The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 747 Seeing the Dragon Disarm
"Reporting to the Holy Master" Westward down the mountain, Xue Wanche sent scouts to report: "The chief of the Qiang people led all the troops to ask to see the Holy Master."

"Hao Shuai is what the Qiang people call the tribal chiefs. Since all of them have come, I think there is no hostility." Du Ru said to Yang Tong with a dark smile.

Yang Tong nodded and said, "Let their army stop five miles away, and the leader will come."

"Here."

The scout went as ordered.

In a short while, a regiment of Xuanjia soldiers came rushing to escort more than 20 people. These people were dressed in fish scale armor and had big bows on their backs. A burly and tall veteran in his [-]s, I saw him holding a big white flag in his hand. Although this general is old, he has a majestic and majestic spirit.

When they got close, a group of people stopped their horses and dismounted. The veteran handed over the flag to a handsome young general who looked like an iron tower. With the help of the other two, he took off his sword, bow and armor one by one.

"What is he doing?" Yang Qinfang who had put on the mask asked in amazement.

Yang Tong joked, "Seeing the dragon take off his armor."

"It should be." Du Ruhui agreed with this statement.

After the veteran took off his armor, under the guidance of a troop of cavalry, a group of people strode up to Yang Yu and performed a Han etiquette: "Caomin Bai Lanqiang Tuoba Hong kowtows to the Holy One."

"Patriarch Tuoba, please stand up." Yang Tong raised his hand to help

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Tuoba Hong stood up straight, and saluted everyone with fists together.

Yang Tong smiled and said, "I heard that the Tuoba patriarch is a rare hero among the Qiang people. The Bailan Qiang in the Sui Dynasty can have today's momentum, all thanks to the patriarch's strength alone."

Tuobahong said respectfully: "I dare not take it, the sage praised me absurdly."

"We passed by here in Tuyuhun during our westward expedition. In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, we specifically explained to you that we hope not to disturb you." Yang Tong said flatly.

"Your Majesty's words are serious." Tuoba Hong said seriously: "Every inch of land here is the land of the Sui Dynasty, and His Majesty is also the Holy King who our Qiang people are loyal to. It is my honor for His Majesty to come to inspect, so why bother him? explain?"

Yang Tong secretly admired the eloquence of this Qiang man. On the surface, what he said was high-sounding, but in fact it was all nonsense.If you were loyal to the Sui Dynasty, why didn't you go to Luoyang before?

Now that Da Sui's army is gathering around Xiqing Mountain in large numbers, he was afraid that Da Sui would kill them, so he came out to say good things.

But Yang Tong can also understand, after all, the Qiang people were only a very small minority in the Sui Dynasty. They have been living in the gap between the Central Plains and Tuyuhun, and they can only rely on the strong to live. This is their way of survival. There is nothing wrong with this.This is also because the Great Sui was flourishing, so he regarded himself as a citizen of the Great Sui, otherwise, he would have been lucky not to rob the nearby people by force.

Judging from Tuoba Hong's attitude, he should also be a person who understands the general trend and the general situation, otherwise he would not put himself in such a humble place. It seems that this battle will not be able to be fought, and this solves the problem of Da Sui A heartache.

Thinking of this, Yang Tong asked meaningfully: "Patriarch Tuoba, how are you doing?"

A bitter look appeared on Tuoba Hong's face, "My Majesty, although Xiqing Mountain has nurtured us, there are also poisonous insects and beasts that indulge us and attack us. We not only have to fight against heaven and earth, but also against hunger. Many people will A broken iron pot is regarded as a family heirloom, and life is quite difficult."

"Go down the mountain..." Yang Tong announced domineeringly, "I will find a way to support you."

"This..." Tuoba Hong gritted his teeth and asked, "To tell the truth, we also yearn for the life down the mountain, but our whole family has been down the mountain before, but it's a pity that the local officials are greedy and not only regard us as inferior people They are so kind, and they are asking for too much, and the businessmen are trying their best to squeeze us, making my Qiang people miserable, and making me almost a sinner of the Qiang people. The grass people dare to ask the Holy One, if I Bailan Qiang goes down the mountain, how will the Holy One arrange for our more than [-] people Qiang people."

