Video Editor

The Khitans were destroyed, but the grasslands remain.

On the day Yelü Xian was escorted to the capital, Su Ning summoned Cao Bin, Pan Mei, Gao Huaide, and others to the Imperial Study.

On the table lay the map that had been with him for over twenty years, and the vast grassland on it was now finally painted in the red of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"It's easy to conquer, but hard to hold on." Su Ning looked at the map, his finger sweeping from the south of the Gobi Desert to the north, landing on the locations marked with the names of tribes. "The Khitans have surrendered, but are they truly convinced? The Jurchens have helped us, but will they become the next Khitans?"

Cao Bin pondered for a moment: "Your Majesty means..."

"Reorganize them," Su Ning said. "Those Khitan soldiers and generals who surrendered and are willing to stay will be incorporated into the Western Expeditionary Army. Those who are unwilling to stay will be given travel expenses and allowed to graze their livestock on the grasslands. But they must be registered and recorded, and no one is allowed to run away. Anyone who runs away will be a fugitive and will be beheaded if caught."

Pan Mei asked, "What about the Jurchens?"

“Same,” Su Ning said. “Those Jurchen tribes, the ones that can fight, will be incorporated into the Western Expeditionary Army. The ones that can’t fight will stay in their places to graze. But there’s one thing… we absolutely cannot allow them to form their own groups. We need to talk to each of their tribal leaders individually. Tell them that if they listen to the court, they’ll have meat to eat. If they don’t listen, they’ll have knives to eat. All other ethnic groups on the grasslands will be reorganized according to this standard.”

Gao Huaide nodded: "Your Majesty is wise. By incorporating these capable fighters into the Western Expeditionary Army and sending them to fight for the Great Zhou, we can weaken their strength while simultaneously using them to conquer new territories. It's killing two birds with one stone."

Su Ning smiled. "That makes sense. Also... in those tribes, respected elders and capable warriors will be selected separately. Those who are willing to come to the capital to serve as officials will be given houses and salaries so they can enjoy a life of luxury in the capital. Those who are not willing can stay on the grasslands as idle people, but they are not allowed to hold power."

Cao Bin cupped his hands in greeting: "Your subject will take care of it immediately."

……

A month later, the first batch of reorganized Khitan surrendered soldiers were gathered in Zhongjing Dading Prefecture.

The leader was a Khitan general named Xiao Tianyun, who was the garrison commander who surrendered at Huanglong Prefecture.

He stood on the training ground, looking at his former subordinates, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

The drill ground was filled with a dark mass of people, all of them Khitan cavalry.

Some people wore tattered leather armor, while others simply wore sheepskin coats.

Their faces showed confusion, fear, and anticipation.

Xiao Tianyun cleared his throat and spoke, "Brothers, from now on, we are soldiers of the Great Zhou."

A commotion broke out below.

Someone muttered under their breath, "We are Khitans, how can we serve as soldiers of the Great Zhou?"

Xiao Tianyun had sharp ears and heard it immediately.

He glared at the man and strode over.

"What's wrong with the Khitans? They're people too. The Great Zhou provides them with food, pay, and clothing. It's much better than it was under Yelü Jing and Yelü Xian. You don't want to work here? Fine, go to the grasslands and starve."

The man dared not utter a sound.

Xiao Tianyun looked around and raised his voice a few decibels.

"I know what you're thinking... We lost the battle, we were taken prisoner, and now we have to serve the Great Zhou again. It's shameful. But think about it, what kind of life did you lead when you were following Yelü Jing? How many people starved to death in the winter? How many died in battle? Those princes and nobles ate meat and drank wine in their tents, while you were freezing and starving outside. Now the Great Zhou has come, giving us food, clothes, and pay. Tell me, which is better?"

The people below looked at each other in bewilderment.

Someone tentatively asked, "Xiao Xiangwen, have you also followed the Great Zhou?"

Xiao Tianyun nodded: "That's right. I'm not only following the Great Zhou, but I'm also going to fight in the west with the Great Zhou. Those of you who are willing to follow me, I'll take you. Those who are not, take the travel expenses and leave. The court said that those who are willing to leave will each receive five taels of silver, a horse, and three bolts of cloth, and go to the grasslands to graze their livestock. But they must register, abide by the law, and not run away. Anyone who runs away is a fugitive, and if caught, they will be beheaded."

There was silence for a moment.

