The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

That night, accompanied by Lu Ze and Liu Bang, Meng Yi came to Lu's mansion.

As the three of them rode their horses to the gate of Lu's mansion, Meng Yi saw his father-in-law Lu Taigong and Lu Zhi and other family members waiting there.

Meng Yi felt warm in his heart, he knew that this was the respect and importance the Lu family showed him.

However, just as everyone was preparing to pay their respects, Meng Yi quickly dismounted and supported his father-in-law, Lu Taigong, and mother-in-law.

He smiled and said, "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, we are family and there is no need to be polite."

In this era where etiquette and law are paramount and class is supreme, identity and power are the symbols of status.

But Meng Yi knew very well that family affection and human relationships were more important.

He didn't want to make the Lu family feel restrained or uncomfortable because of his identity.

So, under the leadership of Lu Taigong, everyone came to the front hall of Lu's mansion. At this moment, the lights in the house were bright. After everyone sat down, the servants and maids hurriedly brought up the prepared banquet.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Grandpa Lu looked at Meng Yi and said with a smile, "My dear son-in-law, several years have passed in a flash. Now that you have come to Pei County, please stay in the mansion for a while."

Lu Zhi also echoed, "Yes, brother-in-law, just listen to father and stay a little longer."

Meng Yi put down his wine glass, looked at Lu Taigong and Lu Zhi, and said with a smile: "Father-in-law, sister, you don't know, it has been several months since I was ordered to go on tour. I really want to return to Xianyang as soon as possible. After all, Hao'er is still young, and Susu can't take care of him alone."

Madam Lu nodded and said, "Old man, your son-in-law is very considerate. But don't you care about your daughter and grandson?"

Lu Taigong smiled awkwardly, scratched his head and said, "Madam, please don't blame me. I was just too happy to see my son-in-law and was careless for a moment. I was wrong."

Everyone in the hall smiled and the atmosphere suddenly eased.

At this time, Lu Zhi said, "Brother-in-law, how are Susu and Haoer?" Her eyes revealed concern.

Meng Yi nodded and replied with a smile, "Susu misses you so much too. She always wants to come back to see you and the elders. But Hao'er is still young and can't travel well. He needs someone to take care of him. Otherwise, he would have come with me this time."

A young child beside Madam Lu babbled curiously, "Grandfather, who is Hao...who is Hao'er? Why...have I never seen him before?"

Mrs. Lu held the child in her arms and explained gently, "Ying'er, Hao'er is your cousin, your aunt's child. He was born in faraway Xianyang. When Hao'er grows up, you'll be able to meet him!"

At this moment, Meng Yi's eyes finally fell on the cute porcelain doll in Mrs. Lu's arms. Only then did he realize that this little guy was actually Liu Ying, the eldest son of Liu Bang and Lu Zhi.

Seeing this, Liu Bang hurriedly said, "Ying'er, come quickly and meet your uncle!"

Hearing his father Liu Bang's call, the young Liu Ying slowly took small steps and walked towards Meng Yi.

Meng Yi walked over with a smile and gently took Liu Ying's little hand, and Liu Ying sat obediently beside Meng Yi.

Meng Yi took out an exquisite longevity lock from his arms and gently handed it to Liu Ying: "Come, Ying'er, this is a gift specially prepared for you by your aunt and uncle." He smiled, his eyes full of tenderness and care.

Liu Ying opened his eyes wide and looked at the beautiful longevity lock curiously, with an innocent smile on his face.

Meng Yi gently hung the longevity lock around Liu Ying's slender neck. The lock swayed gently with Liu Ying's movements, flickering with a faint light. Liu Ying laughed happily, her laughter as clear and melodious as a silver bell.

"Thank you...thank you uncle and aunt!" Liu Ying said in a baby voice.

Everyone in the hall couldn't help but smile knowingly when they saw this heartwarming scene.

At the banquet, everyone was chatting and laughing, enjoying the joy brought by the delicious food and wine. The atmosphere of the whole banquet was warm and cheerful, and it lasted until nightfall before gradually dispersing, leaving behind a peaceful night.

The next morning, sunlight poured into the room through the window. Meng Yi had just finished breakfast when Xiao He and Han Xin came to Lu's mansion together.

After they entered the study, Meng Yi warmly invited them to sit down and asked them why they came.

Xiao He spoke first, "My Lord, I've been looking through the grain accounts in Pei County lately and have noticed something amiss. But after careful verification, I've found no discrepancies. This feeling has also been observed in Dang and Xue counties, starting with Dongjun. Perhaps I'm just being too nervous."

Meng Yi was moved after hearing this. He knew that Xiao He was a man of great talent and meticulous thinking. If he noticed something unusual, it must be true.

He then consoled Xiao He, saying, "Da De, you are a cautious person and have served in office for many years. You would never make a mistake easily. You can contact Li Ziwei and have him take a secret look into this matter."

Han Xin also interrupted at this time and said, "My Lord, I think there must be something fishy about this matter!"

Meng Yi and Xiao He looked at Han Xin simultaneously, their eyes filled with confusion. Han Xin then explained, "My Lord, do you remember when we were on our mission to the Western Regions, we encountered those merchants who were transporting weapons and supplies to the Zhongqiang tribe?"

Meng Yi fell into deep thought, his thoughts drifting back to the grasslands. At the time, the merchants had only revealed that they were ordered to sell weapons and supplies to the Zhongqiang tribe. Unfortunately, they were now dead, and no further information could be obtained from them. Furthermore, when questioning the Zhongqiang captives, they only knew that they were members of the Qin Empire, having never seen their true identities.

Meng Yi frowned tightly, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and he slowly said: "Zhong Yan, do you mean that the people responsible for making these grain accounts are very likely to belong to the same gang as those who sell weapons and supplies to the Zhongqiang tribe?" His voice was low and serious, as if he was trying to sort out the complicated relationship.

Han Xin nodded slightly, looking at Meng Yi with a determined gaze, and replied solemnly, "My Lord, this is just a guess. However, one thing is certain: there must be a huge black hand behind this, secretly controlling everything!"

Meng Yi gazed at Han Xin before him, a wave of relief welling up in his heart. He felt deeply that Han Xin was no longer the figure described in history as merely adept at deploying troops but lacking political wisdom. After this period of experience and growth, Han Xin had gradually demonstrated greater maturity and keen insight.

Meng Yi gently patted Han Xin's shoulder, then turned to Xiao He and said solemnly, "Great Virtue, if this is as Zhongyan says, then a large number of forces are undoubtedly involved. This is no small matter. If not handled with caution, it could lead to even greater trouble. Therefore, you and Ziwei should proceed in secret and avoid alerting the enemy. I will find a suitable time to sound out my brother-in-law, Lü Ze, to see if he knows anything about this."

Xiao He and Han Xin exchanged a glance, both with grave expressions on their faces. They knew full well that this matter was of grave importance, and that the slightest misstep could lead to a huge storm.

Then, they clasped their fists together and said in unison, "As you command."

After saying this, the two stood up, bowed to Meng Yi, and turned to leave. As their figures gradually disappeared through the door, the room fell into silence. Meng Yi sat there quietly, looking out the window.