Chapter 10: 10. Chapter 10: Going to Pick People

Chapter 10: Selecting Men

After Wei Fangyun left, Madam Wen pulled Meng Changqing aside to ask about the situation.

Meng Changqing naturally told her everything that had happened. "Mother, do you have any impression of this Lord Wei?"

"Your father once mentioned him, praising him for having a sharp mind. Judging by today's events, he seems to treat you quite well." Madam Wen's voice lowered. "But remember, never let your guard down."

"I know."

After a sound night's sleep, Meng Changqing rose early the next day to exercise.

Having spent a month recovering from her injuries on the road, the little bit of martial arts she knew was nearly going to waste.

It was certainly unrealistic to suddenly resume her previous training intensity, so she had to take it slow.

When Dr. Hu woke up, he saw Meng Changqing running laps in the courtyard. She was draped in a gray cotton-padded jacket, the hot air she exhaled forming white mist.

"It seems you've fully recovered," Dr. Hu said. "It's time for me to head back."

Meng Changqing suddenly crouched down, clutching her chest and coughing for a long while.

"Stop acting!" Dr. Hu scolded her. "You haven't inherited a shred of your mother's honesty. Keep coughing if you want, I'm leaving today regardless."

Meng Changqing steadied herself against a stone pillar to stand up. Just as she was about to speak, the urge to cough surged again; this time, it was real.

Seeing Dr. Hu returning to his room to pack his luggage, Meng Changqing followed him in, coughing as she spoke, "Dr... Hu..."

"What? Do you want to cough yourself to death in front of me?" Dr. Hu said. "You aren't my child anyway, so I don't feel any pity."

Seeing Meng Changqing reach for the cold tea in the pot, the "unpitying" doctor immediately shoved a pill into her mouth.

"I've gone through so much trouble to get you back in shape, don't you dare waste my medicine."

With the pill under her tongue, Meng Changqing took a deep breath, waiting for the rising blood-heat to subside before speaking. "Fine. Since you are leaving, remember to bid my mother farewell. She has a gift of gratitude to give you."

Dr. Hu looked at Meng Changqing suspiciously. "What good thing could she possibly have for me?"

"I don't know either."

Meng Changqing had to go to the barracks today and didn't have much time to spare for other matters.

At 6:00 AM, Wei Fangyun appeared on horseback at the entrance of the relay station right on time.

By then, Meng Changqing had already finished breakfast and, to avoid getting as hungry as she had the day before, had stuffed a few flatbreads into her robes.

"Changqing!" Wei Fangyun entered, holding his riding crop. "Are you riding with me, or taking the carriage?"

"Uncle," Meng Changqing stood up and bowed. "My health hasn't fully recovered yet, so I'll take the carriage."

"Very well! I'll leave a young officer to guide you; I'll head over first." He turned to leave, but froze when he saw Xi Bei.

"You are... you are Brother Xi!" Wei Fangyun stepped forward and grabbed Xi Bei by the shoulder. "It’s been over a decade since you retired from the army; we haven't seen each other since. How have you been all these years?"

Xi Bei looked at his old comrade. Despite being roughly the same age, the man looked much older than him. He burst into laughter and threw an arm around Wei Fangyun's shoulder. "Very well, very well! Though I never climbed the ranks, I’ve had plenty to eat and wear. Life has been quite happy."

"What are you doing here?"

Xi Bei said, half-truthfully, "I happened to run into Young Master Meng in Fengxia Town. Hearing he was coming to Liangzhou, I decided to tag along."

Wei Fangyun nodded. "With you by Changqing's side, I feel much more at ease."

While they were talking, Meng Changqing had already settled into the carriage. "Uncle, it's getting late. Let's go!"

Wei Fangyun personally led Meng Changqing to the barracks.

After the carriage train exited the North Gate of Liangzhou, they headed straight north.

They traveled at top speed for two hours. Meng Changqing, who had never suffered from motion sickness in the modern world, was actually getting carsick in the ancient one.

Bafang kept poking his head into the carriage. "Young Master, please make sure to use something to catch it if you vomit."

Fortunately, no matter how far the distance, there is always an end.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the camp gates.

Xi Bei was busy observing the changes in the camp, and Bafang leaned in to listen to his explanations. Neither of them noticed Meng Changqing, who was standing unsteadily behind them. It was the quiet Chu Mufeng who reached out to steady her.

"Many thanks, Lord Bai."

"The pace was too fast. It's not as comfortable as riding a horse," Chu Mufeng remarked.

Meng Changqing couldn't agree more.

Up ahead, Wei Fangyun had already cleared things with the guards and turned to wave at them. "Come in. Leave the carriages outside the camp; someone will look after them for you."

Chu Mufeng supported Meng Changqing all the way inside. It wasn't until they were standing in the main commander's tent that Bafang noticed his young master was unwell and took her from Chu Mufeng.

By then, Meng Changqing felt much better and found a place to sit.

Wei Fangyun went out to assemble the soldiers and explain the situation, leaving Meng Changqing to wait in the tent for a while.

Xi Bei paced around the tent. "Changqing, look at this paperweight. It looks like one your father used. It is! It even has my teeth marks on it."

"Why would you bite a paperweight?"

"Your father was infuriating when he spoke, and since I couldn't hit him, I had to bite his things to vent."

Meng Changqing, who was warming her hands by the fire, paused. "You haven't bitten any of my things, have you?"

"You speak better than your father. I've never been angry with you."

The group chatted to pass the time, and after a while, Wei Fangyun finally returned.

"Changqing, I've brought the men to the training ground. Go take a look, and pick whoever catches your eye."

Meng Changqing followed Wei Fangyun over. There were at least five or six hundred men on the field.

"I've called over everyone who is currently free," Wei Fangyun said. "I told them you are selecting men under the Emperor's decree. Just pick whoever you want; they won't dare to complain."

Meng Changqing walked a dozen steps into the crowd and realized this would not be easy.

Xi Bei was picking men earnestly—who was stronger, who looked more spirited. Since the Emperor had granted them the men, they should naturally pick the best.

Meng Changqing stepped onto the high platform in the middle of the training ground. "Everyone! I trust Lord Wei has explained my purpose. I am here to select one hundred men to serve as my personal guards.

You came here to join the army, and your original intent was certainly not to protect someone like me. Therefore, those of you who are unwilling may step out."

As soon as Meng Changqing finished speaking, sixty or seventy men left immediately.

Whether they were here to defend the country or to earn military merit, these men had clear goals. Meng Changqing truly felt bad about taking them away from their paths.

"For those of you remaining, are you all willing to follow me?" At this question, another twenty or thirty men left.

"Changqing, are you picking them, or are they picking you?" Xi Bei whispered from the side.

"Work is a mutual selection. Both sides have to be satisfied."

Meng Changqing continued, "But think carefully: following me means there are no military honors waiting for you. And it doesn't mean you'll be safe; the place I am going is even closer to the border than where you are now."