The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1608: Deep Strike Behind Enemy Lines

~5 minute read · 1,216 words

Previously on The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife...

Ye Shikai receives news that Commander Xue San died sacrificing himself to burn enemy supplies. He promotes a subordinate, Sun Cai, to lead Xue San's former squad. Later, Ye Shikai orders King Zhang Lan to lead an army across the river to prepare for an offensive, while also instructing Shangguan Jian to gather more ferries or build new ones. He also tells Zhang Lan and Wang Lian to set up camp and create a visible presence without attacking prematurely, and he keeps Man Cang from leading the charge due to his recent injury and the need to replenish troops.

The soldiers and civilians worked together to cut wood and build boats, quickly sending batches of people across the river. Ye Shikai also sent people to find shallow spots for the cavalry to cross. Shangguan Jian assured him that within three days, the fifty thousand troops and two weeks’ worth of supplies would be across the river. As a partner, Ye Shikai believed him.

"Hurry, speed up, push the boats into the river, board with two hundred people, and after reaching the other side, the soldiers should quickly gather at the camp while the boatmen row the boats back."

"Yes."

Ye Shikai walked to the riverbank. The bustling scene was like dragon boat racing, with hundreds of boats competing to cross. It was quite spectacular. Many small boats could only carry ten people. Several centurions were arguing about who should cross the river first. Seeing such high morale among the soldiers, Ye Shikai felt relieved.

"General Ye."

When Ye Shikai arrived, a few centurions quickly stopped arguing.

"Such a fierce argument."

"General Ye, you be the judge. My brothers and I have killed the most enemy soldiers. Shouldn’t we cross the river first?"

"Hmm, you make a good point." Ye Shikai patted the shoulder of the centurion who was speaking and glanced at everyone.

"Listen carefully, from now on, whichever unit accrues the most military merits will enjoy the best. Simply put, the worthy prosper, and the incapable starve, and deservedly so," Ye Shikai said loudly.

"Understood."

Ye Shikai’s "incentive system" closely resembled the Qin Army’s "military merit system." The essence was the same: those with the ability receive the best treatment. The more military merits, the better the treatment. This treatment was not only in salary and status but in all aspects, intended to arouse the soldiers’ fighting spirit, proving very effective. Although the court was starting to become unstable, the Qin Army was suppressing the rebel forces everywhere. Though they were stretched thin, their combat power was formidable, at least more professional than the "amateur" rebel forces. Therefore, if the Chu Army wanted to confront the Qin Army head-on, they must also have this kind of "incentive system."

A day later, another twenty thousand crossed the river. Two days later, all fifty thousand along with the necessary supplies reached the camp on the north bank of Zhao He, a day earlier than the three-day promise. Ye Shikai had only seven days for the military warrant he gave Mi Wen, making every day crucial.

In the tent.

"All generals, hear the order. Within two days, you must surround Wan City, the old nest of the Nanyang Qin Army. Capturing Wan City will cause the remaining counties to surrender when the wind blows," Ye Shikai continued. "The Central Plains Qin Army will not stand idly by. They will quickly head south, so we must conquer Wan City before they arrive."

"Yes."

The generals in the tent responded in unison, clearly showing their high morale.

"Xue..." Ye Shikai was about to call Xue San’s name, only to remember that Xue San was no longer there. Thinking of this, his expression changed, looking quite downcast.

"Sun Cai, what is the situation with the Wan City garrison?"

"Reporting to the general, since Zheng Lang’s last major defeat, he took the remaining Qin troops and fled back to Wan City. According to my investigation, they have been recruiting soldiers to expand their forces. Now there are nearly twenty thousand troops in Wan City, but most are newly enlisted recruits with low combat power and morale."

"In this battle, our fifty thousand will be the main force. Issue orders for the remaining troops to cross the river quickly and ambush the Qin reinforcements on the necessary roads near Wan City," Ye Shikai said calmly.

"General, those troops are not under our command. What if they refuse to obey when we order them?" Sun Cai asked back.

"Well then, I will write a letter and send it swiftly to the lord, also, notify General Huo to lead the cavalry to the ambush site. I believe he will listen to me."

Ye Shikai had just joined the Chu Army not long ago and had already become one of the important generals, which made many seasoned "old hands" dissatisfied. He was well aware that if he gave orders to these old generals, they would likely not comply, even if the orders were correct.

By comparison, among these "old hands," only Huo Ziqing had a good relationship with him. Requesting his help should not be turned down.

"Yes."

"General Zhang Lan, General Wang Lian, the army surrounds the city, and Qin reinforcements must be cut off. Each of you will lead ten thousand troops to guard the roads on the left and right sides outside Wan City, not letting a single Qin reinforcement in."

"Yes."

"All other generals, return to your camps. The army will rest for a night, and tomorrow morning, break camp and set out. Once reaching Wan City, set camp ten miles south of the city."

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

The fifty thousand troops marched day and night and arrived at Wan City just in time for the evening. Ye Shikai had the whole army rest to prepare for the battle the next day. Late at night, Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian, with the guard team, came under Wan City to carefully inspect this city.

"Old Ye, this is Wan City."

"Indeed." Ye Shikai looked at the city before him and couldn’t help but sigh. As the seat of the prefecture, Wan City was a strong fortress with high walls and a deep moat. It was also brightly lit with many soldiers patrolling. Bows and crossbows were set, indicating they had spotted Ye Shikai’s army approaching the city.

"Zhang Lan and Wang Lian each took ten thousand troops to guard the passage. We have only over thirty thousand remaining. To conquer this city might not be so easy."

"Facing such a city, at least three times the forces are needed for a strong attack. We currently lack the forces and must have reinforcements arrive quickly."

"Old Ye..."

"What’s the problem?" Seeing Shangguan Jian hesitate, Ye Shikai pressed.

"Don’t mention it, those generals all have reasons to refuse to hasten the march. As of now, quite a few are still south of Zhao He. They are deliberately distancing themselves from us."

"How could this be?" Ye Shikai’s face turned cold. Without the ten thousand reinforcements following, relying only on fifty thousand was pointless. This was no way to fight.

"There’s no message yet from the lord. Some of those generals are cowardly, retreating at the front, while some probably don’t like seeing you lead the siege. They are deliberately undermining you, playing tricks behind your back."

"Bastards," Ye Shikai cursed coldly.

"Without the ten thousand reinforcements following, should we attack the city so quickly? If the siege drags on without success, it will cause significant casualties for us." Shangguan Jian inquired.

"Of course, we must fight. If we don’t, it’s equivalent to helping the Qin Army. When the tens of thousands of Qin troops from the Central Plains arrive, we will have no place to die."