The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it is the end of the 31st year of Qin Shihuang's reign.

The construction of the Northern Great Wall is nearing completion, like a giant dragon winding through the northern border.

The Emperor's decree of reward reached Jiuyuan County like a spring breeze. To show his importance, the Internal Secretary Gan Luo even came in person to convey the decree.

Meng Tian led Meng Yi, Meng Yuan, Sima Yan and others to respectfully accept the order.

Gan Luo stood at the main podium in the conference hall, solemnly opening the imperial edict and reading in a resounding voice: "Imperial decree: In the Battle of Jiuyuan, all the generals worked together to defeat the 300,000-strong Xiongnu army. This was a feat of unity. Meng Tian commanded with such skill and determination that he was promoted to General and granted the title of Marquis of Guannei. He will continue to lead the 300,000-strong army to hold the Jiuyuan defense line. Meng Yuan will be promoted to Right General, Sima Yan to Left General, Li You to Front General, Bai Lin to Rear General, Pang Bo to Colonel, Meng Yi to General of the Central Army, and the remaining generals will be rewarded according to their merits. Next year, I will personally travel north to inspect the Great Wall defense line."

(The current ranks are those of the late Qin and early Han dynasties, from the highest to the lowest: General (temporary control), General, General (front, back, left, and right), Colonel, Commandant, Lieutenant, Lieutenant General, Lieutenant General, Captain, Captain, and Lieutenant General.) (This is the imperial palace organization (all are equal): General of the Guards, Lieutenant General (Guanglu Xun), Lieutenant General (Southern Army), Lieutenant General (Northern Army))

Meng Tian and the others saluted respectfully and said in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace. May Your Majesty live forever, and may the Great Qin live forever."

Gan Luo walked down the steps, bowed and said with a smile, "Congratulations, General." Everyone also said in unison, "Congratulations, General."

Meng Tian quickly grabbed Gan Luo's hand as he was about to salute, and humbly said, "Gan Nei Shi, you are too kind. I failed to capture Touman alive this time. I am guilty of dereliction of duty."

Gan Luo consoled him, "General, man proposes, God disposes. There's no need to blame yourself. His Majesty has said that this inflict of heavy damage on the Xiongnu was entirely due to General Meng's command. Furthermore, His Majesty heard that you are about to get married, so he sent me a hundred pearls from the East China Sea, a hundred agates from the Western Regions, and a hundred jades. Wishing you a long and happy marriage!"

Meng Tian then turned around and bowed deeply towards the south, where Xianyang was located, and said devoutly, "Your Majesty, I bow to you in gratitude."

After Gan Luo read out the imperial edict, he rushed back to Xianyang like an arrow. After all, it was the end of the year, and as the Internal History, he had a mountain of work to deal with.

The rest of the crowd began to discuss: when would the wedding take place? How would the bride be received? How would the venue and wedding room be arranged?

Looking at the crowd's excited and chattering faces, Meng Tian smiled helplessly, just like a stone thrown into a pool of still water, causing ripples.

Meng Yi then said, "Brother, there are still about eighteen days until the Chinese New Year. How about we get married eight days later?"

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Meng Tian like a spotlight.

After thinking for a moment, Meng Tian said, "Isn't this too tight a time limit?"

Li You chuckled and said, "General, the better to get married, the sooner rather than later. The brothers are all looking forward to the wedding!"

Meng Yuan, Sima Yan, Bai Lin and others also echoed the voice.

Meng Yi smiled and said, "Brother, let me take care of this matter!"

Meng Tian felt a little helpless, but still nodded.

Afterwards, Meng Yi called Meng Yuan and others together for discussion.

Meng Yi said, "Brother Li You, you will lead the team to clean up and decorate the General's Mansion in Jiuyuan City as a wedding room." Turning to Sima Yan, he said, "Brother Sima, you will be responsible for finding a house in the city and carefully decorating it. My future sister-in-law must have a place to marry in style."

Then, Meng Yi said to Bai Lin, who had a fair complexion, "Brother Bai, you are in charge of the wedding procession, so the personnel need to be trained a little, like a well-trained army."

Li You interrupted, "Young General, where's the bride? My sister-in-law hasn't arrived yet!"

Meng Yi answered confidently: "I will go to Tuan to pick up my sister-in-law myself."

Meng Yuan looked at Meng Yi with anticipation, as if to say, "And me!"

Meng Yi noticed Meng Yuan's gaze and said with a smile, "Brother Yuan, as my husband's family, let's go pick up my sister-in-law together!"

Meng Yi began to assign tasks in an orderly manner. Everyone received their tasks and prepared for their own work.

Meng Yi and Meng Yuanshen led Ying Bu, Han Xin and three hundred elite cavalrymen, and rushed towards Tuan at lightning speed.

Just as they were about to reach Yanmen, Pang Qing suddenly appeared and blocked their way without hesitation. The city gate was tightly closed, with no intention of opening, and it was obvious that they had no intention of letting them pass.

