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墨書 Inktalez
On the way back, Dong Qing was still deeply shaken by the sight of the sunset. Was this a portent? Or just a coincidence? He rode along, pondering the matter.
The accompanying Soldiers clearly had never seen such a phenomenon either. They exchanged glances, suppressing their urge to speak, and were equally alarmed. Ancient People believed in omens, especially those who fought on the front lines were particularly superstitious.
The blood-red sky resembled Warriors! It was an ominous sign!
Before Dong Qing could return to the camp, he was hurriedly approached by a Messenger who conveyed an order from the Grand Commander, requesting the General to head to the command post. This gathering was originally meant for a casual reunion with old friends, and Dong Qing knew he should not be within this scope. Hearing the Grand Commander's summons caught him off guard. However, it was an order that could not be deferred. He turned back to inform his Guard and changed direction toward the Grand Commander's command post.
The temporary command post was actually the former royal palace of a subordinate king of Korea. Since General Bai Qi had captured this city, it had been converted into a military headquarters. Some modifications were inevitable, but they did not diminish the original grandeur of the palace. The so-called deep courtyards were still preserved according to strict architectural styles.
The guards at the gate, having received word of Dong Qing's arrival, did not require him to announce himself but instead told him to enter quickly. The prepared banquet was waiting for him; they could start as soon as he arrived.
Uncertain about what was happening, Dong Qing nodded in acknowledgment and instructed the guards to arrange for his Guard to enter and eat. He hurried into the courtyard and, guided by Soldiers, had not yet reached the hall when he heard the voice of Grand Commander Wang He.
“The past is truly something I dare not look back on because it feels like those events just happened yesterday. But if we set aside the fleeting time, these memories suddenly become glorious moments worth reminiscing about. They have not changed at all; it is just that we have grown old!”
As Wang He finished speaking with a hearty laugh, Dong Qing arrived at the entrance of the hall. Seeing that three people were already seated inside eased his mind. If only Old General and General Lu were present, he would naturally have no place in their conversation. However, if Li Xin were there, it would not be so awkward.
Old General was speaking when he noticed Dong Qing at the door and beckoned him to come in and sit down. “Today is just an informal gathering among old friends; since we are all familiar with each other, there’s no need for further explanation.” After saying this, he saw Dong Qing preparing to pay his respects and quickly corrected him: “This is merely a private family banquet; no one here holds any Official Position or title. Let me make this clear! If anyone mentions an Official Position during the meal, they will be punished with three cups of wine!”
What military general does not have a hearty capacity for drink!? When drinking casually, no one would concede to anyone else; if someone were occasionally penalized with one or two cups, it could be managed. But if someone were punished with three cups for no reason at all, they would surely end up drunk!
Wang He clearly understood that this was a sensitive issue for many people, so he set the tone for the gathering right away. Official matters were inherently tedious; socializing was unavoidable. Leisure time should truly be leisure time—if one drags in work-related matters, can it still be called leisure!? It was rare to relax once; it absolutely could not be disrupted by anyone!
At this moment, Wang He was the oldest, and in terms of age, he was indeed the elder. The three younger ones naturally agreed to this. Besides, being overly formal was not particularly meaningful.
The food and drink at the table were quite abundant, but this abundance was only in comparison to the Qin Army's Mess Hall. According to the principle of frugality, wastefulness was absolutely unacceptable. Fortunately, no one cared much about the food and drink, as this banquet was primarily focused on conversation and communication. As they toasted each other, the four of them were enjoying themselves immensely.
Occasionally discussing some news and anecdotes brought about hearty laughter; the rare joy made Dong Qing refrain from mentioning the ominous blood-red omen he had seen in the evening. Li Xin was unaware of this Seventh-Rank Public Official's concerns and noticed his gloomy demeanor, so he approached to offer a toast.
Every promotion in military ranks came at the cost of one's life; there was no room for leniency. Those who had experienced bloodshed and fire understood how difficult each promotion truly was. More importantly, it wasn't just about promotion; surviving each battle intact was what mattered most. One could only enjoy the glory earned through military merit if they lived in the present. If one died in battle, what good would it do to be posthumously recognized as a marquis?
Thus, living in the moment became a motto for many generals. This did not mean living day by day without care but rather living each day with intention and appreciation. The former implies a lackadaisical attitude, while the latter emphasizes cherishing life.
“Dong... Brother!” Li Xin wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed in relief that he hadn't misspoken. “We've known each other for more than just a day or two; it's been several years now. I respect you as a brother, yet we’ve never had the chance to drink together.”
Dong Qing was not like Meng Wu or Wang Jian, who had taken up arms later in life; he had served in the military since adulthood as a military household member. Initially, he might have looked down on those generals, but subsequent events proved one thing: these individuals not only possessed strong convictions but also fought bravely. Moreover, they were not inferior to any general who had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings.
Soldiers who grew up amidst war and smoke tended to have straightforward personalities due to their different environments compared to peacetime. They respected only one type of person: those who were both intelligent and willing to fight hard. Being intelligent meant knowing how to fight while preserving strength; being willing to fight meant having the courage to charge into enemy lines even if they were the last person standing.
Through numerous battles, Dong Qing genuinely admired people like Luzi. Previously, he would only refer to him as Luzi, but now he preferred calling him General Lu. If all generals in the military could be like these few, it would truly be a blessing for our Qin Army!
“Li...” Dong Qing cleared his throat before continuing with a smile: “Li Brother, you are too modest! I am fortunate to meet Luzi and all of you... Ah! It troubles me! To have the honor of knowing several brothers like you is surely a blessing from my past life! Come! Let’s have a drink!”
Upon hearing their conversation, Luzi couldn't help but chuckle. He stood up with his cup and walked toward Wang He, saying with a smile: “Ah! Truly fortunate! This... whatever it is, big or small! Brothers are generous; let me toast this cup to our eldest brother!”
As soon as someone dared to mention the term Grand Commander, it was clear that this drink would be a penalty shot. Upon hearing Luzi, Wang He quickly reacted and changed his wording, secretly lamenting the missed opportunity. He stood up with his cup from the table and said with concern: “Luzi, you are indeed sharp! Drinking so much wine, I hope your health is not affected?”
"Don't worry!" Luzi said boldly, explaining that there was a divine doctor nearby. As long as she was there, there was no need to worry at all. After saying this, she covered her wine bowl with her sleeve to show her respect.
Wang He naturally knew who the divine doctor Luzi was referring to; Xiao Yu'er’s medical skills were truly unparalleled. The only pity was that she was a woman; otherwise, she could serve in the Military and at least train some highly skilled Surgeons.
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