Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 307 Zhao Shuo Khanate has too much land, even the Dukes don't have enough!

The four surnames Le, Dinh, Ly, and Tran are the four surnames of the Annamese people who established dynasties since they became independent from China.

The Nguyen surname, on the other hand, was a prominent surname that emerged in Annam two hundred years ago. It not only produced many high-ranking officials and famous generals, but also frequently intermarried with the royal family.

The mother of the current Emperor Tran Chau of Annam was surnamed Nguyen.

Of course, there were also later dynasties, such as the Tay Son Dynasty and the Nguyen Dynasty in Annam, both founded by the Nguyen family.

Zhao He wanted to kill all the people of these five surnames, partly to eliminate all influential surnames in Annam, and partly to destroy the Annamite heritage.

Surnames can be falsely claimed, family trees can be forged, but a head cannot grow back once it's lost. The knowledge and skills contained within one's head cannot be passed down to the dead.

By killing all the men of these five clans, a large portion of the Annamite heroes would be wiped out, and the number of people who could pass on their military and political skills to the Annamite people would be greatly reduced. Furthermore, no one in Annam desires the restoration of Đại Việt more than these five clans; it's best to eliminate them all.

In addition, it can send a clear signal to the Annamese: anyone who dares to organize the restoration of Annamese will be investigated by the Chinese people, no matter how long it has been, and all male members of their clan will be executed.

Zhao He also prepared a series of countermeasures for the remaining Annamese.

Firstly, the Annamese can provide evidence that their ancestors came from China, placing them in the first class below the Han and Mongol peoples, and thus calling themselves the descendants of the Chinese in Annam.

Male members of the family were granted fifty mu of land and were given priority in taking the imperial examinations, with priority given to them over other Annamese. However, those who passed the examinations were not permitted to hold office in Annamese.

Secondly, those who cannot provide evidence that their ancestors came from Huaxia were granted thirty mu of land as male members, and their quota for the imperial examinations was placed after that of the Huaxia descendants.

This artificially divided the Annamese into two ethnic groups.

Their ancestors came from China. Not only do they worship their ancestors every year, but they also receive different treatment from ordinary Annamese people in terms of politics and economy. They constantly remind themselves that they are descendants of China. Why should they be of the same race as you?

Thirdly, Zhao He further subdivided the barbarian tribes.
The barbarians north of the Fulang River were the first to submit. Zhao He divided them into six major groups based on their original ethnic affiliation, calling them the Upper Six Barbarians.

The barbarians south of the Fulang River who were to submit to Zhao He would be divided into seven major groups based on their original tribal territories, known as the Lower Seven Barbarians.

The number of civil service examination slots for these barbarians was even lower than that for ordinary Annamese people. Besides, very few of them were literate, so their chances of passing the civil service examinations were practically nonexistent.

However, Zhao He also gave them a way out: they were allowed to join the Fubing (府兵) and those who made meritorious contributions could join the Eight Banners. After joining the Eight Banners, they could change their nationality to Han or Mongol.

The countries of the Indochina Peninsula are mountainous and densely forested, rife with miasma and disease, making them extremely difficult to attack. From then on, when the Zhao Shuo Khanate attacked the countries of the Indochina Peninsula, it would no longer deploy Han Chinese troops, but instead use the Han Chinese Eight Banners as the core, with these barbarian troops as auxiliary forces.

They have adapted to the climate of the Indochina Peninsula and have tasted the benefits of plunder, making them an important force in the empire's expansion into the Indochina Peninsula.

As generations of barbarians pay blood taxes to the Chinese, they will gradually assimilate into Chinese society.

Furthermore, the number of soldiers allowed to join the imperial army by the empire differs between the Upper Six Barbarians and the Lower Seven Barbarians, even with the same population size. Moreover, adjustments are made every ten years based on each barbarian's contribution to the empire.

In general, Zhao He's strategy can be called the "Annam Subdivision Act," which divides the Annamite people into four classes, and then further subdivides them, artificially creating divisions so that these people cannot unite to fight against China.

As more and more Han Chinese migrate, and as the Annamese and barbarian heroes transform into Han Chinese, this place will be completely transformed into the fertile land of China within a hundred years.

Chen Shoudu could not possibly know that Zhao He would further subdivide the Annamese.

However, he was a ruthless and powerful figure, the de facto ruler of Annam, and he understood all too well what the extermination of the five clans meant. This decree alone was enough to break his resolve.

"No! Your Highness, you can't do this!"

"There's an old Chinese saying: 'Kill prisoners of war but not those who surrender,' let alone those who have surrendered. Think it over again!"

"No one from the Nguyen family has ever been emperor, so killing someone from the Nguyen family would be pointless! Aren't you afraid of causing panic among the Annamese people?"

"The cycle of karma is inescapable! The Zhao family may one day face its own destruction. Aren't you afraid that future generations will follow suit?"

……

Even as he faced death, Chen Shoudu did his utmost to preserve the seeds of Annam's revival, persuading Zhao He with words that even carried a hint of threat.

However, it's useless, completely useless.

