As Meng Qingping took the land deed from Yan Yi, he was also startled by the numbers on it.
"Lord Yan, isn't this land too much?"
"Mr. Meng is truly an honest man. Who would dislike having too much land? Besides, Mr. Meng's acquisition of this land is all thanks to Sergeant Qi's merit."
Yan Yi did not claim this credit for himself. When someone deserved recognition, it was theirs.
"Then thank Sergeant Qi." Regardless of what had transpired between their families, thanks were still due.
Given the connection through their sons, Qi Yuanshan felt no restraint and spoke words that were pleasing to hear. "Uncle Meng, there's no need for formality between our families. Xiao He will surely trouble you less in the future."
"We would be overjoyed."
Yan Yi envied the mutual appreciation between the two men. However, his status made it unsuitable for him to linger any longer, so he clasped his hands and bid Meng Qingping farewell.
For Meng Qingping, once this meeting was over, there would likely be no further opportunities to see each other again.
Moreover, facing Yan Yi, it was best for him to distance himself from the affairs of the imperial court.
Only after Yan Yi had disappeared from their sight did Qi Yuanshan reveal his plans to Meng Qingping.
"Uncle Meng, the land I've demarcated for you will not be less than three hundred mu."
"..." Meng Qingping had not expected Qi Yuanshan to allocate so much land to him. Even if it was wasteland, it was far more than the numbers on the deed and represented a considerable sum of money.
"Uncle Meng, please don't be surprised. Let me finish speaking first."
"Yes, speak." Meng Qingping was also eager to hear what Qi Yuanshan had to say.
Having reached this point, they were allies on the same battlefield. Qi Yuanshan no longer concealed anything and explained his entire plan to Meng Qingping from beginning to end.
Finally, he softened his tone. "Uncle Meng, my personal wish is that once the harvested grain from that land is ready, could you give us some? Even if you sell it to us at a low price, or if we can help you with labor during our free time in exchange for grain."
Hearing Qi Yuanshan's words, Meng Qingping felt a pang in his heart. He understood the importance of border guards to a nation. Therefore, he spoke directly. "Yuanshan, since you call me Uncle Meng, I will not stand on ceremony and call you worthy nephew."
"It's already past the beginning of autumn. No matter how much we say now, it will be in vain. When next year comes, and the food is harvested from the reclaimed land, as long as our families have enough to eat, you can take the rest. Uncle will have no complaints."
"Uncle Meng..."
"Alright, the children are watching us. We should be on our way. If we can get back sooner and tidy things up properly, perhaps we can even plant a few rows of radishes and cabbages."
"We can even plant cabbages." Qi Yuanshan had also grown up in the countryside and helped his family with farm work since childhood. He understood the timing of the seasons.
"Good, then let's hurry."
"Yes."
Hearing his second elder cousin's voice, Meng Wu Ye and his descendants immediately echoed him.
This first meeting had significantly changed Qi Yuanshan's perception of the Meng clan. He felt that these people were not as bad as his fellow soldiers had described.
Especially those young lads, he had witnessed them fighting alongside his own son the entire time and saw a different side to the Meng family.
If these young lads were properly trained, they would undoubtedly become elite soldiers under his command in the future.
The thought excited him. "March!" Qi Yuanshan gave the order, and Meng Qingping's family and the Meng clan followed behind him.
Perhaps knowing that their future would not be too bleak, the Meng clan members, with a glimmer of hope on their faces, walked with a certain neatness and briskness.
Passersby pointed and chatted amongst themselves, "Did you see? Why are these exiled convicts different from before?"
"How are they different?"
"How are they different? Can't you see for yourself?"
"See what?"
"How slow you are. Look, not only are there young girls in this group of exiles, but there are also children."
"Oh, indeed."
"They are truly upright. They didn't sell these young girls to Tianxiang Tower."
Their voices were a little loud, and a burly man nearby overheard them and quickly chimed in, "They are indeed upright."
"Brother, what's going on?" Thinking there was gossip to be heard, the two passersby eagerly joined him.
Seeing their enthusiasm, the burly man began to explain in more detail. He also reminded them first, "Let me tell you, we should all stay away from these people from now on. Never offend them."
"Brother, are you joking? They are just exiled criminals. Why can't we offend them? Forget them, whoever provokes me, I'll beat them up."
"Hey, brother, wait until I finish speaking, then you can brag." The burly man then recounted the events at the south city gate in detail to the two men.
"Brother, you're saying that the young lads following the donkey cart really took down all the thugs from Tianxiang Tower?"
"And that little dark-skinned girl even beat the madam of Tianxiang Tower until her nose bled."
"Really?"
"Of course, it's true. Many people were present and saw it with their own eyes."
"..."
"Hey, where are you going?"
"I'm going to see what that little dark-skinned girl looks like. I'll have to stay away from her in the future."
"You go quickly. It's good to see what she looks like, and you must remember it. So that you don't always act rashly and provoke people, only to get crippled without anyone stopping you."
"Who would stop them? Brother, you didn't see it, but when that little dark-skinned girl fought, even those formidable figures from the Embroidered Uniform Guard intervened."
"Really? Then I'll go and see too." What if he offended her by accident one day.
"..."
Fu Xinci was unaware that they had already exited the east gate of Ningyuan City, and people within Ningyuan City were still discussing their story.
Even less did she know that Jiang Tou'er was clutching the bottle of wine she had given him, refusing to drink it.
The envious Wang Zhuzi and others, looking at the transparent glass bottle, kept guessing what the wine in such a beautiful bottle and so clear would taste like.
But Jiang Tou'er held the wine bottle and refused to let anyone drink it.
Later, Wang Zhuzi went out and bought a pound of 'small fire' liquor, which they drank unceremoniously with Fu Xinci's salted duck eggs and peanuts.
They dared not get drunk, as they had to catch a ride back the next day. This was the thought they all shared before falling asleep.
...
After two days of arduous travel, they finally reached their destination, a strategic stronghold situated between Ningyuan City and Jincheng.
This stronghold was also a natural barrier, with a cliff overlooking the area like an eagle's beak. Beneath the cliff, a road only five feet wide snaked its way forward.