In the blink of an eye, it was already February. In this month, Lu Zhi's health gradually improved. However, since that visit, the three Yuan family brothers, Yuan Yao, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Tan, had not appeared again. As for Cao Ang, he also came twice, but each time he seemed to have something to say but hesitated, looking distracted. Ma Chao was well aware of this.
During this period, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, and others still frequently visited Lu Zhi's home to discuss scholarly matters with Lu Zhi, talk about current affairs with Ma Chao and the others, or collectively denounce aristocratic families and corrupt eunuchs. Their friendship grew deeper, as if they had become an inseparable whole. Cai Wenji and the Qiaos would also occasionally join their gatherings, adding a touch of brightness to the warm scene.
In the garden, their critical debates and exclamations of praise for poems often echoed. Ma Chao looked at everything before him, filled with emotion. He knew how rare such friendships were in this unpredictable era. At the same time, he secretly wished his friends well, hoping they would all have smooth sailing and achieve their ideals and ambitions in the future.
Lu Zhi usually no longer participated in their garden gatherings after examining their knowledge and providing explanations. On the surface, Lu Zhi seemed to have accepted this situation. However, the observant Ma Chao could always detect a deep, hidden worry in Lu Zhi's distant gaze regarding the current circumstances.
Whenever this happened, Ma Chao would silently watch Lu Zhi, clearly sensing the concern and worry in Lu Zhi's heart. Although Lu Zhi did not say much, the worry in his eyes could not be concealed.
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On this particular afternoon, the sun was bright, and a gentle breeze blew, as everyone gathered in the garden again. After Ma Chao and Sun Ce had a sparring match, Ma Chao said to Sun Ce, "Your martial arts have been honed quite well, but I always feel that the weapon you are currently using is lacking. The characteristic of your martial arts is grand and sweeping movements, but if your weapon is not sharp and sturdy enough, it can easily be damaged in battle. I have some meteorite iron from Western Qiang at home, and I plan to forge a long spear for you as well. What style do you like?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Ce's face showed great delight. He repeatedly described his preferred style to Ma Chao. Ma Chao smiled and nodded, promising, "I will send the message back through the caravan and have my family start forging it."
A hint of hesitation appeared on Sun Ce's face, as if he wanted to speak but held back. Ma Chao immediately saw through his thoughts and said with a smile, "If you have something on your mind, just say it directly. Don't be so hesitant."
Seeing this, Zhou Yu took over the conversation and spoke for Sun Ce, "Sun Ce and I are very close. He is deeply grateful for your care, Ma Chao brother. We two wish to become sworn brothers with you, but we were unsure of your intentions, which is why we haven't spoken up." Having said that, Zhou Yu looked at Ma Chao, his eyes full of anticipation.
Sun Ce nodded repeatedly after hearing Zhou Yu's words, his eyes full of earnestness: "Yes, Ma Chao brother, I've always had this idea, but I was afraid of being presumptuous." He scratched his head as he spoke, smiling a little awkwardly.
Ma Chao smiled with relief after hearing their words. He stepped forward, patted Sun Ce's shoulder, and said heartily, "I had the same intention! It is truly my good fortune to be able to become brothers with you all!" His tone was firm and sincere, making his genuine feelings apparent.
Ma Chao's face was also full of joy, yet he said with a slight hint of difficulty, "I naturally get along well with you two brothers, and my heart is filled with immense joy. However, there is indeed a difficult point. Before I came to the capital, I became sworn brothers with Che Li Ji, the Western Qiang Prince. Now he has succeeded as the Western Qiang King and is not here, so I cannot ask for his opinion. If we rashly become sworn brothers like this, in terms of seniority, we might be accused of trying to curry favor."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Lu Su and Xun Yu said with a smile, "This is easy to resolve. Why not invite Lu Shi to come and enlighten everyone?"
After everyone invited Lu Zhi, Lu Zhi listened to their ideas and smiled as he explained the reasoning to them.
