Three Kingdoms: Chapter 9

A chapter every day? I'm on a rolllll!

P.S. I've decided to use the full names of characters, since it may be confusing later on when everyone has the same last/first names. Made revisions in previous chappies. Added some footnotes concerning everyone's zis.



Chapter 9



Liu Bei was raking the hays in the lawn. It was still early morning, but his back oozed with sweat already. The occasional visits of spring breeze were refreshing. Tying up the last bits in sheaves, he shouldered it to stack it in a corner. He walked a few steps, and suddenly the burden lifted, leaving his shoulder cleared. Liu Bei looked up. Zhang Fei stood smiling as he held the straw sheaf in the air with one hand.

“Good morning, master. I can take care of things like this for you,” Zhang Fei said good-naturedly.

“Oh, Master Zhang Fei...?”

“Do I heap it up over here?” he asked as he piled the bundle up.

“But for what business, are you...”

“I've decided to serve you as my lord until I die,” Zhang Fei revealed his resolution and continued, “From today on, until you rise with a great will, I will attend upon you as a servant here.”

“But you mustn't decide so hastily...”

“I can take on a hundred men at once. Will be more useful than having ten trifling men by your side,” Zhang Fei assured, not reading Liu's concerns. But presently Liu Bei seemed to be distracted by something else as well. Zhang Fei heard it too. He understood as about three scores of men riding, or on foot, came into view. The noise of the hooves and the shouts of the soldiers drew nearer.

“For what reason are soldiers coming here, I wonder?” Liu Bei inquired, puzzled within.

“Hm-hmm, they're coming to get me,” Zhang Fei chuckled.

“... you?”

“Yes. I gave a tough time to some castle guards last night,” Zhang Fei said, unconcerned. They soon arrived, each dismounting or drawing their weapons. There seemed to be more of them today.

“You dirty Huan!”

“You are under arrest.”

“Tamely be bound.”

“We will not take back this time.”

At these ridiculous threats, Zhang Fei laughed aloud.

“Hahaha, you're going to arrest this Zhang Fei?” he asked as he drew his sword and bawled, “Bind me if you can!”

The soldiers shrunk back momentarily. Zhang Fei also seemed to be in a predicament, for presently Liu Bei stood between him and the soldiers, dissuading.

“Wait a minute, master. If you shed more blood, we can't hold out in this area any longer,” he pleaded.

“That would be a problem,” Zhang Fei agreed, but the idea of being stuck in jail wasn't all too appealing. Neither did Liu Bei want to put his lifesaver in prison. In the midst of confusion and dissuasion, guards were afraid of even touching him. Most of them had heard horror stories. As if to solve everyone's dilemma, there came a clear call in the distance.

“Hullo! Tarry a little, masters!”

The swift rider soon came into view. Mail-clad from head to foot, a great man sat on the saddles, skillfully pulling at the reins. His face was as red as the rising sun, and his sable beard ran down to his strong chest. Instead of a helm, he wore a hood whose black ribbons flew behind him.

“Brother Yunchang!” Zhang Fei shouted enthusiastically and Guan Yu dismounted. He walked up to the castle guards.

“Masters who guard the castle gates, aren't you? Who among you is the leader, if I may ask?” he asked politely.

“I am; are you also one of Huans' spies?” the leader guard answered, bringing Guan Yu into another nonsensical accusation. But Guan Yu didn't seem to mind a bit.

“The very idea of that is absurd,” Guan Yu said with a laugh and added, “My name is Guan Yu. I teach children by the riverside. Closer friends also call me Yunchang. Anyway, you've been unreasonably accusing this Zhang Fei of being in cahoots with Huans.”

“Shush! He crossed the castle walls and killed the guards, too! If he's not a Huan then bless his little heart!” one of the guards mocked.

“Did about fifty people try to bind him?” Guan Yu was amused. “That was your mistake,” he smiled at the leader and added, “This Zhang Fei, previously a subordinate of Zhouzhou's¹ Lord Hong, have been called Eight Hundred Eight General ever since he slew eight hundred and eight Huans alone in a battle.”

