Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 545: Hair Shaving Strategy
"What Zhongcheng Yang said is somewhat contradictory." Lu Wenzhao said.

"Why do you think so? I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused by the land." Yang Lian said with a smile.

"You are worried that Hudun Tuhan will send a fake head, but you also think that he is clear-headed and willing to form an alliance through marriage. Isn't this a contradiction? If he is clear-headed, he won't send a fake head. If he sends a fake head, he won't be willing to form an alliance through marriage." Lu Wenzhao said.

"That's not a contradiction," Yang Lian explained. "Hu Dun and Tu Han sent us a fake head, so we can't verify it. But a marriage alliance, something between living people, can't be faked. We can't use threats or bribes to force Hu Dun and Tu Han to hand over a real head, but a marriage alliance can be achieved under the threat of suspending rewards and tribute."

"That's still wrong," Lu Wenzhao said. "A marriage alliance would render the fabrication meaningless. As long as the Chahan tribe marries the descendants of Nanguan, who are supported by the Ming Dynasty, and then uses the banner of helping to recover Nanguan, it will mean that the Chahan tribe has given up on maneuvering and officially broken with the bandits. In this case, even if Hu Dun Tu Han wants to make friends with the bandits, the bandits will not agree, unless Hu Dun Tu Han finds another woman from the bandits to balance the situation. But we will not allow such a clear thing between living people."

Yang Lian listened attentively, frowning and nodding. "Lu Shangcha is right. He's truly a talented young man. But the problem right now is that we haven't yet reached an agreement with the Chahan tribe on the Southwest marriage. The Chahan tribe isn't even aware of our intentions. If they return with a fake head in three days, will we reward them or not?"

Yang Lian's thoughts raced as he came up with a temporary solution. Just as he was hesitating whether to speak, Yuan Keli, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up: "Everyone, I have an idea."

"Please speak, Lord Ji Huan." Yang Lian turned his head in surprise.

"Regarding the Nu envoy," Yuan Keli said, "I believe that regardless of whether the head Hudun Tuhan sent was actually the head of the Nu envoy named 'Shuose Wubashi', as long as they send the head and a token proving their identity, the Liaodong authorities will acknowledge and publicize it as the head of the Nu envoy."

Yang Lian's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he was thinking. He hesitated because it was so embarrassing to hear these words coming out of his mouth. It really seemed like a contradiction and a slap in the face.

"This is an imperial decree. It's not a good idea to make such an expedient decision." Lu Wenzhao didn't think there was anything wrong with it, but he had to say this.

"I think the Emperor's original intention wasn't just for that head." Yuan Keli couldn't see through Lu Wenzhao's thoughts, so he continued to explain according to his prepared words: "In fact, Wen Ru's previous words coincided with the Emperor's intentions. The Emperor's intention is very clear, that is, to use threats and inducements to force Hu Dun Tu Han to completely abandon their wiggle room. I don't know if Lu Shangcha heard that at that time, Naomao Da took the initiative to propose to the Emperor that the Nu tribe envoy named 'Shuose Wubashi' beheaded and sent to him as a sign of obedience."

"Take the initiative?" Yang Lian couldn't help but say.

"Yes," Yuan Keli nodded. "I've seen the records kept by the Ministry of Rites. This matter was indeed initiated by Naomao Da. The records say that the emperor was very dissatisfied with the Chahan tribe's behavior of accepting rewards for nothing but not sending troops to help suppress the rebellion, so he threatened to cut the original reward in half. Naomao Da was deeply afraid of the emperor's wrath, so he took the initiative to propose to execute the Nu tribe envoy who was stationed in Chahan as a show of sincerity."

"Afterwards, the Emperor personally instructed Naomao Da to send someone from the Chahan tribe to hand over the Nu tribe envoy named 'Shuose Wubashi' to Guangning before April. Otherwise, the reward amount would be reduced to half of the previous amount, that is, 20,000 taels per year. At the same time, the Emperor also promised the Chahan tribe some benefits."

"What benefits?" Yang Lian asked immediately.

"The Emperor has promised a reward for first merit," Yuan Keli said. "If Hu Dun and Tu Han launch an attack on the Nu tribe, not only will their previous rewards be restored, but they can also use the court's current reward system to buy the heads of the Nu bandits they capture. That's fifty taels each. With such a combination of kindness and severity, even if Hu Dun and Tu Han tried to play both sides, there would be no room for maneuver."

