Chapter 1502: The Landmark Figure of Chu Tribesmen Assimilation

"Who is that?" A voice with a southern accent rang out outside Chuigong Hall.

The questioner was Qin Zaixiong, Marquis of Hongjiang, who had come to the capital to report on his duties. Following his gaze, one could see a northeastern old man with a smile on his face and a somewhat unsteady step.

Noticing Qin Zaixiong's curiosity, the interpreter replied in a low voice: "That is Songmo Governor Wanyan Bohai, chieftain of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe!"

"Oh! So he's an old Jurchen chieftain!" A look of realization appeared on Qin Zaixiong's rough-hewn face, and he pressed further: "What rank of nobility does he hold?"

"He has not been granted any noble title!" the interpreter replied.

As if having obtained the answer he wanted, a smile spread across Qin Zaixiong's face. As the leader of the Yao people in the Jinghu region and the current leader of the tribesmen, Qin Zaixiong felt that the greatest achievement of his life was the marquisate of Hongjiang—it represented his entry into the ranks of the Great Han nobility and his true integration into the upper echelons of Great Han society.

Upon hearing that Wanyan Bohai held no noble title, Qin Zaixiong's tone carried obvious superiority as he said: "His smile is so radiant—could it be that he has received a reward from His Majesty?"

This was something the interpreter could not answer. But indeed, as Qin Zaixiong had said, for Wanyan Bohai, this trip to the capital to pay homage had included a cordial and friendly exchange with Emperor Liu, and his objectives had been fully achieved.

Just now, Emperor Liu had already promised Wanyan Bohai, agreeing to let him go to war with the Shiwei and attack Tielifu, and offering support. This promise was clearly far more valuable than any reward of gold or precious treasures.

As he departed, Wanyan Bohai's mood was cheerful, his steps were light, and his heart was elated. Even though he did not know Qin Zaixiong, as they passed each other, he offered a friendly smile as a gesture of courtesy—this was also the reason he had caught Qin Zaixiong's attention.

"Marquis of Hongjiang, His Majesty summons you—please enter the hall for an audience!" Yan Tuo walked out, and upon seeing Qin Zaixiong, said flatly.

Hearing this, Qin Zaixiong's expression immediately turned solemn. His entire demeanor shifted, becoming grave. He meticulously tidied his already presentable appearance, then stepped over the two-foot-high threshold of Chuigong Hall with a respectful posture.

"Minister Qin has arrived—have a seat!" No sooner had he entered the hall than he was greeted by Emperor Liu's warm invitation.

This naturally made Qin Zaixiong feel overwhelmed by the honor. He hurriedly moved to kneel and pay respects, but Emperor Liu waved his hand grandly and said: "Rise! This is not the court—no need for such formalities. Take a seat and keep me company in conversation!"

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Qin Zaixiong looked honored, lifted his robes, and took his seat.

In the Great Han's military and political affairs, tribesmen and Han were intermingled, filled with talented individuals from various peoples—whether Khitan, Tangut, Uyghur, or Tibetans, or the widely distributed and large-scale southern tribes such as the Miao and Yao—all were generously granted governing authority to maintain rule over the Great Han's vast territories.

Especially in the southwestern and Huguang regions, the "elites" of the various tribal peoples had essentially all transformed into members of the Great Han system and gradually integrated. Among them, Qin Zaixiong, Marquis of Hongjiang, was the most representative figure, and also the banner figure of the southern tribes in the court.

What was quite evident was that compared to the northern tribal minorities, Emperor Liu's attitude toward these southern tribal ministers was more cordial, and he showed them more trust. At its core, this was probably because he believed the southern tribes posed less of a threat, would not cause too much harm to Great Han rule, and were relatively easier to assimilate.

Over the years, Emperor Liu had not been sparing with his grace, and this attitude was also reflected in the court's ethnic policies. The native chieftain system had been implemented for over a decade, but to this day, it had only been carried out on a large scale in the vast southwestern regions, clearly defining their governing authority and privileges in law.

In the north, by contrast, the approach was primarily annexation and absorption, supplemented by loose control—for example, the annexation of the Xi tribe centered on Dading Prefecture, with the establishment of the Yan Mountains North Circuit being a landmark event.

From beginning to end, Emperor Liu had always harbored a certain wariness toward the northern tribes—one might even call it prejudice. After all, since ancient times, it had always been the northern barbarians who invaded southward to dominate the Central Plains, never the southern tribes launching northern campaigns to achieve any real success.

Under Emperor Liu's governing philosophy, as an outstanding figure among the southern tribes, Qin Zaixiong, propelled by the times, had obtained an extremely generous share of benefits.

A noble title did not explain everything. In those days there had also been the Prince of Xu, Fu Yantong, who had received recognition from the court—and what came of it? It was merely a princely title, in name only without substance. After Fu Yantong died, it was completely taken back, and his descendants were merely granted native official positions like ordinary tribal chieftains.

Qin Zaixiong was different—through long-term performance, he had earned Emperor Liu's recognition and the court's trust. Including the time he had presented the Xiang consort, who bore Emperor Liu his thirteenth prince, Liu Xin—this bond had also deepened his relationship with the court.

More importantly, in the seventeen or eighteen years since the court had pacified Jinghu, Qin Zaixiong's conduct could be called exemplary of a loyal minister—completely devoted to the court with single-minded purpose, working steadily and earnestly.