Pang Qing looked at Meng Yuan's furious face and explained, "General Meng Yuan, please wait a moment. My cousin will be here soon. He has something important to discuss with you."

Meng Yuan glared at him fiercely, then rode on his horse in silence.

Not long after, Pang Bo hurried over, a smile still on his face, and said flatteringly: "Old Yuan, you see, after all, I have the responsibility to guard the pass and protect the city. I can't leave without permission. I won't have the chance to catch up with the general's wedding banquet! However, I must at least taste a sip of the wedding wine."

Meng Yi smiled slightly after hearing this and said teasingly, "Brother Pang, you are taking advantage of others! If my brother Yuan doesn't agree, will you not let us go?"

Pang Bo hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands, replying in panic: "Young General, please don't say that! How dare I, Old Pang, delay the general's marriage? I just want to have a drink at the wedding."

After saying this, Pang Bo looked at Meng Yuan expectantly, as if waiting for his reply.

Meng Yi looked at everything happening in front of him, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise slightly, and he secretly rejoiced in his heart: "I didn't expect it, it's really a changing world." The moment before, Meng Yuan was still looking forward to looking at Meng Yi, but now it was someone else.

Meng Yuan glanced at Pang Bo with disdain, then replied indifferently, "Yeah."

Seeing this, Pangbo did not dare to delay even a little and quickly shouted to the guards beside him: "Open the city gate quickly!"

After receiving the order, everyone rushed out of the checkpoint like an arrow and ran towards Tuan without stopping.

Pang Qing stood at the city gate and sighed helplessly: "Now it's great, I'm the only one left guarding this place alone, ah!"

Before long, the team successfully arrived outside the earthen city wall of Tuan.

As expected, it was Jin Shuishan who finally came out to greet them.

After entering the Tuan Palace, Meng Yuan bowed respectfully and said in a loud voice, "Greetings to King Tuan!" The others followed suit. After all, King Tuan was the general's father-in-law, so who would dare disrespect him?

King Tuan sat on the throne, feeling as if he were in a cloud of mist. He was overwhelmed with joy and said hurriedly, "Generals, please take a seat quickly. There is no need for such formalities."

After everyone had taken their seats, Meng Yuan stood up. As the Meng family's envoy proposing marriage, he saluted King Tuan and then spoke, "Your Majesty, I am Meng Yuan, entrusted by General Meng Tian to come here to welcome you and your entire family to Jiuyuan for the grand wedding ceremony. His Majesty, with great pleasure, has issued an imperial decree granting the general the joyous marriage and bestowing upon him the title of Marquis of Guannei."

Upon hearing this news, King Tuan was ecstatic. He had originally thought that after defeating the Xiongnu, General Meng might simply send his men to take his daughter over to marry. However, he never expected that the other party would put on such a big show and treat Yu Shu with the etiquette of marrying a mistress. This made King Tuan extremely excited and almost shed tears. He hurriedly said, "Great! It's really great! General Meng Yuan and all the generals, please rest for a while in Tuan City. Tomorrow morning, I will take my daughter with me to Jiuyuan. Tonight, I have specially prepared some simple wine and food to express my welcome to you all."

As soon as the words fell, everyone present stood up and answered in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Meng Yuan and the others left the main hall, King Tuan quickly walked towards the rear palace, his joy evident. Upon seeing Yu Shu, he couldn't wait to tell her what had just happened: "Yu'er, General Meng has sent someone to propose marriage! After discussion, they've decided to depart for Jiuyuan tomorrow for the wedding. Judging by their pomp and ceremony, it's clear they're treating her according to the etiquette of the Meng family's mistress. Now, as a father, I can rest assured."

When Yu Shu heard this, she was happy at first, but then she became worried again. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings and a lot of emotions!

King Tuan watched all of this unfold, his heart filled with reluctance. He gently stroked Yu Shu's shoulders and soothed her softly, "Don't worry, Yu'er! Tomorrow is your wedding day, and I, your father, have decided to personally escort you to Jiuyuan City."

Yu Shu hurriedly said, "Father, how could a father send his daughter off to marry? I'm afraid this would violate etiquette."

However, King Tuan firmly replied, "Don't worry, Yu'er. This matter has been approved by the brothers Meng Yuan and Meng Yi. As a father, I must see my daughter marry in a grand ceremony."

Hearing this, Yu Shu was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She gently pulled King Tuan's arm and called softly, "Father..." Her voice was full of affection and attachment.

As night fell and the lights came on, King Tuan hosted a banquet for everyone, where everyone drank heartily and laughed and talked happily.

The next morning, just as the sun rose, its rays bathed the earth in light. King Tuan, accompanied by Yu Shu, numerous attendants, and a generous dowry, set out on the journey to Jiuyuan with Meng Yuan and his companions. The impressive procession attracted countless curious glances along the way. Meng Yuan and Meng Yi rode side by side, feeling particularly relaxed and happy.