The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

After Meng Tian and Yu Shu's marriage, they were inseparable. Meng Tian spent his days with Yu Shu, aside from attending to daily military duties at the barracks. King Tuan was in no rush to return to his tribe, intending to celebrate the New Year there.

With only eight days left until the Lunar New Year and no important matters at the military camp, Meng Yi's worries grew stronger. Every day, he witnessed his brother and sister-in-law's sweet and respectful life, and his heart was torn.

That day, Meng Yi heard that Meng Tian was in the study, so he went looking for him. Upon entering, he saw his brother and sister-in-law playing chess. Meng Yi bowed and said, "Greetings, brother and sister-in-law." Meng Tian waved his hand, and Yu Shu stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "Brother Yi, please sit down." He then ordered the maid to serve tea.

Meng Yi was hesitating about how to start. Seeing that he was fidgeting, his brother and sister-in-law asked first, "Brother Yi, what's wrong with you?"

Meng Yi thought for a moment, then said with a stiff upper lip: "Brother, it's almost the end of the year, I want to go back to Pei County."

Meng Tian pondered for a moment and jokingly said, "What's your business? The New Year is almost here, and the journey to Pei County will take at least seven or eight days. This is the first year since we met. Besides, your sister-in-law is here too. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the whole family to be together?"

Meng Yi said anxiously, "Brother, it's precisely because the New Year is approaching that I have to go back to Pei County. It's a great time for you two to reunite during the New Year, and my Susu is still waiting for me in Pei County!"

Meng Tian laughed heartily, looked at Yu Shu, and said with a smile: "Yu'er, look at my brother, he is usually steady and self-controlled, and knows etiquette, but I didn't expect that he is so free and easy in his feelings."

Yu Shu also smiled sweetly and said, "My husband, this just proves that Brother Yi is a man of true character."

Meng Yi looked at the loving couple and said unhappily, "Brother, I've already told you about this. I'm leaving today. I wish you and your sister-in-law a happy new year in advance."

After Meng Yi finished speaking, he turned around and prepared to leave.

Meng Tian hurriedly stopped him and said, "Brother Yi, don't worry. How could I stop you?" Then he turned and shouted towards the door, "Uncle Zhong, Uncle Zhong."

An old butler came over and said, "Master, what can I do for you?"

Meng Tian introduced, "Uncle Zhong, this is Meng Yi." He then said to Meng Yi, "Brother Yi, this is Uncle Zhong. He used to be my father's deputy general. Later, he was injured, so my father kept him at home. He just came from Xianyang a few days ago."

Meng Yi bowed and saluted: "Uncle Zhong."

Meng Zhong hurriedly held Meng Yi's arm and said, "You can't do that, young master." He looked at Meng Yi carefully, tears welling up in his eyes. He sighed with emotion, "Alike, so like! He looks exactly like the general when he was young. When the young master left the palace, he was only ten years old. Now he is a grown man. If the general knew about this, he would definitely be very happy."

Meng Tian smiled and said, "Okay, Uncle Zhong, Brother Yi is going to Shandong this time. Please arrange two capable men from the mansion to accompany him."

Meng Zhong asked in surprise, "Master, is the young master going on another long journey?"

Meng Tian replied, "He is already engaged, and this time he is going to bring the girl over."

Meng Zhong chuckled and said, "Okay, okay. Don't worry, young master. I will definitely arrange some good people." After saying that, he walked out.

Meng Yi looked at Meng Tian and said, "Brother, it is enough for me to take Ying Bu and Han Xin with me."

Meng Tian shook his head slightly and said with emotion, "Han Xin and Ying Bu both have their own strengths. Han Xin is unique in military strategy and tactics. In the future, he will be able to plan and win battles from thousands of miles away, and become a great general. Ying Bu, on the other hand, is brave and skilled in battle, with unparalleled martial power. He is also able to judge the situation and will surely become a powerful general in the future. You will definitely not be returning anytime soon. Therefore, I intend to focus on training these two."