Tuoba Hong is a shrewd person, and he has known Yang Tong many times. He knows that he is a very domineering and violent person like Yang Guang. In the past, Yang Guang used his life to build the Great Wall and canals. In these years, around the Sui Dynasty, hundreds of millions of people died directly or indirectly.He now mentioned that letting the Qiang people go down the mountain must be the last chance. If he didn't answer directly, he might end up exterminating the clan.

Yang Tong said: "There used to be fertile fertile fields around here, and the ridges are still there. As long as they are repaired, tens of thousands of hectares of fertile fields will soon appear. Well, as long as the estrangement between the two sides can be eliminated, these fertile fields can be effectively utilized. If you go down the mountain, I can ask the Ministry of Industry to choose a site here and build a Bailan City for you to live in. The people of the Qiang people are protected from the threat of wolves in the mountains, and secondly, they can live a happy life.”

"But I don't know who manages this Bailan City?" Tuoba Hong hesitated for a moment, and quickly remedied: "It's not that the grassroots don't believe in the Holy One, but that most of us were eaten up by corrupt officials before..."

"Patriarch Tuoba doesn't need to explain further, I understand what you mean..." Yang Tong interrupted him, and continued: "Emperor Wu really accepted the Qiang people sincerely, but the system was not perfect at that time, and the supervision was not strong enough, which led to Corrupt officials have the opportunity to exploit the common people and ruin the name of the court. I also hate these corrupt officials very much. Not long ago, I killed tens of thousands of corrupt officials' families. If you are willing to go down the mountain, I can use Bailan City As the center, add a Bailan County here, and you will be the county magistrate, and you will choose people to serve as the county magistrate, county lieutenant, meritorious officer, and master book. The imperial court sent experienced farmers to teach the Qiang people how to cultivate. Similarly, the imperial court will Register household registration for each of your households, one copy for each household, as long as the household registration is in Mingliu County, the Qiang people have the same status as all Sui people, there is no distinction between higher and lower races, and the two ethnic groups can freely intermarry."

The conditions Yang Tong gave to ethnic minorities in all parts of the Sui Dynasty were the same. For example, the people of Shuitianji’s Qi people have lived a happy life in Beiping County. They are different from Sui people except for their appearance, but their living habits are the same. This is the current situation. The most successful case is the Qiang people in the Hexi area. The imperial court refurbished some abandoned and barren cities and let them settle in them. Yang Tong's intention is very obvious, that is, to move them out first. , and then in accordance with the regulations of the imperial court, the chiefs were promoted or transferred to other places, and these cities were gradually controlled.

Yang Tong pointed to Su Wu beside him, and said with a smile, "This General Su Wu is a Turkic man who made great contributions to us in the Sui Dynasty. He is a general in the military. When there is no war, he is in charge of tens of thousands of elite soldiers. He is also the deputy commander of the Tenth Army, so when the commander Xue Wanche had other missions some time ago, he relied on his status as the deputy commander, and all the [-] soldiers of the Tenth Army were in his charge. In addition, he was the Duke of Guide and General Zhenbei."

Yang Tong thought it was right to bring Su Wu out this time, and then said: "Warriors of the Qiang nationality can also join the army. As long as they are based on military merits, they can also be promoted. Those with outstanding literary talents can pass the scientific examination and become officials. In short, As long as you have the nationality of the Great Sui Dynasty, I will treat everyone equally."

Tuoba Hong suppressed the excitement in his heart, and asked: "But I don't know, what price will my Qiang people have to pay?"

Yang Tong was one of the Qiang people, and Tuoba Hong also regarded himself as the Qiang people.It's just that he firmly believes in the saying "If you want to take it, you must first give it".

Hearing what Tuoba Hong said, everyone suddenly burst into laughter.

"I don't know what this means?" Looking at the crowd who couldn't stop laughing, Tuoba Hong was puzzled.

Su Wu grinned disdainfully: "During the Sui Dynasty, under the rule of the Holy One, every family had food reserves. Every household raised cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks, and the treasury was extremely full. Please forgive me, the population of the Sui Dynasty is tens of millions. There is really no shortage of [-] Qiang people. Even if they want rare treasures from the mountains, the imperial court will buy them at market prices. Now the Qi, Xi, naturalized Turkic, and Hexi Qiang are all like this. If Tuoba doesn't believe it, he can send people to Xiping You can also ask the Qiang people in Heyuan County, the Qiang people in Wuwei and other places, has the imperial court ever oppressed the Qiang people?"

