Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 6: Got Tricked

Wei Xiaobao observed the other's expression, fearing that he might make things worse again, and continued, "You are the commander of the Yangzhou Canal. I am worried that others will think you are marrying down to me."

Wei Xiaobao often heard the term "climbing up" and thought that the opposite status relationship was "climbing down". Fortunately, Chen Bai only learned to recognize some words after joining the Taiping Dao, and was not familiar with these flowery words.

Chen Bai said, "Captain Qu is just a title. The Yellow Turban Army is all one family. Since the Eighth Dao brothers don't mind, then we will become brothers of different surnames. Although you look younger, I still need to find out your birthday."

Chen Bai continued, "It is the Jiazi year now, and I was born in the Guimao year, so I am already twenty-one."

This really stumped Wei Xiaobao. Only his mother Wei Chunhua knew his birth date and time. Even though he knew that he was only sixteen or seventeen years old, he couldn't calculate the year of his birth according to the Heavenly Stems calendar.

Shuang'er, standing by, said in a hoarse voice, "My son was born in the year of Wushen, and is only sixteen years old."

Chen Bai praised her, "As expected, heroes emerge from youth," but he began to doubt Shuang'er's identity. Although Shuang'er deliberately spoke in a gruff voice, she could not deceive the experienced Chen Bai.

Wei Xiaobao suddenly laughed out loud.

Chen Bai's train of thought was interrupted by Wei Xiaobao's sudden strange behavior. Before he could think about Shuang'er's matter, he asked Wei Xiaobao, "Why are you laughing, Brother Badao?"

Wei Xiaobao waved his hand and said, "Nothing." In reality, Wei Xiaobao had just recalled how, as a child, he'd heard the story of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swearing brotherhood in Peach Garden at a teahouse. It was for this reason that he later became so devoted to sworn brotherhood. He considered Suo Etu, the imperial court official, Yang Yizhi, the Prince of Pingxi, and later, Zhao Liangdong, Zhang Yong, and others to be his sworn brothers. However, in later generations, sworn brotherhood often involved kneeling before a statue of Guan Yu to swear loyalty and righteousness. Back then, it wasn't clear who was actually being sworn to.

Soon Wei Xiaobao got the answer.

Chen Bai had already instructed his men to set up an altar and incense burner in the middle of the yard, and then he pulled Wei Xiaobao to kneel down reverently.

Watching Chen Bai's behavior and hearing the oath he made, it was basically the same as when he and he became sworn brothers, except that they did not ask to be born on the same day of the same month and year, but to die on the same day of the same month and year.

When Wei Xiaobao made the oath, he silently said in his heart: "God, it is nonsense to say that I, Wei Xiaobao, became sworn brothers with Brother Chen Bai." After all, no matter how long Chen Bai lived, he would have died more than a thousand years earlier than himself.

After the ceremony, Chen Bai stood up first, then hurriedly helped Wei Xiaobao up and called him "Second brother".

Wei Xiaobao smiled in his heart and said, "I should bring Shuang'er along to become sworn brothers. Then people will call me Second Brother. Maybe in the future, we won't have to worship Second Brother Guan anymore, and can directly worship Second Brother Wei. No, Second Brother Hu."

Chen Bai had no idea that Wei Xiaobao was so smart. Seeing that he had been silent, he thought he was just a little excited.

Wei Xiaobao suddenly had an idea and asked, "Brother, I want to ask you about someone."

Chen Bai said, "Just tell me, second brother. If I know anything, I will tell you. Even if you don't know him, as long as you know where he is, I can send my men to look for him."

Wei Xiaobao said, "I don't know where this person is now, I only know that his name is Guan Yu."

Wei Xiaobao was thinking that if he could have the chance to meet the legendary Lord Guan, he would have something to brag about when he returned.

Chen Bai twirled his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "I've never heard of this person. I wonder what his connection is with my second brother?"

Wei Xiaobao said, "Actually, I've never met him, but I've heard some stories about him and I admire him very much."

