Chapter 143: That Single Figure

Following Zheng Dali's explanation, Zhou Changyun began arranging the soldiers for their respective tasks.

Once everyone was busy at work, he followed Zheng Dali back toward the main tent, where Wei Wuji was already waiting.

By the time Zhou Changyun arrived, military officers of the ranks of company commanders and captains, such as Zhang Qingshan, were already assembled inside the tent awaiting further orders.

With all the officers gathered in one place, Wei Wuji repeated the purpose of his visit, though this time he omitted any mention of the assassination attempt.

"That is how matters stand. Dali, have all the supplies been transported here?" Wei Wuji asked, looking toward Zheng Dali.

Zheng Dali bowed with cupped fists and replied, "Reporting to the lord, the brothers of various units have already begun making preparations."

Wei Wuji nodded, considering one major task settled.

Next came the waiting, but some conversation was necessary. In a military camp, the only suitable topic of discussion was the army itself. Much like a modern leader, Wei Wuji began inquiring about the daily lives of the soldiers across all units.

He asked about their meals, their lodging conditions, and whether they felt homesick. Naturally, the answers were uniformly predictable.

Finally, Wei Wuji asked the question he cared about most.

"How much longer until our combat casualties can be fully replenished?" Wei Wuji asked, fixing his burning gaze upon the gathered officers. This matter directly concerned his vital interests.

The entire three-thousand-strong commandant's division currently numbered only about fifteen or sixteen hundred men. This was a severe reduction in Wei Wuji's strength, leaving him with a persistent sense of insecurity.

"This... I am afraid we must wait until the monarch returns from his campaign before he issues an order to the Military Bureau to select recruits from the county garrisons!" Wang Xiu replied cautiously. He was not entirely certain of the details and could only answer based on standard Wei military practice.

"I see..." Wei Wuji maintained a neutral expression, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Though this delay frustrated him deeply, it was something that could not be rushed.

...

Outside the military tents, numerous large cauldrons had been set up, and the men of every unit were bustling about.

Though called a celebration feast, the tables held very few dishes, with the main course consisting of the meat Wei Wuji had transported in.

There was no elaborate cooking. Tossed straight into the pots with salt and a few simple seasonings, the soldiers prepared their evening meal themselves.

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

The meat in the cauldrons boiled and bubbled, its rich aroma spreading throughout the entire camp, signaling that the victory banquet was about to begin.

Feeling exceedingly hungry, Wei Wuji found his mouth watering at the scent of meat even from inside the tent.

To maintain his dignity, he forced himself to keep talking, using conversation to mask the awkwardness in his throat.

"My lord, everything outside has been arranged, and everyone is waiting for you!" Zheng Dali walked over to Wei Wuji, lowering his voice as he spoke. It was no wonder he was anxious, as everyone else was starving as well.

Estimating the time, he had been exchanging idle talk with Wang Xiu and the others for over an hour. Two hours had passed, which meant preparations should indeed be complete.

"Wang Xiu, you and the others go out first to organize the men and get the order established." Standing up, Wei Wuji instructed the officers below.

"Understood!" Seeing Wei Wuji rise, Wang Xiu and the others hurriedly stood up to reply.

"Go! There must be no mishaps at this celebration banquet!" Wei Wuji said calmly.

After bowing once more in salute, Wang Xiu and the others slowly backed out of the tent, leaving only Wei Wuji and his personal guards inside.

"Hehe! Now that those fellows are gone, it will be my turn to make a grand entrance." Wei Wuji sat back down, picked up the teacup before him, and thought to himself.

To strengthen his personal prestige, he had to stand out and prevent anything from distracting the soldiers' attention. Such was Wei Wuji's design.

"My lord, when shall we head out?" Zheng Dali asked in a deep voice.

Wei Wuji smiled and replied calmly, "Go outside and keep watch. Once everything is fully arranged, come back and announce me!"

Zheng Dali accepted the order and turned to leave, but Wei Wuji called him back with a final instruction: "Remember, make sure *everything* is fully prepared!"

"Yes!" Zheng Dali gave a deep bow before turning to leave.

Outside, Wang Xiu and the others had already begun directing the movements of the soldiers.

The somewhat disorderly tables were straightened out one by one, and long benches were placed along their sides.

Pots of steaming, savory stewed meat were brought to the tables, filling the air with a mouthwatering fragrance. At the same time, jars of wine were hauled out, nearly causing the heavy drinkers among the men to lose their footing.

Once the final tasks were completed, the soldiers of each unit, led by their respective company commanders, sat down at the tables in neat, orderly fashion.

This was a thrilling moment, at least in the minds of the rank-and-file soldiers.

Their commandant, a noble scion of the State of Wei, and a comrade-in-arms who had shared life and death with them... was about to celebrate their triumphs here, at this very moment.

Much like weary farmers anticipating a year's harvest, the soldiers' hearts swelled with anticipation, temporarily driving the wine and meat on the tables from their minds.

The longer they waited, the stronger their anticipation grew.

Everyone gazed toward the high platform at the front of the military formation, awaiting Wei Wuji's appearance.

Finally, as the excitement of the crowd reached its peak, Wei Wuji appeared.

Dressed in standard martial attire, with a meticulous hair bun and a sharp, resolute face, Wei Wuji emerged into the soldiers' view, pressing his hand against the hilt of his sword as he walked slowly forward.

All eyes tracked his movement. As they watched the figure approaching from ahead, every man shared a single thought in his heart.

"What a heroic young lord!" everyone thought to themselves.

Walking with steady strides, Wei Wuji felt a quiet surge of pride. This was the exact effect he desired—the deeper this personal impression was branded into their minds, the better.

Arriving at the base of the high platform, Wei Wuji stopped. Above him was his exclusive seat; no one else possessed the qualification to share it with him.

Keeping one hand on his sword hilt and gently lifting the hem of his robe with the other, Wei Wuji ascended the steps.

At this moment, everyone snapped to attention. Stepping away from their long benches, soldiers and officers alike all dropped to their knees in unison.

"Greetings, my lord!" The roar of countless voices was thunderous, a display of absolute loyalty.

Over a thousand men shouting as one produced a shockwave no less powerful than a tsunami, a towering momentum that surged straight up into the clouds.

Acting as though he heard nothing, Wei Wuji maintained his posture, his expression unchanged as he slowly climbed the stairs toward his seat.

Behind him, Zheng Dali and a retinue of guards followed closely in his footsteps, their expressions solemn and stern.

Amidst the grandeur, the scene took on a sacred quality. Though kneeling on the ground, every soldier could clearly picture the magnificent figure leading the way in their minds.

Magnificent indeed—a greatness only slightly lesser than that of the Marquis of Wei himself.

Many years later, the veteran soldiers who participated in this great campaign would still recall this scene—this suddenly sacred scene involving this singular man.

They would recount to their descendants how heroic and formidable their lord had been back then...

Yet for now, these men remained prostrate on the ground, awaiting the decree descending from above.

Reaching the high platform—the place where the camp usually mustered its troops—Wei Wuji walked behind his desk.

After nodding to Zheng Dali, Wei Wuji slowly took his seat, while his guards stood at attention behind him with their hands on their sword hilts.

Zheng Dali stepped forward two paces, cast a glance over the kneeling crowd below, and drew a deep breath.

Then, his booming voice rang out across the camp: "All troops, hear my order: rise and take your seats!"