lovenovelstory Chapter 29 Expressing My Aspirations While Drunk
Chapter 29 Expressing My Aspirations While Drunk
The tense atmosphere in the private room instantly dissipated when Dugu Xin bowed and apologized.
Gao Zidan quickly stepped forward to support him, waving her hand with a smile: "Dugu Lang, you are too kind. You have the people in your heart and uphold loyalty and righteousness. I should be the one respecting you. This misunderstanding can be cleared up. There is no need to talk about forgiveness."
Gao Jiong also breathed a sigh of relief, quickly picked up the wine jar, refilled everyone's bowls, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, the misunderstanding is cleared up, we're friends now. It's fate that we can gather together today, let's drink together from this bowl!"
The group picked up their wine bowls and clinked them together, the rims striking each other with a crisp sound. They downed the bowls of strong liquor, the spicy warmth spreading throughout their bodies, and any slight distance between them completely melted away in the wine.
The group consisted of young men in their early twenties who shared similar personalities. They were all men raised in the north, naturally forthright and unpretentious. Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, they opened up completely.
After a few drinks, they found themselves increasingly congenial, discussing everything from swordsmanship and martial arts to current affairs, from clan history to tales of the martial world—not a single point of contention arose. At the height of their conversation, Gao Jiong suddenly smiled and asked, "Speaking of which, we've been so engrossed in drinking and chatting that we haven't even asked each other's ages. I just turned eighteen this year; I wonder how old my brothers are?"
Upon hearing this, the group immediately reported their ages.
Gao Yang added in a hoarse voice, "I'm twenty."
Gao Zidan smiled and said, "I'm nineteen this year."
Dugu Xin put down his wine bowl and laughed loudly, "I'm a few years older than you, twenty-four this year, so I'm the oldest here."
Upon hearing this, everyone laughed, their gazes towards Gao Jiong filled with a hint of amusement. It turned out that among the group, Dugu Xin was the oldest, followed by Gao Yang, and Gao Zidan was third. Ironically, Gao Jiong, who appeared calm and collected, was the youngest, a year younger than Gao Zidan.
"So, it turns out you're the youngest brother here!" Dugu Xin patted Gao Jiong on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "I thought you were a few years older than Brother Zidan, acting so maturely. I never expected you to be just an eighteen-year-old boy, so mature for your age!"
Gao Jiong wasn't annoyed. He smiled and picked up his wine bowl, saying, "My brothers, this bowl of wine is a toast to you all!"
The group laughed and clinked bowls together. After another bowl of wine, they changed their address from "Young Master" to "Brother" and became even closer.
The more they drank, the more empty the jars of millet wine became. Their faces were flushed with alcohol, and they spoke more and more frankly.
Gao Jiong, his cheeks flushed from drinking, glanced at Gao Yang, who was silently drinking beside him, and finally spoke to the group, his tone tinged with regret: "To be honest, my brothers and I were on our way to Shuozhou last year for the New Year to pay respects to our cousin's birth mother. But as soon as we finished, we encountered the Xiongnu's massive southward invasion. After the Battle of Jiehekou, the entire western part of Bingzhou was in chaos, and the roads were cut off. We were trapped in this area and delayed for so long before we were finally able to make our way back."
He paused, then added in a slightly lower voice, "My cousin Gao Yang's father is Gao Huan, the current governor of Yanzhou. In a sense, Governor Gao is my uncle. I am a member of a collateral branch of the Gao family, and I grew up with my cousin since childhood. This time, my brother and I have come from Shuozhou, and our next destination is Yanzhou, to seek refuge with our uncle. These days, the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, and without family, it will be difficult to move an inch."
Upon hearing this, Gao Zidan understood, but a look of surprise appeared on her face.
He naturally knew who Gao Huan was: the founder of the Northern Qi Dynasty, the de facto ruler of the Eastern Wei, and Gao Yang's biological father. He just hadn't expected that Gao Huan would now be the governor of Yanzhou, a powerful regional official.
