Chapter 10: Forcing a Sworn Brotherhood

  In the Qing dynasty, fabricating charges was a basic skill for officials, requiring neither evidence nor witnesses, just a bit of mental effort.

  The common people of the Qing Dynasty all knew that officials had this skill, and a single sentence could lead to beheading, so when they saw an official, they were all silent. Coincidentally, Zhou Xuanzhang had just traveled from the 21st century and didn't understand the basic national conditions of the Qing Dynasty. He commented on current events non-stop and instigated others to cut off their queues. Feng Guozhang effortlessly wove three capital crimes for Zhou Xuanzhang.

  Of course, Feng Guozhang framed Zhou Xuanzhang with a crime, the means were somewhat despicable, but the motive was absolutely pure, otherwise, even if Zhou Xuanzhang had ten heads, it would not be enough to chop off.

  It turned out that Zhou Xuanzhang had clearly seen the big characters on the city gate, and only then did he realize that this was not the governor's mansion, but a school, or in 21st-century terms, a military academy.

  The training in military school is even stricter and more ruthless than boot camp.

  Zhou Xuanzhang can't even handle a Type 97 rifle in boot camp, let alone all the high-tech weapons he'd face in military school. He'd be like a fish out of water!

  "Feng teacher, shouldn't this matter be reconsidered?" Zhou Xianzhang hastily pushed it away.

  "No room for discussion!" Feng Guozhang shouted decisively: "Zhou Xianzhang, there are only two paths in front of you. Either obediently enter the school, serve the country with all your might, and make a name for yourself on the battlefield, earning honor and glory for your ancestors; or be beheaded as an example to others, leaving behind a stench that will last for ten thousand years! Now, answer this instructor immediately: do you choose to leave a good name in history or to leave behind a stench?"

  "That will surely go down in history!"

  "Great!" Feng Guozhang suddenly opened his arms and gave Zhou Xuanzhang a warm hug: "I represent all the teachers and students of Tianjin Martial Arts Academy, warmly welcome the new student of the 4th Infantry Corps, Zhou Xuanzhang!"

  In the eyes of the Qing Dynasty's citizens, hugging was considered a serious breach of etiquette, even obscene! Feng Guozhang learned how to hug from his German teacher at school, but considering the national conditions of the Qing Dynasty, he didn't dare use it rashly. Today, after communicating with Zhou Xuanzhang, he was extremely excited and couldn't hold back, so he showed off the hugging gesture. The soldiers surrounding the city gate were shocked and stunned.

  Zhou Xuan Zhang was also shocked, he just said that he wanted to "make a name for himself in history", without indicating that he wanted to enter the school as a student, how did he end up being "welcomed" as a new student of the 4th Infantry Corps?

  Zhou Xuanzhang hastily explained: "Feng instructor, I meant..."

  Feng Guozhang hastily interrupted Zhou Xuanzhang's words: "I think Zhou Xuanzhang must be thinking of saying 'Please, sir, temporarily ascend the Lingyan Pavilion, and promise a scholar a thousand households'. Casting aside his brush to take up arms, he will make achievements on the battlefield! What you want to say is what this humble teacher wants to say. The two of us, master and disciple, can be said to have a spiritual connection..."

  "No, I was going to say..."

  "You must be referring to 'Kill one person within ten steps, and leave no name for a thousand miles.' How magnificent! This is indeed the ideal of our sect."

  "No, I was going to say..."

  "You must be saying 'Wherever the green mountains rise, there lie the bones of loyal martyrs; why should we wrap our corpses in horsehide to send them back home?' How magnificent! How heroic! This is indeed the lifelong creed of our sect!"

  "No, I mean..."

  "Brother Zhou, let's not say anything more. Brother Zhou's words are in perfect harmony with my own thoughts! Everything is understood without needing to be said. Since we have such a deep understanding, I think that although we are teacher and student on the surface, we are actually brothers. As the older one, I am several years your senior, so I'll humbly take on the role of elder brother, and you can be the younger brother. As your elder brother, I wish you, Brother Zhou, a bright future, may you soar to great heights! No, wait, that's not right... May you emerge victorious!"

