He nodded his head, elated that General Ji saw in him the potential that Jian had always believed was there. "You are too generous General, but I am greatly honored by your words. I would consider it a great honor to learn under one as experienced and successful as yourself, and would be willing to spill my hearts blood on the battlefield a thousand times over to requite the favor," he replied with vigor. He clasped his hands and held them up before bowing his head and asking, "Will you permit me to go to battle in the name of Chu, General Ji?"Cao Chao wrote:"Good, I like your enthusiasm," stated Ji Bu, nodding his head. "Chu can do with more individuals like you - afraid of nothing and eager to learn. Experience can be accrued . . . but the enthusiasm - the lust for battle cannot be acquired or learned. With a few years of fighting under your belt, you would undoubtedly go far in life and far under the Hegemonic King. Once we old geezers retire, the burden will fall upon youngsters like you."
He waved a dismissive hand before replying, "think nothing of it. We both serve the Emperor and the King, therefore we are almost family, wouldn't you say?" He nodded his head as Su described the lands of Wei. It didn't sound like the sort of place he would want to live, but to each his own. He was aware that, as a military man, he would go through many different climates and span the corners of the realm and must be able to adapt. After being asked about his brother, Jian smiled with pride, then nodded before replying, "Yes he is, we joined at the same time. He inherited our fathers estate and standing within the courts of Chu, which is fine by me. He learned from our mother how to maneuver through the bureaucratic nonsense which defines the courts. I took after father and saw my role on the battlefield, and therefore learned from him."Jin Shi wrote:Trend
Ma Su was pleased by the hospitality his new friend showed him. He wasn't in the habit of bringing wine with him wherever he went, it may be a good idea... He happily took the wine and half of the rabbit, as well as a small slice of the meat he had brought out, putting the rest back in his bag. "Thank you kindly, sir." He then sat down and started eating.
After taking a bite of the rabbit he said "Thank you, this is not half bad. Wei? It's a pleasant place to grow up. A little dry and deserty in spots, but overall very civilized. I've served both there and here in Chu, so now I feel like I have two homes." He took another bite of rabbit and drank half of his wine. "Is your brother here at Court? You have any other family around here?"
He stared at the fire momentarily before concluding, "as far as family, father died fighting at Julu, while mother still resides at Dingtao."
