Chapter 74: Easily Seizing the Base

Buluhui Wuge was the leader of the Buluhui Tatar tribe; although his tribe was not considered very strong on the steppe, the Tatar tribe alliance he belonged to was nearly the most powerful force on the steppe. The Tatar tribe alliance totaled seventy Battalion Commander, matching any force on the steppe, and after delivering their great enemy of the Jin Empire, Ambaghai, to the Jin, they had thoroughly latched onto the Jin as their thigh.

At this time, the Tatar tribe held a posture of looking down on the world on the steppe, and as one of the six great chieftains of the Tatar tribe, Buluhui Wuge was, for a time, enjoying boundless glory.

On this day, the season for the annual tax collection arrived again. Buluhui Wuge first took his Noyon to collect taxes door by door; after all, if he did not bring his Noyon, those herdsmen would certainly be crying and making excuses when paying taxes. Only by having the Noyon properly teach them a lesson would they obediently hand over the taxes.

These base people are truly unreasonable. Their ewes survived only by eating the grass on his pasture, yet I merely asked them for the lambs born from those ewes, and they act like this. It seems I have let them live too well recently; I must tighten the belt on them from time to time.

However, he still had important matters at hand: taking cattle and sheep to the Jin markets to exchange for supplies. Salt, tea, and ironware were all things he lacked. Of course, it would be best to exchange for a few fresh, lively Han female slaves, preferably those formerly from wealthy families.

Just upon returning to the tribe, Buluhui Wuge could not wait to have his brothers and nephews summoned to the great tent for a meeting. A Noyon nearby quickly reminded him, "Master, the lords, knowing today is the day for collecting cattle and sheep, have been waiting for you in the great tent long ago."

Buluhui Wuge sneered inwardly: "These things; usually they are careless with matters I entrust to them, but when it comes to me rewarding them with cattle, sheep, and slaves, they act like stray dogs."

Thinking this, Buluhui Wuge let out a cold snort and walked into the great tent.

The moment he stepped into the great tent, Buluhui Wuge was instantly struck speechless by the scene before him. Wherever his gaze fell, he saw his brothers and nephews, each with bruised and swollen faces, tightly bound as if they were lambs awaiting slaughter. And the two youths sitting in the main seat of the great tent were watching him with a look of mockery, as if admiring a carefully staged play. A strange fear and anger surged in Buluhui Wuge's heart.

"You dare treat my family like this? Do you know who I am? I am the leader of the Buluhui Tatar tribe, one of the six great leaders of the Tatar tribe. Do you believe that with a single order from me, my five hundred Noyon will rush in and tear you bastards into pieces?"

As soon as Buluhui Wuge finished speaking, Guo Jing flashed forward to stand before him. With a "Pa!", a slap struck Buluhui Wuge's face, the force so great it nearly knocked him unconscious.

Buluhui Wuge looked at the youth before him in disbelief. From childhood to adulthood, no one besides his father had dared to strike him. Since his father died, how many years had passed without anyone hitting him? This youth actually dared to hit him, to hit one of the six great leaders of the Tatar tribe?

Before he could open his mouth, another slap came, knocking him directly to the ground. Guo Jing used his foot to stomp forcefully on Buluhui Wuge's stomach. One kick, two kicks, three kicks...

Buluhui Wuge felt his stomach stomped until his intestines seemed to break. He wanted to beg for mercy but was too pained to utter a single word. After Guo Jing finished stomping, Buluhui Wuge was nearly on his last breath.

Having beaten Buluhui Wuge to a pulp, Guo Jing clapped his hands and said impatiently, "Really, you have to be beaten before you speak properly. Every single one of you has cheap bones."

"Alright, Brother Guo, I believe these people now have the patience and are willing to listen to us speak. Don't you agree?" Nie Huaishang glanced with a half-smile at the nobles inside the great tent, who were beaten with bruised and swollen faces. Upon meeting Nie Huaishang's gaze, they quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes, we are very patient."

"Since you have the patience to listen to me speak, let us state our identities and the purpose of our coming here." Guo Jing coughed and said seriously, "First, we two are proletarian revolutionaries. Our purpose here is to establish a revolutionary base and form a proletarian government. The reason we seek you out is to hope that you, these enlightened people, will support us."

Buluhui Wuge did not understand a single word of the preceding statements, but he understood the last sentence seeking their support: they were here to ask for his help. It was just that the way you ask for help was perhaps a bit too violent.

"Um, this hero, what support do you need from us to establish your revolutionary base?" Buluhui Wuge asked cautiously.

Guo Jing smiled slightly: "Asking so actively what support the revolutionary base needs, it seems you are indeed an enlightened person. Since you said so, I will not be polite."

"First, our proletarian revolutionary government is one where the people are masters of their own destiny, so slavery is not allowed; all slaves must be liberated, and no one may restrict their freedom. Second, our revolutionary government is a government serving the people, so we will distribute the tribe's pastures equally among the tribe's herdsmen. Furthermore, to guarantee the living standards of the tribe's people, we will distribute living supplies such as cattle, sheep, and salt from the tribe. Fourth...?"

The people present turned green in the face. They originally thought these two bandits would at most ask for some of their money; who would have thought they wanted to take everything from their homes?

Finally, among the crowd, Buluhui Wuge's brother, Buluhui Siming, could no longer hold back. He shouted angrily at Guo Jing, "You have taken all our pastures, cattle, sheep, and wealth. What are we to do? How are we to live?"

"Ah, words cannot be spoken like that. You are all enlightened people supporting our revolutionary cause; how could we let you die? After the revolutionary government is established, we will distribute cattle, sheep, and pastures to you according to your family's population. We will also provide production tools for free. Every month, we will issue subsidies to you. If you encounter difficulties, the revolutionary government will do its utmost to help your family. Of course, if you are willing to join the revolutionary government and participate in the revolutionary cause, we are also welcome."

As soon as Guo Jing finished speaking, Buluhui Siming roared, "These pastures, slaves, cattle, sheep, and wealth were accumulated by our ancestors over generations. On what grounds do you distribute these things to those base people? I would rather die than agree to your demands."

Guo Jing was stunned by Buluhui Siming's roar. He turned his head and asked Nie Huaishang, "Huaishang, did he take me for someone treating guests to a meal?"

Nie Huaishang nodded and said, "There is no way around it. Your tone is so harmonious, and your appearance is so honest and simple; anyone would take you for someone treating guests to a meal."

"Oh, so that is how it is." Guo Jing, as if waking from a dream, turned back to Buluhui Siming and said, "Just now you said you would rather die than agree to my conditions. Then go die."

Having spoken, Guo Jing without hesitation grabbed the horse knife in his hand, the blade flashing with cold light. He took a deep breath and suddenly swung the knife. Only a cry of agony was heard as Buluhui Siming's head instantly rolled to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.

"Since you are not an enlightened person, then you are my class enemy. Against enemies, I will show no mercy and use any means necessary to eliminate them." Guo Jing smiled grimly, holding up the horse knife and pointing at everyone present: "Now, please tell me: are you enlightened people or my class enemies?"

"Don't kill me, don't kill me! We agree to your demands. Please, don't kill me."

"We are very enlightened. We are all enlightened people. We are all enlightened people."