Chapter 715: The Pattern of the Yao Tribes

The blazing sun hung high, unhurriedly baking the earth, and sweat was the most direct response the people of Kaifeng gave it. Along the post road south of the city stood a whole row of tea sheds, guest houses, and relay stations. The main road leading into Kaifeng carried heavy traffic—people coming and going, carts shuttling past—a scene of bustling activity.

The hanging shop signs swayed continuously in the summer breeze, their large ink characters almost dazzling to the eye. Inside the tidy tea sheds sat travelers resting, drinking cold tea and chatting about everything under the sun.

Lately, within and beyond the Eastern Capital, the most frequently touted news was the success of the Jinghu campaign—the soldiers fighting valiantly, the imperial army winning a great victory, and the rebels submitting at the mere sight of their might.

At the crossroads waited a convoy of carriages and horses. Qin Zaixiong sat astride a tall steed in martial attire. Behind him followed several Yao generals, along with several fully loaded carts carrying the valuables bestowed by the Emperor and the supplies and local goods they had purchased in the Eastern Capital.

"Clan Chief Qin, are we really leaving just like that?" A short, stocky barbarian general asked Qin Zaixiong with a reluctant look on his face.

"What, reluctant to leave?" Qin Zaixiong glanced at the man.

The man nodded repeatedly and sighed in response: "A city like this, like a paradise—how could anyone bear to leave it!"

"I think what you lot can't bear to part with is these twenty-odd days of extravagant indulgence!" Qin Zaixiong scolded.

"It's not like we're spending our own money anyway! These Kaifeng houses, the food, the women, the clothes—truly intoxicating!" Another barbarian muttered.

"Do you think the Son of Heaven treats us so generously for nothing? That such splendor can be enjoyed for free?" Hearing this, Qin Zaixiong snorted and said: "All of this must be earned through our service and our merits!"

As he spoke, he pointed at the men and lectured them: "Look at yourselves—how long have you been up north, and you've already put on a whole circle of fat! I'm telling you, Kaifeng's splendor is indeed captivating, but we don't yet have the chance to earn merit here.

The great cities of Hunan—those should be our goal. This time when we return to Chenzhou, the Son of Heaven has given us an opportunity to earn merit. We must seize it firmly, cooperate with the officials in governance, keep our tribesmen in line, and not cause trouble for the authorities.

When that time comes, it won't just be you yourselves—your sons and grandsons will all enjoy the blessings of the court!"

Hearing his words, one of them spoke with a hint of doubt: "Are we really going to hand over all the tribesmen under our command?"

"I know what you're all worried about!" Qin Zaixiong stroked his beard with an air of authority and said: "I've pondered this matter over and over, and I've thought it through clearly. Even though we're handing them over, the court still needs us to help maintain order. We can still become generals and officials—we're just adopting the court's system and paying taxes to the authorities, that's all!

Even if the tribesmen are handed over, can they really stop recognizing us? Don't you want to enter the cities, dwell in great mansions, wear silk, and drink fine wine? Do you still want to keep living among the caves and streams?"

"Besides, people like Fu Yantong still don't recognize the might of Heaven, don't know how wise the Son of Heaven truly is, or how powerful the court truly is. They still want to keep things as they were, maintaining their rule over the various tribes.

But we're different. I am a man who has been received by the Son of Heaven and given his promise. Once we return to Chenzhou and spread this news, we will be the court's envoys, and our prestige is bound to soar.

Earn a few more merits, lean on the court, and our families can be passed down for ten generations, a hundred generations. Before, we only had some influence in Chenzhou. From now on, the tribes of all five prefectures—even all of Hunan—may well have a place for us.

Right now we are the closest to the court. If we don't seize this opportunity and actively pledge our service, are we going to let others take it instead?"

This speech of Qin Zaixiong's left the several barbarian chieftains dumbfounded. Though they couldn't fully grasp all the twists and turns at once, one thing was perfectly clear: follow the court, and the benefits would be plentiful...

They were all stirred with some vague longing. One of them, being straightforward, looked at Qin Zaixiong and chuckled: "Clan Chief Qin, your head has always worked well and your insight is extraordinary—we'll all follow your lead!"

