The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

The next morning, Qin Yi led everyone to leave the Tuan tribe, and after meeting up with Li Ziwei and others, they headed straight for Yanmen Pass.

After returning to the interior, Qin Yi met Pang Bo and told him the whole story. He then handed him King Tuan's golden seal and handwritten letter.

After listening to Qin Yi's story, Pang Bo thought to himself, "Although young people are a bit impulsive, this is still a great achievement." He wanted to warn him, "You are lucky this time, but you must not act so rashly again and gamble your life. In the future, I will punish you according to military law."

Pang Bo added, "I will send people to secretly monitor this matter and keep vigilant. The general will arrive in the next few days and will make the final decision himself."

Qin Yi bowed and said "Yes, sir."

The next day, the patrol team reported that General Meng Tian was leading his troops on a border patrol and was still five miles away from the base.

Then, except for those required for the mission, all other generals waited at the camp gate.

The vast grassland stretched as far as the eye could see, its brush gently rustling in the breeze, undulating like a green ocean. Mounted on a steed, a Qin sword slung across his waist, Meng Tian led two hundred elite cavalrymen on patrol across this border grassland.

Their figures loomed tall and majestic in the sunlight, and the sound of their horses' hooves echoed across the grassland, a sonata between earth and sky. Meng Tian's eyes were sharp and resolute, as he scanned his surroundings vigilantly, not missing a single unusual movement.

The air on the grassland was fresh and cool, and Meng Tian and his companions' breathing became steady and deep. They became one with nature, guardians of this land. As the team advanced, Meng Tian observed the subtle changes on the grassland, knowing full well that the security of the border was crucial to the peace of the nation.

Suddenly, a commotion in the brush ahead caught Meng Tian's attention. He immediately raised his Qin sword and signaled his troops to halt. The cavalry, well-trained, quickly formed their battle formations, their gazes fixed warily on the front. A moment later, a hare darted out of the brush and disappeared into the distance. Meng Tian breathed a sigh of relief, but his vigilance remained.

Continuing on, they reached a high point. Meng Tian ascended and gazed out across the vast expanse of grassland. However, his gaze remained fixed on the border, the Qin line of defense, and his position.

Under the leadership of Meng Tian, ​​the two hundred cavalrymen formed a steel defense line, traversing the grasslands and safeguarding the peace of this land. They were the pride of the Qin State and the guardians of the border.

Before long, Meng Tian led his men to the foot of Yanmen Pass. He gazed at the hillside wall and the strange, large wheel with curiosity. He thought to himself, "Throughout my journey, most of the passes had only been completed to the tune of four-fifths, some only three-fifths. Yet, Yanmen Pass is almost finished. I know Pangbo's character; he certainly wouldn't cut corners. This is truly bizarre."

When Meng Tian arrived at the camp gate, Pang Bo immediately led everyone in bowing and saying, "Greetings, General." Seeing Pang Bo's growth, Meng Tian was very pleased and said with a smile, "Excuse me, it's been a while since we last met. Let's all get back to our business."

Qin Yi quietly examined Meng Tian. He was tall and imposing, his brow radiating determination and courage. His features were chiseled, his eyes sharp and penetrating, as if he could see through everything. He wore a black battle robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns, highlighting his nobility and majesty. He exuded a powerful aura, a steely temperament forged through battle and bloody battles.

Meng Tian and Pang Bo and several others entered the main tent, while the rest of the people scattered.

After Han Xin returned to his tent, he could not help but sigh, "Sir, General Meng is truly awe-inspiring. If I could command hundreds of thousands of troops like him, I would have no regrets in my life."

Ying Bu smiled slightly beside him and did not answer, while Qin Yi said, "Then you must first have strategy, command, courage, and be able to integrate these into the art of war."

After entering the tent, Meng Tian sat upright in the main seat, looked at Pang Bo, and said, "After a few years, you have become more like a general. Not bad."

Pang Bo's face lit up with joy as he said, "It's all thanks to my previous experience learning from the general. Otherwise, I would have failed the general's expectations."

