The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 669: The Closed Hui Traitor

Just as Mozibu was making intensive preparations for the Western Expedition, the unrest in the Western Regions' Zunghar (northern Xinjiang) and Hui (southern Xinjiang) had begun to ease.

This is because the power that the party that instigated the unrest, that is, the Hui rebels who colluded with the Khanate of Kokand, has basically reached its limit.
Before this, after the annihilation of the Dzungar tribe, the Qing Dynasty's rule over the Western Regions was still very methodical.

In terms of titles, the Qing Dynasty established the Hami Zasak Heshuo Prince, Turpan and Kuche Duolo Junwang, Aksu Duolo Beile (who enjoyed the treatment of Junwang), three auxiliary dukes of Baicheng, Khotan and Wushi, and a light cavalry commander of the Wushi Hui tribe.

In the specific local urban governance, the third to sixth grade Aqimbeks were established in Aksu, Wushi, Yarkand, Kashgar and other places, with a total number of about 38 people.

At the same time, major cities established ministers or military generals stationed in the Hui tribe and recruited Hui people as Green Camp soldiers, etc.

These three institutions intersect with each other, and the title holder is the regional tribal leader, who also has certain religious rights.

Berk was the local city manager, but he could only manage the Hui people, not the Han, Mongolian, Xibai and other ethnic groups.

The minister stationed in the Hui tribe not only manages the Han and Mongolian people, but also supervises the beg and controls the garrison.

This management system was much more advanced than the one in the Han and Tang dynasties, where soldiers were only stationed in large cities and cultivated land in the surrounding areas, and the government relied entirely on local princes.

However, the pressure that the Qing Dynasty faced in ruling the Western Regions was unprecedented in the Han and Tang dynasties.

The reason is that during the Han and Tang dynasties, whether it was the Kushan Empire faced by the Western Han Dynasty, the Nine Clans of Zhaowu faced by the Tang Dynasty, or even the Arab Empire that expanded to Transoxiana later, it was difficult for them to cause such great religious pressure on the Han and Tang empires as during the Qing Dynasty.

Although the Xiongnu and Turks were powerful in the past, neither of them was able to complete the religious control over the countries in the Western Regions. Only now, Transoxiana's religious influence on the Western Regions is extremely powerful.

Even though the Andijan people in Kokand contemptuously called the Hui people "ten Hui people are not as good as one Andijan", and looked at the Hui people with an attitude of big brother or even master, the Hui people still accepted it.

The reason is that the Hui people believe that they are of the same ethnic group as the Bukit Beks, and that the Bukit Beks are not ruled by foreign races (the central government) and live in the place where the Khoja (descendants of the saints) preach the scriptures, so they are inherently nobler than them.

If the Hui people wanted to return to their own ethnic group and become as noble as the Bukit Bek people, they had to get rid of foreign rule, follow the holy descendant Khoja to establish a theocratic regime, and finally spread the voice of God eastward.

Use this kind of achievement to make yourself noble.

This was the central idea of the Hui people in the Qing Dynasty, and also the most basic reason for their numerous rebellions in history.

Of course, there is another reason, which is that there is no benefit in following the central dynasty.

Whether you rule him or not, his days will be the same, so naturally he will want to be with those he thinks are his own people, or establish his own country.

It’s a pity that the Hui people were latecomers to this ancient land. Although they lived here, the Western Regions were not the Hui people’s Western Regions, but an integral part of the Chinese Empire.

Since you want to split the world, you must be prepared to lose your life!
. . . .

In Urumqi City, Li Xianwen, the Prince of Ningxia and the founder of Dayu, has moved his palace here.

However, the situation on the map does not look good. At present, Dayu has not yet fully controlled the Western Regions, let alone the Junggar tribe in the north.

They only occupied eight major cities, including Hami, Turpan, Barkol, Gucheng (Qitai), Urumqi, Karasar (Yanqi), and Kulungle (Korla).

The rest even gave up Ili. The western outpost was Manas, which was only about 130 kilometers away from Urumqi.

Of course, all this is a disguise. Dayu Dynasty is like a tiger hiding in the bushes, revealing its two furry ears and big round head. It looks a bit lethal, but even more adorable.

As for the sharp claws, strong and developed muscles, and pointed fangs, they are all hidden.

Of course, there are also practical reasons, that is, the size of the Western Regions is beyond the imagination of people in the mainland.

