The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Just five days after New Year's Eve, Meng Yi told Lu Su about something and then left Lu's house with Meng Xin.

As Meng Yi walked, he thought to himself, "Although Xiao He is currently serving as an official in Pei County, he's just a civil servant who's good at writing. It wouldn't be difficult to transfer him."

The two of them walked forward and soon arrived at the east of the city. Xiao He's residence was nearby and was not difficult to find. After asking around, they turned right at the corner ahead and it was there.

What appeared before their eyes was a quiet solitary courtyard.

The noise coming from inside the house attracted Meng Yi's attention. He went forward and knocked on the door. The door opened and it was Xiao He who came in. When he saw Meng Yi, his face was full of excitement.

Meng Yi smiled at him, and Xiao He warmly welcomed him into the house.

A man stood in the room. Meng Yi examined him carefully. He was eight feet tall, his figure erect like a pine tree, like a mountain. His face was broad, his brows were wide, and his eyes, gleaming with determination and wisdom, shone like stars. His nose was high, his lips thick, and he gave off a sense of composure.

Xiao He quickly introduced, "Mr. Qin, this is Cao Shen, the prison official of Pei County." He then introduced Cao Shen, "This is Mr. Qin Yi, Mr. Lu Taigong's son-in-law."

Cao Shen bowed and said, "Mr. Qin, you are polite. Could it be that Mr. Qin is the brother-in-law of Chief Liu?"

Meng Yi returned the greeting with a bow, thinking to himself, "Cao Shen is a man of both civil and military abilities, coined the phrase 'Xiao follows Cao's rules'. It seems he's also a member of Liu Bang's inner circle. I'll test him later." Then he said, "Indeed, Brother Cao is polite."

Meng Yi turned to Xiao He and said with a smile, "Brother Xiao, since Brother Cao is here and it's the perfect time, how about we go out for a few drinks?"

Xiao He laughed and said, "How dare I disobey your command."

Then Meng Yi, Xiao He and the other three went to a tavern not far away and asked for a private room.

After everyone sat down, Xiao He asked, "Mr. Qin has been away in the north for three or four months. How come you're back so soon?"

Meng Yi slowly spoke, "At that time, Ying Bu and I were heading north to Yanmen Pass to join the army. Unexpectedly, we ran into General Meng Tian while he was inspecting the northern land. During the duel, General Meng Tian stumbled upon the token I was carrying. After a conversation, he confirmed that I was his lost brother. Later, I changed my surname back to Meng. Coincidentally, the Xiongnu invaded the border, and I performed some meritorious services. This time, I returned to get married."

Xiao He and Cao Shen quickly stood up and saluted, saying, "Greetings, young general."

Meng Yi quickly pulled Xiao He and Cao Shen aside and said with a smile, "Brother Xiao, Brother Cao, please don't be like this. We are only brothers here, not officials."

After the two sat down.

Meng Yi said, "In addition to getting married, I also came back to invite Brother Xiao to go north with me."

Cao Shen thought to himself, "I didn't expect Meng Yi and Brother Xiao to have known each other for a long time."

Meng Yi then said to Cao Shen, "Brother Cao and Brother Xiao are friends, so you must be talented. Why bother being a minor official here? How about coming north with me this time?"

Xiao He nodded happily and advised Cao Shen, "Brother Cao, your talent is no less than mine. Why don't you go north to display your talents?"

Cao Shen pondered for a moment and said, "At present, various forces are dormant, and the court is fighting openly and secretly. It is better not to participate." He stood up and bowed, saying, "I am very sorry, General, Brother Xiao, I cannot go."

Xiao He was about to persuade him, but Meng Yi quickly stopped him and said, "Since Brother Cao is so kind, we won't force him."

Meng Yi picked up the wine glass, toasted everyone, and then turned to Cao Shen.

"Brother Cao, everyone has their own aspirations, and Meng Yi won't force them. But after meeting you today, I can see that Brother Cao is truly eloquent and admirable. If you need any help in the future, please feel free to ask, and Meng Yi will never refuse."

Cao Shen smiled and raised his glass to toast Meng Yi.

"Thank you for your kindness, General. Cao Shen will remember it in my heart. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely fight on the battlefield with you."

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the four of them were having a great time chatting. Meng Yi and Xiao He agreed on a departure time and left the tavern.

Cao Shen looked at Meng Yi's departing back, thinking about something.

"This man is a man of noble bearing and great ambition, and is definitely not one to be trifled with. Furthermore, he has a close relationship with General Meng Tian, ​​and will surely achieve great things in the future. It's a pity..."

