Chapter 53: This Glittering World

After enjoying a cup of tea in the elegant chamber, Wei Wuji stood up and began to pace.

The treatment he received now was beyond anything he could have imagined.

Indeed, happiness often depends on comparison. Reflecting on the days of hardship gone by, Wei Wuji felt all the more content with his present comfort.

As he was lost in these thoughts, Gu Mu entered once more, with Wang Xiu following close behind.

Upon entering, Wang Xiu stepped past Gu Mu, bowed deeply to Wei Wuji, and said, “Young Master, please come outside for your meal!”

Lunch! Wei Wuji’s spirits soared. The food in the military camp had been little more than survival fare—he shuddered even to remember it.

Now, in this grand household, surely he could look forward to something sumptuous.

Hopeful, Wei Wuji followed behind Gu Mu as they made their way out. Wang Xiu and Zheng Dali came along as well.

After making several turns through corridors and courtyards, Wei Wuji was finally led into a spacious courtyard.

There, over a dozen tables were already set, laden with wine and meat. Behind each table stood a military officer.

Wei Wuji recognized them all; they were among the higher-ranking officers under his command, each one a commander of a unit.

Seeing Wei Wuji arrive, all these men bowed deeply and greeted him, “Greetings, Young Master!”

Just then, several others hurried out from the main hall. As soon as they saw Wei Wuji enter, they bowed and declared, “Your subordinates greet you, Young Master!”

A closer look revealed them to be captains and adjutants under his command.

Truly, officials know how to enjoy themselves, Wei Wuji mused. The contrast between ranks was striking—senior officers could dine in the hall.

As Wei Wuji considered this, Wang Xiu stepped forward and said, “Young Master, please take your seat!”

Yes, yes! Wei Wuji snapped back to the present—he was here for the good food, after all.

He nearly drooled at the sight of the delicious dishes on the small tables.

Moreover, he noticed that the fare on the main seat in the hall seemed even more exquisite.

“Please, everyone, dispense with ceremony and be seated,” Wei Wuji said, gesturing with both hands.

“Thank you, Young Master,” the officers replied. They, too, had endured much hardship and were eager to savor this rare moment.

Wei Wuji hurried toward the hall, his pace as restrained as he could manage.

Composure, he admonished himself. I must show some composure.

Once inside, he approached the seat of honor, eager to begin. But to his surprise, everyone remained standing.

“Please, be seated,” he urged. The ancient customs were certainly elaborate.

Only after Wei Wuji sat did the others finally take their seats.

Just as he reached for his chopsticks, another thought occurred to him.

Should I say something first? It seemed too rude to simply dig in.

So, Wei Wuji stood up.

The others watched, puzzled. Was the meal not to begin?

“Gentlemen, today is a special day…”

But having little experience, Wei Wuji did not know how to continue. Looking at the assembled officers, inspiration struck.

“Since I took command, I have relied on all of you, who have bled and struggled for my sake.

“Today, I offer you my deepest thanks!” With that, Wei Wuji bowed deeply from his place of honor.

At this, all the officers in hall and courtyard alike rose and replied, “Young Master, you honor us too greatly! We are unworthy of such praise!”

Wei Wuji pressed his hands down again, signaling them to be seated.

“To have all of you gathered here today is no small thing,” he sighed.

Though he had held several staff meetings before, they had mostly involved captains and adjutants.

It was rare indeed to have all the commanders and higher officers present together as they were now.

He could not help but think of drink and celebration. Raising his cup, he declared, “Come, let us share a few cups together today!”

He lifted his cup, and all the officers below rose to their feet, cups raised, gazing toward him.

“Please!” Wei Wuji raised his cup to his lips and drained it in one go.

Only then did the others follow suit.

As the wine slid down his throat, Wei Wuji found it nothing like the liquor of his previous life.

Was this fake wine? The taste was so mild—no stronger than beer, at best.

Then he remembered the era he was in: primitive brewing techniques.

Filling his cup again, he said, “You have followed me into battle, earning great merit through your hardship. When we return victorious, I will not forget you.”

“We would lay down our lives for you, Young Master!” they replied in unison, as if well-rehearsed.

After all, he was a prince of Great Wei, and, judging by recent events, one favored by fortune.

To swear loyalty to such a man was an opportunity many would envy.

Having downed the second cup, Wei Wuji felt as if he might float away. To receive such declarations of loyalty left him truly elated.

But there was one more thing he must not forget—something most important.

Lifting his cup again, Wei Wuji assumed a solemn air, his face turning mournful.

“This third cup…” He paused.

All eyes in the hall were fixed upon him, awaiting his words.

“This third cup is for our fallen brothers.”

His tone heavy with sorrow, he continued, “Without them, we might not be alive today. It is because of their sacrifice that we can now gather and celebrate.”

“Come, let us drink to our departed brothers!” Wei Wuji’s voice was full of emotion and grief.

He then poured his wine onto the ground.

Following his example, the officers also poured their cups, the sound of liquid hitting the earth echoing softly.

With the three toasts completed, Wei Wuji’s performance was at an end. He signaled for everyone to sit, and finally took up his chopsticks for the first bite.

“Eat, everyone! You’ll need your strength for battle!” Wei Wuji encouraged them.

The first mouthful, though not quite as delicious as the finest restaurants of his previous life, was still a rare treat.

Especially considering how poorly he’d eaten in recent days.

After several more bites, he paused to catch his breath.

At that moment, someone raised a cup to him.

“Young Master, allow me to toast you as well. If not for your leadership these past days, we would surely have fallen to the enemy!” Liu Xuanba rose with his cup.

Wei Wuji basked in the flattery, smiling as he raised his own cup. “No need for such praise…”

Yet his expression clearly said, Yes, it was all thanks to me!

Thus, Liu Xuanba’s toast sparked a wave of compliments.

While those outside the hall, of lower rank, did not join in, the captains and adjutants inside lavished Wei Wuji with praise.

Even those usually quiet—like Captains Zhou Changyun and Zhang Qingshan—joined in with hearty flattery.

Standing nearby, their host Gu Mu could not help but be amazed at the spectacle.

Was this young master really only seventeen or eighteen? He was as shrewd as a seasoned veteran. Truly, a prince of a great nation was a breed apart.

With the flattery and banter going on for over an hour, Wei Wuji was soon inebriated.

Even the weak wine could not withstand such quantity—seven or eight strong men taking turns toasting him was too much for anyone.

In a drunken haze, he was half-carried into a bedchamber by either Zheng Dali or Wang Xiu—he could not remember which.

From that point on, everything became a blur. He seemed to recall a woman at his side, tidying the bedding, helping him off with his armor and clothes.

A woman… That was the last thing on Wei Wuji’s mind before he drifted into unconsciousness.