Whether it was cooperating with the court's recruitment and subjugation of the Hunan tribesmen, or cooperating with the promotion and implementation of Han institutions, he had played an active role. Later, under orders, he organized the Flying Trench Army, campaigned west against the Later Shu, pacified Nanping and the southern Yue region, and even sent troops to Dali—this army had fought arduous battles and made sacrifices in the high mountains and rugged terrain of the southwest.

To this day, the Flying Trench Army remained one of the few armies in the court formed primarily of minority peoples. It was formidable in combat and served as the main force for the court's campaigns against those in the southwest who refused to submit—truly a model of diligence. And all of this began with Qin Zaixiong.

After stepping down from the Flying Trench Army, Qin Zaixiong had successively served as Prefect of Chen and Chenzhou, Chief Commander of Changsha's troops, and Fiscal Commissioner of the Jinghu South Circuit, all the way to his current position as Chief Commander of the Jinghu South Circuit.

It could be said that his martial abilities were very strong, and he was equally adept with the pen. Such talents, frankly speaking, were rare throughout the entire Great Han court—and yet this Yao tribesman was one of them.

Beyond his civil and martial accomplishments, Qin Zaixiong's most outstanding contribution lay in those invisible places—namely, his function in maintaining the court's rule over Hunan. This was not something just anyone could do, nor could it be fully guaranteed by force alone.

In every dynasty, the tribesmen entrenched in Hunan had frequently encroached upon Han civilians, time and again without cease—always a hidden danger to peaceful governance, a chronic ailment difficult to eradicate.

But in the era of the Great Han, the tribes of western Hunan had become far more docile. Perhaps the court's strength played a part, but Qin Zaixiong's pacifying role in this was immense. Indeed, so many Miao and Yao tribes had become registered households of the court thanks in part to his guidance. It could be said that the Central Plains court's assimilation of the Chu tribesmen had advanced another great step under the tide of the times, and there was no doubt that Qin Zaixiong was a meritorious figure in this.

With such achievements and contributions as his foundation, how could Emperor Liu not regard Qin Zaixiong with special favor? And after nearly twenty years, with capable ministers such as Zan Run, Bian Guidang, and Li Fang successively governing with painstaking effort, Hunan had already become one of the Great Han's most well-governed regions.

The population remained relatively thin, still under three million, but its economic strength was already at the middle tier. Together with the Jinghu North Circuit, it had become a core governed and priority development region of the Great Han, with productive forces making considerable progress. Though it had not yet reached the point of "when Huguang ripens, the world is fed," its potential was already visible. Qin Zaixiong, who held command of the Jinghu South Circuit, also provided protective support for Hunan's development.

"Hunan has been developing better and better these years. Though I am in the palace, I am delighted to hear of it and pleased to see it—very gratified indeed! Among this, the stability of public order owes much to Minister Qin's protection!" In the hall, Emperor Liu looked at Qin Zaixiong, his attitude still cordial.

Having served as a Han minister for so many years, Qin Zaixiong was very practiced in such exchanges. Facing Emperor Liu's praise, he immediately expressed humility, responding with a simple smile: "Your Majesty overpraises me—I dare not accept! I have not done much in Hunan. Now that the realm is at peace, hearts are settled, and public order is good, though I hold my position, I truly dare not claim credit. All of this relies on Your Majesty's grace and authority..."

Hearing Qin Zaixiong earnestly laying on the flattery, Emperor Liu found it quite amusing. Such words of praise, coming from this seemingly "honest and simple" man, always gave one a feeling of plain sincerity and trustworthiness. Even Emperor Liu found them pleasant to hear and could not help but laugh heartily.

"You people—don't always heap praise upon me. If it's your achievement, then it's yours. No need to be shy about it!" Emperor Liu said with a smile.

Qin Zaixiong: "Your Majesty is open-minded and modest—I admire you immensely!"

"Alright, alright!" For Emperor Liu, one or two pleasant words were enough. Seeing that Qin Zaixiong wanted to continue with the flattery, he waved his hand to stop him and continued asking with concern: "Have you finished reporting on your duties?"

Qin Zaixiong nodded: "I have already been to the Bureau of Military Affairs to see His Highness the Prince of Zhao and Commissioner Cao, and I also went to the Hall of State Affairs to pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince and Chancellor Zhao."

Nowadays, when local officials came to the capital to report on their duties, it was mainly the Crown Prince, Zhao Pu, and the relevant departments who received them and listened to their reports. Emperor Liu only selectively granted audiences. Qin Zaixiong, bearing a marquisate and being a major official of a circuit, naturally received a special audience with Emperor Liu.

Emperor Liu nodded: "Have you decided where you will go next?"

According to Qin Zaixiong's record of service, it was indeed time for him to be moved to a new position. Upon being asked, Qin Zaixiong replied: "The Ministry of Personnel and the Bureau of Military Affairs have initially proposed that I serve as Chief Commander of the Guangnan West Circuit!"

Compared to Hunan, the situation in the two Guangnan circuits in recent years was not so optimistic, especially regarding the question of governance. Due to the retention of a large number of officials from the Southern Yue period, coupled with the particularities of geography and local conditions, although Han institutions had been fully promoted, governance had progressed slowly and was very sluggish.

And as time passed, this situation became increasingly evident, gradually drawing the attention of the court.