Volume 1 Chapter 20 Becoming Sworn Brothers (Happy New Year)

  After returning to Zhegao Village, Qiao Anbang immediately sent someone to inform the various large and small villages and towns within a radius of dozens of miles around Zhegao Village that three days later, the bandit leader Wei Dexi would be publicly executed.

  The news spread quickly throughout the territory of Zhuheshang, and even some people in several neighboring counties also learned about it. As soon as the news of the public execution of the bandit leader Wei Dexi was announced, nearly 100,000 people within a radius of tens of miles were stirred up.

  Weide Xi and his gang of bandits have been rampaging in northern Anhui for over a decade, committing countless evil deeds and accumulating a mountain of blood debts. As soon as the news spread that Weide Xi had been captured, the people rejoiced and spontaneously demanded to go to Yhe River to see with their own eyes the notorious bandit leader being brought to justice.

  Then the whole Jih River Village erupted in the second large-scale population movement since the Nian Rebellion, with tens of thousands of people, village after village, continuously moving towards Jih River Village.

  If there were reconnaissance planes flying over Zhē Hé Jí at this time, they would definitely be deeply shocked by the scenes on the ground. On the big and small dirt roads leading to Zhē Hé Jí, people can be seen walking in groups everywhere.

  …….

  Yongzhou, the garrison of the Baoding Tuan

  A middle school military officer looked embarrassed and scratched his head. The person was Wang Baoshan, the deputy captain of the Yingzhou Security Regiment. In front of him stood a foreign student, a beautiful girl with a slender figure, her big eyes staring straight at the military officer, making him uncomfortable and turn his head away.

  The girl giggled and said: "Brother Wang, you really didn't deceive me?"

  "Chu Yan, little sister, when has your brother Wang ever deceived you? Captain is really out to suppress bandits. The day before yesterday, in the vicinity of Zhiruiji, there were local bandits causing trouble, and the security team was struggling to cope alone, so Captain led a battalion to reinforce them." Wang Baoshan replied patiently, his eyes looking elsewhere, Captain's little sister hadn't been seen for years, had grown from a slender young girl into a beautiful young woman, truly becoming more and more beautiful.

  "Has big brother said when he's coming back?" Chu Yan asked with a smile in a soft voice.

  "It's hard to say, but at least three or four days, if the bandit suppression goes smoothly." Wang Baoshan replied.

  "Otherwise, I'll send someone to inform Lord Chu and have him return earlier?" Wang Baoshan asked again, seeing that Chu Yan was about to roll her eyes. This younger sister of Chu Jingming had been dependent on him since childhood and was deeply loved by him. As a subordinate, Wang Baoshan could only try his best to satisfy her demands and not let her get angry.

  "Alright then, I'll trouble Baoshan ge. " Chu Yan smiled slyly and left with her luggage.

  Seeing Chu Yan leave, Wang Baoshan smiled helplessly and shook his head, then loudly said: "Guards......"

  ………..

  Jihe Village, Qiao Family Compound.

  In the main hall, every seat was filled. Apart from Qiao Anbang and his family members, there were also Chu Jingming, the head of the security team, as well as Ya Li and Wang Ding Sheng among others.

  "Third Master, this time you were able to capture the bandit leader Wei De Xi in one move. You should take credit for this achievement. When we return, I will definitely report to our superiors and request rewards for you." Chu Jing Ming smiled as he spoke to Qiao An Bang, his face slightly flushed from drinking three rounds of wine and eating five flavors of dishes.

  "Superior officer, you're overpraising me. This time's bandit-eradication was a success not only because of your wise command, but also because the brothers of the security squad risked their lives. I don't dare to take credit for it." Qiao Anbang hastily stood up and raised a cup of strong liquor, saying: "Superior officer, let me toast you again, first drink as respect." After finishing speaking, Qiao Anbang tilted his head back and drank the whole cup in one gulp, then turned the cup upside down to show that he had drunk it all. Since crossing over, not only did Qiao Anbang inherit Old Man Qiao's memories, but also his capacity for liquor; even after drinking more than half a catty of strong liquor with extremely high alcohol content, he showed no signs of intoxication.

  "Good, Third Master is humble and straightforward, he will surely have a bright future." Chu Jingming highly appreciated Qiao Anbang's character and behavior, generous and humble. He stood up, raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, then burst out laughing again.

  "Director Chu, I have a suggestion." Qiao Siyuan, who had been sitting at the table with a poor capacity for liquor, flashed a hint of sharpness in his eyes as he smiled and spoke to Chu Jingming.

  "Old Master Qiao, please go ahead and speak, Jing Ming is all ears." Chu Jingming spoke up.

  "Commander Chu and my three sons are of similar age, I intentionally want to have them sworn as brothers for life and death, sharing the same joys and sorrows, and going through thick and thin together. What do you think, Commander Chu?" Qiao Siyuan was indeed a seasoned businessman who had spent half his life in business, taking advantage of this opportunity to make a request that would be extremely beneficial to both the Qiao family and his three sons.

