Chapter 94: As If the Storm Had Ceased

On the thirtieth day of the fifth month in the eighth year of King Zhao of Zhou, the Wei army captured Changping Pass.

The main Qin general, Wei Changtian, led his troops to retreat and stationed them at the border of Qin and Chen, awaiting any shifts in the situation.

This event swept across the land like a violent storm, drawing the attention of all the states.

The strength of Wei had been well known since the time when the allied states united to suppress them.

To contain Wei, the Qin kingdom to the west and the Qi kingdom to the east spared no effort.

Now, with Changping Pass fallen and the southern route into Wei open, who could turn this fierce tiger back?

The first to suffer were the Chen royal family. Beneath the spearhead of the Wei army, they could do nothing but tremble.

With Qin having withdrawn, the destruction of Chen was now a mere trifle for the Wei forces.

Although the Wei army made no large moves after taking Changping Pass, Xiping County just beyond the pass was ravaged.

The Wei marquis had promised his soldiers ten days without lifting the sword after capturing Changping Pass, but Xiping County and its surrounding towns were engulfed in bloodshed and chaos.

Now that Xiping County had fallen, who would be next but Xinle City?

Though thirty thousand Chen troops under Ji Tuo held the city, from the highest officials to the common vendors, none felt safe.

On the fifth day of the sixth month, five days after the capture of Changping Pass, after arduous and cautious deliberations by the Chen lord and his ministers, the Chen Earl finally decided to send envoys to pay homage to the Wei Marquis.

For the Chen Earl to make such a decision was a great concession; traditionally, only vassals paid homage to the Son of Heaven—there was no precedent for one noble paying homage to another.

Even though the Chen Earl expressed submission, the Wei Marquis remained unmoved. To him, Chen was already like fish on a chopping block, its fate sealed.

The Wei Marquis could not move against the Zhou King, but obliterating Chen was entirely within his power.

When receiving the Chen envoys, the Wei Marquis sternly reprimanded the Chen Earl for his defiance of the Zhou royal house.

At the same time, he solemnly declared his intent to purge the king’s inner circle, to escort the rebellious Chen Earl to Luoyi to await the Son of Heaven’s judgment.

This proclamation shook the world. Even those in the Zhou court who had harbored hopes for leniency were now deeply alarmed.

The prospect of the Wei Marquis coming to Luoyi was the greatest fear of the Zhou dynasty.

Though the Zhou court believed the Wei Marquis dared not harm them, allowing his army into the royal domain was perilously dangerous.

...

On the ninth day of the sixth month, within the Gu Mansion in Tielin Township, Wei generals and officers gathered, glasses raised high, celebrating the victory of Wei.

The music played incessantly. In this era of ceaseless warfare, such a scene was rare. Wei Wuji had to exert great effort to assemble the musicians.

Yet this was only natural. Since the war began, the nerves of the Wei officers had been taut; they deserved this moment of relaxation.

Moreover, with Changping Pass fallen, the greatest shackle on Wei had been broken.

What did this mean? It meant Wei’s strong resurgence and greater wealth and status for all.

Was this not reason enough to celebrate?

Even Wei Wuji, an outsider, felt it was time to unwind.

Besides, to prepare for possible future crises, Wei Wuji needed such occasions to strengthen bonds with his subordinates, binding them tightly to his cause.

“Gentlemen, our great Wei has achieved a resounding victory in this campaign. Let us rejoice with a toast,” Wei Wuji said from the seat of honor, his cheeks flushed as he lifted his cup.

Having hosted several banquets, Wei Wuji was growing more adept at these affairs.

The assembled generals quickly followed suit, smiling as they raised their wine.

They were pleased. Victory meant their ranks would likely be elevated, and their descendants would inherit greater legacies.

Moreover, supporting Wei Wuji was like joining a grand gamble—success meant shared glory. Judging from Wei Wuji’s performance so far, prospects looked promising.

In Wei tradition, inheritance did not depend on birthright or seniority but on merit.

Few of Wei’s past rulers were firstborn heirs.

As the wine flowed, the officers’ thoughts drifted toward a bright future, seemingly beckoning them.

The young lord was capable and poised to succeed the great legacy. How glorious would it be to stand as his protectors?

Their optimism was understandable. If judged solely by Wei Wuji’s talents, such hope might seem misplaced.

The key was Wei Wuji’s striking resemblance to the current Wei Marquis.

Who was the Wei Marquis? The most powerful man in the realm, unrivaled. His authority and prestige commanded respect and fear.

With such a face, it was no wonder the officers harbored illusions.

“What say you all? After securing Changping Pass, what will our army’s next move be?” Wei Wuji asked casually, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere as he schemed.

Liu Xuanba stood immediately. “Of course, we must station ourselves in the royal domain, to let the Son of Heaven witness our lord’s might.”

That was the grandest and proudest vision Liu Xuanba could imagine.

“Indeed,” Luan Hong rose indignantly. “During the southern campaign of Marquis Cheng, the Son of Heaven was blind to loyalty and treachery, causing the chaos we suffer now.” His own father had died in that war.

The discussion grew heated, with the officers expressing their greatest discontent toward the Zhou court.

“Our great Wei surpasses other vassals. We must petition the Son of Heaven to elevate our lord from marquis to duke, befitting our nation’s stature,” another proposed, quickly gaining support.

“Exactly! Our lord should be made duke!”

“Qin, Chu, Qi, and Wu all have dukes; how can Wei be left behind?”

The room buzzed with excitement as talk turned to titles and honors.

When Marquis Cheng went south, part of his aim was to intimidate the Zhou court into granting him a ducal title. Though it had failed then, the current favorable circumstances might allow the Wei Marquis to achieve this wish.

Yet this also made Wei Wuji realize that the Zhou court still held some influence, not merely a figurehead.

Though the Zhou dynasty claimed kingship, no state dared openly defy them. Even the powerful Wei had to conquer territory inch by inch through force.

“Duke Wei? Marquis Wei?” Wei Wuji smiled, preferring the sound of Marquis Wei.

If he bore the title Duke Wei, he could not help but think in another direction... Duke Wei... Duke Eunuch Wei... Wei Zhongxian?

At this thought, Wei Wuji chuckled—perhaps he was overthinking.

Wei had won great victories and held the upper hand. Yet for Wei Wuji personally, his situation remained precarious.

His enemies were many, and his struggling mother still endured hardship...

Recalling this, the earlier euphoria faded. He had been too complacent.

“Gentlemen... the war is not yet truly over. We must not grow careless,” Wei Wuji said, suppressing his voice, his expression grave.

The jovial officers were puzzled by his sudden solemnity.

“Change the music; this tune is unpleasant,” Wei Wuji told the musicians, diverting the mood.

As livelier music resumed, the atmosphere brightened.

Still, Wei Wuji’s words took effect, and the officers toned down their smug expressions.

Yet Wei Wuji noticed that Wang Xiu, who had remained silent throughout, never once shared their optimism.