Free Web NovelChapter 1697: Chapter 1697: Construction
After recounting the entire incident, He Linghan calmed his emotions after a long time.
"Ling’er, I’ve already told the lord, I won’t be an official anymore," Ye Shikai said calmly. Frankly, back at the military camp, he was so angry that he spoke out of turn and directly parted ways with Mi Wen. Although he has now resigned his post, knowing Mi Wen’s personality, Ye Shikai is truly uncertain about what she might do. If it inadvertently involves He Linghan, he would regret it for a lifetime. Shangguan Jian seemed to have realized this too, so he entrusted his own two thousand guards to Ye Shikai to ensure the safety of the mansion.
"Husband, I understand you. You and they have different ideals, you are completely different people destined not to walk the same path. Resigning is good, you can lead a peaceful life, free from the burdens of office." He Linghan understood deeply. She knew her husband’s aspirations: to cultivate himself, govern the family, rule the nation, and bring peace to the world, overthrowing the oppressive Qin, and establishing a Peaceful Age. This was why he was willing to lead troops into battle, because at first Ye Shikai thought Mi Wen could achieve this. However, just from the fact that Mi Wen ordered the execution of prisoners of war, Ye Shikai could clearly see her true nature. Even if Mi Wen achieved dominion over the land, she would just be another oppressive Qin.
The Qin and Chu armies had clashed in over a hundred battles, causing hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides and driving millions of people from their homes. After paying such a heavy price, the result was that the people continued to suffer. Ye Shikai couldn’t hope for or accept such an outcome.
Ye Shikai walked alone to the window, looking up at the sky. He once believed that with his abilities, he could perhaps help Mi Wen seize the world and change the course of history. But now it seems, history is already determined, a foregone conclusion. He can only be a part of history, not change it. Now it is the thirty-seventh year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and the world’s situation is about to undergo a drastic change...
Ye Shikai had an ominous premonition, though he didn’t know why. Whenever disaster was about to strike, he always seemed to "anticipate" it, or rather, his premonitions were very accurate. And this time, it would likely not be that simple. Mi Wen wouldn’t let him go so easily. This is Linxiang City, Mi Wen’s stronghold, and as long as they stayed here, he and He Linghan were effectively in Mi Wen’s grasp.
The next day.
Ye Shikai had He Linghan "hold the fort" at home, declining all the congratulatory gestures and invitations from officials and wealthy merchants in Linxiang City. Meanwhile, he secretly left the city with his personal guards and hidden guards to the "secret location" to build warehouses and houses. Every daily necessity was planned out. He also intended to fortify some strategic points to turn them into a stronghold.
"Not bad, your design here integrates offense and defense and can also sustain itself. It’s practically a natural stronghold," Dao Hun remarked suddenly.
"Of course, the main reason is that you picked a good location. The entrances and exits here are very concealed, and without knowledge of the terrain, no one could get in. Besides, the surrounding land is fertile, with rivers and springs abundant with water, making it completely viable even in isolation." Ye Shikai once doubted the existence of a paradise, but now it seems, he may not find an existing paradise but could create one himself.
With so much construction work, even with hundreds of people, it wouldn’t be completed quickly, especially in this era without modern heavy machinery like excavators. Construction had to rely entirely on manpower. However, Mi Wen was now in Ba Shu, and Ye Shikai estimated it would take her at least a month or two to return. During this time, they should be able to establish a "prototype."
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A month passed quickly. Ye Shikai’s secret location was 60-70% complete. His hidden guards constantly gathered information everywhere. Mi Wen remained in Ba Shu, seemingly due to some minor disturbances that required her personal attention. The battle between the northern Wolf Clan and the Qin Army led by Meng Tian raged intensely, with both sides continuously reinforcing their troops. The conflict was expected to last at least three to four more months. Compared to the Chu Army, the threat posed to Xianyang by tens of thousands of the Wolf Clan was greater.
What intrigued Ye Shikai most about Mi Wen was that, logically, his resignation should have quickly spread to Linxiang City, yet a month later, both high and low-ranking officials in the city seemed completely unaware. Every day, they came to the door of the Ye Mansion, still respectfully addressing him as "General Ye," bringing many gifts of money and valuables.
It was clear this was deliberately orchestrated by Mi Wen. But why conceal it? Could it be... she refused to accept Ye Shikai’s resignation? This was very possible. After all, Ye Shikai was once one of the commanders of the Chu Army, achieving remarkable victories in Nanyang and Ba Shu. As his lord, Mi Wen would naturally want to keep this trump card in her hand. However, Ye Shikai was determined to leave and wouldn’t lead troops again under any circumstances.
"Husband, why are you covered in dirt and dust?" Upon returning to the Ye Mansion, He Linghan couldn’t help but laugh when she saw his dusty appearance.
"Of course, I’ve been busy building houses," Ye Shikai responded with a wry smile. "My guards and hidden guards are busy working. I can’t very well just sit around doing nothing."
"Alright, come here. Let me wipe you with this towel."
"Report..." Suddenly, a hidden guard hurried into the mansion to report.
"What’s the matter?"
"Five days ago, the lord set out from Chengdu. Judging by the direction, it seems she’s returning to Linxiang."
"How many people does the lord have with her?" Ye Shikai continued to ask.
"A hundred thousand soldiers."
"With such a large force, it seems she’s returning triumphant." Ye Shikai calculated. He had been back for about forty to fifty days, and Mi Wen should have handled all the "trivial matters" in Ba Shu by now.
"She set out five days ago, so she’s likely already out of the province." Ye Shikai exhaled deeply. What has to come will come, and he too had some questions for Mi Wen.
"Ling’er, just stay home these days and don’t go out, okay?" Ye Shikai turned to say.
"Alright."
"General, the lord may be returning triumphantly, but she’s marching swiftly, covering nearly a hundred li a day. At this pace, the army will reach Linxiang in less than half a month," the hidden guard continued.
"I anticipated that, no need to worry. Early or late, it’s bound to happen. Relay my orders, summon back all the hidden guards, and have the two thousand guard troops ready."
