"Old Ye, there are too many fallen brothers, and our carriages need to prioritize sending the wounded back to the county. If we want to return the fallen soldiers for burial, I’m afraid it will take some time," Shangguan Jian said as he approached.

"Then let the cavalry escort them back." Ye Shikai’s hand clenched tightly, and his heart ached even more.

"Old Ye, there are too many fallen brothers, and the cavalry must be ready to fight at any moment. We can’t spare that many horses. Moreover... if the townspeople see so many fallen brothers, I’m afraid... the morale will be unstable." Shangguan Jian was very troubled. Ye Shikai had already declared before the battle that he would take Yan Yu’s head within a month and hang it in the market of Baima County. This news had spread throughout Baima County, stabilizing the chaos in the town and calming the public. But if this news were to reach the town now, the stable situation would surely collapse, and the situation would become uncontrollable. Not to mention, all the supplies and equipment for the expedition army are still stockpiled in the town.

Upon hearing this, Ye Shikai let out a long sigh, slowly sitting on the ground, rainwater flowing down his helmet to his face. At this moment, his heart was heavy. Thousands of brothers’ lives had been lost on this mountain ridge. The thought of their families waiting anxiously at home made Ye Shikai’s heartache prevent him from breathing.

"Find a good location for feng shui and bury the fallen brothers." After a long silence, Ye Shikai finally spoke.

"Okay."

Ye Shikai dismissed his guards and sat alone on the mountain peak, quietly contemplating. He did not regret making bold statements before the battle because it was necessary to stabilize morale and was a forced decision. At present, he and nearly ten thousand of his brothers had no retreat. The only way out was to eliminate Yan Yu and his men completely, returning triumphantly with Yan Yu’s head to the county.

Inside the camp.

"Now the troops are demoralized, and there are no leads for the next move. What should we do?"

"This time, we’re not facing mere incompetents. It is said that Yan Yu, who used to be a famous general’s descendant of the Wei State and well-versed in military strategy, defeated the local garrison even when his power was small. Now that he is powerful and has been entrenched here for a long time, he takes full advantage of the geographical benefits."

"What are you all arguing about?" Shangguan Jian walked into the camp and saw a group of chiliarchs and Five Hundred Masters discussing loudly, unable to resist a few reproaches.

"Military Marquis Shangguan."

"Military Marquis Shangguan."

"Tell me, what were you discussing just now?" Shangguan Jian said with a stern face, walking up to a chiliarch and asking coldly.

"Well... we were discussing what the next move should be."

"The decision on operations is the general’s business. What are you all worrying about?" Shangguan Jian glared at them, "Hmph, because of a minor setback in battle, you start retreating here, boosting the enemy’s morale while diminishing your own. If it comes to a critical moment, wouldn’t you leaders have already fled?" Shangguan Jian scolded loudly, and the other officers lowered their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.

"Military Marquis, we were all promoted by General Ye, and we are not cowards. However, the situation is severe now, and General Ye hasn’t issued any orders for two days. Our army had its first defeat, which should be followed by a major victory to boost morale."

"Who says I don’t have orders?" Suddenly, a voice came from the camp’s entrance, and Ye Shikai walked straight in.

"Greetings, General."

"Greetings, Assistant General."

Upon seeing Ye Shikai, everyone immediately knelt on one knee. Although Ye Shikai had been trapped this time, his prestige in the army remained, and everyone followed his lead.

Ye Shikai sat back in the commander’s seat, a long-lost smile appearing on his face, bearing an air of confidence. Shangguan was right. If he were to become passive and fight negatively now, the entire army would collapse.

"Old Ye, do you have a plan for the next step?" Shangguan Jian’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed. He felt that the strategist Ye Shikai had returned.

"Of course."

"What is the situation at the Eagle Ridge camp now?" Ye Shikai inquired.

"Most of the camp has been burned to ashes, even half of the wooden walls of the camp have been burned." Shangguan Jian reported, "Fortunately, it is the rainy season now. Otherwise, such a large fire would likely burn for a day."

"Shangguan, immediately order the soldiers to rebuild the camp. It must be completed within three days. This is our base camp, and I can’t let the base be a wasteland." Ye Shikai commanded.

"Yes."

"Man Cang, have the materials I requested been delivered?"

"Reporting to the General, I have found everything. Additionally, I gathered some information about him from the people, this Yan Yu, was once a general leading Wei Wu Zuo."

"Wei Wu Zuo." Ye Shikai murmured, Wei Wu Zuo was the elite force of the Wei State. Although their power waned in the later stage, they were still a trump card. As one of the leaders, Yan Yu naturally had significant strength. Ye Shikai had witnessed this firsthand. Now, with the onset of the rainy season and the rain still light, it still did not affect the effectiveness of fire attacks. If another week passes and the heavy rains arrive, using fire attacks will be too late. Yan Yu seized this moment to launch a fierce surprise attack on the Qin Army.

"Yes, I investigated, and Yan Yu was indeed one of the leaders of Wei Wu Zuo."

"Alright, leave the materials with me, and all of you, go out first and await my orders." Ye Shikai waved his hand, and the officers received the order before exiting the camp.

"Shangguan, you go out too. Let me think carefully." Ye Shikai flipped through the bamboo slips, which indeed contained much information about Yan Yu. However, more importantly, it was information about Wei Wu Zuo, as Yan Yu and Wei Wu Zuo were almost inseparable as one of the leaders.

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

In a forest on Beast Mountain.

"Commander, how much longer do we have to stay here?"

"You kid, stop complaining. These bastards burned so many of our brothers. Only by finding all of their sites and the location of their base can the General crush them all in one go. Do you understand?" Xue San, wielding a machete, chopped away at the branches in front of him. This was a primeval forest, untouched by humans. If it weren’t for the special training his squad had undergone, Xue San might not have dared to enter.

"Yes, sir, I understand, it’s just... this Beast Mountain is so big, and we’re not familiar with it. How are we supposed to find them?"

"Are you asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? Speak less and work more." Xue San instructed, "Have you recorded the terrain?"

"Rest assured, Commander, I’ve noted everything down."

"This terrain is equally important. If the General leads troops here, we must first explore the paths."