Then someone stepped forward and said, "Xiao Xiangwen, I will follow you."

Another person stepped forward, saying, "I'll follow you too."

One after another, more and more people stepped forward.

Looking at those familiar faces, Xiao Tianyun's eyes welled up with tears. "Good. You've all done a great job."

The second group to be reorganized consisted of Jurchens.

Wanyan Helibo, the leader of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe, was brought before Cao Bin.

Cao Bin sat behind the desk, watching him.

His gaze was neither fierce nor gentle; it was just a calm, indifferent look, yet it sent chills down Wanyan Helibo's spine.

"Your name is Wanyan Helibo?"

"Yes, General."

"How many of your tribesmen are actually capable fighters?"

Wanyan Helibo honestly replied, "General, there are more than two thousand men who can draw a bow and mount a horse."

Cao Bin nodded: "Alright. These two thousand-plus people will be incorporated into the Western Expeditionary Army. The rest will stay where they are and graze their livestock. The imperial court will send people to take care of you. If you obey the court, you'll have meat to eat. If you disobey, you'll have a knife to eat."

Wanyan Helibo knelt down and kowtowed: "This humble servant understands."

Cao Bin stood up and walked up to him. "I've heard that you Jurchens have been oppressed by the Khitans for hundreds of years?"

Wanyan Helibo's eyes reddened: "General, it's been hundreds of years. They stole our women, our cattle and sheep, and treated us like slaves. If it weren't for the Great Zhou coming, we would never have been able to turn our lives around."

Cao Bin patted him on the shoulder, "Then do a good job. The Great Zhou will not treat you unfairly. Because you are also a part of the Great Zhou."

Wanyan Helibo kowtowed repeatedly, "I understand! I understand!"

……

While the reorganization was underway, the cabinet and the six ministries also began to move into the grasslands.

The first group to go were officials from the Ministry of Revenue, carrying stacks of documents and account books.

They rode horses, accompanied by translators, and traveled to every tribe on the grasslands.

They established "national pastures" in southern and northern Mongolia.

What is a national ranch?

The grassland is divided into sections, each with a number and managed by designated personnel.

Everyone must register how many cattle and sheep a family has, and how many tents a family has.

If cattle and sheep are lost, the imperial court helps to find them; if tents are damaged, the imperial court helps to repair them.

The herders, who had roamed the grasslands for generations, had never heard of such a thing before.

"The imperial court...will help us find cattle and sheep?"

"Yes. It's registered. If it's lost, we'll look for it. If it can't be found, the imperial court will compensate us."

"Compensation? Compensation for what?"

"Pay in silver. If you lose a cow, you pay two taels of silver. If you lose a sheep, you pay five qian of silver."

The herders looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is there such a good thing?

Someone tentatively asked, "Then... what do we need to pay?"

The official from the Ministry of Revenue smiled. "Pay taxes. Pay a little each year, based on the number of cattle and sheep. It won't be much, just enough for the court to handle your affairs."

The herders did the math and found that they weren't actually losing money.

So, one by one, they lined up to register.

The second group consisted of personnel from the Ministry of War, who began constructing cities in strategically important locations.

Outside Gubeikou, a new city was built, called "Zhenbei City".

The city walls were high and thick, and three thousand soldiers were stationed there, keeping a close eye on every move on the grassland.

The city walls are made of cement, high and thick, with watchtowers on the city walls and a moat below.

Standing on the city wall and looking north, the grassland stretches as far as the eye can see, and you can see the scenery dozens of miles away.

North of Dading Prefecture, a city called "Dingbei City" was built.

North of Datong in Yunzhou, a city called "Anbei City" was built.

The three cities, like three nails, are firmly anchored to the grassland.

Roads began to be built between cities.

Railways and cement roads were built all the way from the capital city to the depths of the grasslands.

The road was three zhang wide, smooth and flat, and the carriage could run fast and steadily on it.

There was a post station every fifty li along both sides of the road, with horses, hay, food and hot water.

Wherever the road was built, the imperial court's orders could be transmitted.

The third group consisted of people from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy.

They opened schools on the grasslands.

The school was newly built, consisting of rows of single-story buildings with bright and clean windows.

A plaque hangs at the entrance, bearing three large characters: "Elementary School".

The herders, with their children, stood at the school gate, peering inside with curiosity.

"From now on, all your children will have to come to school."

What kind of school should you attend?

