Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

In the blink of an eye, it was already February. During that month, Lu Zhi's health gradually improved. However, since that visit, the three Yuan brothers—Yuan Yao, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Tan—had not appeared again. As for Cao Ang, he had come twice, but each time he seemed hesitant and absent-minded. Ma Chao knew this all too well.

During this time, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, and others continued to frequently visit Lu Zhi's home, discussing academic matters with him, discussing current affairs with Ma Chao and others, or jointly railing against the aristocratic families and the eunuchs' political chaos. Their friendship grew ever deeper, becoming as if they were one inseparable entity. Cai Wenji and the two Qiao sisters would occasionally join them, adding a touch of color to these heartwarming gatherings.

The garden often echoed with their pointed arguments, their criticisms of current affairs, and the applause of their poetry. Ma Chao, observing all this, was filled with emotion. He knew how rare such friendships were in these uncertain times. At the same time, he secretly wished his friends good luck in the days ahead, hoping they would all achieve their dreams and ambitions.

After Lu Zhi had examined their knowledge and given them his lectures, he would no longer participate in their gatherings in the garden. On the surface, Lu Zhi seemed to have accepted this situation. However, the attentive Ma Chao could always detect in Lu Zhi's distant eyes the deep worry he harbored about the current situation.

Every time at this time, Ma Chao would silently look at Lu Zhi. He could clearly feel the care and worry in Lu Zhi's heart. Although Lu Zhi did not say much, the worry in his eyes could not be concealed.

--split line--

On that afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, the breeze was gentle, and everyone gathered in the garden again. After a sparring match with Sun Ce, Ma Chao said to him, "Your martial arts skills have been honed quite well, but I always feel that your current weapon is lacking. Your martial arts are characterized by large-scale and powerful attacks, but if your weapon is not sharp and strong enough, it will easily be damaged in battle. I have meteorite iron obtained from the Western Qiang at home, and I plan to forge you a spear. Let me see what style you like."

Sun Ce's face lit up with joy after hearing this. He described the style he liked to Ma Chao. Ma Chao smiled and nodded, promising, "I'll pass the news back through the caravan and have my family start making it."

Sun Ce's face showed a hint of hesitation, as if he was about to speak but stopped. Ma Chao saw through his thoughts and said with a smile, "If you have anything on your mind, just say it directly. Don't hesitate."

Seeing this, Zhou Yu took over the conversation and said on behalf of Sun Ce: "Sun Ce and I have a very close relationship, and he is very grateful for your care and love. The two of us want to become brothers with you, but we don't know what you think, so we haven't said anything." After saying that, Zhou Yu looked at Ma Chao, his eyes full of expectation.

After listening to Zhou Yu's words, Sun Ce nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of earnestness: "Yes, brother, I have always had this idea, but I was afraid of offending you." As he spoke, he scratched his head with his hand and smiled a little embarrassedly.

After hearing their words, Ma Chao showed a relieved smile on his face. He stepped forward, patted Sun Ce on the shoulder, and said generously: "That's what I meant! It's my honor to be able to become brothers with you!" His tone was firm and sincere, making people feel his sincerity.

Ma Chao's face was also filled with joy, yet he spoke with a hint of embarrassment, "You two brothers and I naturally share a common purpose, and I am extremely delighted. However, there is a real difficulty. Before I came to the capital, I became sworn brothers with Prince Cheliji of Western Qiang. Now that he has ascended the throne as King of Western Qiang and is not here, I cannot consult him. If we rashly become sworn brothers, I'm afraid we might be seen as climbing the ladder of rank."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Su and Xun Yu smiled and said, "This matter is easy to discuss. Why not ask Master Lu to come and help us solve our doubts?"

After everyone invited Lu Zhi over, Lu Zhi listened to their ideas and explained the truth to everyone with a smile.

Lu Zhi cites classic texts, tracing back to the pre-Qin period this kind of brotherly bond of shared life and death, to complete his argument. He recounts the story of the "Friendship of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya," a pair of close friends who knew each other well. When they partnered in business, Guan Zhong always took more, but Bao Shuya didn't mind, believing Guan Zhong's actions were due to his family's poverty. Guan Zhong repeatedly failed to assist Bao Shuya, and was dismissed from his official positions three times. Bao Shuya didn't think Guan Zhong lacked talent, but rather felt he hadn't had the opportunity to display his talents. Three times, Guan Zhong was drafted into the army and fled, leading people to mock him for his cowardice. Bao Shuya again defended him, saying that Guan Zhong was doing so to support his elderly mother.

Lu Zhi also recounted the story of the battle between the ghosts Zuo Botao and Yang Jiaoai against Jing Ke. Legend has it that Jing Ke, after failing to assassinate the King of Qin, remained lingering after his execution. Upon discovering Zuo Botao's burial next to him, a dispute arose. Unable to defeat Jing Ke, Zuo Botao appeared twice in Yang Jiaoai's dreams, explaining that Jing Ke's territory lay above his tomb and that he was being bullied in the underworld. Yang Jiaoai then committed suicide in front of Zuo Botao's tomb and journeyed to the underworld to join the battle against Jing Ke. Legend has it that that night, thunder and lightning struck, and cries of killing echoed for dozens of miles. The next day, Jing Ke's tomb collapsed, and the Jing Ke Temple burned to ruins.

Through these two stories, Lu Zhi explained to Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu that true brotherhood is characterized by mutual understanding, tolerance, and support, regardless of personal gains and losses, and the ability to stand up together in the face of difficulties and dangers. He hoped that the three of them could, like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, and Zuo Botao and Yang Jiaoai, forge a deep brotherly bond and work together for the well-being of the people of the world.

After hearing this, Ma Chao came up with a plan. He said, "I swore brotherhood with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu because we share the same ideals and are willing to trust each other with our lives. The same is true of my sworn brotherhood with the Western Qiang prince. So, let's go our separate ways. If fate allows us to meet again in the future, we can both honor him as our elder brother."

Lu Zhi nodded in approval, and so Sun Ce, Zhou Yu and Ma Chao decided to formally become sworn brothers.

They came to an open area in the garden, laid out their offerings, lit incense and candles, and stood in a row with solemn expressions.

Ma Chao, the oldest of the three, was the first to speak: "Today, I, Ma Chao, wish to become brothers with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. We will share happiness and hardship, and we will live and die together!"

Sun Ce then said, "I, Sun Ce, wish to become brothers with Brother Ma Chao and Third Brother Zhou Yu. We will never abandon each other and will always be loyal to each other!"

Zhou Yu also said solemnly: "I, Zhou Yu, wish to become brothers with Brother Ma Chao and Brother Sun Ce, and work together to advance together!"

After saying this, the three of them knelt on the ground together, kowtowed to heaven and earth, and then solemnly bowed to each other three times, officially becoming brothers.

After the ceremony, the three men smiled at each other, their hearts filled with joy and excitement. The others in the garden were also happy for them, applauding and congratulating them. With Ma Chao as the eldest brother, Sun Ce as the second, and Zhou Yu as the third, their friendship deepened.

In that atmosphere filled with hope and longing, everyone sat together, enthusiastically discussing the possibilities of the future. They imagined bravely fighting on the battlefield and achieving great success; they imagined working together to protect their homes and ensure the people lived and worked in peace and contentment; they imagined supporting each other and walking the long road of life together.

However, the wheel of fate turns relentlessly. In just a few days, everyone will be going their separate ways, driven by their respective missions and responsibilities. This leaves one with a sense of sadness and emotion. But perhaps it is precisely this separation that makes them cherish the time they once shared, and deepens their friendship.