Chapter Twenty-Five: Astonishing! The Time-Traveling Man Swears Brotherhood with Zhao Yun

Zhang Yu’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Zhao Yun—this was Zhao Zilong of Changshan!

He wanted to swear brotherhood with me?

Who am I... where am I?

Having crossed over, Zhang Yu had considered before that, since he’d often seen the heads of state on TV in his previous life, he ought not lose his composure when encountering historical celebrities from this era. But now, when a general he deeply admired wanted to become sworn brothers with him, the feeling was so unreal and exhilarating that it was hard to put into words.

This wasn’t some embarrassing version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where a few bottles of wine and some idle chat forged a so-called bond of brotherhood. This was genuine...

A torrent of emotions—surprise, joy, disbelief—flooded Zhang Yu’s mind, leaving it in chaos. His lips parted, his heartbeat quickened, and his breathing grew heavier; for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“Does my virtuous brother not wish to?”

“Yes... I do! I do!” Zhang Yu hastened to say, “It is what I have always wanted, though I dared not ask!”

Zhang Biao, Han Long, and the others quietly set their things aside by the wall, their faces also showing delight. They had witnessed Zhao Yun’s martial prowess; to become sworn brothers with such a hero was no loss for their young master.

In truth, the practice of sworn brotherhood was popularized by Zhang Yu’s famous uncles. Among the most renowned literary and historical brotherhoods, the Peach Garden Oath stands as the undisputed classic—before it, there were no precedents to follow. It was only after that story spread that the custom of sworn brotherhood became widespread.

Fortunately, neither Zhang Yu nor Zhao Yun were ones for needless ceremony; the ritual itself was but a formality, and their bond would not be diminished by its simplicity.

It has long been said, “Literati are poor, warriors are rich.” A man of Zhao Yun’s talents must naturally come from a good family. And so, the maids of the Zhao household went to prepare offerings, cleaned the courtyard, and the Zhang family’s men set up a small table in the rear garden. When all was ready, they stood aside.

On the table were laid offerings of pork, fish, and eggs—Zhang Yu didn’t know if these were correct, but he was too embarrassed to ask for an ox to be slaughtered for the occasion. He and Zhao Yun simply knelt on the soft mats placed on the ground.

“My virtuous brother, how many years have you?”

“I have just reached the age of dancing and capering; not yet twenty, I am sixteen. May I ask, elder brother, how many years have you?”

“I was born in the first year of Jianning, six years your senior. I shall shamelessly claim the title of eldest brother!”

Zhang Yu took up the incense and, smiling at Zhao Yun, replied, “Even if you were six seasons, six days, or even six hours older, you would still be my elder brother!”

“Well said!”

The two turned, raised the burning incense high, and bowed three times.

“Elder brother, shouldn’t we recite some kind of oath?”

“My virtuous brother, your talent is famed; let the oath be yours to compose!” Zhao Yun chuckled, thoroughly pleased.

“Alright then, system, give me a copy of the Peach Garden Oath—no charge!”

“Ding! [‘We, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei...’]”

To his surprise, the system generously provided the very words from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In hindsight, perhaps he could not blame it for not coming to his aid in moments of danger—its abilities were limited, but at times like these, it served him well.

Glancing over the words, Zhang Yu said to Zhao Yun, “I shall say a line, and elder brother shall repeat it.”

“Very good!”

“Recite: Zhao Yun, Zhang Yu.”

“Recite: Zhao Yun, Zhang Yu.”

“Though of different surnames, we become brothers. Together we shall strive with one heart, supporting one another in hardship and danger; serving the country above, bringing peace to the people below. We do not seek to be born on the same day, month, or year, but only to die on the same day, month, and year. May Heaven and Earth bear witness; if we betray this bond, let both men and gods destroy us!”

“...—let both men and gods destroy us!”

This pair of the most handsome brothers in all Hebei embraced deeply—a sight that would surely cause many a maiden’s heart to flutter.