For example, if you draw a straight line from the easternmost to the westernmost end of Urumqi Prefecture, it is basically the straight-line distance from north to south of Zhejiang Province. In terms of area, Xinjiang is almost sixteen times the size of Zhejiang.

Such a large territory, but the population is very small. During the Qianlong period before the chaos, the population was 1.03 million. It is unknown whether there are 800,000 now. In comparison, the data for Zhejiang Province are 23 million and 26 million.

In addition, there were Gobi deserts and high mountains everywhere, so the logistical pressure of fighting was particularly great. During the rebellion of the two Hezhuos, the number of rebel soldiers was only 20,000 to 30,000.

And Dayu wanted to win this battle in a crushing manner and also march into Hezhong, so the number of troops could not be reduced, otherwise they would not be able to withdraw soldiers to guard important cities.

However, if the number of people exceeds 30,000, logistics will become difficult, and if it exceeds 50,000, there will definitely be a food shortage.

Even if 50,000 or 80,000 people were to invade at once, the sudden increase in population would cause the local ecology to collapse, and even drinking water would become a problem.

After all, the Western Regions are no longer the Western Regions of the Han and Tang Dynasties. As the precipitation line and temperature continued to move south, it could no longer support the imperial court of the Han and Tang Dynasties, which mobilized soldiers and civilians, often numbering 80,000 or even 100,000 troops.

The only way is what Li Xianwen is doing now, which is to establish a supply line from Lanzhou to Urumqi.

To this end, Li Xianwen arranged all the immigrants along the route from Lanzhou to Urumqi, and let them settle along the line of Lanzhou-Liangzhou-Ganzhou-Suzhou-Shazhou-Hami-Turpan-Urumqi.

Along the way, the Northwest Mission established 71 supply depots, supplied 1,727 agricultural cooperative farms, and mobilized more than five million people.

It ensured that when the army set out from Lanzhou, there would be a place for supply every fifty miles.

Li Xianwen spent nine years to accomplish this one thing, and it can be said that his contribution was of great importance, because with this complete supply line, Dayu was able to exert its strength.

There is no other way. If you really want to control the Western Regions, you must do this. Although there are Mongolian tribes in the south and north of the desert to rely on, you cannot rely on them completely.

Relying entirely on them would increase their voice, and would instead cause the court to be held hostage by the Mongolian princes to a certain extent, at least in terms of policy.

Therefore, the main force in the battle still had to be the Han people themselves, and the Mongolian cavalry could only play a supporting role.

In the palace, Li Xianwen used an abacus to calculate the total income and expenditure for this year, then shook his head helplessly.

Another loss of 17 million silver dollars was due not only to the cost of gathering 80,000 troops, but also to the cost of settling the people. The money was spent on food for the people and horses, and money was spent like water.

"Your Majesty, the court's reimbursement budget has been released. The Ministry of Revenue has allocated 6 million, the Ministry of War has allocated 3 million, the Ministry of Works has allocated 800,000, and the Ministry of Personnel has allocated 600,000. The remaining 6.6 million was all raised by Your Majesty.

Of this, 1.6 million is from Your Majesty's treasury, 2 million is an interest-free loan from the Fuxing Development Bank, and 3 million is a low-interest loan from the Jiangnan Bank, Huitong Bank, and Qiantang Bank.

After hearing the report from the military commander of the palace, Li Xianwen, who was dressed in coarse cloth, sighed deeply and bowed to the east.

"Your Majesty understands the hardships we face. Since the court couldn't approve such a large budget all at once, they used the imperial treasury and bank loans to make up for it. No matter what, they had to give us enough money."

The reason why Li Xianwen looked so grateful was that he didn't care at all about the loan of several million silver dollars.

That's because although it was a loan, it did not require his Ningxia Prince's Mansion to repay it, nor did it require the Northwest Mission Office, or the Gansu and Junggar Provincial Offices to repay it.

Instead, in the future, the imperial court will calculate it as military expenses, and repay it in installments from the imperial finances in the coming years. The payment period may be as long as ten to fifteen years, so as to alleviate financial pressure.

To put it bluntly, Li Xianwen was only in charge of the northwest, and the northwest was not given to Li Xianwen.

