Chapter 207

The three each clasped the other two's hands, and Xiao Tianmu said: "Elder Brother Zhou, Sir Hu, I have a proposal. We three get along well. My parents are both dead, my brothers are scattered, and I am alone adrift in this world. Without Elder Brother Zhou, I would not be where I am today. Sir Hu, although you are an official and we are commoners, thank you for looking up to us, repeatedly lending a hand, and keeping our secrets. This kindness is like a rebirth. Today I dare to ask: if you do not disdain us, how about the three of us becoming sworn brothers of different surnames?"

Zhou Batian was bold and generous; although his feelings for Hu Xiaotian were not that deep, since Xiao Tianmu brought it up, he naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

Hu Xiaotian knew that sworn brotherhood was the most common social practice in this era: sharing fortune could be sworn brothers, sharing hardship could be sworn brothers, going to war together could be sworn brothers, fleeing together could be sworn brothers, drinking together could be sworn brothers, even visiting prostitutes together could be sworn brothers. Even he and Shi Xuedong, that decadent scion of an official family, could become sworn brothers after just meeting, let alone the three of them who were secretly plotting cooperation. Hu Xiaotian of course understood that Xiao Tianmu's proposal of sworn brotherhood stemmed from insufficient trust in him; he wanted to add weight to their feelings. After all, he was Li Tianheng's son-in-law, and if Li Tianheng learned that Zhou Batian was still alive in this world, he would surely have him arrested and brought to justice. It should be said that Xiao Tianmu's proposal of sworn brotherhood now was actually motivated by self-interest. Hu Xiaotian silently weighed in his mind: sworn brotherhood was merely a formality; if something really happened, everyone would still go their separate ways, and no one would truly share life and death. In that case, what harm was there in becoming sworn brothers? Hu Xiaotian readily nodded and said: "Good! I have long had this intention, only fearing that the two elder brothers might look down on me."

Zhou Batian grasped his hand and said: "Little Brother Tian, where does this come from? It is we two brothers who are overreaching."

Hu Xiaotian harbored no contempt for the two; Zhou Batian's martial prowess was astonishing, his courage unmatched. After learning his true identity, Hu Xiaotian specially looked up his file: Zhou Mo was the champion of the Tiger Head Battalion. He stood supreme among the three armies and was greatly favored by Li Tianheng. Had it not been for the scheme on Mount Tianlang, he would not have ended up hiding in Qingyun Prison to avoid mortal danger. Although Xiao Tianmu was blind, his mind and wisdom were extraordinarily keen; if the two could be put to his use, he would surely gain wings like a tiger.

Then the three set up an incense altar, cut off a chicken's head, burned yellow paper, and swore allegiance by drinking each other's blood.

This sworn brotherhood differed from the previous one, although it was likewise passive. Last time, when sworn brothering with Shi Xuedong, Hu Xiaotian had resisted from the bottom of his heart. This time, he genuinely felt appreciation for Zhou Batian and Xiao Tianmu: Zhou Batian's courage was unmatched, Xiao Tianmu was resourceful and strategic. Hu Xiaotian also realized that the quickest way to boost mutual trust in the shortest time was sworn brotherhood; although Xiao Tianmu's motive for sworn brotherhood was not pure, once they became sworn brothers, their feelings would be absolutely different from before. Among the three, Zhou Batian was the eldest at twenty-seven, naturally the big brother; at the ceremony they naturally used Zhou Mo's true name, for Zhou Mo was frank and upright. He said that treating brothers required sincerity, and one must not judge friendship by empty reputation. Xiao Tianmu, twenty-three, was the second brother. Hu Xiaotian, the youngest, was the third brother.

The three performed the eight bows to become sworn brothers, then drank the blood wine.

During the sworn brotherhood ceremony, Xiao Tianmu had already arranged food and drink. After the ritual was finished, the three sat together again, feeling an unprecedented sense of closeness.

Zhou Mo raised his wine cup and said: "From now on, we three brothers will share life and death, weal and woe. I, Zhou Mo, am your elder brother. I won't boast, but from now on, whoever dares to bully my brothers will be my enemy. If either of you has any matter, I, as the elder brother, will certainly rush to the front!"

Xiao Tianmu said: "Although I, Xiao Tianmu, cannot see, my mind is still fairly bright. I know I will not mistake my brothers. As long as I live, I will never do anything to wrong the two of you, whether fortune or misfortune, joy or sorrow; as long as I have a breath left, I will share the burden with you."…

Hu Xiaotian raised his cup and said: "All that needed to be said has been said by the two elder brothers; I can only express my feelings with a poem." After a moment's thought, he recited: "Burning the same incense stick makes us children of the same mother; sworn brothers who can beat a tiger; a badger biting a wolf to death; a single pillar holding up the sky; three beams supporting a house; sharing blessings, sharing hardships; brothers working together; a man should strive for self-improvement!"

"Good! Burning the same incense stick makes us children of the same mother!" Zhou Mo praised loudly, and the three raised their wine bowls and drank the bowl together.

Xiao Tianmu was not a good drinker; after drinking that bowl, he began coughing nonstop. Hu Xiaotian helped by gently patting his back. Once Xiao Tianmu's cough subsided, he first praised: "What a fine line: a man should strive for self-improvement!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Just nonsense, elder brothers, don't laugh at me." After putting down his wine cup, Hu Xiaotian brought up the matter of the Shajia envoy again.

Xiao Tianmu said: "Third brother, to be frank, based on the information we currently have, the Shajia envoy's trip to Kangdu this time is for a marriage alliance."