"Uh..." Tuoba Hong looked around, but saw that everyone had expressions of pity, and their eyes were full of sympathy for the weak, which made Tuoba Hong a little unbearable, feeling as ignorant as an idiot, Then he went to the emperor to ask for a promise.

"In my mind, there is no difference between the Sui people, the Qiang people, the Hu people, and the Xi people. They are all the people of the Sui Dynasty. As long as they abide by the rules and laws, they can all enjoy the same treatment. There is absolutely no intention of oppressing you." Yang Tong He signaled everyone not to go too far, and then said: "Da Sui has changed the world now, I hope that the people of all ethnic groups can let go of their past prejudices, join hands, get rich together, live a life without worrying about food and clothing, and contribute to the prosperity of Da Sui. If you go down the mountain, I will be exempt from tax for three years,"

Du Ruhui saw that Tuoba Hong couldn't help it for a while, and said: "Patriarch Tuoba, it is the greatest sincerity for the Holy Majesty to come here to say so much in person. If the imperial court really wants to harm you, it only needs to play a game when the grass is withered and yellow. In the fire, you have nothing to hide."

Tuoba Hong's face changed slightly, as Du Ruhui said, the court really wanted to destroy them, it was too easy, Yang Tong didn't force it, it was the best result for them, and Yang Tong's offer was quite good.

Thinking of this, he didn't bother to talk too much, and looked at the other heroes: "As this gentleman said, it is very simple for the imperial court to harm us. As long as we restrain the people according to the imperial court laws, we can enjoy Waiting for the same treatment, my Tuoba tribe is willing to go down the mountain to live, what do you think?"

"I have no objection, and I believe in the promise of the Holy One." A handsome man next to Tuoba Hong said with a smile: "Not only did we not lose anything, but the imperial court also wanted to help us build the city, so that we would not have to be threatened by ferocious beasts all the time. Send someone to teach us farming, I have no reason to refuse."

"I also agree." Another handsome man also responded. Although Bai Lanqiang has eight parts, they also know that they have no room for bargaining, and no matter from which point of view, they are the ones who take advantage, so naturally they did not refuse. reason.

"Your Majesty." At this time, another handsome man cupped his hands and asked, "But I don't know how many young men the imperial court will recruit to join the army?"

Yang Tong smiled bluntly: "The imperial court now has millions of soldiers. After the war is over, at least half of the troops will be laid off. If your children don't meet the conscription standards, I don't even want to join the army. Is there anything else I need to know?"

"No, it's gone." The handsome and handsome man was shocked, and he couldn't bear the caring eyes of the Sui army officers and soldiers.

Several handsome men who were a little vacillating before also responded one after another. "My family is willing to go down the mountain and accept the jurisdiction of the court."

"Don't worry, everyone, I will send someone to teach you the laws of the Sui Dynasty, farming techniques, and how to manage the people." After Yang Tong finished speaking, he looked at Tuoba Hong and said, "Patriarch Tuoba, I don't know that you and General Ningcong Tuoba what is the relationship?"

Tuoba Hong hurriedly said: "Returning to the Holy Lord, General Tuoba Ningcong is Caomin's father. Caomin inherited his father's position as patriarch in the first year of Renshou, but he did not inherit his father's official position."

Yang Tong understood what he meant, pondered for a moment and said: "The construction of Bailan City is coming soon, and it also involves matters such as relocation, registration, and distribution of fields, all of which cannot be separated from you, and you are also old. It is really unreasonable for you to go to the battlefield. It is more suitable for you to abandon military affairs and enter politics. How about this, I will make you the magistrate of Bailan County, give you the title of Bailan County Duke, and also confer the title of former Zhengyi doctor. place, you can go to the county government for help,"

Tuoba Hong was overjoyed, saluted and said: "I thank you, my lord, for the gift."

Yang Tong said to the many lost heroes: "In addition to the county magistrate, there are also positions such as county magistrate, county lieutenant, meritorious officer, and master boss. The county governs ten townships, each township has five villages, and each village has five hundred households. The chief and the village chief are determined by you. Once the term of office expires, I will promote you based on your achievements. If you have heirs who can read and write, you can enter the Luoyang Academy to receive education. As long as you pass the assessment, you can be assigned to work in various places; The young children will study in the local township school and county school, and I will send a teacher to teach."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone was overjoyed when they heard the words. In the past, when the relationship with the imperial court was good, the Qiang people were only soldiers at most, but they would be dismissed after the war ended. It was difficult to get official appointments. Number, the current treatment can be said to be unprecedented.