Meng Yi was deeply impressed by Meng Tian's ability to judge people: "I never thought that my elder brother had such a sharp vision." He exclaimed: "My elder brother really has a good eye for talent. I admire him."

After saying goodbye to his brother and sister-in-law, Meng Yi went to find Meng Zhong.

Meng Tian and Yu Shu smiled at each other and started playing Go again.

Soon, Meng Zhong had arranged for the four people and said to them, "The journey is long, you must take good care of the young master."

Everyone responded in unison: "Don't worry, Steward, we will do our best."

Meng Zhong saw Meng Yi approaching and said, "Young Master, the guards, horses, and luggage have all been arranged."

Meng Yi bowed and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhong, and thank you all, brothers."

Meng Yi then led the four men behind him straight toward the military camp not far from the city. They rode all the way and soon arrived at their destination—outside the military camp. Meng Yi prepared to speak with Han Xin and Ying Bu and give them some instructions.

At this moment, the camp was bustling with activity. Some soldiers were training, while others were resting and chatting.

In an open field, Ying Bu and Han Xin were concentrating on exchanging martial arts. Ying Bu noticed that Han Xin's martial arts skills were relatively low, so he decided to personally step in and give him some guidance and advice.

The two men, weapons in hand, exchanged blows, each one striking with equal force. Their bodies were agile and nimble, each attack imbued with power, and each defense with ease. The soldiers watching erupted in cheers, cheering for this spectacular encounter.

Just as the two were fighting fiercely, Meng Yi suddenly approached. They immediately noticed someone coming and quickly stopped fighting. They both bowed and saluted, shouting in unison: "Young General!"

Seeing this, Meng Yi quickly reached out and helped the two men up. A hint of feigned anger appeared on his face as he scolded them, "We are brothers. Why are you being so polite? If you continue to be so rude and unceremonious, I'm afraid I will never recognize you as my brothers again!"

After hearing this, Ying Bu and Han Xin chuckled and said they understood Meng Yi's intention.

Seeing that the two of them were no longer as reserved as before and had returned to their former intimacy, Meng Yi finally felt relieved. He relaxed a little and said in a relaxed tone, "As the New Year is approaching, I plan to return to Pei County."

Ying Bu couldn't help but secretly rejoice after hearing this: "It seems that Meng Yi is indeed not an ungrateful person." His sense of identity with Meng Yi increased a little bit. So Ying Bu joked: "Brother Han, you don't know that when the young general and I passed through Pei County, we arranged a marriage. Now that the year is coming to an end, I guess..." After saying this, Ying Bu chuckled.

Seeing this, Han Xin understood what he meant and showed an expression that said, "I understand."

Seeing that the two of them didn't harbor any ill will towards him, Meng Yi smiled and said, "Stop teasing me, both of you. Men should get married when they're old enough, and women should get married when they're old enough. I'm pursuing my right to happiness. Why don't you consider it too? I can introduce you to someone."

When Ying Bu and Han Xin heard that they were going to have a blind date, they quickly shook their heads and refused.

Meng Yi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile. "Originally, we had planned to go together, but my brother said that the journey was long and fraught with danger, and I feared I wouldn't be able to return anytime soon. He values ​​you two very much and intends to focus on your training, so he decided to keep you here."

Ying Bu and Han Xin were overjoyed to hear the general's intention to train them, but their joy didn't make them lose their minds. Ying Bu quickly regained his composure and said, "We two would actually rather accompany the young general. After all, the general's support and cultivation of us will provide us with ample opportunities in the future."

Han Xin also nodded repeatedly, indicating that he agreed with what Ying Bu said.

Meng Yi gently waved his right hand, signaling, "Since Brother has made all the arrangements, then let's follow his wishes."

After saying this, he said goodbye to the two of them and left.

Afterwards, Meng Yi led the other four people from Jiuyuan and galloped all the way to the southeast without stopping.

It was not until they took a break that Meng Yi learned that these four people were all from the Meng family. The leader was named Meng Xin, the son of Uncle Zhong, who was about the same age as himself. He was planning to get married next year, and his fiancée was the steward who was in charge of the maids beside his sister-in-law.