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With the appearance of Li Xin, Li Mu finally no longer had any doubts. Putting aside his suspicions, he looked around at the familiar faces in the observation post. The dark clouds that had just gathered dispersed, and peace returned to the ground once more.
Sima Shang was overjoyed to reunite with his brothers at this moment. Although there had been a small incident with their third brother fainting, fortunately, it was nothing serious. Hearing from the brothers at the Observation Post that the Qin Army had not launched a Crossing Battle eased his mind, and he decided not to rush to the front lines. Instead, he called everyone to set up camp and prepare a meal.
In these chaotic times, meeting was a rare blessing, especially for the soldiers on the front lines who cherished this moment even more. Whether to stay or leave was no longer a concern! Everyone took on their responsibilities, and the once quiet camp became lively again.
On such a joyous day, it seemed lacking without some wine to enhance the mood. Wang Jian generously mentioned that there were several jars of wine hidden in the Observation Post. He had even sneaked a taste during lunch and found it quite invigorating!
Without wine, there was no way to celebrate properly; since it was available, they decided not to hide it! The generals gathered together and agreed to share it! After all, keeping it wouldn’t produce any offspring!
The soldiers who had fought for years enjoyed a drink, especially in this cold environment. A warm sip of liquor flowed down from their mouths to their stomachs like a hot stream. That comforting feeling made them feel as if they were in paradise!
Li Xin, who had received timely medical attention, also woke up and could smell the aroma of wine outside, making him swallow hard. Ignoring Xiao Yu'er’s objections, he ran out to join the drinking army. Several brothers sat by the fire, exchanging cups and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Thanks to Li Xin's introduction, Luzi, Wang Jian, Li Mu, and Sima Shang got reacquainted. They continued using their real names since there was no need for concealment. In an era where transportation was inconvenient and communication relied mostly on shouting, using real names posed no risk of being recognized.
The bonfire in the camp brought warmth, making the icy snow no longer feel cold. The energy from food and drink was undeniable; it provided warmth from within. Just a few bowls of hot wine were enough that they didn’t even need to wear helmets.
The sound of fist-pounding began among the generals first, and soon enough, the rest of the fire pit was no longer quiet. Cheers filled the air with enthusiasm everywhere. The previous tension, complaints, and fatigue evaporated completely; all that remained was a warm feeling. With hundreds of thousands of brothers around them, it gave them even more confidence.
Among the officers, Wang Jian had the greatest capacity for alcohol. However, he was straightforward and loved to drink. While others poured half-full cups for themselves, he always poured carefully for fear of shortchanging himself. As he drank more and became tipsy, he found an excuse to slip away.
Compared to Wang Jian's drinking prowess, Li Xin and Sima Shang were more average in their capacities. Seeing the remaining two competing with their bowls made them feel somewhat overwhelmed. When they noticed Wang Jian hadn’t returned for a while, they realized he had used his excuse to escape for a bathroom break and quickly seized the opportunity to find an excuse to leave for a private chat.
The campfire appeared a bit desolate at this moment, with only Luzi and Li Mu remaining. The two who had just been competing exchanged glances and suddenly chose silence. They looked down at their respective Ceramic Bowls, showing no intention of drinking further. Listening to the crackling sounds of the burning firewood, they silently counted how many times it popped.
After a loud crack from the firewood, Li Mu lifted his wine bowl and said, "Hey! Thirty-seven pops!"
Luzi shook his head with a smile and replied, "To be precise, it should be forty-one. You overlooked one double pop and the slight sounds at the end of three pops!"
Upon hearing the correct answer, Li Mu promptly finished his drink. Wiping his mouth with his hand, he laughed, "Luzi is indeed impressive! A bet is a bet!"
Luzi grabbed a piece of beef and handed it to Li Mu, then took a piece for himself and chewed slowly. After swallowing, he said, "Hey! You did that on purpose!"
Li Mu had no intention of answering that question; instead, he looked around at the person sitting next to him. He filled both Ceramic Bowls with wine before saying, "The general's name is quite similar to that of a friend of mine!"
Hearing this, Luzi put down the beef and wiped his hands. "That's actually quite normal; there's nothing surprising about it. We have hundreds of thousands of troops stationed around the Dan Shui River Defense Line, so there are many with the same name!"
Li Mu looked up at the still gloomy sky; light snow had stopped falling without him noticing. He glanced around at the dwindling number of people by the fire. Raising his wine bowl, he shook his head with a smile. "I, Li Mu, tend to be too high-profile in my dealings, so I don't have many friends. There’s really only one person named Luzi that I know!"
Luzi calmly raised his wine bowl and gestured for Li Mu not to delay important matters. After taking a sip, he said, "The friend you mentioned should be Luzi from Prosperity Record, right?"
Li Mu smiled as he looked at the person across from him and filled both Ceramic Bowls with wine. "General Lu wouldn't want to tell me that you are actually him, would you?"
Luzi looked into Li Mu's bright eyes illuminated by the firelight and shook his head with a smile. "As expected of a disciple of Zhong Yifu; your reputation is well-deserved! However, I am not your friend. This person usually keeps a low profile; I have only had the fortune to meet him once."
Li Mu studied under Zhong Yifu, who was a private tutor teaching in the capital Handan. He was a descendant of Zhong You, one of The Ten Philosophers of Confucius and also a descendant of Zilu. Zilu bravely entered the city during turmoil in Wei State to confront those plotting regicide and was killed for it. He left behind a saying: "Those who partake in its benefits do not avoid its dangers," which is revered by later generations.
Since the emergence of the Hundred Schools of Thought, including Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, Legalism, the Yin-Yang School, Mingjia, Strategists, the Miscellaneous School, and Military Strategy, the academic preferences of various Feudal States have varied. In the case of Zhao State, which favored Mohism, the Confucian scholar Zhong Yifu was not valued by the Sovereign at that time. The emphasis on one school over another was limited to this context and did not lead to the suppression of other schools. This allowed for a flourishing environment where diverse thoughts could coexist.
Li Mu's teacher did not abandon his steadfast beliefs due to the lack of recognition from others. He continued to teach and dedicated himself to spreading Confucianism in accordance with ancestral teachings. Through his relentless efforts, some nobles in Zhao State began to appreciate Confucianism. Its principles of understanding things thoroughly, cultivating sincerity and righteousness, self-cultivation, family governance, state management, and achieving peace in the world gradually gained acceptance among many earnest individuals during that era, which valued promises and trustworthiness.
As Zhong Yifu's most devoted disciple, Li Mu naturally became a Confucian general and actively advocated for and upheld this doctrine. The only concern his teacher had was about his approach to life and how he often resembled the character Zilu from their ancestry. To address this, his teacher frequently offered guidance in hopes that he would correctly interpret the principles of understanding things thoroughly.
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