The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 277 Naturalization
"Father." Azid Koprulu walked behind his father and called out softly, interrupting his meditation.

"Minister Shimshek has been settled." Azad Koprulu lay on the chair and opened his eyes slightly, "He drank a few more glasses of wine and sent someone to take care of him in the evening to make sure nothing happens. "

"Okay, father." Azid nodded and sat next to his father. "Unexpectedly, there are still people in the Ottoman Empire who are willing to work tirelessly for the interests of the empire. From this point of view, Minister Himshek also He is a good and loyal minister of His Majesty the Sudan."

"Haha..." Azad couldn't help but reveal a sarcastic smile when he heard this, "Be loyal to your duties? In the Ottomans, there are few people who truly think about the interests of the empire, and no one is willing to dedicate everything they have to the empire. Listen. You may not know that Minister Shimshek secretly placed several of his children in Qi's overseas territories such as Jianmen and Qianzhou two years ago. The General Administration also receives two salaries, and all orders and orders sent from Istanbul will be placed on the desk of the Qi State Intelligence Department as soon as possible. "

"Ah?..." Azid was shocked when he heard this secret, "Then... then what is the purpose of his coming to see his father today?"

"What do you want? What he wants is peace of mind and a way out. After all, in addition to him, the plenipotentiary minister, there are also confidential personnel deployed by various forces in the embassy. If he hears about it, Qi's policy has changed, but he remains calm and does not take any action. He will be jealous and suspicious of Istanbul. You know, the position of minister to Qi is a good job, and many people are watching! "

"He knows he can't do anything, but he pretends like he can do a lot?"

"Yes, both the sultan of the empire and the ministers of the empire are all the best stage performers." Azad said with a smile: "Each of them is working hard to show their diligence or loyalty. They all showed the appearance of doing their best for the empire. Hehe, after so many years, the Ottoman Empire has never undergone any fundamental changes. It is still so decayed, declining and decadent that people can smell it from a distance. The smell of carrion.”

"Father..." Azid knew that deep in his heart, his father still harbored a trace of longing and expectation for the Ottoman Empire. After all, it was the country that the Koprulu family had fought for for generations, and it had once stood at the forefront of the country's power. The summit is closely connected with it, sharing weal and woe.

"That's all, that's all." Azad shook his head mockingly, "From now on, the foundation of our Koprulu family will be in Qi. I hope you can integrate into this country and continue the family's inheritance. It has been carried forward. Alas, Qi is good everywhere, but it restricts our beliefs too much. We can't even find a suitable place to pray and worship, leaving our hearts nowhere to rest. "

After the Koprulu family came to Hanzhou, the government officials responsible for receiving and settling them informed them of these taboos in advance and asked them to abide by them.

However, there are still many believers of the True God Religion in Hanzhou, mainly from the many deposed princes of the feudal states in the Nanyang region, the leaders of large tribes whose privileges have been revoked, as well as those from India, Persia, Ottoman and other countries and regions who have taken political asylum or are hiding in disguise. The princes, nobles, and dignitaries who made a lot of money to enjoy their happiness.

It is estimated that in the entire Han continent, the number of true temples can be counted on one hand. Only a few true temples have been built in Jianye, Weihai, Daxing and other cities, and their shapes and sizes are very large. Officials from the local Religious Affairs Management Department also visit the house from time to time to prevent anyone from using religion to incite extreme thoughts and behaviors that are not conducive to the government.

What is even more criticized by many devout True God believers is that many of the True God's teachings that are allowed to be preached in Qi State are suspected to have been artificially tampered with and deleted, making many believers who are well versed in the teachings feel angry and helpless.

Perhaps, after several generations of the Koprulu family in Qi, they will be completely integrated into the country and disappear from everyone.

Koprulu, who is well aware of the dangers of politics, naturally understands that after leaving the Ottomans, he also lost his former prominent power and took refuge in Qi State. He was like a fish on a sticky board, being slaughtered by others. In addition to being cautious and avoiding publicity, he must also obey All the rules of the people of Qi cannot exceed any taboo.

There is a crime in Qi called illegal preaching. Anyone who teaches religious teachings that are not approved by the government to others will be sentenced to fines, criminal detention, hard labor, and exile overseas depending on the severity of the behavior.

