According to the Qin Army’s military order, garrison units like Han Hao’s, suffering such heavy losses, can allow so n to leave early. Although they cannot return directly to He Yang, they can go to the rear to oversee labor services, which is much safer than the battlefield slaughter.
The Wolf Clan launched a battle of this scale, and ng Tian did not notice or send a warning to the border defense. Regarding this matter, he holds responsibility, so after returning to Ji County, he wrote a report, criticizing himself and informing the whole army through his subordinates. To have such courage, he is indeed worthy of being a famous general.
General ng ordered each fortress to tally the casualties and enemies killed. In this battle, the Qin Army suffered nearly a hundred thousand casualties, yet the Wolf Clan suffered even more, with casualties reaching nearly 160,000, not counting the lost horses and weapons. One could say the Qin Army won miserably, while the Wolf Clan was terribly defeated. No matter how mobile the warhorses are, the Wolf Clan only has so many n. To replenish new troops, ti is needed. In fact, the Wolf Clan’s action was almost 80% successful. If they had truly killed General ng, they might have broken through the Great Wall, and at that ti, the Qin Army would have no chance to breathe while the Wolf Clan could follow the Chidao all the way to Xianyang City.
Though it was a miserable victory, strategically, the Qin Army achieved a great win. After failing the attack on Ji County, the entire Wolf Clan began retreating, and the lost four fortresses were recaptured. Thus, the Qin Army’s defense remained intact, while the Wolf Clan was powerless to launch a fierce attack. Perhaps it won’t be long before they return shafully to the prairie, regroup troops and horses, and resu battle after so ti.
General ng ordered labor services to send injured brothers to more than ten nearby cities, where there are many barracks and ample supplies for healing injuries. Additionally, he ordered the soldiers at the fortresses to quickly repair the city walls to prevent another incursion by the Wolf Clan.
Only after finishing all precautions did ng Tian host a celebration banquet in Ji County, with special invitations to Ye Shikai, Shangguan Jian, and others.
Ji County.
"All you generals have been with through life and death for many years, but never have we faced an ergency like the last ti, where the Wolf Clan arrived at my doorstep." As ng Tian spoke, he suddenly beca furious, smashed his wine cup onto the ground, and after drinking more than ten cups of wine in one breath, his face turned red. He appeared sowhat drunk, and his tone was less stern than before, even very excited.
"Great General ng, calm down; it was our neglect that gave the Wolf Clan an opportunity to sneak attack." A few commanders, naturally, would not "criticize" ng Tian; instead, they assud responsibility themselves.
"No, no, no." ng Tian waved his hand and slowly walked out of his seat, slightly wobbly due to being drunk.
"It’s the general’s fault; I was negligent."
"However," suddenly, ng Tian raised his tone sharply, startling everyone, causing them to lift their heads.
"Luckily, our Qin Army is filled with heroes, and this ti, thanks to him, we turned danger into safety and greatly defeated the Wolf Clan." ng Tian suddenly shouted, "Ye, co out and let everyone see you well."
Ye Shikai instinctively stood up, and everyone’s gaze turned toward him. ng Tian excitedly stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and brought him before the crowd.
"Ye led only a thousand cavalry to scare away over ten thousand mbers of the Wolf Clan, and the Stone Peak Fortress was able to hold firm, killing thousands of enemies, all thanks to him," ng Tian laughed loudly. They say drunk people tend to lose self-control; it was unexpected that soone as ticulous as ng Tian could act this way.
"General Ye is a young general but is proficient in both literature and military, courageous and wise, with limitless future prospects."
"Indeed, with such talent in Great Qin, it is truly thanks to the Emperor and Great General ng’s blessings."
"How about it, Ye, do you have anything to say? You’ve achieved great rit, want any rewards?" ng Tian said, holding Ye Shikai’s arm.
"Ahem, General ng, I don’t have anything I want, just hope the Great General can allocate so funds as compensation for the families of fallen brothers." Ye Shikai has always overlooked worldly possessions, in this chaotic world, holding too much wealth can cut one’s lifespan short...
"Alright, the general agrees with you. As for military rits and titles, we’ll have them calculated later; for now, let’s drink."
...............
"Congratulations, Military Marquis." Upon returning to the barracks, Man Cang led a group of soldiers to bow and greet him.
"Military Marquis, why say this?" Ye Shikai asked, sowhat puzzled.
"Sir, you may not know, according to Qin Country’s military system, a general leads several units, the leaders being Colonels, and Colonels lead several companies, the leaders being Military Marquises. You are a Chiliarch who has made such great contributions, even saving Great General ng’s life; being granted a Military Marquise title is considered minimal, perhaps you may be directly nad Colonel," Man Cang said excitedly.
"Indeed, sir, at the recent celebration banquet, General ng treated you like a close brother, and he is the Great General of the entire Qin Country, high in rank and power, also a favored general of the Emperor. Following him, in the future, surely wealth and honor await, and then brothers can all benefit."
The group of soldiers was very excited. In ancient tis, people were divided into different classes; so were born as noble or ministerial families, so struggled for food and survival at the bottom. Naturally, everyone wanted to climb up. Now Ye Shikai has achieved a great deed, and they also anticipate what rewards they might receive.
"Brothers, do you want to go ho?" Ye Shikai suddenly asked, quieting the previously excited crowd imdiately.
Ho, who wouldn’t want to go ho, to reunite with family, as far away from this brutal war as possible. It’s human nature to avoid risks and pursue benefits; nobody is born loving to charge into battle and slaughter excessively, because while fighting, their lives can be lost any mont.
However, far away at the border, soldiers can’t just say they want to go ho and can leave anyti. In the Qin Army, desertion is a capital cri and could implicate family mbers through collective punishnt.
Everyone quieted down, seemingly lost in thought, compared to imdiate wealth and rewards, they desired more to survive until the day they could return ho.
"If I give you a chance to go ho, would you want it?" Ye Shikai asked rhetorically.
"Chiliarch, you... you’re not joking with us, right? Letting us return ho." The group of soldiers showed confusion; in the Stone Peak Fortress fight, over 3000 Qin soldiers died or were injured, even those at the very bottom understood, with inadequate troops and pressing battles, their return was impossible.
"Military affairs are no joke; have I ever joked with you?" Ye Shikai’s tone was very serious, causing everyone to look at each other.
"Chiliarch, I want to go ho."
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