Chapter 52: The Oath of Brotherhood on Mount Nameless, Plotting Against the Weeping Willows Village

  After a while, they arrived at a low hill. Li Jiancheng looked around and saw that there was a red light on the mountain, which was particularly eye-catching in this night. Fortunately, there were no pursuing soldiers at this time, otherwise they would have been discovered immediately.

  "Qin Yao, go up the mountain!" Li Jiancheng said to Qin Yao beside him.

  "Go up the mountain? Aren't we going to find Qin Da Ge and them?" Qin Yao asked in confusion.

  "They are on the mountain, of course we have to go up the mountain!" Li Jiancheng said irritably.

  "Huh? Why didn't I know, how did you know, Young Master?" Qin Yao asked again.

  Li Jiancheng tapped her forehead and said, "When you figure it out, you can be a young master like me." Li Jiancheng had also experienced her fondness for asking questions, so he patiently answered her. However, every time she kept asking, Li Jiancheng would tap her forehead to vent his frustration.

  "Hmph! I've told you before not to tap on my forehead. And besides, even if I wanted to do it, I'd be a young lady, not a young master..." Qin Yao muttered, still resentful towards Li Jiancheng's behavior, although she had suggested many times, Li Jiancheng never changed, and after getting used to it, she could only complain but couldn't do anything about it.

  But Li Jiancheng heard Qin Yao's words and almost couldn't help but laugh, if Qin Yao knew the meaning of Miss in the future world, she probably didn't want to be a miss.

  "We're here, don't speak anymore." Suddenly Li Jiancheng felt a buzzing in his ears, he knew they should get close quickly, so he let Qin Yao be quiet and not speak.

  Although Qin Yao didn't notice the situation, she also knew about her young master's abilities. At this time, it wasn't a moment to be reckless, so she listened and didn't speak, obediently following Li Jian as he flew around the tree.

  After a while, people could finally be seen, and Qin Yao sighed in her heart: The young master's ability is truly extraordinary, knowing that there are people even from such a distance. I wonder when I can reach the young master's level, then I can also provide great help to the young master. Li Jiancheng, however, did not know Qin Yao's thoughts at this time and only watched what the crowd was doing below the forest.

  Only then did Xu Zhi speak up from below, saying: "Fellow brothers, we have all met by chance and shared in overcoming great difficulties. Why not take advantage of today to form a pact like Liu, Guan, and Zhang?"

  As soon as Xu Ji's words were heard, everyone immediately voiced their approval of this proposal.

  "Niú Bīzi's proposal is good, I, Old Cheng, am the first to agree!" Cheng Yaojin was the first to speak out.

  "Brother Xu is right, I agree too!" Qin Shubao also stood up and said.

  "I agree too!" said Shan Xiong Xin in agreement. After a round of discussion, several renowned and skilled individuals all agreed, and the rest followed suit. The incense table was then set up. Wei Zheng drafted an oath document, which was copied by several people who could write, resulting in sixty-four copies, one for each of the sixty-four sworn brothers. Originally, there were only forty-six people in the story, but due to my interference, there are now sixty-four people. The crowd stood with their hands hanging down, lined up in order of age, and respectfully stood before the offering table, silent as cicadas in winter. Xu Ji pinched a long incense stick, bowed to the empty space, then raised the incense and loudly recited: "Heaven and earth, spirits of the past, we, sworn brothers, have come together due to our shared aspirations and values, wishing to emulate the Peach Garden Oath, forever bound by fraternal ties. We vow to support the wise ruler in protecting the country, and bring peace to the people in stabilizing the land. We are willing to share joys and hardships, rely on each other in times of trouble, though not born on the same day, we wish to die on the same day. If our words do not match our hearts, may the gods punish us. Year 12 of the Great Enterprise, Spring." After finishing the recitation, the crowd knelt down and kowtowed, then bowed to their elder brothers in order of age:

  Wei Zheng, also known as Zhicheng, Xuancheng and Boce, military advisor of the Wagangshan army.

  Second Brother Qin Qiong, courtesy name Shu Bao, Tiger Headed Bladed Golden Armor, Tiger Headed Black Gold Spear, Golden Embroidered Fire Tipped Lance, Yellow Whirlwind Horse, Thundering Leopard, Commander-in-Chief of Mount Wavering, One of the Five Tiger Generals.

  Third Brother Xu Ji, courtesy name Maogong, also known as Mao Gong, military advisor of the Mount Wugang army;

  Fourth Brother Chai Jin, courtesy name Zhi Jie, Eight Trigrams Flower Axe, Iron Armor Zuo Rui Ju, Wagang Mountain Great Virtue Heavenly Child Mixed World Demon King, Five Tigers Supreme General.

  Wu Ge Dan Tong, courtesy name Xiong Xin, Golden Summit Zao Yang spear, Lightning Wulong horse, Wagang Mountain Five Tigers General.

  Sixth Brother Wang Xuan, courtesy name Junke, Green Dragon Sword, Date Red Horse, Mount Wugang Five Tigers General.

  Qī Gē Yóu Tōng, courtesy name Jùn Dá, Wǔ Gǔ Tuō Tiān Chā, Rì Yuè Cháo Tiān Dāo.

  Ba Ge Wang Yong, courtesy name Bo Dang, skilled in archery, one of the Five Tiger Generals of Mount Wagang.

  Jiuge Xie Ke, styled Ying Deng, Golden Crow Spear, later Hou Yi's Divine Bow.

