"Actually, I’m not sure, nor can I ascertain." Ye Shikai indeed lacked such confidence, yet the old saying holds true: the ruler commands the minister’s death, the minister cannot but die; if not dying, then disloyal. If Mi Wen orders him to go to war by name, does he have the right to refuse? Absolutely not. Of course, he could feign illness and stay in bed, but Mi Wen knows his identity. For a cultivator, ordinary illnesses simply do not exist; he cannot deceive Mi Wen.

He Linghan also knows Ye Shikai’s predicament. Although she wishes to keep her husband by her side, it is ultimately an era of "monarchy." In other words, as long as they are in Mi Wen’s domain, if she’s displeased, one word is enough to kill anyone. If Mi Wen forcibly orders Ye Shikai to go to war, she can only comply.

Hence, the only thing she can do is pray in the temple for smooth affairs on the battlefield.

At the end of breakfast, both were sullen and disheartened. Until now, Mi Wen hasn’t used Ye Shikai, but this is because, up to now, Huo Ziqing hasn’t sent any urgent military dispatch. Even sending Wan Qi Yuan for support was at Ye Shikai’s suggestion.

But as soon as Huo Ziqing sends a battle report, even if there’s a slight indication of the battle turning, Mi Wen’s first choice will be him. When just returned from Nanyang, Mi Wen gave him a "three-month" holiday and also declared that the battle against Ba Shu should end within three months. More precisely, to conquer the entirety of Ba Shu’s two regions within three months.

"Ling’er, if one day... I mean if, I am called to the front line, do not worry too much about me. Have you forgotten? I am a cultivator; even if trapped in heavy siege, no one can harm me." Ye Shikai glanced around, seeing no one, and leaned toward He Linghan’s ear.

"Even if defeated, I will come back. Being with you is all that matters to me; other things, I do not care for." This is Ye Shikai’s true thought. Though selfish, they are genuine. As a cultivator, even in a chaotic army, his Inner Strength could ensure his survival, but could not allow him to defeat ten thousand men alone. So a kingdom cannot be won or held by him alone. If truly defeated, especially utterly, he would choose He Linghan, as the kingdom isn’t his, but his wife is.

"Husband, as long as we are together, no matter where in the world, I am willing to go." He Linghan nodded and said.

"Very well, we will find a paradise where no one knows us; there, we can live in peace."

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

"General Ye."

"How is it? Is there any urgent military dispatch?" Ye Shikai arrived at the government office, where many officials and generals were bustling around. With tens of thousands fighting at the front, countless people worried at the back.

"Reporting to General Ye, today’s military dispatch has not yet arrived; the urgent... hasn’t either. The Lord has commanded to add relay stations along the route to ensure urgent dispatches reach swiftly. I estimate... it should be arriving soon." A soldier responded.

"Alright, I will wait here." Ye Shikai nodded, pulled over a small chair and sat beside, watching those officials busying around.

"From the western villages of the city, six thousand stone of grain have been levied."

"The Armor Making Bureau has sent over two thousand sets of armor."

"And from the northern city..."

Ye Shikai listened on the side; tens of thousands at the front need consumption for eating, dressing, and using, all provided by the rear. It’s no wonder these officials look so "busy."

Back in the Qin Army, Ye Shikai had some understanding of logistics and supplies. If it’s a thousand-mile transport, ten bags of grain will at most be five by the time it reaches the front, the rest consumed en route. If twenty thousand stone of provisions are sent to the front, arriving will only be ten thousand. With tens of thousands of troops, it would at most sustain one or two months, while thousand-mile transport alone needs about a half month on the road.

"General Ye, it’s almost lunchtime; perhaps you should return, and if any urgent military dispatch arrives, I’ll immediately send someone to notify you."

"No need, I’ll stay right here." Ye Shikai shook his head.

"This... alright then."

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

The guard bought meals from a restaurant and sent them to the government office. Ye Shikai ate his lunch standing where he was. According to Wan Qi Yuan’s schedule, he and the cavalry should have arrived at Ba Shu. Before departure, Ye Shikai particularly instructed that once they arrive, they must dispatch a fast report. Perhaps... as that soldier said, the messenger is coming here, Ye Shikai could only comfort himself thus.

Evening.

"Report... A rapid dispatch from Ba Shu!"

"That’s great." Just as Ye Shikai was about to "fall asleep," a soldier’s shout suddenly came from outside. Standing to see, several soldiers came consecutively, seeming to have several military dispatches.

"Let me see them." Ye Shikai rushed forward, stopping the men.

"General Ye."

"Quickly give them to me."

"Here... here."

"Here."

Several soldiers handed over all the military dispatches, and Ye Shikai opened the first one. Luckily, it was indeed written by Wan Qi Yuan.

Ye Shikai read the report, his face gradually grew solemn, slowly... gloomy and despondent.

"This is terrible." Ye Shikai murmured; Wan Qi Yuan’s dispatch, or rather, not a dispatch but a... call for help.

Three thousand Qin Army circled around the rear supply route, occupied the high ground on either side of the passage, severed the Chu Army’s retreat, ten thousand Chu Army encircled between several cities, cavalry attempted to break through the retreat route but suffered heavy losses.

At this moment, Ye Shikai already guessed the content of the remaining dispatches.

"Give them all to me."

"But... General, these dispatches should be reviewed by the officials first."

"It’s urgent; I must see the Lord directly." Ye Shikai didn’t explain and left right after speaking.

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

Mi Wen’s residence.

"You’re in such a hurry to see me; has something happened again?"

"The front line battle, the Qin Army indeed executed a flanking maneuver and sent three thousand elite troops, taking the high ground, now cutting off our army’s retreat. Huo Ziqing is leading the entire army, using five cities as strongholds for defense." Ye Shikai directly threw the dispatches on the table. Speaking of it, it was truly fear becoming reality; a few days ago, he worried about being flanked by the Qin Army, and just two days passed when it really happened. Ba Shu’s defenders could not flank the Chu Army from behind, leaving only one possibility: these are Qin troops from Xianyang.