If Ye Shikai truly starts a rebellion, it’s like stabbing the heart of the empire. It won’t take long before Emperor Qin Shi Huang finds out, and soon after, the entire nation will know. The hero against the Wolf Clan, a favored figure in front of the Great General Meng Tian, leading his subordinates in rebellion—this will undoubtedly shock the court and the public. But similarly, this means Ye Shikai will face interception from the Qin Army of various prefectures. The court will surely offer a hefty reward for Ye Shikai’s head, and by then, the army he leads will become the target of all. Under the encirclement of an army of over a hundred thousand, he is doomed to fail.

Ye Shikai also considered occupying a mountain like Yan Yu to block the Qin Army’s attack, but this idea was quickly dismissed. First, he has fifteen thousand subordinates, and a single mountain cannot supply so many people. Weapons and equipment would also be difficult to resupply. Moreover, although Ye Shikai is rebelling, he does not view the actions of the insurgent army as righteous. They rely on looting civilians and convoys for supplies, something Ye Shikai cannot condone.

Currently, many prefectures in the Chu Territory have already fallen to Hua Liandie’s control. Ye Shikai has a good relationship with her, and if they reach the Chu Territory, they will find shelter. Publicly, Hua Liandie gaining Ye Shikai’s aid would be like adding wings to a tiger. Moreover, Ye Shikai, as a Commander General of the Qin Dynasty, voluntarily joining the insurgents would undoubtedly attract more civilians to follow, and Hua Liandie’s forces could grow stronger. Privately, given Hua Liandie’s good relationship with Ye Shikai, she has no reason to refuse.

In reality, according to historical developments, Ye Shikai knows that Hua Liandie will ultimately fail, and she might go into exile or die in battle. Ye Shikai does not wish for this outcome for her, but even if he were to say it, Hua Liandie would not believe it. Even if she believed, given her character and status, she could not possibly voluntarily surrender to the Qin Army.

Rebellion is a path of no return. Once you start, you can only see it through to the end.

He Linghan should have already headed for the Chu Territory. Ye Shikai silently prays in his heart, hoping for her safe arrival. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Old Ye, Chen Ping is currently dead drunk, but tomorrow, he will surely sober up. Old Ye, if we rebel tomorrow, we absolutely cannot let him stay."

"Alright, since we have made our decision, we might as well go all the way." Ye Shikai nodded. If he kills Chen Ping, there truly is no turning back.

"Alright, I will take care of him."

It was already late at night, yet Ye Shikai’s tent was brightly lit, with a group of officers discussing the affairs of the next day.

"According to intelligence, a sixty thousand strong army will arrive tomorrow, plus the thirty thousand troops led by Han Hao. The opposing force has a total of ninety thousand strong." Ye Shikai was drawing on a map. Facing ninety thousand with fifteen thousand is such a considerable disparity that even having Meng Tian command might not guarantee success.

"What, are you all afraid?" Ye Shikai teased when he saw the stern faces of the officers.

"General, we are not cowards. If we were afraid, we would not have followed you." A Chiliarch responded.

"Yes, we are willing to follow orders."

"There is no need for you to worry, I have already made plans," Ye Shikai reassured, "Although they have ninety thousand, we do not merely have fifteen thousand." Ye Shikai changed his tone, leaving everyone puzzled and at a loss.

"General, what do you mean by this?"

"Besides the fifteen thousand troops, we also have one hundred and twenty thousand civilians." Ye Shikai’s words were shocking, causing everyone to feel astonished. By "one hundred and twenty thousand" civilians, Ye Shikai referred to the locals within a fifty-mile radius. The army would forcibly march them to where the meteor fell, slaughter them, and destroy their bodies alongside the meteor. Thus, besides the ninety-thousand-strong army at the scene, there would be another one hundred and twenty thousand civilians. If used effectively, it can definitely create chaos.

"General, are you suggesting we use civilians to resist?"

"Of course not," Ye Shikai immediately refused. Those civilians are unarmed and are no match for the fully armed Qin Army. If they resist, it would be seeking death.

"But we can use them to create chaos. If that many civilians act simultaneously, even with ninety thousand, the opponents will struggle to keep everything under control and will inevitably fall into chaos. By then, we will not be facing them alone." Ye Shikai explained. He knew very well that he couldn’t save all of the civilians in such a mêlée. No matter his abilities, he could not prevent many civilians from being slaughtered. But at least... he could save a large portion of them.

"There is a valley five miles away from where the meteor fell that leads into the mountains. This provides us with an excellent opportunity. Once we succeed, we will immediately organize the civilians to retreat into the valley, where we will already have troops stationed, blocking any pursuit." Ye Shikai marked a spot on the map. The five-mile journey would take two incense sticks’ time, meaning Ye Shikai must block the ninety-thousand strong army for that duration—no easy task.

"Shangguan, take three thousand archers and guard the entrance of the valley. Your task is to cover the civilians’ retreat into the valley. Remember, you must hold it." Ye Shikai commanded.

"Old Ye, since I have chosen to follow you, I am prepared to be shattered to pieces. Rest assured, even at the cost of my life, I will hold the valley."

"Man Cang, you will lead four thousand of the Iron Armor Army. Your task is to hold off the ninety-thousand strong from both prefectures. Once we save the civilians, they will chase us like wolves. You must stop them. Can you do it?"

"I am willing to swear on a military warrant; I guarantee that I will hold them back." Man Cang knelt on one knee, his voice firm and resolute.

There is a reason why Ye Shikai entrusted this important task to Man Cang. Man Cang is his fiercest general, adept at fighting tough battles. His Iron Armor Army is trained in the style of the Wei Wu Zuo, with heavy armor that provides excellent defense. When arranging a battle formation, they could fight off overwhelming odds.

"As for ambushing the enemy and harassing their formations, the task falls to the cavalry. Wan Qi Yuan, can you handle it?"

"Rest assured, General."

"Alright, every soldier must wear a red scarf around their necks for enemy identification, and carry three days’ worth of rations. Once successful, we will depart for the Chu Territory overnight. The Qin Army from various prefectures will be chasing us, so the sooner we leave, the safer we will be. Speed is of the essence. Understood, everyone?"

"I accept the order."

"I accept the order."