After a series of tedious etiquette training, as if breaking through many obstacles, they finally arrived in front of Chongzheng Hall. Those etiquette and rules were indeed cumbersome and complicated for Qin Zaixiong, but similarly, the majesty of the emperor and the royal family also gave him a deeper understanding.
Waiting honestly, Chongzheng Hall is not the most magnificent palace in the Han Palace, but to Qin Zaixiong, it was no different. It shocked him. Viewing from a distance is not as intuitive as viewing up close. For Qin Zaixiong, he was in awe.
The ministers of the Han Dynasty came out one after another, and they all glanced at Qin Zaixiong subconsciously, guessing in their hearts that the emperor wanted to use this Yaoman to make some fuss. Facing the scrutinizing gazes of the prime ministers, Qin Zaixiong felt a little uncomfortable. He didn't relax until the prime ministers walked away.
For Qin Zaixiong, the process of meeting the Emperor of Han seemed a bit too tortuous...
Finally stepping onto the floor of the Chongzheng Hall, the coolness in the hall made Qin Zaixiong's chaotic head sober up, and he glanced cautiously in the direction of the imperial case. Indeed, he was high up, and when he saw a bright yellow figure, he suddenly remembered what the officials of the Ministry of Rites taught him not to look directly at the emperor, and he quickly lowered his head.
Deliberately lowering his voice, he bowed somewhat awkwardly: "I, Qin Zaixiong, pay homage to Your Majesty!"
Looking at the Yaoman leader, he not only knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, but also bowed to the ground. He was extremely submissive. However, he was a little nervous and his movements were a little deformed. It was not easy to learn this level in a short time.
"No courtesy. Stay free!" Liu Chengyou said with a gentle expression, waving his hand: "You are not my subordinate now!"
After listening to the emperor's words, Qin Zaixiong stood up and responded: "Your Majesty, although I am a Yao person, I have always admired the power of the king of heaven. I also served in Hunan before, but in the land of Huxiang, I have always obeyed the imperial court respectfully. Under his rule, he will become a vassal of the Han Dynasty!"
After Qin Zaixiong's statement, Liu Chengyou showed a little surprise on his face, and sighed inwardly. This man was quite enlightened, and his mood naturally improved a bit. Recalling Zhao Yanjin's report, this man is not an ordinary barbarian chief, and he does have some insight.
"I listened to Zhou Xingfeng's advice and defied the imperial court. I felt that I could not escape the blame for my crime. Please punish me!" Qin Zaixiong took the initiative.
This was really a smart barbarian chief, and he probably figured it out. If the emperor really wanted to punish him, why would he have to entertain him so warmly for several days? However, this attitude and awareness also make people feel happy.
"I have issued an edict that all officials and people in charge of Hunan's obedience will be pardoned and will not be held accountable!" Liu Chengyou said.
Qin Zaixiong immediately bowed and bowed: "Thank you for your tolerance, Your Majesty! Your Majesty's mind is as broad as the world, and I admire you greatly!"
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but laugh, and his hearty laughter echoed in the hall, infecting everyone. Qin Zaixiong also laughed a few times.
"How do you feel about being in Tokyo these days? My capital is quite magnificent, isn't it!" Looking at Qin Zaixiong, Liu Chengyou asked, with a hint of pride in his tone.
Hearing this, Qin Zaixiong immediately became excited and said with emotion on his face: "I would also like to thank your Majesty for your warm hospitality! I saw Changsha in Hunan and thought it was the greatest city in the world. When I went north and passed through Jiangling and Xiangyang, I felt that Tokyo was nothing more than this. However, when I arrived in Tokyo, I realized how little I had seen. The prosperity and splendor of Tokyo far exceeded my imagination. It is simply difficult to describe in words. This is something that even ten cities in Changsha cannot compare with..."
This barbarian is really good at talking. He can't be an An Lushan type of person. Liu Chengyou still has such distracting thoughts in his mind.
"Since Tokyo is so nice, are you willing to live here forever? I can reward you with a house, property, servants..." Liu Chengyou's eyes slowly rolled a few times, and there was a hint of playfulness in Liu Chengyou's tone.
After hearing the question, Qin Zaixiong's rough face suddenly showed a clear tangle, and he bowed his hands and said: "It would be an honor for me to live in Tokyo for a long time. However, as the old saying goes, no merit will be rewarded, and now I am guilty. I have made immeasurable contributions to Your Majesty and the imperial court. I have been entertained before and have become uneasy. How can I dare to accept your Majesty's favors again? I dare to ask Your Majesty to give me a chance. I will wait until I have made great achievements for the Han Dynasty and then I will be rewarded by Your Majesty. I have a clear conscience!"
"Although you grew up in the wilderness, I am very pleased that you have such knowledge and understanding!" His tone was obviously softer, and even his title changed. Liu Chengyou's face at this time showed two words: appreciation.
Qin Zaixiong also clearly felt the kindness from the emperor and grinned, showing some yellowed teeth.
"You and your subordinates will be under the rule of Chenzhou!" Liu Chengyou asked more seriously.
"Exactly!"
"How many tribes and people are there under Chenzhou?"
"It's hard to count the large and small tribes, there should be tens of thousands of them..." Without a detailed investigation, even if he was one of them, Qin Zaixiong could only give a vague answer, and it was almost as if he had said nothing.
After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou asked: "How many Yao people are there under your command?"
"More than six thousand men and women!" Qin Zaixiong seemed a little proud. After all, this was a big force.
"How to make a living?"
"The first is picking, the second is fishing and hunting, and the third is farming!" Qin Zaixiong responded almost without thinking.