However, compared to traditional Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism, the construction of Taoist temples is subject to more relaxed government review. Generally, they are approved and even receive funding and support from the government. However, European Catholicism and their The True God Religion that he believed in was severely censored by the State of Qi, and it was difficult to gain approval.

They received education from Qi, spoke Chinese, ate oriental food, and bathed in oriental civilization. The people they came into contact with in school and society were all Qi people, and they even secretly gave themselves Qi names. If it weren't for their different looks, they would be almost the same as the people of Qi.

The people of Qi seemed to have a deep fear of both the True God Religion and Catholicism, and tried to tightly control them in the hands of the government.

I have been in Qi for more than 20 years. Except for Azad and other older generation members of the Koprulu family who are still devout in their faith in the True God Religion, the younger members of the family who have lived in Qi since childhood do not have particularly strong religious needs. It seems that I have become accustomed to this very secular life in Qi State.

These people have money and leisure. While enjoying a luxurious life, they are also looking for some spiritual sustenance, so they want to fund the construction of a true temple to serve as a place of prayer and worship for many true believers.

In particular, some tribes and believers of the True God Sect in the Nanyang Islands often gather large numbers of natives in the name of religion to initiate riots and attacks against Qi's rule. This deeply disturbs the Qi government and has been suppressing and restricting them. measure.

"If Emre insists on joining the army, then let him go." Azad lay on the chair, gently shaking his fan, looking up at the starry sky as bright as the sea, feeling peaceful in his heart.

Over the past decades, the Qi government has also dealt with many such believers who violated the rules.

Although the State of Qi vigorously suppressed and restricted the development of the True God Religion in Nanyang, in some governor-general territories, special head taxes were even levied on True God Religion believers, in order to force such believers to change their beliefs and weaken their violent nature. Eventually, Qi State became the Loyal and obedient people of the country.

"Father, joining the army is a way out for the poor after all, but in our Koprulu family, Emre should have a better choice." Azid sighed, as if he didn't want his son to be an ordinary boss. Soldiers, fighting in all directions for the benefit of Qi.

I think back then, if the children of the Koprulu family wanted to join the army, the lowest starting point was a high-level position such as a legion commander. They had their own guards, their own servants, and a group of secretaries, military staff, logistics support and other military personnel. Auxiliary personnel do not need to do anything personally when marching and commanding on a daily basis. They only need to assess the situation and make the wisest decision, and the rest will be executed and implemented by others.

However, if you want to sign up to join the Qi army, without the experience of graduating from a regular military academy, you can only be an ordinary soldier. Not only do you have to participate in the rigorous three-month recruit training, but there is a high probability that you will be assigned to serve in an overseas territory. If you go to a conflict area, you will have to participate in dangerous military operations and lose your life if you are not careful. The children of the Koprulu family cannot die silently on a muddy battlefield like a blade of grass!
"In the Qi State, many high-ranking officials and noble families have children who serve in the army. They are loyal to the empire, brave in battle, and have made many achievements in the army. Through this, they have gained deep connections in the army and have helped the families behind them. A broader passage." Azad said slowly: "Although our Koprulu family has left the Ottomans and the soil and environment where we made our fortunes, we cannot sink here, let alone be satisfied with the temporary wealth we have accumulated. Enjoyment will disappear in an ordinary family after a few years. Although we can get a certain degree of political asylum by marrying and interacting with the powerful families of Qi, it is always a castle in the air, and we are placing our destiny on others. Therefore, we need to. The young children of the Koprulu family must work hard and strive to build their own foundation like the people of Qi.”

"Father, how difficult it is for us outsiders to establish great achievements in Qi State!" Azid said with a wry smile: "Although Qi State preaches openness, tolerance, and equality on the surface, in fact, the entire country But there is some kind of invisible xenophobia and discrimination, especially among foreigners like us who have huge differences in civilization and race. The Orientals seem to believe in an ancient principle, that is, people of different nationalities will always be different from them. We are of the same mind as them. Therefore, they may not really trust us outsiders. If we want to achieve something, we need to work harder and harder than those from Qi."

The Koprulu family has been hiding in Qi for nearly thirty years. Many of the family’s children were born and raised in Qi. However, over the years, except for a few second-generation children who have entered the Qi government system, most of the family Members are engaged in the management and development of plantations, pastures, forest farms, and shop rentals.

