The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife

Chapter 1632: Chapter 1632: Double/Body Substitute

"Then I must thank you, my lord," Ye Shikai nodded with a smile. Mi Wen seemed very excited; as they entered the city, he noticed the citizens were celebrating with lanterns, as lively as a New Year’s festival. It appeared the people had heard the good news from the front lines and had begun to celebrate.

"You don’t need to thank me. On the contrary, I should be the one thanking you. Who would have thought you could actually rout Wang Li?" Mi Wen smiled faintly.

"It’s my duty, nothing worth mentioning." Ye Shikai shook his head. In fact, he didn’t consider it a glorious achievement. He hadn’t predicted Wang Li’s actions; if it weren’t for Man Cang timely ’saving the day,’ the result would have been reversed. So, in the end, not only did he accomplish nothing, he actually failed. freewebnøvel.com

"Let’s go, I’ve got a place to show you." Mi Wen took his hand and led him out of the residence.

Tea house.

"Your victory news reached Jiangling City, the citizens are very pleased." Even late at night, many townsfolk still filled the marketplace.

"I didn’t expect you’d lift the curfew to celebrate victory." Ye Shikai smiled faintly.

"It’s temporary, just for a few days. People have suffered under the Qin for long enough. Now that we’ve defeated their army in Nanyang, naturally the citizens are happy. In such cases, I must follow the people’s sentiment."

"But we don’t need to chat in a teahouse late at night, in such an uncanny atmosphere. Besides, waking up the shop owner just for a chat is troublesome. If we want to talk, we could do it back in the residence."

"In the residence we discuss official matters; what we’re talking about are private matters, so we must step outside." Mi Wen poured him a cup of hot tea.

"Have a taste."

"At night... I’m not fond of tea." Ye Shikai waved his hand.

"You’re not giving me face. If you won’t drink tea, I’ll have someone bring wine."

"Alright, alright, tea it is." Ye Shikai chuckled bitterly.

"Have you considered what’s next if the Qin Army retreats? Shouldn’t we also withdraw our forces?" Mi Wen asked.

"Ahem, you just said we’re discussing private matters, but this should count as official." Ye Shikai retorted.

"I’m the lord, and whatever we discuss is up to me." Whenever feeling at a loss in reason, Mi Wen would leverage her "lord" status against him. Sometimes she seemed like a strategic female ’Zhuge Liang,’ yet other times she was a capricious little girl, leaving one unsure what to expect.

"Alright, you’re the one in charge."

With the Qin Army’s retreat, the Chu Army naturally can’t remain at the front lines. Otherwise, tens of thousands won’t be supplied in the rear indefinitely. These soldiers are young and strong and serve as productive labor when there’s no war.

"I’ve dispatched spies and scouts to monitor every move of the Qin Army. If they truly withdraw, I’ll have Huo Ziqing lead thirty thousand to return, while the rest will guard the cities and camps."

"Hmm, not bad. I trust your arrangements."

"But I don’t think Wang Li will leave so easily; he’s a formidable opponent and always seems to devise unexpected plans and bring them to fruition. Like this time, though I anticipated an attack on the crossing, it’s deep within our territory with guards on the roads. I thought it impossible for the Qin Army to launch such a long raid, especially in such numbers. Yet Wang Li not only did it but succeeded."

"But the Qin Army is indeed stretched thin, isn’t it? This time Wang Li commanded one hundred and twenty thousand, nearly all the available forces from the central plains. There’s a rise of rebel forces everywhere. If more troops are allocated to Wang Li, how will the authorities manage those uprisings?"

"True, but he still has sixty-seven thousand troops. With these numbers, he can indeed threaten all of Nanyang."

"He won’t be back." Mi Wen suddenly declared.

"Why not?"

"Because he’s an esteemed general in the court and the grandson of Wang Jian."

"I... don’t quite understand."

"Of course you don’t understand because you weren’t born into such a family. At this moment, Emperor Qin must have received the military reports. Wang Li failed his expectations and, more importantly, failed the glory of his ancestors. Consequently, he surely will return to Xianyang to explain himself to the Emperor."

Ye Shikai came to a sudden realization. After all, he was of ’commoner’ descent; even in modern times, his family’s situation wasn’t great. He was far from impoverished but could only be considered well-off without any connection to the high society.

"So, Wang Li has secretly returned to Xianyang."

"I believe there’s a good chance," Mi Wen replied.

"Impossible, my men have been watching him. If he left, how could I not know?" Ye Shikai found it hard to believe Wang Li had already left the camp. He’d been on guard day and night, yet hadn’t realized Wang Li might be gone.

"He’s a renowned general; finding a substitute isn’t hard, is it? With his status, likely he had a substitute arranged since he was young."

"Ahem, what about you... do you have a substitute?" Ye Shikai teased.

"Haha, if you have the chance, you’ll see one. But the substitute is for others, not for you."

"Uh... you’re not a... substitute now, are you?"

"You..." Mi Wen exclaimed in mock anger.

"Just kidding, just kidding, don’t be upset."

"By the way, after the battle is over, I’d like to visit Linxiang." Ye Shikai inquired tentatively.

"You’re longing for Miss He."

"I married her not long ago, spending little time together. I thought we’d live a peaceful life, yet I defected from the court. Thankfully, you helped us, but even in Linxiang City, I wasn’t there by her side. It’s my debt to her."

"Alright, I promise you."

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

The next day.

By noon, Ye Shikai led the guard and set off back to Wan City. Last night, he and Mi Wen remained at the teahouse until daylight. Cultivators have boundless energy, yet Ye Shikai still persuaded her to rest. While she slept, he left a letter and departed. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Wan City.

"There’re still so many wounded?" Ye Shikai arrived at the city’s Wounded Soldier Camp, filled with injured soldiers, even commandeering many homes to accommodate them.

"They’re all comrades injured in battle, as well as some Qin Army captives. Over ten thousand wounded, we’ve purchased medicine from all city’s pharmacies, but still not enough. The number of injured is too high; the military doctors are barely managing..."

"Haven’t they been transported to the rear?"

"The transport capability of warhorses is limited; furthermore, the cavalry suffered heavy losses. General Huo’s cavalry is also scarce. If all are used in transporting the wounded, then who’s left to fight?" Shangguan Jian sighed.