Dugu Xin and Han Xin also looked surprised, clearly not expecting that these two unassuming young men were actually the sons and nephews of Gao Huan, the governor of Yanzhou.
"I never expected you to be the son and nephew of Lord Gao. My apologies for my rudeness." Dugu Xin cupped his hands to Gao Yang and Gao Jiong, his tone filled with respect. Gao Huan was quite famous in the north, known for his strict military discipline, kindness to the people, and successful management of Yanzhou. Even Dugu Xin had heard of him long ago.
Gao Yang simply nodded slightly, said nothing more, picked up his wine bowl and took a sip, remaining as taciturn as ever.
After a few more drinks, the conversation gradually turned to their future aspirations.
In chaotic times, human life is as worthless as grass, and it is already difficult to survive. Yet, in the hearts of young people, there is still a burning passion and ambition.
Gao Jiong spoke first, sighing, his tone carrying a hint of youthful helplessness towards the chaotic world: "In this world, morality has collapsed, and war is raging everywhere. What great ambitions can one have? My cousin and I have no other wish than to follow our uncle, make a living in this chaotic world, and protect the people around us. That's enough."
Gao Yang nodded silently to the side, acknowledging Gao Jiong's words. He didn't say much from beginning to end, but the light in his eyes held a depth that others couldn't understand.
When it was Gao Zidan's turn, he gripped the wine bowl, his fingers tightening slightly. True to his persona, his tone turned somber: "I have no other thoughts. My entire clan died in the war, and I must avenge this blood debt. One day, I will personally kill Xiang Yu and avenge my entire clan."
These words carried weight, and the atmosphere in the private room grew slightly heavier. Everyone knew of Gao's tragic past and that Xiang Yu was now the General Who Conquers the North and the Governor of Youzhou, his military might at its peak. But seeing the determination in Gao Zidan's eyes, no one uttered a discouraging word. They simply raised their wine bowls to him, everything contained in the wine.
Finally, it was Dugu Xin's turn.
He put down his wine bowl, sat up straight, and his face, previously flushed with alcohol, suddenly revealed an unprecedented solemnity and brightness. He looked out at the deep night, then at the people before him, and slowly began to speak, each word carrying the unique idealism and fervor of youth:
"I have no obsession with revenge, nor do I want to depend on anyone for a peaceful life. In this life, I just want to build a world where everyone has food to eat, everyone has access to education, and everyone, regardless of their social status or whether they are Han or non-Han, can have their own choices."
"No longer need to fear the destruction of families and the loss of loved ones by war, no longer need to fear the oppression of the powerful and the lack of recourse, no longer need to fear that being born into a poor family means being unable to hold one's head high for life, no longer need to fear that women are born only to be manipulated by others. Everyone can live, everyone can live well, have their own aspirations, and have their own way of life."
"To be honest, Brother Zidan, I don't agree with the strategy that Lord Ji and you have adopted towards the Xiongnu. A true man should fight back fiercely against foreign invasion and wipe them out completely. But I can understand you, and what you said is right; ultimately, this is the best outcome for the people. If it's for the sake of the people, I think it's worth making concessions."
"But! Today's compromise is for the sake of future glory. I, Dugu Xin, want to make sure there are no more people in this world who have to compromise! If one day I, Dugu Xin, can see that farmers have their land, residents have their houses, laborers have their pay, and the world is at peace with no more strife, then I will die without regret."
After he finished speaking, the private room fell silent.
Gao Jiong and Gao Yang were both stunned. They had never expected that this renowned knight-errant of the northern border would harbor such a grand and almost naive ideal.
Gao Zidan's heart felt as if it had been struck hard by those words, and a surge of hot blood rushed from her feet to her head, making her blood feel like it was boiling.
He was a time traveler who had witnessed the world Dugu Xin described—a world where everyone had food to eat, everyone had books to read, and many people had more choices than they did now. Although Gao Zidan understood that Dugu Xin's ideas were still too naive, in this chaotic world, in such a state of affairs, how could someone not be moved by such words?