Even the few children of the family who entered government work only played trivial and marginal "small roles" such as scribes and handymen.

After Azad withdrew from his position as advisor to several government departments due to his age, the Koprulu family, which was once famous in the Ottoman Empire, completely became an ordinary and wealthy family in Qi State, with almost no influence.

"There is an old saying in the East. When planning for future events, you must do your best, but the success or failure of things depends on God's arrangements. Therefore, no matter how difficult it is, I still hope that the Koprulu family can achieve it again sometime in the future. The revival will live up to the expectations of our ancestors.”

"...Yes, father."

"Oh, by the way, has Sabri's matter been resolved?"

"..." When Azid heard his father's question, an angry expression appeared on his face. "Sabri rejected the family's ultimatum for that woman, and said he would not hesitate to break away from the Koprulu family."

"..." Azad's eyes couldn't help but twitch a few times, and his face was as dark as water, "He is carefully trained by the entire Koprulu family and is the only child admitted to Chang'an Imperial University. He has a great future, but he is so willing to fall. ... In a few days, you will accompany me to Chang'an, and I will ask him personally whether he would give up his great development prospects for a woman."
-
December 12, Chang'an, Imperial University.

Just as the lecturer announced that class was over, Ke Guangyong (Sabri Koprulu) couldn't wait to rush out of the classroom with his books in his arms and ran towards the student dormitory.

"Brother Ke, are you planning to go out to meet that pretty girl again?"

In the dormitory, roommate Liu Yuancheng asked jokingly as he watched Ke Guangyong throw down his books, wash his face in a hurry, change his clothes, and go out.

"Well, I'll be back later and bring you some delicious food." Ke Guangyong replied with a smile.

"Brother Ke..." Liu Yuancheng hesitated to speak.

"Huh?" Ke Guangyong saw the other party's expression and immediately understood. Then he said with firm eyes: "Don't try to persuade me anymore. I think meeting Qiu Ting is the greatest luck in my life. I must be with her. I must be with her." Otherwise, life in the future will be so boring and miserable.”

"Brother Ke, she is from Qin, and she is..."

"So what?" Ke Guangyong said disapprovingly: "Does the law of Da Qi prohibit marrying a woman from Qin? Although she is a singing girl, does Qi have the right to classify people into three, six or nine grades? Bad habits?”

"But..." Liu Yuancheng looked at the firm attitude of his roommate, who had a tall nose and deep eyes and a foreign face, and couldn't help but feel anxious for him, "Although under the laws of our country of Qi, everyone is equal, and there is no distinction between high and low occupations. But her identity will always make people...make people..."

"How much do you think she should be looked down upon?" Ke Guangyong's face turned ugly, "As a roommate, do you think of her the same way?"

"Brother Ke, it doesn't matter what I think of her." Liu Yuancheng persuaded patiently: "But you have to think clearly, once you make up your mind to marry her and become a couple, when the time comes, your family will Teacher, the friends around you, and even your colleagues and superiors who will work in the future, how will they view you? "

"Marrying a wife and having children is a matter of personal privacy, why does it matter to others?" Ke Guangyong suddenly became irritated when he thought of his father and the entire family. "Our country, Qi, has always shown itself to the outside world as the most open, free, and tolerant in the world today." This is a country where people still criticize and comment on women’s past privacy. This is so shameful!”

"..." Liu Yuancheng was so embarrassed that he didn't know how to answer, "Brother Ke, it's up to me to judge the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain. Does that girl Qiuting want to achieve something unknown by clinging to you? Purpose, such as coveting your family’s wealth, or can you achieve your goal of becoming a Qi citizen..."

"Shut up!" Ke Guangyong shouted loudly: "Brother Liu, don't say more, otherwise it will ruin the friendship between you and me as classmates. Miss Qiuting is a good-natured and gentle woman, how can she be as scheming as you say? man of!"

After that, he waved his hand, pushed the door straight out, and then slammed the door hard, making a violent noise.

"Hey, this Ke Manzi was really stunned by the woman and lost his sense of good!" Liu Yuancheng was stunned for a while, then shook his head, turned and walked towards the house.

(End of this chapter)