Chapter 709: Mo Nan Prefecture

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The Xiongnu Royal City looks unsightly from the outside; even upon entering, it doesn't resemble a city.

It is merely a product of nomadic civilization forcibly approaching agrarian civilization, essentially nothing like the cities of the Great Jin. Inside, there are few decent stone-and-earth buildings; mostly felt tents. The royal city has no streets, only mud tracks trodden by people and livestock.

After a war, the city became even more chaotic, with sheep and horse herds weaving between the tents, the anguished cries of the Hu people, the wailing of children—everything made the Great King frown.

He had selectively forgotten his origins—just recently enfeoffed in Youzhou. He frowned disapprovingly and said to the tightly bound Pu Nu: "No wonder you yearn for the Great Jin—look at your royal city; I truly couldn't endure such a life～"

Pu Nu: ……

Pah!

The Great King plowed the Xiongnu Royal City thoroughly, especially the Chanyu's Dragon Court and the nobles' residences; even a broken ship yielded three catties of nails, uncovering much wealth.

On the spot, the Great King awarded merits and distributed portable loot to the cavalry, being exceedingly generous. The southern unification campaign seemed unprofitable, so displaying the spoils from the Xiongnu campaign made the magnanimous Great King very pleased.

Besides their monetary value, these spoils also had commemorative significance. Distributing them boosted morale more than a little; the Great King truly erected a stele outside the Xiongnu Royal City to record this battle, and in front of the army and the Xiongnu populace, he beheaded Pu Nu.

"These past few years, the whole world has been plagued by natural disasters and human calamities; even the northern frontier's grassland cold waves are no exception. I have an invincible army that wins every battle, yet I never thought of solving difficulties by plundering neighbors. But the Xiongnu and Xianbei—you have once again ignored the peace treaty with the northern frontier's tributary states, betraying me! Under heaven, the only fate for betraying me is death and the destruction of your state."

Today I hereby proclaim that, starting now, the lands to the south shall henceforth be my—Mo Nan Prefecture, fully incorporated into the territory of the Great Jin.

Saying it lightly, it's clear that occupying such a place as the Xiongnu's is not difficult; the difficulty lies in subsequent administration.

First, let's give them a show of force.

The Great King, not stopping halfway, slaughtered the nobles cleanly; leaving them alive would breed endless trouble, for their hearts are larger than those of herders. He could not kill all the Xiongnu at once—this land needs people, and the Great King does not wish to massacre ordinary folk, so he must proceed gradually.

He does not intend to keep the captive men of the royal city either; isn't he fond of going to Yunzhong? The Great King plans to send them to Yunzhong to reclaim wasteland—for a big farm, he never has enough.

After slaughtering the nobles, the Great King took up residence in the city, awaiting the arrival of the Shuofang Pass to take over the newly established Mo Nan Prefecture.

The Great King was not in Youzhou, so Xie Yuan had plenty of work; that evening, as the myriad household lights came on, Chancellor Xie finally left office.

Coincidentally, I ran into Grand Tutor Xu and another person heading out together; who would have thought that before we even exited Nanhua Gate, we were stopped by Lord Zhetian.

Lord Zhetian landed and propped himself up on one leg; Xie Yuan stared for a moment before realizing that the Great King had news.

Xie Yuan and Xu Zhi, faces lit with surprise, unfolded the Great King's letter; upon seeing the first line, the two bigwigs lifted their heads and glanced at each other.

You taught him this?!

The first line was a long string of exclamation marks～

【Sir～！！！！！！！！】

Who on earth taught him to write like this！

【Sir～！！！！！！！！

Good news, the Xiongnu have been taken～

Bad news, it's a chaotic mess, no idea how to manage～

I have already defeated the Xiongnu–Xianbei allied forces, advanced to the Xiongnu Royal City, slain the Chanyu and the Xiongnu nobles; the lands south of the Xiongnu Royal City have thus been renamed—Mo Nan Prefecture.

I have already notified the Shuofang Pass to come take over military administration; hurry up and send someone to handle civil affairs！

Moreover, I am about to set out to campaign against the Tufa Xianbei; by the way, tell the Elder Princess and aunt not to worry！】

Xie Yuan could not believe it; after checking again, that was indeed the entire content. Not recognizing this terrible handwriting, which was painfully familiar, he did not want to admit it was written by his student. Xie Yuan gave a strategic cough: "I don't…… did the Grand Tutor ever teach Your Majesty how to write a letter？"

"I have taught him, many times." Although true, Grand Tutor Xu said this with palpable guilt. No matter how many times…… it's clear he didn't learn.

Xie Yuan: "…Old man also taught him." This crude piece lacks even an imperial privy seal—should it be filed in the imperial archives or not? If filed, how would posterity view His Majesty, and how would they view the two of them！

Xie Yuan seemed to hear posterity's criticism that he was seeking fame without merit, his virtue unfit for his position……

【Great King's Mini-Theater】

China's First Historical Archives.

Tour guide: "Everyone, look quickly! This letter is the precious document newly exhibited this time—it's a handwritten letter from our charming ancestor in his youth, when he campaigned against the Xiongnu, written to his teacher Xie Yuan～ One can see that even in his early years he had begun using punctuation. This letter is preserved so well～ it truly shows how lively and spirited our ancestor was back then～"

a: "Hahaha…… you really have nothing to boast about? This is the first time I've heard someone praised for lively handwriting……

b: "For the first time I feel the distance between me and the One Emperor of All Ages is this～ close; this calligraphy, on par with mine, must surely be genuine～

c: "Insolent! Off to the execution tower upstairs.

d: "……Let's take the tour guide along too.

Tour guide: ……