Free Web NovelChapter 1698: Chapter 1698: Invitation
"Around the fortress, make sure to set up more mechanisms. There are quite a few trees here that, if used well, will surpass an army of tens of thousands."
"And over there, set up several crossbows."
"Understood."
"Understood."
In recent days, Ye Shikai has been leading his subordinates in building at a secret location, working day and night. They’ve finally completed the house, thanks to Ye Shikai’s storage ring, which can directly store the necessary timber and tools. Otherwise, just cutting and processing the timber would take at least a few weeks.
"How much longer until it’s finished?" Ye Shikai asked as he looked at the "camp gate" at the entrance, growing increasingly anxious.
"The subordinates are working day and night, but we are too few in number. To finish it... I’m afraid it will take some more time," the Hidden Guard replied. Ye Shikai understood too; they were Ye Shikai’s guards, adept at assassination and warfare but not at construction, which should be the engineers’ work. Building a fortress typically requires at least a few thousand people, while Ye’s personal guards and Hidden Guards together numbered only a few hundred.
"Alright, keep going," Ye Shikai calculated briefly. The main thing missing now were the defensive works. If he wanted to "isolate from the world" here, there naturally had to be defensive measures.
In fact, Ye Shikai had another troop he could mobilize, which was Shangguan Jian’s guard unit, numbering two thousand people. But he dared not mobilize them freely, as these people were not Ye Shikai’s confidants. The key to this location was its secrecy. If anyone in the guard divulged this location, they would be caught in one fell swoop. Thus, every time he went out, Ye Shikai ensured there was no "tail" following him before daring to enter the mountain.
One week later.
Linxiang City.
"Look quickly, the great army has finally returned."
"Yes, more than a hundred thousand troops, majestic and grand. The city can’t accommodate them."
"It’s good they’ve returned; the battle is finally over."
Tens of thousands of civilians gathered at the West Gate, and civil and military officials had long been waiting at the gate, greeting them thirty miles outside the city. Mi Wen sat in a carriage, surrounded by the guard unit, entering the city. Behind them followed the returning army of a hundred thousand. It’s less about welcoming Mi Wen and more about welcoming their family members.
Ye Mansion.
"Report, after the lord’s carriage entered the city, it directly went to the official residence. Twenty thousand guards are stationed in the city, while the rest of the troops are stationed in eight major camps outside the city."
"Alright, for now, you may withdraw." Ye Shikai gestured with his hand, indicating for the Hidden Guard in front to leave. Since the lord’s carriage entered the city, every move had been under the scrutiny of the Hidden Guards. Until now, Mi Wen hadn’t publicly announced Ye Shikai’s resignation. Besides the generals in the army, only He Linghan knew about this. Even the officials in Linxiang were clueless. Just yesterday, officials reminded him to greet at the West Gate today, but Ye Shikai had no intention of going. The so-called "enemy does not move, I do not move," meant he didn’t want entanglement with Mi Wen’s affairs; it was best to keep a respectful distance.
"Husband, are you sure you don’t need to go and greet them?" He Linghan asked, a bit worried. Mi Wen was the lord, and today was the day of their triumphant return. Even the minor officials in the city went to greet them, except Ye Shikai. That’s considered "Great Disrespect."
"I’ve already said, I’ve parted ways with her and have no ties anymore. Moreover, I’ve resigned, so naturally, I don’t need to greet. You can rest assured," Ye Shikai gently reassured.
....................................
Three days later.
"Family Head, a military officer has come to the door, requesting to see you." A house servant ran over hastily, looking somewhat anxious.
"Who is it?" Ye Shikai put down the bamboo slip he was holding and said lightly.
"Well... he claims to be a deputy general of the guards, acting under the lord’s command, inviting you to the official residence."
Ye Shikai was shocked but not surprised; in fact, he’d been waiting for Mi Wen’s "invitation" these past few days. After three days, she finally couldn’t hold back...
"Family Head, he’s brought a lot of troops, thousands in total, and has surrounded the mansion. They’re currently at a stalemate with our guards."
The house servant seemed worried too, perhaps due to the number of troops. In ancient times, "All members of the family will be executed" was not uncommon. Ye Shikai stationed Shangguan Jian’s two thousand guard troops at the mansion’s entrance precisely for this reason.
"Husband, the lord wouldn’t be..."
"Alright, don’t overthink. The lord wouldn’t do anything against me, nor can she do anything." Ye Shikai gestured, realizing He Linghan’s current unease. Given it’s an invitation, why bring thousands of soldiers? Isn’t this the "Banquet" of dread?
"Just stay calmly in the mansion; nothing will happen. I’ll be back shortly." Ye Shikai comforted for a long time before finally soothing her.
Ye Shikai left the mansion alone, and before leaving, he issued a secret order to the commanding officer of the guard unit: if anyone tried to break into the mansion, kill without mercy, leaving all his hidden guards beside He Linghan. If anything happened, they would surely protect with their lives.
"Greetings, General Ye." Upon seeing Ye Shikai step out, those soldiers knelt on one knee and said.
"General Ye, the lord has long awaited you at the official residence and specially prepared a banquet to welcome you," the leading officer said.
"Why welcome me... The need for so many troops?" Ye Shikai sneered coldly.
"Well, I am only following orders; I ask for your pardon, General Ye."
"Alright, I’ll go with you, but... I’ve already resigned, I’m no longer a general, nor any lord," Ye Shikai said while stepping onto the prepared carriage.
Official Residence.
"The lord is inside; General, please."
Ye Shikai slowly entered the hall, but it was empty. In the center, a map hung, displaying all the counties of the Qin Dynasty, encompassing the entire realm.
Upon closer inspection, there were many markings on it: the Qin Army, Chu Army, and various regional forces, all marked in detail. The two counties of Ba Shu were marked with Chu Army signs, signifying Ba Shu has fallen into Chu’s hands.
"Why, after such a long time, all you do is look at this map?" At this moment, a voice suddenly came from behind, somewhat sorrowful. Ye Shikai turned to see Mi Wen standing behind him.
"Congratulations on capturing Ba Shu, bringing you one step closer to your ambition." Ye Shikai’s tone was calm and cold, as if talking to a stranger.
"Are you still angry?" Mi Wen finally spoke after a long time.
"Angry? Forget about it, I have no reason to be angry."
