The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife

Chapter 1700: Chapter 1700: Preparing to Leave

"Family Head, Mr. Xu is here, waiting at the gate." At this moment, a house servant came quickly to report.

"Oh, Mr. Xu is here, please invite him in. Also, have the servants prepare wine and food, I want to entertain him," Ye Shikai said promptly. Xu Jia’s visit was not a surprise to him. In this era, no matter how capable one is, they need someone to support them to achieve something great. Ye Shikai’s interactions with Xu Jia had not been long; from his recruitment of followers and recognition of talents to now resigning from office and sending his followers away, it had only been a few months. Yet, towards Xu Jia, Ye Shikai felt like treating him as an old friend he had known since childhood.

Xu Jia is like a rare talent, needing a connoisseur to appreciate and excavate him. Ye Shikai was fortunate to be that "connoisseur" because Xu Jia could be of great help to him. However, regarding the handling of Qin army prisoners, Xu Jia strongly advised him to execute them quickly to avoid future troubles. From this, Ye Shikai also realized that he and Xu Jia did not share the same goals. Xu Jia wanted to assist a king in accomplishing great achievements, while Ye Shikai only wished for peace in the world. As they moved forward, they would eventually face disagreements, much like his current "disagreement" with Mi Wen.

Nevertheless, from a personal friendship standpoint, Ye Shikai was very willing to be friends with Xu Jia. Although Xu Jia was a "genius," he also had a genuine personality with whom one could associate.

At the mansion gate.

"Mr. Xu, I’ve been waiting for you for quite a while." Ye Shikai personally went to the gate and greeted him with a bow.

"There were many trivial matters in the army upon returning to the city, so I only found time to meet you now, General."

"Don’t call me General anymore. I’ve already resigned and am now living leisurely at home, not concerning myself with worldly affairs. You can simply call me Old Ye like Shangguan Jian does, which feels closer. I’ll call you Old Xu."

"Alright."

Ye Shikai took Xu Jia’s hand and led him into the mansion, and naturally, He Linghan came out to greet them as well.

"Greetings, Lady Ye."

"Mr. Xu, please wait a moment, the servants are preparing the banquet."

"Alright, thank you."

In the main hall.

"General Ye, oh no, Old Ye, you might not know yet, regarding your resignation, the lord has already informed all the officials," Xu Jia suddenly said.

"Is that so? This explains why it’s been so quiet outside the mansion recently," Ye Shikai joked, though he had already discerned the situation.

"But why is there no news among the common people? I went out to the streets not long ago, and there were still people calling me General Ye." Ye Shikai questioned back.

"Old Ye, although all the officials know about your resignation, the lord has issued a strict order for this matter to go no further, under penalty of severe punishment," Xu Jia explained. Mi Wen likely didn’t want rumors among the people, so she instructed the officials to remain silent.

"So that’s how it is."

"Actually, there’s something I’ve been wondering if I should say or not." Xu Jia changed the topic, suddenly putting down his chopsticks with a solemn expression.

"Old Xu, just speak your mind."

"Old Ye, there’s no issue with your resignation, but the manner you did it was too aggressive. If I’m not mistaken, when you resigned, the lord must have been very emotional, perhaps you even had an argument?"

"Everything was as you guessed, my friend, though we didn’t actually argue. Honestly, after returning to Linxiang City, I haven’t been upset with the lord anymore," Ye Shikai said with a bitter smile.

"Regardless, in Linxiang City, the lord has immense control, and from my understanding of her, she likely won’t let you off easily," Xu Jia showed some worry. To put it bluntly, if Mi Wen harbored any malice, Ye Shikai and his family would be in grave danger.

"This... shouldn’t be, should it? Since the lord has informed all the officials about my resignation, it shows acknowledgment. Besides, we have quite a deep relationship. I believe she won’t disregard old ties," Ye Shikai said calmly.

"I hope not, but you should still be cautious."

"Old Xu, thank you for the warning." Ye Shikai nodded, regardless, Xu Jia’s advice was in good faith, and moreover, Xu Jia wasn’t one prone to suspicion; if even he thought there was a possibility, then it was very likely indeed.

After the meal.

"Old Xu, Shangguan Jian currently only commands twenty thousand soldiers, just a mid-level general. As a think tank there, do you feel your talent is underused? If you’re dissatisfied, I can recommend you to Huo Ziqing. I have some ties with him, and he won’t refuse." Ye Shikai always felt guilty towards Xu Jia. Initially, he was the commander of the Chu army and Xu Jia was the "brain" of two hundred thousand Chu soldiers, but now, after resigning, he could only place Xu Jia under Shangguan Jian. Generally speaking, those with exceptional talents have grand ambitions, and with only twenty thousand soldiers under Shangguan Jian, it’s a small scale.

"There’s no need for that; I’m doing well under General Shangguan, but..."

"But what? Is there something unsatisfactory?" Ye Shikai immediately asked.

"Not really unsatisfactory, just that I won’t be staying in Linxiang City much longer."

"What, Old Xu, are you leaving?" Ye Shikai couldn’t help but feel a bit shocked. Why did Xu Jia want to leave Linxiang, and where was he going?

"Yes."

"Are you leaving Linxiang, or... Chu territory?" Ye Shikai had already vaguely guessed Xu Jia’s intention.

"Leaving Chu territory, continuing to travel far and wide," Xu Jia replied directly without hiding anything.

"Are you dissatisfied then..."

"Not dissatisfied." Before Ye Shikai could finish, Xu Jia refuted.

"A good bird chooses its tree to perch on, and a capable minister chooses whom to serve. The one worthy of my assistance must be an overlord who can astonish the world."

"So, Old Xu, you’re saying you look down on the lord now," Ye Shikai realized, understanding that Xu Jia initially wanted to follow him personally, not Mi Wen. Since he resigned, even though Xu Jia held a think tank position, he wouldn’t hang on to it.

"Haha, the lord is indeed a local tyrant. For a woman to accomplish this is already a miracle, but unfortunately, she lacks imperial talent, so I plan to leave."

"Then Old Xu, were you willing to assist me because you thought I had imperial talent?" Ye Shikai curiously retorted.

"Well... you could be considered a genius, but even if the world was presented to you on a silver platter, I fear you wouldn’t accept it," Xu Jia smiled faintly.

"That’s true, Old Xu knows me well. I have no interest in power or money," Ye Shikai raised his cup, and the two drank. Xu Jia understood him well, knowing Ye Shikai had no ambitions for the world. Otherwise, with two hundred thousand Chu soldiers in his hands, he could have already made a mark.