Chapter 527 The Method of Dual Rule for Foreign Tribes!
The rage in Monshanka's eyes was so intense it could burn a person to death.
"You..." Although she was angry, she couldn't think of any rebuttal.
Shen Lanxi said arrogantly, "I'm not discussing this with you, but informing you."
Meng Xiangka glared angrily, and the tribal chief behind her stared with eyes that looked as if he wanted to devour Shen Lanxi alive.
"Let's not even talk about how there are so few arable lands in the mountains of the southwest. Just the miasma that lingers between the towering mountains poisons many people every year. In addition, the climate here is hot and humid, so many people suffer from lung diseases. They are better when they are young, but as they get older, their legs and feet start to swell and ulcerate. With lung diseases, very few people in your tribe live long lives. The average lifespan is only fifty years."
Monshanka and the tribal leaders behind her fell silent.
Shen Lanxi continued, "I can guess why you have repeatedly caused trouble. Firstly, you're seizing arable land; secondly, you're trying to find a way to survive for your people who have lived in the mountains for generations."
Although the last point is exaggerated, it does reflect what the ethnic minorities in the southwest are thinking.
Shen Lanxi bluntly pointed out: "You used to be just as subservient to my Great Zhou, but you suddenly turned against me in recent years. Isn't that because you saw my Great Zhou's continuous wars?"
The foreigners all had strange expressions on their faces, never expecting that Shen Lanxi would expose her own shortcomings.
"It is a pity that you will be disappointed. Before I came to the southwest, I had already received news that Shu and Ganzhou had returned to the territory of my Great Zhou. The two traitors have been killed by the troops I sent. My Great Zhou will no longer have any territory left outside the territory. The world will be at peace from now on."
Meng Xiangka's anger gradually subsided. If what Shen Lanxi said was true, then they were now at a disadvantage. However, the wolf clan would never compromise with Shen Lanxi.
"When you were a vassal state of my Great Zhou, you paid a total of 200,000 taels of silver annually for grain, furs, cattle, and sheep, right?"
With a humiliated expression, Meng Xiangka said, "That's right, your Great Zhou is exploiting us too much. Two hundred thousand taels is all the income of our southwestern tribes. Sometimes, when the heavens are not on our side, our southwestern tribes have to go hungry to pay tribute to your Great Zhou. Every year, many people in our tribes die of starvation or are seriously injured by wild beasts because of this."
After a moment of silence, Shen Lanxi said, "What I said before about mutual benefit was not a lie. The court did not take into account the situation of the southwestern tribes before. If you agree to submit to me, I will calculate a reasonable figure based on the actual situation in your area."
Meng Xiangka turned to discuss with her clansmen, who all frowned, clearly not believing Shen Lanxi's words.
"You people of Great Zhou don't keep your word. How can you guarantee that you'll reduce our tribute? Does the Emperor of Great Zhou listen to you?"
Shen Lanxi: "I can open trade routes for you. I sent people to survey the area before, and the mountains in the southwest are very suitable for the growth of medicinal herbs. You did not trade with the Great Zhou before, and even if you had medicinal herbs, you used them for your own purposes. After you submit to the Great Zhou, I plan to build a medicinal herb processing factory here to purchase medicinal herbs!"
Meng Xiangka turned around and chattered away with her tribesmen for a while.
Shen Lanxi: "Of course, you can also use it to exchange for grain, cloth and other things. I will have someone make detailed arrangements later."
After discussing with his people for a while, Meng Xiangka continued, "If we submit to the Great Zhou, will you send officials to our southwest?"
If things remain the same, then it's better to have a fight.
Shen Lanxi: "Your customs are different from those of the people of the Central Plains. Since I have proposed that you submit to me, I must have already come up with a solution that satisfies both sides."
The reason why many outsiders are still sitting here obediently is mostly because they are forced by Meng Xiangka and other tribal leaders. However, when they hear Shen Lanxi say this, they unconsciously take it to heart.
"What I am referring to is the dual governance method. The Great Zhou will not interfere in the internal affairs of your southwestern tribes. You only need to pay the taxes allocated by the court on time."
"After you submit to the throne, you will be subjects of my Great Zhou, and tribute will be replaced by taxation. All the people of your southwestern tribes combined are equivalent to the population of a province of my Great Zhou. You can think of your tribal chiefs as provincial governors, directly under the command of the emperor and not bound by the laws of Great Zhou. Of course, if you feel that there are aspects of the laws of my Great Zhou that are worth learning in the future, you may adopt them."
Mengxiangka and the tribal leaders whispered among themselves for a while.
"We need to discuss this." Recently, many tribal chiefs have been acting unruly, and she can't make a decision on her own.
Shen Lanxi: "Okay!"
The southwestern troops retreated, and the southwestern army, which had been holding its breath, could not believe it.
He had only been sitting there talking for a short while when the regent dismissed the southwestern barbarians?
When did the southwestern barbarians become so easy to talk to?
"Regent, what method did you use to make the foreign tribes retreat?"
Shen Lanxi smiled: "Of course, we'll persuade people with reason!"
The general who asked the question was taken aback.
She explained, "The southwestern barbarians are not unreasonable people. They were deceived by Bai Qingling before, thinking that our Great Zhou did not value peace talks. Then Bai Qingling burned down their camp. Now they have come here to make us hand over the culprit to them."
Southwest Army: Hand over Bai Qingling?
Would the Prince of Zhennan agree?
“The Prince of Zhennan has already harbored rebellious intentions and will definitely come to rescue Bai Qingling.”
The Southwest Army soldiers looked somber.
Shen Lanxi said considerately, "You haven't rested for a day and a night. Go and get some rest. There may be a battle later."
The Southwest Army's expression turned somber once more. Whom were they fighting?
Should we side with the Prince of Zhennan or with a foreign tribe?
Regardless of which side, war should be avoided if possible.
...
Soon, news of Zhou Ruyuan's rebellion spread throughout the southwest, and the imperial court also received the news.
Emperor Renxiao was so devastated that he fainted in the Golden Palace.
Fortunately, good news came from the southwest just one day later.
"The Regent has successfully persuaded the Southwest to submit to our Great Zhou by employing a dual-governance system!"
"The Regent is mighty!"
"The Regent is the cornerstone of our Great Zhou Dynasty!"
This good news lessened the shadow of Zhou Ruyuan's rebellion by half, and the government was once again in charge of the regents. Emperor Renxiao retreated behind the scenes to start raising troops.
~
"Your Highness, it's terrible! Rumors are spreading throughout the Southwest that you're plotting a rebellion!" Jiang Wuyai rushed over to deliver the message in a panic.
Zhou Ruyuan was furious. When did he say he was going to rebel?
He hasn't taken any action yet!
"Where did this news come from?" Zhou Ruyuan asked hurriedly.
Jiang Wuyai: "I also heard some news from the Southwest Army that the Princess Consort will be handed over to the Southwest tribes tomorrow, and those tribes want to burn her to death to vent their anger!"
Zhou Ruyuan's vision went black, and he staggered two steps.
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