After the conquest of the entire Samanid Khanate, news quickly reached the capital.
The capital city, the Wuying Hall.
Li Xin, along with a group of civil and military officials from the cabinet and the Privy Council, were gathered together for a meeting to discuss the aftermath of the Western Regions crisis.
There is only one agenda item for this meeting.
That is, how to handle affairs in the Western Regions!
"His Majesty,"
Holding a telegram, Zhang Jingzhi, Director of the General Staff, said, "According to telegrams from the Western Regions front, the campaign against the Samanid Khanate resulted in the annihilation of over 200,000 enemy troops and the capture of 460,000 Samanids. These prisoners of war have all been handed over to the Western Regions Reclamation Army. In accordance with the strategy previously set by the Privy Council and referring to the methods for grassland reclamation, we will simultaneously carry out city construction, wasteland reclamation, and border settlement work in the Western Regions."
"in addition,"
Zhang Jingzhi continued, "The Northwest Military Region Commander requests Your Majesty to change the name of Saman City."
"Change the name?"
Li Xin was slightly taken aback, then asked with a smile, "What name is Zhao Chun planning to change to?"
"Commander Zhao said that General Zhao Chun's city is too ostentatious."
Zhang Jingzhi said, "The Northwest Military Region suggested that the name be changed to Xichun City, which is composed of one character each from the Northwest Military Region and Zhao Chun."
"Xichun City?"
Li Xin muttered something to himself, then nodded slightly and said, "Granted!"
"His Majesty,"
Zhang Jingzhi continued, "The Western Regions Reclamation Army under Han Dong carried out reclamation work more than 100 li east of Xichun City and also built a city. After discussing with the Northwest Military Region, Han Dong decided to name it Dongchun City."
"Hahaha……"
Li Xin couldn't help but burst into laughter, "This Han Dong is quite something! It's settled then!"
"in addition,"
Li Xin looked at Zhang Jingzhi and said, "In the battle of the Western Regions, so many Samans were captured. Following the old precedent, let them work in various parts of the Western Regions. In addition, the Ministry of Education of the Cabinet will continue to send scholars to the Western Regions to establish schools and teach the Samans to learn the written language. The term is ten years. Those who perform well and are able to learn the written language of the Samans will be allowed to return home and enjoy the same treatment as the Saman people, and will be given land to cultivate."
This was a glimmer of hope for the Saman prisoners!
With hope, these Samanis would not lose heart or despair, and they would be able to work better in order to leave the prisoner-of-war camp as soon as possible.
The ten-year period was naturally intended for some Samanids who performed well.
In addition, the Daikan cabinet has formulated other assimilation policies.
Firstly, all Samanis abandoned their original surnames and adopted the surnames of the citizens of the Great Khanate, selecting them from the book "Hundred Family Surnames" and re-registering them in the household register.
Secondly, Samanian women under the age of twenty and unmarried could escape the prisoner-of-war camp and live normal lives by learning the Daqian script and language, changing their names, and marrying Daqian people in the Western Regions.
Thirdly, children under the age of twelve in the Saman Kingdom who have studied in schools for six years and graduated successfully will be granted the normal treatment of citizens of the Great Gan Kingdom.
These assimilation policies have only one purpose.
The goal was to assimilate the Samans into the Daqian people as quickly as possible.
Change customs and traditions!
We should have a unified written language and a unified pronunciation!
Intermarriage!
If these policies are strictly implemented, in ten, twenty, or even several decades, the local people will be able to become true citizens of Dagan.
In this way, the border regions can be protected from being lost again!
After these policies were finalized, the cabinet and the Privy Council discussed and determined a strategy for governing the Western Regions.
"His Majesty,"
Grand Secretary Yu Maocai clasped his hands and said, "Yesterday, after discussions between the Cabinet and the Privy Council, a method for handling the aftermath of the Western Regions was established. In addition to the policies of border settlement, assimilation, and land reclamation, we also have ideas on how to govern it. We propose that, following the example of the provinces in the interior of the Great Gan Kingdom, a separate province be established to govern the former Western Regions, with prefectures and counties under its jurisdiction. In the first few years, the Great Gan Kingdom's garrison will implement military administration, while the Cabinet will send civil officials to assist in the management. This will be for a period of ten years, until the Western Regions are completely stabilized, at which time the affairs of the Western Regions will be gradually transferred to the civil officials for full management."
"inappropriate!"
Li Xin thought for a moment, then shook his head and refused.
"Lord Yu,"
Li Xin began to explain, "I agree with the measures of establishing prefectures and counties and military administration. The only thing I disagree with is establishing a separate province for the entire Western Regions."
"The Western Regions are vast, covering thousands of miles. Although the population is small, it forms a geographical unit on its own. If only one province is established, over time, it is hard to guarantee that the Governor-General of the Western Regions will not monopolize military and political power and seek rebellion."
"Therefore, after thinking about it, I decided to separate the Western Regions into provinces."
“The two places of Yizhou and Xizhou, along with Shazhou, Guazhou, Suzhou, and Ganzhou, will be separated and established as Anxi Province, with Xizhou as the provincial capital.”
"The remaining territories of the Samanid Khanate were divided into north and south by the Khan Mountain. The northern territories, together with Kunling, Kangju, Suyab and other places in the western part of the Samanid Khanate, were established as the Western Regions Province, with Xichun City as the provincial capital."
“South of the Khan Mountains, extending to the Kunlun Mountains and Bolu, the Kunlun Province was established, with Shule City as its capital.”
"By dividing the Western Regions into three parts and combining them with the Hexi Corridor, we can effectively prevent any rebellion in the Western Regions from happening again!"
"As for the policies of military control in the early stages and the establishment of prefectures and counties, we will follow the cabinet's proposal!"
Upon hearing Li Xin's words, Yu Maocai nodded hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Immediately, Yu Maocai stated, "Your Majesty, after we return, we will discuss with the Privy Council and the Northwest Military Region matters such as establishing a province in the Western Regions, setting up prefectures and counties, and naming them. At that time, we will draft a set of regulations and submit it to Your Majesty."
"good!"
Li Xin nodded.
After the resolution to divide the Western Regions into three provinces was finalized, Li Xin, Yu Maocai, and others discussed other matters.
The Western Regions, which had been lost for hundreds of years, were returned to Daqian. The biggest problem was that there were too few Daqian people in the area.
Immigration to the border is an extremely difficult matter!
Therefore, after discussion, Li Xin, Yu Maocai, and others decided to implement separate preferential policies for immigrants settling in various parts of the Western Regions.
The large number of people who migrated from various provinces in the interior to the three western provinces to settle, cultivate, and graze livestock were not limited by the amount of land they owned; they could cultivate all of it.
In addition, the five-year tax exemption clause has been completely abolished.
Those who immigrate and settle in the three western provinces are exempt from land tax and all corvée labor for life!
In addition, the imperial court distributed farm tools, seeds, and a portion of rations and clothing.
Moreover, the imperial court provided immigration expenses and covered transportation costs.
These favorable policies naturally attracted a large number of people from the western regions to migrate to the provinces of Xinjiang more quickly.
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