Chapter 30: A Peaceful Night's Sleep

"Go back and speak with the guards again. Tell them we've defeated the Chen forces and rendered great service to Wei. Why shouldn't we enter through the main gate?" Wei Wuji said to Zheng Dali.

What a joke! Would they have the main hero, who has just won glory for Wei, enter by the side gate? Where is the justice in that? Wei Wuji certainly wouldn't stand for it.

"Young Lord, I've already told the guard captain all that, but he showed me a royal edict from His Highness, stating that to prevent generals from engaging in unauthorized battles, the camp must not be opened unless expressly permitted by His Highness," Zheng Dali explained from the side.

He had already spent much effort arguing, but faced with the Marquis of Wei's own decree, he could say nothing more. The will of the Marquis was not to be disobeyed by anyone.

"My stingy old father’s intention?" Wei Wuji muttered to himself. People say father and son go to war together, but what did this mean—keeping me locked outside the camp? Is there no paternal affection left?

But if a father can leave his own son outside to fend for himself, perhaps there really is none. Wei Wuji thought bitterly.

Still dissatisfied, Wei Wuji insisted, "No, go and negotiate again. Tell them I am the Prince of Wei—there's no reason I should use the side gate."

Wang Xiu interjected, "Young Lord, I think we should let it go. With such strict orders from His Highness, even if the King of Zhou came, the gate captain wouldn't open the door."

"Indeed, Young Lord. His Highness must have his reasons for this. We should follow orders," Liu Xuanba chimed in, prompting the other captains and lieutenants to nod in agreement.

What’s going on? It’s rare for everyone to be so united.

What do you mean, all suddenly so understanding? Wei Wuji looked at them suspiciously.

Then he recalled the looks they had when mentioning his stingy old father—looks that seemed awfully familiar. Weren’t those the same looks they gave him?

Could these fellows actually be Marquis Wei’s diehard admirers? Never met him, yet worship him so fervently—is he my father or yours?

"Fine! Side gate it is!" Wei Wuji conceded helplessly. After all, he couldn’t outdo his own father.

When the soldiers learned of Marquis Wei’s orders and that they were to march again, their faces showed no disappointment at being denied entry through the main gate.

Thus, the power and authority of Marquis Wei were evident, leaving a deep impression on Wei Wuji—not to underestimate the people of the world.

After another long trek, being close to the Wei camp meant they were stopped and questioned several times, but all went smoothly.

At last, after enduring countless hardships, Wei Wuji and his men finally passed through the much smaller side gate.

Though they couldn’t swagger through the main gate, the feeling of returning home washed away all unpleasantness.

The other soldiers, too, showed signs of exhaustion. Once they relaxed in the camp, their bodies could barely hold up.

After two days of wandering and a fierce battle, with no supplies, the Wei soldiers had lasted this long—they were already rare and elite troops.

In another country, morale would have collapsed, and the army would have dispersed.

By dusk, the troops in the Wei camp had finished their drills and returned to their quarters for dinner.

The camp, save for a few patrolling soldiers, was quiet and somewhat desolate.

Naturally, there was no welcoming committee for the returning heroes. To greet Wei Wuji and his men, only the evening summer breeze swept by.

"Isn’t there anyone to show us the way?" Wei Wuji wondered aloud. What’s the point of entering if you can’t find somewhere to eat and sleep?

"Young Lord, let’s walk a bit further," Wang Xiu suggested. This area was already full, so surely there was no space for them.

So the group continued on, their unconventional appearance attracting curious glances.

"Look! Must be some general who led his troops out unauthorized and got thrashed by the Qin."

Wei Wuji overheard such comments, which irritated his hot temper. Why did everyone assume he’d lost a battle? Did he look like a loser?

Actually, Wei Wuji was wrong—they were dressed like losers.

"But is that the Young Lord himself?"

Just as Wei Wuji was cursing the gossipers in his heart, a clear voice called out from ahead.

