old Ye, did you truly arrange for someone to divert the Qin Army?" Shangguan Jian inquired immediately after the officers had departed.
"Certainly not; regardless of who undertakes such a task, it represents a perilous endeavor with meager prospects of return. How could I possibly make such a decision lightly?" Ye Shikai responded with candid honesty. Acknowledging it as a mission of certain doom, he found the choice agonizing, unless he were to personally lead the charge. After all, he had regained his Inner Strength and possessed numerous treasures, making escape from encirclement a manageable feat. However, as the commander, his duty was to remain and direct the overall operation.
"Old Ye, since you have not yet selected anyone, why not allow me to go?" Shangguan Jian unexpectedly proposed.
"What, are you jesting?" Ye Shikai exclaimed, abruptly rising to his feet in astonishment.
"Within the military ranks, there is no room for jest. Since I have spoken, I mean it with absolute sincerity," Shangguan Jian replied earnestly, suddenly kneeling on one knee, his hands clasped in a formal salute. As Ye Shikai's trusted confidant and right-hand man, Shangguan Jian had consistently offered unwavering support for Ye Shikai's decisions.
"No, you are the army's Deputy General; how can you possibly undertake such a dangerous mission?"
"Old Ye, do you not trust my capabilities?"
"Naturally." Ye Shikai offered his assent, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "You were the one who guided me into the army and proved yourself a general adept at strategic planning. It's a shame you chose to follow my path; otherwise, within the Qin Army, your prospects would undoubtedly be boundless."
"Then, how does my command ability stack up against those chiliarchs?"
"You are superior." Ye Shikai paused briefly before stating the truth. Many chiliarchs displayed fearlessness in the face of death but lacked the acumen of strategic planners. They were valiant warriors, not master strategists. Such brave generals could fight to the bitter end in adversity, but often at the devastating cost of the entire army—a consequence Ye Shikai was unwilling to accept.
"Since no one can outmatch me, naturally this task falls to me. Old Ye, I appreciate your concern for my well-being. Consider me your sworn brother, and I shall entrust my life to your care."
"Old Ye, allow me to take responsibility for distracting the Qin Army."
"Shangguan, you..."
"Do not hesitate any longer."
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"Commander Xue, several soldiers in the vanguard camp have succumbed to illness due to the swampy miasma."
"The Left Guard Camp is also affected."
"Furthermore, the water sources within the mountains are contaminated, and numerous soldiers have been poisoned after drinking."
Having been in the mountains for a mere day, with dozens falling ill, Xue San found himself quite troubled. Hou Ganxian had not deceived him; those pills were indeed effective. However, the miasma was truly 'severe.' It was no wonder that only the most seasoned hunters dared to venture into such territory.
Fortunately, no one had yet perished from the poisoning; if it were merely an illness, Xue San would not have been overly worried. Even newly arrived troops could easily fall ill due to acclimatization issues, but recovery would typically follow. Yet, the condition of He Linghan in the carriage made him reluctant to relax. In just one day, He Linghan appeared as though he had endured a grave sickness, his complexion alarmingly pale, showing only a slight improvement after consuming herbal medicine.
"Hou Ganxian, how much farther must we travel along this mountain path?" Xue San inquired.
"The mountain path is treacherous. Although the distance between our current location and the destination appears short, the actual journey involves unavoidable twists and turns. At our current pace, I estimate it will take another two days. Once we emerge from these mountains, the terrain outside will be flat."
"Two more days." Xue San murmured to himself, "Very well, just two days."