"Noisy!"

Zhao He waved his hand and said, "Drag him and Chen Jiong away, skin them alive, and stuff them with straw!"

"Yes!"

Soldiers stepped forward, dragged Chen Jiong and Chen Shoudu away.

At this time, the executions of the Pu family and other Semu people had begun. Those carrying out the executions were all Song soldiers. Because of the Pu family's rebellion, the small Song court had lost nearly half its population, and the soldiers truly hated these Semu people to the core. Especially the Pu Shougeng family; each person received 3,600 cuts, not a single one spared.

As for the others, the executions were carried out by the Han soldiers.

In any case, in the Battle of Thanh Hoa, only six thousand young women from Annam survived. The bodies of the other eighty thousand-plus people were used to build a huge mound of corpses.

Subsequently, Zhao Shuo led an army of over 100,000 men southward.

South of Thanh Hoa, Annam was left with only the Dinh Chau Road, Nghe An Road, and Tan Binh Road. This area housed Annam's 10,000 border troops, a negligible force.

The Annamese population wasn't large, only around 100,000. However, there were quite a few barbarians, numbering over 600,000.

These people were no match for Zhao He's overwhelming army. Moreover, it was winter, with little rain, making it difficult for disease to spread.

Within three months, it was pacified by Zhao He, who then erected three mounds of skulls.

In summary, Zhao He erected one mound of skulls at Zhiling Pass, nine along the Fuliang River, one in Thanh Hoa, and three in southern Annam. These fourteen mounds, in total, proclaimed Zhao He's glorious military achievements and the re-establishment of Chinese rule over Annam.

Now, Annam, which originally had a population of four million, has only about seven hundred thousand people left.

Of course, this population of 700,000 does not include the female prisoners held by Zhao He.

The number of female prisoners that Zhao He has not yet assigned is as high as 300,000.

He specially selected one thousand men of the finest appearance, of whom three hundred were transported to Zhongdu and presented to Zhao Shuo. The remaining seven hundred were either kept by himself or distributed among the princes and generals of the Han army.

The remaining female captives were distributed among the Eight Banners soldiers and later Han Chinese immigrants.

The Red River Delta is a treasure trove, developed earlier than the Pearl River Delta in China, and requires at least 200,000 immigrants.

After another month of rest, Zhao Shuo's decree regarding the rewards and honors for the generals arrived.

Outside the city of Daluo, Zhao He personally presided over the ceremony of bestowing titles and rewards upon the generals.

The so-called Dai Lo City is actually Thang Long City. The name "Thang Long" is too taboo; what dragon could tiny Annam possibly have?

Zhao Shuo decided to restore the city to its original name, Da Luo.

This city was first established in 621 AD, and was then called "Zicheng".

During the Tang Dynasty, it was called "Songping".

Later, it was renamed "Daluo" and became the seat of government of Gao Pian during the Tang Dynasty.

It wasn't until 270, when the founding emperor of the Annam Ly Dynasty, Ly Cong Uan, moved the capital from Hoa Lu to this location, that Da Luo was renamed Thang Long. Now, Zhao Shuo has renamed "Thang Long" back to "Da Luo".

"Loyal and brave soldiers!"

On the three-zhang-high platform, Zhao He slowly looked down at the 100,000 soldiers below. The Song army naturally did not participate in the ceremony, as it was Zhao Shuo's bestowal of titles upon the soldiers of the Zhao Shuo Khanate. The Song army was stationed throughout Annam, maintaining its stability.

The navy has many other tasks to attend to, and only 20,000 people participated in this ceremony.

Zhao He said, "We will take about a year and a half to bring Annam back to China. You are all heroes of China! Now, my father has issued a decree to bestow titles upon the soldiers who have made great contributions in this battle. Meng Gong!"

"exist!"

Meng Gong, the deputy commander of this southern expedition, agreed and strode confidently onto the high platform.

Zhao He said, "Meng Gong, since you followed me on the southern expedition, you have never made a mistake in your planning and strategizing. You deserve the most credit for this expedition. Now, your father hereby bestows upon you the title of Marquis of Xinjiang Prefecture. Xinjiang Prefecture is located in southern Australia, with fertile land and favorable weather. All the land, with a circumference of four hundred li, belongs to you!"

Meng Gong bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Meng Gong's ancestral home was Jiangzhou, so Zhao Shuo named his fiefdom Xin Jiangzhou.

Its circumference is four hundred li, roughly equivalent to the area of ​​three counties in the Central Plains.

This place was actually Griffith in what is now New South Wales, the core irrigation area of ​​the Murray-Darling Basin. In later times, it became famous for grapes, citrus fruits, cotton, almonds, and rice.

Of course, there are only some indigenous people here now, and no ready-made fields. Meng Gong and his descendants still need to manage it carefully.

Although Zhao He had already informed Meng Gong beforehand, Meng Gong was still extremely excited at this moment.

Indeed, those veteran commanders of ten thousand households had already been granted the title of Duke, so it seemed a bit too low for him to be granted only the title of Marquis.