"Learn Chinese characters, learn Mandarin, and learn 'The Prosperous Era Rhyme'."

The herders were bewildered again.

Why would I need to learn that?
The official from the Ministry of Rites explained, "If you learn Mandarin, you'll be able to speak with the court officials. If you learn Chinese characters, you'll be able to understand the court's announcements. If your children study hard, they can go to the capital to take the imperial examinations in the future, and if they pass, they can become officials."

"Become an official? We grassland people can become officials?"

"Yes. His Majesty said that regardless of whether they are Han, Khitan, or Jurchen, as long as they are from the Great Zhou, they can become officials."

The news spread, and the grasslands were in an uproar.

Those herders never left the grasslands their entire lives and were bullied their whole lives.

Now, upon suddenly hearing that their children could also become officials and go to the capital, they were all so excited that their eyes welled up with tears. Some even knelt down on the spot.

"Long live the Emperor..."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites quickly helped him up: "Don't kneel, don't kneel. This is His Majesty's grace. If you want to thank someone, thank His Majesty."

Besides education, there is also healthcare.

The Imperial Medical Bureau staff brought medicines and medical books and set up public clinics on the grasslands.

The clinic was small, but it had all the necessary facilities.

There are consultation rooms, a pharmacy, and wards.

A plaque hangs at the entrance with three large characters: "Huimin Medical Clinic".

Furthermore, the imperial court established a medical college specifically to train doctors for the grasslands.

Those children of herders can enroll for free, with room and board provided, as long as they are willing to learn. After completing their studies, they can return to the grasslands to treat their fellow villagers.

"For headaches and fevers, come here for medicine. For knife wounds and arrow wounds, come here for bandaging. For difficult childbirth, come here for a midwife."

The herders were skeptical.

Someone tried getting the medicine once, and it worked!

The news spread, and long queues formed outside the clinic.

What surprised the herders the most was the rationing system and welfare benefits.

The Ministry of Revenue announced: From now on, a rationing system will be implemented on the grasslands.

Each herding household receives a fixed amount of grain, cloth, salt, and tea each year.

Based on the number of people and livestock, one more person means one more portion of grain, and one more cow means one more portion of fodder.

In years of famine, the imperial court opened its granaries to distribute grain. In the depths of winter, the imperial court distributed charcoal.

Those herders who were used to hunger and cold all their lives were stunned for a long time when they heard the news.

"The imperial court...is giving us grain?"

"Yes. We will distribute grain, grain, salt, and tea. As long as you herd your livestock well and live a good life, the imperial court will not let you go hungry."

Someone immediately knelt down, crying out, "Your Honor..."

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue quickly helped him up: "Don't kneel, don't kneel. This is His Majesty's grace. If you want to thank someone, thank His Majesty."

……

When the news reached the capital, Su Ning was reading the report.

Zhao Pu said from the side, "Your Majesty, the situation on the grasslands is stable."

Su Ning nodded and put down the report. "What about those nobles? Have they caused any trouble?"

“A few tried to cause trouble, but they were all spotted by the Imperial City Guard and arrested before they could even make a move,” Zhao Pu said. “The rest have all behaved themselves. They’re not stupid; if there’s meat to eat, who would rebel?”

Su Ning smiled. "They're not stupid. With meat to eat and guns in our hands, who would rebel?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Pu smiled as well. "There is one more thing—those grassland tribes are demanding to retain their autonomy."

Su Ning looked at him, "What do you think?"

Zhao Pu pondered for a moment and said, "I believe that the grasslands are different from the interior. If we try to control them too much, it will only cause trouble. Those tribes have lived on the grasslands for generations and have their own rules and customs. If the court tries to control them too closely, they will not be able to stand it and will easily cause trouble."

"It would be better to give them some autonomy. They can manage their own affairs. As long as the military, financial, and personnel powers remain in the hands of the imperial court, they can't cause any trouble."

Suning nodded. "That's right."

He stood up, walked to the map, and issued an edict: "The tribes of the grasslands may retain a certain degree of autonomy. They shall manage their own affairs. But three things shall be under the jurisdiction of the imperial court."

Zhao Pu took out paper and pen, ready to write down, "Which three things?"

“Military power.” Su Ning held up one finger. “The soldiers on the grasslands can only be recruited, trained, and commanded by the imperial court. Tribes cannot raise their own troops or hoard weapons. Anyone who dares to hoard weapons will be punished for treason.”

