The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 587 Di People Rebel

The prosperity of Dunhuang and the stability of the Western Regions did not slow down the Tang Dynasty's expansion. With the successive defeats of the Xiongnu and Qiang people, the empire's territory extended westward, and its control over foreign tribes became increasingly tight. The court began to conscript foreign prisoners on a large scale, sending them to the treacherous terrain between Chengdu and Chang'an to build highways connecting the heart of the empire with the southwestern frontier.

This massive project was carried out at the cost of blood and sweat. Tens of thousands of Xiongnu and Qiang prisoners toiled day and night under the whips of their overseers, quarrying stones, building bridges, and paving roads. The harsh conditions, heavy labor, and severe treatment caused dozens to collapse every day, their bodies carelessly thrown into the valleys. When news spread, the various tribes and ethnic groups turned pale at the mention of the "Chidao" (imperial road), regarding it as a road to death.

In this tense atmosphere, the imperial court ordered the registration and distribution of land to the Di people in the Wudu region, bringing them into the formal tax system. This was originally a continuation of the policies implemented by Cang Ci in the Western Regions, aimed at consolidating his rule by equalizing wealth and promoting education. However, in Wudu, the implementation of the policy took a different turn.

Although Li Zhen, the prefect of Wudu, possessed some literary talent, he lacked experience in governing border regions and knew nothing about Di culture. Eager to make a name for himself and be transferred back to Chang'an, he implemented the court's policies in a simplistic and brutal manner.

"Complete the household registration of all Di people and measure the land within one month, without any mistakes!" Li Zhen ordered his subordinates in the yamen. "After completion, I will personally return to Chang'an to report to His Majesty."

Chief Clerk Wang Yan hesitated and said, "Sir, the Di people are scattered in the valleys, they don't speak the same language, and they have many taboos. Acting so hastily may cause misunderstandings."

Li Zhen disagreed, saying, "Why worry about barbarians? The court has bestowed land and household registration upon them as a great favor. They should be grateful."

This was not just Li Zhen's attitude; it was the same for many officials in the Tang Dynasty.

After all, the Tang emperor was wise and powerful, and his elite troops were brave and skilled in battle. No foreign tribe in the world dared to challenge the majesty of the Tang Dynasty.

However, the actual situation was far more complicated than Li Zhen had imagined. The officials sent to the various Di villages were arrogant and disrespectful of the traditional Di territorial concept when surveying land, and ignored the Di family naming system (father and son naming) when registering households. Even worse, some of them took the opportunity to extort money and line their own pockets.

Yang Qianwan, son of Di chieftain Yang Teng, had just returned from studying in Dunhuang and had witnessed Cang Ci's governance methods. He tried to explain the benefits of registration to his people: "I saw in Dunhuang that both Qiang and Han people had land and children could go to school. This is the way to long-term stability."

But the old chieftain Yang Teng shook his head and said, “My son, you are too young. Han documents are like ropes; once you are recorded, you are bound forever. Look at those Qiang people who built the roads; weren’t they all registered first and then taken away?”

Just then, a sudden disaster became the trigger. A group of Qiang prisoners who had escaped from the construction of the imperial road fled to the Wudu area. In order to survive, they attacked several Han villages. Li Zhen, without distinguishing right from wrong, ordered the annihilation of all "suspicious elements." Three Di hunting teams were innocently caught in the crossfire, and dozens of Di youths were mistakenly killed.

Rumors immediately began to circulate.

"The imperial court must first register the Di people, and then conscript all able-bodied men to repair the imperial roads!"

"Those who are surveying the fields are actually assessing how much labor we can provide!"

"The Han people want to relocate all of us Di people from our ancestral land!"

Fear spread like wildfire among the Di people.

Yang Qianwan tried his best to dissuade his father and the other chieftains: "This must be a misunderstanding! I met Protector Cangci when I was in Dunhuang. He treated the Qiang and Han people equally. The court's policy is not like this!"

But Old Yang Teng wouldn't listen: "Son, Han officials all have their own agendas. That Cang Ci might be a good person, but this Li Zhen is definitely not! We can't risk the fate of our entire clan."

That night, over a hundred Di leaders secretly gathered at Baima Village. The roaring bonfire illuminated their anxious yet resolute faces. "The Han people cannot be trusted! Their documents are shackles!"

"Building the highway is a dead end! I've seen those corpses with my own eyes!"

"Our ancestors lived on this land for hundreds of years, and we must never become slaves of the Han people!"

Amidst the stirring atmosphere, Old Yang Teng finally stood up, drew his long sword from his waist, and declared: "For the survival and dignity of the Di people, we have no choice but to fight!"

At dawn the next day, Li Zhen, the prefect of Wudu, was still asleep when he was awakened by the deafening shouts of battle outside the government office.

He hurriedly put on his clothes and got up, only to see flames soaring into the sky from all directions outside the city, and tens of thousands of Di people wielding all kinds of weapons. From regular swords and knives to farming hoes and rakes, hunting bows and arrows, and heavy wooden shields, they surged toward Wudu City like a tide.

"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!" Li Zhen's face turned pale as he hurriedly organized the defense of the city.

However, it was too late. The Di people were familiar with the terrain and had the support of the people. Many Di servants and craftsmen in the city colluded with them, and Wudu fell in less than half a day. Li Zhen fled in panic under the protection of his personal guards, but was captured by the Di pursuers thirty miles outside the city.

When the news spread, the Di people in the surrounding areas of Wudu responded one after another, and in less than ten days, the number of rebels had reached 100,000. They occupied passes, burned government documents, and attacked Han Chinese settlements, plunging the entire southern part of Longxi into chaos.

When the urgent military intelligence was delivered to Chang'an at the fastest speed, Qin Shou was discussing the expansion of military farms in the Western Regions with Xun You and others.

"The entire Di people of Wudu have rebelled?" Qin Shou slammed his fist on the table, his face ashen. "Where is Li Zhen?"

The messenger knelt, trembling: "Prefect Li has been captured alive by the Di people and is being displayed at the gate of the stronghold."

An uproar erupted in the court. Wei Yan immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, a large army should be dispatched immediately to suppress the rebellion, execute the ringleaders, capture the people, and force them to build roads as a warning to others!"

However, some ministers cautiously advised: "The Di people have lived in the Wudu Mountains for generations and are familiar with the terrain. If we launch a direct attack, we may suffer heavy losses. Moreover, it will be difficult to transport supplies for a large-scale expedition."

Xun You pondered for a long time and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that this rebellion was caused by the Di people mistakenly believing that the court wanted to conscript them to build roads. Perhaps we can first send someone to offer them amnesty and clear up the misunderstanding."

Qin Shou sneered: "Misunderstanding? Even if there is a misunderstanding, capturing and killing court officials and attacking prefectures and cities are already open rebellions! If we don't launch a major crackdown, where will the imperial prestige be? Won't the surrounding foreign tribes follow suit?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials: "But Xun Qing's words also make sense. Let's try diplomacy first, then force. I'll give them a chance. Immediately dispatch an envoy to Wudu to convey my decree: if they release their prisoners, lay down their weapons, and hand over the ringleaders, I will forgive and forget. If they remain obstinate," a cold glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, "then when the heavenly army arrives, not a blade of grass will be spared!"

"Your Majesty is holy."

Xun You and the others praised it.

(End of this chapter)