Chapter 48: The Five Tigers Make an Oath at Sleeping Tiger Manor

  Li Tiezhu received Zhao Xing's order and immediately led several soldiers from the guard company into the Taihang Mountains, heading towards Qingfeng Ridge. They climbed up the mountain in one day. After reporting their names, they entered the main camp and coincidentally met Guan Yu, who had just eliminated another group of bandits nearby and was returning triumphantly.

  "Master Guan has ordered me to inform you, please leave a trusted person in charge of guarding the mountain stronghold and come with me back to Wotou Manor. In a few days, there will be an important ceremony held within the manor!" Li Tiezhu stepped forward and reported loudly in a military manner.

  Guan Yu saw Li Tiezhu's movements were swift and decisive, his expression solemn, with a strong military air about him. He couldn't help but feel a sense of joy in his heart, "The 'Little Tiger Squad' that Guo Chang brothers have trained is indeed impressive, who knows if they can cultivate some future tiger generals? And letting Ping'er become the squad leader at such a young age, he really has his own strengths..."

  "Good! Wait till I settle my brothers in the village, then I'll follow you down the mountain." Guan Yu replied succinctly.

  Leave Guo Changzi and Hu Che'er to guard the mountain, Guan Yu took a few followers down Qingfeng Ridge and rushed towards Wohu Village. On the way, Guan Yu asked Li Tiezhu about the situation of Zhao Xing's visit to Wohu Village in the past few days, and Li Tiezhu told Guan Yu the inside story that Zhao Xing and Zhao Yun were originally sworn brothers. Guan Yu burst out laughing and said: "Brother Guo Chang has another tiger general!"

  When Guan Yu returned to the manor, Jia Xu, Xu Huang and Zhang Liao had all arrived. Since Sima Shi was not loyal to Sleeping Tiger Manor, he was not invited. In the council hall, everyone knew that there would be a grand ceremony in the manor tomorrow, but they did not know the specific details. Even Jia Wenhe, who was usually able to see through things, could not make sense of it.

  Seeing everyone seated, Zhao Xing stood up and bowed his fist, saying: "Today, the world is in turmoil, the emperor is confused, and the people are struggling to survive in a desperate situation. I am deeply worried about this and want to use my humble power to rescue the people from their predicament. Alas, the way of the world is difficult, and it's hard to stand alone. I still need kind-hearted scholars and heroes to join hands with me to face the challenges together. I was a poor orphan from the mountains, who lost his father at a young age and only had my mother left, without any brothers or relatives by my side. However, Heaven has taken pity on me, allowing me to meet Changsheng, Gongming, Wen Yuan, and Zilong. Now, I want to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and form a bond with them as sworn brothers of different surnames. I wonder if you gentlemen would be willing to condescend and accept this?"

  Here is the translation:

  "Upon reading this, readers will ask again! What makes Zhao Xing think he can just tie up Guan Yu, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun to his own chariot without even saying hello?"

  Zhao Xing's success is due to his character and ability!

  Guan Yu and Zhao Yun were just ordinary villagers, before they met Liu Bei, their minds were also confused, with only a body of martial arts, but didn't know who to sell it to. Zhao's treatment was so good, what did the barefooted Guan Yu and Zhao Yun have to hesitate about?

  Xu Huan was already in the wrong for coming to Wotou Village, and now that he knew he had been used by Zhang Yang, he almost got harmed himself. What mood would he be in to continue being a gatekeeper? Moreover, he was currently on good terms with Hu Lian of Wotou Village, and he understood Zhao Xing's character very well. If he didn't join Wotou Village, how could he get "fox meat"? Even if he joined, the village master would call him brother, what else could he do?

  As for Zhang Liao, although his family was well-off and considered a noble house, he was also a fallen household. He even changed his surname, how much affection and loyalty could he have towards the high-and-mighty Han imperial court? Zhang Liao followed Ding Yuan, Lü Bu, and Cao Cao in succession, being loyal to each lord with all his heart, doing his best at his post, but not blindly so; he was more loyal to his own position.

  Based on the above analysis, Zhao Xing has confidence that after a round of majestic and stirring mobilization, he can gather several powerful men who were envied in the Three Kingdoms era under his own banner.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, the subsequent statements of the crowd confirmed Zhao Xing's judgment.

  "What Guo Jia said is what I have been longing for!" Guan Yu stood up and clasped his fists in respect.

  "Your Excellency is too modest, since you are willing to make concessions, how dare I not follow your lead!" Xuhuang stood up and clasped his fists in respect.

  "Brother is generous and considerate, worries about the world, and has achieved great things. Liao can follow him, and he is very happy in his heart!" Zhang Liao stood up and said with a fist bump.

  "Brother, you have an order, follow me." Zhao Yun said calmly as he stood up.

  "Congratulations to Guo Chang for finding someone with similar aspirations!" Jia Yu stood up and congratulated him.

  "Please trouble you, sir, to take charge. Tomorrow at the Zhuang family estate, we will slaughter three animals and my five brothers and I will offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, swearing an oath of brotherhood!" Zhao Xing said with a bow.

  On the second day, in Wotou Village, Guan Yu, Xu Huang, Zhao Xing, Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao formed a fraternal bond based on their ages, with Zhao Xing as the third elder brother. Naturally, Guan Yu was the eldest brother, Xu Huang was the second brother, Zhao Yun was the fourth younger brother, and Zhang Liao was the fifth younger brother.

  When the swearing of brotherhood took place, Zhao Xing said to himself: I've dug two corners for Cao Cao and Liu Bei each. From now on, who knows which one of Old Cao's "Five Elite Generals" will fall? And Old Liu's "Five Tiger Generals" need to find new reserve members! Next, it's time to dig the corners of Sun Jian and Yuan Shao! One can't be biased, I must treat everyone equally! Hehe...