Chapter 26: Am I the Marquis Wei?

At the very moment when Wei Wujie and his companions were on the verge of a crisis that would teach them a harsh lesson, a deep voice booming from outside the field became their savior.

Everything had seemed under control for Wang Xian, but as soon as he heard the voice, his expression changed dramatically. Looking toward the direction from which the voice came, he saw the scene he feared most in his heart.

“What are you doing? Stop at once!” The voice, noticing Wang Xian’s gaze, grew even more forceful. Seeing the attitude of the newcomer, Wang Xian’s face became increasingly panicked, and in his confusion, he hurried to comply.

“Quick, quick... Make them all stop!” Wang Xian trembled as he ordered the officers beside him. When the officer hesitated, Wang Xian barked, “What are you waiting for? Go!”

Never before had this officer seen the general so flustered. He immediately raised the command flag and ordered the troops to halt their attack.

Then, the man whose voice had echoed from afar finally appeared before the soldiers of Wei. A large flag bearing the character for “Wei” billowed in the wind, its grandeur seeming to cover half the sky. As the flag drew closer, the imposing figure beneath it—a general whose bearing was unmatched and whose face was stern—came into view.

Wang Xian jumped off his horse and ran toward the arriving general. Once he realized who it was, the reaction of Wei’s cavalry seemed perfectly natural; the general’s behavior was entirely expected.

On the other side, Wei Wujie—who had been bracing himself for a beating—was baffled by this sudden reversal. Who was this man? Who could be so formidable that his mere arrival frightened the arrogant Wang Xian into submission? Wei Wujie wondered if it could be his own father. He even rose up on tiptoe to peer in the direction of the general, forgetting that he had no idea what his present father looked like.

“Wang Xiu, who is that?” Wei Wujie asked.

Wang Xiu answered, “Young master, judging by the unmatched presence of that old general, I suspect he is the Pillar of State General of Great Wei.”

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xiu continued, “As far as I know, only Wu Mingyan and Xu Anhong, two seasoned generals, are accompanying His Majesty in this campaign. I cannot tell which one it is.”

So it was such an important figure. Now Wei Wujie understood why Wang Xian had reacted so dramatically. Even with his body’s vague memories, Wei Wujie knew that the Pillar of State General was a remarkable person—otherwise, how could he have left such a deep impression in his memory?

Just then, Liu Xuanba spoke up, “Young master, that is Old General Xu. I once saw him from afar!”

But for Wei Wujie, it made no difference who had arrived—as long as the crisis was resolved, that was enough. Leaving aside the discussions among Wei Wujie and his companions, Wang Xian, the cavalry captain, rushed before the old general and immediately knelt.

“Subordinate pays respects to Old General Xu!” Wang Xian bowed deeply to the general seated on his steed.

The old general stroked his beard beneath his chin and then spoke, “Who are you? Which unit and what position?”

Wang Xian quickly answered, “Reporting to the old general, I am Wang Xian, currently serving as cavalry captain under General Xu Guanxiao.”

Perhaps due to his respectful demeanor, the old general nodded slightly and said, “Rise.”

Wang Xian obeyed and slowly stood up.

“What were you doing just now? I saw your troops in an attack posture, and your target seemed to be our own soldiers of Wei,” the old general continued.

Wang Xian’s expression changed; this was a tough spot. He couldn’t possibly admit to having bullied Liu Xuanba. After pondering for a moment, he found his footing and said, “General, please allow me to explain. While patrolling with my troops, I encountered a group of remnants ahead.” He pointed toward Wei Wujie’s group.

He continued, “They seemed suspicious, possibly spies sent by Qin. I told them a search was necessary before they could pass.”

“But the officer leading them spoke rudely, refusing to cooperate and even threatening force.”

“Despite my repeated persuasion, they wouldn’t comply, so I had no choice but to order my men to take them by force.”

Wang Xian’s words were half true, half false, twisting the story completely and smearing Wei Wujie and his companions with every accusation.

“Bring the opposing officers over!” After hearing Wang Xian’s account, the old general didn’t rush to a judgment but directed his personal guards to fetch Wei Wujie and the others.

Now Wang Xian grew anxious. If both sides confronted each other, it would put him at a disadvantage. Everyone knew Old General Xu was famous for his uncompromising integrity.

“Old general—” Wang Xian started, but was cut off.

“Wait until they arrive, then we’ll hear their side,” Old General Xu said calmly.

But his next words brought Wang Xian great joy. “Regardless, resisting military law is wrong. Defeated officers have no right to such arrogance.”

“Heh! Let’s see how you die this time!” Wang Xian felt confident, secretly chuckling to himself. He was certain he could ruin Liu Xuanba and his companions; once they landed on Old General Xu’s blacklist, they were as good as condemned.

Thinking of Liu Xuanba, who had always been at odds with him and repeatedly embarrassed him, Wang Xian felt immensely satisfied at the thought of finally bringing him down.

Wei Wujie and his companions, after receiving Xu Anhong’s order, exchanged glances and parted the soldiers in front of them, slowly advancing. They had no reason not to go; their rescuer had saved them, and they owed him thanks. Besides, refusing would only deepen the rift.

“Young master, Old General Xu is just and impartial. If we tell the truth, I believe he’ll discern right from wrong,” Wang Xiu said beside Wei Wujie.

He didn’t know that Wei Wujie himself felt no anxiety at all. With his status, there was no need to fear anyone—at least not openly. Wang Xian was a minor official and didn’t recognize his true identity; surely the old general would not be so blind.

Soon, Wei Wujie and his group reached Old General Xu, who was seated with his eyes closed, exuding an aura of transcendence.

Seeing their arrival, Wang Xian remarked, “Old general, these are the ones. Look at their appearance—do they possess the bearing of Wei’s soldiers?”

Xu Anhong opened his eyes and saw the ragged group before him. He carefully scanned them, seeking signs of battle and assessing whether they were truly the traitors Wang Xian claimed.

But when his eyes fell on Wei Wujie’s face, Xu Anhong’s expression changed dramatically; his body, seated firmly on his steed, involuntarily shook. As if he’d seen a prehistoric monster, Xu Anhong raised his hand, pointing at Wei Wujie with a face full of disbelief, stammering, “You... you...”

What’s wrong with me? Wei Wujie wondered, puzzled by the old general’s agitation. Was something strange on his face? He reached up and touched it.

Xu Anhong, still trembling, pointed at Wei Wujie and stuttered, “You... Marquis Wei...”

His words stunned everyone present.

What? Marquis Wei? Old general, have you gone senile? That was everyone’s thought.

Wei Wujie was equally baffled. Seeing the incredulous look in the old general’s eyes, he pointed at himself and asked, “Me? Marquis Wei?”