Yuan Xi took the sheepskin document sent by the Southern Huns and read it word by word. From time to time, he pointed to certain words on it and asked Tian Yu carefully about the details.
It took him half an hour to finish reading the long letter. The reason for this was that the document was written in two languages. The main part was in Xianbei script, and the secondary supplementary part was in Chinese characters.
However, the Chinese character part is extremely simple, and there are many omissions. Not only do the words not convey the meaning, but there are also many wrong strokes. Therefore, we can only understand the meaning by referring to the Xianbei characters.
There are several extremely ironic facts here. The first is that the main writing language used by the Huns at this time was Xianbei.
"Historical Records: Biography of the Xiongnu" records: The Xiongnu "have no documents and are restrained by words."
This means that the Huns did not have their own writing, but according to later archeology, it is obviously not consistent with the situation.
A tribe needs to develop without the simplest written communication. Sima Qian originally said this because in his time, because the Han Dynasty was strong, most of the Xiongnu nobles used Chinese characters for communication.
But this does not mean that there was no writing before. The Huns had a set of symbolic writing that was independent of the Chinese character language system. It was similar to the Turkic stone inscriptions, but they had more exchanges with the Han Dynasty and the scope of their use gradually became smaller.
Moreover, the bloodline of the Xiongnu itself is also very complicated, and there is no clear conclusion yet. It is like a large alliance of multiple tribes. If one tribe becomes stronger, the culture of the main nation behind it will occupy a strong and dominant position.
The Western Han Dynasty was the most powerful period for foreign exchanges. Therefore, in order to facilitate smoother exchanges, tribes outside the Han Dynasty's borders began to spontaneously learn Chinese characters to show their respect for the Han Dynasty.
In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the principle adopted towards foreigners changed to a contractionary policy of restraint, that is, using barbarians to control barbarians. Under this circumstance, the Han court gave up the civilization of barbarians in the frontier areas.
Under this situation, there were fewer and fewer people who were proficient in using Chinese characters. The rise of Xianbei outside the Pass caused the Xiongnu to use Chinese characters to shift from Chinese characters to Xianbei script on a large scale.
This is the mutual relationship between culture and strength. The strong one will occupy the strong high ground of cultural exchanges, while the weak one will spontaneously accept the penetration and influence of the strong side's culture.
Therefore, there is a saying that cultural expansion does not need to be carried out deliberately. As long as the country is strong, surrounding tribes will naturally take the initiative to accept the culture of the stronger party. This is called the mentality of cultural admiration for strong people.
The letter in front of Yuan Xi now illustrates this truth.
Originally, in the early Eastern Han Dynasty, Chinese characters had become the main writing language of the Xiongnu. However, with the fall of Huan Ling, the world was in chaos, and the prestige of the Han court was greatly damaged. The Southern Xiongnu had the courage to take advantage of the chaos to plunder the Han court, so how could they be willing to go there? Learn Chinese characters?
Therefore, in just a few decades, the official language used by the Huns changed from Chinese characters to Xianbei characters, which is really sad.
Yuan Xi knew that this was a very bad sign. We must know that words are the most basic carrier of culture. Changing words means that there is no sense of cultural identity, and the sense of belonging will be greatly reduced. Eventually, sooner or later, the Xiongnu will completely Break away from the Chinese cultural circle.
If it is allowed to return later, it will take many times and dozens of times of effort. In fact, Xianbei almost completely assimilated and eliminated Chinese culture during the Five Husty Period.
Yuan Xi thought of this, picked up the document and shook it, "Has Mr. Fengxiao read it?"
"What does he have in mind?"
Tian Yu replied: "Sir, although the Huns are courteous on the surface, they still have a lot of selfish intentions in their letters."
"It hopes to trade with each other and exchange horses for Youzhou goods on preferential terms, but what it wants to exchange is iron tools and other utensils, and even manufacturing technology."
“It is better to teach people to fish than to teach them to fish, but if this is done on a party that may become an enemy, it seems a bit inappropriate.”
Yuan Xi said: "Indeed, sir, your judgment is very accurate."
"If we are all Chinese people, these things will be fine, but they have not shown enough sincerity."
"If they want this kind of thing, they have to pay a corresponding price, but now they want to get it for free. It's a beautiful idea."
"But if they want technology, I can't ask them to come and get it in person."
"Brother Tian went back and told them to ask the Xiongnu tribe to send Shan Yu's descendants as hostages to come to Youzhou to study for five years before leaving."
"But I don't plan to teach them everything. They can learn anything like writing and herbal medicine, and there's no problem with farming equipment."
"But smelting and weapon forging, as well as the preparation of gunpowder raw materials, must be kept secret."
"When in the future they are willing to give up the name of the Huns and integrate into the Central Plains culture, I will consider relenting."
Tian Yu praised: "Seeing that the young master has thought so clearly, Yu is relieved."
Yuan Xi smiled and said: "I feel more at ease when the state is doing things."
"After my brother returns, I will use Yan Rou as my deputy and Mr. Feng Xiao as my mastermind to preside over the negotiations with the Xiongnu."
"Brother, I will decide the specific details myself. Once we have finalized the discussion, just let me know."
"Brother, you just need to remember that the life and death of our Chinese people is the biggest and most important prerequisite for everything."
Tian Yu responded quickly.
The two discussed some things again and found that it was relatively reliable to have a good relationship with the Southern Xiongnu, and they were both very happy.
