Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

At this time, the Chechens were surprisingly well-behaved. After Chechnya and Dagestan were wiped out by Yermolov, the Chechens also expressed their submission.

Although Yermolov was ruthless, he was still trustworthy to the locals, and the autumn of 1822 was a rare period of peace.

Solovyov continued eastward, inspecting the villages. Even Zaza Dzhugashvili was somewhat worried as he observed the lives of the people.

“Sir, although you are friends with many Georgian lords, you are not those lords themselves. Those dangerous mountain people may give face to Prince Bagration’s family, but you are an outsider. If you run into bandits, it could be troublesome.”

"That's alright. Their beliefs have always been misinterpreted, and it's been going on for a long time, including our religion here. Jesus was born in the summer, but Christmas is in the winter. Do you know why?"

“I don’t know, sir. You are not only good at fighting, but also very knowledgeable. I am just a cart driver and shepherd, so naturally I don’t know your principles. But I still have to say that you must be careful. Since you hired me to drive your cart, I will treat you as my master. We mountain people are all trustworthy.”

“Since you are trustworthy, then the Muslims here should also be trustworthy. Integrity is very important when living in the mountains.”

Solovyov even wanted to quote something, but this wasn't the time to speak.

Because a group of people dressed in mountain folk clothing were coming from ahead, you could tell from their beards.

Georgians typically wear goatees, while Chechens wear long, Persian-style beards.

Moreover, these people were carrying weapons. When Solovyov saw them, he simply ordered them to stop. If anyone on the other side had good eyesight, they would have been able to see his officer's uniform clearly.

The bearded men opposite were quite surprised. They were astonished to find such a calm Russian officer walking this mountain path with only his entourage. He didn't back down, but he didn't seem to be hostile either.

Then one of them rode up on horseback and greeted them: "Salam, friends passing by, where are you headed?"

"Salam, we are taking this mountain road to visit a village in Tajikistan."

“But you are a Russian officer, and even our leader here recognized you as the great man that even His Majesty the Sultan fears.”

How did you recognize me?

“Our leader Ghazi-Muhammad has been to Circassus and of course knows your name, General Solovyov. You are different from other Russian generals. You were able to defeat His Majesty the Sultan’s army. Even God probably approves of your character.”

Of course, even if the Chechens knew that he had many lovers, it wouldn't be a big problem according to their doctrine. Sufis allow temporary cohabitation, and it's not uncommon for Arab caliphs, Turkish sultans, Persian Shahs, and Mughal Padishahs to keep large numbers of maids in their palaces. Solovyov's position, somewhere between a Grand Vizier and a Pasha, doesn't seem to pose a significant issue.

More importantly, Solovyov had such a good reputation as a military leader that even the Chechens considered good Russian governors didn't discipline their troops like he did.

Ghazi-Muhammad and Shamir, who had been to Circassian territory, had heard of his reputation, and the Circassians had also described Solovyov in his thirties, so the two men took note of it.

Especially when you get closer, seeing his blond hair, green eyes, and the scar on his forehead, it becomes even clearer.

"In that case, where are you headed?"

"We are also heading back to Dagestan from here, but the mullah and the elders may not know who you are. If you were to come like other Russian generals, you might be kidnapped."

“In that case, we can travel together. However, if someone were to kidnap me, I rarely carry gold or silver with me. My wealth is more about wisdom and courage than physical gold and silver.”

"Wisdom and courage are gifts from God that are unique to humankind. Wisdom can be shared, but courage belongs to you alone. Other Russian generals probably wouldn't have your courage."

Solovyov didn't even draw his gun; he's a quick-draw gunman.

Zaza was more wary, though. He drove into the midst of the Chechens, and these bearded men paid their respects to Solovyov.

“You have been to very far places, and even in the mountains of our Dagestan, we have heard of your great name.”

"Is it like when Iraqi scholars, in interpreting the Quran, mention the hadith 'Knowledge is far away in China, but we should seek it there'?"

“If you are willing to share your wisdom, we will consider you a friend, because we also know that when you have an army under your command, along with that wisdom and your courage, you are just like Khalid.”

"Khalid had opposed the Prophet, but he eventually converted to Christianity."

"If you can convert to the true religion, God will surely protect you."

"But in Borodino, I was almost shot dead by French bullets, like this. This is an icon my wife got; she's a devout woman, and I've worn this amulet for twelve years to protect me. If we're talking about something, Christianity, before Orthodox Christianity, should also be considered 'the one with the scriptures.' There's a lot of overlap between Orthodox scriptures and the Christian Gospels. Our faiths are all related to Jerusalem, and this hostility is more of a political conflict. Whether it's the Sultan, the Shah, or our Emperor, they all sit in their palaces while their armed forces fight in the valleys, fields, and rivers. At least our Emperor can go to war with the army, but how many Sultans have come out since Suleiman the Magnificent? I haven't fought those Persians, but Nadir Shah only fought Orthodox Christians and was eventually killed by his confidants. The Shahs of the Qajar dynasty are probably the same; they can't even go to the front lines to inspire the Ghazi (holy warriors) now."

When Solovyov spoke, he even took into consideration the beliefs of the Dagestan people, trying to quote the prophet's words to avoid any potential hostility.

Of course, he overlooked one point: the mullahs and Taliban in the mountains of Dagestan might not have a very high level of religious practice. Their stricter rules might include head coverings, veils, and the management of fermented grape juice, because some villages simply couldn't comply with those rules.

