Chapter 707: A Reunion, One Smile Erases All Grudges

Without any pause, he lifted the final bowl of spirit strong enough to crush a camel's straw, and, under the shocked and admiring gazes of everyone present, downed it in one gulp!

When the last drop of liquor slid into his belly, Zhang Wenqian felt as if his bones had been pulled out, and the sea‑bowl in his hand crashed to the ground with a "clang" and shattered.

His face flushed, his eyes scattered, he staggered backward, yet he mustered his last breath to push away the attendant who tried to help him.

He swayed, stumbling three steps to Wang Xiong, and extended the hand that was still shaking violently.

"Wang… brother Wang…"

Wang Xiong sat in his wheelchair, looking at the Chief Clerk before him, who was usually calm and strategic, but now was as disheveled as a drunk, reeking of alcohol yet sincere enough to break the heart.

Wang Xiong knew better than anyone the weight of those three sea‑bowls.

It was drinking with his life on the line, atoning to him with his very existence.

The last trace of resentment in Wang Xiong's eyes, born of abandonment, vanished completely with the sound of the shattered porcelain bowl.

He saw the pain in Zhang Wenqian's eyes, which was not performed for Chen Yan, nor to preserve his black silk hat, but a genuine self‑questioning of a conscientious soul.

"You bastard… really courting death?"

Wang Xiong's lips trembled as he let out a laugh‑cursed remark tinged with a sob.

He suddenly thrust out his right hand, wrapped in bandages, and gripped Zhang Wenqian's trembling hand tightly.

Because he exerted too much force, the still‑unhealed wound on his arm tore open again, oozing dark red blood that stained the white bandage, yet he seemed unaware, as if the pain were a release.

Wang Xiong stared at Zhang Wenqian's scattered yet steadfast eyes and shouted, "Brother Zhang, this Xiazhou, we shall continue to guard it together!"

Those words rang like a massive bell, stirring the hearts of everyone present.

Hearing the phrase "guard together," Zhang Wenqian's nerves, which had been taut to the limit, finally relaxed.

He tried to smile, but two streams of hot tears welled up, and he mumbled incompletely, "Good… good brother… guard together…"

After uttering those words, the alcohol surged fully; the Chief Clerk of Xiazhou rolled his eyes back, his body went limp, and he collapsed drunk beside Wang Xiong's wheelchair, emitting a thunderous snore.

"Hahaha!"

Seeing this ridiculous yet moving scene, the hall erupted in an unprecedented burst of laughter.

In that laughter, the previous restraint and probing were gone, leaving only pure relief and boldness.

This scene completely ignited the banquet's atmosphere.

The generals and officials, long suppressed, finally let down all their guards.

【5】 "Come, come, General Lu, you haven't had enough of that wine yet, have you? I offer you another cup!" Several Xiazhou officials surrounded Lu Ming, holding wine bowls, their faces full of reverence.

"Come, come, come! General Lu, you haven't had enough of that wine just now, have you? I, your subordinate, will toast you!" Several Xiazhou officials surrounded Lu Ming, holding wine bowls, their faces full of reverence.

Lu Ming accepted without hesitation, stretching his mouth back to his ears: "Drink! All of you, drink! This little wine is nothing—when I'm in Chang'an, I drink from a jar!"

Peng Chong then pulled Feng Muye, insisting on comparing who had more scars; the two stripped their shirts, pointing at the wounds and bragging about the past dangers, drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Even the usually composed Gu Yu Ci was made red‑cheeked by a few young Colonels who poured drinks on him, and he began recounting his past adventures following Chen Zhuguo in southern and northern campaigns.

They passed cups, the goblets intermingled.

This is the barracks, this is the men who rise from the battlefield.

Their feuds arise swiftly and fade equally fast.

One cup of wine, one sentence, can entrust a life.

Seated on the principal seat, Chen Yan quietly observed everything.

He watched Wang Xiong have someone throw a coat over Zhang Wenqian, watched Lu Ming being swarmed, watched the hall brimming with goodwill and vigor.