"I have read the history books and found that the Central Plains often regards Hunan as Jingman and Chuman, which is detrimental to harmony. Now that Hunan has been taken over, I want to send officials to educate and govern it as one, without distinction between Han and barbarians. What does Qin Qing think?" Suddenly, Liu Chengyou asked, full of temptation.
Qin Zaixiong was stunned for a moment, and said subconsciously: "If this is the case, then all the tribes in Hunan will definitely admire the Han Dynasty, and your majesty will be praised for his ocean-like mind!"
Liu Chengyou seemed a little dissatisfied with his answer, feeling that his words were meaningless except for nutritious flattery. However, after thinking for a moment, Qin Zaixiong suddenly asked Liu Chengyou seriously: "May I ask your Majesty, if the imperial court were to govern the five states of Chen and Qin, what would the imperial court plan to do with a leader and clan leader like Chen Chen?"
This time, Liu Chengyou was really surprised. He looked at Qin Zaixiong with the same serious eyes, and replied with the same serious tone: "I still said the same thing, treat everyone equally. If you agree to the patriarch or leader, you can go to Tokyo and learn The skills of governing, the method of controlling the people, and then appointing officials according to their talents. As for the people of various ethnic groups, they can also be appointed as generals through imperial examinations and military exploits. Those with skills can also be appointed as officials in the government office after passing the government examination. Like Qin Qing. If you have great bravery and strategic talent, and if you have meritorious service, I will bestow upon you a title!"
Probably feeling Liu Chengyou's sincerity, Qin Zaixiong solemnly responded: "I am willing to lead my subordinates and people to join the imperial court and follow the arrangements!"
This is really a smart man. He is aware of the emperor's attitude and the court's policy, and he is the first to take advantage of it. But no matter what, Liu Chengyou was really satisfied with his attitude. It was really rare to have such a barbarian chieftain.
After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "It's a pity that there are too few people like Qin Qing who admire the king and understand the truth!"
Qin Zaixiong was also alert. After hearing this, he couldn't help but ask: "Why does your Majesty sigh like this?"
"You should know about Fu Yantong from Xuzhou!"
Of course he nodded in response: "Exactly! He has been in the five states for decades and has a great influence. When I was in Chenzhou, I also had contacts with Xuzhou."
"My prime minister invited Fu Yantong to come to Tokyo for a short stay and named him King Qin. However, although I sincerely expressed my sincerity, Fu Yantong seemed to be suspicious of the imperial court and was unwilling to leave!" Liu Chengyou seemed to take it seriously. He looked at Qin Zaixiong with pity and admiration: "In view of this, I feel that it is very rare for a hero like Qin Qing to be loyal and good!"
After hearing the praise, Qin Zaixiong couldn't help but take the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Xuzhou to persuade Fu Yantong for your Majesty!"
"That's not necessary!" Liu Chengyou tapped the imperial case lightly and said leisurely: "What I am considering now is the admission and treatment of Chenzhou!"
Changing his posture slightly and staring at Qin Zaixiong, Liu Chengyou asked: "I learned a lot from talking with Qin Qing. If we want to govern the five states of Chen and Qin, we need people like you who are sensible and sensible. Now, the great Han Dynasty, The civil and military divisions are implemented, each performing his own duties. I wonder if Qin Qin wants to control the civil and military administration, or to control the military and military?"
Qin Zaixiong was so moved by the wise appearance of the Emperor of Han that he actually consulted his opinions. At the same time, he was also very considerate. After thinking about it, Qin Zaixiong said: "Your Majesty, I am not very illiterate and only have military skills, but I am still willing to lead the troops and make meritorious service for Your Majesty on the battlefield!"
"Okay!" Liu Chengyou nodded directly: "I agree, but before that, I still need you to return to Chenzhou and cooperate with the court officials to reorganize the households of the Han barbarians in Chenzhou!"
"Yes!" Qin Zaixiong did not hesitate and was very respectful.
After meeting Qin Zaixiong, it was already evening and dusk was falling, so Liu Chengyou simply stayed with Qin Zaixiong to have a meal with him. At this time, Qin Zaixiong discovered that the emperor's meals were not as good as what he had eaten and drank in Tokyo. He felt that this was probably the performance of the Mingjun in the rumors. When a Mingjun appears in the heaven, all tribes in the four directions can only bow their heads and be loyal, otherwise they will suffer disaster. Qin Zaixiong still understands this simple truth, so he gave up Allayed some doubts in my mind.
In fact, Liu Chengyou really had no idea of resolving the governance of the Chen and Xu barbarians once and for all. He would not naively think that if the policy continued, the Southern barbarians would be safe.
When it comes to ethnic issues, they are never so easy to solve. Liu Chengyou knew very clearly that what he wanted was for the Chu barbarians to be returned to rule and under the Han system to further weaken their independence. That was enough.
As for completely eliminating the influence of barbarian chiefs and leaders, Liu Chengyou has no such delusions at all. Even if the prefectures and counties in Zhongyuan are suffering from the abuses of clans and township parties, how can we expect a group of barbarians to fully accept the rule of the imperial court?
Take Qin Zaixiong as an example. He sacrificed all his people, accepted the rule of the court, and then became a general of the Han Dynasty and received a noble title. This will only make his reputation higher. In the future, it is conceivable that a large "Qin family" will rise in the five states of Chenxu. Liu Chengyou sees this clearly, but he will not stop it, and will even encourage it.
But one thing is that Liu Chengyou's Chenzhou policy will greatly promote the integration of ethnic groups and the development of cultural exchanges.
Of course, after all, Hunan has its own special characteristics, with good sinicization and the rise of culture since the mid-Tang Dynasty, so the resistance to the imperial court will not be that great.
Once Lingnan and Southwest are obtained, it will be another solution. In many cases, based on a combination of factors, the policy of restraint is the most appropriate approach.
