"Hurry up, put these lanterns up. Our master is getting married, everyone should be more festive." Man Cang led some soldiers to hang red lanterns and brocade on every household’s doors and windows, as if celebrating the New Year.

"Everyone listen up, our master will be getting married in a few days. Every household will receive two taels of silver. When the time comes, fellow villagers, make sure to come and drink the wedding wine." Man Cang had the soldiers bring a box of silver, gathered all the villagers, and loudly announced.

"Great."

"Very good." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Upon hearing about the reward money, the crowd cheered. Ye Shikai was considered a "legend" in their village, now holding a high position in the Qin Army. With this relationship, the villagers felt somewhat safer. After all, the village had a good relationship with Ye Shikai, and if they encountered robbers, Ye Shikai could lend a hand. But what made them happiest now was the two taels of silver. Previously, He Linghan had also mentioned that the county frequently collected taxes, grain, and labor from the village, so the villagers were "penniless". Upon hearing there was reward money, they were naturally very excited.

Ye Shikai and He Linghan returned to the village, just in time to see Master He. Ye Shikai felt somewhat presumptuous. Although this arrangement was privately agreed upon by him and He Linghan, He Linghan was ultimately Master He’s granddaughter. In a feudal society, parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words held sway. Essentially, whoever Master He wanted her to marry, she would have to marry. Yet Ye Shikai returned to marry her publicly, without consulting Master He.

Thinking about this, Ye Shikai suddenly felt guilty, as if he "tricked" He Linghan here without notifying her family.

"Master He, I have come this time to ask for your forgiveness." Ye Shikai dismounted, walked over, and bowed respectfully.

"Regarding the matter with Ling’er, I didn’t discuss it with you in advance."

"Ah, forget it, forget it." Although Master He had some reservations, the marriage was already publicly known. If he were to oppose it now, wouldn’t it make a mockery of He Linghan in front of the entire village? Moreover, Ye Shikai held a high rank, and following him, He Linghan would live a life of luxury and affluence—a truly sought-after "great opportunity".

"This old man has no objections, just hope that the General will treat Ling’er well in the future."

"Don’t worry, Master He, or rather, I should call you grandfather."

Master He understood that Ye Shikai was being respectful, offering him a way out. There was no need to create unnecessary trouble, especially when the two young ones were in love. When the moment comes, it’s best to go with the flow.

In He Linghan’s home.

"After your marriage, you should go live together in East County. I’ll stay here alone." Master He took out a wine jug he had treasured for years and poured a bowl for himself and Ye Shikai.

"Grandfather, don’t you plan to come with us?" As Ye Shikai expected, Master He did not wish to leave Shangshui Village.

"My ancestors and parents were born and died in Shangshui Village. Their roots are here; naturally, I cannot leave. Furthermore, this old man has lived here for over sixty years, and isn’t accustomed to the outside world. You needn’t worry about me." Master He took a swig of the wine, squinted, and waved his hand dismissively.

"Grandfather, I still hope you will reconsider. If you stay alone in the village, Ling’er and I will be worried."

"Hahaha, General, do not underestimate this old man. When I was your age, hunting wolves alone on the mountain was a breeze. Had it been thirty years ago, any disreputable types outside the village dared approach, I’d ensure they never returned." Master He suddenly laughed heartily with a hint of reluctance. It’s true, time shows no mercy. He remembers when Ye Shikai first came to the Qin Dynasty, he had seen Master He beaten down by robbers, and when family faced danger, the most distressing thing was being powerless to help...

Late at night.

Ye Shikai walked around the village with his guards. As He Linghan described, the villagers tightly closed their doors and windows, even barricading them. They were vigilantly guarding against robbers entering the village.

It wasn’t a good sign. Ye Shikai knew very well that it indicated the nearby "chaotic army" had already turned the villagers into scared birds.

"Man Cang, take the guards and follow me." Ye Shikai’s expression turned serious, and he spoke calmly.

"Understood, guards, mount up, let’s go."

Ye Shikai led the guards on horseback to the mountain cave granary at Shangshui Village. He remembered standing guard here overnight and fighting against local robbers. Seven or eight months had passed in the blink of an eye. He was curious about its current state.

"Halt, who goes there?" Around the mountain cave granary were two newly built watchtowers and tall walls. Upon seeing a cavalry team approaching, the sentinel atop the watchtower shouted loudly.

"Are you blind? Do you not see it’s the General?" Man Cang yelled.

"So it’s General Ye, my apologies." The sentinel signaled the garrison below to open the gate, allowing Ye Shikai and his group inside.

"General Ye, I’m the garrison chief here, Luo Li. May I know why you have come?" A man with the appearance of an officer walked over, asked respectfully. Ye Shikai glanced over the entire outpost; the chief had only fifty men. Even with good defenses, against a large band of robbers, they would inevitably be outnumbered.

"Take me inside to take a look." Ye Shikai pointed to the granary.

"This..."

"What is it? Don’t understand my words?" Ye Shikai questioned.

"General Ye, the village’s grain supply is not substantial..."

"No need to say anything else, just open the door."

"This... understood." Chief Luo had a few soldiers unlock the door, and Ye Shikai walked directly inside. The cave, previously packed full with grain, now appeared "vastly empty." Ye Shikai glanced around, seeing only seven or eight bags of grain left on the floor, totaling no more than several hundred pounds.

"How much grain is left here?" Ye Shikai asked directly.

"Reporting to General Ye, this is all the village has left." Luo Li shook his head helplessly. As the village chief, he could not conjure grain out of thin air.

"What happened? When I left, there were at least five to six hundred stone left." Ye Shikai pursued further.

"Sir, in the past few months, the village’s grain has been levied by the county. Now we only have these left, approximately seven hundred pounds in total," Luo Li explained, "and there are many robbers outside eyeing the granary covetously."