Soldiers come to the world

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Jiang Jiong returned to Xiliang a few days ago. He handed Liu Jing's handwritten letter to Qiang King Nangong Suo. He could see that Nangong Suo was very unhappy with the letter, so he immediately snubbed Jiang Jiong and ordered him to go home and rest. , there is no more news.

After Liu Jing wiped out the Song Jianbu, he did not immediately lead his army westward to Guanzhong, but continued to stay in Hehuang to consolidate his control over the Hehuang area. The Han Dynasty established Poqiang County and Linqiang County in the Hehuang area. Wang Mang Xihai County was established during the period, but the effective management was only in the Hehuang Valley to the east of Xihai. It was not until hundreds of years later during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty that the entire northern part of the plateau was included in the territory of the Central Plains Dynasty, called Xihai County.

In the past 30 years, the central government's management of Xiping County has existed in name only. In name, the government of Xiping County was appointed by the central government, but in fact they obeyed the orders of Pinghan King Song Jian.

Song Jian and the Zhongyang Dynasty also maintained this kind of tacit understanding. He gave the Zhongyang Dynasty face, but he got Lizi. Xiping County is his sphere of influence. Returned to the Han Kingdom, but Liu Jing's ambition is not here. He wants to continue to expand westward, incorporate the entire Xihai area into the territory of the Han Kingdom, and establish Xihai County.

The West Sea is also the Qinghai Lake of the later generations. During the Han Dynasty, the West Sea was vast, with a radius of thousands of miles. The lake was blue and pure. It was a pearl on the plateau. The lakeside was surrounded by endless plateau pastures. In the land, a small number of Qiang people live.

The people living here are the Xianling Qiang people, but they are slightly different from the Qiang people in Zhangye and Hehuang areas. In the Hehuang area, due to repeated rebellions, they were suppressed again and again by the Han Dynasty. The Qiang people fled to the plateau west of the West Sea. On the plateau, they made a living by grazing and fishing. Tranquil life.

However, there are also merchants who have worked tirelessly and traveled thousands of miles to the plateau, exchanging daily necessities with them for horses and precious stones, especially the horses produced here are hard-earned horses that Emperor Wu of the Han conquered from Dawan. Due to the hypoxic and cold climate on the plateau, the war horses produced here are not only tall and strong, but also have excellent endurance.

However, the arrival of the army led by King Liu Jing of the Han Dynasty broke the peace of the plateau. Although the Qiang chiefs also had ambitious heroes, the nature of the Qiang people was more docile and kind, far less aggressive and brutal than the northern nomads. Although they were driven away by the army of the Han Dynasty, they swallowed their anger and did not dare to resist. They lived silently on the plateau for 200 years and multiplied their descendants.

There are more than [-] Qiang people living on the Xihai plateau, divided into three tribes, distributed around the West Sea, and practicing the primitive tribal elder system. At this time, Liu Jing led [-] Han cavalry to station on the south bank of the West Sea. He entered the plateau this time, on the one hand, he wanted to use the plateau conditions to train cavalry, and on the other hand, he planned to establish Xihai County.

Of course, the plateau area is not suitable for farming, and it is impossible for him to move Han people here to live here. This area is still dominated by animal husbandry. He is considering accepting the Xiqiang people as subjects of the Han Kingdom, expanding animal husbandry, and making this place a place for the Han army. The source of war horses.

Laughter continued in the big tent. Several warriors in the army performed sumo in the tent. There were mountains of meat and wine on the tables around them, and various fresh fruits from the Central Plains. Liu Jing sat in the middle, and on both sides were more than a dozen members of the Qiang tribe. Elders, they were invited by Liu Jing to be guests, and received the hospitality of the King of Han.

However, not all of these elders were very happy. Some of them seemed to be preoccupied. They understood that when the Central Plains army went to the plateau, it was definitely not as simple as being a guest. I am afraid that they took a fancy to the fertile plateau pastures.

The leading Qiang elder is called A Bao, who has a little fluency in Chinese. He said to Liu Jing in his unproficient Chinese: "Your Highness said that he wanted to restore the Xihai County of the former Han Dynasty, but in the past, Xihai County was only in the Hehuang area, and even the westernmost Triangle The city is also on the east coast of the West Sea, and the Central Plains Dynasty has never been involved in the plateau area, so why would His Highness consider the entire plateau area to be included in Xihai County this time?"

Liu Jing smiled and said: "The Xihai County set up by Wang Mang actually includes the plateau area, but the county is on the east coast of the West Sea. I am only restoring the former Han territory. What's wrong?"

Abao's expression changed, he said something harshly to the other elders in Qiang language, the laughter disappeared, and the atmosphere in the big tent suddenly became serious, Abao said coldly: "Your Highness wants to restore the territory of the Han Dynasty, there is nothing wrong with that." Yes, but we have lived in this area for nearly [-] miles. We have long regarded this place as our home, lived and worked in peace and contentment, and never invaded Hehuang. Now that His Highness wants to take back the land, is it necessary to drive us west? "

Liu Jing laughed, "Elder, you are too worried. The climate here is bitter and cold, and it is not suitable for farming. Who should I take the land back to live in? You can lead your clansmen to live here as usual. No one will drive you away, but you have to be Subjects of the Han Kingdom, accept the management of the government."

