The three men each clasped the other two's hands. Xiao Tianmu said, "Brother Zhou, Lord Hu, I have a proposal. The three of us are kindred spirits. My parents are dead, my brothers scattered, and I drift through this world alone. Without Brother Zhou, I would not be here today. Lord Hu, although you are an official and we are commoners, you have thought well enough of us to lend us a hand time and again and keep our secrets. Such kindness is like giving us a second life. Today, I will presume to reach above my station: if you do not disdain us, why don't the three of us become sworn brothers?"
Zhou Batian was openhearted and forthright. Although his bond with Hu Xiaotian had not yet grown that deep, since Xiao Tianmu had raised the idea, he readily agreed.
Hu Xiaotian knew that becoming sworn brothers was the most common form of social bonding in this era. People could swear brotherhood after enjoying good fortune together, suffering together, fighting together, or fleeing together. They could do it after drinking together or even visiting prostitutes together. He had become sworn brothers with that pampered official's son Shi Xuedong after meeting him just once, let alone these three, who were secretly planning to work together. Of course, Hu Xiaotian understood that Xiao Tianmu had proposed this because he did not yet trust him enough; he wanted to add weight to their bond. After all, Hu Xiaotian was Li Tianheng's son-in-law, and if Li Tianheng learned that Zhou Batian was still alive, he would certainly have him arrested and brought to justice. Xiao Tianmu's proposal now was, in truth, full of self-interest. Hu Xiaotian weighed it inwardly. *Sworn brotherhood is nothing more than a formality. If something really happens, everyone will