"So," Yuan Keli concluded, "the emperor's concern isn't the authenticity of the head, but rather to force Hu Dun and Tu Han into a desperate struggle, forcing them to become enemies of the slave bandits. And Guangning's plan perfectly aligns with the emperor's strategy. As long as Hu Dun and Tu Han truly bring the slave bandits' head to Guangning to exchange for silver, then the authenticity of the slave envoy won't matter."

"Just like what Lu Shangcha said just now, as long as the Chahan tribe marries the descendants of Nanguan who are supported by our Ming Dynasty, and then raises the banner of helping to recover Nanguan, it means that the Chahan tribe has officially broken with the bandits. Thinking about it this way, I even think that Hudun Tuhan should be very happy to establish a marriage relationship with Wang Youji. At this time, why should we bother to verify the authenticity of that head?" Yuan Keli looked at Lu Wenzhao intently.

"Yuan Bingxian is indeed thoughtful," Lu Wenzhao nodded, his expression remaining calm. "But I'll be frank. I will report everything I heard today to the Emperor."

"Nothing can be hidden from the Emperor. That's only natural," Yuan Keli nodded. "But no matter how hard we try, the news won't get back and forth in three days. What I'm saying is, while we're reporting this to His Majesty, we can make some temporary arrangements. As long as the Chahan side brings the head and the token, Guangning will give them the silver."

Lu Wenzhao didn't say anything, so Yuan Keli turned to look at Yang Lian. "Wenru, have you prepared this month's reward money?"

"It's been prepared long ago." Yang Lian felt guilty and immediately continued, "The Yizhou Guard's treasury has a permanent reserve of 20,000 taels of silver. This includes both pay for the Yizhou Guard garrison and reserved rewards."

"Did Wan Youfu reach out to the treasuries in various places in Guangning Road?" Lu Wenzhao interrupted and asked.

"He wouldn't dare commit such blatant corruption." Yang Lian shook his head and said, "Guangning has a fixed number of soldiers, a fixed amount of food and pay each month. We can just go to each garrison camp with the roster and the payroll, open the vaults and check, and we'll know if he's taken any money from the treasury."

Yang Lian discovered that Wan Youfu and Li Guangrong had colluded to pocket some of the unearned wages of those killed in action, but overall, it wasn't much, only a few thousand taels of silver over two years. A large portion of this went into government expenses not included in the official budget, such as the monthly rations for the yamen clerks and post station porters, as well as the money paid to the night guards. Not much went into their own pockets. Overall, the amount was within an acceptable range, so Yang Lian turned a blind eye and remained silent.

Even if the emperor knew about such a small matter, he might not care. However, if it was reported in black and white to the Jinyiwei, it might be pulled out. At this time, making Li Guangrong a nobody would not be a good idea.

"I understand." Lu Wenzhao glanced at Li Guangrong, but did not ask any further questions.

"Wen Ru. Forty thousand taels for twelve months, isn't that unfair?" Yuan Keli continued what he had just said.

"It's not fair," Yang Lian nodded. "So, for the first eight months, I'll give you 3,000 taels per month, and for the last four months, I'll give you 4,000 taels per month."

"So, this month's three thousand taels?" Yuan Keli asked. "Yes. It's all packed. We're just waiting for them to come with the carriage." Yang Lian nodded.

"It's only 1,500 taels. Even if I was cheated, I'll just treat it as feeding the dog." Yuan Keli looked at Lu Wenzhao. "What do you think of Lu Shangchao?"

"Local matters should be decided locally." Lu Wenzhao smiled. "The Jinyiwei only listens and does not interfere."

"Wen Ru, what do you think?" Yuan Keli looked at Yang Lian.

"That's what I thought!" Yang Lian nodded directly. "The overall situation is more important. As long as the Han tribe accepts the slave bandit's head in exchange for money and agrees to a marriage, then the authenticity of the head won't matter. Hiss!" Yang Lian's expression suddenly changed, and his brow furrowed, as if he had suddenly thought of something. "Everyone, I've suddenly thought of something."

"Wen Ru has any other concerns?" Yuan Keli asked.

Yang Lian's voice unconsciously rose two notches. "This Tiger Dun Tu Han could easily use the head of another part of his body to counter the head of this slave thief and defraud the court of a reward!"

"Didn't I just say it? We should try to find a workaround." Yuan Keli didn't understand for a moment.

"It's not the envoy's head, but the head for money!" Yang Lian said, "If the Chahan tribe uses the heads of other Yi tribes as slaves to exchange for the court's first merit reward, it won't be a question of expediency or not!"

"You should be able to tell the difference, right?" Yuan Keli looked at Li Guangrong.

