Spring is finally here.
The ice and snow on the wilderness began to melt, and the weeds and flowers that had been buried for a winter began to sprout tender green buds, and the originally barren wilderness began to come alive.
On the night of April 15th, the eleventh year of the Xuanli calendar, Fu Xiaoguan hosted a banquet for 360 representatives of the Huangting people in the former Platinum Khan Palace, now the Governor's Mansion. The so-called representatives included those who were highly respected, wealthy, and from powerful families.
This was a special dinner. When everyone was seated, all that was served to them was a bowl of clear porridge and a steamed bun the size of an egg!
Is this the meal that Lord Ding'an is going to use to entertain us?
Who are you looking down on?
How can we eat such food?
Everyone showed dissatisfaction on their faces, but felt increasingly uneasy in their hearts.
It is strange to say that this Earl of Ding'an conquered Huangting and captured the king Tuoba Feng alive, but did not kill him.
Originally, people thought this desolate court would be subjected to a brutal purge, after all, the Divine Sword Army had suffered heavy casualties when they attacked the Platinum Khan Palace. However, after the hundreds of thousands of Divine Sword Army soldiers entered the desolate court, there was no movement—they only dispatched a few patrol teams to educate those who had deliberately caused trouble.
According to the wild man's logic, since the Divine Sword Army won, everything here naturally belongs to Fu Xiaoguan.
They should have robbed them, taken advantage of others, or even turned them into slaves...but nothing happened. Everything was beyond the expectations of the barbarians.
Could it be possible that this Earl Ding'an would be kind enough to let them go?
Or maybe they would be killed here during such a dinner?
Just as everyone was feeling anxious, Fu Xiaoguan walked in surrounded by a group of people.
All eyes were focused on that young face. Instead of seeing storms and thunder, they saw a face full of the vitality of spring.
"Everyone, I'm sorry, something happened just now that delayed me for a while..."
Fu Xiaoguan and his group went straight to the main seat. He swept his eyes across the room and said with a smile, "My name is Fu Xiaoguan. I invited everyone here today for no other reason than to get to know each other. After all, you are all prominent figures in this city. Come, come, come. Although spring has arrived, there is still a hint of chill. Don't wait for the porridge and steamed buns to get cold. Please enjoy."
After saying this, he sat down, took the clear soup porridge and the steamed bun and started eating.
He finished the steamed bun in two bites and drank the porridge in two gulps. He wiped his mouth and looked up at everyone with a look of surprise on his face - "Aren't you hungry? Oh... By the way, you are used to eating cattle and sheep, Tuoba Kang..."
Sitting on his right was the former Prince Kang Tuoba Kang. Tuoba Kang quickly stood up. Fu Xiaoguan asked, "Why don't you kill cattle and sheep to entertain the guests?"
Tuoba Kang bowed, his facial muscles twitching twice, "My Lord, there are no cattle or sheep left to be slaughtered in the palace. We only have a little millet and a little white flour."
Fu Xiaoguan frowned, "So poor? How are we going to live in the future?"
He seemed to be talking to himself. Tuoba Kang was unable to respond. Fu Xiaoguan took a deep breath and stood up. He looked at everyone and asked, "Everyone, the landlord has no more food at home. How about we all just share a meal?"
No one picked up their chopsticks, but some of them already understood the meaning of Fu Xiaoguan's dinner.
No one took the initiative to speak out, thinking that they would wait and see what the young ruler would do.
"I have to apologize to everyone. I didn't realize the palace was so poor. Food shouldn't be wasted..."
He turned around and said to Chen Po, "I just came back and saw many beggars outside the palace. Go and invite them in."
Chen Po took the order and quickly led hundreds of beggars into the hall.
“Eat…”
Before Fu Xiaoguan finished speaking, the beggars immediately rushed to the table, snatched the porridge and steamed buns, and finished them in two bites.
There was a panic in the hall. After a few breaths, all the porridge and steamed buns were swept away.
Chen Po drove the beggars out, and Fu Xiaoguan sighed, "Everyone, they came from Bafangwei City just to find a bite to eat and survive."
"But the situation is a bit difficult now. I have sent people to the Yi Kingdom to borrow food, but distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. I can't just watch them die here."
Now everyone understood Fu Xiaoguan’s intention of holding this dinner, which was to get them to donate!
But then, Fu Xiaoguan didn't mention a word about asking them to donate.
"We are facing significant difficulties right now, but there are always more solutions than problems. Next, I will announce some decisions to everyone. Please listen to them. The government will issue an official announcement later."
Decide?
Decide their fate?
Everyone's heart was in their throat. Was he about to show his fangs?
What he wants is not to get us to donate, but... to confiscate our property!
However, the situation once again exceeded their expectations. Fu Xiaoguan slowly spoke:
"First of all, the name 'Huangguo' doesn't sound good. It makes people feel uneasy. It needs to be changed to the Chi Lechuan Autonomous Region."
"Chi Le Chuan, at the foot of the Yin Mountains. The sky is like a dome, covering the vast expanse. The sky is vast, the expanse is boundless, the wind blows the grass low, and cattle and sheep can be seen! Named Chi Le Chuan, the future Chi Le Chuan Autonomous Region will be a place where cattle and sheep roam the fields, and people live and work in peace and contentment!"
"Desolate Court, it doesn't sound good, so we'll change it to Yuxiu City."
"This mountain rises majestically from the vast wilderness, towering above the clouds, stretching for hundreds of thousands of miles. Other mountains come in to pay their respects, like a star-studded arch. The beauty of nature is bestowed here, not just on distant lands! Therefore, this city has been called Yuxiu City ever since."
The group of uneducated barbarians were very confused and couldn't understand what he said, but they felt that what Ding'an Bo said was very profound.
Desolate Country, Chi Lechuan Autonomous Region, Desolate Court, Yuxiu City...it seems that the names he chose are indeed much better-sounding.
"Secondly, the name of the former imperial palace, the Platinum Khan Palace, doesn't sound good either. It needs to be changed to the Governor's Office. The reason for this is that the highest administrative officer of the Chilechuan Autonomous Region is the Governor-General, with subordinate offices corresponding to the six ministries. Specific officials will be nominated by the first Governor-General."
Secondly, Fu Xiaoguan personally appointed Tuoba Kang as the first governor of the Chi Lechuan Autonomous Region, and Tuoba Feng, the former emperor of the Huang Kingdom, was appointed as an advisory minister. He had no real power, but just followed Fu Xiaoguan when he was here and introduced him to the customs and culture of this territory.
Finally, he appointed Chen Po as the highest military commander of the Chi Lechuan Autonomous Region!
He didn't say anything else, and these barbarians breathed a sigh of relief... They didn't confiscate their properties, didn't reduce them to slaves, and didn't take their heads. This was considered merciful. As for the former Barren Country or the Barren Court, that was the hatred of the royal family and seemed to have nothing to do with them.
Only Tuoba Feng closed his eyes after listening to Fu Xiaoguan's words.
"Humans are amazing creatures. They instinctively seek benefits and avoid harm. They may occasionally think of their old country, but they are more focused on the immediate situation... For example, how to survive!"
This is what Fu Xiaoguan said to him, and it hits the nail on the head!
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