I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 480: Arrogant! Su Liang: You have no other way out except returning to Song

It's almost noon.

Su Liang and others ran all the way and finally arrived at Ningtao City, the central area of the Rogler tribe.

In front of Ningtao City, the moat is about three meters wide.

The water flows continuously, and there is only a suspension bridge in the middle to enter the city.

There are five chevaux de frise at the foot of the city.

The city wall was tall, with dense battlements on top, and soldiers in armor standing guard.

It is indeed different from those loose small tribal camps.

Achaisi, who was walking in the front, waved his hand, and the tall maroon city gate in front opened completely.

When Su Liang arrived at the city gate, he said proudly, "Central Prime Minister Su, although Ningtao City is not as big as Bianjing City, the happiness of the people is definitely higher than that of Bianjing City. Let's walk and I will introduce it to you."

Su Liang smiled and nodded.

Even if the latter said that Ningtao City was richer than Bianjing City, Su Liang would not refute.

He was used to Achais's boasting.

Su Liang's retort was to lower his own standards.

Immediately, Achaisi and Su Liang entered the city side by side, followed by more than 200 Longyu Army soldiers.

Once entering the city.

Su Liang saw houses on both sides of the street that looked exactly the same, except for the different signs.

And in front of every house there is a flag.

There is a line of ancient Tibetan written on it.

Su Liang knew without thinking that it must be those six words: no high or low, no poor or rich.

A Chai Si introduced: "Central Prime Minister Su, this street is the main street in the city. There are many shops, including clothing stores, bookstores, wine shops, tea shops, farm tool shops, etc. All of them are free and are allocated according to demand."

"An adult can receive three kilograms of alcohol and water every day, as much tea as he wants, and his clothes and bedding can be replaced every two months."

"Do you see the restaurant in front? Our tribesmen eat for free. We have two meals a day, with meat, vegetables and soup. We are full. And once a month, we give out beef and mutton, and we can eat as much as we want. My father and I also eat from the same big pot with our tribesmen. The common people of the Song Dynasty don't have this kind of treatment. The officials and literati of the Song Dynasty won't eat with the common people either!"

"I feel that our tribe truly puts the people first and enjoys the people together. I'm afraid that even the Liao and Song dynasties could hardly achieve such reform results, let alone the Western Xia!"

……

As Achaisi spoke, he looked at Su Liang with a sense of superiority on his face. He hoped that Su Liang would show an expression of envy on his face.

But a pity.

Su Liang had a smile on his face the whole time, without even a hint of curiosity or surprise.

Not long after.

Everyone came to a big house in front.

This house is of the same style as the houses on both sides of the road, but it is a little bigger.

At this time.

A gray-haired man walked out of the mansion, looking somewhat similar to Achaisi.

Following behind were several burly warriors, who were obviously the tribal leader Rogler.

Rogler looked at Su Liang with a smile and said loudly: "I didn't expect that Su Zhongcheng would come to my Ningtao City. I am sorry for not welcoming you in person. I hope Su Zhongcheng will forgive me!"

"Captain Rogler, you're welcome, you're welcome!" Su Liang immediately dismounted from his horse.

Rogler looked at Achais.

"Achaisi, I have arranged a big pot of food at No. 18 in the north of the city. You should quickly order someone to lead Su Zhongcheng's guards to eat. Su Zhongcheng is an honored guest, so I have specially prepared a special meal and a banquet in the house. The elders are already waiting!"

"Yes, father," Achais replied.

Say it.

Rogler looked at Su Liang again.

"Central Prime Minister Su, please come in! Now that you have come to Ningtao City, I will ensure your safety."

Su Liang bowed slightly and walked into the mansion.

On the side, Liu Sandao and one-armed Lao Qiao followed Su Liang closely, and four soldiers stood at the gate of the mansion.

The others followed Achaisi's men and went to another place to eat.

……

Lean slightly.

Su Liang and his party came to the restaurant in the mansion, and three old men hurriedly bowed to Su Liang.

Su Liang also immediately returned the gift.

Rogler smiled and said, "These three are elders of my tribe. They don't speak Chinese, but they have to accompany such a distinguished guest as Su Zhongcheng."

"You're welcome, you're welcome!" Su Liang said with a smile.

