A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 631 Dingxiang Yunzhong Governor's Office

Dingxiang served as the Khan's court.

There are still many Turkic tribes.

At the foot of Yinshan Mountain lies the Chule River, where the wind blows the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep. This was originally the most fertile pasture. The Turks moved their Khanate from the northern desert to this place, and the core Blue Turk tribes also moved here.

But now, they are suffering the calamity of being wiped out because of this.

Fortunately, Li Yi restrained the Tang army from indiscriminate killing; those who surrendered were spared.

After Dingxiang, there were still quite a few Han Chinese in the Sui Dynasty, about 20,000 to 30,000. They were either people who fled to the border regions during the Sui Dynasty's chaos or were captured by the Turks. Chuluo Khan and Princess Yicheng brought Empress Xiao and Yang Zhengdao to Dingxiang and established the Later Sui Dynasty.
They handed over the twenty to thirty thousand Han Chinese from the Khanate to this small court for command.

now,

These people also experienced a dramatic change in status following the capture of Empress Xiao and Yang Zhengdao.

Li Yi treated these people differently, regarding them as his own family who had been stranded elsewhere, whether they were officials, soldiers, or commoners.

Dingxiang, the palace of the Sui King during the Later Sui Dynasty.

A small fort.

Li Yi led a group of generals into the small fortress and arrived at the simple golden palace, where a group of officials from the Later Sui Dynasty stood bowing to greet him.

Li Yi's gaze swept over them.
He took his seat in the hall.

Several elderly ministers with white hair presented several lists of books and registers, including lists of officials, military officers, and royal books preserved in the palace and its treasury.

Li Yi flipped through the list of officials but didn't see any familiar names.

The only one he remembered was Xiao Siye, Empress Xiao's grand-nephew, who later became a famous general, serving as Minister of State Ceremonies and Chief Administrator of the Shanyu Protectorate. Unfortunately, he was eventually exiled to Lingnan after his defeat in the campaign against the Turkic rebellion.

As for the other officials of the Later Sui Dynasty, although many of them were officials who had accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu, most of them were originally of low rank. Those of higher rank either joined Dou Jiande in Hebei, or went to Chang'an along the way, or joined Li Mi and Wang Shichong.

The rest were all minor officials and clerks, who were brought over along with Empress Xiao when the Turks took her in.

Yang Zhengdao, the Prince of Sui, was only three years old.

Standing beside Empress Xiao, holding the Imperial Seal of the State, he surrendered to Li Yi.

It dropped once before.
Today, I formally surrender once again.

Under Empress Xiao's guidance, Yang Zhengdao knelt down and surrendered, dressed in white.

Li Yi accepted the jade seal and then helped him up.

For such a young age, he is quite sensible.

"Our Great Tang Dynasty inherited the Sui Dynasty's rule and has always treated the Yang family with great favor. His Majesty was very pleased to hear that you led your troops to surrender and has issued a special edict to appoint you as an Attendant Gentleman of the Palace."

After saying that, Li Yi waved.

Then a personal guard brought him a scarlet robe and a gold-plated sash.

The title of Yuanwai Sanqi Shilang is a fifth-rank official position.

The term "Yuanwai" alone indicates that this position was added in addition to the regular positions. Furthermore, the duties of the Sanqi Shilang were already quite leisurely, making this a completely idle position.

But it is still only a fifth-rank official.
This means that the Tang Dynasty accepted the surrender of the three-year-old Sui king.

at least,

This journey will allow us to safely return to Chang'an.

Upon hearing this result,

The officials of the Later Sui Dynasty visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Yi put the gold-inlaid jade seal away again.

My gaze swept over these officials from the Later Sui Dynasty, and I could see that they were confused and even fearful.

The Tang Dynasty's conquest of the Khanate could be a salvation or a liberation for them, or it could mean their demise.

Li Yi smiled slightly.
Under the expectant gazes of these people, the court's decision regarding their punishment was read aloud.

Past offenses will be forgiven and all will be pardoned.

The emperor was so magnanimous that he allowed them to retain their official positions and return to Chang'an together to await selection.

They participated in the selection process of the Ministry of Personnel, were appointed according to their abilities, and given official positions.

This result,

This surprised and delighted many people.

The tens of thousands of Han Chinese in the northern frontier under the rule of the Later Sui Dynasty who had families in the Central Plains could choose to return to their hometowns. Li Yi would give them travel expenses and send people to send them to the Central Plains in batches.

Of course, those whose families were destroyed and who had no relatives left in the Central Plains during the chaos of the Sui Dynasty, and who did not want to return, could also be settled in Daibei and given land.

As for those Han Chinese people who were originally captured and enslaved by the Turks...

