Chapter Eleven: Brothers Meet Without Recognizing Each Other

  Magistrate Li said that he wanted to take Wang Ziyu as his adopted son, and Wang Ziyu was shocked. He never thought that the dignified magistrate would take a beggar like him as his son, it's unbelievable. However, Magistrate Li's words were very sincere, and it seemed that he wasn't joking. For the sake of his future prospects, Wang Ziyu carefully considered it and decided to temporarily agree. With such a big tree to rely on, why not? "Sir, thank you for your kindness, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. Since sir doesn't despise my humble origin, I'd better obey humbly." Wang Ziyu thought to himself, then knelt down and kowtowed to Magistrate Li.

  "There's no need for such politeness, please get up and let's talk." County Magistrate Li had a radiant smile on his face as he helped Zǐ Péng to his feet.

  "Master, please invite General Yue Fei and Teacher Zhou Tong as well as the young heroes from Qilin Village to come over. Today, I want to set up a banquet at the mansion to celebrate with Teacher Zhou Tong and these young heroes, celebrating the emergence of talents in Neihuang County. Also, I have important matters to discuss with Teacher Zhou Tong." Magistrate Li said with delight, and the Master took his leave.

  After the teacher left, County Magistrate Li took Wang Ziyu to the inner hall to wash his face, comb his hair and change his clothes. Soon, a handsome young man with a elegant demeanor appeared before County Magistrate Li, who was overjoyed at the sight.

  After Wang Zongpeng was dressed, he followed Li Xianling to the living room. Before long, Yue Fei, Zhou Tong, Zhang Xian, Tang Huai and Wang Gui, several young heroes, came with great enthusiasm. Li Xianling went out of the house to welcome them.

  Wang Zipeng greeted them one by one. When he greeted teacher Zhou Tong, they seemed especially affectionate.

  "Master Zhou, please take a seat. I've long heard of your great reputation as Master Zhou, it's like thunder in my ears. Today, seeing you in person, indeed your name is not in vain. Your chivalrous spirit has spread far and wide, I have admired you for a long time, and had wanted to become your disciple, but unfortunately, there was no opportunity. Today, I've just paid respects to County Magistrate Li as my godfather, so on this joyful day, I'd like to take the chance to pay respects to Master Zhou as my benevolent teacher, I wonder if Master Zhou would be willing to accept me, a humble and poor disciple?" Wang Ziyu asked with a smile all over his face.

  Zhou Tong carefully sized up Wang Zongpeng and was shocked: "The newly dressed-up Wang Zongpeng's appearance, temperament, speech, and abilities are almost indistinguishable from Yue Fei. Moreover, this Wang Zongpeng has not received any education since childhood, yet he has such talents. If someone were to guide him a bit, he would definitely become a great talent."

  "Are there any other relatives at home for Little Hero? Where is your residence? How old are you this year?" asked Zhou Dang.

  To take on an apprentice, one must be cautious. If it is someone with ill intentions, who knows how many people they will harm in the future after learning the skills.

  "Reporting to the teacher, I live in Wangjiazhuang, Tangyin County. My parents were 60 years old when they gave birth to me, and there are no brothers or sisters at home. This year I am 14 years old." said Wang Zipeng.

  "Young warrior, why do you want to learn martial arts? What will you use it for after you've learned it?" asked Zhou Dang.

  "I learn martial arts for two reasons: to strengthen my body and to protect my family and country. Currently, around our great Song Dynasty, there are many foreign countries eyeing us covetously. In the north, there is the Jin State and the Liao State; in the west, there is Western Xia, Huihe, and Tubo; in the south, there are many barbarian lands; and in the east, pirates frequently appear. Our country is in a precarious situation. As a man, I should be loyal to my country." Wang Ziyu said with great passion.

  Zhou Cong was deeply moved by Wang Ziyu's words, and he couldn't help but think that Wang Ziyu was a rare talent with such great ambitions at such a young age. Li Xianling was wise to recognize his heroism and took him in as a godson ahead of time, truly a precious thing.

  "Magistrate Li is indeed a latter-day Bo Le, selecting a thousand-li horse. It's truly a joyous occasion." Zhou Cong rushed to congratulate Magistrate Li with a bow.

  "Fortunately, Prefect Zhou chose the heroic Yue Fei and three young heroes, who are also rare talents. Compared to my own Peng'er, they are even more exceptional." County Magistrate Li said humbly.

  Yue Fei quietly listened to his master and Li County Magistrate's words, thinking in his heart: "This Wang Zi Peng looks so similar to me, is also from Tongyin County, has such skills, such ambitions, and mentioned the four characters 'dedication to the country', could he be my brother Yue Teng? If it is Yue Teng, then we brothers can fight side by side in the future. I must go back and ask my mother carefully, see if there are any proofs for us brothers to recognize each other."

  "Fei'er, what are you thinking about?" Zhou Tong asked with concern.

  "I often hear my mother mention my twin brother Yue Teng. Seeing the Wang brothers, who are about the same age as me and have similar builds and appearances, I couldn't help but think of my brother Yue Teng. If he were still alive, he would probably be just like the Wang brothers - extraordinary and exceptional." said Yue Fei.

  "Zi Peng brothers, your home is in Tangyin Wangjiazhuang, which is not far from Yuejiazhuang. Is there a river next to your house? The river surface is not wide and the water flow is not urgent, only during the rainy season will it flood?" Yue Fei asked.

  "Yes! Brother Yue is from Neihuang County, how did you know that place?" Wang Zipeng asked in surprise.

  Zhou Tong looked at them and didn't feel surprised, he never thought that under the sky there would be people so similar.

  "Fei'er, what's going on? You've got me all confused. You have a twin brother, Yue Teng? Why have I never heard you mention him before? If you have a twin brother, why did your parents abandon him?" Zhou Dang was bewildered, and everyone present was equally perplexed.

  Everyone cast their inquiring eyes on Yue Fei. Seeing everyone's anxious mood, Yue Fei had no choice but to tell the story his father used to tell him when he was a child.

  "My old home is in Yonghe Village, Tuyin County. On the day I was born, a pair of giant peng birds flew to the eaves of our house, and then my brother Yueteng and I came into this world. On the third day after birth, our family had a grand banquet, and suddenly a monk appeared. He said that we two brothers were the reincarnation of the giant peng birds and would definitely achieve great things in the future. He named me Pengju, with the courtesy name Fei, and gave my brother the name Pengzhan, with the courtesy name Teng. The monk said that Yueteng had a bad fate and needed to be washed away by river water to eliminate his calamity. My parents were half-believing and half-doubting the monk's words. The monk said that he wanted to throw Yueteng into the river and let him fend for himself, but my parents couldn't bear to abandon their own flesh and blood. They raised Yueteng for another four months. On that day, the monk came again and saw that Yueteng had not been sent away. He sighed repeatedly. My parents didn't understand why the monk was sighing and asked him about it. The monk repeated what he had said before and also said that my father would lose 25 years of his life for raising Yueteng for five months. For every additional month, he would lose another five years of life. This would apply to everyone in the family. My parents were afraid and reluctantly put Yueteng into the river, leaving him to fate. Seven years later, my father fell ill and left this world, 25 years short of his sixtieth birthday."

  Yue Fei spoke to this point, and everyone suddenly realized.