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Chapter 1267 The Hu People Come to Surrender
Using the falcon's perspective, Lin Hao saw a group of people dressed in disheveled clothes, clearly from a local mixed-race tribe, not far ahead, seemingly observing them.

However, their numbers were small, only about a few dozen riders, and they seemed hesitant.

Upon seeing Lin Hao and his group approaching, a commotion arose within the ranks. Immediately afterward, a leader-like figure raised his hands to indicate that he was unarmed, and spurred a thin horse onward at a trot towards the Tang army.

The man ran a short distance away, dismounted, and then shouted loudly in broken Chinese:

"General! Has the Tang army returned?"

"Our humble tribe is willing to submit to the Celestial Dynasty! We are willing to lead our warriors to fight for the Tang Dynasty and serve with utmost loyalty. We only ask that the general take us in and give us a meal!"

He raised his head, his eyes filled with anticipation, awe, and a hint of helplessness in trying to survive in the cracks.

In fact, the rule of both the Tibetans and the Uyghurs against these small tribes was much harsher than that of the Tang Dynasty. So when they heard that the Tang Dynasty had returned to the Western Regions, they immediately remembered the goodness of the Tang Dynasty and brought their people to join them.

Lin Hao sat upright on his horse, looking down at the mixed-race leader, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

If the Tang Dynasty wanted to establish itself in the Western Regions, it had to assimilate the local non-Han people.

Previously, during the Tang Dynasty's rule over the Western Regions, the only truly long-term and equally established government agencies in the Western Regions were the two protectorates directly under the central government: "Anxi" and "Beiting." Other regions were governed by a system of indirect rule.

The term "羁縻" means to nominally subjugate the leaders of border regions or vassal states to the central government through means such as bestowing titles and rewards.

This is to maintain the central government's rule and control over the region or country.

The policy of indirect rule was a policy of appeasement and an important means of governing border regions and ethnic minorities in ancient times.

It was precisely because of this system of indirect rule that the Tang Dynasty, despite ruling the Western Regions for over a hundred years, failed to incorporate them into its territory.

The recapture of the Beiting Protectorate made the small tribes and various non-Han peoples in these areas witness the strength of the Tang Dynasty once again, so they immediately came to seek refuge.

However, this time Lin Hao does not intend to use the policy of indirect rule. He must thoroughly assimilate the Western Regions to prevent it from becoming a foreign land again after a hundred years.

Consider how the West, with a small population, colonized such a large country, and even when they were freed, they still had to shamelessly beg for federal membership.

So despite some disdain for Western colonial methods and even the considerable hidden dangers, the West does indeed have exceptional abilities in terms of governance and assimilation, and we really should learn from them in this regard.

Therefore, the Tang Dynasty's return to the Western Regions could not rely solely on the remaining Han Chinese base in Kucha and Beiting in the Western Regions, nor could it repeat the mistakes of the past "tributary rule".

That kind of loose submission, maintained only by investiture and rewards, is too fragile. Once the Central Plains weakens, the Western Regions will quickly become disloyal.

What he needed was a deeper and more thorough assimilation and control. He wanted to use institutional, cultural, economic, and even military means to truly integrate this land into the body of the Tang Dynasty, making it forever part of the Chinese nation.

These miscellaneous tribes who have come to us on their own initiative, though weak, are an excellent starting point and testing ground.

The man approached Lin Hao and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and saying:

"Please accept me, General. My troops are few in number, but each one is a skilled warrior. I hope you will not find them lacking!"

"Heh, he's got a good eye!" An old soldier behind Lin Hao grinned, pointed with his riding crop at the kneeling Hu chieftain, and said to Lin Hao:

"Grand Commander, we are in dire need of manpower right now. These mixed-race barbarians are familiar with the local routes and would be excellent on the battlefield. Why don't we take them in?"

Thanks to the Tang Dynasty's policy of appeasement during its past period of strength, there was never a shortage of tribes that would voluntarily submit and beg to become vassal armies whenever the armies of Anxi and Beiting went on campaign. The veterans had long been accustomed to this and regarded it as commonplace.

Lu Ziming, a young recruit from Chang'an who was following closely behind Lin Hao, stared wide-eyed, full of doubt. He lowered his voice and asked:

"Grand Commander, this man's origins are unclear. He has rashly joined the army. Can he be trusted?"

"Besides, the rations in our army are probably only enough for our own brothers, right?"

He couldn't understand why they should accept these seemingly impoverished foreigners.

"Ha! Supplies?" The veteran who had spoken earlier chuckled upon hearing this, patting Lu Ziming on the shoulder:

"Silly boy, do you think this is a dinner party? Being able to fight for our Great Tang Heavenly Soldiers is a blessing and honor they've earned over many lifetimes. Why would we need to feed them?"