The face that habitually wore a mask of calculation and indifference finally revealed a faint, heartfelt smile, as if a burden had been lifted.

This is what he desired.

For an army, even a nation, the greatest danger is not a powerful foe but internal discord.

Now the generals and ministers are at peace, civil and military aligned, and the heavens over Xiazhou finally stand firm.

Chen Yan quietly raised the last half‑bowl of wine before him, took a gentle sip, then set the bowl down silently on the table.

At the height of the lively uproar, while everyone basked in the joy of victory, the commander who had single‑handedly secured the great win neither accepted the praise nor the toasts.

He rose slowly, straightened his robe, without alerting anyone, and, hands clasped behind his back, walked toward the hall's exit.

His silhouette, elongated by the bright lights, seemed a bit solitary yet unwaveringly steadfast.

……

The next morning.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, illuminating the pallid walls of Tongwan City, the hangover headache could not stop this war machine from restarting.

Chen Yan rose early.

He changed into plain clothes, without waking the sleeping generals, took only a few Private Soldiers, and ascended to the highest point of Tongwan City.

The early morning cold wind remained biting, stinging cheeks, yet also made one exceedingly clear‑headed.

Standing atop the city tower and looking down, last night's brilliant lights had faded, replaced by a landscape of scarred reality.

Although the Qi army had withdrawn, the war's scars were starkly alarming.

The once bustling market outside the city now lay desolate.

In the distance, groups of Liuren, families in tow, their eyes numb, surged toward the city gates.

They were survivors after the Qi army's raid, having lost homes and land, now only able to seek a sliver of hope like ants.

Children's cries and elders' sighs drifted faintly up the walls with the wind, choking the heart.

"This… is war, then."

Chen Yan's hand lightly tapped the rough wall bricks, a flash of compassion in his eyes, but more so a resolute determination to reshape the world.

"Zhuguo."

A slightly weak yet respectful voice came from behind.

Chen Yan turned back and saw Zhang Wenqian standing there.

Though his complexion remained pale, clearly still hungover, with dark circles under his eyes, he was nonetheless impeccably groomed, his official robe crisp, his gaze radiating vigor.

"Are you awake?" Chen Yan said with a faint smile, "Does your head still hurt?"

"Thank you, Lord Zhu, for your concern; my head hurts, but my heart... has never been so bright." Zhang Wenqian bowed, his eyes also turned toward the miserable scene outside the city, his expression instantly grew solemn, "Lord Zhu, I came early to find you, precisely because of the Liuren outside the city."

"Although Xiazhou held out, the Northern Border suffered serious damage, and the Qi army also plundered heavily."

"If we cannot properly settle them, this winter... many will likely freeze to death or starve."

Chen Yan nodded, turned around, his gaze like a torch.

"Issue this Duke's decree!"

"First, immediately open the Xiazhou government granaries! Not only within the city, but also set up twenty porridge stations outside the city, cooking rice on the spot! The porridge must stay upright on chopsticks; anyone who dares to mix sand into the porridge, or skimp on provisions, this Duke will take his head as a tool!"

"Second, order the entire Left Martial Guard: aside from necessary patrols, the rest of the troops may not enter the city to disturb the people; all must be stationed outside the city! Anyone who dares to loot civilian property or harass women shall be killed without mercy! This Duke wants the people to know that the Great Zhou soldiers are here to save them, not to act as tyrants!"

"Third..." Chen Yan looked at Zhang Wenqian, "Old Zhang, you must immediately organize manpower and inventory the losses within Xiazhou. For any houses destroyed, the government will provide money and materials for repairs; for any loss of seeds, register them and the government will lend grain and seed next spring. Ensure that before winter arrives, the people have a place to shelter from wind and rain!"

These orders, clear and decisive, struck straight at the core.

Zhang Wenqian listened, his heart surging, fully aware of what these orders meant.

This is not only a rescue, but also a gathering of hearts.