Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian led their troops from Xianyang, hurrying and rushing, they returned to Heyang County in just fifteen days, with two thousand heavy cavalry and three thousand heavy infantry, all equipped with the best gear of Qin Country. Ye Shikai specifically ordered the soldiers to tidy up their attire. Since it was a triumphant return home, it had to be a dignified and spirited return.

"Old Ye, now you are the leader of Heyang County’s garrison. According to the procedure, you should first go to the county office to meet the County Magistrate, as we will be working with him in the future," suggested Shangguan Jian.

"You have a point, so let’s head to the county first," Ye Shikai nodded and said. The troops set off towards the county, and what they didn’t expect was that before the vanguard even reached the county, they saw many people gathered outside the city gate. Obviously, they were not out for a "stroll," but had come to welcome them.

The exact time of the troops’ return, even Ye Shikai himself was uncertain. So how did these people know in advance and come to greet them at the city gate?

"Look quickly, the troops have returned." When the people saw the orderly military formation in the distance, they rushed over immediately. Ye Shikai signaled the troops to halt.

"Great, they won at the front line."

"Yes, look, they’re all back." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Ye Shikai rode on his warhorse, his eyes scanning through the crowd, seemingly searching for someone.

"You’re looking for Miss He, aren’t you?" Shangguan Jian immediately guessed his thoughts.

"How did you know?" Ye Shikai did not deny it. However, he indeed did not find He Linghan’s figure in the crowd, as there were many people welcoming them, and he was genuinely afraid of missing her.

"Nonsense, aside from the brothers in the army, in all of Heyang County, who else could you have in your heart besides Miss He?" Shangguan Jian smiled faintly.

"Miss He is a really good person. She looks nice and has a kind heart. If you really like her, you should propose marriage. A man should get married when mature, and a woman should get married when mature, so why hesitate?" Shangguan Jian spoke his mind directly. He Linghan was a good girl, and Ye Shikai was a young hero of grit and wit. While they might not be called a "perfect match," they were still quite well suited. Moreover, Ye Shikai was no longer a young lad; he was now a dignified commander of a county’s garrison, youthful and promising with boundless prospects.

"No one knows the exact time of our return, and Shangshui Village is dozens of miles away from the county. Could Miss He possibly travel back and forth dozens of miles every day, waiting for you here?"

"That’s true," Ye Shikai nodded. Given the round trip of dozens of miles and absence of transportation, Ye Shikai also didn’t want He Linghan to be bustling around daily. Better to find a time to visit Shangshui Village.

"Mr. Ye, Military Marquis Shangguan, welcome, welcome." At this moment, a group of people in official attire came out, warmly stepping forward to take Ye Shikai’s hand.

"The County Magistrate specially came to greet us at the city gate. I thank you on behalf of the garrison."

"Mr. Ye, you are too modest. You are the heroes of Heyang County. Beating the Wolf Clan decisively at the front line, now your deeds are being spread not only throughout Heyang County but indeed all over He Nei County." The County Magistrate, holding Ye Shikai’s hand, said, "Your troops must be exhausted from the long journey. Quick, enter the city, and let me throw you a banquet to wash away the dust."

Ye Shikai, of course, could not refuse and led the soldiers into the city’s barracks, where many people came bearing food and fine wine to reward the troops. The news of the triumphant return soon spread from the county.

"Mr. Ye, we’ve heard about your feats. General Meng especially sent the commendation decree to the county. Now all the county’s people regard you as heroes."

"It was just some strategic commands, nothing much to boast about," Ye Shikai waved his hand. The attendant next to him filled his cup with wine. He did not intend to drink too much since he planned to return to Shangshui Village the next day, and appearing drunk was poor in taste.

"Military Marquis, you are too humble. Here, let me toast you again."

Amidst the constant toasting, Ye Shikai began to feel tipsy. Keeping his measure, he discreetly took leave from the County Magistrate and had a few soldiers help him back to the barracks.

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

The next day, noon.

"What time is it now?" Ye Shikai, holding his heavy head, groggily crawled up from the bed.

"Sir, it’s already midday," a soldier replied.

"What, it’s already this late?" Ye Shikai hit his head hard. He couldn’t believe he slept this long. Walking out of the tent, Shangguan Jian was already waiting outside the camp.

"Old Ye, looks like you had a good amount of wine last night."

"I was coerced into it." In this era, there wasn’t such high-proof liquor, but drinking a lot still made one drunk.

"Since you were intoxicated, I carried out your military orders for you, giving the local Heyang County soldiers a few days’ leave," said Shangguan Jian.

"I have no objections to that; I planned to give them leave anyway." Ye Shikai looked at the "chaotic" dining table outside and curiously asked, "Did the County Magistrate leave?"

"Of course, after all, he is the County Magistrate, with official documents to handle every day, so he returned to the county office early in the morning," Shangguan Jian explained.

"Really, did it in such a high-profile manner," Ye Shikai softly shook his head.

"All right, tidy up a bit, we’re getting ready to return to Shangshui Village."

Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian left the army in the camp, taking their personal guard squad and rode swiftly to Shangshui Village. In the blink of an eye, a few months had passed...

The group rode warhorses, entering from the village entrance. Along the way, many villagers rushed over to greet their "big hero."

"Village Chief, long time no see." Ye Shikai had everyone dismount and walk, spotting the Three Elders in the crowd immediately.

"Greetings to the Military Marquis," said the Three Elders, unable to find words in their excitement upon seeing Ye Shikai.

"Three Elders, you are too courteous. Had you not taken me in back then, I might have long starved to death in this chaotic world," Ye Shikai quickly helped them up, and everyone moved towards the village.

"Brother Ye, you’re finally back. You should hurry to see Miss He; something happened at her home." Suddenly, a young man who was an acquaintance of Ye Shikai hurried over and said urgently.

"What, what happened?" Ye Shikai’s heart trembled on hearing this. In He Linghan’s home, it was just her and Master He, how could anything happen?

"It’s a village bully with a bunch of hooligans. He’s enamored by Miss He’s looks and wants to forcibly marry her," the Three Elders sighed and said slowly.

"What did you say?" Ye Shikai could no longer contain himself. He mounted his warhorse immediately. Although Man Cang didn’t know what was happening, seeing Ye Shikai so furious, he too ordered the personal guard squad to prepare and mounted, awaiting orders.