The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife-Chapter 1376: The Refugee Camp

"Stay close and don’t get separated, and act naturally without raising suspicion," Ye Shikai whispered as he walked, observing the surroundings. All the way, they saw many "rebel army" participants. It was shocking to see—this place was barely a bandit’s den, practically a refugee camp. Many people didn’t even have a place to stay, wore tattered clothes, and gathered around fires.

"Boss, it’s quite big here," Man Cang remarked, looking at the camp’s area. Although they didn’t know who the leaders of the rebel army were, just by observing the layout, one could tell there was some skill involved. The camp was built against the mountain, easy to defend and hard to attack, with water sources above and caves for storing food. Even if surrounded, there’s no fear. Behind the camp lies deep mountains, with many trees and shrubs; if the camp can’t be defended, a retreat into the forest would be possible, where the complex terrain prevents officers from entering.

A place like Long Mountain must be a strategic location; why not build a fort here? That way troops can be stationed and a granary set up—foolproof.

Looking at these rebel soldiers, although poorly equipped, they were numerous, many with a fierce look in their eyes, seeming experienced with life and death. If a fight breaks out, it won’t be easy to force their surrender. Of course... the key to their surrender still lies in food. Without food, the rebels cannot hold the camp.

"Village chief, it seems there’s no granary here," Man Cang remarked as he glanced around, noting that even the kitchen was exposed, but no granary or arsenal was seen. Ye Shikai also didn’t believe there was any stock left in the arsenal.

"Search the surroundings, and gather back here after two sticks of incense," Ye Shikai said softly.

"Understood."

"Understood."

The group gradually dispersed. Fortunately, the camp’s management wasn’t strict; many wandered around aimlessly, some in groups of three to five. Ye Shikai trusted his acting skills, blending in without being noticed.

It was too big here; even after wandering for a while, Ye Shikai couldn’t locate the granary. However, with over three thousand people here, cooking was surely a "big project." The food must be delivered by cart to the kitchen; by following this trail, the granary can likely be found.

Yet more inquiries were necessary; Ye Shikai’s gaze fell on a skinny man squatting in the corner with a belly protruding.

"Hey, brother, I just arrived and I’m starving. Do you know where the warehouse is? I want to ask for some rice," Ye Shikai casually inquired.

"Brother, you must be new here," the skinny man looked at Ye Shikai with a surprised expression.

"Yes, I just arrived, just trying to get by with some food."

"Okay then, let me give you some advice: never ask such questions inside the camp." As he spoke, the man glanced around, seemingly worried about being overheard.

"Why is that? Please, enlighten me," Ye Shikai’s eyes flashed with an unusual light.

"To prevent Qin Army infiltration, our leader stated that if the Qin Army comes, they won’t care about camp gates and walls, just the granary. Hence, there’s a strict order forbidding anyone from discussing it; violators face death," the man explained, gesturing across his neck with his thumb.

"I see, thank you for the warning; otherwise, I’d have died without reason." Ye Shikai thanked him repeatedly.

"You don’t have to thank me. In these chaotic times, everyone’s just trying to get by and survive. If something happens, just take care of yourself," the man waved. "I’m Xue San, and how should I address you?"

"Just call me Ye Yi," Ye Shikai said, recalling a name he chose back in North America, unlikely recognized in the Qin Dynasty.

"Since you’re new here, and I’m a straightforward person, I’ll show you around, so you don’t accidentally offend the soldiers and risk your life," Xue San stood up and dusted off his pants, which were full of fist-sized holes, noting that many in the camp were like him.

"Thank you, thank you," Ye Shikai responded repeatedly.

"Meal time! Line up, one by one!" Suddenly, a few rebel soldiers shouted not far away, and hundreds rushed forward.

"Brother, follow me," Xue San said, grabbing Ye Shikai’s wrist and pulling him into the line.

"What’s this about?" Ye Shikai curiously asked.

"Eating, you’re hungry, right? Just in time for the meal," Xue San glanced at the line ahead and breathed a long sigh of relief. "How lucky! Judging by the number of people ahead, we’ll get our share. Otherwise, you’d starve until evening."

"Isn’t there enough food for everyone?" Ye Shikai immediately questioned.

"Of course not; look at the many mouths to feed. If everyone eats, how much food would it take? Besides... I don’t know how much food there is here; we’re just here for a meal, nothing else matters," Xue San seemed happy, or maybe just glad he could get food.

From this detail, Ye Shikai deduced there’s likely not much food in the camp. With so many mouths to feed, shortages are expected; they must’ve raided nearby villages for food, unable to sustain themselves entirely.

The rebel soldiers distributed steamed buns and thin porridge to the people in the camp, each getting one bun and a bowl of porridge with visible grains, indicating the camp’s limited food supply.

"With just this, is it enough?" After receiving food, they found a corner to eat. Ye Shikai looked at the bun, barely the size of a fist.

"Having food is already fortunate, hurry and eat, so at least you won’t starve," Xue San devoured the bun in large bites, afraid someone might snatch it.

"Alright, you can have mine," Ye Shikai was already full and not hungry, so he gave his bun to Xue San. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Wow, Ye, you must be from a wealthy place; anyone else would’ve eaten it by now," Xue San was startled, hesitated for a moment, then quickly accepted the bun.

"If you trust me, I can show you a path to eating buns daily, how about it?"