Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 198 Sheep

At the top of Lishi City, the smoke of gunpowder had not yet dissipated, and the stench of blood mixed with the smell of burning lingered in the cold wind.

The wolf-head banner, once a symbol of the supreme power of the right wing of the Xiongnu, has long been trampled into a stain on the city bricks.

Beneath the ruined city walls, the surviving Hu soldiers and herdsmen were driven to an open area in the east of the city. Like a flock of frightened sheep, they trembled under the watchful eyes of the Han army's cold blades and crossbow bolts.

Guo Jia wrapped his fur cloak tightly around himself and stood atop the ruins of the city tower. He coldly surveyed the dark mass of prisoners below, his voice clearly carrying throughout the entire area through the metal loudspeaker.

"Listen up, all of you! Lishi has been captured, and Xubugu has been beheaded and executed! From this day forward, Xihe Commandery returns to Han territory!!"

"However, the Xiongnu General Zhang Xian, being benevolent and kind, considering that you were mostly coerced, specially issued the 'Order for Naturalization and Grazing' in Xihe Commandery."

As he finished speaking, several military officers carried a huge wooden plaque and planted it heavily in front of the group of prisoners.

The wooden plaque bears inscriptions in both Han and Hu scripts, written in striking cinnabar.

"All units shall immediately disarm, dismiss private soldiers, register able-bodied men and register them into the Baojia system."

"All tribal pastures will be re-examined and registered by the county government, and grazing land will be allocated according to the number of households."

"The prefecture government established a Market Exchange Office, which was responsible for purchasing livestock products such as wool, sheepskin, beef tendons, and cheese."

"The Market Exchange Office sets fixed prices and exchanges salt, tea, cloth, iron pots, needles and thread, grain and other items for livestock products."

"It is strictly forbidden to privately possess armor, powerful bows, and iron arrowheads. Private fighting and killing between tribes are strictly prohibited. Violators will be punished along with their entire clan and slaughtered!"

The cold, hard law, like an invisible chain, instantly tightened around the hearts of every prisoner.

Disarm? Hand over pastures and livestock? This is tantamount to tearing your bones apart! A commotion broke out in the crowd, with low growls and suppressed sobs rising and falling.

"Why should we? That was a pasture given to our ancestors by the gods!"

An old herdsman with white hair and beard suddenly raised his head, his cloudy old eyes burning with resentful anger.

"Why?"

Guo Jia gave a cold laugh, raising his voice: "Just because my Xiongnu Commandery's troops are invincible wherever they go! Just because we are the ones standing here, and you are the ones kneeling! In short! Under the order of submission, those who obey live, and those who resist die! You choose!"

He waved his hand sharply.

Swish!
The Han archers on guard all around raised their crossbows in unison, pointing them menacingly at the restless crowd.

The nascent spark of resistance was instantly crushed by the threat of force and the terrifying provisions that implicate entire clans and lead to their extermination.

The crowd was deathly silent, with only heavy, suppressed breathing remaining.

The white-haired old man slumped down, his withered shoulders trembling.

The implementation of the naturalization order was just like it was done on the northern grasslands, spreading it across the western grasslands with bloodshed and peace.

Lü Bu personally led a thousand elite cavalrymen, who rushed straight to the northwestern hinterland of Xihe County without rest.

They headed towards the tribes that had not yet been affected by the war, or those that were taking a chance because of their remote location, as well as the Northern Mountain bandits who had previously colluded with Xubugu.

Their actions were swift as the wind.

A medium-sized tribal camp called "White Antelope" has just received the devastating news of the fall of Lishi and the death of Xubugu, and is now caught in a mix of hope and panic.

While the White Antelope Headmen were still gathering their confidants and debating whether to annex the grasslands or migrate, the scouts on the outskirts of the tribe fled back in panic, like rabbits being chased by wild beasts.

"Chief! Flying... Flying General! It's Lu Bu's banner! He's here!"

Before the words were even finished, a terrifying crimson lightning bolt struck from the horizon!

Lu Bu took the lead, and the blood scabs on his black armor peeled off as he galloped.

"Surrender! We are willing to surrender!"

The white-headed man was terrified and practically tumbled out of the tent, roaring at the top of his lungs.

Lu Bu's momentum showed no signs of slowing down, and the whirlwind whipped up by his fiery red warhorse nearly overturned the limp chieftain.

His cold gaze swept over the panicked herders kneeling in the camp, finally settling on the white antelope-headed man.

"late!"

Lu Bu's voice was devoid of warmth: "I surrendered only when my troops were at the camp gates; this is blatant resistance! According to orders, all able-bodied men of my clan shall be sentenced to hard labor building the city walls! Seventy percent of our cattle, sheep, and livestock shall be confiscated by the prefecture!"

The icy voice was like a bolt from the blue, striking the White Antelope tribe as if they had been struck by lightning.

Several valiant young herdsmen instinctively reached for the curved knives at their waists.

"court death!"

Lu Bu's eyes flashed with a cold light, but he didn't need to lift a finger. The Han cavalry behind him, as fierce as wolves and tigers, had already unleashed a barrage of crossbow bolts!

