Chapter 229

Prince Hofge laughed, 'I was also just about to say that.' The two clinked their wine bowls and drained them in one gulp. Hu Xiaotian, whether in courage or presence, showed no weakness before Prince Hofge; there was nothing to be done—who let our side's Prince Long Yefang be unpresentable, not only unable to hold his liquor but also lacking in courage. Compared to this twelfth prince of Shajia, he was completely outclassed. As a subject of Dakang, Hu Xiaotian bore a heavy responsibility today, tasked with bringing glory to the nation; on the surface he chatted and laughed with Prince Hofge, but in private they were engaged in a battle of wits and courage, each trying to outdo the other.

Moshali had been accompanying him all along; seeing Hu Xiaotian remain calm and composed before the prince, bearing the air of a great general, he finally understood why Prince Long Yefang valued him—no wonder the prince had sent him a beautiful female slave; this fellow truly possessed extraordinary ability.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Your Highness, I heard you came this time to propose a marriage, but I don't know which princess you have taken a liking to.'

Prince Hofge said, 'Princess Anping!'

Hu Xiaotian had no idea which Princess Anping was being referred to, for the old emperor had many offspring, and he himself might not even remember how many daughters he had; he was just about to ask further when...

Moshali interjected from the side, 'Your Highness, we should set out.' He saw that Hu Xiaotian was sounding him out indirectly, trying to extract more information from Prince Hofge. Hofge smiled and said, 'Good!' He patted Hu Xiaotian on the shoulder and said, 'We hit it off at first sight; from now on we should grow closer.' He sheathed the short dagger he had just used to shoot the poisonous snake, held it in his palm, and presented it with both hands to Hu Xiaotian, saying, 'First meeting, a small gift; I hope you will accept it, Sir Hu.' This short dagger had been with him since childhood and was of extraordinary significance; Hu Xiaotian, seeing the various gems inlaid on the scabbard, knew at once that the dagger was of exceptional value. He hurriedly took it with both hands.

Observing the etiquette of reciprocity in diplomacy, Hu Xiaotian could not accept a gift without giving something in return; he immediately drew his own dagger from his boot—a gift from his future father-in-law, Li Tianheng—and said, 'A precious sword for a warrior; rouge and powder for a beauty. This dagger is a gift from my father-in-law. Today I present it to Your Highness.'

Upon hearing the dagger's provenance, Prince Hofge also recognized its special meaning for Hu Xiaotian and accepted it with both hands. Gripping the dagger, he immediately felt it was no ordinary article; drawing a portion of the blade from the black shark‑skin scabbard sent a chilling chill through him—it was truly a blade that could cut iron like mud, in no way inferior to the short dagger he had given Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian also drew a portion of the short dagger; indeed, when Prince Hofge had thrown his flying dagger to slay the snake earlier, he had already witnessed its sharpness. Now, examining it closely, he saw that although the blade lacked luster, its entire surface was covered with dark hexagonal patterns like a honeycomb. This was a special forging technique of Shajia; weapons made thereby were tough and sharp, with extraordinary strength. Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, 'Old me hasn't lost out; even if I say nothing else, just selling the gems on the scabbard would fetch a tidy sum of silver.' Prince Hofge could not put down the dagger Hu Xiaotian had given him; he smiled and asked, 'May I dare ask, Sir Hu, what is your father‑in‑law's name?'

Hu Xiaotian thought, 'Prince Hofge is ultimately a barbarian—who would ask so directly?' But telling him was no problem; he said softly, 'His lordship is the Founding Duke of Xichuan, the Military Commissioner of Jiannan Xichuan, Sir Li.' One sentence awakened the dreamer.

Li Tianheng had governed Xichuan for many years, enduring countless battles with the Shajia people; it was precisely because of his presence that Dakang's southwestern border had enjoyed over a decade of peace. In the hearts of the Shajia, Li Tianheng's fame was second only to that of the Dakang emperor. Prince Hofge again clasped his hands in salute and said, 'Brother Hu, Sir Li is one of the three contemporary heroes I admire most; truly, I have been remiss.'

Hu Xiaotian had not expected his future father‑in‑law to be so impressive that even the Shajia prince was his fan; he smiled and said, 'I have long admired your great khan as well; in my heart he is a towering hero!' Actually, Hu Xiaotian had little impression of Sangmu Zha; saying this was merely a matter of reciprocity, empty flattery.

Prince Hofge, however, was delighted to hear this; he seized Hu Xiaotian's wrist and said, 'Come, let us have another drink.' Earlier the drinking had been under the pretense of appreciation, a mutual probing; now this cup was motivated by the other's family background. They drank another bowl, and Hofge, still feeling unsatisfied, refilled his bowl, raised it, and said, 'Brother Hu, we hit it off at first sight, and your father‑in‑law is again a great hero I admire. How about we become sworn brothers of different surnames?'

Hu Xiaotian thought, 'Damn, another sworn‑brother ceremony—apparently the Shajia people also go in for this.' Hofge must not have drunk too much; despite having consumed so much liquor, his mind remained clear and his speech fluent—this man could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Since he hadn't mentioned sworn brotherhood earlier and now suddenly proposed it, it was surely because of my father‑in‑law; it seems that from ancient times to the present, people have always liked to 'compare fathers,' and a father‑in‑law counts as well. If he didn't have such a family background, Hofge would not deign to make such a request. Hu Xiaotian said, 'Your Highness, your status is exalted; I fear I cannot measure up.'