But what contributions did he make to the Zhao Shuo Khanate?
He merely persuaded some of his former subordinates to surrender, participated in the war to destroy Fusang, and participated in this southern expedition. Compared to the achievements of those veteran commanders of ten thousand households, it is simply insignificant.

Even so, Zhao Shuo still bestowed upon him a marquisate for his meritorious service in this southern expedition!
What are we afraid of if there are only a few wild men in the area?
Meng Gong is rich!

He was an honest and upright official in the State of Song, and he often used his own money to subsidize his subordinates, so he was not particularly wealthy.

However, the Zhao Shuo Khanate distributed spoils of war.

The wars against Japan and Annam brought Meng Gong immense wealth.

Moreover, there are now many slave-catching teams in China. As long as you have money, you don't have to worry about not being able to buy slaves.

He used the money he earned to cultivate land with a circumference of four hundred li, leaving a valuable legacy for future generations.

Meng Gong was also a human being, and he also hoped that his family would be wealthy, that his wife and children would have a better life, and that he would leave a rich legacy for his descendants.

Back in the State of Song, wasn't it difficult and impossible to even protect one's home and country?

Now, how long has he been under Zhao Shuo's command? He has already legally and legitimately amassed such a large fortune. How could he not be extremely happy?

Zhao He continued, "The country is secure!"

"exist!"

Guo Yong'an stepped onto the command platform and bowed deeply, saying, "This humble general pays respects to the Crown Prince!"

Zhao He said, "In the Battle of Zhiling Pass, you annihilated over 100,000 enemy soldiers, which is the second greatest achievement in this war to destroy Yue. Now, your father bestows upon you the title of Marquis of Xinzizhou. Xinzizhou is located on a large island in the South Seas, with fertile land and favorable weather. The entire territory, spanning four hundred li in circumference, belongs to you!"

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Guo Yong'an's ancestral home was Zizhou, and his fiefdom was named after the new Zizhou.

His fiefdom was actually on the island of Holo in the South Pacific.

This is a unique volcanic island in the Sulu Archipelago. Thanks to volcanic ash from volcanic activity, the island has fertile soil and large areas of arable land, mainly used for growing rice, coconuts, cassava, and fruits.

However, Zhao Shuo's Khanate expanded too quickly and did not have time to eliminate the local indigenous people.

Therefore, although the island has ready-made fertile fields to cultivate, the local natives need to gather manpower themselves to clear them.

However, considering the ease of capturing slaves here and the extremely low cost of transporting guano from Southeast Asia, it's really hard to say whether his fiefdom or Meng Gong's is better.

……

And so, Zhao He called each of the generals up to the stage and announced the titles that Zhao Shuo would bestow upon them.

This campaign against Annam did not include any of the veteran commanders of the Zhao Shuo Khanate; all the new commanders were granted titles of nobility, differing only in the location of their investiture.

There were differences among the thousand-household commanders; some were granted the title of earl, while others were granted the title of viscount.

The heads of the hundred households were sometimes granted the title of son or the title of baron.

More than two hundred of the ten household heads were granted the title of baron!

There was no other way; the Southeast Asian region was roughly half the size of ancient China. Zhao Shuo only planned to directly govern one-third of the region, delegating the rest to other fiefdoms.

Australia needs to be divided into fiefdoms, since it needs to be developed. If it's not divided, who would want to go?
Therefore, the bestowal of titles became more generous.

However, no matter how generous one is, there must be clear military merits; otherwise, it would be breaking the rules. Therefore, although Zhao Shuo bestowed many titles on the surface, in reality, it was far from meeting the empire's needs.

"Back then, after Emperor Gaozu of Han pacified the empire, his ministers were clamoring, fearing that there wouldn't be enough land to go around. So, Zhang Liang suggested that His Majesty should first enfeoff the person he hated the most, so that everyone would have a chance to be rewarded. Thus, Liu Bang enfeoffed Yong Chi as the Marquis of Shifang."

"And now? The country has acquired so much new land that there aren't enough noble titles to go around. There's no precedent for this, and there may never be one again. It's a happy problem indeed!"

Zhao He thought to himself.

Of course, the soldiers had no idea what he was thinking.

For the soldiers, "being granted a title on the spot" has always been the highest ideal of the Chinese army. Unexpectedly, after just one small victory in Annam, they were directly granted a title!

Moreover, there is a Duke above the Marquisate, which is very gratifying.

The ordinary soldiers of the Eight Banners were also extremely excited.

The conquest of Annam yielded a generous distribution of spoils, which greatly pleased everyone. Furthermore, even the heads of ten households had the opportunity to be ennobled.

Even if they don't think they can become big figures like heads of hundreds or thousands of households, does that mean they can't even become heads of ten households?

After becoming a head of ten households, one may be granted the title of baron!

That's something you can achieve with a little effort!

"Long live the King! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"

After Zhao He read out Zhao Shuo's reward, the 100,000 soldiers cheered in unison, their cheers as powerful as a mountain collapsing and their voices reaching beyond the nine heavens!
(End of this chapter)