“Financial control.” He held up another finger. “Taxes on the grasslands, the buying and selling of cattle and sheep, and the mining of minerals are all under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, with the State Assets Management Office handling the unified procurement. The imperial court allocates money and grain to them according to the number of people and livestock. The more they work, the more they earn; the less they work, the less they earn. But they cannot arbitrarily collect taxes or sell things.”

"Personnel." He held up his third finger. "The leaders of each tribe can choose their own leaders, but they must be appointed by the court. If they are disobedient, the court can replace them. Those respected elders and capable warriors who are willing to come to the capital to serve as officials will be given houses and salaries by me, so that they can enjoy a comfortable life in the capital."

Zhao Pu noted them down one by one, saying, "Your subject will now draft the decree."

……

In the spring of the sixteenth year of the prosperous era, the ice and snow on the grassland melted.

Those new policies were implemented one by one.

The children started school.

Those grassland children who had never seen a book sat in the school and recited with their teacher, "At the beginning of life, people are inherently good."

At first, I read it haltingly, but after a few months, I was able to memorize the whole thing.

The herders began to receive their rations.

Every month, horse-drawn carts carrying grain, cloth, salt, and tea are delivered to various tribes.

The herders lined up, holding the certificates issued by the Ministry of Revenue, and received them one by one.

After receiving the gifts, you also need to put your fingerprint on the roster.

Patients began to line up at the clinic.

Those illnesses that we used to have to tough out are now curable. Those injuries that we used to be left to die from are now curable.

There was an old herdsman who had suffered from leg pain for more than ten years and walked with a limp.

After visiting the clinic several times and taking medicine for several months, my leg pain subsided, and I could walk steadily again.

He would tell everyone he met, "Great Zhou is good, Great Zhou has a divine doctor."

Railways and cement roads have been built longer and longer from south to north.

Those journeys that used to take several days can now be completed in half a day.

Things that couldn't be brought in before can now be brought in.

A herdsman, seeing a horse-drawn cart run across a cement road for the first time, stared in astonishment.

He squatted down and touched the pavement. "What is this? It's so flat!"

Someone told him, "This is called cement; His Majesty ordered it to be made."

He stood there stunned for a long time, then knelt down and kowtowed three times to the south.

Some of those former Khitan cavalrymen have been incorporated into the Western Expeditionary Army and are awaiting orders to set out.

They donned the armor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, took up the swords and spears of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and learned to shout "Long live the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Xiao Tianyun led them in daily drills and lectures, saying, "We are now the Zhou army, not the Khitans. Remember that?"

They shouted in unison, "We've got it!"

Some took off their armor, picked up whips, and became herdsmen on the grasslands.

They received cattle and sheep from the Ministry of Revenue and land allocated by the imperial court, and began a new life.

Someone asked them, "Do you regret it?"

They shook their heads: "What's there to regret? We have food to eat and clothes to wear. It's much better than fighting a war."

Those Jurchens who were good at fighting were incorporated into the army, while those who were not good at fighting stayed in place to herd livestock.

The people of the Wanyan tribe would occasionally gather together and whisper among themselves, but none of them dared to actually cause trouble.

Once, a group of young men got drunk and started clamoring about "the great cause of the Jurchens." When Wanyan Helibo found out, he personally led a group to arrest them, gave them a severe beating, and imprisoned them for a month.

From then on, no one dared to mention it again.

On the northern city wall, the banners of the Great Zhou Dynasty fluttered in the wind.

Below the city gate, groups of herders drove their cattle and sheep past to designated pastures for grazing.

They sang songs from the grasslands, their voices carrying far and wide.

On the city wall, the garrison soldiers looked north, awaiting the next order.

They are Zhou Jun, soldiers of the Great Zhou.

Their mission is to protect this city and safeguard this grassland.

Su Ning stood in the Imperial Study in the capital, looking at the newly painted land on the map.

From Liaodong to the northern desert, from the Yanshan Mountains to the grasslands.

This land finally belongs to the Zhou family.

Zhao Pu pushed open the door and came in, holding a report in his hand.

"Your Majesty, they come from the west."

Suning took it and read it once.

It was a military report from the Western Expeditionary Army.

They have already set off and are heading west.

Along the way, some tribes surrendered, some fled, and some resisted and were wiped out.

Su Ning put down the report and looked out the window.

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

In the distance, the sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds.

...(End of this chapter)