Li Yi announced that all of them had been restored to their status as free men, and they could choose to return to their hometowns in the Central Plains or stay in Daibei to settle down. They would be given travel expenses to go home and settlement allowances to stay.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

Jieli was defeated and captured, and the Khan's court was breached.

Meanwhile, the leaders of several core Blue Turkic tribes, including the Zhishi and Ashide tribes, were also captured along with Jieli.

This has turned the Dingxiang Khanate at the foot of Yinshan Mountain, along with the surrounding tribes, into a disorganized mess.

Faced with the Tang army's attack, some tribes chose to flee in the wind and snow; some fled north towards the Yin Mountains, while others fled west towards the Hetao region.

However, most of them were intercepted and ambushed by Su Dingfang, Yuchi Gong and others, resulting in heavy losses.

In this cold winter

It's not that easy to hastily move your people and livestock.

Already suffering from the white disaster, many livestock froze to death. This escape will only lead to more livestock deaths. Even if they manage to escape, the tribe will find it difficult to survive the rest of the year.

There was no way to escape.
Many tribes had no choice but to surrender.

Li Yi had given an order that those who surrendered would not be killed, and indeed, they were not killed after they surrendered.

But as a captive, he can no longer be as carefree as before.

For the time being, Li Yi only did three things for these surrendered people.

Firstly, all Han Chinese slaves in each tribe, whether bought or stolen, were taken away and would regain their status as free people of the Tang Dynasty.

Even those who had been slaves to the Turks for decades, or even generations, were all taken away and released by the Tang army.

Even those with Han Chinese blood can be granted exemption from punishment and treated as free citizens. Some fathers are Han Chinese and mothers are Sogdians, or mothers are Han Chinese and fathers are Tiele slaves, and they are now treated as Han citizens.

Li Yi's second order to the surrendered Turkic tribes was to confiscate their weapons and equipment, but allow them to keep their bows and swords.

But their armor, crossbows, spears, and shields were confiscated.

A tribe of a thousand people is allowed to retain a guard of fifty people.

Li Yi also ordered the collection of a cattle leg tax from the various Turkic tribes, levying a tax on one-quarter of the livestock.

He did not kill the surrendered Turkic tribes, but he also wanted to destroy their foundation.

"Tell the surrendered tribes that not only will a tax be levied on cattle legs and one-fourth of their livestock, but also on able-bodied men. One able-bodied man will be conscripted from every ten households to serve in the army. The term of service is one year, and they will be rotated after their term."

After accepting Yang Zhengdao's surrender at the Sui Palace in Dingxiang, Li Yi summoned the nobles from the surrendered tribes, including Zhishi Sili.
"Heaven cherishes life, and the sages are lenient with you, but you should not neglect the orders of the court because of this."

The tax on cattle legs is levied at one-tenth of the value of livestock, and the conscription order requires the removal of one man from every ten households; these must be fully implemented.

Anyone who tries to outsmart me or feign compliance will face my wrath; don't blame me for being ruthless.

"The number of armor, bows and crossbows, swords and spears, and warhorses in the hands of each tribe must be carefully counted and reported truthfully. Armor, crossbows and spears must be handed over."

"Each department is only allowed to keep bows and swords, and is not allowed to privately possess armor, crossbows and spears."

"For the time being, you may continue to stay here and graze your livestock."

Li Yi picked up a cup of tea and sipped it slowly, letting the nobles who had surrendered to the various tribes understand the situation.

I'm not afraid they won't agree.

They're like meat on a chopping board now; they have no right to refuse.

If it weren't for the fact that the Turks were still quite powerful at the moment, even though they captured Jieli and broke through the Khan's court, it would only be a successful decapitation strike.
The main task at this stage is to prevent a united counterattack by the various Turkic tribes, to weaken and divide them, and to focus on attacking the main force of Jieli.

For the time being, the Turkic powerhouses who were enfeoffed in their own territories, such as Tuli, Yusheshe, Shaboluoshe, Bulishe, Tuoshe, and Yugushe, should be appeased and not provoked.

As for the main force of Jieli,

Then we should attack them while simultaneously trying to win them over, and take the opportunity to weaken their power.

We must not push them to the brink of desperation.
But we can't let them preserve their strength.

This balance needs to be struck carefully.

"After discussing with the King of Qin, I petitioned the Emperor in Chang'an, and the court agreed to temporarily establish the Dingxiang Governor's Office in Dingxiang, under which were placed the four prefectures of Ashide, Zhishi, Sunong, and Bayan."

A separate Yunzhong Protectorate was established, under which five prefectures were established: Ashina Prefecture, Sheli Prefecture, Chuo Prefecture, Sibi Prefecture, and Baideng Prefecture.

The Turkic Blue Turks consisted of five core tribes: Ashina, Ashide, Zhishi, Sunong, and Bayan.

Li Yi's suggestion to Li Shimin was to establish two governorates in five parts, with nine prefectures under them.

