Chapter 123
As the weather grew colder, the entire Pingxiang was busy building garrisons and fortifications. In addition to soldiers and exiled prisoners, many civilians were also recruited, so the progress was very fast. In just half a month, tall city walls and houses were built.
When Lin Shuge arrived, Xie Chen was talking to Hua Wei. Ever since the Qiang tribes surrendered to Yan, the surrendered Qiang chieftains were rewarded and given titles. Since the Huatu tribe was relatively strong and had made contributions in the destruction of the Shaoliang tribe, it was poised to become the leader, and thus they interacted with the Qiang people. Xie Chen summoned him over.
The reason why he was summoned here today is to set up a customs market in Pingxiang so that the people of the two places can trade with each other. This matter has already been reported to Yandu by Captain Zhao. In order to better subdue the Qiang people, the people of Yandu finally agreed to this suggestion after a lot of wrangling.
When Xie Chen saw Lin Shuge walking into the guard post, he immediately stood up and said, "Brother, it's so cold, why are you here?"
Hua Wei also stood up and greeted Lin Shuge, saying hello to him in broken Yan dialect, and Lin Shuge returned the greeting.
"Establishing a customs city, how can I not come for such a major event?" Lin Shuge brushed away Xie Chen who was warming his hands, sat down below Xie Chen and said.
"I have already told Hua Wei about my brother's idea." Xie Chen took credit for it.
"Oh? I wonder what the chief thinks?" Lin Shuge looked at Hua Wei. He saw that since he was appointed as a Yan official, he had been in contact with Yan people a lot these days, so he unconsciously showed some Yan etiquette in his actions.
"Lord Lin, all the tribes will naturally agree. It's cold in winter and there's little food. If we can use cattle, sheep or fur to exchange for bricks and stones to build houses or exchange for food, it will be a great favor to our tribe." Hua Wei said.
"Well, in addition to that, I think our Han culture emphasizes being well-educated and well-mannered. Only by knowing Chinese characters can we learn more. How about sending the nephews and sons of the tribal chiefs to Qingquan to learn Han culture?" Lin Shuge said slowly.
Hua Wei looked puzzled. For some reason, a rumor had been circulating in the Qiang tribe during this period, saying that the Qiang and Dayan were of the same origin and had been one ethnic group since ancient times. They should not kill each other and the Qiang should have been incorporated into Dayan long ago.
Although the Qiang people had lived a life of moving with the water and grass for generations, this war made them realize the power and prosperity of Dayan. The lives of the Qiang people and those of Dayan were also very different.
Let me tell you nothing else, just what Hua Wei saw with his own eyes. Winter is almost here, and every citizen of Dayan has a well-built house to live in. It is said that the people of Qingquan spend a few dollars to build a kang, so they don't have to worry about the cold in winter. When Hua Wei came in just now, he felt warm as spring. It must be because the captain of the guards had a kang in his room. As for the Qiang people, who knows how many people and livestock would freeze to death when winter comes.
Hua Wei's heart changed after several changes, and he realized that even if this action might be regarded as a hostage, it would not be a bad idea to let the smarter children in the clan learn it. It would be best if they could learn how to build houses and make kangs.
"Sir, I naturally agree, but I have to go back and discuss with the tribes which children to send over."
"Well, there's no rush. But each tribe can send at most two people over. We can change them after they finish their studies." Lin Shuge took the tea brought by Xie Chen, took a sip and said.
Hua Wei thought about it in his mind, this way he could reassure both sides. He was wondering in his mind which son to send, perhaps the most capable son Feng Gu?
"Brother, you are absolutely right. Huaxu, since your tribe is the leader of the Qiang people, I will give you another convenience. You can send two more men over." Xie Chen added.
Hua Wei was delighted and stood up and said, "Thank you, my Lords."
After he left, Lin Shuge looked at Xie Chen with a smile, "What's worrying is not the lack of wealth, but the inequality. Does Zhongxuan want to create dissension among them?"
"Although my brother has people spread the rumor that the Qiang and Han are of the same origin, after all, everyone thinks they are not our kind, so we cannot let them unite yet. Today, the Huatu tribe is strong, so we will give them more benefits. If it is the Huotu tribe tomorrow, the Huotu tribe will naturally be the leader." Xie Chen stood up and stretched out his hand to tie Lin Shuge's cloak. "Brother, this fox fur cloak is nice."
Lin Shuge said helplessly: "Are you trying to get me to praise you?" It was clearly given to him that day.
"Have someone monitor the customs market every day. The sale of ironware is strictly prohibited, and grain is not allowed in excess. Also, if anyone acts suspiciously, arrest them immediately." Lin Shuge suddenly remembered the spy incident in Ganzhou and reminded.
"I understand, brother. But when will you start planning to have the Qiang children come to Qingquan to study?"
"Next spring, maybe. At that time, a school was built in Ganzhou County Government. I plan to build one next year in imitation of Ganzhou. I can send special students to teach. They have to learn Confucian ethics and the order of hierarchy. But they can come earlier to adapt themselves." Lin Shuge had a smile on his lips. The more Xie Chen looked at him, the more he liked him. He leaned over and kissed him.
Lin Shuge glared at him without even looking at where he was.
Xie Chen raised his eyebrows. This is my territory. I can kiss you whenever I want.
"By the way, Zhongxuan, next year I want to send people to Longxi and Nanjun to look for some good seeds. The land in Qingquan is barren, and the fertilization method needs to be improved. It just so happens that you are stationed here to cultivate the land, which should be useful."
Lin Shuge was thinking about next year's spring plowing. The people of Qingquan did earn some money this year by selling bricks and doing work, but the most important thing for the people was the crops in the fields. Only with food could they not go hungry. This was a truth that all poor people had known for thousands of years.
