Mi Wen reveals that Ye Shikai's army will be commanded by General Huo Ziqing, sparking Ye Shikai's anger. To resolve the conflict, Mi Wen proposes Ye Shikai and Miss He leave Southern County for the peaceful Changsha Commandery, where he can expand his army. Ye Shikai agrees, prioritizing his men's safety, and informs his generals, while also planning to wait for He Linghan's recovery and Shangguan Jian's return.
In tumultuous periods, heroes emerge, despots ascend, and ambitious souls driven by global domination dreams are never in short supply. These individuals perpetually fixate on the land, viewing it as a colossal prize, prepared to gamble their lives in its pursuit.Covetousness is a truly terrifying entity. Had Ye Shikai harbored such aspirations, he would not have defied the Qin to liberate the populace. Instead, he would have remained in East County, patiently awaiting his moment, discreetly building his forces, expanding his dominion, and then seizing the opportune moment to supplant Ma Yao, thereby establishing himself as a regional overlord—a 'tyrant' in the grand scheme of world contention.Ye Shikai harbors no grandiose ambition to conquer the world. For the sake of a hundred and twenty thousand souls, he might risk everything, but vying for global supremacy lies far beyond his scope."Ling’er, your arduous journey alongside me has truly put you through hardship," Ye Shikai whispered tenderly in her ear."Husband, I do not feel wronged, but once we reach Changsha, do you truly intend to defend Miss Mi’s city? Do you not harbor other ambitions in your heart?" A flicker of discontent crossed He Linghan’s eyes. She felt a sense of injustice on Ye Shikai’s behalf. As a general, one naturally yearns for military glory. While He Linghan desires to be with Ye Shikai, she hopes their union does not hinder his path to greatness."I enlisted in the Qin Army because of the Wolf Clan's invasion; the nation's survival is a collective duty. For the millions in the Central Plains, I joined the ranks to repel the invaders. Later, the emperor appointed me 'General Yi.' I led our forces to quell rebel factions because they were inflicting atrocities upon the people. The common folk were crying out in suffering, and their eradication ensured peace for the populace. Finally, the court issued an absurd 'imperial decree'—attributed to a celestial omen—commanding the troops to massacre one hundred and twenty thousand individuals. I rebelled solely for the sake of these innocent people."As he recounted these events, Ye Shikai seemed lost in thought, falling into a profound silence.Ye Shikai and his brethren merely altered their 'banner,' but their core principles remained steadfast."Ling’er, I have risked life and limb for the people, as have my brothers, even to the point of sacrificing their lives, and I consider it a worthy cause. However, I now wish to live solely for you; I desire no further entanglements with worldly affairs.""Enough, you should speak less and rest more. Shangguan remains out of contact, so we will defer our departure for the time being." Ye Shikai extended his hand, placing it upon He Linghan’s wrist, circulating his inner strength to imbue her body with vital energy. His Dantian has since been mended, enabling him to safeguard He Linghan’s vital meridians with his Qi. As a woman, He Linghan possesses a delicate constitution; should she fall gravely ill, the consequences could be severe, even fatal."Ling’er, are you feeling any better?" Ye Shikai inquired gently."Yes, I feel a surge of vitality coursing through me, and I suddenly feel considerably lighter.""That is good. You should prioritize resting well. I will return shortly." Ye Shikai nodded in response. He understood that He Linghan’s fragile condition could not tolerate an excessive influx of inner strength at once, as it might precipitate a dangerous backlash. Such transfers must be conducted gradually.Military Camp.Ye Shikai first visited the Wounded Soldier Camp. Many of his comrades had recuperated and rejoined their units. Xue San, along with his guards, had escorted He Linghan to Southern County without encountering any opposition from the Qin Army. Nevertheless, traversing the mist-shrouded mountains resulted in numerous soldiers falling ill; however, there were no casualties among the wounded. Ye Shikai’s contingent sustained more injuries due to the incessant evasion of Qin Army pursuits, thus the number of sick was lower than the injured."My brothers, rest and recuperate thoroughly here." Ye Shikai personally offered water and food to the wounded, deeply touching the soldiers present. He had instituted a rule within the camp: the finest provisions were to be allocated to the wounded first; only after the wounded had partaken could even the General begin his meal. Consequently, the army was bound by unwavering loyalty, and the soldiers willingly pledged their service to Ye Shikai."General, will we remain here indefinitely?" inquired a wounded soldier, his body swathed in white bandages."No, once you have recovered and rejoined the ranks, we shall proceed to Changsha Commandery. It is a region with minimal conflict, allowing us to temporarily bid farewell to this life of drawing blood with our blades." Ye Shikai opted for complete transparency. This matter affected every brother present, and as their commander, he possessed neither the right nor the inclination to conceal the truth."Changsha Commandery, that lies further south, does it not?""Indeed."The soldiers present displayed no overt signs of enthusiasm upon receiving this news. Many lowered their heads in silent contemplation, their expressions visibly crestfallen.
From a distance, Ye Shikai faintly caught the sound of crying. Glancing down, he saw what appeared to be a teen, perhaps fifteen or sixteen, sobbing in a corner. In ancient times, a person that age would not be uncommon to be sent to war. Ye Shikai felt a pang of unease, though the recruitment of soldiers was not his duty, but that of his subordinates.
"Why are you crying?" Ye Shikai didn't admonish him, his voice gentle, as if afraid of startling the boy.
"General, will we... never return?" The "child" choked out, and Ye Shikai's expression grew somber. The question struck like a sharp blade, piercing the hearts of all present.
Most people in ancient times were deeply tied to their homeland. Ye Shikai's subordinates hailed primarily from the Central Plains, and having journeyed south for two or three thousand miles, the unfamiliar surroundings made them uneasy. Ye Shikai understood this deeply. Many longed for their parents, and though Ye Shikai had saved 120,000 people, they had lost their original homes. The soldiers seemed to have lost all contact with their families back home, and in such circumstances, losing contact could very well mean never seeing them again in this lifetime.
"Brothers, I swear to you, as long as I draw breath, I will lead you back home." Ye Shikai proclaimed with conviction. He understood this feeling all too well; it reminded him of his own journey back to the Qin Dynasty, alone and penniless, lacking any inner strength. An ordinary person might have perished countless times. In those days, his longing for home was immense.
"However, the tyrannical Qin still reigns; we are still fugitives. To return home openly, we must first depose the tyrant Qin. Therefore, our most crucial task now is survival."
"The General speaks the truth."
"Indeed." The soldiers nodded, grasping the gravity of their situation. With only a few thousand of them, even if they marched north now, the formidable Qin Army would intercept them long before they reached Southern County, let alone make it back alive to East County and He Nei County.
"Consequently, our immediate objective is to proceed to Changsha, consolidate our strength there, prepare, regroup, and continue our resistance against the tyrannical Qin!" Ye Shikai declared with force.
