The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1622: Persuasion to Surrender

"Since this Ye Shikai is entrusted with heavy responsibilities by Mi Wen, how could he be someone who would casually rebel? If we try to persuade him to surrender, I’m afraid it would be pointless." Wang Li glanced at the Deputy General and said indifferently.

"General, you might not be aware, but before I set out, I secretly investigated this person. Back in Stone Peak Fortress, he led thousands of men to defeat over ten thousand Wolf Clan, hence he is highly regarded. Initially, he would not have rebelled against the court."

"Then why?"

"East County Meteor."

"What happened exactly? Explain clearly." Wang Li pursued.

"Months ago, a meteor fell in East County. Rumor has it that there was something carved on the meteor... words detrimental to the court."

"The Emperor’s death divides the land." Wang Li murmured, a chill flashing in his eyes.

"Indeed, Ying Huo Shou Xin, East County Meteor, coupled with this sentence, caused a great uproar in the court and the public. His Majesty the Emperor attached great importance to it, believing that this meteor must be dealt with, otherwise it would affect the empire’s stability."

"I heard about this. His Majesty the Emperor issued a secret order, instructing the Commanders of East County and He Nei County to dispatch troops to kill all the people near the meteor to prevent the spread of rumors, and also sent people to destroy this meteor."

"This is the crux of the matter." The Deputy General emphasized, "Ye Shikai rebelled to save the people. With his mere twenty thousand soldiers, he confronted the ninety thousand garrison. Eventually, he saved the people, but he and his subordinates became fugitives of the empire."

"He is quite a commendable soldier. I’m starting to take interest in him."

"Therefore, General, it can be seen that this person’s rebellion was not due to being tempted by the remaining forces of Chu State, but was a last resort. If we can reason with him, move him emotionally, and promise that if he surrenders to us, all his crimes will be wiped clean, and he will be reinstated, I think he would have no reason to refuse."

"The words on the meteor had too great an impact on the court and the public. His Majesty the Emperor’s decision was out of necessity and is understandable. If what you said is true, that he defied orders to save the people, I think it’s worth trying to recruit him."

"You convey my message to him; I want to meet with him. As for how to do it, I believe you have a way."

"Please rest assured, General. I will handle it right away."

Chu Army, camp.

"When General Chen went, the Qin Army had already retreated, leaving both camps vacant."

"What, leaving the camps vacant?" Ye Shikai set aside the bamboo slip; this news indeed took him by surprise.

"Yes, the Qin Army retreated hastily, leaving quite a bit of supplies inside." Shangguan Jian reported.

"Why is that? Why did Wang Li withdraw troops from these two camps?" Ye Shikai was very curious. Facing a famous general like Wang Li, he inherently lacked some confidence, and now Wang Li made such unexpected arrangements, causing him some self-doubt.

"I’m not clear about this either, but the Qin Army certainly has other intentions. We must not relax our vigilance."

"Of course, what’s the current situation?"

"General Chen commands ten thousand troops, stationed in these two camps, with patrol units day and night. If the Qin Army comes again, they will know in advance."

"Very good."

"By the way, this... was left by the Qin Army in the camp, specifying it is for you to see. The brothers didn’t dare to touch it randomly and had to send it up." Shangguan Jian had the guards bring over a box, with a plaque placed on top.

"This is for me?" Ye Shikai asked, indeed, words were written on the plaque, left by Wang Li.

"Old Ye, it won’t be poison inside, right? Better let the soldiers open it."

"Don’t worry, no matter what, Wang Li is a son of a General’s Family, he won’t resort to such shady tactics." Ye Shikai waved his hand and opened the box, inside there was only a letter.

"This cloth is of excellent quality, only court officials can use it, left by Wang Li." Ye Shikai unfolded the silk cloth, Shangguan Jian also leaned over.

"Old Ye, what’s written on it?"

"Haha, this Wang Li actually wants to invite me for tea." Ye Shikai read through it and laughed loudly.

"What, for tea?" Shangguan Jian took the silk cloth and looked at it carefully, Wang Li inviting Ye Shikai for tea by the river, quite an elegant gesture.

"This Wang Li is really interesting, inviting the General for tea before a battle." Man Cang curiously remarked.

"Old Ye, he surely wants to act against you, you cannot agree." Shangguan Jian hurriedly advised.

"Relax, Shangguan, this Wang Li is a famous general of his generation, using such methods to attack me would disgrace his grandfather. Besides, if I confront him face to face for tea, if he tries to act against me, I’m confident I can take him down before he does."

"This... Old Ye, please reconsider. If something happens to you, what will happen to our many brothers?" Shangguan Jian was still uneasy, continuing to try persuading him.

"Of course, I won’t go unprepared. Have Sun Cai lead the squad ready at any time."

"Alright then."

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

White River, a cool breeze blew through, refreshing and invigorating, Qin Army in black armor, lined up on one side, the atmosphere was very "oppressive".

"General, Ye Shikai is here."

"Hurry, invite him over." Wang Li had his guards go greet him while he sat, brewing tea by the river.

"Alright, Shangguan, take the guard here, I’ll be fine." Meanwhile, Ye Shikai also saw Wang Li from afar, sitting alone by the White River, with the guard two miles behind.

"Since Wang Li had the guard retreat two miles, I mustn’t break the rule." Ye Shikai turned and commanded, "Guard, retreat two miles. Without my orders, do not act rashly."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Excuse me, are you General Ye?"

"Indeed."

"My general is waiting, please follow me."

"Alright, thank you." Ye Shikai nodded and walked towards the river.

This was their first meeting; Ye Shikai was somewhat nervous, seeing Wang Li in person was unexpected for him.

"Esteemed General Ye, from afar, please have a cup of hot tea first." Wang Li personally handed him a cup of tea, Ye Shikai did not refuse and drank it all at once.

"Good tea, excellent tea."

"General Ye is refreshingly straightforward, please have a seat."

"General Wang, a renowned general of the empire, why would you wish to sit and have tea with me, an enemy commander?" Ye Shikai jested self-deprecatingly.

"If General Ye doesn’t mind, we shall address each other as brothers. Ye, Old Ye, I understand that back then you defected from the empire out of necessity."