In addition to the five tribes of Ashina, each of which was given a province, a portion of the people from the five tribes were separated to establish four new provinces.

Divide and conquer.

The four core tribes of the traditional Blue Turks jointly established the Dingxiang Governor's Office.

The Ashina tribe, along with the four newly established tribes that emerged from the various divisions, was set up as the Yunzhong Governor-General's Office.

The Nine Provinces are actually nine provinces, each with approximately ten thousand tents.

The Nine Provinces are nine ten-thousand-household units.

The imperial court appointed the leaders of the nine tribes as governors.

Each prefecture is further divided into left and right sections, each with one county, and each section has five thousand households.

The leaders of Ashina and Ashide were granted the title of governors of two governorates.

The two governors-general, nine prefects, eighteen generals, and ninety captains and commanders were all appointed and granted titles by the imperial court.
The governor-general could not directly appoint or dismiss the prefects, generals, and captains under his command. They could recommend them to the court, but the appointment was only legal if the court approved it.

One man will be conscripted from every ten households; from these 90,000 households, 9,000 able-bodied men will be conscripted to serve in the Tang army.

For every thousand tents, a guard of fifty men can be retained, along with a full set of weapons and equipment.

The other members of the tribe could only possess ordinary bows and swords, and could not possess armor, shields, spears, crossbows, or other equipment.

Control,

Ji, the bridle of a horse; Mi, the nose rope of a cow.

Li Yi suggested implementing a system of indirect rule over the Turks, first controlling them roughly and then granting them a relatively high degree of autonomy.

In this way, they wouldn't strongly oppose it, giving the Tang Dynasty room to maneuver.

At this stage, it is unrealistic to directly drive the Turks north of the Yin Mountains.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"
The imperial court has already shown you a golden path; just follow it and be careful not to stray onto the wrong path.

"Don't emulate Jieli Khan."

Back then, Qimin Khan had the support of the Central Plains court, which enabled him to become the Great Khan, unify the grasslands, and ultimately die a peaceful death.

As for Qimin Khan's three sons, Shibi Khan, Chuluo Khan, and the current Jieli Khan, the three brothers have forgotten their roots and betrayed their righteousness, and Heaven condemns them.

Shibi Khan died on his way to invade the Central Plains, passing away suddenly in Xia Prefecture. Chuluo Khan also died on his way to invade the Central Plains, passing away in Mayi.

Even today, Jieli was defeated and killed at Yehuling, where he invaded Northern Yanzhou.

What else could this be but divine retribution?

The group of surrendered Turkic nobles were all heavy-hearted. Were Li Yi's demands excessive? They sounded quite excessive.
A tax on cattle legs, levied on one of the four types of livestock.

One in ten households was assigned to service.

Even the establishment of two governorates, nine prefectures, and ten-thousand-household units and one-thousand-household units all required the Tang Dynasty to grant titles and interfere in their internal affairs.

Can,
They are now the defeated side.

The Khan was defeated, and his 30,000 troops were wiped out at Yehuling, and the Khan's court was breached.

Tuli and Yushe have both submitted to the Tang Dynasty and surrendered.

These tribes all have knives at their throats.

The Tang people still left them some leeway.

Everyone had mixed feelings.

After the siege of Yanmen, the Turks finally overthrew the Central Plains dynasty that had been dominating them, and triumphed.

But it's only been a few years.

The Han Chinese from the Central Plains are going to ride on their necks again.

Zhishi Sili, representing the Zhishi tribe, hesitated before saying, "Our Zhishi tribe is currently in a difficult situation. We have suffered successive defeats, losing many able-bodied men, and have just experienced a severe drought, resulting in the deaths of many livestock."
This turmoil has resulted in the deaths of many more livestock.

Our Zhishi tribe is facing a severe famine; we implore Minister Li to allow our tribe to survive.

The other parts also surrendered and begged for mercy.

Li Yi took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and said, "The imperial court will naturally not abandon you. If you send over the cattle and sheep that have frozen to death, I will organize merchants from the Central Plains to buy them and exchange them for grain to help you survive the famine."

You may also bring your horses and camels to trade, exchanging them for cloth, grain, salt, and tea.”

“I can even act as a middleman for you, allowing you to borrow grain first, and repay it next year with cattle and sheep hides, etc., and only charge a little interest.”

Li Yi told them with a kind smile.

They traded frozen cattle and sheep, along with their warhorses, camels, hides, and ghee for grain, salt, and tea.

This sounds like a very kind suggestion to help them get through the famine following the white disaster and the war.

But there are traps hidden here. The grain of the Tang Dynasty is not so easy to exchange. Their warhorses and camels will be underestimated, and the meat of the frozen cattle and sheep will be sold cheaply.

The interest on that borrowed grain will not be low.

(End of this chapter)