If Li Xianwen is required to bear the debt, then after the Western Regions and Hezhong are conquered in the future, they can only be given to Li Xianwen. Otherwise, there is no reason to let private individuals pay to fight for the country.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Court Staff has sent an urgent message eight hundred miles away. His Majesty has given the order that the Northwest Army may begin its operations."

As soon as the marching Sima left, Luo Siju, the most powerful general under Li Xianwen, rushed over.

Li Xianwen took the secret order from the inner court and took a look at it. His usually calm face couldn't help but reveal an expression of excitement.

The great king who controlled the northwest stood with his hands behind his back and took a deep breath. "For nine years, I, Li Xianwen, have killed countless people in the northwest. I also used swords and guns to force 600,000 Han people to leave their homes and settle in the Zhun tribe. There are countless people who wanted to kill me, and even eat me alive.

At the same time, in order to inflate our military power, we have not only failed to recover an inch of lost territory over the years, but have even given up Ili. Every year, the memorials calling me a coward and incompetent could fill a box."

Li Xianwen waved his hand, clenched his fist, and his eyes were red. "Today, it is finally time for our Northwest Army to show our ambitions." Luo Siju was also excited by what he said. He had been recuperating for several years and had been depressed for several years. Finally, there was a battle to fight.

But who knew that Li Xianwen's next words would surprise him, "Inform Mao Xiangxin to feign defeat once or twice, and then gradually withdraw from Manas."

"Your Majesty, we cannot retreat. Once Manas is lost, Urumqi will face the enemy directly."

Luo Siju quickly shook his head. He was not afraid of himself, but Li Xianwen was right here. If anything went wrong, he would be doomed.

"There is no enemy army. I think they are all at the end of their strength. We don't need so many Hasa guests, so we can sell some to the Hui rebels. Then we won't have to worry about killing them when the time comes.

Heavy snow is coming this year. I estimate that Chen Guangyao's Western Expedition Army will not be able to return to its position until April next year. By the time the news of defeating the Russians and blocking the retreat of the Hasa people comes, it will be at least the end of next year, or even the year after next. We have plenty of time.

Luo Siju, once the enemy arrives after the New Year, I will retreat to Dihua City in the north, and let you hold on in Urumqi to lure out those bastards."

At that time, Urumqi and Dihua were not the same city. One was located south of the Urumqi River and was mainly used for commerce.

Dihua is located in Hebei, commonly known as Hancheng, and focuses more on military affairs and land reclamation.

"I obey your command!" Luo Siju felt relieved when he heard that Li Xianwen would not stay in Urumqi, which was made entirely of earth walls, but would retreat to Dihua, which had a defense system including city walls and watchtowers.

After Luo Siju went down to make arrangements, Li Xianwen called his second son, Li Xingtai, over and said, "You guys have been going to the battlefield for a long time."

Speaking of this, King Li was gritting his teeth. This rebellious son, when he came to the Junggar tribe, wanted to go to war. He always felt that it was he, as a father, who stopped him from going to the battlefield.

"I'm going to garrison Kulongle. I'm going to give you five hundred Torghuts and two thousand from the Qilin tribe of the White Lotus Sect. Remember, if the city survives, the people will live. If the city falls, the people will die. Do you dare to go?"

Kulongle is Korla, the southern gate of Urumqi and Yanqi. The main force of the Hui rebels must have passed through Kulongle.

Moreover, Yugur (Luntai), which is just a hundred kilometers west of Kulonle, is already where the rebels are stationed. I think when the policy of luring the snake out of its hole is further implemented, this must be the place where the rebels will attack most fiercely.

But after hearing this, Li Xingtai smiled nonchalantly, "Those beggars and beggars, who had ten times the number of people back then, surrounded Zhao Hui but didn't dare to fight. They actually let Zhao Hui survive by eating the soldiers' horses and gnawing on tree bark.

They are so timid and cowardly. Even if ten times as many people come, rest assured, they will never be able to break through the city guarded by me, Li Xingtai."

"There's no joking in the military, boy. Although you and I are father and son, if you boast and fail to complete your mission, you will die either on the battlefield or under my military law!"

Li Xianwen looked at his son Li Xingtai solemnly.

Li Xingtai saluted and said, "Your Majesty, please allocate three hundred sun-shooting rifles to assist us. I am willing to issue a military order!"

Li Xianwen nodded. This kid still knew what was right for him. The walls of Kulonle City were quite strong, and the people from the four southern banners of the Tuva people were local tyrants and familiar with the environment.

