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Chapter 1268 The Value of Tang Dynasty Citizens
When Lin Hao left the camp, he only brought about ten people, but when he returned, the number had increased to more than five thousand, almost matching the size of the Tang army.

This is only a day's work. Only nearby tribes can get here. It's easy to imagine that there are other tribes in the distance rushing here. If we wait a few more days, it wouldn't be surprising if we could gather tens of thousands of people.

Lin Hao reined in his horse and stood in front of the camp, with dust billowing behind him. More than 5,000 mixed-race cavalrymen, dressed in various outfits and carrying different flags, slowly came to a stop. The noise of men and horses almost drowned out the howling wind of the Gobi Desert.

Their gazes were complicated as they looked at the majestic "Tang" banner before them, and at the young Western Regions Grand Commander under its banner.

New recruit Lu Ziming still found it hard to believe the enormous force that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, a force almost equal in size to the main Tang army.

Yang Xigu, the Grand Protector of Beiting, stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said to Lin Hao in a deep voice:

"Great Commander, these are roughly the tribes within hundreds of miles that could come upon hearing the news!"

"Judging from their formation, the number of armored and armed soldiers capable of fighting is probably less than a thousand; the rest are mostly just there to make up the numbers!" He was stating a fact, but also reminding Lin Hao not to be misled by their numbers.

Lin Hao nodded slightly, his gaze not lingering on the five thousand miscellaneous barbarians, as if this was just a minor matter that he had expected.

No one understood the true nature of these mixed-race barbarians better than him. However, it was still quite good to be able to recruit them into his ranks as cannon fodder to reduce the losses of the Tang army and civilians.

Thinking about establishing a foothold in the Western Regions in the future, Lin Hao nodded, then changed the subject:

“Great Protector, we are currently short of troops. Since these people are willing to die for our Great Tang, it would be a great pity to let them return to their tribes after we win this battle.”

"What do you mean?" Yang Xigu had witnessed Lin Hao's skills in land reclamation, weapon forging, and even leading troops into battle, but to be a good Grand Protector, these skills alone were not enough. Therefore, Yang Xigu did not mind exchanging ideas with Lin Hao more.

He turned to Yang Xigu and said solemnly, "I intend to rebuild the Hanhai Army here!"

The Hanhai Army was originally the main force of the Beiting Protectorate, stationed in Tingzhou, with 12,000 men, including 4,200 cavalrymen;

After the An Lushan Rebellion, most of the original Han Hai Army was withdrawn back to the Tang Dynasty, and the remaining forces suffered losses over the years, making them practically defunct.

"Relying on these people?" Yang Xigu hesitated. The Tang Dynasty had a history of recruiting foreign troops, and in some places, the number of foreign troops even exceeded that of the Tang army.

However, Yang Xigu did not think much of the fighting ability of these mixed Hu people, especially after the An Lushan Rebellion when these Uyghurs and Tibetans plundered the local areas, which made him even more worried.

"Not all of them will be taken in!" Lin Hao said confidently, looking at the seven thousand elite Tang soldiers he had brought with him.
“We can select our own people from the army to serve as fire chiefs, squad leaders, brigade commanders, and captains.”

"Select the most skilled and loyal warriors from among these barbarian cavalry and make them soldiers!"

During the Tang Dynasty, an army consisted of more than 12,000 men. The army was divided into camps, and the camps were divided into regiments. Each regiment consisted of 200 men (sometimes 300 men). Each regiment was headed by a captain. Each regiment consisted of two brigades, each with 100 men. Each brigade was headed by a brigade commander. Each brigade consisted of two squads, each with 50 men. Each squad was headed by two squad leaders. Each squad was divided into five fires, each with 10 men. Each fire was headed by a fire leader.

These veterans, having served for decades, are now young again, even more loyal and reliable, more than capable of serving as grassroots cadres. They are the perfect people to manage these surrendered barbarian troops.

Lin Hao then added, "These mixed Hu people belong to different tribes and have deep-seated grudges against each other, so there's no need to worry about them uniting to rebel."

A thoughtful look flashed in Yang Xigu's eyes. He quickly grasped Lin Hao's core intention of using Tang officials to command the Hu troops and dividing and conquering them. He nodded and said:

"This method can prevent it from becoming too powerful to control; it is indeed a prudent strategy!"

But he immediately raised a crucial question: "However, what is the way to motivate them? A great reward will surely attract brave men, but what reward can keep them loyal to the death, instead of scattering them after being plundered?"

