"Report, sir, I have come this time to report an important matter to you," said Wan Qi Yuan, bowing.

"What is it? Just say it directly, no need to beat around the bush," said Ye Shikai casually.

"I have many business friends among the Wolf Clan, who travel between the Qin Territory and the grasslands. These days, they have leaked some information to me."

"What information?" Ye Shikai’s expression gradually grew serious. If it involved the Wolf Clan, it was a major issue. After all, for the Qin Dynasty, the Wolf Clan was a sharp blade hanging overhead. Although Meng Tian led the army to confront them many times and repeatedly won, at most, they only repelled them. It wouldn’t take long for the Wolf Clan to make a comeback, while the Qin Army could only defend the border along the Great Wall. You could say that the initiative in the war has always been in the hands of the Wolf Clan. Despite having more victories than defeats, the Qin Dynasty was merely defending passively.

"After their great defeat, the Wolf Clan has been training their troops diligently. Plus, the grassland had a good harvest this year, adding many soldiers and warhorses. The Wolf Clan leader is planning to launch a new attack on the Qin Dynasty next year, with great momentum."

"What did you say?" Ye Shikai stood up from his seat in shock. The Wolf Clan’s last defeat was less than half a year ago, and they suffered a severe blow to their essence. It was thought they would need at least four or five years to recover, recruit soldiers, replenish supplies, and raise strong horses. Unexpectedly, Wan Qi Yuan had revealed such news.

"Is your information certain? True or false?" Ye Shikai inquired further.

"Currently, many Wolf Clan merchants within the Qin Territory are saying the same thing. Moreover, after investigation, there are indeed large-scale troop movements on the grasslands, seemingly gathering at various locations waiting for orders, with supplies and warhorses under centralized management."

"This... might be difficult to handle." Ye Shikai slowly stood up from the chair, trembling slightly as if the Wolf Clan army was right in front of him. Now, he held significant authority and military power, naturally understanding many situations. Currently, various prefectures in Qin Country are not peaceful, with the garrison busy quelling ’rebel armies’ and newly emerging ’Mountain Kings’ popping up like mushrooms after rain. Although there are still 300,000 troops stationed at the northern border, if war breaks out without additional manpower and supplies, the fall of the Great Wall defense line is only a matter of time.

The current situation is one of internal and external troubles, the Qin Empire’s foremost issue, one that Ye Shikai alone cannot reverse.

"Sir, this matter is of great importance. I dare not spread it around lightly to avoid shaking the army’s morale. Therefore, I came specifically to consult you," Wan Qi Yuan said with a heavy heart. Right now, not many are aware of the Wolf Clan’s movements, and Xianyang is probably still in the dark. Otherwise, mobilization orders would have been issued to each governor’s mansion long ago.

"You should go back first. Today’s matter, and everything you know, absolutely cannot be leaked, not a single word. Otherwise, it is punishable by death."

"I understand, sir, I will keep my mouth shut and take my leave now."

After Wan Qi Yuan left, Ye Shikai paced back and forth in the tent. Historically, the Qin Dynasty did not perish at the hands of the Wolf Clan, which is a small blessing amid misfortune. However, the existence of the Wolf Clan indirectly fueled domestic ’rebellions’ and tied up numerous military forces.

Having traveled here, Ye Shikai could not stay uninvolved in the conflicts occurring. At the very least... he ought to make preparations in advance.

"Xue San."

"What is it, sir?" Xue San asked as he entered the tent.

"I will immediately write a letter. Take some men and deliver it swiftly to the general mansion in Xianyang, and make sure it reaches General Meng Tian," Ye Shikai ordered.

"Understood."

"Remember, you must hand it personally to General Meng Tian, no matter who else asks for it, you must not give it to them. Understood?" Ye Shikai emphasized.

"I will definitely complete the task," Xue San realized the gravity of the letter he was to deliver, recognizing it as top secret. Otherwise, Ye Shikai wouldn’t have used such a serious tone.

"Very well, take more brothers with you and pay extra attention to safety on the road."

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

A week later.

"Old Ye, you really have a way. Look, the Commander Mansion has fully replenished the missing supplies and armory," said Shangguan Jian, as he watched the wagons loaded with resources arrive at the camp. He finally relaxed. Ye Shikai appeared very calm, having anticipated this. If he truly wanted to ask Ma Yao for resources, he wouldn’t refuse; he wouldn’t dare what Shangguan Jian described as ’tear his face.’

"It’s nothing. Let the soldiers disperse and continue training," Ye Shikai said lightly.

"Old Ye, you seem troubled. Did you encounter some difficult matter?" Shangguan Jian, as his old partner, quickly noticed something different. Ye Shikai wasn’t someone whose emotional state was erratic. If he was reacting this way, something major must be up. The intelligence Wan Qi Yuan had sent him was known to no one else in the camp besides them two, and the letter-carrying Xue San wouldn’t open it privately, so he didn’t know either. The matter was so crucial that even to Shangguan Jian, Ye Shikai kept it hidden.

Nevertheless, Shangguan Jian was indeed the second in command of this unit, so keeping it from him seemed rather inappropriate.

"Shangguan, there’s something I have to discuss with you."

Two hours later.

"What, is Wan Qi Yuan’s intelligence really accurate?" Predictably, Shangguan Jian was stunned upon hearing the news, instinctively hoping it was ’false intelligence.’

"Old Ye, this is a significant matter. If we report it to Emperor recklessly without confirming its truth, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor, and we would both lose our heads."

"That’s why I reported it to General Meng Tian first, leaving the decision to him. If this is true, and we know but didn’t report it, we are guilty as well."

"Old Ye, the Wolf Clan is based in the grasslands. They lack arable land and don’t have advanced farming techniques from the Central Plains. If they start a major war, they need hundreds of thousands of bushels of supplies, which is impossible to achieve in a year," Shangguan Jian analyzed, "Moreover, regarding troops, they just lost 100,000 half a year ago. How could 100,000 able-bodied men suddenly appear?"

In recent days, Ye Shikai had been equally troubled. Ancient productivity was far inferior compared to now. Additionally, the backward tools greatly limited their combat mobilization capabilities, so gathering 100,000 soldiers at once was not easy. From the bottom of his heart, Ye Shikai didn’t believe this information, but Wan Qi Yuan was always cautious. If he wasn’t 90% certain, he wouldn’t have told Ye Shikai. Moreover, facing the vast defense line of the Great Wall, the numerically inferior Wolf Clan could only send surprise troops to break through quickly, catching them unprepared, which is the path to victory.