The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 64: Naturalized Hu People
The Qianhu system was not invented by Xiao Simo. It originated in the early years of the Jin Dynasty.

After the Jingkang Incident, many Song generals surrendered to the Jin Dynasty.

In order to accommodate these surrendered generals, they did not want to incorporate them into the Jurchen's Meng'an Mouke system, so as not to affect the combat effectiveness of the Jurchens themselves.

So the Jurchens created the Qianhu system based on the Meng'an Mouke system.

In essence, the Meng'an Mouke system is similar and can be seen as another team, just with a different name.

It is just like the Qing Dynasty created the Eight Banners of Han.

However, the emergence of the Qianhu system did greatly consolidate the Jin Kingdom's rule and management over the surrendered Song Dynasty troops.

The redundant officers in the original Song army were eliminated, administrative management was simplified, and the combat effectiveness of the army was enhanced.

It also became the key for the Jin Dynasty's million-strong army to overwhelm the surrounding powers.

Xiao Simo borrowed from the Jin Dynasty's Qianhu system and prepared to establish a Qianhu system suitable for his own use in the northern border.

"If we do this, the original structure of the fort will definitely be affected." Zhao Tiezhu said with a slight frown.

What we should consider is the impact of this reform on ourselves.

"One hundred herdsmen households are divided into one hundred households. What about the extra people in the fort?" Qin Kaishan said.

Wouldn't this split some of the strength of their fortress?

"If there are ten or twenty more households, the Khitans probably won't be in any trouble, but if there are more, they will probably be forcibly separated." Li Xiao shook his head and said.

Such changes are actually more beneficial to small-scale forts.

The more people there are in a fortress, the more it will be broken into pieces.

The status and strength of the castle lord will plummet.

Just like Hexi Fort, it originally had more than 200 households, but after absorbing people from Sanhe Fort and Houzhai, it now has nearly 400 households.

Li Xiao planned to hide some households, but at least they would be divided into three hundred households.

If Li Xiao had not become a thousand-householder, he would at most have been a hundred-householder, and his power would have shrunk by one third compared to before.

I definitely don’t want to do that!

"Once the household registration begins, Jinzhou will probably continue to be in chaos." The leader of the Qianhe Village shook his head.

He wasn't too worried.

Because Qiyun Village is a small village with less than a hundred households, maybe a few households can get some benefits.

But those big villages will definitely not be willing to accept this.

"This is inevitable. Every reform is like taking a knife to those vested interests, cutting flesh from them, and it will definitely intensify conflicts."

"However, Xiao Simo's 20,000 troops are in Jinzhou. They will not leave until the people are fully registered." Li Xiao said in a deep voice.

With 20,000 Dongdu troops stationed here, anyone who dares to act recklessly will be crushed to pieces in an instant.

Xiao Simo had a clear understanding of the Qarluk Rebellion.

It completely became a step for him to further control the northern border.

"Xiao Simo is really as Dalong said, a very scheming person!" Qin Kaishan shook his head and sighed.

"In just ten years, our Jinzhou will be completely controlled by the Khitans."

Others only see the current conflict of interests between a few more or fewer herders, but Qin Kaishan looks at the long term.

He said worriedly, "In the past, we were the village chief who managed the villagers and didn't care about the Khitans interfering."

"But if it becomes a thousand households and a hundred households in the future, it won't be clear who has the final say."

It's a very simple truth. The Han Chinese fort and village chiefs in the past were all self-made and were not influenced by the Khitans.

However, once the system of thousand households and hundred households was implemented, it would undoubtedly put a shackle on the various fortresses and nomadic tribes in Jinzhou.

In the early stage, the original village chiefs and leaders may still be appointed as centurions and thousand-householders.

However, as time goes by, the grassroots herdsmen's recognition of this system has deepened.

Then the leaders of the hundred households and thousand households will probably have to be gradually replaced.

The candidates who were originally selected from within the fortress and confirmed by the garrison were now directly appointed by the garrison.

The two are fundamentally different in the source of their power.

"Reform the land and return it to the people!"

These four words instantly appeared in Li Xiao's mind.

I have to admit that Xiao Simo is very courageous and his methods are indeed brilliant.

If there is enough time, perhaps we can really take back the ruling power of the lower classes in the northern border from the original castle lords, village chiefs, and tribal leaders.

"I just don't know if Xiao Simo has so much time to wait." Li Xiao thought secretly in his heart.

Just as everyone was discussing the pros and cons of Jinzhou's institutional reform, Erhu walked in with two people.

One of them was Li Xiao's slave Hutu.

The other was a very strong Zhelan man, who was the first one to rush into Wuya Village not long ago.

He said in a low, humming voice, "My humble self is Bashatulu, and I am honored to meet you, sir."

Hu Tu next to him quickly translated this to Li Xiao.

This Zhelan man looked to be about twenty years old, with a strong build, and his bare chest and arms were full of muscles.

His head was bald and his face was covered with scars, making him look very scary.

There were still many hastily treated wounds on his body, and it was obvious that he had fought hard in the recent battle.

The most important thing is that he is nearly 1.9 meters tall, and standing in the tent is like a tower, giving off a very oppressive feeling.

