Chapter 989: The Man and Yao Submit

The Qingyu Pavilion was neither a residential ward nor a tavern, but one of the most renowned pleasure houses within the city of Kaifeng, situated along the Bian River. Over the years, celebrated courtesans had gathered there, and since the completion of the new Kaifeng, it had been filled nearly day and night with the sounds of strings and pipes, and the laughter of revelers.

Seated within a refined chamber overlooking the river, one could clearly see the waterscape outside through the window—boats shuttling back and forth on the Bian River, and the bustling crowds of figures on both banks, all in full view. Though it was noisy, this scene of prosperity was nonetheless intoxicating.

There were thinly-clad Hu dancing girls, swaying seductively, displaying their graceful figures. Beside the banquet tables, beauties accompanied the guests, speaking softly in gentle voices, lowering their brows in meek obedience, dutifully serving wine, available for whatever was asked...

For Zhao Yanjin, such days held nothing novel. He had long since reined in his appetites; his household was not lacking in beautiful concubines, and during his time in Yangzhou he had gained no small measure of experience and sophistication.

Thus, his visit to this house of pleasure was not for the sake of carnal indulgence or letting loose his nature, but primarily to entertain guests. And one who could become a guest of honor of the Duke of Shan was, of course, no ordinary person.

Across from him sat a sturdy, rugged-faced man, drinking until his face was flushed red, yet his eyes remained fixed on a Hu dancing girl who had bared half her belly and was casting flirtatious glances his way. This sort of woman—full-figured, bewitchingly alluring, radiating wantonness—held an irresistible appeal for a man like him. This man was none other than Qin Zaixiong, Army Commander of the Pingqian Army and chieftain of the Yao people. Since coming to the capital years ago to submit to the imperial court, this was already his third visit.

"Though our Yao women are not lacking in beauties, this kind of charm is still a rare treat!" Qin Zaixiong said to Zhao Yanjin, his drunken eyes gleaming.

When Qin Zaixiong had first arrived in the Eastern Capital, it was Zhao Yanjin who had been ordered to accompany him in eating, drinking, and entertainment, and between the two, a bond of friendship had ultimately formed. With the wine warming his spirits, the conversation opened up, and Qin Zaixiong said to Zhao Yanjin: "Last time I came to the capital, I sought out Brother Zhao, only to learn that you were serving in Yangzhou. We missed each other, much to my regret. Now that we meet again, you have become a great general of one region, ennobled as a Duke—I dare not presume to reach so high!"

Over the years, this Yao barbarian Qin Zaixiong had evidently learned a great deal of Han culture, and even his speech had become quite refined. Sensing the envy in his tone, Zhao Yanjin smiled and said: "I have merely been fortunate enough to inherit my father's protection and grace. In terms of merit, I still fall far short. By comparison, Brother Qin has striven and fought your way up, reaching the ears of the Son of Heaven. So long as you render a few more deeds of merit, being enfeoffed as a Duke and raised in rank is only a matter of time!"

Hearing Zhao Yanjin say this, a smile involuntarily appeared on Qin Zaixiong's face. In recent years, his days in Hunan had been exceedingly comfortable. Besides organizing and commanding the Pingqian Army, more importantly, backed by the imperial court, he had rendered no small merit in the pacification and recruitment of the Man and Yao peoples of western Hunan.

And because of the reputation he had earned in his early years, coupled with his leading his own tribesmen to submit to the imperial court and the improvement in their livelihoods, he had also attracted the minority peoples of various prefectures to vie in submitting themselves. Of course, this was not without the iron-fisted oppression of Li Yun in the region.

For Qin Zaixiong himself, it was a meteoric rise—receiving commendations from the imperial court above, and the support of the tribal peoples below. One could say he had reaped multiple rewards: fame, wealth, and power.

Thus, over these years, the results of pacification had been remarkable. Although a large portion of the Man and Yao people still clung to their old ways of life, they had also acknowledged the rule of the Great Han court over them. Moreover, those nearly one hundred thousand minority peoples who had completely submitted to the court were no small gain, especially for the Jinghu authorities. It could be said that the achievements of assimilation were notable, and the process of Sinicization had taken another great stride forward.

Although the officials responsible for administration were mostly drawn from their original clan heads and tribal chiefs, for the Man and Yao commoners, the ruling class had not fundamentally changed—there was merely another imperial court above their heads.

And among all this, the greatest beneficiaries were Qin Zaixiong and his clan. At the same time, the chieftains who had come to the Eastern Capital with him back then had also received rewards and titles from the court to varying degrees. After returning and developing over so many years, they had gradually grown estranged from him. After all, it is easy to share hardship, but difficult to share prosperity.

However, Qin Zaixiong's influence among the Man and Yao of western Hunan had been steadily rising. Fortunately, though this man was but a rough fellow, he truly had foresight and was clever enough not to let it go to his head.