"What does the government want to manage us? Do we want to tax us, or impose labor, or let us be exploited by the government like our ancestors?"

A Bao translated a few more words to the crowd, and the dozen or so elders were silent. From their point of view, being managed by the government was meant to exploit them, and they couldn't accept it anyway.

Liu Jing was not annoyed, but still smiled and said: "Why do you have to collect taxes and conscripts if there is government management? Why must I send someone to manage it? Can't I appoint your people as prefects? For example, Elder Abao, I think It is most suitable for you to be the prefect. You don’t need to pay taxes and taxes, and you don’t need to do hard labor. I will exchange your horses, cattle and sheep with grain and cloth. If I need labor, I will also let you You get what you deserve, what do you think?"

Abao's face softened a little, and he translated Liu Jing's words to everyone. There was a buzz in the big tent, and everyone was discussing in low voices. one time."

"can!"

Liu Jing immediately ordered his subordinates to take them to the big tent next door to discuss. After all the elders had left, Fazheng smiled at Liu Jing and said, "Actually, I think Pang Junshi's suggestion is also good. Simply expand Xiping County and expand the entire area west of Xihai. Including it, there is no need to set up Xihai County separately, and they will not be so conflicted."

Liu Jing shook his head, "If that's the case, what's the difference from before? It's still a nominal territory. The key is not the land, but the people. We must let the Qiang people here become subjects of the Han Kingdom, and let them realize that they They are also from the Han Dynasty, after decades of assimilation, they gradually pay taxes like the Qiang and Di people in the Hehuang area."

"What if they don't agree?"

Liu Jing smiled coldly, "My army has already reached the plateau, so I will use gentle tactics with them first. If you don't know how to do it, then don't blame me for being rude."

Fazheng smiled wryly and said, "This Abao is very shrewd. Since he proposed a discussion, he should understand the pros and cons. I think they want to seek the greatest benefit."

"As long as it doesn't violate my bottom line, it's okay to give them benefits. I think as long as their descendants taste the benefits of being the subjects of a big man, and then give them freedom and restore their former poor life, I'm afraid they won't do it themselves."

At this time, more than a dozen elders walked back to the big tent. Everyone knew very well that Liu Jing led [-] cavalry to the plateau. If they dare not agree, they will not be able to go back today, and their tribe will be wiped out. They were very worried that the Han army would replace them with more docile Tuyuhun people. They knew this well. After some discussions, everyone finally made a decision. Rather than being destroyed, it is better to learn to compromise.

Abao clasped his fists and said, "His Royal Highness, we have discussed it, and we have three conditions. If His Royal Highness agrees, we are willing to submit as subjects of the Han Kingdom."

"Speak, I'm all ears."

"The first condition is His Royal Highness's promise just now, that we don't need to pay taxes, and we don't need to do hard labor. Is this short-term or long-term?"

Liu Jing stretched out five fingers, "For a 50-year period, after 50 years, I will pay half of the tax of the Hehuangdi people, and it will never change. I can promise in writing."

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and Abao thought to himself, "This condition is actually good, at least not false." He nodded and said again: "The second condition is that the prefect must be elected by our tribe, not necessarily our tribe, Han people can also be, but it needs our unanimous support."

Liu Jing smiled, "There is no problem with this condition. In addition, I need to send a few civil servants to serve as the county magistrates. I think you should be able to accept it!"

"Civilian officials can be sent, we can accept it."

Abao took a deep breath and talked about the crucial third clause, "Our third condition is about the garrison"

"Wait a minute!"

Liu Jing's complexion changed, and he interrupted him, "Let's talk about my ugly words first. Since it is the territory of the Han Dynasty, I must station troops in Xihai County. This is my bottom line. The only thing that can be discussed is the number of troops stationed." The problem."

Everyone showed disappointment on their faces. They originally didn't want the Han army to garrison troops. Now that Liu Jing firmly refused, they could only settle for the next best thing. Gu garrison 1000 people, this is the garrison of Xihai County, do we need to increase the garrison?"

Liu Jing solemnly said: "The purpose of the garrison in Dadouba Valley is to control this important passage, and has little to do with the garrison in Xihai County. I plan to build a military city in Haixi and Haidong. Each military city is stationed There are 1000 soldiers. In addition, a military city will be built in the Hequ area, and [-] troops will be stationed. In this way, there will be [-] troops stationed in the entire Xihai County. You do not need to pay for military expenses and food, and you will not be disturbed at ordinary times. If your children are willing to join the army , I also welcome it, this is a plan I have already made."

Seeing Liu Jing's resolute attitude, A Bao discussed with everyone for a while, and finally agreed, "Then we will make a deal!"

........