Chapter 9: The Location of Beishan County

After the family recognition, Meng Changqing presented the gift she had prepared. "Uncle, this is a gift I have prepared for you. Please do not think it too modest."

"You child, you are too polite." Wei Fangyun did not know what was inside the box. "Since you call me uncle, it should be me giving you a welcoming gift."

"You are not only my uncle but also my superior. This is a small token of my sincerity; please accept it."

"Very well." Although Wei Fangyun was stationed at the border, he was well-versed in the ways of officialdom and knew that if he did not accept this gift, the child would not be at ease.

"What is inside?" he asked, opening the box.

Seeing a sword inside, he felt the hilt looked familiar just by glancing at it, though so many years had passed that he couldn't immediately place it. It wasn't until he drew the blade and saw the character "Shan" engraved on it that he realized.

"This is the sword your father left for you." Wei Fangyun assumed Meng Changqing did not know the origin of the sword. "Look here, your original name is engraved on it as well.

You were supposed to be called Meng Xiaoshan. The Emperor changed your name to Meng Changqing, likely hoping that you would live in peace and longevity."

Meng Changqing smiled on the surface, but in her heart, she thought that was not the case at all.

When she was born, she was named Meng Changming (Long Life). The Emperor heard this name and felt it was a jab at him, which was why he changed it to Meng Changqing (Long Green/Evergreen).

Wei Fangyun placed the sword back into the box and pushed it toward Meng Changqing again. "I cannot accept this. You must keep this sword safe."

"Uncle, if I am to give you a gift, there is nothing more appropriate than this sword. It is incredibly sharp, but it has no use in my hands. As a General of the Renningyuan, you need a good sword." Meng Changqing bowed and said, "Your nephew has caused trouble elsewhere and came to Liangzhou with nowhere else to go. I will inevitably need your care. This is a token of my father's and my own sincerity; please, I insist you accept this sword."

Wei Fangyun nodded. "Very well, then I shall keep it for you. When you leave Liangzhou one day, I will return it to you."

She had only just arrived today, and he was already talking about her leaving.

Seeing the child of an old friend, Wei Fangyun was so happy that he hadn't mentioned a single word of official business, leaving Meng Changqing to initiate the process herself.

"These are my official seal and documents. Please verify them, sir." Meng Changqing offered both items with both hands.

"There is no need for verification. Based on your face alone, I am certain you are Meng Changqing." Although he said this, he had already unfolded the documents and taken out the secret imperial edict to cross-reference the seals.

"The documents and the official seal are both correct." Wei Fangyun organized the papers and returned them to her. "Your official robes and hat have already been made. I will have someone send them over later, but since I did not know your measurements, they might not fit perfectly. You can have someone alter them after you take them back."

"Does Uncle have a map of Liangzhou here?" Meng Changqing asked. "I do not yet know where Beishan County is located."

"Come, both of you follow me to the front office."

Wei Fangyun led the way, carrying a lantern.

It was impossible to tell the time, but it was pitch black outside, with only a small patch of ground visible around the lantern.

Wei Fangyun brought them into a room in the front office, where a map of Liangzhou hung on the wall.

Meng Changqing searched the area surrounding the Liangzhou prefecture, but after looking for a long time without success, Wei Fangyun finally pointed out the location.

"Right here, this is Beishan County."

Meng Changqing stood stunned for a moment. If she wasn't mistaken, that place was practically half a foot into the Yan Kingdom!

That was the border of the border!

Good grief, they made it sound like she was coming here to hide from disaster, but in reality, she was being sent to act as a shield.

Going there to be a county magistrate—wasn't that just offering her head on a platter?

"In the early years, Yan soldiers frequently attacked this place. It wasn't until the year your father passed away that he beat the Yan people into submission, which bought us over a decade of peace."

Wei Fangyun said, "That place is simply too close to the Yan people. There is no guarantee when they might attack again. I originally didn't want you to go."

Meng Changqing nodded, the word "good" already at the tip of her tongue, when she heard Wei Fangyun continue, "But it cannot be helped.

Firstly, this is the Emperor's decree. Secondly, you are General Meng's son after all; you must be a man of spirit just like your father. If I didn't let you go, you would surely be heartbroken."

I am not heartbroken, really.

Meng Changqing had no opportunity to voice these words.

"I was a close friend of your father's. While I want to protect you, I cannot clip your wings," Wei Fangyun said. "Go with peace of mind. I have already spoken to the soldiers at Weishan Pass and asked them to pass through Beishan County during their border patrols."

While Wei Fangyun turned away, Meng Changqing scratched her head frantically.

He spoke of doing what was best for her, but it was all a trap.

"Uncle." Meng Changqing pulled herself together and took out the token given by the Emperor. "This token was given to me by the Imperial Guards on His Majesty's orders. He said that with this token, I can go to the barracks and select one hundred personal guards."

"Correct. The secret edict the Emperor gave me also mentioned this. Stay at the residence today, and tomorrow I will take you to the barracks to select your men."

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle. However, my mother is still at the post house. If I do not return, I fear she will worry."

"Madam Meng has come as well?" Wei Fangyun said. "Oh my, my mind has been truly inconsiderate. It is only natural; how could she rest easy letting a child like you travel thousands of miles to the border? She must have followed. I should go pay my respects to Madam Meng. Come, I will take you back to the post house."

Wei Fangyun drove the carriage himself to take them back to the post house.

Sure enough, Wen-shi and Liang Qiujiu were waiting at the entrance, both of them worried.

"Changqing." Liang Qiujiu did not recognize Wei Fangyun and assumed he was the carriage driver. Just as she was about to speak to Meng Changqing, she heard Wen-shi, who was sitting beside her, say, "This official looks somewhat familiar."

"Madam Meng!" Wei Fangyun cupped his hands and bowed to Wen-shi. "It is my honor that you remember me."

Meng Changqing introduced them, "Mother, this is the Prefect of Liangzhou, Lord Wei."

"Back then, I was just a minor officer following behind General Meng. It is thanks to the General's guidance and support along the way that I am where I am today."

"So it is General Wei." Wen-shi had already stood up and returned the bow to Wei Fangyun.

"Madam, please, no need for such formalities." Wei Fangyun stepped aside, not daring to accept the gesture.

"This General Wei was a long-time friend of the General," Wen-shi said to Liang Qiujiu beside her. "Now that Changqing has come to Liangzhou, we can rest easy knowing he will be looked after."

Although these words were spoken to Liang Qiujiu, they were meant for Wei Fangyun to hear.

Wen-shi specifically introduced Liang Qiujiu's identity, "General Wei, this is Changqing's biological mother."

Wei Fangyun nodded at her, and Liang Qiujiu immediately returned the gesture.

"Uncle, it is getting late. You must be exhausted after patrolling the camp, yet you talked with me until now and even drove us here yourself. Your nephew is truly embarrassed. Since it is late, it is not convenient to say more. Please return and get some rest. Tomorrow, I shall cook myself and invite you to taste my craft."