fake gentry

Liking Xi Xuan is certainly not a reason for Xie Hong not to go to Yanzhou.

He knew in his heart that he would eventually embark on a political career.

but not now.

It will be at least another year.

He will not submit to Xi Jian.

Xi Jian was indeed a renowned minister, and he would later enter the court to assist in governance. However, he never truly controlled the situation in Jiankang. Instead, he made peace with Wang Dao, holding a high position but sharing power, and was still heavily suppressed by Yu Liang.

Tao Kan, holding a large army, was a formidable figure in Jiangzuo. He was destined to quell the rebellions of Su Jun and Zu Yue, and rebuild the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

That's right, Zu Ti's younger brother Zu Yue rebelled. His brother had fought against the Jie Zhao all his life, but his rebellion failed, and he fled to the Jie Zhao, where he was eventually killed by Shi Le.

Tao Kan was honest, upright, diligent, and pragmatic throughout his life. Most importantly, he detested metaphysical discussions and consistently opposed the idea that idle talk could harm the country.

Xie Hong had already exhausted his three tricks at the Huangshiyan Gathering.

Following Xi Jian meant dealing with prominent figures from high-ranking families, and his true colors would inevitably be exposed over time. But with Tao Kan, there was no need to worry about that; Tao Kan would even proactively shield him from various prominent figures.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 20 ...

Besides, he had really set his sights on Xi Xuan, so at this point he didn't care about the calligraphy master Wang Xizhi; first come, first served.

Besides, being able to compete with the Sage of Calligraphy for a wife makes him seem incredibly awesome.

Xi Zhong went to play chess with Ge Hong by candlelight, while Xi Xuan forced Xi Yin to practice calligraphy. Xie Hong called Liu Chong to sit down at the table and then took out several sheets of paper and pushed them in front of him.

"Brother, what is this?"

Liu Chong looked down at Xie Hong, then looked up at him.

"This was given to me by a divine being in my dream." Xie Hong said mysteriously, "I originally wanted to keep it with you for a while, but I was afraid something might happen. Remember, carry this with you and memorize it every day on your way to Yanzhou. Once you have memorized it, destroy it. If you can learn one-third of it, I can guarantee you will be invincible."

Liu Chong immediately wiped his hands on his clothes, then picked them up and read them by candlelight.

Training Records

General principle: The most important thing in military affairs is training and discipline. Training and combat should be consistent. By governing the army with discipline, we can achieve great victory and complete annihilation.

Liu Chong read it aloud in a low voice, then suddenly looked up at Xie Hong, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

He continued reading.

Firstly: Selection and organization of soldiers.

Xie Hong copied the basic military training content of modern times, focusing on formation training. Any army that can achieve uniformity in any era will not have poor combat effectiveness.

As for the others, they included three aspects: skills, tactics, and first aid, but they were only a few lines long and not very lengthy.

He couldn't write long essays; all he could write down was what he could remember.

Secondly: Three Disciplines and Eight Essentials.

He simply copied the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention verbatim, only rewriting them in ancient language.

Liu Chong was still a boy. Although he had the Dai family's academic background, he still couldn't directly understand the true value of the few thin sheets of paper Xie Hong had given him.

Zhou Guang could understand it perfectly, which is why he was dumbfounded when he saw it.

Fortunately, he didn't see the whole thing before Ge Hong stopped him.

Liu Chong had lost his rebellious spirit and completely regarded Xie Hong as his most admired figure. He would treasure anything that Xie Hong brought out.

If you don't understand it yet, then learn it slowly.

Silently putting down the training manual in his hand, he knelt down, took a step back, straightened his clothes, and then bowed deeply: "I thank you, elder brother."

Xie Hong reached out and helped him up by the shoulder: "Brother, if you really want to thank me, then make good contributions under the command of Duke Daohui. Restoring the original surname of the Dai family is better than any other repayment."

Liu Chong's eyes were red, and he suddenly bowed down again: "Brother, I want to formally become sworn brothers with you."

Xie Hong was stunned. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything.

He initially used the sworn brotherhood to fool Liu Chong, but he didn't really take it to heart.

But he knew that at that time, becoming sworn brothers was an extremely serious and important matter.

Verbal agreements are not recognized; only sworn brotherhoods formed through formal ceremonies are acknowledged.

What ceremony?

To properly write a sworn brotherhood certificate, it must include the names, birth dates, places of origin, and names of three generations of ancestors and descendants of the sworn brothers. At the same time, it must also prepare offerings such as roosters, wine, incense, and candles, and hold the ceremony in a commemorative place such as an ancestral hall or pavilion.

