"The purpose of our army’s arrival here is confidential, I regret to say I cannot disclose it," Ye Shikai said indifferently, sweeping his gaze over the merchants in front of him, with a hint of suspicion and curiosity. Although he had brought ten thousand troops, marching grandly, inevitably causing a stir, today they had just set out, and as for the specific departure date, only Ye Shikai and the other leaders knew. How could these merchants come here coincidentally at this time, and even at night, straight off asking if they were advancing to Beast Mountain?

"General, there is no need to be tense. We are not spies; we are indeed merchants from Baima County. Please, General, discern wisely," said the leading merchant, hearing the caution in Ye Shikai’s tone, explaining repeatedly.

"If you are merchants, why come here so late at night?" The outskirts of Baima County were near Beast Mountain. If the uprising army from above were to come out, Baima County would bear the brunt. At this critical moment, this group claimed to be merchants from Baima County, indeed very suspicious.

"What the General may not know is that Baima County has many merchants, usually coming and going between various counties. Now the uprising army in Beast Mountain is active frequently, especially in recent days, merchants have been leaving the county in droves. We are one of them."

"I see, please have a seat, everyone." Ye Shikai motioned for soldiers to bring seats, indicating them to sit down.

"What’s the situation in the county now?" Ye Shikai asked.

"A few days ago, the bandit army from Beast Mountain spread messages in the city, threatening to bloodbath the county town. So within the last few days, many merchants and civilians have been leaving the county with their belongings, the situation is severe and worsening. Starting today, the County Magistrate has sealed the city gates, allowing entry but barring exit, and has requisitioned many civilians to defend the city. We are the last group to leave," the leading merchant explained.

"Old Ye, what they’re saying should be true. Along the way, we did indeed see many civilians; they should all have fled from Baima County."

"Looks like we arrived quite late, cannot afford any more delays." Ye Shikai hadn’t anticipated the situation to have deteriorated so severely, no wonder Ma Yao repeatedly urged them to deploy.

"Indeed, good thing we came."

"No need to worry, everyone. We are here to quell the rebels of Beast Mountain and restore peace to the civilians." Ye Shikai confirmed their identities and no longer concealed the truth. Originally, he intended to hide his tracks and launch a surprise attack on Beast Mountain, but now it seems their every move is within the sight of these ’fleeing civilians.’ From another perspective, their mission can only succeed, not fail. Otherwise, they’ll lose not only the soldiers’ morale but also the people’s confidence. Conversely, if they win, it can boost morale and stabilize the people’s confidence, turning the tide.

"To speak candidly, General, I have some insights about these bandit armies."

"Please, go ahead."

"The leader of these bandits is named Yan Yu, rumored to have been a General of Wei State. After Wei State’s demise, Yan Yu turned to banditry, a Mountain King by nature. Now that the times are unstable, he poses as a rebel army, intending to counterattack the county town."

"This Yan Yu is quite bold, daring to think those mountain bandits could take the county town. Isn’t he underestimating us?" Shangguan Jian punched the table loudly and said.

"General, you must not underestimate him. This Yan Yu is not just a wine sack or a rice bag; the county has dispatched troops many times to encircle him, all returning in defeat, unable to even penetrate Beast Mountain."

"Are you implying we are wine sacks and rice bags?" Man Cang said coldly.

"No, no, no, General misunderstood."

"Enough." Ye Shikai called out, signaling the generals to retreat, and had soldiers serve tea to the merchants.

"How much do you know about Beast Mountain?" Ye Shikai inquired further. To know oneself and the enemy is to be undefeated in a hundred battles; before advancing, he must gather as much information about Beast Mountain, especially its terrain.

"Beast Mountain is rarely visited, the terrain is rugged; only hunters and villagers familiar with the landscape would enter it. We are merely merchants, trading animal skins and herbs, never ventured into the mountains."

"If that’s the case, then forget it." Ye Shikai gently rubbed his temples; they were ordinary merchants, unlikely to venture into the mountains, he would not force them.

"You mentioned earlier that only hunters and terrain-familiar villagers enter the mountains. So, are the bandits on the mountain now originally hunters?" Shangguan Jian asked.

"Well, many of them should be hunters. Among these bandits, quite a few were Mountain Kings fallen to Beast Mountain. His men are quite familiar with the terrain; hence when the General leads an army into the mountain, one must remain vigilant," one merchant reminded. Heavenly timing, terrestrial advantages, and unity of people; Ye Shikai holds neither timing nor terrain advantage, relying solely on the unity of people.

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

The next day.

"Old Ye, this weather seems unfavorable for our advance." Early in the morning, rain started to fall from the sky.

"Indeed, the rainy season is coming." Ye Shikai’s expression darkened; unwittingly, he had entered the rainy season. This was not a good time for deploying troops. But Baima County’s situation was incredibly urgent, they had no choice; the next half month would see rain every day, incessant, as Ye Shikai saw many civilians fleeing, brushing past the army. Every civilian’s face written with anxiety and fear. The city was sealed, but many civilians remained in the villages. Without sturdy city walls, what’s more concerning was the county recalling the village garrison to the county city, retreating defensively, effectively abandoning these villages.

"Shangguan, how far is the journey ahead?"

"Another two hours, and we’ll reach the foot of the mountain."

"Alright, dispatch a team to deliver this letter to the Baima County Magistrate, announce to the entire town: I am leading the army to the foot of Beast Mountain. Within a month, entrust Yan Yu’s head to the market, assuring the civilians they need not worry," Ye Shikai said firmly, with the generals behind him exchanging glances.

"Well, didn’t you hear it clearly?" Ye Shikai repeated.

"Old Ye, we’ve yet to even commence battle, isn’t it premature to say such things?" Shangguan Jian knew Ye Shikai was not one to be overconfident or exaggerate before the outcome was clear, but today he acted completely different, not his usual style.

"The people’s hearts have wavered; our immediate task is to stabilize their hearts and restore order. Should all civilians flee, we’ll be truly isolated and without support," Ye Shikai said calmly. "Enough, that’s my military order, your duty is to execute it. Additionally, have the Baima County Magistrate take charge of our army’s logistics, store the armaments and provisions sent from Pu Yang in the county city."