Zi Shou did not wake until the afternoon of the second day. Nothing happened that day, and the revelry continued that night.
On the third day, Ao Lie rotated out a batch of soldiers from the sentry posts. After instructing their replacements to keep a careful watch, he stirred up no trouble either, taking the relieved soldiers to join the musicians and dancers.
After days of merrymaking, the officers and soldiers had made no progress drilling their formations, but they were growing increasingly proficient at the Ten-Thousand Dance. They had also mastered the fine art of turning day and night upside down. With Lu Xiong's army positioned to support them like a pair of horns, they could afford to relax a little, and the frayed nerves from their earlier march had largely recovered amid the leisure and entertainment.
Only after five days did Zi Shou summon the generals.
Inside the Central Army Tent, Zi Shou's brows knitted slightly. This can't go on. I've been singing and dancing here, and not one person has come to remonstrate with me. How am I supposed to find an opening to withdraw?
After thinking for a while, he said, "I hear that three days ago, Ji Fa left the main army under Jiang Ziya's command to continue its slow march, while he headed east with a light force and a small entourage. He has already reached Sishui Pass. Ji Fa and I could be considered the closest of friends. Generals, how about accompanying me to the pass to catch up with him?"
Ao Lie rejoiced inwardly, believing King Zhou was finally about to make a move. "Since Your Majesty is so inclined, your humble servant would gladly accompany you!"
"In that case, muster the troops. We march for Sishui Pass!"
Before long, the generals