This time he had returned to the capital to serve as an introducer, accompanying "King Xu" Fu Yantong into court. Fu Yantong was an old chieftain of the Man and Yao peoples, who had risen to prominence very early. In the era when Ma Yin was rising, he had already been roaming across western Hunan, participating in a series of Hunan's conflicts, and had been a figure of consequence in Hunan during the period of the Three Dynasties.

Even after the Great Han rose to power in the Central Plains, he remained a force to be reckoned with in the Hunan region. Back when Nanping was pacifying Hunan, envoys had been sent to contact him and seek his support. Fu Yantong, however, had chosen to side with neither party, sitting back to watch who would prevail, because with his ingrained impressions, he treated the Great Han no differently from the previous Ma clan.

When Liu Chengyou heard of this "King Xu's" reputation, he had also sent men with letters, inviting him to visit the Eastern Capital, but was refused. No matter how fine the Eastern Capital was, it could not compare to the safety and comfort of one's own grass nest.

However, in the seven years since Hunan had been brought under governance, the developments among the various Man tribes of Hunan had alarmed him greatly. With the powerful Han army outside and defectors like Qin Zaixiong within, the situation of the Man and Yao tribes in western Hunan had undergone tremendous changes.

Fu Yantong had felt the court's actions of annexation and gradual encroachment. It was not that he had not resisted—he had secretly incited and organized some Man tribesmen to leave their caves and mountains to raid and plunder, only to face the decisive and cruel suppression of the Han army.

This was vastly different from the results of the early years when Man tribesmen had raided Hunan's prefectures and counties. Especially Li Yun—that old fellow was a complete god of slaughter, suppressing the Man people without the slightest mercy, with several thousand dead or wounded under his command. Moreover, Li Yun had even directly declared that those who submitted to the court and became good subjects of the Great Han would all be treated kindly and protected, while any who dared to resist, break the law, or cause rebellion would be dealt with according to Han law.

Previously, Li Yun had been transferred away precisely because, during his years guarding western Hunan, he had incurred no small blood debt. Though it had intimidated the Man people into submission, it had also stirred up considerable resentment among the populace. Transferring him away was also a further measure to win over hearts.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, the Man and Yao peoples had submitted one after another, coming under the court's governance. There were precedents to follow—they could obtain land and settle into stable production, while the original chieftains were basically all granted official positions. Moreover, through deep exchanges and trade with the Han, their living conditions and standards of life had seen marked improvement.

This situation was even more attractive, especially with renowned heroes and warriors like Qin Zaixiong leading the way. Until now, Fu Yantong could finally no longer sit still. After much hesitation, he had finally decided to come to the capital, to express his submission to the Son of Heaven, to completely surrender to the imperial court, and to accept its rule.

Qin Zaixiong was a rising star who had made a considerable name for himself, yet in terms of prestige, he still had a certain gap compared to an old Man chieftain like Fu Yantong.

And Fu Yantong's arrival in the capital held milestone significance, representing the complete incorporation of the Man and Yao peoples of Hunan into the Great Han's rule—registered as regular subjects. Once the court finished digesting this, the consolidation of its rule over Hunan would far surpass that of previous dynasties. Of course, this was built upon the foundation of over a thousand years of assimilation in Hunan.

And once successful, the court's influence would also extend deeper into the Qianzhong and Qianxi regions.

"I long ago advised Fu Yantong that as long as he submitted to the court, the court would treat him generously—his status, property, prestige, and even power would all be preserved, and he would merely become a subject of the court!" Qin Zaixiong continued saying to Zhao Yanjin: "But he just wouldn't believe it. In the end, he's old, and repeatedly refused the court's goodwill. Now, forced by circumstances, he finally comes to the capital—isn't it too late? I think he must be regretting it..."

"Those who understand the times are wise heroes. Someone like Brother Qin is a hero of Qianzhong—how could you fail to achieve fame and success!" Hearing his words, Zhao Yan smiled slightly.

Qin Zaixiong also laughed heartily, clearly pleased by the flattery. Seeing that his gaze kept wandering to that Hu dancing girl, Zhao Yanjin was considerate and said: "Brother Qin rarely returns to the Eastern Capital—enjoy yourself to the fullest!"

As a kindred spirit, Qin Zaixiong chuckled twice, putting on an unceremonious air. But then something occurred to him, and he said: "This time when I came to the capital, I brought several beautiful young women from my clan. The most beautiful pearl is naturally offered to His Majesty the Emperor; for the next best, shall I pick one and send her to Brother Zhao's residence?"

"With Brother Qin's kind intention, I would be rude to refuse!" Zhao Yanjin showed a flicker of interest, his brows slightly raised, as he replied.