The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

(To all you readers who are as handsome as Zhou Yu, as brave as Lü Bu, and as wise as Zhuge Liang, please use your brains.)

(A Three Kingdoms story with a touch of fantasy, combining official history, fiction, and fan fiction. If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to criticize Luo Guanzhong; he's the one who started it all!)

……

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the country was divided into the Three Kingdoms, but at this time it was still the first year of the Zhongping era, and the country had not yet been divided into the Three Kingdoms.

That year, the long-planned Yellow Turban Rebellion was exposed before it could be fully resolved, and the conflict broke out prematurely.

That year, Zhuojun in Youzhou gained a worried Liu, a member of the Han imperial family, a burly man selling mung beans, a wealthy butcher, and a time traveler.

A restaurant in Zhuojun.

Four like-minded people gathered together.

Liu Bei looked up and saw two strong men and a scholar. His eyes flashed with admiration. He cupped his hands and rose, saying, "Gentlemen, why don't we sit down and share a drink together?"

Guan Yu's eyes already held the image of the future Guan Yu, and he returned the greeting with clasped hands and a loud voice:

"My name is Guan Yu, courtesy name Yunchang, and I am from Jieliang in Hedong. I killed a local tyrant who was bullying others, and I have been a fugitive for five or six years. Now I hear that they are recruiting soldiers here to defeat the bandits, so I have come to enlist."

Zhang Fei laughed heartily, patted his chest, and his voice boomed like thunder:

"My name is Zhang Fei, courtesy name Yide. My family has lived in Zhuojun for generations. We own quite a few estates and sell wine and slaughter pigs. I especially enjoy making friends with heroes from all over the world. I just saw you sighing as you looked at the notice, so I asked you about it."

Li Chang habitually flicked his whisk, but forgot that he had already put it away:

"I am Li Chang, courtesy name Mingdao. To tell you the truth, I have been practicing in the mountains with my master since I was a child, and I have also learned several volumes of military strategy."

However, Zhang Jiao, the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, emerged. Therefore, I descended the mountain, solely to restore the Han Dynasty!

The three were shocked. A military treatise! This thing was priceless!

The three of them looked at this thin scholar and, finding him to have a somewhat otherworldly air about him, their opinion of him rose even higher.

Then, Liu Bei sighed, a hint of concern for his country and its people flashing in his eyes:

"I am a member of the Han imperial family, surnamed Liu, named Bei, courtesy name Xuande. Now I hear of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and I aspire to join the local militia to defeat the rebels and bring peace to the people."

"I only regret that I don't have enough money!"

As he spoke, his long arms fell limply to his sides.

"I have considerable wealth!" Zhang Fei slammed his hand on the table and stood up, declaring with boundless pride, "I have ample resources to recruit local braves and join you in this great undertaking!"

"good!"

Liu Bei and Zhang Fei excitedly clinked glasses.

A hint of dejection flashed in Guan Yu's eyes. Unfortunately, he believed that apart from his martial arts skills that could defeat ten thousand men, he had no money at all!

"A single thread cannot make a line, a single tree cannot make a forest. This group is weak and isolated..." Liu Bei looked sincerely at the three men; he wanted them too!

Ok?

Guan Yu suddenly raised his head. "Oh, you still want me?"

He immediately sat up straight, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "If you will not abandon me, I am willing to follow you!"

"I am willing to work with you to accomplish great things!" Li Chang also clasped his hands and sat up.

"Ah! These three heroes are truly a timely help, their loyalty is beyond compare!" Liu Bei was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He stood up and grasped the hands of the three men.

"In pursuit of great things, I have spent half my life wandering, desperately searching for like-minded individuals. And today, by Heaven's mercy, three heroes have been bestowed upon Liu Bei!"

At this moment, seeing that Guan Yu was about to make a move, Li Jian immediately rushed ahead of him.

Sorry, but as someone born in the era of "The King of Books," I'm about to start reading!

"Though I am unworthy, I know the way of loyalty and righteousness. Just as a good bird chooses a tree to perch on, a wise minister chooses a lord to serve. My only wish in this life is to assist Brother Liu and protect the Han Dynasty. From now on, my life, honor, and disgrace will be shared with Brother Liu."

I will exert all my wisdom and loyalty, and remain steadfast in my vow. If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth condemn me, and may I be forsaken by both gods and men.

"Slap!" Zhang Fei slapped his thigh and shouted, "Me too!"