The Gobi Desert has limited resources, and these people inevitably have to fight each other to survive. Over time, they have developed deep-seated hatred for each other. If it weren't for the Tang army suppressing them, they would have beaten each other's brains to a pulp.

"Furthermore, we certainly can't let them run wild; we need to coordinate with other strategies!" Lin Hao then continued to explain:

"Joining the Han Navy is not an easy thing. These people must fight to the death three times to qualify for the Han Navy. After that, they must go through several tests. At the very least, they must learn Chinese and be able to understand military orders before they can join the Han Navy. Once they have made enough contributions in the Han Navy, they will be given the status of citizens of the Great Tang and granted permanent land!"

In the Western Regions, the Protectorate General was authorized to grant land to its soldiers, and these permanent lands could be inherited for generations. With the status of citizens of the Tang Dynasty and land, these people would not betray the Tang Dynasty.

These strategies are naturally unappealing when facing powerful forces like Tibet and the Uyghurs. After all, they can capture Tang soldiers and civilians as slaves, so there's no need to expect them to care about their status as subjects of the Tang Dynasty.

But for these small, mixed-race tribes living in the barren lands of the Western Regions, such a strategy was attractive enough.

What's that saying again? It's like this: what others can get easily, you have to struggle and work hard your whole life to get.

The difficulty of obtaining the same thing varies from person to person. For these mixed-race barbarians, the status of being a citizen of the Tang Dynasty and the perpetual land ownership were enough to attract them.

Of course, the Tang Dynasty was only attractive to them when it was strong enough. Before they returned to the Western Regions with Tang reinforcements and before they conquered Beiting, why didn't anyone defect to the Anxi and Beiting Protectorates?

"Moreover, accepting foreign peoples is also a national policy of our Great Tang. As long as they learn the Chinese language, wear Han clothing, take Han names, and serve the army of our Great Tang, then they are Tang people!"

Yang Xigu nodded upon hearing this. Recruiting soldiers from other ethnic groups was not a rare thing in the Tang Dynasty. After submitting to the Tang Dynasty, many ethnic groups were loyal and fought for the Tang Dynasty in various places. Therefore, Yang Xigu did not find anything wrong with it.

As long as people are loyal to the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty treats all foreign tribes equally, and it is this inclusive attitude that has brought glory to the Tang Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty boasted numerous famous generals from different ethnic groups. Li Guangbi was a Khitan, Gao Xianzhi was a Korean, Geshu Han was a Turgesh from the Western Turks, and Ashina She'er was a member of the Turkic royal family. After Emperor Taizong of Tang died, he even offered his life to follow him in death, demonstrating extraordinary loyalty.

Qibi Heli was formerly the Khan of the Turkic Tiele tribe. After his death, he was buried in Zhaoling with Ashina She'er.

Hei Chi Chang-ji was a Baekje man who swept across Qinghai and Tibet, defeating the Turks and Tibetans multiple times.

Pugu Huaien was a member of the Turkic Tiele tribe. During the An Lushan Rebellion, his entire family of more than forty people perished.

Zhishi Sili was the chieftain of the Zhishi tribe in DTZ, and he successively defeated Tuyuhun, Tubo, and Xueyantuo.

Bai Xiaode, the prince of Kucha from the Western Regions, was among those who came from, as well as Ashina Simo, Hunjian, Li Huaiguang, Li Keyong, and others.

Absorbing foreign talents for our own use, as long as they are not useless or have ulterior motives, will definitely be beneficial to the Tang Dynasty.

Chang'an is currently unable to replenish its military manpower in the Western Regions. Although Lin Hao has arranged marriages for the soldiers, it will take time for the children to grow up. Therefore, using the people of the Tang Dynasty to inspire these foreign tribes to serve the Tang Dynasty to the death has become the best option.

After gaining Yang Xigu's support, Lin Hao immediately came out and announced this decision to the mixed Hu people who were willing to fight alongside the Tang army.

"Boom!" The crowd exploded instantly, as if a giant rock had been thrown into boiling oil!

But this wasn't the end! Lin Hao's voice, like a heavy hammer, fell again, pushing this fervor to its extreme:

"Not only that! According to the magnitude of their accumulated merits, they will be granted 'perpetual land' within the restored Beiting, Yi, and Xi prefectures! The land will be registered and recorded, protected by the laws of the Great Tang Dynasty, and can be passed down to their descendants for generations!"

Tang Dynasty Household Registration! Yongye Land!

For these barbarians struggling to survive in the Gobi Desert, who are considered worthless, these eight words are no longer simple phrases, but rather a ladder to paradise.