He shook his head slightly, turned around and went back home to continue his ordinary life.

As for the Lu family, the wedding was scheduled for three days after the Lantern Festival. Since the husband's family was the Meng family of the current dynasty, both the guests invited and the wedding ceremony had to be handled with caution.

Time flies, and five days have passed.

The weather was sunny and breezy these past few days, and the newlyweds, Meng Yi and Lu Su, were enjoying a leisurely time. After trying on their gorgeous wedding gowns and going through the tedious formalities, they spent their days leisurely strolling the streets, savoring various snacks and enjoying acrobatic performances.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

Ever since Meng Tian informed Meng Yuan on the eve of the Lunar New Year that he would officiate his brother Meng Yi's wedding in his stead, he had begun preparing generous gifts and carefully selecting his entourage. On the morning of the seventh day after the Lunar New Year, Meng Yuan, leading twenty elite cavalrymen, rode tirelessly towards Pei County.

After a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at Xiang County, the seat of Sishui County, on the tenth day.

After entering the city, Meng Yuan and his companions galloped directly towards the county magistrate's office without delay. Upon reaching their destination, Meng Yuan dismounted and handed the token representing his identity to the guard at the gate for inspection. Then, the group waited quietly at the gate.

Not long after, a tall, imposing man with a heroic demeanor strode out. As he walked, he called out, "Lao Yuan! Lao Yuan! I've missed you so much! You finally came to see me!"

Meng Yuan smiled faintly upon hearing the voice, muttering to himself, "Bai Yan, he's been the county lieutenant here for four years, why is he still so rude and disrespectful?" But he still replied, "Here I am, Old Bai."

Bai Yan looked at Meng Yuan in front of him, his lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile. "Hey! You, you're fighting outside all day, and yet you're getting younger and younger. Look at me, I'm stuck in this damn place all day, I'm almost going crazy from being bored." After saying that, he turned his gaze to his followers and asked jokingly, "Li Er, Wang San, are you two here with our old Yuan on some business?"

Hearing Bai Yan's words, Li Er and the others smiled brightly, bowed respectfully, and shouted in unison: "Greetings, General Bai!"

Seeing this, Bai Yan just waved his hand nonchalantly, and then led everyone into the government office.

After entering the government office, Bai Yan and Meng Yuan headed straight for the study. As soon as they sat down, Bai Yan smiled and said, "Old Yuan, what brings you all this way here? And I see your horse is laden with so many bags, large and small. Could it be gifts for me?"

Meng Yuan initially laughed heartily, then responded, "You, Old Bai, don't have the guts to ask me to come all this way to give you a gift." Before he finished speaking, his face suddenly straightened, his expression becoming unusually solemn and serious. "However, there's one person you'll definitely never forget—General Meng Yi. Do you remember him?"

Bai Yan showed a puzzled expression on his face and said, "Of course I remember. Could it be that the young general has been found?"

Meng Yuan nodded in affirmation, and then recounted in detail how Meng Yi resolutely went north to join the army, how General Meng reunited with his son, how he traveled thousands of miles to raid the Xiongnu royal court, and how his wedding was about to be held in Pei County.

Bai Yan couldn't help but applaud upon hearing this, exclaiming in admiration, "This young general has truly lived up to everyone's expectations, inheriting his father's wisdom and courage. And Old Pang was incredibly lucky to have even tracked down the young general. Meanwhile, I've been languishing in Sishui County for years, completely unaware that the young general had even passed through here. Alas, I truly feel so ashamed of the general's spirit!"

Meng Yuan gently patted Bai Yan's shoulder and comforted him, "I know exactly what you're thinking. That's why I came here specifically to invite you to come to Pei County and celebrate the young general's big day together."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yan's face lit up with joy: "Haha, it's you, Lao Yuan! That's really nice! Then I'll go back and pack up, and we'll set off now." Before he finished speaking, he hurriedly sent his men to report to the county magistrate.

Upon hearing the news, the county magistrate did not dare to neglect it. He hurriedly prepared generous gifts and asked his son to lead a group to visit them, expressing his willingness to accompany the two men to Pei County to congratulate them.

Meng Yuan and Bai Yan exchanged a glance, both smiling wryly and sighing inwardly. However, since things had come to this point, it was difficult to refuse, so they had no choice but to agree.

Soon, the group finished their reorganization and mounted their horses. The sound of horse hooves echoed through the sky, raising clouds of dust. Like a gust of wind, they galloped towards Pei County.