Liu Bei and the guards stood in awe. Intently observing, Guan Yu asked, “If you want to arrest Zhang Fei, you would need about a thousand men. Would you be willing to sacrifice so many lives?”

The leader guard was still speechless. Guan Yu gave him a pat on the back (bending over as he was taller than even Zhang Fei) and said, “Zhang Fei and I have sworn brotherhood. I will open the young brother's eyes to the sins he has committed, and bring him to His Viceroy's Honor myself.”

“But...” The leader stroked his chin doubtfully.

“Haha, you're doubting even me. Do you think I'll let him get away after glossing over his faults?”

“No, that's not i...”

Guan Yu didn't expect to hear the leader's answer. Instead he turned to Zhang Fei, casting a blaming glance.

“ZHANG FEI!” Guan Yu's clear voice commanded the morning air. The whip went to Zhang Fei's arm and knocked the sword out of his hand. The sword went flying and landed on the ground. The guards avoided being hit by a step.

“Brother Yunchang, what are you doing?” Zhang Fei got up, irritated.

“Shush, and be bound quietly,” Guan Yu demanded as he bound Zhang Fei.

“My friends, you still don't trust me?”

The guards were having a difficulty taking in all that they saw. They stood perplexed. Observing their silence, Guan Yu unsheathed his sword and spoke.

“Then it seems there is no other choice. I hate to do this, but I guess I just shall have to set this tiger free.”

“What!” they stirred in fear and the leader waved his hands. “No, no, that's all right. If you keep your words, we can feel at rest with that.”

“Move out!” The leader retreated, without having sacrificed any more lives. The unit disappeared over the horizon and Guan Yu chuckled lightly.

“Hu-hu-hu. It looks like we're finally done with this matter.” Turning to Zhang Fei, he unbound the ropes and said, “Sorry brother. But it's undesirable to keep shedding blood by fighting the governmental soldiers.”

“My brother speaks rightly,” Zhang Fei agreed and pointed to Guan Yu's armor. “That's that, but what is up with that outfit?”

“What's wrong with my outfit?” Guan Yu returned Zhang Fei's inquiry indifferently. “You said you found someone worthy of being our liege, so I had a good rummage around the house looking for this.”

“What?” Zhang Fei asked in disbelief. “But you said you couldn't believe me.”

“You do make a mountain out of a molehill at times,” Guan Yu teased and added, “If there is a living descendant of Emperor Jing, it is not a happy tiding for the present emperor either. You can't go around and talk wildly about those sorts of things, because someone may be listening. That's why I gave such an answer. When I heard about Master Liu Bei from you, I've been keeping an eye out as well.”

“It would've been nice if you'd given me a slight hint,” Zhang Fei sulked.

“All right, let's go meet our new master,” Guan Yu said, giving Zhang Fei a slap on the back.

“If you mean master Liu Bei, he's right here,” Zhang Fei said. Guan Yu met Liu Bei's loyal eyes and bowed.

“I am Guan Yu, a sworn brother of Zhang Fei. My zi is Yunchang. It is an honor to meet you.”

“Pleasure to meet you as well. This is all too sudden that I am not sure what to say,” Liu Bei replied modestly and offered, “Let us go inside.” He went ahead to open the door and the visitors followed.

“A gallant lord, as you said,” Guan Yu said.

“But I wonder what his mother would think? I heard she's a single mother and he's the only son,” Zhang Fei thought his worries aloud.

“Come, let us go inside,” Liu Bei brought them in. “Mother, our guests are here.”

Liu Bei's mother stood poised in the middle of the living room. Pleasantly turning to the guests, she said, “Welcome. I just saw all that happened out there.”

Zhang Fei hung his head in momentary bewilderment and fell to his knees, for an aura of indescribable dignity lingered over Liu Bei's mother, despite her worn-out clothes and laughs over the years.

“The time has come at last,” she said to Liu Bei, closing her eyes.