Everything else is negotiable. There are no chickens or incense on the mountain, but we can make a simplified version, using grass instead of incense and a handful of soil as an offering.

Xie Hong was quite familiar with how to write "sworn brotherhood." In modern times, he and a few like-minded individuals had also practiced the Wei-Jin style and held a sworn brotherhood ceremony, which even sparked a trend online and gained him countless fans.

He couldn't write it himself, but he could just find one online. He still remembers it to this day and just copied it.

Xie Hong immediately ordered Aheng to prepare wine and drinks. Suddenly, he heard a series of hurried footsteps coming from the cave entrance. Xi Yin's figure rushed in from outside and almost tripped.

This guy had obviously just escaped his older sister's torment; he wasn't even wearing an outer robe, only a moon-white undergarment.

"Brother, I want to become sworn brothers with you too!" he shouted between breaths, his voice urgent and clear. "If my sister bullies me again, brother can help me."

Xie Hong was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

The little guy had probably been eavesdropping at the cave entrance for quite a while and overheard his conversation with Liu Chong.

Seeing that Xie Hong remained silent, Xi Yin anxiously jumped forward two steps, grabbed Xie Hong's sleeve, and shook it, saying, "Brother, brother, please let me become sworn brothers with you too, okay?"

Liu Chong looked at Xi Yin, who was tugging at Xie Hong's sleeve, and his lips moved, but a very faint displeasure appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Kid, that's my brother, not yours.

But my brother can be your brother-in-law.

Xie Hong reached out and patted Xi Yin's head, then smiled and said, "Okay."

Hearing that Xie Hong wanted to become sworn brothers with Liu Chong and Xi Yin immediately alarmed everyone. Xi Zhong didn't stop him, but Ge Hong was eager to try, then thought that he was already forty years old and decided against it. Chen San, on the other hand, wiped away his tears while making preparations.

He set up a low table in Taoping, took three earthenware bowls, filled them with soil, inserted grass as incense sticks, and then laid a piece of plain silk on the table. Chen San personally ground ink and moistened the brush.

Xie Honglue pondered for a moment, then recalled the sworn brotherhood agreement from back then, and immediately picked up his pen to write it down.

Xi Zhong and Ge Hong quickly surrounded them, and Xi Xuan also quietly stretched her neck.

Hmph, this guy's pen-holding posture is so weird.

Of the few people present, Ge Hong was a true scholar, and upon seeing Xie Hong's sworn brotherhood agreement, his expression changed.

Phoenix's talent is boundless and inexhaustible.

It is said that:

The room is filled with music and books, a place where kindred spirits gather. Through wind and rain, we often hold hands and chat happily.

Therefore:

We sit on the ground, sharing our innermost thoughts. Like scholars learning from others, we share a common understanding. Whenever I observe the orderly formation of geese, I feel a strong urge to emulate their brilliance.

Xie Hong, Dai Jing, and Xi Yin, three young men, clasped hands, their lofty friendship admired by all. Their hearts, like white waters, are worthy of emulation, like the elegant footsteps of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya. Though separated by rivers and mountains, their oath remains steadfast. Like old friends in spring breezes, their resolve has remained firm through the years. Let us not be swayed by fame or fortune, nor arrogant because of our talents or virtues. Our sworn brotherhood is sealed today, a vow made in the heavens, shining brightly like a peach blossom in the forest. May we share joys and sorrows in the years to come. Respectfully written.

Below are three copies of each person's name, date of birth, and place of origin.

Then, if there are no chickens to kill, all you need to do is exchange for a sworn brotherhood certificate and kneel before heaven and earth.

As the three men completed their sworn brotherhood ceremony, Ge Hong and Xi Zhong admired the sworn brotherhood certificate, while Chen San kept wiping his eyes.

Xi Xuan suddenly spoke up: "How can we be without music at this time? Caiwei, quickly bring the zither, and Xie Langjun can play 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' and sing it."

Xie Hong shuddered.

The little girl even requested a song?

Xi Zhong and Ge Hong echoed his sentiments, so Xie Hong had no choice but to play another piece, the one from the old version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which featured the scene of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swearing brotherhood in the Peach Garden.

Upon hearing this, Xi Xuan's whole body bristled again.

New song.

He actually played a new piece again?

He not only played the instrument, but also sang.

Am I destined to be overshadowed by him for the rest of my life?