  Tenth brother Du Cha, courtesy name Wen Zhong, Ruby Crown Red; Eleventh brother Shi Da Nai,

  Twelfth brother Zhang Gongjin, thirteenth brother Bai Xiandao, fourteenth brother Qu Tutong, fifteenth brother Qu Tugai, sixteenth brother Shang Qingshan, seventeenth brother Xia Yushan, eighteenth brother Wei Chinnan, nineteenth brother Wei Chinbei, twentieth brother Tang Guoren, twenty-first brother Tang Guoyi, twenty-second brother Liu Zhouchen, twenty-third brother Jia Yunfu, twenty-fourth brother Sheng Yanshi, twenty-fifth brother Hou Junji, twenty-sixth brother Mao Gongshui, twenty-seventh brother Lü Gongdan, twenty-eighth brother Shang Huizhu, twenty-ninth brother Ding Tianqing, thirtieth brother Huang Tiantiger, thirty-first brother Li Chenglong, thirty-second brother Ren Jingsi, thirty-third brother Tie Zijian, thirty-fourth brother Jin Jia, thirty-fifth brother Tong Huan, thirty-sixth brother Jin Cheng, thirty-seventh brother Niu Gai, thirty-eighth brother Zhang Zhuan, thirty-ninth brother Yang He, fortieth brother Li Ji, forty-first brother He Hui, forty-second brother Fan Hu, forty-third brother Lian Ming, forty-fourth brother Qiu Fu,... sixty-third brother Chai Shao, courtesy name Xichang, sixty-fourth brother Luo Cheng, courtesy name Gongran. The original story had the last two people ranked 45 and 46, but because there were over 20 more people in between, they still kept their position at the end due to being younger. There was also a person named Luo Shixin who did not participate because of his foolishness, as Qin Shubao did not let him join. After the oath-taking ceremony, everyone smeared blood on their faces, cut open their middle fingers, dripped blood into wine, and drank the blood wine. At this time, Qin Shubao ordered wine to be served, and everyone was in high spirits, calling each other brothers, drinking freely and joyfully.

  But Qin Shubao had a belt on his waist, inside which was a golden yellow strip with dragons painted on the edges. Cheng Yaojin found it rare and took it out when Qin Shubao wasn't paying attention, but he couldn't read, so he showed it to Xu Ji.

  Xu Ji saw the "Dragon Tablet" written above and knew it was an official document. He took a look at the content, which said to thoroughly investigate the case of robbing the imperial carriage and capture the bandits. Xu Ji didn't know whether he should tell Cheng Yaojin about it or not. At this time, Qin Shubao had already seen it, so he came over and said: "In the past, I was one of Yang Lin's thirteen Taibao, so he gave me this thing. Now that there is no need to pretend anymore, this thing has become useless." Then he threw the "Dragon Tablet" into the fireplace and burned it.

  "Second brother, now that the imperial court knows the identities of most of us, they will surely arrest us. I wonder what we should do next?" Xu Ji asked after seeing Qin Shubao burn the "Dragon Decree".

  "Big brother, what's your view?" Qin Uncle Treasure also didn't answer, and instead asked Wei Zheng.

  "Nowadays the imperial court has been at war for years, and rebellions have risen in all directions. We too are wanted by the imperial court. Now there is only one way to rise up." Wei Zheng said slowly after some thought.

  "Big brother's idea coincides with mine, but I don't know how our uprising should proceed?" Qin Shubao nodded in agreement.

  "It would be better for us to join others and overthrow the Sui dynasty, so that we can also have the merit of founding a new country!" Xu Ji said out his mind.

  "Great! But I don't know which side we should join?" Wei Zheng first praised, then worried about who to join.

  "First, we must join a not-so-strong righteous army, so that after entering, we will have status. Then, we can gradually plot and finally choose a famous master to build merit and establish achievements, bringing glory to our ancestors. It's all possible!" Xu Ji said slowly. "Nowadays, there are the White Mountain King Bo, the Song family of Lingnan, the Li family of Taiyuan, and others. In my younger brother's opinion, Wagang is the best."

  When Qin Xianbao heard Xu Ji mention Li's house, his expression changed slightly, but then he thought that I didn't seem to have such an idea, so he also stopped talking.

  Since that's the case, we'll join Wagang. I just don't know if all of you brothers think the same way as us." Wei Zheng also agreed with Xun Ji's analysis.

  "Since that's the case, let's ask him. If he's willing to join us in attacking Wagang, then we'll set out together tomorrow. If not, everyone will return to their respective places and respond to each other from a distance, so there won't be any worries about retreat." Xu Ji didn't disappoint as Li Shimin's number one strategist later on, with quick thinking and able to come up with a plan in an instant.

  "Alright, since that's the case, Second Brother, you ask then!" Wei Zheng said this, and most of the people here knew Qin Shubao, so Qin Shubao was more able to speak up.

  "Brothers, listen to me for a moment." After Qin Shubao spoke, everyone quieted down and looked at him. "Now most of us are wanted by the imperial court, so we have no choice but to rise up in revolt. Therefore, I want to join the bandits at Mount Liang, but I also know that some of you may not be willing. Those who are willing can set out with me tomorrow morning, and those who are not can return to their hometowns. We will still be brothers, and if we encounter difficulties in the future, we can help each other." Qin Shubao's words were full of emotion and righteousness, and everyone praised him loudly.

  Some people without power were preparing to follow and join the Wokou in a big way, while those with power and status wanted to return, and could form an alliance with them later. As a result, the crowd who had just sworn allegiance dispersed in all directions on the second day.