Afterwards, Rogler and his son, three clan elders, and Su Liang sat around a round table.

Liu Sandao and one-armed Lao Qiao were standing at the door of the restaurant.

They must ensure that Su Liang is always in their sight.

Soon, the food was served.

The food is very substantial.

The table was filled with large chunks of beef and mutton, large bowls of fishy cow and sheep milk, and large plates of highland barley rice balls.

A person from Hehuang.

I like meat and cheese, but I don’t like fish.

Even though their rivers are full of fish, some of which weigh twenty or thirty kilograms, no one eats them.

Also.

Behind the six people were four maids, each holding a wine jar and responsible for pouring wine.

Ton! Ton! Ton!
After the dishes were served, the large bowl in front of Su Liang was filled with wine.

Rogler picked up the wine bowl and said to Su Liang, "The name of Su Zhongcheng is known all over the world. I, Rogler, am honored to have you come from afar today. Come, let's drink this bowl first!"

After saying that, Rogler picked up the wine bowl and drank it all.

The three elders and Achaisi at the side also drank in big gulps.

Su Liang smiled slightly and drank it all in one gulp.

The wine had a milky aroma, and he felt it was a bit spicy after he finished drinking it.

Then, Rogler said, "Central Prime Minister Su has been traveling all night, so he must be hungry and thirsty. How about we eat, drink and chat at the same time?"

"Ok, Ok."

Su Liang was indeed hungry, so he immediately picked up a piece of beef and started eating.

He is never one to be falsely polite to others.

All of a sudden, everyone started eating in a very savage manner. The three elders even smeared the grease on their hands on their bodies casually, without any regard for manners.

This is their daily life.

moment.

After the six of them drank two more bowls of wine, Rogeldao began to ask Su Liang why he came here.

They are isolated from information here.

He only knew that Su Liang and Di Qing came to the northwest to attend the funeral of Fan Zhongyan, but he didn't know why Su Liang left the country.

"Central Prime Minister Su, are you here to pass by our tribe, or to inspect the reforms in our tribe?"

The reform of the Rogler tribe was personally initiated by Rogler.

He was very pleased with himself and felt that it was more likely that Su Liang came to him to learn from him.

Su Liang thought for a moment and said straight to the point: "I am not passing by, nor am I here to inspect the reforms of the nobles. I am here to help the people of the Rogler tribe live a stable and happy life! I have already told you this, my lord."

Rogler looked at Achais.

A Chai Si frowned slightly and said, "Central Prime Minister Su, since you said such big words before coming to Ningtao City, I won't say anything!"

"But after seeing the situation in Ningtao City and my story, you still say such big words. Isn't it a bit too disrespectful? Does my Rogler tribe need help from the Song Dynasty?"

"The people of my tribe live a carefree life, with meat, tea and wine every day. How are they not better off than the people of your Song Dynasty? I really don't know where you get your confidence from?"

"Achaisi, shut up! How could Su Zhongcheng talk nonsense?"

Rogler looked at Su Liang and asked, "Central Minister Su, how are you going to help us?"

Su Liang said seriously: "First, our dynasty has cultivated a unique type of cotton, which can not only be used to make quilts, but also can be made into cotton clothes that are as effective as animal skins in keeping out the cold. This type of cotton and this kind of technology are only available in our Song Dynasty, but the most suitable place for cultivation is the northwest region."

"The northwest has a dry climate, plenty of sunshine, and a lot of idle land, which is the best place to grow cotton. If I bring cotton seeds and cotton weaving technology here, the lives of your people will surely be improved."

"Secondly, once cotton planting and weaving are established in the northwest, it will surely attract a large number of merchants. With more merchants, trade will flourish. Many silks, porcelains, books, and even some technologies of our Song Dynasty can be transferred here. This area can be built into a prosperous place of trade that is no less prosperous than Xihe Town." "Third, the Silk Road leading to the Western Regions is currently occupied by Zuo Silu and Xixia. Our dynasty has the ability to reopen the Silk Road and promote trade in the Hehuang area. In this way, the entire Hehuang area can flourish."

After Su Liang finished speaking.

Rogler picked up the wine bowl and drank it all, then asked, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. I wonder what Zhongcheng Su needs from us?"

