Chapter Ninety-Two: Brothers for Life

Gazing at the beautiful woman’s receding figure, Zhou Zhi stood frozen, silently mulling over the words “Kou family of Tang County.” The woman must surely bear the surname Kou, but what was her given name? And what was the story behind the Kou family? These mysteries eluded him.

Liu Hui stood beside Zhou Zhi, noticing his silent melancholy. He nudged Zhou Zhi lightly with his elbow and chuckled, “Ha! Brother Zhou, the lady is long gone—there’s not even a shadow of her left!”

Zhou Zhi snapped out of his reverie, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment as he offered Liu Hui a sheepish smile.

At twenty, Liu Hui well understood Zhou Zhi’s thoughts. The saying goes: “A graceful lady, a gentleman’s desire.” Though the beautiful woman had disguised herself as a man, her exquisite beauty shone through every glance and gesture, and she carried herself with a heroic air. It was only natural that Zhou Zhi should be moved—there was no fault in it.

Zhou Zhi was but a poor country youth, and she was clearly from a wealthy household. By rights, Zhou Zhi’s longing was as futile as a toad dreaming of eating swan meat. Yet Liu Hui did not see it that way. To his mind, though Zhou Zhi’s origins were humble, his bearing, courage, and resourcefulness promised a future of great accomplishment. He might well be a match for such a woman.

Liu Hui laughed again. “Brother Zhou, if fate wills it, you and the lady shall cross paths again. If destined, even a thousand miles won’t keep you apart!”

“Brother Liu, don’t tease me,” Zhou Zhi replied softly. “I’m just curious about their group, that’s all.”

“Curious, yes! That’s it—curiosity!” Liu Hui echoed with a grin, then continued, “Still, it was a stroke of luck that you were acquainted with that young centurion just now. Without that connection, we’d likely have been in real trouble. Who knew your circle of friends was so broad?”

Indeed, Zhou Zhi’s acquaintance with a centurion filled Liu Hui with envy. For a man like Liu Hui, a local tough with some renown around Baiyue Village and even all of Gaochang Town, his contacts were all country folk and local characters. To know an official of the sixth rank was something Liu Hui had never dared dream of.

“Brother Liu, you flatter me,” Zhou Zhi replied lightly. “It’s not as though I know the centurion well—we’ve only met by chance a couple of times.” He certainly wouldn’t mention the details: taking the man’s wild goose, nearly being trampled by his fine horse, and being threatened with a whip—though it never landed. Such things were better left unsaid.

In any case, the recent venture, though fraught with danger, had ended well, and their mission to rescue people from Xin Village was accomplished. There was no reason to linger. Liu Hui waved his hand, and the band of ruffians and hangers-on fell in behind him and Zhou Zhi, resuming their journey.

From yesterday evening until now, none of them had eaten or drunk. As they passed through a village, they sent someone to buy food, and the group sat in the open to share a meal.

At that moment, Zhou Zhi instructed Zhang Dong to distribute the fifty taels of silver they had taken from Geng Zhong’s house. Each man received one tael, leaving four taels, which Zhou Zhi handed to Liu Hui.

Before the operation, Liu Hui had made it clear there would be punishment but no reward this time. No one expected that in the end, each would receive a tael of silver. The ruffians cheered, delighted beyond measure.

A tael of silver was no small sum. Never before had they received so much from following Liu Hui, and they all secretly admired Zhou Zhi’s generosity.

Even Liu Hui felt greater respect for Zhou Zhi. He sidled up and declared loudly, “Brother Zhou, with such courage, why not take the lead as our boss and guide us from now on?”

Hearing their chief speak thus, the crowd of roughnecks shouted their support, “Yes, Brother Zhou, lead us! We’re with you!”

Zhou Tie, Zhou Zhi’s father, felt his heart leap into his throat at these words, scowling with worry. My son mustn’t get mixed up with such people. Our Zhou family has farmed for generations, living honestly. If he turns to banditry, how will I face our ancestors after I die?

He thought this but dared not speak, for without these men, Zhou Tie would never have escaped harm—he might well have been killed by Geng Zhong and his gang.

Fortunately, Zhou Zhi laughed and replied, “Brother Liu, brothers all, I appreciate your regard and take it to heart. But fighting and brawling like this—I can do it out of necessity once or twice, but I’m not made for a life of violence. Brother Liu, please explain this to everyone.” He lowered his voice, “Brother Liu, you know my ambitions lie elsewhere.”

Liu Hui had previously tried to recruit Zhou Zhi, but Zhou Zhi had refused outright. Liu Hui would never force a friend. This time, he raised the matter solely to reassure the others—a means of leadership, for mere ruthlessness would not hold his followers.

Feigning reluctance, Liu Hui went to placate the disappointed ruffians.

As noon approached, the group neared Nanzhuang. There, they parted ways; the ruffians scattered, each heading home.

Liu Hui turned to Zhou Zhi one last time and, with a hearty clasp of hands, declared, “Brother Zhou, I’ll say it again: if ever you need me, I’ll give my all, even unto death. We are brothers for life.”

Zhou Zhi was deeply moved and hurriedly bowed in thanks.

Parting from Liu Hui, Zhou Zhi supported his father, Zhou Tie, as they slowly made their way back to Baiyue Village.

Zhou Tie had not suffered any grave injuries—just a few lashes at Geng Zhong’s house, some time bound with ropes that left his limbs numb, and the cold and hunger had left him weak. After a meal and a little movement, he could walk on his own, though slowly and lacking in spirit.

As father and son walked together, Zhou Tie kept thinking to himself: My boy has changed again in these few days away. He’s become too wild. Leading a mob to Xin Village, a mass brawl—what trouble he’s brought upon us! The Zhou family will have many anxious days ahead. Yet, without such forceful means, would I even have survived this ordeal?

With a sigh, he could not help but lament.

Zhou Zhi sought to reassure him. “Father, there’s no need to worry. Our trip to Xin Village won’t bring the authorities down on us. First, Xin Village is a den of thieves—they avoid the law as it is, so they won’t draw the officials’ attention. Second, the centurion’s men disguised peasants as officials, which is a serious offense. He’ll want to smooth things over, not alarm the authorities.”

“Mm, mm,” Zhou Tie nodded gently, then said, “Still, Zhi, you must restrain your temper. I’m glad you don’t intend to mingle with those ruffians. That sets my heart at ease.”

Zhou Tie’s tone was gentle now, no longer harsh and stern as before. He saw his son as an adult with his own judgment. Though Zhou Tie was but a poor farmer, he could see clearly that Zhou Zhi acted with thought and discipline. Deep down, he could not help but feel a quiet pride in his son.