Chapter Five: Oath of Fraternity

  "Ah!!!!!!" The whole house was shocked. Even Wang Jian, who had been through many battles and killed countless people, couldn't help but tremble with both hands at this moment, almost dropping the "Hao Cao" sword to the ground. Wang Jian immediately cried out in distress: "It's terrible!!! If it's really Fu Su Gongzi, beating up Wang Changzi would be a capital offense punishable by extinction of the entire clan!!!" Wang Jian couldn't help but point at Wang Bi with his finger, so angry that he was speechless for a moment: This unfilial son has brought about a disaster of epic proportions!!!

  Wang Bo was also scared stiff at this time, and stuttered: "I, I didn't know he was Prince Fu Su!" Meng Yi, who was only 17 or 18 years old, was very calm and composed despite his young age. He quickly asked: "Did you hurt the prince when you were fighting with him?" Wang Bo looked miserable and said: "No, that didn't happen. I just kicked the prince's butt once!" Meng Yi let out a sigh of relief when he heard this and said: "That's not too bad! I've heard my father say that Prince Fu Su is young but has great talent, and is also very humble. I think as long as you and Old Man Wang sincerely apologize to the prince, maybe he'll let this matter slide!"

  "Right, right, right!" Wang Jian was indeed a model of cunning and cleverness among the famous Chinese generals. Upon hearing this, he suddenly realized what had happened and glared fiercely at Wang Bi, who had caused such a great disaster. He hastily said: "You little scoundrel, hurry up and follow me to welcome the young master!" "Ah!" At this time, Wang Bi was also flustered and couldn't speak. He hastily followed Wang Jian, along with Meng Tian and Meng Yi, as they rushed straight into the courtyard!

  Although the four of them had never seen Prince Fusu before, as soon as they saw his majestic and noble demeanor, they knew it was him. The old king Wang Jian, who had been in trouble for his son's sake, hastily knelt down on the ground: "The guilty minister Wang Jian welcomes the prince!" Fusu laughed upon hearing this: "Is that General Wang? Please get up quickly! My father often praises General Wang's martial arts skills and military strategy in front of me. Even Prince Wang Bi is brave and unmatched, not inferior to his father!"

  Wang Jian listened to the conversation and felt that something was not right, so he hastily apologized and said: "It's all because of my poor teaching, let this unfilial son deceive you! Don't worry, I will severely punish him and give you an explanation!" "Come here," Wang Jian put on a stern face and shouted angrily, "Take this unfilial son down and give him 50 military rods to warn others!"

  Fu Su heard this and secretly rejoiced in his heart: "Beating the king's eldest son is a crime punishable by extinction of the nine clans, but he thinks that beating him fifty times will make me forgive? This Wang Che is really cunning!" Although he was unhappy in his heart, on one hand, Wang Pi would be his future elder brother-in-law and Wang Che would be his future father-in-law. On the other hand, he would still need to use them in the future when he led troops into battle. So he hastily persuaded: "Let it go, let it go! Don't they say that ignorance is bliss? All of you officials get up!"

  Wang Jian was overjoyed to see that such a serious matter had passed so lightly, and he hastily nudged his son, saying in a low voice: "You little scamp, you're seeking death! Don't you hurry up and thank him?" Wang Pi, although rough, was not foolish; otherwise, he would not have become a famous general later on. He hastily thanked him, saying: "Your humble servant is guilty of being rash and deserves to die ten thousand times over. Thank you, sir, for sparing my life!"

  Fu Su looked at the four men and smiled, saying: "General Wang, it's not easy for me to come to your esteemed residence, and you treat me like this!?" Wang Jian heard this and hastily said: "I'm guilty, I'm guilty! Please, young master, please go inside!" He quickly stood up and led the way.

  Fu Su nodded and entered the inner mansion, as if accompanied by a multitude of stars. In the hall, Wang Hua was standing still in contemplation when he suddenly saw his father and brother respectfully escorting Fu Su into the hall. For a moment, he couldn't help but stare blankly and ask: "Could it be that Brother Su is actually Prince Fu Su?"

