Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian sat atop a high point, looking down at the crater below. Both of them felt uneasy in their hearts. They had once been generals in the Qin army, putting their lives on the line for the empire. Although they had no choice but to rise up now, they still felt guilty. Tomorrow, their former comrades and brothers would become opponents in battle. It would be hard for anyone to feel at ease.

"Shangguan, do you regret following me to rebel against the court now?" Ye Shikai suddenly asked.

"Old Ye, do you want to hear the truth?" Shangguan Jian turned his head and said.

"Nonsense, of course, I want to hear the truth." Ye Shikai joked.

"Honestly, I do feel some regret. Now we have endless salaries every month, plus rewards from the county. I could buy two houses anywhere and live without worry for a lifetime." Shangguan Jian took a sip of wine, laughing as he spoke. He suddenly shifted his tone, "When I was little, I wandered all over, barely clothed or fed, often bullied by some bandits. So I always wanted a stable life free from worry. Later I worked odd jobs and as a waiter, but that was just to get by."

This was the first time Shangguan Jian shared his past with Ye Shikai. It turned out he too came from a hard background. Ye Shikai could understand him well, as their early experiences were somewhat similar, though one was in the Qin Dynasty and the other in modern times.

"Later I joined the army, wanting to join the Qin army, to protect the villagers, so they could live stable lives. That’s why I decided to join you in rebellion against the court."

"I, Shangguan Jian, can enjoy glory and wealth or endure poverty, but I will never turn my sword on the citizens. If I condoned such actions, I’d be no different than them. I absolutely refuse to do so." Shangguan Jian spoke decisively, just as he was unwavering in his support of Ye Shikai.

At this moment, Ye Shikai finally understood. Shangguan Jian was willing to rebel against the court partly because of brotherhood, but mostly for the ’greater good.’ The two kindred spirits shared dissatisfaction with the court’s policies. For the sake of the common people, they were willing to go through hell and high water. This is the true nature of soldiers.

Ye Shikai understood well that even among the ninety thousand Qin soldiers, many were unwilling to carry out this secret order. No one is born a ’killing demon.’ But they also understood the consequences of defying military orders. Their lives would be at risk, and their families could be implicated. Helplessly, they had to ’ignore their conscience’ and slaughter. From a certain angle, they were more like coerced ’victims.’ Ye Shikai didn’t like moral blackmail, so he didn’t blame them.

The two of them sat on the mountain, waiting for dawn...

The next day.

"Hurry, keep up."

"The people in the back, don’t fall behind."

"Hurry up."

At the break of dawn, many villagers were herded here by soldiers. Numerous people were bewildered and fearful, with many children and babies crying loudly, creating a chaotic scene.

"Officer, what’s going on, why have we been brought here?" an old man asked a nearby soldier while leaning on his cane.

"Why are you asking so many questions? Keep moving," the mounted soldier flicked his whip, driving these people toward the crater.

Soon, dust was kicked up from afar as tens of thousands of people were herded here, making for a ’spectacular’ scene.

These people came from dozens of nearby villages. Among them, some populous villages had over ten thousand people, all driven here like a ’migration.’

In the distance.

Ye Shikai personally led five thousand soldiers, stationed by the crater. Each one’s collar was tied with a red scarf. As soon as the moment was right, they would take action to save the people in the chaos.

"General, when should we move?" a chiliarch asked.

"Don’t rush, have the whole army wait here for my command."

"Understood."

Several hours later.

Tens of thousands of people were divided into over twenty ’zones,’ surrounded by ranks of fully armed soldiers. Han Hao sat on his horse, observing the scene with a grim face.

"Sir, should we act now? If we delay and it gets dark, it will be hard to control the situation."

"Sigh, begin."

"Wait," a voice suddenly called out from behind Han Hao, revealing Ye Shikai as the speaker.

"Oh, it’s Ye, what’s up, anything you want to discuss?"

"Lord Han, may I ask, is there any room for negotiation concerning the emperor’s secret orders?" Ye Shikai slowly dismounted. He and Shangguan Jian had both been Han Hao’s subordinates. Han, this former superior, had often mentored them. Whenever there were achievements, they were always remembered. During major decisions, Han Hao was quite trusting of him. Honestly, he felt very grateful.

"Ye, we’re all officers, following orders is our duty. Do you think I like doing this? Not everyone can act according to their own will," Han Hao persuaded, "Ye, you should consider your future, which is boundless. I urge you to think carefully."

"So, there’s no room for turning back?"

"The order from the emperor is one we both must obey."

"Very well," Ye Shikai slowly bowed, this being his ’final respect’ to his former superior. After today, they would part ways.

"I bid my leave." Ye Shikai mounted his horse and turned away.

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

"Alright, it’s already noon, begin," Han Hao instructed the officer beside him.

"Understood, I’ll go inform them."

"Attack!"

"Attack!"

Suddenly, chaotic shouts came from behind. Turning his head, Han Hao saw dust rising from the rear formation, with the troops scattering. Many soldiers were running about chaotically.

"What’s happening?" Han Hao cursed. At this critical moment, the last thing he wanted was disorder.

"Report... reporting, a cavalry unit charged straight into our rear, catching us off guard, causing heavy losses."

"What? How could this happen, a cavalry charging into military formations?" Han Hao was shocked, but the scene before him forced him to believe it. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"How many of them?"

"Sev... several thousand. They’re crashing around, in and out, seeming only to cause chaos in our ranks."

"Quick, have General Li take troops over and completely annihilate them."

"Understood."

Thousands of cavalry and well-trained at that. This was definitely not something ordinary rebels or robbers could accomplish. Han Hao immediately understood, these were Ye Shikai’s men.