He raised his chin, recalling the past with a proud air of someone who had experienced a golden age:

“In the past, when our Protectorate sent troops to quell rebellions, many of the troops were foreign tribes who brought their own provisions and weapons to fight for us. Even the kings and princes of some large tribes had to obey the military orders of our Protectorate, let alone these mixed barbarians.”

"The Western Regions are not like Guanzhong. Only the area around the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains has oases in the desert that can produce food. However, there are still some barren deserts and Gobi between the cities where only grass can grow and no food can be grown."

"These lands are of little use to our Great Tang Dynasty or powerful forces like the Uyghurs and Tibetans, but they are good places for some small tribes, especially the mixed Hu peoples!" Lin Hao explained.

The so-called "miscellaneous Hu" refers to Hu people of unknown origin. They were either remnants of small tribes that had been wiped out by larger tribes, or disillusioned individuals who had lost in internal tribal struggles. These people could only eke out a living in such harsh environments.

“They can graze horses and sheep in these deserts and Gobi to support themselves, but they can’t just rely on herding to support themselves. They also need to eat salt, drink tea, and wear clothes.”

"But they don't have the money to buy, so they can only rely on robbery. However, this place can't support large tribes. They can't compete with others on their own, so following our Great Tang into battle has become their only chance."

"Therefore, every time our Great Tang Dynasty conquers the four directions, countless tribes, large and small, come upon hearing the news, bringing their own provisions and weapons to fight for our Great Tang Dynasty."

"The only chance for them to continue their tribe's survival is to attach themselves to the strong, fight for our Great Tang, and gain the right to plunder based on their military achievements."

When the Anxi Protectorate was powerful, these tribes did not have to pay taxes, but they were required to send able-bodied men on horseback to fight for the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty did not have to pay them any compensation; they were allowed to plunder the spoils of war, which was similar to a blood tax.

After explaining, Lin Hao's gaze returned to the Hu chieftain, and he asked arrogantly:
"What tribe are you from? How many strong men under your command can ride horses and draw bows?"

Upon hearing this, the leader immediately understood that the Tang army before him intended to take them in, and so, his voice trembled with excitement, he replied:
"Reporting to your esteemed general, my name is Kang Huai'en. My grandfather once served under Gao Xianzhi, the military governor, and was a squad leader!"

"Since childhood, I have heard my grandfather tell stories of the splendor of the Celestial Empire, and I have always dreamed of serving the Tang Dynasty like my grandfather! It is truly a blessing to see the royal army today!"

He eagerly revealed his financial situation, fearing he would miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if he was even a moment late, and then continued to raise the stakes:

"There are over three hundred brave warriors in the tribe. Although they are few in number and weak in strength, they are all willing to die for the Tang Dynasty!"

"Actually, it's not just our tribe. There are several other tribes nearby that are on good terms with me. They are all loyal and righteous people who yearn for the Tang Dynasty!" "If the general is willing to take them in, I am willing to go and make contact with them immediately. I will be able to persuade them to come and serve the general!"

Lu Ziming listened in disbelief. It was unheard of for someone to bring their own food and weapons to join the army, let alone actively try to recruit more people.
He could not imagine that the once mighty Tang Dynasty possessed such a formidable appeal in the Western Regions.

He was naturally unaware that after the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, a large number of such non-Han Chinese servants entered the pass to defend the emperor along with the elite troops of Anxi and Beiting.

It was no exaggeration to say that during the Tang Dynasty's golden age, the Western Regions were filled with vassal armies. The Kingdom of Ferghana fought to the death for the Tang Dynasty on numerous occasions, and the King of Tokharistan even personally led his troops to the Central Plains, where he ultimately died on the battlefield.

The governors and prefects of the numerous tributary states under the jurisdiction of the Anxi and Beiting Protectorates were often local tribal leaders or city-state kings. They were proud to possess official titles from the Tang Dynasty and were willing to die for it.

"The Grand Protectors of Anxi and Beiting wield far more authority in the Western Regions than you can imagine!" The veteran guard, seemingly sensing Lu Ziming's shock, murmured in admiration.

"If the main force of the Western Regions had not been transferred back to Chang'an to quell the rebellion decades ago, how could the Tubo and Uyghurs have become so powerful today?"

Lin Hao sat upright on his horse and loudly proclaimed to the mixed Hu people:
"I am Lin Hao, personally appointed by the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty as the Grand General of the Western Regions, holding the imperial insignia to oversee all military and political affairs in the Western Regions! I am now joining forces with General Yang Xigu, the Grand Protector of the Northern Court, to suppress the Tibetan bandits who have seized Yizhou!"

