Chapter 783: Liang, Gan, Gua, and Sha

"Tell me the details, starting with Liangzhou!" After a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou looked at Lu Duoxun, his smile growing ever gentler.

Lu Duoxun's mind was quick, and once he entered the zone, he answered without hesitation: "Your subjects originally stayed in Liangzhou for over two months, and did not continue northward until mid-spring of the eighth year of Qianyou. Those who now occupy Liangzhou are called the Wenmo people, composed mainly of Hexi remnants, Tibetans, Tuyuhun, and Xianbei descendants. They hold Western Liang and defend it, standing firm in the northwest to protect themselves, and have done so for many years.

Since the Tang and the three dynasties, they have mostly acknowledged the Central Plains as their sovereign and maintained communication and exchange. Though the Central Plains courts occasionally appointed Military Governors or Acting Military Governors, the actual order of governance was entirely their own. The people of Liangzhou are mostly tough and valiant, versed in military affairs and skilled in combat, and so they firmly occupy Liangzhou—resisting the Uyghurs to the north, facing the Tangut to the east, and maintaining influence over the Lan and Shan regions to the west and south. They are a force among the many powers of the northwest that cannot be ignored.

However, because of the complexity of their tribal composition, Liangzhou more closely resembles a loose alliance, difficult to unite in strength, so that it has more than enough to defend itself but insufficient means to expand outward. For many years, it has repeatedly paid tribute to the Central Plains, seeking to use the court's authority to maintain a balance of power.

Among the various tribes, the most powerful are the Tibetans, and Zhepu Jiashi is one of their branches. His tribe migrated to Liangzhou many years ago and, developing to this day, has taken root in the locality as a powerful local magnate with great influence.

Previously, he was recommended to come bearing gifts to the court precisely because internal contradictions were severe and none would submit to another. They wished to have the court dispatch a Military Governor to take command, so as to balance the various forces and maintain a stable situation..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's brow twitched, and a sardonic smile appeared on his face: "I still remember that when Zhepu Jiashi came to the capital, he said the gentry and commoners of Liangzhou admired the Great Han and earnestly longed to be governed by it, hoping that I would send someone to take office and guard Liangzhou.

At the time, I even praised Zhepu Jiashi for understanding righteousness and being sincerely commendable. Now it seems he was not so honest after all. As you say, even if I sent someone, how could he smoothly take over military and civil affairs and win the submission of all the tribes? He would likely only gain a nominal title, be enshrined as a mascot, and serve as a puppet to ease the contradictions among them.

Moreover, if the person sent were incompetent, or if he offended the interests of the tribal magnates, the result might well be 'jointly expelling the Military Governor and turning against the court'..."

"Your Majesty's analysis is thorough; that must indeed be the case!" Lu Duoxun offered a simple compliment.

Smiling faintly, Liu Chengyou relaxed somewhat and said: "Facts prove that without investigation, one should not rashly draw conclusions. When I did not follow the request of the Liangzhou tribes and directly send someone to take over, it was because I harbored doubts. To draw them closer, and because I found Zhepu Jiashi agreeable, I entrusted him with the Military Governorship. Now it seems the consideration was inadequate—even merely taking a nominal title would have greatly benefited the court."

Saying this, Liu Chengyou showed a hint of suspicion and asked with fixed gaze: "That Zhepu Jiashi returned to Liangzhou bearing my appointment—surely it has done no small service to his prestige and power! What has been the reaction of the various tribes of Liangzhou? In your view, could this be raising a tiger that will bring disaster?"

At the question, Lu Duoxun answered with great confidence: "From my quiet observation, the tribes largely envy and suspect him for being made Military Governor by Your Majesty, and it has indeed increased his influence. But within Liangzhou there are too many restraints. Even holding the court's authority, without actual support, Zhepu Jiashi would find it difficult to suppress opposition and unify military and civil command. And once his power expands too greatly, it will inevitably arouse the wariness of other forces; with the slightest carelessness, it could even trigger internal strife. If the court wishes to act against him, it can scheme accordingly..."

From Lu Duoxun's tone, Liu Chengyou could also sense a certain cunning, and he grew increasingly fond of this sharp-witted third-place graduate.

"It seems you have indeed devoted real effort to Liangzhou!" Hearing his explanation, Liu Chengyou's mood improved somewhat.

"You have expended much on the journey, so come, dine with me!" At this moment, Zhang Dejun had servants lay out the meal. Looking at the two men, Liu Chengyou said kindly: "There is no fine food or delicacies in the field headquarters—I have treated my meritorious subjects shabbily. Make do for now; once we return to the Eastern Capital, I shall prepare a grand feast to honor you!"

What was brought up was fried flatbread, pickled vegetables, mutton, and a bit of porridge—indeed rather simple by comparison.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lu Duoxun and his companion bowed and said: "For us two, having something to eat to fill our stomachs is already more than enough!"

Noticing the note of emotion in Lu Duoxun's tone, Liu Chengyou said: "It seems your journey westward was indeed fraught with hardship! You must have endured much hunger along the way!"

