Chapter 99: Returning to Wuan City

By the time Luan Hong and Jia Qi arrived before Wei Wuji, it was already midday. To win them over, Wei Wuji first engaged them in casual conversation, then eloquently expounded on the affairs of the world. He deliberately stretched the time until after lunch before inviting them to dine together, intending to give them a thorough lecture at the table.

Only after sensing the genuine sincerity from Luan and Jia did Wei Wuji feel satisfied enough to release them, allowing them to prepare for the upcoming retreat.

"Another task done, feels great..." Wei Wuji stretched lazily, wearing an expression of pure enjoyment.

“Young master, we should hurry and pack up. We’re leaving tomorrow,” said Zheng Dali, ever the killjoy.

Wei Wuji rolled his eyes, thinking how faithfully devoted he was.

“Then why aren’t you rushing? Do you want me to help you pack and carry your things to Wuan City?” Wei Wuji asked with a displeased look.

Hearing this, Zheng Dali’s expression instantly soured; he knew he had just jinxed himself.

“I’ll get right on it...” he stammered quickly, silently chastising himself for speaking out of turn.

After Zheng Dali left, Wei Wuji turned to Huan’er, who stood quietly nearby.

“Huan’er, don’t you think that guy is a bit slow? He even wants me to pack his things.”

“Master, don’t I have to pack my own things as well?” Huan’er replied calmly.

Wei Wuji blinked, realizing he had almost forgotten that.

“Master, do I also have to pack and move everything to the capital by myself?” Huan’er asked with some trepidation, worried about the long journey ahead.

Pulling her into his embrace, Wei Wuji grinned lecherously. “Of course you have to do it yourself. But if you take good care of me, you won’t have to work so hard.”

Huan’er’s cheeks flushed crimson. She fully understood what he meant by “taking care” of him. Yet, saying it out loud in front of so many made her shyly lower her head and bury it in his chest.

“Let’s go...” Wei Wuji said, scooping her up and heading toward the rear hall, ready to finish the unresolved matters of the morning.

...

At dawn on June twentieth, the Wei army began withdrawing from Tielin County in succession. The powerful local gentry named Li, appointed by Wei Wuji as the county magistrate, led all the residents of Tielin to see Wei Wuji and his men off.

Wei Wuji’s feat of annihilating the ruthless Qin army had become widely celebrated in Tielin County, where order was being restored after the war.

The Qin forces had slaughtered countless innocent civilians, many of whom had familial ties to people living in Tielin. The locals’ fury towards the Qin’s barbarity was matched only by their gratitude for Wei Wuji’s wise and valiant leadership.

After leaving Tielin County, the Wei army split into two groups. Luan Hong led a contingent back to garrison Xianghe, securing the territory under Wei control.

Meanwhile, Jia Qi accompanied Wei Wuji into the heart of the Wei state, camping for the night at Xiping County, where Jia Qi would remain in charge.

At this moment, Wei Wuji sat astride a magnificent steed, clad in exquisite armor. With one hand resting on his sword, he exuded an awe-inspiring aura. The only thing missing was a helmet atop his meticulously groomed hair bun.

Wei Wuji’s excuse was the summer heat made wearing a helmet unbearable, which was true enough. What he never admitted was that the helmet would hide his face, spoiling his swagger.

“Wang Xiu, who commands the defense of Xiangping?” Wei Wuji asked, matching his formidable appearance with a topic befitting a master strategist.

“Master, the defense of Xiangping is under our Wei’s third Pillar General, the veteran Gao Chengde,” Wang Xiu answered, riding up beside Wei Wuji.

“After this battle, I doubt the old general has the face to still command troops,” Wei Wuji said with a smile.

“Why do you say that, Master?” Wang Xiu asked, puzzled.

“This Gao Pillar General lost a city and territory. He was tasked with defending Qi, yet he quickly lost the entire Xiangping region. How can he still have the courage to lead an army?” Wei Wuji laughed. He wondered how such an old commander had risen to his present rank.

“You are mistaken, Master. General Gao’s decisions require great vision and wisdom. He is hardly foolish,” Wang Xiu replied, unwilling to follow Wei Wuji’s mocking tone.

“What?” Wei Wuji’s smile faltered. Losing a fragment of land hardly seemed like great wisdom or courage. Could that even be justified?

“Xiangping’s entire region connects with Qi through only one major river, a natural barrier. The rest of the land is flat as a plain, leaving no way to stop Qi’s army,” Wang Xiu explained.

“Therefore, General Gao’s strategy to abandon the county seat and concentrate forces to defend the commandery seat was the best choice,” he continued.

Hearing this, Wei Wuji felt a sting in his face, as if burning hot. He was just a young upstart daring to criticize a seasoned general with decades of battlefield experience—a truly self-inflicted humiliation. He smiled wryly.

“I was presumptuous,” Wei Wuji said sheepishly. The situation was indeed awkward.

He resolved to tone down his showmanship on the journey ahead.

“Order the entire army to quicken the pace and reach Xiping County as soon as possible,” Wei Wuji commanded Wang Xiu to deflect his embarrassment.

“As you command!” Wang Xiu replied before riding off, also feeling somewhat uncomfortable lingering there.

The journey was silent, and only that night did they barely reach Xiping County, setting up a simple camp outside the city.

Wei Wuji had wanted to enter the city, but with the early departure scheduled for the next day, he had to forgo that wish.

Jia Qi did not accompany the onward march but remained to guard Xiping.

As they pressed deeper into Wei’s heartland, Wei Wuji encountered many new sights and experiences.

In this turbulent era of the Warring States, traveling with one’s own troops was a rare luxury to be savored.

Along the way, Wei Wuji visited several towns, including commandery seats, where the bustling prosperity made him question whether war was truly underway.

Compared with Chen State, the common people in Wei appeared far more vibrant and smiled more easily.

Such vitality was perhaps only seen in the great powers. In contrast, states like Chen, Lu, and Song were destined for hardship.

Wei Wuji resolved to visit other great states if the opportunity arose.

What he did not realize was that this decision would bring about the fall of many nations and the destruction of countless families.

But that was a story for another time.

Advancing steadily toward Wuan, Wei Wuji frequently paused to take in the scenery and expand his knowledge. The prosperity of these commandery seats enchanted him, making him reluctant to leave.

Though incomparable to cities of future eras, they possessed a unique charm.

Passing through the three commanderies of Henei, Jianxing, and Donghu over twenty days, on the ninth day of the seventh month, Wei Wuji led his army into Wuan territory.

Shortly after, personnel arrived at the Wei Wuan military camp to verify Wei Wuji’s credentials before allowing him entry.

“At last, we have reached Wuan!” Wei Wuji gazed ahead toward the Wei capital.

Though the evening was late and his anticipation to explore the city was strong, reality prevailed, and he dutifully entered the camp.

“Master, it’s not too late to visit tomorrow. With a swift horse, it takes less than two hours to reach Wuan City,” Zheng Dali said, knowing well his lord’s fascination with great cities, especially large ones.

Now that Wuan lay before them, not going immediately would be unlike Wei Wuji’s nature.

“Alright, first thing in the morning,” Wei Wuji said excitedly.

Wuan was not only a large city but the capital of Wei—a place of unparalleled brilliance in this world.

Most importantly, his mother awaited him there.