  As soon as they entered the hall, Fu Su caught sight of Wang Jia, who was still tearful. He said with a sympathetic tone: "General Wang, this..." Wang Jian hastily smiled and said: "It's all my fault for letting my daughter suffer! Jia'er, come quickly to pay respects to Prince Fu Su!" Wang Jia opened her eyes wide, looking somewhat dazed, and said: "You're the king's son!? Brother Su, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

  King Chein saw his daughter looking silly and was about to get angry, but Fu Su hastily said: "Forget it, forget it, General! Don't get angry!" He quickly walked up and took out a handkerchief to wipe Wang Hua's eyes, saying: "Don't cry anymore, you'll look ugly if you keep crying!" Loving beauty is a common disease of all women, and little girls are no exception. Since ancient girls matured early, Wang Hua immediately stopped crying and said with some shyness: "Then Su brother, will you come to play with me again in the future?" This ambiguous scene made King Chein and his three companions stare blankly at each other.

  Fu Su smiled in his heart and said, "I reckon we'll be playing for a lifetime!" But he said on the surface, "Of course, of course! I will come often!" He turned to face Wang Qian and smiled, saying: "General Wang, Young General, I have known Xiaor for two or three years now, and we can be considered as childhood friends. In the future, I hope to visit your esteemed residence frequently, firstly to pay respects to Xiaojie, and secondly to learn from you and the young general about military strategy and martial arts. Would you be willing?"

  Wang Jian was such a cunning person, he immediately heard the implicit meaning of the song and thought to himself: "It seems that the young master likes our little girl very much. If this time Bi'er can escape unscathed, it must be Xiao'er's credit. In the future, if Xiao'er can become the queen of Fusu Gongzi or even the empress, it will be greatly beneficial to our Wang family's wealth and prosperity!" So he hurriedly smiled and said: "That's great! Fusu Gongzi is able to visit our humble abode, it's a great honor for my whole family. Why wouldn't I agree?"

  Fu Su was secretly pleased: This old guy is really sensible, no wonder he can get along with his father, the king, who has a bad temper! So he said contentedly: "Then I'll trouble General Wang and Lieutenant General from now on!" At this time, Wang Pi didn't dare to make a sound, and could only bow his head and obey.

  Suddenly, Fu Su saw Meng Tian and Meng Yi behind General Wang, and from their aura, they were not ordinary people. He couldn't help but ask: "General Wang, who are these two?" Wang Jian hastily introduced them: "This old man is the son of the current General Meng Wu, Meng Tian and Meng Yi, and also good friends with young Wang Bi!" "Oh?" Fu Su's eyes lit up, emitting a greedy glow: It's really 'the hoof breaks the iron shoe without looking for a place to go, getting everything without any effort'! These four outstanding youths of Qin are indeed the foundation of his future conquests! He must carefully win them over!

  Then he burst out laughing and said: "I've heard my father, the King of Qin, and Meng Yi talk about you two before. Today, seeing both brothers, you are indeed extraordinary heroes! Fusu has shown respect!" (The Meng family and the King of Qin were distant relatives who couldn't be together, so Fusu called them brothers to win them over!) As he spoke, he bowed his head in respect, causing Meng Tian and Meng Yi to hastily kneel down and say: "We are at fault, we are at fault! We dare not receive such great courtesy from the prince!"

  Fu Zi thought for a moment, how could he get these good helpers to join his own chariot? Suddenly, he remembered the story of Liu Guan Zhang's three sworn brothers and couldn't help but feel pleased in his heart. He laughed loudly: "Today, I and Wang Baiguo are not familiar with each other if we don't fight, and with Meng Tian and Meng Yi, it's like we've known each other for a long time, and we're very compatible. Why don't we four become sworn brothers of different surnames?"

  "This......" Everyone was at a loss for words and didn't dare to speak up!

  Fu Su saw that everyone had an evasive attitude, and couldn't help but frown, wrinkling his brow: "Oh no, my butt hurts so much! What will we do when Father asks about it later?" Wang Jian heard this and was immediately frightened, as if he had seen a tragic scene of family destruction. He hastily made eye contact with Wang Pi, Meng Tian, and Meng Yi, urging them to respond!

  Wang Ba, Meng Tian and Meng Yi tried to intimidate Fu Su with various tactics, but couldn't help feeling secretly afraid: This young master Fu Su is so young yet so cunning, he will definitely be a formidable figure in the future. However, for now it's 'I'm on the chopping board, you're the knife', can't refuse! So the three of them had no choice but to grit their teeth and say: "Your subjects obey!"