However, considering that the regions influenced by Sufism have always had a mystical atmosphere and a reputation for singing and dancing, the only rules they follow are those that are easily violated, which can be considered the Taqia Law.

As they continued on this path, Ghazi-Muhammad and Shamir, the two military leaders and imams who would later lead the Chechens and Russians in fighting for decades, also came to believe that although General Solovyov had not converted to Christianity, he still understood Islamic law.

In fact, when Napoleon campaigned in Egypt, he also tried to understand the Islamic world. Although Solovyov's blood relationship with his aunt's husband was based on his children with Polina, this was essentially a branch of the Bonaparte family.

Moreover, he was better prepared, having already learned a great deal about this during his campaign in the Balkans. Even these two graduates of religious schools were amazed by his extensive knowledge.

There was even a group of people in Central Asia who falsely claimed to be descendants of the saint, through the Sultan of Oman. Their research on the origins of the saint's lineage had already made the two of them recall what they had learned in religious school.

They believed that even the brutal butcher Yermolov did not hold a higher rank than him, and that this learned infidel, though not a convert, held a compassionate attitude towards ordinary people everywhere.

He even mentioned what he saw and heard on the road, and what he did while inspecting the crops in the fields.

After hearing this, both of you expressed your deep admiration.

As you continue forward and reach the mountain pass, you enter the territory of Dagestan.

Solovyov was not afraid at all; his arrival in the mountains had indeed surprised the locals.

For Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingush, the biggest problem at this time was that their lords and many mullahs had surrendered to the Russians.

But it was surprising that the highest-ranking Russian official in the area, accompanied by only a few attendants and two somewhat senior priests, swaggered in so openly.

“I came here to see what the village needs, whether anyone is exploiting you, whether taxes are too high, and whether local officials are engaging in any illegal activities. You can tell me all of that. But I am a general, and I can only emphasize discipline when I go back to the army. I cannot help you with that now.”

Solovyov acted like a civil court, reiterating that usury and gambling are not allowed in predominantly Orthodox areas, both of which he personally abhorred. He also emphasized fundamental Christian principles, opposing usury under both Catholic and Orthodox faiths, thus their demands were aligned.

Now that he has spoken, the villagers have something to say.

Some wealthy landowners down the mountain actually dared to do this, and they even bribed judges in the religious court.

Solovyov found it fascinating to hear about something so ineligible.

"However, Your Excellency, you are also familiar with the Taqia Law, and you know that in some cases we can determine for ourselves whether something is legal."

“If that’s the case, we’ll probably need to invite a highly respected Imam and Mullah to resolve the issue. After all, my faith is different from yours. If it’s just a matter of civil courts, I can handle it myself. I oversee eight provinces, so you can come to me for matters in Tbilisi Province and Dagestan without any problem. But when it comes to religious matters, I naturally have to be more cautious.”

"Sir, what should we do?"

Shamir was relatively more composed. He joined his elder brother Ghazi-Muhammad after he started his rebellion. Initially, he opposed the direct uprising, but in the end, when he was captured, held in custody in Kaluga, and died during the Hajj in Medina, the survivors bore more of the burden.

"I think we should observe these people's behavior first, and then make a final decision after consulting with the Imam. Lending at high interest rates is indeed problematic, but lending money to fellow villagers is not a problem. The principal should still be protected. I come from a merchant family and know the market well."

His statement reassured the mountain people.

Since his own landlords and religious courts were like this, it was the governor-general above the Russian provincial governor who had the final say. However, he was also cautious and also considered the need to respect religious laws.

Furthermore, he made an agreement with the locals that the tax rate must be reduced, and he would naturally handle the issue of tax farmers. The Christians in Georgia had already petitioned him, and as governor, he naturally had to instruct local officials to change the existing tax laws.

The same is true in the mountains of Dagestan.

Solovyov also stated that, as a secular official and a non-religious person, he would respect the role of religious law within the family and would not actively interfere.

However, he still opposed beating his wife. Although women are supposed to depend on men, they also have to work hard at home, manage the household, bear children, and guard the home while their husbands go out to do business or fight. They bear many obligations.

He also stated that his housekeeper was an Orthodox Christian.

This is very convenient for building relationships. In addition, Solovyov's judgments are indeed very fair. He also said that in land disputes, he would naturally send surveyors to help the villagers measure the land, re-determine tax rates, and even personally send people down to inspect what products each village has.

He would naturally do his best to help those who wanted to mine, farm, herd sheep, or raise horses.

These villagers rarely see important figures, and because of their faith, they are instinctively somewhat hostile towards infidels.

But Solovyov was fair in his judgment, and even checked on their crops.

Regarding the orchards here, the harvest this year was not good, so next year he will order Georgia to provide a batch of pesticides to treat the fruit trees.

These are all very useful. Solovyov is actually quite aware that these Muslims might be easier to govern, as they all follow religious principles. However, the mountain people have a long-standing bad habit of drinking alcohol, which explains why Ghazi-Muhammad himself complained about their drinking habits.

“I understand that, and I personally don’t like it either, because some officers who drink will make mistakes. This has happened more than once. In Austerlitz, one of our generals drank, which resulted in the troops not being able to deploy properly. This should indeed be dealt with severely. Drinking affects a person’s judgment, and if the mind is not clear, mistakes may be made. Not only Christians and Orthodox Christians, but even the Great Khan of the Tatars once said that one should not drink too much in a month.”

Since the Mongols are involved, and Tatars are often drunk to death, this serves as a warning.

Solovyov had some medical knowledge and could command respect from others. (End of Chapter)