"Second Uncle, why can't we be free?" Meng Qitian, anxious, voiced everyone's unspoken thoughts.
Seeing the children looking at him, Meng Qingping didn't hold back and told them what he knew about the region beyond the pass.
"The first city after leaving the pass is Jincheng."
"Jincheng? I..." Meng Yutang started to say he had heard his grandfather mention it. But then he remembered the relationship between his grandfather and his great-uncle and paused for a moment before continuing.
Meng Qingping, undisturbed by Meng Yutang's interruption, continued, "Jincheng is known as the foremost city beyond the pass, and a strategically vital location since ancient times."
"Oh, Grandpa Meng, my father seems to be not far from that Jincheng you mentioned," Qi He suddenly recalled a letter from his father where he had mentioned his garrisoned post.
"That's great, Qi Kid. You'll be seeing your father very soon."
"Mhm." Hearing that he would soon see his father, Qi He's face lit up with unrestrained joy, instantly infecting everyone around him.
Along the journey, Yu'er had often heard people talk about Brother Qi looking for his father. Now, hearing that Brother Qi was about to see his father, he was happy for him but also reluctant. "Brother Qi, I don't want to be separated from you."
"Brother Qi doesn't want to be separated from Yu'er either." To be precise, Qi He didn't want to be separated from Grandpa Meng's family.
He was reluctant to part with Grandpa Meng, Sister Fu, Yu'er, and Uncle Fu and Aunt Fu.
Meng Qingping also felt attached to the boy. In his heart, Qi He was no different from his own grandson. "But all feasts must end," he said, his tone laced with deep sadness.
Everyone fell silent, unwilling to accept this reality.
Jiang tou'er, seeing them already getting emotional before even reaching the region beyond the pass, suddenly had an idea. "Second Brother Meng, I have an idea that might work."
"What idea, Grandpa Jiang? Tell us quickly," Qi He was even more anxious than Grandpa Meng.
"You little rascal, why the rush? We haven't even left the pass yet."
"Still, I'm anxious. Grandpa Jiang, tell me quickly." Qi He's impatience couldn't wait; he wanted to know now.
Seeing everyone looking at him with hopeful eyes, Jiang tou'er shared his thoughts.
"Qi Kid's father is a commander, so he has the right to choose people. Moreover, your branch of the Meng family isn't being exiled. If we just talk to Qi Kid's father and ask him to help you with your household registration, you'll have some support."
"Grandpa Jiang, let's do it this way." Qi He thought Grandpa Jiang's suggestion was excellent. He also felt it was good because then he could still see Grandpa Meng's family every day and visit Sister Fu and Yu'er daily.
Meng Qingping and his son were also pleased with Jiang tou'er's proposal. Being new to the area and unfamiliar with the customs, they had heard that while the people beyond the pass were simple and honest, they were also fierce. Having a familiar acquaintance to look after them was naturally something they couldn't ask for more.
With their discussion settled, Meng Qishan and his brother pulled Qi He aside.
Seeing the warm expressions on his brothers' faces, Qi He guessed what they wanted to say. As expected, his guess was correct.
Meng Qishan spoke first, "Qi He, we brothers implore you. As long as you can get Commander Qi to keep our families here, we brothers, no, the three of us brothers, will obey your every command and follow your lead from now on."
Before Qi He could reply, Ke'er trotted over. With her head tilted up, her big, dewy eyes filled with a watery mist, she said, "Brother Qi, Ke'er also wants to beg you. Please, can you let my parents stay? Please?"
The little girl, usually timid and soft-spoken, was mustering her courage and her deep love for her parents to speak to Qi He.
Qi He hadn't expected that since Grandpa Jiang spoke, everyone's attitude towards him had changed, except for Grandpa Meng's family. He also hadn't expected this usually quiet little one to come and beg him. He felt a bit dazed and overwhelmed.
Seeing Qi He remain silent, Ke'er thought he had refused and immediately pouted, on the verge of tears.
Qi He: "Stop, you can't cry! Otherwise, I won't agree to go to my father to plead for you."
"Ke'er, don't cry!" Qi Ren, closest to Ke'er, quickly reached out and covered her mouth.
"..." Ke'er was stunned for a moment before realizing that Brother Qi had agreed. She vigorously pushed away Uncle Qi Ren's hand and, with a flushed face and a childish voice, thanked Qi He.
"Brother Qi, help me and my mother. From now on, I'll do whatever you say."
No one had expected that Meng Yuluo, who often blushed, could also be so eloquent. His resolute and decisive tone earned nods of approval from those who had witnessed his growth.
With the camaraderie built along the journey, Qi He agreed without hesitation.
As Sister Fu had said, the hardships of the exile road made them cherish the friendships they had forged even more.
They were all his companions, and he would help them as long as he could.
After everyone else had spoken, Meng Yutang hesitantly approached.
"Brother Qi, I..." Meng Yutang didn't know how to express himself. After all, his situation was different from the others; they were implicated by his family.
His family was the true culprit, so he felt embarrassed to ask Qi He for help.
Qi He had heard some things from Grandpa Meng and Sister Fu. When Meng Qishan and the others had asked him, he had readily agreed to do his best if he could help.
However, when it came to Meng Yutang, he didn't dare to make the same promise.
Meng Yutang also knew his situation was different from the others. He didn't hold much hope in speaking up but was purely trying his luck.
If he could find a way out, it would be great. If not, at least he could tell himself he had tried his best.
Qi He didn't give Meng Yutang a perfunctory answer but solemnly told him, "I will ask my father. As for the outcome, I don't know."
After saying this, Qi He looked into Meng Yutang's eyes and continued with utmost seriousness, "I cannot let my father break the law."
Having traveled with Grandpa Jiang and the others, he had witnessed the plight of the Meng clan members. Although many of them deserved their fate, there were also many innocent ones, like Grandpa Meng's family.
He had asked Grandpa Meng why someone as good as him would follow the Meng clan to Liaodong. Although it was euphemistically called migration, the hardships along the way were no less.
At that time, Grandpa Meng had explained with a bitter smile that it was called "collective punishment," where if one person committed a crime, the entire family suffered. The people of the Duke of Meng's mansion had committed heinous crimes and disregarded human lives. The Emperor decreed that the Duke of Meng and his eldest son would be executed after autumn, and all other members of the Meng clan would be exiled to Liaodong.
After hearing Grandpa Meng's explanation, Qi He developed a sense of awe towards this form of punishment. He secretly warned himself not to commit crimes in the future and not to let his father commit any either.