Upon hearing the unprecedentedly lofty title of "Grand Governor of the Western Regions," Kang Huai'en immediately lay down on the ground, holding his breath and straining his ears, afraid of missing a single word.

"With the military strength of our Great Tang, taking Yizhou is only a matter of time, and there is no need for you."

Hearing this, Kang Huaien's heart sank, but fortunately Lin Hao changed the subject again:

"However, considering your loyalty to our Great Tang Dynasty, I will give you this opportunity. Tomorrow at this time, you shall bring your troops and wait for me here!"

"Thank you, Grand Commander! Thank you for your grace, Grand Commander!" Kang Huai'en was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead covered in sand.

"At this time tomorrow, still in this place, gather as many men as you can. I will personally inspect them then. No time will be served if you are late," Lin Hao commanded in an unquestionable tone.

"Yes, sir! I will obey! I will certainly not fail the Grand Commander's trust!" Kang Huai'en responded loudly, his body trembling with excitement.

Lin Hao said no more, pulled on the reins, turned his horse around, and rode away surrounded by his guards.

Behind him, only Kang Huaien remained kneeling on the spot, repeatedly kowtowing in gratitude, his voice carrying far across the Gobi Desert.

Lu Ziming looked back at the increasingly smaller figure, his heart filled with indescribable shock.

The following day, Lin Hao indeed brought only a dozen or so elite cavalrymen, including Lu Ziming, and returned to the agreed location.

The sight before him made Lu Ziming gasp in shock; he could hardly believe his eyes.

Yesterday's desolate Gobi Desert is now filled with fluttering banners and the sounds of men shouting and horses neighing! As far as the eye can see, thousands of soldiers have gathered in a dark mass!
Various tents were scattered like mushrooms, and knights dressed in messy leather robes and chainmail, holding scimitars, maces and spears, gathered together, making a noisy commotion.

They came from different tribes and dressed differently, but their faces all bore similar expectations, fervor, and a hint of awe for the Tang Dynasty.

"Grand Commander!" Lu Ziming subconsciously gripped the sword at his waist, his throat feeling dry.

With only a dozen or so riders on his side, he felt a pang of fear as he faced thousands of excited foreign soldiers.

However, Lin Hao and his former guards, all veterans of Kucha, remained calm, as if they were not thousands of fierce Hu cavalrymen but rather peasant slaves awaiting inspection.

They didn't even bother to maintain a tight formation, simply loosely protecting Lin Hao, their eyes carrying the indifference of someone who had experienced truly great events, and even a hint of barely perceptible disdain.

"The generals of the Tang Dynasty have arrived! The Grand Commander has arrived!" Someone spotted them first, and a loud shout, like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly ignited the entire Gobi Desert!
Countless knights poured out of the tents and the herds of horses, rushing madly toward Lin Hao's location!

Lu Ziming's heart leaped into his throat, and his hand instinctively gripped the hilt of the knife.

However, the surging crowd stopped immediately when it was about ten feet away from Lin Hao's horse.

Then thousands of eyes, filled with awe, longing, and fervor, focused on Lin Hao.

It's unclear who started it, but like waves of wheat swaying in the wind, the knights in the front row dismounted and prostrated themselves on the ground.

This action quickly spread to the rear, and thousands of people dismounted, kneeling down in a dark mass, burying their heads deep in the sand.

"Grand Commander! Please accept us!"

"We are willing to die for the Tang Dynasty!"

"We beg the Grand Commander to allow us to be the vanguard and seize Yizhou for the Great Tang!"

"..."

Various accents, speaking broken Tang language or Hu language, mingled together, creating a cacophony that soared to the sky and shook the surrounding area.

Faced with this frenzied scene, Lin Hao merely raised his hand slightly and let out a cold snort.

Instantly, the tribal chiefs who were prostrate on the ground in the front row trembled violently, raised their heads, frantically gestured backward, and reprimanded their subordinates in low voices.

"Quiet!"

"Shut up! The Grand Commander dislikes noise!"

"Silence!"

The shouts spread rapidly backward like ripples, and the deafening noise subsided quickly within a few breaths.

Everyone remained kneeling, completely silent, not daring to even raise their heads, as if awaiting divine judgment.

Lu Ziming was completely stunned. He felt a jolt of electricity shoot from his spine to the top of his head, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

The silent submission before him was more shocking than the previous clamorous shouts. For the first time, he experienced so directly and profoundly what the might of the Tang Dynasty meant.

"Is this the glory of my Great Tang? With just one person and without uttering a word, thousands of fierce barbarian cavalrymen can bow their heads and wait in utter submission!"

It should be noted that this was only the remaining power of the Tang Dynasty after its main force left the Western Regions. If it were during its peak, what a magnificent scene it would have been.