The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1639: Shu Road

At some unknown point, Ye Shikai had gradually begun to integrate himself here; the Qin Army and the Chu Army had become a part of his life. Not merely because of that, but his heart was no longer confined to a "small home". When he was commanding battles in Nanyang, he held the lives of so many Chu Army brothers in his hands. Perhaps each one of them was like him with families waiting at home. Emotionally, he hoped these brothers would all return alive. From a broader perspective, if Huo Ziqing didn’t command well, the world would inevitably fall into the flames of war again, and then who knows how many people would die.

"If that’s the case, then you should return to the camp first. This way, you can get updates on the battle in real-time." He Linghan hesitated for a while, then suddenly said.

"Don’t worry, for now, I’ll stay with you." Ye Shikai gently caressed the back of her head, pulling her into an embrace. This "three-month" vacation wasn’t just his; it was also He Linghan’s. Since they agreed, he wouldn’t go back on his word.

"But... in your heart, aren’t you still worried about the battles ahead?" He Linghan retorted.

"I have so many concerns in my heart. If I think about them constantly, wouldn’t that be too exhausting?" Ye Shikai smiled faintly. "Moreover, the governor hasn’t assigned me a task—he just doesn’t want to activate me temporarily. Even if I know the battle situations now, it’s of no use, just a part of being anxious in the city. So... I might as well not concern myself with anything."

"Moreover, General Huo is also a good commander, proficient in leading troops. The two counties in Ba Shu lack the Qin Army’s main forces, and the defending generals are of average ability, not worth much. I don’t think he’ll lose." Ye Shikai explained.

"I see."

"So, you don’t need to worry." Ye Shikai comforted her. He had also learned the truth from Mi Wen: this time, the fifty thousand soldiers led by Huo Ziqing were Mi Wen’s "direct lineage". They were the aces who had followed Mi Wen in raising the army. Even when Ye Shikai was fighting hard against the Qin Army in Nanyang, Mi Wen hadn’t deployed this "ace" to assist. Raising soldiers for a thousand days, using them for a moment, shows Mi Wen’s determination—she won’t retreat unless she conquers Ba Shu. From the strength of both sides, the Chu Army has a significant advantage, so Ye Shikai isn’t worried.

"Alright, but... if one day you lead troops to battle again, don’t worry about me. I know you want peace under heaven; it’s your dream."

"A dream is a dream, but I’m also a realistic person. If the price of peace under heaven is you, then I’d definitely choose you." Ye Shikai hugged her tightly. He Linghan leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. The two remained silent as if they could hear each other’s hearts...

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

Linxian, tea house.

"How’s it been for you lately? Not bad, right?" Mi Wen invited Ye Shikai to the tea house above, chatting leisurely. At some unknown time, this had become a habit.

"Of course, waking up naturally every day, doing nothing at all, waiting for clothes to be handed and food served." Ye Shikai laughed proudly, stretching lazily, as leisurely as an old man of seventy or eighty years.

"You’ve invited me here today, is there something you want to discuss?" Getting to the point, Ye Shikai became serious. Mi Wen wasn’t like him; as the governor, she handles numerous affairs daily. Though she comes to the tea house to "chat" with him, in reality, they also discuss serious matters.

"Actually, it’s nothing much, just wanted to hear your thoughts on the battle situation."

"I’ve heard that General Huo won a battle in Ba County, chopping off ten thousand Qin heads and seizing large tracts of land. When he returns, I definitely have to congratulate him properly." Ye Shikai clapped his hands. He had anticipated Huo Ziqing’s victory—commanding fifty thousand elite Chu soldiers, plus several tens of thousands stationed in Chu Territory, together amassed almost a hundred thousand troops, aiming directly at Ba Shu. Initially, it was the strong attacking the weak, a few against many, naturally they wouldn’t lose.

Only...

"The paths of Ba Shu are rugged and difficult to traverse; in many areas, there aren’t even roads. With a hundred thousand troops entering Ba Shu, there will be many challenges." Mi Wen pointed out lucidly; she touched on the crux of the matter, and this was Ye Shikai’s main concern. Ba Shu has been easy to defend but hard to attack since ancient times, with numerous such historical examples. The roads of Shu are perilous, harder than ascending to heaven—this isn’t a joke.

"The mountainous paths severely restrict our army’s movements. Furthermore, what worries me is the transportation of provisions; every grain, every cloth must be sent from Chu Territory into Ba Shu, spanning a thousand miles. The needs of a hundred thousand troops in Ba Shu are vast." Mi Wen said, showing a troubled expression—evidently, Huo Ziqing had written an urgent report to her. Helpless, she came to seek Ye Shikai’s advice.

"Indeed, ten sacks of grain from Chu Territory diminish to less than half by the time they reach Ba Shu." Ye Shikai nodded. Previously, whether in Nanyang, He Nei County, or East County, there was a flat terrain, making it extremely convenient to transport provisions, arriving within a few days. But Ba Shu is different; it can take more than five times the time...

"If I guess correctly, was it General Huo who wrote you an urgent report, requesting a halt in advancement?" Ye Shikai queried.

"Yes."

"I agree." Ye Shikai stated decisively, without hesitation. In fact, even before departure, he had considered this problem for the army. The battle line extends to a thousand miles with a hundred thousand troops; relying solely on current conditions, how could one ensure supply? Without provisions, soldiers have nothing to eat, nor do the warhorses—how can they fight? Only leading to an unsustainable collapse, the logistical route is the army’s lifeline and its limit for advancing.

"Is there really no other way?" Mi Wen asked.

"No. Ba Shu is like a grand feast; wanting to ’enjoy’ it means slowly nibbling away. Any attempt to devour it in one breath would result in an upset stomach." Ye Shikai used a vivid metaphor; this isn’t alarmist talk. Although Ba Shu’s population doesn’t match the Central Plains, its geography provides an excellent advantage. With Mi Wen’s current military, material, and financial capabilities, attempting to absorb Ba Shu would take at least over two years.

"If you were Huo Ziqing, what would you do now?"

"I would not only order the halt but also retreat." Ye Shikai replied coolly.

"What did you say?"

"Retreat, use the cities as support points, camp and station troops around them, waiting slowly for the right opportunity. Once strength is amassed, then extend the battle line."

"Now that Ba Shu’s Qin forces are weak, staying put means missing the battle opportunity." Mi Wen’s face showed slight displeasure; she hadn’t expected Ye Shikai to give her such an answer.

"Though Ba Shu lacks the Qin Army’s main force, Xianyang’s Qin Army can enter from the north to assist in defense, even launch surprise attacks on our army."