"Return to Song and become a citizen of the Great Song!"

Su Liang looked serious and directly stated the purpose of his visit.

"Snapped!"

Achaisi slammed the table and stood up.

"So... So you want to surrender! My Rogler tribe is doing well, why should we surrender to Song? You are just daydreaming. If you keep talking nonsense, don't blame me for being rude to you!"

immediately.

Achaisi spoke something in Tibetan to the three elders.

After the latter listened.

They all looked at Su Liang with gloomy faces, and their expressions became unfriendly.

Rogler waved at Achaisi, motioning him to sit down, and then looked at Su Liang.

"Central Chancellor Su, if what you just said was drunken talk, then don't mention it again. Let's continue eating and drinking. If the Song Dynasty really has this intention, I advise you to give up this idea immediately and report it directly to your government. There is absolutely no possibility of this happening."

"The three conditions for assistance you just mentioned are not very attractive to our tribe."

"Our tribe currently has enough food and drink, and is self-sufficient. Grazing can meet our daily needs, and we have no intention of growing or spinning cotton. As for your suggestion of developing trade and opening up the Silk Road to the Western Regions, our tribe is even less interested."

Su Liang shook his head slightly.

"Leader Rogler, your reform policy is actually a plan to destroy your own life. It cannot last long. Only by returning to the Song Dynasty can the Rogler tribe live a good life!"

Swish!
At this moment, Achaisi suddenly pulled out a dagger from his boots and pointed it at Su Liang.

"Su Liang, don't think that just because you are a minister of the Song Dynasty you can slander the reform of my tribe. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will really be rude to you!"

"Although the Song Dynasty is very powerful right now, my Rogler tribe is not afraid of you at all!"

"You know, Zuo Si Luo, Xixia, and Liao have all extended olive branches to my tribe. As long as my father agrees, we can immediately belong to one of them. Even if I kill you now and your 200 guards, if the Song Dynasty dares to go to war, there will be people to help us. It's not certain who will win or lose!"

Achaisi glared at Su Liang with murderous intent.

What he could not tolerate the most was someone slandering the reform plan of the Rogler tribe.

Su Liang's words "a plan to destroy one's own life" instantly made him want to kill.

not far away.

One-armed Lao Qiao and Liu Sandao observed the four nearby Rogler tribe warriors while touching the daggers hidden in their sleeves.

If the other party dares to take action, the two will rush over immediately.

Su Liang looked at Rogler with a calm expression.

"Captain Rogler, I advise you to listen to what I have to say, otherwise you will definitely regret it."

Rogler thought for a moment, pointed at Achaisi and shouted, "Throw away the dagger in your hand. Su Zhongcheng is our guest. Don't talk nonsense. Our tribe is self-sufficient. We don't plan to rely on anyone, nor do we want to be enemies with any forces."

Although Rogler was also very angry, he was still unwilling to provoke the Song Dynasty.

He was very rational and wanted to know why Su Liang said that.

Achaisi had no choice but to throw the dagger aside.

Su Liang picked up the wine bowl, drank it all, and then spoke slowly.

"Your tribe advocates that there is no distinction between high and low, rich and poor. This slogan can only be shouted out, and it cannot be fully implemented at all."

"Unless all the Roglers are saints, they will inevitably end up torn apart."

"The reason why your tribe can now distribute according to needs, eat from the same pot, wear equal clothes, and emphasize equality for all is mainly because when the tribe was first established, 90% of the property belonged to the tribe, and the tribe members were all poor. This is equivalent to you, Chief Rogler, doing charity."

"But blindly pursuing equality for all, treating people equally regardless of how much they work, whether they do a good job or a bad job, will inevitably lead to some people becoming lazy, some becoming dissatisfied, and some just waiting to die."

"At present, your tribe's wealth is still self-sufficient, but if it continues like this, and your tribe does not trade with the outside world, your wealth will inevitably become less and less until there is nothing left. I believe that Chief Rogler should have noticed this."

"However, you think that as long as you rely on the slogan of 'no distinction between high and low, rich and poor' to attract more people and get more people to work, you can solve these problems. But you overlooked one point. Under such rules, the people have no enthusiasm. Their consumption is far greater than their income, and the gap will become larger and larger until they fall apart in the end."