These barbarian generals were not all from Qin Zaixiong's own tribe or subordinates. His tribe's strength alone could not field three thousand warriors. These men had been hastily gathered by Zhou Xingfeng from the Miao and Yao tribes of the five prefectures; Qin Zaixiong merely commanded them through his courage and cunning.

But after arriving in the Eastern Capital, Qin Zaixiong used these very men as the capital that made him valued by the Son of Heaven and the court.

Hearing their declarations now, Qin Zaixiong wore a satisfied expression and said: "I currently hold the post of Pacification Commissioner for Chen and Xu. From now on, you must address me as Governor! Once the Pingqian Army is established, you'll have to change to calling me Army Commander!"

"Greetings, Governor Qin!" Someone immediately called out cleverly, even performing a passable bow.

"You are now officers of the court as well!" Qin Zaixiong reminded them again: "From now on, you must learn Chinese characters and practice speaking Chinese more!"

At these words, the short, stocky barbarian general shook his head repeatedly: "Chinese characters are too hard to learn—I hold no hope for myself. When I get back to the tribe, I'll have my boy learn them!"

Hearing this, Qin Zaixiong said: "The Son of Heaven has also said that we Yao people can study and take the imperial examinations just the same. Have your son study hard—in the future, he can even earn the jinshi degree!"

"Haha! Good!" The man's dark, shiny eyes lit up, looking as if he truly meant it.

"Have you all looked your fill?" He glanced around—after saying so much, seeing that the group still stared back at the mighty city of Kaifeng behind them, Qin Zaixiong couldn't help but say: "If you've seen enough, it's time we set off!"

Without waiting for their reply, Qin Zaixiong lightly kicked his horse's flanks and took the lead. The several barbarian generals cast one more lingering look at Kaifeng, then reluctantly turned southward.

Beneath the blazing sun, the band of Chu tribesmen, having been baptized by the capital of the Great Han, set off on their journey home, hearts full of hope for the future. The trip to the Eastern Capital had indeed opened their eyes—at the very least, they no longer wished to live the bitter, mountain-crawling life of before. When people have the desire for change, they gain motivation. What Liu Chengyou and the court needed to do was harness that desire and give them opportunity, while simultaneously achieving the goal of pacifying the various tribes of Hunan's five prefectures.

In the side hall of Chongzheng, Zhao Pu slowly walked in and took his seat at his desk. Seeing him, Zhang Ji hurriedly prepared a cup of tea and personally presented it to him.

"The Academician has worked hard!" Zhang Ji said to Zhao Pu with a fawning smile.

Taking the teacup, Zhao Pu drank deeply to quench his thirst, then looked up at this tanhua scholar: "I serve the king's command and remain loyal to my lord—how can that be called hardship?"

Zhao Pu's sense of dedication was just that high, and he always conducted himself this way, both in public and in private.

"The Academician is loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the state—your subordinate deeply admires you!" Zhang Ji said.

Hearing the flattery, Zhao Pu glanced at Zhang Ji. This tanhua scholar did indeed have a handsome face. They had worked together for quite some time now, and honestly, Zhao Pu didn't much care for the man—it was a matter of temperament.

However, the Emperor liked and valued him, and Zhao Pu had never shown his feelings. Moreover, since he was mentoring the man, he gave him conscientious guidance in official matters without any personal bias.

"Are there any urgent matters from Huainan?" Zhao Pu asked.

"The Judicial Commissioner of Eastern Huai has reported that Zheng Renhui is gravely ill and can barely handle his duties. He requests that the court make arrangements early!"

"The Eastern Huai Administration has memorialized that the Hongze Lake project is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed this winter! Wang Pu separately requests the formal opening of the Guishan Canal, to bypass a hundred li of dangerous waters on the Huai!"

After a moment's thought, Zhao Pu asked: "Has this been reported to His Majesty?"

"His Majesty has not yet returned to the hall!" Zhang Ji shook his head.

"What has the Hall of State Affairs preliminarily proposed?" Zhao Pu asked again.

Zhang Ji took out the two memorials and handed them to Zhao Pu: "For the Eastern Huai Judicial Commission, Chancellor Li proposes that Hanlin Academician Recipient Xu Taifu be appointed Judicial Commissioner of Eastern Huai. As for the Guishan Canal, it will be reviewed again after Hongze is completed!"

"Leave them here! When His Majesty returns, I will present them personally!" Zhao Pu said flatly.

"Yes!"