Lu Zhi cited classics, finding examples of this kind of life-and-death brotherhood from ancient pre-Qin times to support his words. He recounted the story of "Guan Bao's Friendship," where Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya were very good friends who understood each other deeply. When they did business together, Guan Zhong always took a larger share, but Bao Shuya did not mind, believing Guan Zhong was doing so because his family was poor. Guan Zhong tried to help Bao Shuya with tasks several times but failed, and he was dismissed from office three times, yet Bao Shuya did not think Guan Zhong lacked talent, but rather that he had not encountered an opportunity to display his abilities. Guan Zhong was conscripted into the army three times and fled three times, and people ridiculed him for being a coward, but Bao Shuya again spoke up for him, saying that Guan Zhong did so to support his elderly mother at home.
Lu Zhi also recounted the story of "Zuo Botao and Yang Jiao'ai, two ghosts fighting Jing Ke." Legend has it that after Jing Ke failed to assassinate the Qin King and was executed, his restless spirit, upon seeing Zuo Botao buried next to him, started a dispute. Zuo Botao was no match for Jing Ke and twice dreamt of Yang Jiao'ai, telling him that Jing Ke's territory was above his tomb and that he was being bullied by Jing Ke in the underworld. Yang Jiao'ai then committed suicide in front of Zuo Botao's tomb to join him in the underworld and fight Jing Ke. Legend says that on that night, thunder and lightning intertwined, and shouts and cries of battle echoed for dozens of miles. The next day, Jing Ke's tomb collapsed, and Jing Ke's temple was burned to ruins.
Through these two stories, Lu Zhi explained to Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu that true brotherhood should be about mutual understanding, tolerance, and support, not caring about personal gains or losses, and being able to step forward and face difficulties and dangers together. He hoped that the three of them could form a deep bond of brotherhood, like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, and Zuo Botao and Yang Jiao'ai, and work together for the welfare of the common people.
After listening, Ma Chao had a plan and said, "I am becoming sworn brothers with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu because we are like-minded and can entrust our lives to each other as brothers. The same goes for my sworn brotherhood with the Western Qiang Prince. So, let's consider them separately. If we have the chance to meet later, we can collectively honor him as our eldest brother."
Lu Zhi nodded in agreement, and thus Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, and Ma Chao decided to formally become sworn brothers.
They went to an open area in the garden, set up offerings, and lit incense candles. The three stood solemnly in order.
Ma Chao, as the eldest of the three, spoke first: "Today, I, Ma Chao, am willing to become sworn brothers with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, to share blessings and difficulties, and to live and die together!"
Sun Ce immediately followed, "I, Sun Ce, am willing to become brothers with Ma Chao brother and Zhou Yu third brother, never to abandon each other, and to be wholeheartedly devoted!"
Zhou Yu also solemnly said, "I, Zhou Yu, am willing to become brothers with Ma Chao brother and Sun Ce second brother, and to advance together hand in hand!"
After speaking, the three knelt together, kowtowed to heaven and earth, and then solemnly bowed to each other three times, officially becoming sworn brothers.
After the ceremony, the three looked at each other and smiled, their hearts filled with joy and excitement. The others in the garden were also happy for them, applauding and congratulating them. Ma Chao was the eldest brother, Sun Ce the second, and Zhou Yu the third, and their friendship deepened even further.
In that atmosphere filled with hope and aspirations, everyone sat together, enthusiastically discussing various future possibilities. They envisioned bravely fighting on the battlefield, achieving great deeds; they envisioned protecting their homes together, allowing the common people to live in peace and contentment; they envisioned supporting each other, walking the long path of life together.
However, the wheels of fate turned relentlessly. In just a few days, everyone would go their separate ways due to their respective missions and responsibilities, which inevitably evoked sighs and emotions. But perhaps it was precisely this separation that made them cherish the time they had spent together even more, and deepened the bond of friendship in their hearts.