Chen Bai said, "Anyone who can make my second brother admire him must be a famous figure. It's a pity that I am so ignorant and have never heard of his deeds. After hearing what you said, I would like to meet him." Wei Xiaobao laughed in his heart, "I'm afraid that if you meet him, you will be beaten to a pulp." But he promised, "There will definitely be a chance to meet him."

That night, Chen Bai arranged for Wei Xiaobao and Shuang'er to stay overnight at the prefect's residence. He also had a long conversation with Wei Xiaobao in his room, introducing the deeds of various famous figures from the 36 factions of the Yellow Turban Army. Wei Xiaobao was unwilling to leave only after he had heard them breathing heavily.

After Chen Bai left, Wei Xiaobao thought that as long as he saw Zhang Jue, he would be able to return soon, and soon he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Perhaps he was dreaming of the white silver or his lovely wives, because Wei Xiaobao laughed from time to time in his dream.

Early the next morning, Wei Xiaobao was awakened by the noise outside. Before he could get dressed, he heard Shuang'er pushing the door and entering the room.

Wei Xiaobao asked, "Shuang'er, why is there such a commotion outside?"

Shuang'er said, "I don't know either. Brother Chen is anxious to see you and asked you to go over quickly."

Wei Xiaobao was worried that something might happen to his trip to Yecheng, so he hurriedly put on his clothes and wrapped his headscarf, and followed Shuang'er to see Chen Bai.

When Chen Bai saw Wei Xiaobao, he handed the silk to him before he could speak.

Wei Xiaobao saw that the silk was covered with words, but he was too embarrassed to say that he didn't know what they were, so he could only hold it up and pretend to look at it.

Chen Bai crossed his arms behind his back, turned his back to Wei Xiaobao and said, "I didn't expect the court to act so quickly. They've already appointed He Jin as the Grand General, commanding the Left and Right Yulin Army and the Five Colonel Battalions to station troops at Duting to garrison Luoyang. They've also appointed eight other commanderies to guard the Hangu Pass, Yique Pass, Guangcheng Pass, Dagu Pass, Juyuan Pass, Xuanmen Pass, Mengjin Pass, and Xiaopingjin Pass to protect the capital. Fortunately, my two brothers persuaded everyone yesterday. If we don't rush to Luoyang, we'll just walk into the tiger's mouth."

Wei Xiaobao knew nothing about military affairs, but when he heard about the various armies and battalions, as well as captains and so on, he assumed that the enemy troops would be numerous. Furthermore, Chen Bai's tone revealed a hint of luck in having escaped death, so he patted his chest and said, "That was a close call."

Chen Bai continued, "General Tian Gong is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Lu Zhi's army in the north. It's pointless for any of our armies to advance on Yecheng. General Tian Gong has ordered our respective commanders to fight on their own, dispersing the imperial forces and relieving pressure on the northern front. However, Guangling County is easy to attack but difficult to defend, and we only have a few thousand men."

Wei Xiaobao asked hurriedly: "What should we do now?"

Chen Bai said, "It seems that we can only go to Yingchuan to meet up with Qu Shuaibo."

Wei Xiaobao whispered to Shuang'er behind him, "Where is Yingchuan? Is it far from Yecheng?"

Shuang'er shook her head.

Chen Bai added, "I received the news early this morning and have already arranged for the troops to march north. I will make plans after I meet Bo in Yingchuan."

Wei Xiaobao cursed in a low voice, "You've already prepared everything, why did you call me here? Are you trying to show off your ability to manipulate me?"

Shuang'er reminded from the side: "Planning and strategizing."

Wei Xiaobao took over the conversation and said, "That's right, big brother, you are in charge of the overall planning. If there is anything I can help you with, just let me know."

Chen Bai turned around and patted Wei Xiaobao on the shoulder, saying excitedly, "I was right about you. Big Brother was waiting for you to say that!"

Wei Xiaobao cursed in his heart: "Damn it! It was me, Wei Xiaobao, who set up the trap for others, but I didn't expect that I would fall for your trick."

(End of this chapter)