"This mission was executed very well. The Wolf Clan’s supply camp was completely burned down, leaving nothing behind." Han Hao was quite excited. A fire so big that it could be seen from dozens of miles away, the Wolf Clan could truly be said to have "lost their wife and soldiers", hoping to quietly gather strength and seize the opportunity to march south in vain, only to end up losing so many supplies and personnel instead.
"I will report the battle situation to General ng. Ye, you’re truly a lucky star! If you stayed at the border, in five or six years ti, you could be promoted to Assistant General and even beco one of General ng’s right-hand n. By then, everyone in Heyang County would know you." Han Hao patted his shoulder and laughed. Since ancient tis, Deputy Generals who make a show often make the Main General uncomfortable. Once the achievents are high, they might even replace them. But Han Hao seed to be open-minded, not only not jealous of Ye Shikai’s achievents but also encouraging him. Perhaps... he’s seen through human nature, whether it’s Ye Shikai, Shangguan Jian, or Man Cang, they’re all n of character, valuing righteousness over profit, not the kind to bite the hand that feeds them. On the contrary, as long as Ye Shikai makes achievents, Han Hao naturally gets to bask in the reflected glory and receive rewards.
"Lord Han, you’re too kind. This is all part of my duty." Ye Shikai nodded and said.
"There’s one more thing you probably don’t know, Ye." Han Hao gave a mysterious smile, "Last ti you let so soldiers go ho, it was highly praised by the elders of Heyang County. Plus, with all the achievents you’ve made with your brothers, now everyone in Heyang County knows about you."
"Actually, it’s nothing. They are all the sole sons of their families. If they die in battle, their families wouldn’t survive. Furthermore, if the military is a string, it can’t always be tight." Ye Shikai explained.
"You have a point, Ye, but let’s avoid such things in the future. You have to understand, military morale is paramount." Han Hao forced a smile, hinting at sothing unsaid. ng Tian also knew about this, and he had no comnt, aning he neither approved nor disapproved of Ye Shikai allowing so soldiers to return ho.
Throughout, understanding the superior’s mind is a kind of "knowledge". Ye Shikai wasn’t foolish, having experienced life’s ups and downs and the ways of the world. ng Tian neither approving nor disapproving actually ans "disapproval".
If nothing else, if the 400,000 border troops hear about this and also request to go ho, would ng Tian agree or not agree...
"Lord Han, I understand." Ye Shikai said with a bow.
"Haha, that’s more like it. You have the capability, the connections, work hard, and promotions and rewards will eventually co your way." Han Hao comforted, "I understand your thoughts clearly. I’m the commander of the garrison in Heyang County, and every one of these brothers was entrusted to by the county elders. If they get hurt or killed, it breaks my heart more than it does yours. But... this is the battlefield, casualties are inevitable."
When will this war ever end?
...............
Unknowingly, two months have passed. During these days, the troops have stayed at the fortress without any action orders. Routine tasks are just training and patrolling, making Ye Shikai feel a misconception that the war is already over...
"I wonder how Ji Qian and the others are doing?" Ye Shikai stood on the wall, facing the biting cold north wind, with the fur armor sewed by He Linghan before his expedition still on him. Two months might be a fleeting mont for many, just another sixty nights in bed and another two paychecks, but for relatives of the "missing", it’s been a tornting wait day and night. Ye Shikai could imagine, how many people in the modern world are worried about him.
Ye Shikai still rembered, at the Holy Mountain, encountering a giant beast, then encountering a burst of light, and then... he ended up here, caught off guard, without a chance to react.
Now, perhaps everyone thinks he’s dead, Ye Shikai laughed bitterly, a "Netherworld King" without inner strength, taken away alone by a giant beast, and mysteriously missing for three months without leaving the Holy Mountain. Even if he wasn’t eaten by the beast, he’d have starved to death. Ye Shikai had made the worst plans, if he really couldn’t return, he could only pray that everyone wouldn’t worry about him anymore and forget him as soon as possible...
Of course, Ye Shikai didn’t indulge in despair but knew that to unravel all these secrets, including why he had ti-traveled, would take ti and couldn’t be rushed. Imagine, if Ye Shikai shouted and scread, he’d only be taken as a madman, for neither ancient nor modern people would believe in ti travel. He needed to consult a "wise person".
"Old Ye, here you are, standing alone on the wall, what are you looking at?" At this mont, Shangguan Jian ca over with so people.
"There’s good news, want to hear it?"
"What is it, hurry up and say it." Ye Shikai, feeling quite down, wasn’t in the mood for jokes.
"We’re going back soon, the orders for the fortress guard replacent have been issued."
"What did you say?" Ye Shikai stood up suddenly and shouted out loud, "Does that an we can go back?"
"Uh, not exactly. Before going back to He Yang, we’re heading to Xianyang City first." Shangguan Jian said sothing shocking. Xianyang City, the capital of the Qin Dynasty, was a prosperous place during the Qin Dynasty. But... why were they going to Xianyang?
"Why are we going?"
"It’s actually at General ng’s request. This ti, among all the county garrisons, we had the best performance and the most achievents, especially you. General ng holds you in such high regard, hosting small banquets every three days and big ones every five days. He clearly values you and intends to promote you. When we get to Xianyang, perhaps he will even take you to et the Emperor and find you a better military position."
"This... doesn’t seem right. How about I decline, and you and Lord Han take the brothers, while I return to Heyang County by myself."
"Hey, Old Ye, did you get your head burnt, or do you think I’m joking? General ng personally fostering you is a dream co true for many soldiers. Once you get to Xianyang City, General ng says a few good words for you, and you’ll easily gain the Emperor’s favor and get a military position." Shangguan Jian was quite puzzled. They were from different eras, maybe their perceptions differed, but in reality, it wasn’t a generational gap. Even in modern tis, who doesn’t want to rise effortlessly and beco esteed? But Ye Shikai was thinking more about returning to Shangshui Village.
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