The most urgent thing is to stabilize Chen Ping, and then immediately inform Ye Shikai of this major event, asking him to come back to take charge of the situation. If the military power is seized, Ye Shikai will have no chance if he wants to resist.

"Yes, I will go find the master immediately." Xue San nodded in response and turned to leave the military camp.

"Military Marquis, this bastard intends to seize the master’s military power, clearly intending harm. We can’t sit and wait for doom." Man Cang appeared very anxious. He was Ye Shikai’s confidant and the most loyal person in the entire army. Of course, he could not accept Ma Yao’s orders.

"Don’t worry, for now, we must quickly find Old Ye and know his stance. As for Chen Ping’s side, we shouldn’t act rashly." Shangguan Jian appeared calm, organizing everything in an orderly manner.

"For now, Chen Ping doesn’t have the Commander’s Seal. The twenty thousand troops are still under our control. Man Cang, immediately alert the whole army to be fully armed and ready for any orders."

"Alright, I’ll go right away. The brothers all follow the master’s lead. I don’t believe they will listen to Chen Ping’s orders." After Man Cang finished speaking, he also left. To prevent Chen Ping from noticing anything unusual, Shangguan Jian also had personal soldiers encircle the camp for close monitoring until Ye Shikai returned to stabilize the situation.

"Old Ye, today I’m all in, hoping you share my thoughts." Shangguan Jian muttered, glancing at Chen Ping in the tent before turning to leave.

Pu Yang, Ye Mansion.

"Master, this is the situation. Now, Military Marquis Shangguan has already controlled Chen Ping, and the troops are still in our hands. However, Chen Ping should soon notice something is wrong. Please return quickly to take charge of the situation." Xue San reported to Ye Shikai.

"Hmm, Shangguan did well. It seems Ma Yao still doesn’t trust me." Ye Shikai didn’t feel disheartened, nor did he blame anyone. In these turbulent times, staying out of trouble is a common way of handling situations. Ma Yao lacks the courage to defy the Imperial Decree. Indeed, whether at the court or locally, no official dares to defy openly. Raising a rebellion to save the people is a ’great thing,’ but Ye Shikai cannot demand everyone join him.

"Master, what should we do now?" Xue San asked.

"Come with me." Ye Shikai led Xue San to the living room, where He Linghan was waiting.

"Greetings, madam."

"Brother Xue San, you’re too polite." He Linghan responded with a smile.

"Ling’er, I must hurry to the military camp to command the troops. Once I launch the uprising, you will inevitably be implicated. So you must quickly get on the carriage and head to Chu Territory, which is under the rebel’s control. The Qin Army cannot reach there for now." Ye Shikai looked at He Linghan, his eyes full of worry. This time they would be separated. Although Ye Shikai had arranged everything, he was still quite worried.

"Hmm, my husband, rest assured."

"Xue San, I have a task for you." Ye Shikai turned to Xue San.

"Master, please instruct."

"Take my guard and escort madam to Chu Territory. Find Hua Liandie. I have a letter for her that you must deliver." Ye Shikai thought for a moment. Since he was committed to "rebellion," his family would undoubtedly be "wanted" nationwide. Only in Chu Territory could they be safe.

"Yes, even if it costs me my life, I will ensure madam’s safety. Please, master, rest assured." Xue San knelt on one knee, speaking with determination.

"Xue San, don’t call me master. Do you remember what you called me when we first met at Long Mountain?"

"Ye...Brother."

"Brother Xue San." Ye Shikai grabbed Xue San’s hand and slowly bowed. "Brother, I entrust my family to you. Please take care of them."

"Brother Ye, I, Xue San, was once just a petty crook, doing dirty deeds in the underworld. I am grateful that you saw worth in me and were willing to use me. From now on, my life belongs to you, Brother Ye."

"Good, time is pressing, you must leave the city immediately."

"Yes."

"Husband, you’re giving us your guard. What about you?" He Linghan asked. This guard of two thousand were Ye Shikai’s trusted soldiers, equipped and trained as elite warriors. Ye Shikai could only be at ease with them escorting personally.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be fine." Ye Shikai reassured her suddenly stepping forward to kiss He Linghan. As their lips met, a wave of melancholy filled both their hearts.

It felt like a farewell. Neither wanted to be the first to turn away...

He Linghan didn’t regret her decision to help Ye Shikai achieve his ideals, even if it meant sacrificing her life. Did Ye Shikai regret it? Maybe, a little. As his guard escorted He Linghan out of the city, there was indeed a moment he wanted to rescind the order. However, there was no turning back now, and the path of "raising rebellion" was one he had to follow to the end.

Ye Shikai dismissed the household servants, distributing all the valuables he couldn’t take with him. Turning to look at the empty mansion, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. This was where he and He Linghan had lived happily, and now they had to leave so soon.

Sighing deeply, Ye Shikai turned and left, riding straight to the military camp.

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

"Old Ye, you finally returned. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have known what to do." Shangguan Jian relaxed as he saw Ye Shikai return at the camp’s gate.

"How about it, now that you’re back, have you made a decision?"

"Shangguan, I’ve made up my mind to raise a rebellion. Just now, I had Xue San escort Ling’er to Chu Territory with my guard. If all goes well, they should arrive in half a month." Ye Shikai shifted the topic, looking up and asking, "Shangguan, will you join me?"

"Old Ye, you’re too formal. I, Shangguan Jian, have no family and thus no concerns. If you raise a rebellion, I will naturally follow."

"Alright."

"I heard Chen Ping arrived. Where is he now?" Ye Shikai inquired.

"Hmph, those drunkards are heavily intoxicated and are now resting in the tent."

"There’s no time to lose. If my predictions are correct, tomorrow all the forces will gather here. They plan to drive all the people here and then slaughter them together. We will act at that moment."

"Alright, I’ll follow your lead." Shangguan Jian responded.

"Before we act, there’s something I need to do." Ye Shikai’s expression suddenly darkened.

"Old Ye, what else do you have to do?"

"Shangguan, gather all the brothers. I have something to say."