Chapter 37: The Military Enlistment Test

By the time Wei Wujie returned with Zheng Dali, dusk had already fallen.

Having gone without food for so long, Wei Wujie's stomach was rumbling with hunger. Looking at his own wretched, half-starved appearance, he couldn't help but shake his head. Surely the others who attended the council weren't all in the same state as him.

Trying to banish the jumble of thoughts in his mind, Wei Wujie mulled over the contents of the day's military meeting once more. In truth, he was still somewhat disgruntled that his proposal had been rejected by so many. Yet, there was nothing he could do to change any of it; perhaps Lord Wei could have, but even he did not support Wei Wujie's approach.

Who was truly in the wrong? This question grew in his heart like a rolling snowball, growing larger and heavier by the moment.

Misfortune and fortune are intertwined, and for Wei Wujie, there was at least one piece of good news: Xu Anhong seemed to value him highly. Otherwise, among all those present, why was he the only one to speak a fair word on his behalf?

Originally, Wei Wujie thought he had offended both Pillar Generals, but now, with Xu Anhong treating him well, the pressure in his heart eased somewhat. With that realization, his displeasure at being dismissed softened considerably.

With his spirits lifted, the first order of business before him became filling his belly—fortuitously, he was ravenous.

"Let's hurry up and get back to camp!" Wei Wujie called to the guards behind him. He truly was famished.

The small group quickened their pace, eager to eat at last. The guards outside the tent hadn't eaten either—they were starving!

When they finally arrived, they discovered they were still too late; the evening meal had ended, and most of the Wei soldiers had already finished eating.

"Young Master, you haven't eaten yet?" Upon seeing Wei Wujie approach, Wang Xiu instantly put down his tools and ran over.

"You've eaten?" Wei Wujie doubted his own judgment. If that were true, the blow he suffered today would grow even heavier.

Even his brothers who had fought by his side were no longer looking after him. For someone determined to change the course of history, what meaning was left in his existence?

As if sensing Wei Wujie's confusion, Wang Xiu hurried to explain, "Young Master, the brothers have been waiting for you for some time, but as you didn't return, I assumed you must be discussing important matters in the main tent and wouldn't be back tonight."

Wang Xiu's tone grew somber. "So, I took it upon myself to let the brothers eat first."

Fine, let them eat, then! Wei Wujie felt helpless—why did unlucky things keep happening to him?

"Is there any food left? Bring a few portions to my tent. Adjutant Wang, come yourself!" Wei Wujie fixed his gaze on Wang Xiu.

"At your command!" Wang Xiu bowed again to Wei Wujie.

Wei Wujie then led Zheng Dali and the others toward his own tent.

Once inside, Zheng Dali gave a cold snort. "Young Master, Wang Xiu is rather bold, isn't he?"

"What is it?" Wei Wujie was puzzled—what had gotten into Zheng Dali?

"When you weren't here, Wang Xiu was trying to curry favor with the men," Zheng Dali said angrily.

Wei Wujie understood: Zheng Dali was looking out for him, worried that someone would steal his thunder.

But Wei Wujie wasn't concerned in the least. He'd been busy these past days, running around tirelessly. No one could seize his position so easily! He could guarantee that the soldiers of this Wei division were fully behind him now.

In the future, they would realize that he, Wei Wujie, was the one who would bring them boundless wealth, countless victories, and supreme glory.

Wei Wujie felt confident in his ability to command the army—after all, he'd been indoctrinated before.

To ease Zheng Dali's worries, Wei Wujie patted his shoulder with a smile. "Don't overthink it. Better figure out how you're going to wake me up tomorrow!"

If Zheng Dali knew the term "morning grouch," he would surely apply it to Wei Wujie. These past two days, rousing Wei Wujie had been a thankless task: he neither dared scold nor strike him, enduring like a meek, aggrieved wife.

Just as Zheng Dali began to fret about tomorrow's wake-up call, a man's voice came from outside the tent. "Young Master, I am coming in!"

Recognizing Wang Xiu's voice, Wei Wujie signaled Zheng Dali to greet him at the entrance. "Come in, then!"

"Young Master, here's the dinner you requested," Wang Xiu said, lifting the items in his hands.

Upon receiving Wei Wujie's nod, Zheng Dali took the food from Wang Xiu, placed it on the table before Wei Wujie, and served him a bowl of rice.

After accepting the rice, Wei Wujie said, "Dali, take the rest outside and give it to the brothers who haven't eaten yet."

Zheng Dali agreed—it made sense. He carried the remaining dishes out of the tent.

Now, only Wei Wujie and Wang Xiu remained inside.

Wei Wujie shoveled rice into his mouth, while Wang Xiu waited quietly nearby. The scene was slightly peculiar.

Once he had eaten his fill, Wei Wujie let out a long breath—how pleasant it was to be sated.

Raising his head, he noticed Wang Xiu still standing by. Wei Wujie was pleased by his restraint and respect.

In truth, Wei Wujie's request for Wang Xiu to visit wasn't merely about fetching food; he had questions to ask.

He wanted to discuss the oddities of the military council. Among his men, only Wang Xiu was qualified for such a conversation.

"Wang Xiu, tell me—can I trust you?" Wei Wujie stared at him for several breaths before speaking.

Wang Xiu saw the seriousness in Wei Wujie's manner and knew he was about to confide something secret. "Young Master, speak freely, I will not let slip a single word."

Wei Wujie nodded. It was time for a unique test.

He succinctly explained the crux of the afternoon's debate: whether, in addition to awarding land for military merit, they should also grant noble titles for military merit.

Having finished, Wei Wujie took a breath. "Such an excellent system of reward—why did everyone oppose it so strongly?" That was the question.

"Young Master, the system is indeed good, but..." Wang Xiu hesitated, unsure how to continue.

"But what?" Wei Wujie watched him with some irritation. This fellow always liked to be mysterious, especially at critical moments—this was exactly the part he wanted to hear!

"Young Master, think about the generals present. Who are they?" Wang Xiu replied, somewhat helpless. He actually agreed with Wei Wujie's ideas.

But Wei Wujie was puzzled by the question. Who were they? Who else but men of Wei?

Seeing Wei Wujie silent, Wang Xiu stopped being enigmatic. "Young Master, every general present was backed by a powerful clan."

"As scions of these great families, they've been privileged from childhood, able to obtain noble titles from an early age. Thus, they're not interested in acquiring titles through military merit."

"But if ordinary people could gain noble rank through certain means, their family's advantages would be greatly diminished."

"In an age of heroes, these aristocratic sons would never have a chance to shine." Wang Xiu's analysis was incisive.

Wei Wujie, already aware of the answer, now understood it even more deeply.

He had assumed that, since the laws of Wei were so strict, surely a Legalist regime was in power—as in his previous life when the Qin dynasty unified the land and stripped the great clans of their privileges.

But hearing Wang Xiu's explanation, Wei Wujie realized he'd been mistaken—the great families here still wielded enormous influence.

Wei Wujie nodded in satisfaction. He'd chosen the right man as his advisor—Wang Xiu was indeed talented.

"With Adjutant Wang by my side, I have no worries!" Wei Wujie quoted a classical phrase, praising Wang Xiu.

After some further polite exchanges, Wang Xiu took his leave.

Watching Wang Xiu depart, Wei Wujie let out a long sigh. There were many tasks awaiting him in the days to come.

It was already late.

Well then, sleep first!

Another day had passed.

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