"Who are you?" Zheng Dali replied. Such matters shouldn’t trouble Wei Wuji personally; Zheng Dali was his assistant.

"I am Zheng Chang, scribe of the central army, ordered to escort the Young Lord to his quarters," the newcomer explained.

Ordered to fetch him? By Xu Anhong or by his stingy old father? Wei Wuji wondered.

"Lead the way," Wei Wuji said, not fussing further. As long as there was somewhere to stay, the rest could be sorted out later.

"At your command! Please follow me," Zheng Chang bowed, then led Wei Wuji and his party forward.

After winding through the camp, Wei Wuji and his men were brought to their quarters.

Along the way, Wei Wuji observed the camp closely, leaving a deep impression on him.

To his eyes, the Wei camp was well-organized, discipline strict, and no one wandered about. All stayed obediently within their assigned areas.

Moreover, he saw the soldiers full of fighting spirit—even at meal times, the atmosphere was lively and orderly.

In this era, for an army to look like this was remarkable.

So, when Zheng Dali claimed Wei was the strongest nation, Wei Wuji half believed him.

"Young Lord, these will be your barracks—the only empty section in the whole camp," Zheng Chang bowed again, pointing out their quarters.

"Thank you for your trouble, Master Zheng," Wei Wuji replied, clasping his hands in thanks.

"Not at all," Zheng Chang demurred.

"If the Young Lord has no further needs, I’ll take my leave. The quartermaster will bring food shortly," Zheng Chang said.

"Yes, it's getting late. Go and rest as well, Master Zheng," Wei Wuji waved him off.

"I take my leave," Zheng Chang said, retreating.

After Zheng Chang left, Wei Wuji and Zheng Dali headed to the main tent. He truly hadn’t rested well in a long time.

"Alright, everyone go back to your quarters and rest. We’ll eat later," Wang Xiu instructed the group.

So, led by their captains, the soldiers found their tents, shed their battered armor, and lay down in peace.

One word: bliss.

Nearly an hour later, the noise outside the tent woke Wei Wuji from his nap.

"What’s happening?" Wei Wuji asked.

"Young Lord, the central army has brought food," Zheng Dali replied.

The food had arrived—finally a proper meal. Wei Wuji was eager; after all, his meals these past two days had been miserable, which was why he’d suffered stomach troubles.

"Come, let’s see what they’ve brought," Wei Wuji said, rising.

He and Zheng Dali stepped outside.

Outside, a crowd of nearly two thousand men had gathered around steaming long tables, stuffing food into their mouths.

"The Young Lord is here!" someone shouted. Everyone paused, looking toward Wei Wuji.

As he approached, the soldiers parted to let him walk directly to the table.

Looking at the table, he saw only white steamed buns and similar fare. Damn, they grew wheat in this era? Was this a false transmigration?

Whatever—food was food. Wei Wuji picked up a bun.

"Look at yourselves, eating like animals. Is someone fighting you for food?" Wei Wuji scolded after biting into the bun. Their chaotic eating embarrassed him.

"Young Lord, we’re rough men—why fuss over manners?" Liu Xuanba retorted, curling his lip.

"Fine! Tonight, you’ll eat all thirty buns. That's an order. Wang Xiu, supervise him. If he eats one less, reward him with ten military rods," Wei Wuji said carelessly, not even looking at Liu Xuanba.

"Young Lord…" Liu Xuanba couldn’t smile anymore. He pulled a long face, "I’ll chew slowly, alright?"

Wei Wuji shot him a sideways glance and said no more, letting everyone continue eating. Only then did Liu Xuanba secretly breathe a sigh of relief, cursing himself for inviting trouble.

After the meal, Wei Wuji ordered everyone to sleep. They truly needed a good night's rest.

Half an hour later, the whole camp was deep in slumber. It was the most peaceful night they’d had since the Wei-Chen war began.

And the most peaceful sleep Wei Wuji himself had enjoyed.