  Feng Guozhang dragged Zhou Xuanzhang into the Wubei Academy, pulling and dragging him along, coaxing and deceiving him, until they arrived at the Wu Sheng Temple, where the war god Guan Yu was worshipped.

  The Tianjin Military Academy was a modern military academy established in the style of German military schools. Originally, there should not have been any worship of Guan Gong here, but Guan Gong is the traditional spiritual idol of Chinese soldiers. The German instructors could not change the traditional habits of the Chinese soldiers and had to turn a blind eye. So this place became where students came to pay their respects.

  Feng Guozhang dragged Zhou Xuanzhang to the front of General Guan's statue, without saying a word, he pushed Zhou Xuanzhang to the ground and knelt beside him. He kowtowed three times, saying: "General Guan above, Tianjin Military Academy instructor Feng Guozhang and new infantry student Zhou Xuanzhang, having similar aspirations and sentiments, today we swear brotherhood as if born of different surnames. We do not wish to be born on the same year, month, and day, but we wish to die on the same year, month, and day!" Then, he made Zhou Xuanzhang kowtow three more times.

  Actually, Feng Guozhang was completely clear about what Zhou Xuanzhang wanted to say, which was simply that he didn't want to be a soldier.

  Feng Guozhang was eager to recruit talent and did not allow Zhou Xuanzhang to finish speaking, in order to further consolidate the results and prevent Zhou Xuanzhang from changing his mind, he humbled himself and forced Zhou Xuanzhang to become sworn brothers with him.

  Feng Guozhang met Zhou Xuanzhang for the first time, and even before he understood what kind of person Zhou was, he wanted to die with him on the same year, month and day! It can be said that Feng Guozhang also sought talents for the country, but had reached a point where he didn't care about the means.

  Feng Guozhang beamed with pride: "Brother Zhou, now you are my brother. I'll treat you as a younger brother from now on. I have one request for you - study hard in school, master Western military tactics, and serve the country with loyalty in the future. Are you willing?"

  Although Zhou Xuan Zhang had not seen much of the world, in his old home in western Hunan, becoming sworn brothers was a very serious matter. Once they had kowtowed to Guan Gong, from then on, righteousness came first and as long as it was the big brother's order, there would be no disobedience, even if it meant sacrificing one's life.

  But today's conclusion is also abrupt.

  However, when Zhou Xunzhang first came to the Qing Dynasty, he was completely unfamiliar with everything. Fortunately, he had Feng Guozhang as a big brother, so he had someone to rely on.

  Anyway, just agree first and talk later. After all, it's not a loss to be under Feng Guozhang, who is also an official appointed by the imperial court.

  "Big brother is above, little brother follows orders!"

  Feng Guozhang was overjoyed: "Good! Brother Zhou! Since we are brothers now, I have a heartfelt word to say. It's not convenient for others to say it clearly, but today I'll tell you, brother. I hope you can remember it in your heart."

  "Big brother, please go ahead and speak. Younger brother will definitely remember."

  Feng Guozhang looked around and saw no one, then leaned in close to Zhou Xuanzhang's ear and said in a low voice: "Brother, over the years, our great Qing dynasty has suffered at the hands of foreigners, ceding territory, paying indemnities, and losing national dignity. To put it bluntly, it's all because our military is not strong enough, we can't win against others. That's why Li Hongzhang established the Military Academy, with the ambition to revive our military strength, build a powerful army, and defend against enemies at our borders!"

  Zhou Xuanzhang nodded repeatedly: "Brother must study hard, but I'm afraid it's difficult to fulfill big brother's wish because of my poor talent."

  Feng Guozhang shook his head: "Brother, don't be modest. I haven't finished speaking yet. Now, the Wu Bei Academy has been established and has cultivated some talents. However, there is a huge problem that everyone hasn't realized!"

  "What's wrong?" Zhou Xianzhang asked with a bow.