Meng Tian laughed and said, "Stop joking with me. Let's talk about building the wall. I see that the construction of Yanmen Pass is progressing quite fast. What are the meanings of those wheels at the bottom of the hill?"

Pang Bo then explained to Meng Tian in detail how to make and use the wooden wheel.

After hearing this, Meng Tian exclaimed in amazement, "If this thing were used to build all the city walls in the north, it would definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort. Your brain has really opened up in recent years. You can even think of such a technique. It's really good."

Pang Bo hurriedly shook his head and said, "General, you are too kind. This is what Deputy General Qin Yi wanted, but Qin Yi..." He looked around and hesitated.

Meng Tian shouted angrily, "If you have something to say, say it!" He turned to look at Meng Yuan beside him and continued, "This Meng Yuan has been inseparable from me since childhood, and later followed me on my campaigns. How could you not recognize him?"

Pang Bo chuckled and said, "This matter is extremely important. When I was fighting with Qin Yi that day, I accidentally cut his clothes, revealing a tiger talisman pendant that is exactly the same as the one you have, General."

Upon hearing this, Meng Tian and Meng Yuan both beamed with joy, then fell into deep thought. "Nine years ago, when Chu and Qi were conquered, my father, Meng Wu, brought Meng Tian and Meng Yi with him. Meng Tian was twenty, and Meng Yi ten. However, while passing through Donghai County, they were ambushed by remnants of the Chu State, and in the chaos, Meng Yi disappeared. This tiger talisman pendant was a gift from my father, Meng Wu, to the two brothers. Meng Yuan, who was in charge of protecting them, was also severely injured, and he has felt deeply guilty ever since."

Meng Tian's thoughts were pulled back, and he said in a deep voice: "Is this true?"

Pang Bo quickly said, "How dare I deceive the General? I will discuss this with him in detail tonight so that the General can consider this matter."

That night, Pang Bo called Qin Yi into the main tent and said with a smile, "Qin Yi, it's been so long, and I haven't asked about your family situation. You and I are both people who left our hometowns, and it's not easy to make a living outside."

Qin Yi thought to himself: "The highlight is about to come. It seems that Pangbo came here just to understand the specific situation so that Meng Tian can judge my identity." He immediately said: "I am nineteen years old this year, and I am from Donghai County. My father died of illness five years ago, and I don’t remember much about my childhood. My father is actually an adoptive father. I heard that he found me in Donghai County nine years ago. I was dying at the time, and my father couldn’t bear it and took me back. He also saw my name and birthdate engraved on the bronze plate he carried with him. He recognized it as the Qin font, so he gave me the surname Qin and the name Yi, saying that it would be easier for my family to find me in the future. After my father passed away, an old man in the mountains adopted me and taught me to read and martial arts. Later, I went down the mountain to learn from a master, and finally went north to join the army." After that, he took out the bronze plate.

Meng Tian recognized at a glance that the bronze plate was the one he gave to Meng Yi on his tenth birthday. At this moment, he could no longer hold back and rushed in like a tiger.

Meng Tian excitedly grabbed Qin Yi's shoulders, tears in his eyes, "Brother Yi, I finally found you!"

Qin Yi looked confused and at a loss.

Meng Tian calmed down and told Qin Yi their life stories and how they were separated that year.

Qin Yi felt as if he were in another world after hearing this, and tears streamed down his face. The two brothers hugged each other and cried, and years of longing and concern turned into endless joy at this moment.

Meng Tian said, "Before my father passed away, he told me to find you. Today I have fulfilled his wish. As for changing your surname back to Meng Yi, I will write to His Majesty when I return to Xianyang, requesting that you return to the clan."

Qin Yi said, "Everything is up to you, big brother."

Meng Tian introduced, "This is Meng Yuan, eight years older than you. His father was a general in your father's household. He sacrificed his life in Jiuyuan Commandery to protect your father. He has always followed me through battles, and we are like brothers. He is your adopted son, so you can just call him Second Brother."

Qin Yi bowed and said, "Second brother."

Meng Yuan cried with joy, "Little General, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

……