The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife-Chapter 1390: Signal Tower, Flames Rising

When two armies face off, the ensuing clash is destined to be a bloody battle. It’s not just about achieving glory; even survival itself is a question. As a commander of a thousand men, Ye Shikai is concerned with only two things: ensuring smooth operations to guarantee overall victory and minimizing casualties as much as possible. The battlefield is a massive meat grinder where sacrifice is inevitable, but the number can be controlled.

Frankly, Ye Shikai does not desire to go to the battlefield, not because he is afraid of death, but because he does not want any of his brothers to be unable to return home. He personally felt the pain of losing teammates during his time at Dragon Teeth, and this time, it is even more terrifying, with hundreds of thousands engaged in slaughter. Who knows how many brothers will die on the battlefield?

Rumble, rumble, rumble.

Suddenly, there was a loud and dull metallic clashing sound, followed by a rapid beating of drums, echoing above the city.

This is... the call to assemble.

The two of them instinctively jumped from their chairs, donned their armor, grabbed their weapons, and rushed out of the camp.

Drumming in the middle of the night signals an urgent assembly of all the city’s forces, indicating that something major has happened on the front line.

The two quickly mounted their horses, bringing their guards as they galloped toward the parade ground, while countless soldiers awakened from their sleep, gearing up and ready to depart.

"Look over there." Shangguan Jian pointed ahead. Sure enough, the signal tower to the north of the city was lit, flames soaring into the sky, a sign of enemy invasion. Ye Shikai couldn’t help but mock in his heart; Shangguan Jian really had a crow’s mouth. Just as they mentioned war, it immediately appeared...

Meanwhile, the troops stationed outside the city began to assemble gradually. Ji County had transformed into a crowded "military camp." They didn’t need to enter the city, they just gathered outside.

"Village Chief, oh no, Chiliarch, I’ve already assembled the men." Man Cang, Ye Shikai’s most trusted confidant, was not only highly skilled and courageous but also possessed strong leadership. With just one command, all the soldiers could immediately gather for battle.

"Alright, stand by for orders." Ye Shikai nodded, waiting on horseback for Meng Tian’s order to depart.

"Quickly, gather faster." Shangguan Jian was also assembling troops here. Their campsite was a bit farther from the parade ground, which inevitably took more time.

In the short time it takes to burn an incense stick, over 200,000 troops had gathered. Meanwhile, a man in resplendent armor stood on the central platform, over eight feet tall. His eyes were sharp, exuding a murderous aura, holding a long spear. His appearance immediately quieted the crowd.

"That man... is that Meng Tian?" Ye Shikai murmured, feeling the chilling aura from head to toe. Ye Shikai had learned about this figure during history lessons; a seasoned warrior with illustrious military accomplishments. Such majestic presence seemed innate, no wonder he could command hundreds of thousands of troops.

"Soldiers of the Qin Army, the Wolf Clan is a sharp knife above our Great Qin. If the Great Wall is breached, the Wolf Clan will sweep in, slaughtering our people of Great Qin, including your parents, your wives and children..."

"As soldiers of Great Qin, you ought to guard the frontier, expel the Wolf Clan, and drive them back..."

"Now, with the urgent military situation at the Great Wall front, I will personally lead you to set off. Brothers, are you afraid?"

"Not afraid."

"Not afraid."

"Will we be victorious?"

"Certainly victorious."

"Certainly victorious."

The shouts of over 200,000 people were enough to shake the heavens and the earth, foretelling a night of battle that would change the world.

"Whether we can defeat the Wolf Clan depends on tonight’s battle. God bless the soldiers of Great Qin, our army will be victorious."

"Listen to my order, the whole army, move out."

At Meng Tian’s command, tens of thousands of troops began leaving through the city gates, a massive wave of soldiers pouring out like an endless tide.

First came the cavalry and chariots, then heavy infantry and light infantry, followed by archers and soldiers responsible for transporting weapons...

"We’re not far from the Great Wall. If all goes well, we’ll arrive by dawn." Ye Shikai, Man Cang, and the others rode warhorses, the soldiers behind them also marching quickly, occasionally speeding into a trot.

"Shangguan, why are you here?" Ye Shikai turned his head as Shangguan Jian and a few guards rode over.

"My unit is right behind yours."

"Even at this pace, it will take several hours. Can we make it in time?" Ye Shikai looked at the sky. If he calculated correctly, it would be light in about four hours.

"Don’t worry, there are still over 100,000 frontier troops stationed at the Great Wall. The commanding general is also a trusted valiant of General Meng Tian. The Wolf Clan won’t break through in a short time, and General Meng has already taken three thousand cavalry to the front line. He’ll arrive in less than two hours." Shangguan Jian explained, signaling Ye Shikai to rest assured.

"I’ve heard from Lord Han that we have nearly 400,000 troops this time, outnumbering the Wolf Clan and having the Great Wall as an impregnable defense line. We can’t lose." Shangguan Jian whispered in Ye Shikai’s ear. The Great Wall stretches for miles, dispersing forces like a long snake. However, it is a single entity with many fortresses scattered along it. A failure at any point could breach the defenses, hence all defensive lines must coordinate perfectly to prevent "breaks." If any crisis arises, nearby troops will immediately assist. This Great Wall stands as an iron barrier before the Wolf Clan, so breaking through with cavalry charges alone isn’t easy. Shangguan is right; before the battle, the entire army should maintain confidence.

"Everyone, eat some rations while marching to replenish your strength." Ye Shikai commanded. Although the soldiers’ food was handled by the logistics corps, they still had some rations left when they arrived at Ji County. Ye Shikai instructed to carry it along, so at least the soldiers could eat if they got hungry during the march.

There was another reason Ye Shikai didn’t want to discuss or think about. Once they reached the Great Wall, a battle might commence. He couldn’t predict how fierce the battle would be or how many might survive. Eating something before the fight ensured at least they wouldn’t die hungry on the battlefield.

"Everyone, pick up the pace." Man Cang urged loudly. While two legs can’t compete with four horse hooves, Meng Tian’s military order was that all troops must gather at the base of the Great Wall before dawn; any delays would be punished.