Prince Hofge said, 'Ah, what are you saying? As long as you don't despise me as your brother.' He took Hu Xiaotian's hand and led him to an open spot, where they knelt facing due west; Hu Xiaotian could only follow and kneel as well. Hofge proclaimed, 'Under Heaven, I, Hofge, today voluntarily become sworn brothers with Hu Xiaotian; from now on we shall share weal and woe; should I break my oath, may I be pierced through the heart by a thousand arrows!' He drew a feathered arrow from his quiver, gripped its ends with both hands, and snapped it in two.

Hu Xiaotian imitated him, saying, 'Under Lord Guan, I, Hu Xiaotian, today voluntarily become sworn brothers with Hofge; from now on we shall share weal and woe, our hearts and courage as one, our lips and teeth dependent; should I break my oath, may heaven strike me with five thunderbolts!' Anyway, this poisonous oath had already been uttered more than once; saying it again was no matter. Hu Xiaotian also drew a feathered arrow and gave it a hard bend—'Well!' he exclaimed, 'this arrow shaft is truly tough! Bent at such an angle and still not broken.' He glanced at Hofge with an embarrassed smile, tried again—still unbroken—and only on the third attempt did he finally snap the shaft, having worked up a sweat all over.

Prince Hofge is twenty‑four this year; he naturally becomes the elder brother, and Hu Xiaotian naturally becomes the younger.

The two rose from the ground, their knees smeared with red mud; Hofge patted Hu Xiaotian's shoulder and said, 'Brother, from now on we are family.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Elder brother, rest assured; I will henceforth treat you as my own elder brother, with respect and affection.' The sworn‑brother ceremony concluded, and Hu Xiaotian returned to his own contingent.

Prince Hofge watched him go into the distance, when Moshali quietly approached his side and whispered, 'Your Highness, this brother of yours is quite shrewd.'

A faint smile touched Hofge's lips: 'What do you want to say? Just say it.'

Moshali lowered his voice: 'Your Highness, does he know the inside story of this?'

Prince Hofge narrowed his eyes, watching Hu Xiaotian's retreating back, then slowly shook his head and said, 'He probably does not know.'

When they set out again, Prince Long Yefang could no longer bear the heavy armor; after half a day he had broken out in a prickly heat, so he took off the armor and changed into light clothing. Seeing Hu Xiaotian return, he could not help but ask curiously, 'What did you talk about for so long?'

Hu Xiaotian respectfully said, 'Your Highness, your humble servant has an important matter to report.'

Prince Long Yefang said, 'Speak, don't beat around the bush.'

Hu Xiaotian then related the matter of his sworn brotherhood with Hofge; it was better that he himself admitted it, for if others passed the story on to Prince Long Yefang, who knows what embellishments they might add. The prince's reaction was bland; he smiled and said, 'If someone seeks you out for sworn brotherhood, this face must naturally be given; well, sworn brothers are merely an empty title—who has ever seen sworn brothers who share life and death? Even real brothers cannot achieve that.' As he spoke, Prince Long Yefang's expression showed a hint of dejection; he could not help but think of the brothers around him, who schemed and fought each other for the throne, sparing no means, and had no room left for even a shred of brotherly affection.

Hu Xiaotian saw him suddenly fall silent, knowing that Prince Long Yefang was surely reminded of his own situation; he silently rode alongside the prince. After a long silence, the prince finally said, 'That Hofge fellow seems not so simple.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded in deep agreement: 'He can hold his liquor, his courage is outstanding, and just now I actually saw him throw a flying dagger to slay a snake; his martial arts must be formidable as well.'

Prince Long Yefang gave an 'oh,' reached up to push aside the tangled branches overhead, and said in a low voice, 'Did he mention his purpose for coming to Dakang this time?'

'He said it was to seek Princess Anping's hand in marriage!'

Prince Long Yefang stared for a moment: 'Princess Anping?' He gripped the reins tightly; Hu Xiaotian noticed this unconscious gesture, felt puzzled, and wondered why the prince reacted so strongly—could he be especially close to that princess? The prince bit his lip and said, 'Princess Anping is my full‑blooded younger sister!'

Hu Xiaotian then understood why Prince Long Yefang reacted so strongly—Anping was his own sister; as an elder brother he naturally did not want his sister to marry far away. He comforted the prince: 'Your Highness, do not worry; he merely mentioned a marriage proposal, and whether it will be accepted still depends on the emperor's decision. In fact, throughout history, true alliances by marriage have rarely involved sending a princess of legitimate lineage abroad.'

Prince Long Yefang blinked, bewildered, and asked, 'What do you mean?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'You surely have paternal cousins, right?' That remark reminded Prince Long Yefang; he nodded and smiled, 'Still, you have many ideas—I will first bring this up to my father the emperor.'

Hu Xiaotian secretly felt ashamed; his offhand remark might have saved Princess Anping, yet unwittingly he might have harmed some innocent girl without knowing it. However, looking at Hofge's appearance—tall, mighty, imposing—marrying him would not necessarily be a bad fate either.