This means that for a period of time in the future, there will be no need to hoard so many Wuhuan cavalry and garrisons on the Daijun border, and they will even be able to obtain part of the Huns' cavalry. This is good news for Youzhou's subsequent Liaodong strategy.
Among them, Yan Rou, Xian Yufu and others should be the most motivated, because Yuan Xi promised that if he made great achievements in conquering the tribes of the Korean Peninsula in the future and opened up more territories, the title of marquis would be a certainty.
The two of them had decided on their plan, and Yuan Xi smiled and said: "The sun rises in the east and rains in the west. It's God's reward for hard work. Otherwise, Xuzhou would almost make me depressed."
"Yang Feng is still outside? Ask someone to bring her in."
At this time, Mrs. Du happened to come in to serve tea. When she heard this, she said softly: "Mrs. Lu is talking to him outside."
After hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled and said, "When did Madam become interested in her?"
"Let's go out and take a look together."
Tian Yu listened and led the way first. When Yuan Xi saw Mrs. Du bending down to put away the tea sets, he reached out and touched somewhere. Mrs. Du suddenly trembled and almost screamed.
However, Yuan Xi took the opportunity to slip away, leaving Mrs. Du staring at Yuan Xi's leaving back in shame and annoyance, biting her lip, as if she thought of something, her face turned red again.
In the courtyard, Lu Lingqi and Yang Feng were staring at each other.
The two seemed to have been secretly competing with each other for a long time, but they both refrained from speaking. Gradually, Yang Feng's expression began to look wrong.
Her expression changed several times, she cursed and spat: "How amazing is your hearing ability?"
"What are you so proud of!"
Lu Lingqi chuckled, "If this continues, you will be surpassed by me."
There is a reason why Yang Feng broke through the defense.
The breathing method that Zhang Jiao taught her back then was extremely profound and difficult to learn even if she knew the method. Therefore, Yang Feng always regarded it as her own secret and trump card, and relied on it to escape from death many times.
But now in the Youzhou Army, she met two people who mastered this method. Not to mention Zhang Jiao's disciple Tai Shici, Zhao Yun was able to understand it on his own, which made Yang Feng quite resentful.
But now Lu Lingqi deliberately revealed her breathing rhythm in front of him, which made Yang Feng realize that this daughter of Marquis Wen had actually learned it without any teacher!
Although Yang Feng had already been mentally prepared, Lu Lingqi had an amazing talent, which was her sensitive hearing, so it was only a matter of time before she learned the breathing technique.
But what really surprised Yang Feng was that Lu Lingqi, just like Zhao Yuntai Shici, did not copy it rigidly, but had a slightly different rhythm, obviously making improvements to match her own breathing.
This shocked Yang Feng even more. Those who could do this were all martial arts geniuses. Why were there so many masters in the Youzhou Army?
Seeing Lu Lingqi's youthful appearance, Yang Feng couldn't help but feel jealous. Once upon a time, she was as high-spirited as the girl opposite.
But that was ten years ago.
Yang Feng felt that her current state of mind was like that of an old man waiting to die, and he hated Lu Lingqi's proud look even more. He simply closed his eyes, remained silent, and let Lu Lingqi make faces in front of him.
The sound of footsteps came, and Yuan Xi's hateful voice sounded, "It seems that General Yang is in a good mood."
Damn it, which dog of yours sees that I am in a good mood?
Yang Feng didn't know why, but she had an indescribable hatred for Yuan Xi.
She didn't know where this hatred came from, but even when she realized that she had been deceived by Yang Chou, she still hated Yuan Xi extremely!
This hatred came from deep in his bones, so much so that Yang Feng wanted to jump up and strangle Yuan Xi to death on the spot with the iron chain in his hand.
But this can only be thought about in Yang Feng's mind. Now that her hands and feet are not flexible, she is surrounded by several masters. Is there any chance?
Seeing that Yang Feng didn't answer, Yuan Xi smiled and said: "General Yang has a very bad temper, but I am also holding back my anger. You must know that the general has the blood of my soldiers in his hands."
Yang Feng said coldly: "You can kill me."
She said sarcastically, "Isn't it because you want to get something from me that you are keeping me alive?"
"The breathing method is no longer a secret. Is it the Taiping Qingling Book, or is it the remaining power of Taiping Dao?"
Yuan Xi smiled and said: "The general has a clear mind, but from the looks of it, Youzhou's labor education seems to have failed the general to understand."
Yang Feng suddenly opened his eyes, with a sarcastic look on his face, "How many days of hard work can make me change my mind?"
"I think you took the wrong medicine!"
"I will never bow to you!"
Yuan Xi had a headache. Normally speaking, the effect of labor education was actually quite good.
The Montenegrin Army's grab for food was also an act of desperation because they could not survive. Therefore, when the soldiers recalled the days when they were oppressed by the powerful landlords, they still felt the same way, and many people gradually changed a lot.
Yuan Xi does not expect them to spontaneously sprout any progressive ideas of world unity, but just wants them to understand what can be changed. That is enough.
But Yang Feng is different.
Influenced by Zhang Jiao's ears and eyes, she has been very determined since she was a child and has her own unique life goals. This kind of person cannot be changed after a few days of work.
For Yang Feng, labor education was no longer effective. Yuan Xi did not want to waste time, so he decided to change the method.
He said: "Zhang Ning, I can let you go."
Yang Feng's body was shocked. Only her father, Zhang Jiao, knew her name. How did Fierce Tiger know it?
Seeing Yang Feng's confused eyes, Yuan Xi knew that he had succeeded in the first step.
Then he will start cheating.
(End of chapter)