It is the highest reward that can completely change their fate, and even that of their descendants, and the only way to truly become a part of that enchanting and glorious Celestial Empire!

Upon hearing this, the more than five thousand mixed-race people were immediately excited. Kang Huaien knelt down before Lin Hao again, tears streaming down his face, and asked:
"Grand Commander, we lowly people are willing to die for you and become subjects of the Great Tang!"

Kang Huaien and the others stared at Lin Hao with hopeful eyes. Despite being the chieftains of their tribe, Kang Huaien and the others lived a miserable life, often going hungry and cold.

Moreover, they can bully anyone they want, which is like heaven and earth compared to the citizens of the Tang Dynasty. Now that they have the opportunity to become citizens of the Tang Dynasty, they can do whatever they want.

With him taking the lead, the five thousand miscellaneous barbarians, who shared the same sentiment, knelt down like toppled dominoes, shouting loudly:
"We are willing to die for the Grand Commander! We are willing to die for the Tang Dynasty!" Lin Hao raised his hand and pressed down slightly. As if by magic, the deafening noise quickly subsided within a few breaths.

"You are not dying for me, Lin Hao, but for your own future! For your descendants! The people of the Great Tang are not to beg for! They must be earned with loyalty and courage! They must be fought for with merit! They must be watered with sweat!"

Then Lin Hao pointed towards Yizhou City:
"Tomorrow we will march our troops to Yizhou City to prove your loyalty to the Tang Dynasty. Then you will learn the Chinese language, change into Han clothing, and adopt Han names, and you will be able to join the Han Hai Army and become citizens of the Tang Dynasty."

Kang Huaien and the others showed no fear whatsoever. As soon as Lin Hao finished speaking, they rushed forward and prostrated themselves at his feet.

"Grand Commander, let me be the vanguard when we attack Yizhou tomorrow! I will risk my life to bring Yizhou to you and to the Great Tang!"

"Great Commander! Let our troops be the first to charge!"

"I'd like to be the first to climb the city wall!"

"I will surely behead the Tibetan chieftain and present him to the governor!"

"Tomorrow, our Great Tang will attack Yizhou City. I, the Grand Commander, await your performance on the battlefield!" Having achieved his goal, Lin Hao ceased his incitement and prepared to offer them rewards. He then announced loudly:
"Now, all of you, return to your tents and wait. I, the Grand Commander, will prepare your meals!"

Then, the cooks from Luntai brought out buckets of steamed buns, mantou (steamed bread), roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), and other wheat-based foods.

The aroma threw the entire camp into chaos. If Lin Hao hadn't arranged for Tang soldiers to maintain order, a number of people would have died fighting for the food.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Ziming said disdainfully, "Eat slowly, as long as you fight well, there will be more tomorrow!"

"Young general, has this been what our Tang soldiers have been eating all this time?" Kang Huaien swallowed a piece of chicken with all his might and then asked, thinking back to what he had been eating for the first half of his life.

There is a point that is easily misunderstood. For example, when cattle and sheep are grazing on the grassland, people instinctively think that they have an endless supply of beef and mutton, or that they have no shortage of beef and mutton to eat.

But in reality, in ancient feudal times, farmers couldn't afford grain, fishermen couldn't afford fish, weavers couldn't afford clothes, and silk weavers couldn't afford silk.

Just because ordinary people produce things doesn't mean they can enjoy them. These things are meant for the powerful and wealthy; how could they possibly be used by the lowly people who produce them?

Of course, because they work in the corresponding industry, they do have an easier time obtaining these things than others, but it's really not much.

The same is true for the herders on the grasslands. Although they make a living by animal husbandry, their diet is not mainly meat-based.

They may have easier access to meat than those in the Central Plains, but they could only eat meat when entertaining distinguished guests or during important sacrifices.

Meat is also a scarce resource on the grasslands. The daily diet of ordinary herders mainly consists of dairy products such as mare's milk and goat's milk, as well as grains such as millet porridge.

Moreover, even when meat is consumed, it mainly comes from old, weak, sick, or disabled livestock or from hunting.

They do not slaughter healthy livestock indiscriminately, because livestock are not only a symbol of wealth, but also an important means of production and transportation.

"What's this? As long as you become soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, you can eat this every day!" Lu Ziming himself was tired of eating chicken every day.

But thinking about all this, he felt ashamed. Back in Chang'an, how many times a year could he eat meat? He never thought that he would ever get tired of eating meat in his life.