  Fu Su stood up, raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Great! General Wang, please prepare an incense table and a few bowls of wine. I want to make a sworn brotherhood with my brothers!" How could Wang Jian dare not allow it? He hastily ordered someone to prepare.

  It was either a high-ranking general in the army or a servant at home, and soon the fragrant case was brought up. Just as everyone was about to make a vow, Wang Ya suddenly became anxious, as if afraid that Fu Su would abandon her, and coquettishly said: "I also want to make a vow, I also want to make a vow!"

  Wang Jian and the others were shocked, a girl participating in the oath of brotherhood was unheard of! Wang Jian wanted to scold but didn't dare, his face turned bright red with anger. Fusu smiled slightly and whispered something into Wang Ya's ear, and suddenly Wang Ya became happy, laughing: "You go ahead and make an oath with your brothers, I won't cause any more trouble!"

  Everyone was shocked, and they didn't know what Fu Su said to Wang Hua, but it was so effective! In fact, it was very simple. Fu Su said: "If you make a pact with me, I won't be able to marry you in the future, and we'll be together forever, so don't make a fuss!" With that, how could Wang Hua not be overjoyed?

  At that time, the four of them, Fu Su and others, inserted incense into the censer. After reporting their ages: Wang Bei was the oldest, twenty-one years old, Meng Tian was twenty-three years old, Meng Yi was eighteen years old, and Fu Su was eleven years old. Of course, he should be respected as an elder!

  Fu Su then sincerely and respectfully called out to the three of them: "Big brother, second brother, third brother, younger brother Fu Su pays his respects!" The crowd hastily returned the courtesy, repeatedly saying they didn't dare.

  Here is the translation:

  Just as the four of them were about to make their oath, Fu Su suddenly spoke up: "Let me say the oath!" Wang Yi and the others looked at each other in surprise and nodded. Fu Su then puffed out his chest, held up his cup, and loudly declared: "I, Fu Su, today form a bond of brotherhood with Wang Yi, Meng Tian, and Meng Yi, sharing good fortune and bad, not seeking to be born on the same year, month, and day, but seeking to die on the same year, month, and day!" Wang Yi and the others were taken aback by this oath, which was spoken with such conviction. The young prince was indeed impressive! Then the three of them spoke in unison: "I, Wang Yi (Meng Tian, Meng Yi), today form a bond of brotherhood with Fu Su, sharing good fortune and bad, not seeking to be born on the same year, month, and day, but seeking to die on the same year, month, and day!"

  As they spoke, the three were about to drink when Fu Su stopped them and said: "I have one more thing to say, brothers, listen carefully!" Fu Su's expression turned solemn as he said: "My four brothers and I will, in the future, internally sweep away the six directions, save and protect the people, and eliminate the treacherous and corrupt. Externally, we will vow to defend our territory, destroy the Hu and drive out the barbarians, and spread our prestige for ten thousand miles! If we violate this oath, heaven will strike us with lightning, and we will be cut into a thousand pieces, unable to die a good death!" The crowd heard this and was immediately shocked, what great ambition! They also emotionally echoed it once.

  Then the four of them together drained their cups and smashed them to the ground! The four men were all hot-blooded, and for a moment they forgot about age and social status, bursting into hearty laughter!

  Met three young heroes, Fu Su's heart was very excited, but looking at the time it was already late, he didn't dare to delay, so he cupped his hands and smiled: "It's getting late, I have to go back to the palace, otherwise my father will scold me again! General Wang, three brothers, Xia Mei, Fu Su bids farewell!"

  At this time, Wang Jian and others couldn't help but have a good impression of Fusu, who was clever, kind and gentle. Seeing that Fusu was about to leave, they seemed reluctant to part with him for a moment. Fusu took his sword, winked at Xia'er, nodded to the others, and walked out.

  "Gongzi," Wang Jian suddenly called out to Fu Su, wanting to say something, but for a moment seemed to be brewing words, only speechless. Fu Su had a premonition in his heart and laughed loudly: "Everyone can rest assured, today's matter will forever be a secret, known only to the six of us. In front of others we are still monarch and subject, but privately we are brothers, father and son, and siblings! Farewell!" Fu Su laughed loudly and strode away.

  Wang Jian gazed at the distant, upright figure of Fu Su, his white hair fluttering in the wind. His eyes gleamed with profound insight as he suddenly burst out laughing: "The great Qin has produced another outstanding ruler!" The crowd was convinced!