“...?”

“Xuande², I'll set up a drinking table for you all.”

“But what drinks do we have here...” Liu Bei said concernedly.

“I have something that I've prepared, knowing that the time will come someday,” she smiled and added, “The wine wouldn't taste properly in this shabby house. I've made ready for a good merrymaking.”

“Also, Bei.”

“Yes, mother.”

“A aspirant man must rise when the time comes,” she said solemnly and added, “He must walk the path that he has chosen, not heeding anyone else – not even his mother.”

Liu Bei nodded knowingly and bowed. Turning to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, the mother said, “Please wait a moment, everyone.” They bowed in return, and she went outside.

“The son is worthy, but so is his mother,” Guan Yu said to himself as he bowed towards the door. “It can't be helped to bow to the one who raised her son worthy of the Emperor's lineage, even in leading such hardship.”

Mulberry had a peach garden in season that had bloomed beautifully. Liu Bei's mother had planned to set up the table in there. The villagers had brought meat, fruits, and wine for this occasion. They put up drapes in the midst of the garden, setting up the table for three in the middle of it.

“We're about done, right?” Liu Bei's mother said.

“Yes, ma'am. They're marvelous seats for a feast,” the villagers replied. The mother hurried back to the house to bring out the guests. Her steps were agile and light, and a serene smile overlay her features.

“Xuande, sorry for the wait. The seats are ready now,” she said. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei followed her out. They walked into the peach garden wondering. They marveled as their eyes met the curtains and the table in the midst of it. White peach petals were riding on the wind like spring snow. Delightful fragrance enveloped the trio, leaving them enchanted. Truly, it was a heavenly scene.

“Mother, this is...” Liu Bei stood speechless, overwhelmed by the gratitude and the wonderment.

“This is all this mother can do,” she smiled and said, “Be merry with your fellow men. Treat them with respect.”

“Mother!” Liu Bei held her hands in grateful response. Then she was gone.

“Truly, an awesome place for a feast,” Guan Yu said.

“I've never seen such seats,” Zhang Fei nodded in agreement. They all took their seats, leaving Liu Bei the head of the table. Liu Bei reluctantly sat down.

“Master Liu Bei, let us drink to acknowledge your lordship and our vassalage here,” Zhang Fei said.

“Just a moment. It is true that I've inherited the royal lineage, but I really haven't accomplished anything great yet,” Liu Bei said hesitantly and added, “I don't really feel inclined to be your lord in such a time.”

“I've already decided, master. So don't speak like that,” Zhang Fei waved his hands at Liu's humble remark.

“Zhang Fei, if Master Liu Bei really doesn't want to, we don't have to go against his will,” Guan Yu said calmly and suggested, “Then how about drinking to form the ties of blood brotherhood?”

“That's most welcome,” Liu Bei said.

“Even if we drink to brotherhood, in our hearts we will always think that you are our lord,” Guan Yu said respectfully and added, “In that knowledge, we want you to be the eldest.”

“When the time comes, we will take service under you as our sovereign,” Guan Yu finished.

“Then it would suffice just to drink to brotherhood,” Zhang Fei said.

“Then let us drink,” Liu Bei said, raising his cup. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei joined in and three swore in unison:

“We three, though of distinct bloodlines, swear brotherhood here, combining will and strength, to deliver China from the present chaos. We promise to aid each other always, to complete our duty to the Emperor, and to protect our people. We three, though not of the same natal dates, hereby vow to die the selfsame day and hour. Let Heaven and the authority vested therein bear witness to this vow. If we turn aside from righteousness or kindliness, may heaven and man smite us.”

The Oath of the Peach Garden was taken to brotherhood, lordship and vassalage. Liu Bei's mother watched from behind a tree, wiping away joyous tears. White petals surrounded her as they rained down from heaven, and three men rejoiced as they promised future together.

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¹ Zhouzhou is the province they're living in.
² Ta-ta! Here is Liu Bei's zi. 'Xuande' means “deeply virtuous.”

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