He suddenly picked up the wine bowl, stood up, bowed deeply to Dugu Xin, tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp, and said loudly, "Brother Dugu, for those words alone, I, Gao Zidan, toast you! Your ideal will one day be realized!"
The others also got up and drank bowl after bowl of strong liquor, feeling completely refreshed and as if all the pent-up emotions in their chests had dissipated, their youthful spirits soaring to the sky.
The drinking intensified, and the group completely let loose, drinking from dusk till late at night. Jar after jar of wine was emptied, until finally, everyone was completely drunk and their tongues were tied in knots.
Gao Zidan was so drunk that he was completely out of it, his mind filled with the history he knew by heart. Looking at the three people in front of him who were destined to stir up the world in the future, he was drunk and couldn't care about anything else. He pointed at them and started talking nonsense.
He pointed at Gao Yang, slurring his words, and laughed, "You...you don't let his silence fool you! I'm telling you, he'll...he'll become emperor! He'll rule the world, the supreme ruler!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang and Gao Jiong were both startled, assuming he was just drunk and talking nonsense. They quickly tried to smooth things over with laughter, but Gao Zidan ignored them and pointed at Gao Jiong, continuing to shout, "And you! Gao Jiong! You're destined to be a prime minister! One day you'll be a prime minister, wielding immense power and becoming a renowned prime minister for all time!"
Then, he looked at Dugu Xin, his eyes crinkling with laughter: "Brother Dugu! You are even more remarkable! You will become a pillar of the state in the future! You will rise to the highest ranks of the court, serving as both general and prime minister! All three of your daughters have married the emperor! Three generations of imperial relatives, unprecedented and unparalleled!"
The group exchanged bewildered glances, assuming he was simply drunk and rambling incoherently, and shook their heads with amusement, not taking it to heart.
But Gao Zidan didn't stop. He suddenly grabbed Han Xin beside him, shoved a wine bowl into his hand, and, his face flushed, shouted to the people present, "You...you all toast him three times! This is Han Xin! A military genius, nicknamed the God of War! No one in the world can compare to him in battle! A hundred battles, a hundred victories, an unparalleled national hero!"
Han Xin was caught off guard by Gao Zidan's sudden action, his face turning red. He tried to stop him, but Gao Zidan was drunk and very strong. He held him down and made several people take turns toasting him with three bowls of wine. He kept muttering "God of War" and "Emperor" in his mouth. After a long time, the effects of the alcohol finally kicked in, and his body went limp. He collapsed onto the table and lost consciousness.
Dugu Xin and the other two were also completely drunk. Seeing that Gao Zidan was asleep, they couldn't hold on any longer and slumped against their chairs. In the end, it was the inn's waiter and the Xiongnu guards who came in and helped them back to their respective rooms.
I slept soundly through the night, and when I woke up, the sun outside the window was already high in the sky, it was noon.
Gao Zidan, clutching his head which felt like it was about to explode, sat up in bed. The lingering effects of the hangover were still strong, leaving him dizzy and it took him a while to come to his senses. He looked at the furnishings in the room, fragments of the nonsense he had uttered while drunk the night before flashing through his mind. His face flushed red, and he couldn't help but slap his forehead.
He was really drunk and lost his sense of prophecy, actually blurting out all those historical predictions. Luckily, the others just thought it was drunken talk and didn't take it to heart.
He got up, changed his clothes, and walked out of the room, where he ran into the Xiongnu guards who were standing outside. He learned that Dugu Xin, Gao Yang, and Gao Jiong had left together at dawn.
All three left him messages, saying that the journey of life was long and they would meet again by chance. They assured him that if he ever encountered difficulties in the future, he only needed to send a message, and they would stand by him through thick and thin. Gao Yang and Gao Jiong also left him a jade pendant belonging to the Gao clan of Bohai, saying that if he ever went to Yanzhou in the future, he could find them at any time with this jade pendant.
Holding the warm, smooth jade pendant, Gao Zidan stood in the inn's corridor, feeling both happy and somewhat wistful.