"Your Majesty." Tuo Bahong clasped his hands and said, "Although the Qiang people are small, their children also have the heart to serve the country. I want to send [-] warriors from the clan to follow the Holy Majesty to defeat the invading enemies. I hope that the Qiang will grant it."

Yang Tong pondered for a moment, then asked, "How about your riding skills?"

Tuo Bahong patted his chest and said: "Your Majesty, you can rest assured that the children of the clan are all better at riding and shooting."

Yang Tong nodded and said, "I agree. But I have said something first, our army's military law is extremely strict, and if there is any violation, there will be no mercy."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. My family has lived here for hundreds of years, and the rules are the same as those of the Sui people. If someone violates the military law, the Holy Majesty will just punish him severely, and the minister will never say anything." Tuo Bahong promised.

"Our military system in the Great Sui Dynasty is 5000 people as a division, the general will be General Huben, the deputy will be General Huya; the thousand people will be a guard, and there will be three generals, the general will be Yingyang Lang, the deputy will be Zuo Lang; Wei There are five regiments, 200 people in each regiment, and the commander is the school lieutenant; a brigade consists of a hundred people, and there is a brigade commander; General Huben, General Huya on the left and right, five Yingyang generals, and ten generals can report."

"Wei Chen obeys."

"Okay, you go back to organize the army first, and come to the barracks to meet up tomorrow morning. As long as you make military exploits, I will not hesitate to reward you."

"I obey the order, and I will leave." Tuo Bahong and others saluted, and galloped back on horseback.

Then Yang Tong said to Su Wu: "General Su Wu, this time you will also go out with the army. When you arrive in Heyuan, you will command an army of [-], and the fifty thousand Qiang soldiers will also be handed over to you. Restrain them, and make sure they become our soldiers." Military assistance, not a burden and encumbrance."

"The general understands." Su Wu was overjoyed, he had wanted to make a request a long time ago, and if he thought about the arrival of the Qiang soldiers, this trouble would be avoided.

. . . . . . . . .

On the other side, Tuo Bahong and others joined the army, and after bidding farewell to Xue Wanche, they returned to the cottage's meeting hall to discuss matters without stopping.

The energetic Tuobahong said solemnly: "Brothers, since the rise of the Holy One, at least millions of people have died at the hands of the Sui army. The strength of the Sui army is by no means something we Qiang people can resist. The strength of the Holy Majesty, if I don’t agree today, I’m afraid I will be hit like a catastrophe, so I hope everyone will stop blaming me for arbitrarily making the decision.”

"Patriarch, we understand." Many heroes said one after another. Although they had never fought with the enemy, their brilliant records made them not even have the courage to shout. On the contrary, if they followed this fierce tiger, they could still pick up Meat and bones to eat.

"But you don't need to worry. Although the Holy Majesty has killed the enemy, he treats his own people and friends very well. As long as we live in peace, the disaster of swords and soldiers will not befall us."

"The patriarch can rest assured."

"The Holy One is the number one war god of the Han family. He has never lost a battle since his debut. He must have returned with a great victory. The reason why I asked the warriors of our clan to fight is that we can get some credit on the battlefield." Tuo Bahong said : "After you go back, send the strongest warriors here as soon as possible, and let the warriors of the tribe show off outside the territory."

"If we want to be respected by others, we must first respect and love ourselves, so we must tell everyone to strictly observe military discipline and never lose the face of our family. Otherwise, even if the emperor does not punish them, I will not be able to spare them." It was the caring eyes, and Tuo Bahong felt uncomfortable all over.

"Obey." Others had similar thoughts, and after bowing and agreeing, they left.

Until everyone left, Tuobahong let out a long sigh.

He naturally knows the truth of "there is no free lunch in the world". Yang Tong didn't mention any harsh conditions, but he felt that he was concerned about gains and losses. All are irresistible temptations.

"Oh, I hope I didn't follow the wrong person this time." Tuobahong said to himself worriedly.

(End of this chapter)