Images of peach blossoms swirling in the garden during the famed oath of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind. Realizing something, he glanced around the courtyard—branches were yellowing and the mood was bleak, with only a few clusters of chrysanthemums blooming by the hedge.

“...What is this, a Chrysanthemum Oath? Chrysanthemum Brothers?” Zhang Yu quickly dismissed that thought—such a name would never do; he was no Tao Yuanming, to be known for his singular love for chrysanthemums.

Too young to drink, Zhang Yu and his newly sworn brother Zhao Yun could only toast each other with tea in place of wine. As it was getting late, they decided to stay another day in Changshan.

After lunch, Zhang Yu wandered the city with Zhao Yun. Having already explored Lunu City, the seat of Zhongshan, he found little novelty here—these small towns were much alike. Still, if ever given the chance to visit Chang’an, Luoyang, or even Ye City, it would be worth the trip.

Since he had come to Changshan, how far could Chang’an be?

He wondered if there were places here like the pleasure quarters of the Song Dynasty. To travel back in time and not experience the brothels and courtesans, to drink and talk poetry with talented songstresses, to savor true feeling and artistry—what a regret that would be! The flirtatious verses of “Liu Sanbian” were burning within him!

His mind filled with thoughts of love and beauty, Zhang Yu failed to notice the growing number of eyes following him and Zhao Yun.

A man without guilt is still condemned for his talent; sometimes, being too attractive is its own curse.

A beauty can bring ruin to a city, and a man of exceptional looks cannot help but draw attention. If it hadn’t been for Zhang Leigong coveting Zhang Yu’s beauty, provoking Zhang Yu to curse him and break off relations, perhaps things might not have escalated to violence.

Perhaps, since ancient times, people have always lived in an age that worships beauty.

The Book of Jin records a man named Wei Jie, so handsome that people flocked to see him. “The people of the capital city, upon hearing of his looks, gathered to see him like a wall of onlookers. The strain made Wei Jie ill, and he died in the sixth year of Yongjia at the age of twenty-seven. People said he was ‘looked to death’”—and thus the phrase “looked to death” originated.

Such a stunning man, so bewitching in appearance, was literally killed by the gaze of the crowd. One wonders if, before he died, he thought, “Is it my fault for being handsome?”

Pan An was no less so. According to A New Account of the Tales of the World, every time Pan An went out, he was pursued by a throng of young women. They would shower him with flowers and fruit, and even elderly women could not resist his charm, tossing fruit into his carriage—thus saving him the expense of buying fruit. This gave rise to the saying “his carriage was filled with fruit.”

One wonders... were there watermelons in those days?

With precedents like Wei Jie and Pan An, how could the similarly handsome Zhang Yu expect any less attention? Back in Zhongshan, he had invented the “jade portrait” to distract his admirers. Even though the people were used to hearing about the Jade Young Lord of the Zhang family, countless men and women still sought to catch a glimpse of him whenever he went out.

Now, in Changshan, even though people didn’t know he was the famed Jade Young Master of Hebei, his living, breathing beauty was enough to stir up a storm among the crowds.

Zhao Yun was the first to notice something amiss. Remembering his own astonishment when first meeting his new brother, he instantly understood the cause. He quickly pulled Zhang Yu into a nearby tavern and found a private room.

“Brother, isn’t it a bit early for a meal...?”

“I was careless just now. With my brother’s celestial bearing, walking the streets will only attract a throng of admirers. Stay here for a while; I’ll be right back.”

The name of Zhao Zilong was known to all in Changshan. It was thanks to his reputation for bravery that he, though only in his early twenties, had been chosen to lead the volunteer soldiers of the region.

After briefing the innkeeper, Zhao Yun slipped into the crowd, while the innkeeper had a waiter bring Zhang Yu some side dishes.

As the most beautiful clouds in the sky were set ablaze, fiery light suffusing the west,

Zhang Yu, having ordered a few hot dishes and some dry rations, idly played with beans on the table, bored. Soon, Zhao Yun returned.

“My virtuous brother, tell me, what do you think of this?”