"We, the Song Dynasty, have long thought of this kind of reform, but human nature is complicated. The people can share wealth but not poverty. In the end, when you can no longer afford the consumption of your people, the tribe will perish."

……

"You...you...are talking nonsense!" Achaisi said angrily.

Rogler had a gloomy expression and didn't dare to look Su Liang in the eye.

He knew that the tribe's wealth was gradually decreasing, and as Su Liang had expected, he pinned his hopes on getting more herdsmen to join him, but the effect was minimal.

However, this strategy has already been implemented vigorously among the tribesmen, and it is impossible to stop it.

Rogler slowly raised his head and looked at Su Liang.

"You are only describing the worst-case scenario. Our department is far from reaching that point. We will have many ways to solve the problem of reduced financial resources in the future."

"If we submit to the Song Dynasty, we will immediately become the enemy of the surrounding Tibetan tribes. I am afraid that Zuo Silu will also feel uneasy, and Xixia may also rob us, which will make us die faster. It is not worthwhile to submit to the Song Dynasty!"

Su Liang smiled and shook his head.

"Do you know why I want the Rogler tribe to return to Song?"

"We are not attracted by your tribe's warriors and wealth, nor are we attracted by your reform methods. These things you have are not worthy of our Song Dynasty. Our goal is to occupy the entire Hehuang and then destroy the Xia!"

“Destroy… destroy Xia… destroy Xia?”

Rogler was stunned at first, then quickly understood.

Once the Song Dynasty occupied Hehuang, Western Xia would lose its geographical advantage and cut off its ties with the Tibetan tribes, which would be beneficial to the Song Dynasty.

In the past, the Song Dynasty never expanded its borders.

He originally thought that the Song Dynasty would submit to the Song Dynasty in an "autonomous" manner like the Zuosiluo tribe, but he did not expect that the Song Dynasty would incorporate Hehuang into its territory.

"You mean, if we don't surrender today, Di Qing will take it back by force next time. It's either surrender or death, right?"

Su Liang nodded.

He did not offer the Rogler tribe the option of "migration with the entire tribe."

The latter has 80,000 troops and is the best candidate for opening up the western region. Su Liang cannot let them run away.

Rogler frowned.

"Believe it or not, I will immediately inform Xixia of the Great Song's plan. They will definitely attack in advance to prevent you from occupying Hehuang."

"You only have 200 men now. If I take you as a hostage, Di Qing will not dare to do anything to my army. In addition, if Zuo Si Luo knew about this, he would be afraid and might even send troops to seize the Hehuang area and become an enemy of the Song Dynasty."

Su Liang smiled confidently.

"You wouldn't do that."

"You know the strength of our Song Dynasty, and you also know the character of Xixia. As for Zuo Silu, if they are obedient, they may be alive as they are now. If they are not obedient, it will be easy to destroy them. The reason why I came to your tribe to persuade them to surrender is not because our Song Dynasty is not strong enough, but because I don't want too many casualties."

"What the Song Dynasty wants to do is not only to expand its borders and destroy the Xia, but also to make the people here live a more stable and happier life."

"If you do not return to the Song Dynasty and stubbornly resist, the casualties will be you and all the warriors of your tribe. If you choose to take me as a hostage and surrender to the Western Xia or Liao Kingdom, the result will inevitably be the destruction of your entire tribe. What do you choose?"

Hearing this, Rogler's legs trembled.

He felt that the person standing in front of him was not just Su Liang himself, but the vast army of the Song Dynasty, and there was only one way for him to survive, which was to follow Su Liang.

He had no choice at all.

"Give...give me some time to think about it."

Su Liang nodded slightly.

"Okay, I will stay in your office tonight. Give me an answer tomorrow morning."

"Okay, okay." Rogler replied.

His back was covered in sweat. He had never felt such a huge sense of oppression in his own tribe.

It seemed that the other party could destroy his tribe with just a thought.

aside.

Achaisi clenched his fists and stared at Su Liang.

He understood some of it, but he still wanted to kill Su Liang.

Because Su Liang instantly killed his dream of becoming a prince and his dream of becoming the future ruler of Tubo.

not far away.