At the question, Lu Duoxun did not answer directly but instead recounted: "The Hexi lands are vast and sparsely populated. In some places, there is no sign of human habitation for a hundred li. When one travels far, provisions inevitably run short at times..."

Lu Duoxun spoke calmly, but his words carried deep meaning. Liu Chengyou felt it, took a sip of porridge, and said: "This feeling of an empty stomach—I too have tried to experience it. It is indeed hard to bear!"

"Tell me about the Ganzhou Uyghurs!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

"Yes!" Lu Duoxun hastily swallowed the flatbread in his mouth, took a piece of silk cloth to wipe his lips, and continued: "From my investigations, the Ganzhou Uyghurs are descendants of the Uyghurs who, after their khanate was destroyed a century ago, migrated west to the Hexi Corridor and have dwelt there ever since. When the Guiyi Army was at its height, they were its subordinates, dependent on its favor.

After developing for several decades in the Hexi region, their people grew numerous, their flocks and herds multiplied, and their strength increased. Just as the Guiyi Army fell into internal strife and external troubles and its power declined, they seized Ganzhou by opportunity, and have since held this strategic thoroughfare of the Hexi Corridor.

According to what he knew, at the height of the Ganzhou Uyghurs' power, they once commanded three hundred thousand people, though whether that is true is unknown. Yet their external situation can hardly be called favorable: to the west, the Guiyi Army holds Gua and Sha; to the east, Tangut power is rising day by day; the mixed barbarians of Hexi run rampant; and the various Tibetan forces are also frequently embroiled in disputes.

Therefore, apart from some expansion in their early wars with the Guiyi Army, the Ganzhou Uyghurs have had no greater ambitions. They have devoted themselves mostly to maintaining relations with surrounding powers and actively communicating with the Central Plains, seeking peace and stability..."

"So the Central Plains court still holds such 'prestige' in the Hexi region—a banner they can borrow at any time?" Liu Chengyou remarked: "In that case, I wonder whether it is cause for joy or for sorrow?"

"Your Majesty!" Lu Duoxun said: "By comparison, the Ganzhou Uyghurs do bear a certain goodwill toward the Great Han. Their current Khagan is Yaoluo Ge Renyu, who was enfeoffed by the previous dynasty as the Khagan of Fenghua. When we passed through Ganzhou on our way out and back, we received great courtesy from them, and they stated that this year they would send envoys bearing heavy gifts to come pay tribute once more!"

After digesting the information somewhat, Liu Chengyou asked again: "And the Guiyi Army?"

At the mention of the Guiyi Army, Lu Duoxun's expression turned more serious, and he said: "Since Zhang Huaishen, the Guiyi Army's power has continuously contracted. They lost Ganzhou, allowing the vast region south of Ganzhou to fall into the hands of various barbarians. By the time of Zhang Chengfeng, only Gua and Sha prefectures remained, and so it has continued to this day.

Forty-two years ago, Cao Yijin, of a prominent Sha Prefecture clan, replaced the Zhang family. It has now passed to the fourth generation, and the current ruler is Cao Yuanzhong, son of Cao Yijin.

In the years of Cao family rule, they have not dared to make enemies of surrounding powers, and have always devoted themselves to maintaining relations—through intermarriage and trade with the Uyghurs and various tribes, preserving peace. Thus, over these forty-odd years, the situation in Gua and Sha has remained fairly stable, with the people's hearts attached to them."

"From your words, I finally understand why you said the northwestern situation is chaotic and complex yet maintains overall stability!" Liu Chengyou laughed, and said in a teasing tone: "The reason is that all these powers spare no means to improve relations and preserve peace..."

Teasing aside, his smile faded, and Liu Chengyou asked seriously: "In your view, what is the Guiyi Army's attitude toward the court, and how do the Han people of Gua and Sha regard the court?"

"Speak honestly!" Liu Chengyou reminded him sternly.

"I will not hide it from Your Majesty!" Lu Duoxun said: "The Guiyi Army has stood in the northwest for nearly a century. Though it bears the name of a Central Plains military governorship, and to this day still flies the banner of a court vassal to rally hearts, in truth it is a state unto itself. The Cao family also actively communicates with the Central Plains, but only seeks support to lean upon. Every policy they enact is for maintaining the Cao family's rule and the Guiyi Army's security.

They may serve as a court vassal, but if one wishes to bring them under direct control, conflict is inevitable. As for the Han remnants of Gua and Sha, their communication with the Central Plains has been severed for years—some people to this day do not even know that the Great Han has risen mightily in the east..."

Lu Duoxun's words left Liu Chengyou silent for a while. His eyes rolled slowly twice, his grave expression relaxed into ease, and he gave an evaluation with a light laugh: "Since the mid-Tang, the Central Plains has bitterly lost Longyou and Hexi. The old lands of the Great Tang have been seized by barbarians, and the Han people have sunk into degradation. Regardless of all this, under conditions of severed communication with the Central Plains, the Guiyi Army has held on in Gua and Sha for so many years, preserving a pure land for the Han people of the northwest to dwell and multiply. For the state, for the nation, for history—they have merit..."