A day later, Chu Xisheng had the ruins and broken tiles of the Chu family mansion cleared away, and a temporary incense hall erected on the former training ground.
Then he led several hundred new and old gang members before the spirit tablet of the Loyal and Righteous Eternal-Life Great Emperor, burning incense and murmuring prayers.
"Those who enter the Iron Banner Gang must observe thirty-six oaths. The first oath: your parents are my parents; your brothers and sisters are my brothers and sisters; your wife is my sister-in-law; your children are my nephews and nieces. Should I violate this, may the five thunders annihilate me.
"The second oath: should anyone's parents or brothers reach the end of their lives, with no money for burial, whenever white mourning silk arrives seeking assistance, we must immediately spread the word. Those with money must give money; those without must give their labor. Should anyone feign ignorance, may the five thunders annihilate them.
"-The ninth oath: any brother who violates moral order, plots against the banner chief, or assassinates and murders others shall die beneath ten thousand blades.
"-The eighteenth oath: should I be arrested by the authorities, I must answer for my own deeds and must not implicate brothers out of private enmity. Should I violate this, may the five thunders annihilate me.
"-The thirty-sixth oath: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants each practice their own trade. Having entered the Iron Banner Gang, we must place loyalty and righteousness first and befriend brothers from across the four seas. Anyone who wavers when trouble comes and shirks giving aid shall die beneath ten thousand blades."
He supervised everyone behind him as they recited the gang rules and all thirty-six oaths at length. Only then, satisfied, did he order the phoenix slaughtered and the yellow