If there were another 300 sun-shooting rifles capable of firing long bullets (Miné bullets), we should be able to hold the city.

. . . .

Hui people, Kashgar.

At this time, this place had been occupied by the Kokand Khanate. Well, to be precise, Kokand was not yet a Khanate.

Because the title of Great Khan of the Kokand monarch was not a self-proclaimed title, but he inherited the throne of the Chagatai Khanate of Mongolia.

Historically, it was not until the Kokand monarch conquered Tashkent that he was elected as the Great Khan by the Bujibeks, but he has not yet achieved this title.

However, the Kokand Kingdom at this time was much stronger than in history, because Dayu's retreat gave the people of Kokand an opportunity to annex the Hui people.

So four years ago, they defeated Aqimbek who was guarding Kashgar and occupied this pearl of southern Xinjiang.

Immediately afterwards, Kokand, relying on the reputation of Samsak, the son of the Great Khoja Polonidu, forced most of the Hui religious leaders and city lords to submit to Kokand, and basically annexed the entire southern Xinjiang.

However, the Hui people did not usher in the so-called good days.

Because these Kokand people, whom they considered to be of the same ethnic group, treated the Hui people as slaves after they arrived in the Hui tribe.

These Kokand soldiers from Andijan seized the local people's land, cattle, sheep, and even wives and daughters.

In the name of guarding against infidels, they would kick open the door of a house they liked and move in as the master.

If the original male owner dared to resist, he would be beaten at best, and at worst lose his life.

Samsak walked on the streets of Kashgar and saw that the market was in a bleak state. The only ones showing off their might were the Kokand soldiers with swords on their waists and muskets in their hands.

As for the locals, they all lowered their heads and hurried to and fro, as if they were afraid that if they stayed in the sun for too long they would be contaminated by misfortune.

Although the Samosaks considered themselves to be descendants of the saints from Bukhara, their ancestors' sphere of influence was this area and they had lived here for a long time. Therefore, they felt very uncomfortable when they saw these things.

Not long after walking, the sounds of beating with sticks and crying came from a house on the side of the road.

A rude voice rang out, with a distinct Andijan accent, "She's already fourteen years old, not a little girl anymore, she's fully capable of serving me!"

"No, you killed Turdi, took me for yourself, and now you want to take my daughter for yourself. For the sake of Allah, you can't do this, you can't do this!"

Along with the shrill screams of a woman, there was also the faint crying of a little girl, and the even more ferocious sound of sticks hitting people's bodies.

Samsak opened his mouth as if to say something, but his followers behind him quickly stopped him.

"Hezhuo, the Han people are getting weaker and weaker. They have retreated to Urumqi, and soon Karashar (Yanqi) will also be undefendable.

Without the fierce cavalry and musketeers of the Qing Dynasty, the Han people cannot rule the Hui people. The only one we can rely on is His Majesty Narbatu of Kokand."

These idiots have no idea how big the world is, and they don’t know what the terrifying coal and iron empire is.

Well, actually, it’s not his fault. Even in the information-rich era of later generations, the less educated people in Hezhong also didn’t understand what kind of a great empire China was.

Therefore, the little bit of pity that arose in Samsak's heart quickly melted away in the face of what he thought was an exaggerated comparison of strength.

He covered his ears and walked quickly forward, and the screams soon disappeared.

Just as he had suppressed his discomfort and walked into the Kashgar Governor's Mansion, the Governor of Kokand, Muhammad Aimar, told him the good news.

"Your Majesty, under the attack of our Khazak brothers and the light of God, the Han people have abandoned Manas.

They can't hold on any longer. Soon, when the weather gets warmer, we will join forces to capture Dihua and then head east.

These pagans will soon pay the price for their cruelty in the East, in blood!"

Samsak's huge head nodded continuously, and he was very glad that he stood on the side of the winner.

This relatively knowledgeable rebel had a certain understanding of history, but this understanding was very biased. He simply regarded the Ming Dynasty, which could not even control Hami, as the norm for Han dynasties.

That is why he and his followers felt that without the Manchu cavalry and musketeers, the Han people would not have been able to come to the Hui people.

This is the disadvantage of reading halfway through a book. Samsak never imagined that there were the Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty before the Ming Dynasty.

Soon, he will see what the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties is!
(End of this chapter)