Xie Chen nodded. The food and grass during this period were all supplied by the former military farms and the Duwei Mansion. If, as his brother said, there were both good seeds and fertilizers, it would be a good thing for the military farms. How could he not agree?
"It's getting late. Are you going back with me today or staying in the garrison?" Lin Shuge asked. Xie Chen usually travels between the two places during this period. If he is busy with military affairs, he will stay in Pingxiang. If there is nothing to do, he will return to the county government.
Xie Chen: "Of course I will go back with my brother. I haven't seen you for a few days. Doesn't my brother miss me?"
Lin Shuge was cold and ruthless: "I don't want to. I get annoyed when I see you."
Xie Chen knew that he had angered him last time because of his lack of self-control, so he quickly coaxed him, "Brother, your heart is as hard as iron. You don't miss me, but I think about you all the time."
"Humph, that's just nice of you to say." Lin Shuge said as he walked out. Xie Chen followed him out with his hands behind his back. "Brother, you know I don't tell lies."
As soon as the two walked out, Lin Shuge felt a chill on the tip of his nose. Looking up, he saw snow falling from the lead-gray sky. Soon, a thin layer of snow covered the ground.
"It's snowing." Lin Shuge stretched out his hand to catch a snowflake.
Xie Chen raised his head and put the hood on him. "Brother, be careful not to catch a cold. You have finally recovered for these days. The doctor said you must not catch a cold."
"Zhongxuan, how about having hot pot today? You seem to have never eaten it before. It's a good opportunity to buy some mutton. But you have to cut the mutton."
This weather is perfect for eating hotpot.
"Okay, brother." Xie Chen brushed away the snow on his shoulders and said softly.
…
Feng Gu rode a horse and followed his father out of the Huatu tribe. His personality was similar to his father's. He just silently looked at the scenery that was different from the Qiang tribe along the way and didn't say a word. But his cousin Xianhan beside him was very excited and kept chattering and asking questions along the way.
When they reached Pingxiang, Hua Wei looked at his silent son and said, "We are almost there. Remember what I told you. Don't cause trouble or act recklessly when you arrive in Qingquan County. County Magistrate Lin is kind and gentle. If you have any problems, go to him. I'm sure he won't make things difficult for you. But the captain of the guards is ruthless. If you make a big mistake, he won't bear with you."
He looked at Feng Gu and Xian Han, who both showed fear, and said, "You two are the bravest and smartest young warriors in my tribe. How can you show such expressions? Cheer up. The Yan people are rich. Don't be blinded by wealth and forget your identity."
Xianhan spoke frankly, "Didn't they say that we and the Yan people came from the same ancestor? We later moved here and severed ties with them. After a few generations, we didn't recognize each other anymore, and that's why we were instigated to fight."
Hua Wei glanced at Xianhan coldly. This statement had been circulating among the Qiang tribes recently. No one knew who spread it, but it sounded so reasonable and well-founded that it even explained clearly how the Qiang ancestors came here. For a while, many Qiang people believed it. After all, the Qiang people also admired the strong and the prosperous Dayan, and they were envious of that kind of life.
"It's enough to just listen to this kind of words. Remember, listen and learn more when you get there. The Yan people are knowledgeable and ingenious, and some of their skills are beneficial to our tribe..." Hua Wei stopped talking, it turned out that they had arrived.
"Wow, there are so many things." Xianhan said loudly as he looked at the things displayed in Guanshi.
He looked back at Hua Wei, and after Hua Wei nodded, he and Feng Gu dismounted and headed straight for Guan City. Guanshi is located in Pingxiang. Lin Shuge and Xie Chen discussed and marked out a large area for trade between the two tribes. Therefore, Huaxu and others could see at a glance that on one side were the silk, cashmere and medicinal materials of Dayan, and on the other side were the furs, horses and spices and jade of the Western Regions of the Qiang people.
Guanshi is bustling with people and the sounds of hawking are endless, but what you see in Huawei is a market that is orderly, well-organized, busy but not messy. Merchants, especially Qiang merchants, must have official credentials from Dayan to enter the Guanshi market to trade. Standing here, he can see several familiar faces, all of whom came to him to get the Guanchuan from Magistrate Lin.
"Chief, why are you here?" a Qiang man shouted after seeing Huaxu.
Hua Wei dismounted and checked the pass with the soldiers guarding nearby before coming in. Feng Gu and Xian Han were walking around with great interest. Seeing that there were many soldiers around, Hua Wei ignored them and let them walk around on their own.
"Business is good. You must have exchanged a lot of things, right?" Hua Wei looked at the cashmere in front of him.
"Chief, I only knew that Dayan was wealthy before, but now I see it with my own eyes... Well, let's not talk about this. I exchanged my fur for some cashmere. Chief, feel it and you know how the Yan people made it. This time my wife heard that the Yan people had very warm cashmere, so she asked me to come here to exchange some for it. Anyway, I have a lot of fur at home, and I exchanged it for a lot of useful things." He was very strong. Hua Wei looked at him with a funny smile on his face, but didn't say anything. He just patted his shoulder.
Turning around, he saw Feng Gu and Xian Han holding a lot of things in their hands, both of them with expressions asking for help. He walked over and used a piece of jade on his waist to barter with a Yan merchant. The merchant knew the value of the goods and gave them a lot of things. Hua Wei waved his hand and refused, but the merchant said that this was the rule set by Lord Lin and Captain Wei, and he could not take advantage of them.
After hearing this, Hua Wei silently strengthened his mind, accepted the extra items from the vendor, and then walked towards the military camp with his happy son and nephew.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