Guan Yu's eyes lit up as he looked at Li Chang; this was a true friend! He had said almost exactly what Li Chang had in mind!

So he clasped his hands together and became serious.

Guan Yu's face was as red as a jujube, radiating loyalty and righteousness. He said to Liu Bei, "Although I am but a warrior, I am quite familiar with the meaning of loyalty and righteousness. As the saying goes, a bird that chooses a tree will find a good one to perch on; a minister who chooses a lord will find a wise ruler. My life's wish is fulfilled."

From this day forward, my life is Liu's life, and my body is Liu's body. I will obey your every command without any disloyalty.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, listening with astonishment. He listened intently and blurted out, "Me too!"

"I swear to share weal and woe with you, brother, to stay by your side for life, and to follow you through life and death." Guan Yu held Liu Bei's hands tightly and continued to speak.

"Me too!" Zhang Fei wasn't good with words, but his eyes were full of sincerity!

"If anyone dares to say such a thing, may Heaven and Man punish him." Guan Yu also had a line to say.

"Me too!"

Zhang Fei clasped his hands in a fist salute, and every word he spoke touched his heart! It was as if they were brothers for life!

Liu Bei's eyes lit up with joy, and he solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "In that case, why don't the four of us become sworn brothers, sharing life and death, and helping each other through thick and thin?"

Zhang Fei rubbed his hands excitedly and laughed loudly, "Wonderful! There is a peach orchard behind our manor, and the flowers are in full bloom. Tomorrow we will hold a ceremony in the orchard to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and the four of us will become sworn brothers, working together with one heart and one mind, and then we can plan great things."

Three burly men, along with a slender scholar, formed a strange yet not so strange group.

Peach blossoms fell from the garden, drifting on the wind and landing on the desk. The fragrance of peach blossoms mingled with the scent of incense.

The four men burned incense and bowed. Li Chang could see clearly that they were not bowing to Guan Yu, which was good, as it was not some strange figure from the Three Kingdoms period.

"Now, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Li Chang, though of different surnames, have become sworn brothers! We will work together with one heart to relieve the distressed and help the needy, to serve the country above and bring peace to the people below. We do not seek to be born on the same day, month, and year, but only to die on the same day, month, and year."

Heaven and Earth bear witness to this heart! To betray kindness and forget righteousness is punishable by both Heaven and man!

The four of them swore an oath together, from then on, Liu Bei, who was twenty-five years old, became the eldest brother, Guan Yu, who was twenty-four years old, became the second brother, Zhang Fei, who was twenty years old, became the third brother, and Li Chang, who was eighteen years old, successfully became the youngest.

After making their vows, the four of them hugged each other tightly!

"Big brother!"

"Second brother!"

"Second Brother!"

"Third brother/elder brother"

"Fourth brother!"

As the four embraced each other, their blood boiling with excitement, Li Chang suddenly felt a slight burning sensation in his chest.

That was a strange feeling that had been lingering in him ever since he came to this era.

At that moment, nestled in the arms of his three elder brothers, this feeling became clear for a fleeting instant.

At that moment, looking at his three elder brothers' smiling faces, Li Chang felt instantly relieved!

Thinking back on the tragic past few months.

When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, the master of the Taoist temple in Zhuojun packed his bags and fled overnight, leaving me, who had traveled eighteen years in the past, behind in this chaotic world!

All he had left was a Taoist manual and the "Twelve Deception Techniques" passed down by his master. He had no background or skills, and his only "connection" was that his master knew Zhang Jiao—if he went out, he would be mistaken for a Yellow Turban spy and beheaded.

Confident that he's neither good at academics nor at martial arts!

After much deliberation, only one way out remained: to seek refuge with Liu Bei. After all, those with names and identities who followed him survived; surely I, a nameless Taoist priest, wouldn't be doomed from the very beginning?

Now, feeling the strength of his elder brothers, Li Chang finally had nothing to worry about.

The incense burned out, and peach blossoms fell to the ground.

As war looms and chaos begins, the four heroes of the Peach Garden meet with a shared sense of camaraderie and embark together on a journey to conquer the land.

The young man made a vow, his loyal heart resounding throughout heaven and earth; his initial aspiration burned brightly, wanting to save the Han Dynasty from decline.

We met by chance in Peach Garden; thereafter, we walked side by side, embarking on a journey through turbulent times.

Taoyuan, the place where dreams begin.