The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Under the protection of 20 guards from the Meng Mansion, Meng Yi and his entourage traveled eastward along the Qinchi Road in Sanchuandonghai. This road was wide and flat, with picturesque scenery along the way, which made people feel happy.

Inside the carriage, Meng Hao, in Lu Su's arms, stared out the window with wide eyes, curiously gazing at the world outside. He was filled with curiosity about everything around him, blinking constantly, as if trying to take in the beautiful scenery.

Meng Yi sat aside, looking at his son's innocent and lovely appearance, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He gently stroked Meng Hao's head, his eyes full of love and doting.

"Dad, it's so beautiful outside!" Meng Hao said in a baby voice, his little hands tightly grasping the corner of Lu Su's clothes.

Meng Yi smiled and replied, "Yes, when you grow up, you can explore this beautiful world yourself."

Lü Su looked at the father and son tenderly, feeling incredibly happy. She knew that although Meng Yi was often away on official business, he always cared about his family and had a deep sense of responsibility for them.

As the convoy moved forward, Meng Hao's eyes were drawn to the fields and mountains along the road. He excitedly pointed to the mountains in the distance and asked Lu Su what place they were.

Lu Su patiently answered his question: "Those are mountains, Hao'er. They stand tall, like giants."

Meng Hao blinked his eyes and asked curiously, "What's on that mountain?"

Lu Su smiled and said, "There are many trees, flowers and plants on the mountain, as well as some small animals."

Meng Hao became even more excited after hearing this: "I want to go to the mountain and take a look!"

Meng Yi smiled and said, "When you grow up, we will go to the mountains to play together."

Meng Hao clapped his hands happily: "Great, great!"

The family continued their journey with laughter and joy, enjoying this rare warm moment.

After six or seven days of travel, the group finally arrived at the border between Donghai County and Sishui County. However, unexpectedly, the caravan, which was supposed to continue to Sishui County, turned back to Donghai County.

Han Xin looked ahead in confusion. He quickly turned around and asked a general beside him, "Meng Da, this road doesn't seem right, does it?"

Meng Da replied without hesitation: "Brother Han, you are right, this is the special order of the young general!"

Just as Han Xin was about to ask again, Meng Yi rode slowly towards them. Han Xin and Meng Da hurriedly saluted respectfully.

Meng Yi smiled and nodded, then said to Han Xin, "Zhongyan, this time we will go to Huaiyin first, and then return to Peixian."

Han Xin's face showed a puzzled look, but he quickly regained his composure. He asked softly, "General, are you going to Dongjun on a mission?"

Meng Yi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of a smile as he explained, "Zhong Yan, you see, Xiao He, Meng Xin, and Zi Wei are all married now, and even Ying Bu has found someone he loves. You'd better hurry up! If all else fails, I can ask Su Su to keep an eye out for you and introduce you to a good girl."

When Han Xin heard this, he suddenly became nervous and didn't know how to respond. He stammered, "General, I'm not thinking about this yet..."

Meng Yi looked at Han Xin with a wicked smile: "Zhong Yan, do you think you have someone you love for a long time?"

Hearing this, Han Xin's face instantly turned red to his ears, and he quickly waved his hands to deny: "General, what are you talking about..."

Meng Yi laughed heartily, patted Han Xin on the shoulder, and said, "Well, Zhongyan, I've heard for a long time that you had a crush on someone in Huaiyin, named Ji Tao! This trip to Dongjun is to help you."

Seeing that Han Xin wanted to explain something, Meng Yi immediately interrupted him and recited a poem meaningfully: "Zhongyan, when spring is in its prime, don't let down the smile in front of the flowers. The person in front of you is the treasure in my heart. Let's drink together today and get drunk like wine."

After saying this, Meng Yi kicked his horse's belly and galloped forward, leaving Han Xin standing there in a daze.

After a while, Han Xin came back to his senses, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he bowed deeply to Meng Yi's retreating back, "Thank you, General!"

That night, they arrived in Huaiyin County.

Meng Da quickly arranged for people to find an inn, and everyone stayed there.

The next morning, Meng Yi took two of his family members and Han Xin out to Ji Tao's house in the south of the city.

Along the way, Han Xin's mood was very complicated. He looked at the familiar streets around him, and countless memories surged in his heart.

He remembered the humiliation and suffering he had suffered here, the scene when he first met Meng Yi and Ying Bu, the kind-hearted washerwoman, and that woman... These memories were deeply imprinted in his mind and he could never forget them.

Walking on the road, Han Xin's steps seemed a little heavy, and he seemed immersed in memories of the past.

Meng Yi, on the other hand, silently observed Han Xin from the side, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Historically, when Han Xin returned home in glory, his childhood sweetheart had married a butcher. Now I hope everything is not too late."

Soon, the four of them arrived in front of a house.

The wall of the house was actually an earthen wall surrounded by fences and mud. Han Xin looked up and saw the familiar door frame, and a feeling of excitement surged in his heart.

Meng Yi was about to knock on the door when he heard a woman crying and an old man sighing from inside.

Meng Yi and Han Xin exchanged a glance and knocked on the door. The door creaked open and an old man leaned out, looking at the people outside with a worried look on his face.

Han Xin immediately recognized the old man as Ji Tao's father. Without waiting for Meng Yi to speak, Han Xin fell to his knees and said in a trembling voice, "Old man, I am Han Xin. I am here to look for Ji Tao."

The old man was stunned for a moment, then his face turned gloomy and he shouted angrily: "How dare you come here? Haven't you hurt my daughter enough?"

Han Xin lowered his head and said nothing. He knew that he really owed Ji Tao all these years. Before leaving, he only said, "Wait for me."

Seeing this, Meng Yi hurried forward to help Han Xin up and said, "Old man, please don't be angry. Han Xin can't be blamed entirely for what happened back then. He fought with me throughout the country and achieved great success. I brought him here today specifically to help him and your daughter get married."

After hearing what Meng Yi said, the old man's expression softened slightly, but he was still hesitant. He sighed and said, "Alas, now that things have come to this, what can I do?"

At this time, Ji Tao's crying sounded again in the room. Han Xin could not help but rush in and saw Ji Tao sitting by the bed crying. When Ji Tao saw Han Xin, she was stunned. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but was immediately covered by sadness.

"Brother Xin..." Ji Tao's voice was filled with tears, "You are finally here..."

Han Xin stepped forward, held Ji Tao's hand tightly, and said, "Tao'er, I'm late and I'm sorry for making you suffer."

Ji Tao threw herself into Han Xin's arms, bursting into tears, "I thought you would never come back..."

The old man stood aside, watching the two hugging and crying, with mixed feelings in his heart.

"It's too late, everything is too late. If you had come back earlier..." The old man shook his head helplessly, turned and walked out of the room.