Having transmigrated to this chaotic world for a month or two, he had always been alone, proceeding cautiously and treading on thin ice. It wasn't until last night that he finally made a few people he could truly call friends. Even if it was just a night of drinking, the camaraderie among the young men was genuine.
He was standing there lost in thought when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Gao Zidan turned around and saw Han Xin.
Han Xin's expression, however, was unusually solemn, even tinged with fear. He walked up to Gao Zidan, suddenly bent his knees, knelt down, and kowtowed deeply to her.
This startled Gao Zidan, who quickly went to help him up: "Mr. Han, what are you doing? Get up! What do you have to say?"
But Han Xin refused to get up, remaining kneeling on the ground. He raised his head, looked at Gao Zidan, his eyes filled with sincerity and guilt, and slowly spoke, word by word: "Young Master, there is something I must make clear to you. I am really not the military genius Han Xin you described last night, nor do I possess any invincible abilities."
He paused, a hint of self-mockery in his voice, and continued, "I was indeed born into an official family in Luoyang, but my family was confiscated long ago due to corruption. In my youth, I wandered the world, working as a wandering knight-errant and a retainer for aristocratic families, which is why I know some of the old stories of these families and the rumors of the martial world. Later, I was taken in by the Gao family and became a retainer, following you all the way. In all these days, you have treated me with kindness as heavy as a mountain, and I, Han Xin, have no way to repay you. In this life, I only want to protect you with my own body to repay your kindness, and I have absolutely no thought of parting from you."
"If you wish to find a military genius with the same name as me, a man of extraordinary talent, I will search the world for him. However, I cannot bear the weight of what you said last night, nor would I dare to deceive you."
His words were sincere and heartfelt; he knelt on the ground, bowing deeply, his sincerity evident.
Gao Zidan was taken aback when she saw Han Xin kneeling on the ground, but then she understood.
He should have realized this a long time ago.
Some time ago, during the Battle of Jiehekou, he fled with Zhou Bo's remaining troops and was pursued by the Xiongnu. In the life-or-death moment, although Han Xin stayed by his side the whole time, he only relied on his martial arts skills as a wandering knight to fight, without showing any of the strategic planning and decisive victory of a "military genius". From then on, he had a vague premonition that the Han Xin beside him was probably not the unparalleled military genius Han Xin in history.
Now that Han Xin has confessed in person, the last vestige of hope in his heart has finally been dashed.
It would be a lie to say I don't feel regret. After all, that was Han Xin, the military genius, one of the most outstanding military strategists in history. If I had his assistance, it would undoubtedly have been a huge trump card in this chaotic world.
But this regret was quickly replaced by warmth.
From the very first day he transmigrated, Han Xin stayed by his side without leaving for a moment, protecting him as he escaped from the chaos of war, accompanying him as he cautiously navigated the Xiongnu tribes, caring for his ailing body, and shielding him from countless dangers. Without Han Xin, this modern man who had just transmigrated would probably have died in the chaos of war long ago and would not have survived to this day.
What does it matter whether one has the skills of a military genius or not?
Gao Zidan took a deep breath, used both hands to help Han Xin up from the ground, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "I thought it was something important that warranted such a grand gesture from you."
"I was just drunk and talking nonsense last night, don't take it to heart. As for being a military genius or anything like that, I never expected you to be some kind of prodigy. If it weren't for you protecting me all these days, I would have died long ago. Your kindness to me is far more important than any title of military genius."
He looked into Han Xin's eyes, his tone solemn yet affectionate, and said with a smile, "From now on, I'll call you A-Xin. We brothers will walk together through this chaotic world."
Han Xin stared blankly at the sincerity and warmth in Gao Zidan's eyes for a long time. Suddenly, his eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded heavily, his voice choked with emotion: "Yes, Young Master!"
The sun was high in the sky, and sunlight streamed in through the inn's windows, falling on the two of them. Gao Zidan packed his belongings, and together with Han Xin and four Xiongnu guards, mounted their horses, spurred them on, and galloped off towards Lüliang City.
The road ahead is long and the world is chaotic, but he is no longer alone.