Li Guangrong shuddered. He was on pins and needles, not wanting to say a word, just wanting to get out of here. But since he was being asked, he could only quickly collect himself and answer seriously. "There is indeed a significant difference between the Western Tartars and the bandits. The popular hairstyles among the Western Tartars are usually 'Qiechou'er' and 'Sandatou'. 'Qiechou'er' means shaving the top of the head, leaving only a small tuft on the forehead, and braiding the remaining hair into small braids," Li Guangrong said, removing his hat and gesturing on his own head.

"As for the 'three-part hairstyle', the hair on the forehead is cut short and hangs loose, while the hair on the sides is braided and hangs down to the shoulders. In addition to these two typical hairstyles, there are also 'big open door', 'single-line door', 'flower bowl', 'big round forehead' and so on. In short, it is quite complicated. Unlike slaves, slaves often shave their hair from the forehead to the back of the head, leaving only a long hair at the back of the head braided into a thin braid. This is often called a rat tail."

Li Guangrong pulled back again. "However, Yang Zhongcheng's concerns are not without reason. From what I understand, those intermingled tribes also have quite a few Tatars with pigtails, or Jurchen women with 'Qiechou' (scarcely hair) and 'Sandatou' (three-piece hair). To us, these heads don't make much difference; they're all worth fifty taels of silver each. But if the Chahan tribe can also exchange heads for heads, then the problem of distinguishing them will inevitably arise. This is indeed a troublesome matter."

Yuan Keli nodded to Li Guangrong and then said to Yang Lian, "I don't think Hudun and Tuhan would trade their own people's heads for money. That would be too unpopular. If he really did that, he would definitely alienate himself."

Lu Wenzhao didn't say anything, but he secretly complained: It's the barbarians who are kicking me in the bed, so let them kill me.

Yang Lian said warily, "Hudun and Tuhan certainly won't trade their own people's heads for money. But he can use the heads of the Chaohua people to deceive us. The Chaohua Five Camps are adjacent to the Jurchen tribes, especially the Beiguan, and they have a lot of exchanges. As far as I know, many people in the Chaohua tribe have those pigtails that look like rat tails. Hudun and Tuhan have always coveted the territory and power of the old Chaohua. There have been constant frictions recently. If this policy is implemented, I am afraid that the Chahan and Chaohua tribes will really go to war. At this time, a war between the Chahan and Chaohua will only benefit the slave thieves!"

"We can do this!" Yuan Keli thought as he listened, and immediately responded as soon as Yang Lian finished speaking.

"Has Lord Jie Huan come up with a solution?" Yang Lian asked immediately.

"I think we can have two options." Yuan Keli held up two fingers. "First, only accept heads with rattails. Those with other hairstyles won't be accepted. Second, send someone to notify the Chaohua Department to shave those heads with rattails. Then, change their hairstyle to another one, and don't accept any more rattails."

"Yuan Bingxian, please forgive me for speaking frankly, but those who have pigtails may not be willing to shave them off." Wang Shizhong said in a low voice, shrinking his head.

"They also say 'our body and hair are given by our parents'?" Yuan Keli couldn't help but chuckle.

"Of course not. Those people can't read the Book of Filial Piety," Wang Shizhong explained. "People with this hairstyle tend to believe in shamanism, and of course they may also believe in the Eternal Heaven. But regardless, they believe that hair can receive spiritual energy from the heavens, so they must leave a small tuft of hair on the top of their heads to absorb spiritual energy. If they shave their heads completely, they won't be able to receive any of it. That's why I think those who wear pigtails might not be willing to shave their heads completely."

Wang Shizhong was even quite certain about this. He had accompanied his younger sister to the capital, along with several elderly male servants loyal to the Hada tribe. Although these servants lived in the capital, they had hardly assimilated fully into the Han culture. Therefore, they never changed their hairstyles. Fortunately, before Nurhaci rebelled, the capital was a relatively tolerant place. Apart from the curious glances at those who were different, there wasn't much overt hostility.

"It would be fine if Wang Youji could come up with a better idea." Yuan Keli was not annoyed.

"I am stupid. I just made a suggestion without any hesitation." Wang Shizhong shook his head and bowed.

"That's all we can do for now. If they don't want to shave their heads, they'll just be rewarded with their heads and exchanged for money," Yuan Keli said. "What do you think?"

Lu Wenzhao didn't respond, but just nodded. Li Guangrong continued to look at Yang Lian as before.

Yang Lian sighed. "I think the choice between life and death shouldn't be that difficult."

(End of this chapter)