Li Xiao was also slightly stunned when he saw this head.

But I'm not too surprised, as this height is not uncommon among the post-2000s kids.

"Baskhatulu?"

"Good man."

"Well done." Li Xiao walked up, looked at the strong man, and nodded with satisfaction.

"I was watching from behind during the battle. You were very brave and a true warrior."

"I shouldn't continue to be a slave." Li Xiao said. At this moment, he felt an inexplicable state of mind.

Just now in Xiao Simo's tent, he was also standing below and was rewarded by Xiao Simo.

Now, he wants to reward others.

The hierarchy created by power is so strict and ruthless.

If you want to move up a level, you either have to rely on connections or rely on your luck.

Li Xiao at least still has a small relationship with Xiao Yanyan, but the strong man in front of him is relying entirely on his life.

After listening to Hutu's translation of Li Xiao's words, the strong man named Bashatulu opened his mouth, suddenly smiled and nodded happily.

"Hehehe~"

"Okay, okay~"

This somewhat naive laughter instantly attracted the attention of Luo Ping and others.

You find out that this strong man is just grinning and nodding, and that's it?
Hutu, who was standing next to him, explained helplessly, "Master, please forgive me. Bashatulu is a little bit stupid."

"You're also a bit of a mouth, you can't say nice things."

"What I said when I came in just now was what I taught him many times before I could say it."

Stupid brain?

Li Xiao suddenly realized, no wonder he felt this guy was a little weird before.

It turns out there's something wrong with my brain.

Not to mention now, even in the rural areas thousands of years ago, there were plenty of such people.

However, Li Xiao observed that this strong man was not really stupid, he just didn't know how to express himself.

In simple terms, it's stupid.

Too low-key and honest.

Both IQ and EQ are slightly lower than those of ordinary people.

But simple communication was still no problem, otherwise he would not have been happy to hear that Li Xiao wanted to pardon his slave status.

"Hehe~" Li Xiao smiled lightly and nodded.

"It's stupid but cute."

Then he sat back in his seat and said in a calm voice, "Some people appear loyal on the surface, but are actually treacherous at heart."

“Some people may appear foolish, but they are more loyal and dutiful than anyone else.”

There is no doubt that he himself is the first type of person.

Thinking of what he said in front of Xiao Simo, Li Xiao felt a little embarrassed.

However, Li Xiao still had doubts about whether this Zhelan slave was the second type of person, and it would take time to consider.

"Hutu~"

"I'm here, slave."

"Bashatulu is so brave. Hasn't Chief Zhelan ever thought of making him his confidant?" Li Xiao asked curiously.

Hutu smiled helplessly: "Bashatulu is not actually a real Zhelan person, but a slave who was abducted by the Zhelan people when he was young."

"Later, he became a member of the Zhelan tribe after making military achievements."

"Because I haven't been in the Zhelan tribe for long, I've only heard a little about it."

"Basha Tulu was originally the bodyguard of Nerdu's elder brother. Later, his elder brother suddenly died of illness, and Nerdu became the leader of the Zhelan tribe."

"There are rumors that Nerdu was involved in his eldest brother's death, so I guess this is why Nerdu doesn't dare to trust Bashatulu."

"I see." Li Xiao nodded slightly.

Nerdu didn't dare to trust Bashatulu, but he admired Bashatulu's bravery, so he kept him as an ordinary tribesman to fight for him.

If he really died in battle one day, it wouldn't matter, it would be a relief for him.

"Khutu, go tell Baskhatulu that he fought bravely in this battle."

"The Lord of the Castle will free him from slavery and give him fifty sheep as a reward."

"From now on, he will belong to my Hexi Fort."

As Li Xiao spoke, Hutu translated it for Baskhatulu.

The strong man's expression gradually became more interesting, and his smile became even brighter.

He grinned, nodded continuously, and said something that Li Xiao could not understand.

Hutu said: "Bashatulu is expressing his gratitude to you, my master."

Fifty sheep is not a small number. For herders, it is a huge fortune.

With these flocks of sheep, Bashatulu will directly become a member of the petty bourgeoisie.

"Let him work hard in the future. As long as he dares to fight and strive hard, this castle lord will reward him with more cattle, sheep, wealth, and even beauties and slaves." Li Xiao promised.

Thousands of dollars to buy horse bones.

Li Xiao wanted to use this Zhelan man to set an example so that other Zhelan slaves could see hope.

The next time they fight, the Zhelan people will become more active.

"Also, since he has become a member of Hexibao, his daily communication is also a problem. If you have time, you can teach him more Chinese."

After finishing speaking, Li Xiao looked at Bashatulu's not-so-bright appearance, shook his head slightly and said, "Teach him as much as you can!"

If you really can't learn it, there's nothing you can do.

"Yes, master!" Hutu nodded respectfully.

"And~" Li Xiao thought of another important thing.

"The name Bashatulu is too difficult to pronounce. Don't call it that anymore."

"Since you have become a member of my Hexi Fort, you have to take a Han Chinese name." Li Xiao looked at Bashatulu and said.

(End of this chapter)