Chapter 1566: Chapter 1566: Mi Wen’s Request

"So, you’re worried about my safety." Ye Shikai was taken aback, he really hadn’t expected that Mi Wen was actually concerned about his safety.

"I’ve only provided support for seven thousand of your men and won’t let you expand your army, which effectively prohibits expansion, so I anticipated you would come today."

"Master, the meal is ready." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Perfect, it’s already noon. Let’s talk while we eat." Mi Wen said calmly. Ye Shikai, with no other choice, stood up and followed.

The dining table was full of delicacies. Although Ye Shikai didn’t know much, he could tell that many of these dishes were extremely rare.

"I prepared this especially for you," Mi Wen said with a smile. "How is it, are you satisfied?"

Indeed, Mi Wen had anticipated Ye Shikai’s arrival and had prepared these delicacies in advance.

"It’s just a casual meal, I’m not like you nobles, picking every meal carefully, with all rarities." Ye Shikai replied dismissively.

"Since you’re not in the mood to savor these foods, let’s discuss the serious matters then."

"Alright." Ye Shikai put down his chopsticks. He had too much on his mind to enjoy these dishes.

"Firstly, I’m very grateful for your help. Honestly, if not for you willing to take me and my brothers in, we might have long perished by now." Ye Shikai didn’t deny Mi Wen’s kindness and even acknowledged it as a great favor. In these chaotic times, everything was uncertain. Truth be told, before raising an army in East County, Ye Shikai was worried whether Mi Wen would accept them. But she agreed without hesitation and even provided supplies, a true lifesaver.

"Since I’ve joined forces, I’ll naturally follow your orders. As long as you don’t ask us to do anything against our principles, I’ll go through fire and water to complete the rest."

"Very well." Mi Wen applauded gently.

"You must be curious why I won’t let you expand your army now."

"Can you give me an explanation?" Ye Shikai immediately asked, finally getting to the point.

"I have other plans for you. Hereafter, your subordinates will be commanded by General Huo Ziqing. Leave the army expansion to him." Mi Wen said coldly.

"What did you say?" Ye Shikai could no longer remain calm upon hearing this. He stood up and shouted at Mi Wen.

"Impudent." A nearby sword-wielding guard, fearing Ye Shikai would act, quickly stepped forward.

"All of you, back off."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Mi Wen, what exactly do you mean?" Anger surged within Ye Shikai. These brothers had followed him through life and death, and no commander would willingly abandon his men. Mi Wen knew this yet made such a decision, was she not deliberately making him uncomfortable?

"Why get so agitated?"

"Nonsense, those are my brothers, how can I abandon them?"

"Didn’t you just say you’d follow orders?" Mi Wen asked unhurriedly.

"But... how can I comply with such an order? Those are my brothers. They trust me and chose to follow me into battle. How can I abandon them now?" Ye Shikai retorted passionately.

"If you want me to attack and conquer, I have no issue, but I will never leave my brothers." Ye Shikai stared at Mi Wen with determination, unwavering. Mi Wen was not the least bit angry. In the entire county, perhaps only Ye Shikai dared to challenge her directly.

"Well then, since you don’t want to, I won’t force you. However, you must agree to one condition."

"Go ahead."

"You can stay with your subordinates, but you must leave Southern County, along with Miss He." Mi Wen stood up and said.

"Leave Southern County? Then where are we going?"

"Changsha Commandery."

Ye Shikai’s hand trembled. Changsha Commandery was once Chu State’s heartland, essentially Mi Wen’s stronghold. Compared to Southern County, which bordered Nanyang County, it could be described as "peaceful with no troubles."

"Why go there? There’s no warfare." Ye Shikai questioned.

"You don’t need to ask that. Once you’re in Linxiang City, Changsha, I’ll let you expand your army. As for the rest, wait for my orders." Mi Wen said in a cold voice.

"This... alright."

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

"General, why are we going to Changsha Commandery again?" In the military camp, when Ye Shikai shared the news with the generals, everyone was shocked.

"Changsha Commandery is much more stable with no warfare, why are we going there?" Man Cang asked.

"Yes, General, what are we going to do in Changsha Commandery?"

"What’s the matter, don’t you want to go?" Ye Shikai suddenly asked, and everyone fell silent. Moving to Changsha Commandery meant they’d be safe. These days, after battling fiercely and losing so many, who wouldn’t want to keep the rest alive?

"I... I indeed don’t want more deaths, but I’m not afraid of dying. With the world in chaos, we followed the General to resist the Qin, not to hide in the back."

"Yes, that’s right."

"Alright, everyone calm down." Ye Shikai gestured for everyone to quiet down.

"Pay attention, everyone. Our current master is Mi Wen, and naturally, we must follow her orders." Ye Shikai reminded them.

"Man Cang."

"At your service."

"Inventory the supplies and prepare to depart at any time."

"Yes."

Ye Shikai agreed to Mi Wen’s arrangements, but he also negotiated some terms. Firstly, He Linghan was still ill, so at least they had to wait for her to recover before setting out. Additionally... Shangguan Jian hadn’t returned yet, and he wanted to wait a few more days to see if Xue San could gather any news.

Mansion.

"Ling’er, how are you feeling now, is your illness better?" Ye Shikai sat by the bed, gently asking.

"Don’t worry, I’m much better. The environment here is great for recovery."

"By the way, once you’re better, let’s go to Changsha Commandery. We can take Grandpa with us, too. There’s no war there, and once we’re there, we can live peacefully."

"What, go to Changsha? What about you?" He Linghan asked back.

"Of course, I’ll stay in Changsha too. It’s so nice there, I also get more time to be with you."

In another thought, Ye Shikai found nothing wrong with going to Changsha. At least it’s peaceful there. He wasn’t an overly ambitious person; achieving great deeds was indeed good, but if he could live peacefully, he’d choose the latter. Plus, going to Changsha meant his brothers could also live well.