Three days later, a party hurried over from Ji Prefecture and knocked on the gates of Meng Family Village.
When Meng Zhao heard that people had come from Ji Prefecture, he promptly had Lü Yue invite them into the main hall.
At the same time, he ordered hot water, wine, and food prepared to welcome the weary travelers and wash away the dust of their journey.
There were quite a few in the party, more than twenty in all. The most familiar among them was Meng Zhao's fifth brother, Meng Chuan.
Though still young, with a trace of childishness lingering on his face, he was built like a giant spirit and his blood and qi surged like the blazing sun. His frame was simply too conspicuous, drawing every eye.
As for the others, Meng Zhao had never seen them back at Earl of Nan'an's Estate. Yet from their bearing and habits—hard, cold, stern, carrying the smell of blood—they were likely men from the army.
There were also two somewhat refined scholars mixed among them, looking utterly out of place amid that band of martial men.
After having the others go down to rest for the moment, Meng Zhao kept only a few people in the main hall to speak: Meng Chuan, a cold-faced burly man who led the martial men, and the two refined scholars.
Meng Chuan was thrilled and delighted to see Meng Zhao. Once he had calmed down, however, he became somewhat puzzled and scrutinized him.
Scratching his head, he had wanted to say something, but with outsiders beside him, he instead introduced them to Meng Zhao.
"Fourth Brother, Father has received the message you sent and is very happy for you.
"So he specially selected more than a dozen valiant men skilled in military affairs from the