"A marriage alliance?" Hu Xiaotian's expression showed disbelief. As the local official of Qingyun, he had never heard such news, and Ande Quan had not told him either; he truly did not know why Xiao Tianmu would say that.

Zhou Mo sighed and said: "Third brother, you should still remember why I came to Qingyun."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he certainly remembered. Zhou Mo led a hundred officers of the Tiger Head Battalion to Qingyun; the true purpose was not to suppress bandits but to escort the little prince of Nan Yue back home. He had not expected to encounter a bandit ambush on Mount Tianlang, where the hundred brothers he brought were almost entirely wiped out, and the fate of the Nan Yue little prince remains unknown.

Zhou Mo said: "Shajia borders Nan Yue. In recent years, the Shajia khagan Sang Muza has governed with diligence, pacifying internal rebellions and pacifying external tribes, his nation's strength growing day by day, while his ambition also grows daily. The Shajia people are naturally cruel and ambitious, taking pleasure in burning, killing, and looting. In just five years, they have flattened the twelve kingdoms of the Western Sea, subdued the sixteen tribes surrounding the Western Sea, and doubled their territory."

Although Hu Xiaotian knew that Dakang had a country called Shajia to its west, he knew little about Shajia, and in his impression there seemed to have been little warfare between Shajia and Dakang.

Zhou Mo said: "Sang Muza can also be considered a hegemon of outstanding talent and strategy. In his youth he traveled the Central Plains and became extremely familiar with Dakang's situation. After ascending to the khaganate, he strictly ordered his tribes not to disturb Dakang's borders, repeatedly sending envoys to maintain friendly relations with Dakang, having them bow as vassals to Dakang to stabilize the two countries' relations and ensure a secure rear, thus freeing his hands to deal with the states around the Western Sea. Dakang has always turned a blind eye to this, after all, the flames of war have not reached its own territory."

Continuing, Zhou Mo sighed again and said: "A year ago, when Shajia's wings were already full, it launched a war against Nan Yue, capturing five of its cities in succession. Nan Yue's military situation became urgent, and it sent envoys to Kangdu to seek aid. Since Nan Yue had been a vassal of Dakang since its founding, His Majesty could not stand idly by; he dispatched envoys to Shajia, ordering Sang Muza to withdraw his troops immediately, otherwise he would have Grand Marshal Li lead two hundred thousand troops straight to Shajia's capital, Tie Mu Bao. Sang Muza treated Dakang's envoys with utmost respect, and the very next day withdrew from Nan Yue, returning the five captured cities to Nan Yue as well. However, the countless gold, silver, and treasures they looted were gone; after they left, those five cities lay in ruins. Sang Muza's withdrawal was not unconditional; he presented a marriage proposal to His Majesty."

Hu Xiaotian was not clear about these national affairs; hearing Zhou Mo mention them today, he felt greatly surprised and could not wait to ask: "Did His Majesty agree?"

Zhou Mo said: "In His Majesty's eyes, Shajia is merely a barbarian tribe, but since Sang Muza has made the request, His Majesty cannot openly refuse; he merely told Sang Muza that he has sixteen unmarried princesses, and if Sang Muza is sincere, let him bring the betrothal gifts and personally come to Kangdu to ask for a princess's hand."…

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised the old emperor for having some strategy; Sang Muza surely would not dare come, for if he dared to come to Kangdu to ask for a marriage, he would likely not return. As Hu Xiaotian expected, Zhou Mo continued: "Upon hearing this reply, Sang Muza immediately changed his tune, saying it was not he himself who wanted a marriage alliance, but that he sought a bride for his son. When spring arrives next year, he will have his son drive the cattle and sheep, carrying a heavy dowry, to personally come to Kangdu to ask for a marriage."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If that is the case, then this Shajia envoy must have come to ask for a marriage."

Xiao Tianmu said: "Actually, a month ago we already received news from Shajia that Sang Muza had decided to send his twelfth prince, Huo Ge, to come and ask for a marriage."

Hu Xiaotian said: "In that case, Prince Zhou should be specially assigned to receive the Shajia prince."

Xiao Tianmu nodded and said: "Quite possible."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Could it be that the true purpose behind the deliberate destruction of Qingyun Bridge is precisely this? If the bandits of Mount Tianlang really aimed at the Shajia envoy, then this is no trivial matter; if the Shajia envoy encounters trouble en route, it will inevitably put the relationship between Dakang and Shajia to the test, and even lead to a rupture that might result in war." In fact, he had long known this in his heart, but only now did he fully voice his thoughts.

Xiao Tianmu said: "I suspect the target of the Mount Tianlang bandits' attack is very likely the Shajia envoy."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If the Shajia envoy is indeed their target, then their prior destruction of Qingyun Bridge amounts to cutting off the nearest route to the Central Plains, making the passage via Yongji Bridge to Honggu County the only way."

Zhou Mo said: "Deliberately avoiding Qingyun County clearly shows someone wants to shirk responsibility; no matter where the Shajia envoy suffers an attack, the local officials will inevitably bear the blame first."

Xiao Tianmu nodded and said: "We must prevent this from happening; if anyone in the Shajia envoy comes to harm, then Shajia khagan Sang Muza will have a pretext to send troops, likely marching eastward, bringing calamity upon the people, and ultimately the common folk will suffer." His words revealed a compassionate concern for heaven and pity for mankind; although he could not see, his vision and breadth were rare in the present age.

Zhou Mo said: "Yan Kui killed my hundred brothers; if I ever encounter him, I will surely cut off his head to avenge my brothers."