  Chu Jingming also greatly admired Qiao Siyuan's character and had the intention of befriending him. Moreover, the three sons of the Qiao family were all extraordinary, and Qiao Anbang was particularly generous, having given him so many weapons and equipment as well as a large sum of money. Even if Qiao Siyuan didn't mention it, Chu Jingming was already thinking of finding an opportunity to bring it up.

  He immediately stood up and said: "If so, Jingming is honored."

  "Peace in the country, peace in the nation, peace at home, hurry up! Come and meet your elder brother!" Qiao Siyuan stood up quickly and gestured with his hands.

  "Qiao Lao Ye, isn't this enough? Let's just have a drink together as brothers." Chu Jing Ming said with some embarrassment.

  "How can you not use it? Although it's an ancient ritual, you can't avoid it. Hurry up and kowtow!" Qiao Siyuan said with a serious tone, waving his hand.

  "Big Brother!" Qiao Anbang, Qiao Anguo and the Qiao family all stood up from their seats, walked to Chu Jingming's side, and knelt down with a thud.

  Chu Jingming was deeply moved, and hastily knelt down as well, choking with emotion: "Heaven above, I, Chu Jingming, today form a bond of sworn brothers for life and death with the three Ge brothers, not seeking to be born on the same year, month, or day, but only seeking to die in the same year and month!"

  "I, Qiao Anbang, Qiao Anguo, and Qiao Anjia, along with Chu Da Ge, have become sworn brothers for life and death. We don't ask to be born on the same year, month, and day, but we do ask to die on the same year, month, and day!" The three of them said in unison.

  "Good brothers, from now on we'll be as close as liver and gallbladder, sharing honor and shame together!" Chu Jingming's eyes were filled with tears of excitement as he patted the shoulders of the three men, his voice loud and clear. Having lost his parents at a young age, he had grown up relying on his sister, who had also been sent abroad to study by him a few years ago. Now that he had gained three sworn brothers from different families, how could he not be excited and happy?

  "Ah! United in honor and shame!" exclaimed Qiao Anbang and his two companions in unison.

  At this time, Qiao Wu and Ya Li brought over the wine and water they had prepared early and handed it to the four of them. Chu Jingming took out a sharp dagger and cut his own finger, dripping a drop of blood into each of the four wine bowls.

  The three brothers of Qiao Anbang also followed suit, and the four of them clinked their cups together and drank in one gulp. They burst out laughing and helped each other up, hugging each other tightly.

  "Big brother, this time don't rush back so quickly. Three days later, we'll publicly execute the bandit leader Wei Dexi together and avenge the citizens who died at his hands!" Qiao Anbang said to Chu Jingming after sitting down, having just sworn an oath of brotherhood, he naturally wanted him to stay for a few more days in order to cultivate their relationship.

  These days are not like later generations, after becoming sworn brothers here, it's even more intimate than biological brothers. People at this time were extremely particular about righteousness and morality. At that time, China was still far from the realistic money society of later generations, where oaths were as worthless as farting.

  Of course, in this era, there are also those who are unfaithful and ruthless, selling out their brothers for personal gain. However, Jo Anbang II can attest that Chu Jingming is absolutely not one of them, but a true brother who can be trusted with one's life.

  Just as Chu Jingming was about to respond, a security guard rushed in and stood at attention, saying "Report!"

  "Come in." Chu Jingming said with a wave of his hand.

  That soldier walked in and whispered a few words into Chu Jingming's ear, whereupon Chu Jingming asked with a delighted expression: "Is what you're saying true?"

  "Reporting to the captain, absolutely true! This news was brought by Vice-Seat." The soldier replied firmly.

  "Big brother, what's wrong?" Seeing Chu Jingming's unusual excitement, Qiao Anbang asked in a puzzled tone.

  "Oh, nothing." Chu Jingming waved his hand to signal the soldier to leave, then sat down and said to the crowd: "Fourth brother, Qiao Shu, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay and deal with Wei Dexi together with you all."

  "What's wrong? Is there something urgent?" Qiao Anguo also asked in puzzlement.

  "There's nothing urgent, my sister was sent abroad to study by me a few years ago and now she's back. I haven't seen her for many years, since we relied on each other when we were young, so I want to go back early." Chu Jingming explained with a happy face.

  "Oh, that's good, big brother, you can rest assured and go back, Wei Dexi's matter will be handled by me and second brother." Qiao Anbang said with relief.

  "Alright, big brother, you can rest assured, we've got everything under control." Qiao Anguo also chimed in with a pat on his chest.

  "Alright, Uncle Qiao, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, I'll take my leave for now. Let's get together and have a good drink another day." Chu Jingming said as he cupped his hands in farewell to the crowd.

  "Be careful on the road." Qiao Siyuan nodded and then said to Qiao Anbang and others, "Anbang, you three brothers see Jingming off."

  "Yes, father!" The three of them, Qiao Anbang, responded in unison and immediately stood up to follow Chu Jingming out of the main hall.

  PS: Sorry for the two-day hiatus during the Spring Festival. A new year has begun, and I will spare no effort to write a good book. Wishing everyone a prosperous Dragon Year, good health, smooth sailing in all endeavors, and overflowing wealth... (omitted 19,000+ characters) O(∩_∩)O~