"If I could eat this kind of food for a month, I'd die happy!"

Now, these mixed-race barbarians became even more determined to serve the Tang Dynasty and become its subjects.

······
The next day, at the foot of Yizhou City.

Without the Tang army leading the charge, the Tibetan attack on Yizhou City did not go smoothly.

The Uyghur Grand Chancellor, Jieyuqis, planned to have his vassal army attack the surrounding Tibetan forces first, eliminating Tibetan reinforcements on one hand, and gathering Tang soldiers and civilians who had been enslaved on the other, in exchange for more armor from Lin Hao.

He also gathered up the surrounding miscellaneous barbarian troops and used them as cannon fodder to reduce his own army's casualties.

With the intention of wearing down the defending troops, he waved his command flag, signaling the mixed barbarian troops to begin the first wave of attack.

However, no sooner had the order been given than a jaw-dropping scene unfolded, even before the archers who had returned to their positions had taken their places.

Those rabble who needed to be suppressed to maintain order yesterday are now in a state of collective frenzy!

Before the siege equipment was fully in place, they charged towards the walls of Yizhou like a flood bursting its banks, carrying makeshift ladders!
Its momentum and speed were far beyond the expectations of Jieyujias and even the Tibetan garrison on the city wall!
"They've gone mad! They've all gone mad!" Jieyujias watched in disbelief from behind, nearly dropping his riding whip.

He simply did not understand the actions of these mixed barbarians. He had summoned his auxiliary troops to fight before, but they were fine when the battle was going well, but when it came to a tough battle, they would push each other and refuse to go. How did things turn out like this today?
The battle quickly intensified, with corpses strewn beneath the city walls, and the offensive was temporarily thwarted.

Out of habit of conserving strength, Jieyugas subconsciously ordered the retreat to allow the troops at the front to withdraw and rest briefly.

However, the bloodthirsty barbarian hordes ahead seemed completely deaf to the signal to retreat.

Or rather, they heard it but completely ignored it; in fact, the sound of the golden bell only fueled their ferocity and recklessness! They were terrified that if they were even a step too slow, the merit that would lead to their status as citizens of the Tang Dynasty would be snatched away by someone else!

"What...what happened to them? What benefits did Lin Hao offer them to bribe them?"

Jieyugas was completely bewildered; he could not comprehend this fanaticism that transcended even the fear of money, women, and death.

The Uyghur generals around him looked at each other, none of them able to answer.

"Grand Commander, they really risked their lives!" This scene also greatly surprised Lu Ziming.

He never imagined that his identity as a citizen of the Tang Dynasty, which he had been born with, would carry so much weight in the hearts of Kang Huaien and others.

"This is the glory of my Great Tang! In this Western Regions, countless chieftains, princes, and Yabghu have aspired to become subjects of my Great Tang!"

Lin Hao couldn't help but sigh, even in later generations, the Chinatowns in those countries were a continuation of the influence of the Tang Dynasty!
"Grand Commander! Grand Commander! The defenders on the city walls can't hold out any longer! Yizhou City is about to fall!"

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard someone shouting. When Lin Hao woke up, he saw that Kang Huaien had already led his men to climb up the city wall of Yizhou.

The main force of the Tang army and the Uyghur cavalry barely had time to carry out the anticipated fierce siege battle before they discovered that the battle was coming to an end. They could only rush into the city to wipe out the remaining enemy forces.

Lin Hao strolled along the city wall that had just changed hands, his feet stained with blood and scattered weapons.

Kang Huaien, though being helped along, still ran excitedly towards him, his face a mixture of blood and near-manic joy.

"Grand Commander! Grand Commander! Yizhou... Yizhou has been captured! I... I have fulfilled my mission!" Kang Huaien's voice trembled, and he almost knelt down again.

Lin Hao reached out a hand to help him up, his gaze calm as he looked at him and the other mixed-race soldiers around him who were also watching him expectantly, and slowly began to speak:

"Well done. I've noted your contribution. All those who bravely charged forward will also be credited with a contribution!"

There were no excessive praises, just a simple "I've noted it down," but it made Kang Huaien and the others feel as if they had heard the most beautiful celestial music in the world, so excited that they could hardly contain themselves, as if all the pain and sacrifice had been worthwhile.

The first battle of the Han Navy, with its frenzied momentum, announced its rebirth and also proclaimed the return of the Tang Dynasty to the entire Western Regions.

The return of the Tang Dynasty was not merely a military conquest, but also accompanied by a new set of rules that could shake the old order and attract countless hearts to return.