Thud! Thud! Thud! The muffled sounds of arrows piercing through leather robes were incessant. The few young men who had begun to resist were instantly riddled with arrows, their blood staining the withered grass.

The scene was tinged with a sense of desolation.

He continued to stare at the man, his fingers tracing the shaft of the double-toothed halberd, the rough calluses on his fingers rustling against the shaft.

The white antelope leader's spirit was completely drained; he went limp and prostrated himself on the grass.

The White Antelope tribe surrendered.

"Heh." Lu Bu gave a somewhat disappointed sneer, and with a swing of his double-fanged halberd, he gave the order.

"Drag the body away! The rest of you, immediately dismantle your tents and proceed to Lishi City to await the allocation of designated pastures! Anyone who delays or disobeys will be executed without mercy!"

Lu Bu didn't even glance at the corpses on the ground; his double-toothed halberds pointed towards the direction of Lishi City.

The name of the Flying General spread like wildfire across the Xihe Grassland once again, through the words of the fleeing soldiers and the news deliberately released by the Han army.

Wherever Lü Bu went, no tribe dared to delay or take any chances.

These tribes either moved away before the Han cavalry arrived, or they dismantled the arrow towers that symbolized military power and burned their old leather armor.

Then they drove the cattle and sheep obediently to the naturalized pastureland designated by the prefecture.

The once-divided tribal structure of Xihe County has been shattered.

The core tribes that were attached to Xubugu vanished, while the remaining small and medium-sized tribes were forcibly dismantled and relocated.

They were scattered and resettled in the new pastoral areas designated by the county government.
-
Bingzhou, Jinyang City.

The prefectural governor's mansion was warm and cozy, with the charcoal fire dispelling the chill of early winter.

With his back to the huge map of Bingzhou, Zhang Xian pointed his finger at the two characters "Lishi" that had just been marked in red.

Behind him, Xun Yu, Chen Ji, Wang Lie, Han Ji and other core subordinates stood solemnly.

"With Lishi now under control, the southeastern half of Xihe County is roughly pacified." Zhang Xian turned around, his gaze calm.

"Wenruo, the policy of relocating people is of utmost urgency. The three counties of Daling, Zishi, and Pingtao are strategically located, guarding the Fen River, Wen River, and Yuan Gong River, and controlling the Zhaoyu River. Their geographical advantages are excellent. Moreover, after several months of construction by our army, the city defenses and roads are beginning to take shape. This winter, the refugees should be given priority to be resettled in these three counties."

Xun Yu immediately stepped forward, holding a document that had already been prepared.

"My lord, the policy of allocating land to the three counties has been improved based on the old practices of Lüqi and Yangqu. Each household will be allocated fifty mu of land and tax will be reduced for two years. In addition, to consolidate the new land and encourage reclamation, all refugees who move into the three counties this winter will be given an extra five chickens and five ducks, three catties of salt, five feet of cloth, and a new iron hoe! The list of the first batch of 50,000 refugees has been finalized, and they are being moved in batches under the guidance of the officials of each county."

“Very good.” Zhang Xian nodded, his gaze turning to Wang Lie, whose hair and beard were all white.

"Your Highness, the matter of education is of utmost urgency. The three counties are inhabited by both Han and non-Han people, and the people's hearts are restless. We must establish elementary schools and night schools to explain the laws, demonstrate benevolent governance, and eliminate estrangement and hatred."

Wang Lie stroked his beard, his eyes shining brightly: "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I have already selected 130 capable scholars from the prefectural school, carrying primers, mathematical classics, and legal manuals, to be dispatched to the three counties. They will depart as soon as Your Excellency gives the order."

By day, he taught children to read; by night, he gathered villagers to discuss laws, instruct them in farming and sericulture, and expound the decree of assimilation, striving to ensure that both Han and non-Han people understood the king's benevolence and were grateful for the lord's benevolence in giving them a second life!

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness." Zhang Xian bowed slightly to show his respect.

He then looked at Han Ji: "Gongzhi, the construction of workshops in the three counties needs to be accelerated. Workshops for the initial processing of wool and leather goods are key to controlling the newly attached herdsmen. More skilled craftsmen from each workshop camp can be sent there."

Han Ji said confidently, "My lord! Lu Xi, a hundred skilled craftsmen from Jinyang, along with water-powered combing machines, tanning tank designs, and key components, are ready."

The three counties have abundant water resources, the workshop foundations are leveled, and the timber is ready. Work can begin as soon as the ground thaws in spring, and by summer, the wool and hides can be harvested and processed, allowing for continuous operation!

"Very good, then everyone, keep up the good work!"

"promise!"

Each decree was clear and specific, issued from the central government in Jinyang. This was the second time that the Bingzhou grasslands had been settled, and the officials seemed exceptionally familiar with each other.

Refugees, officials, and artisans formed an invisible network that incorporated the three counties of Daling, Zishi, and Pingtao into the development area.

As they were discussing the matter, a weary messenger was led into the hall by the guards, bringing with him the latest official gazette from Luoyang.

Xun Yu took the report, quickly glanced at it, frowned slightly, and presented it to Zhang Xian.

"My lord, according to the military situation in Ji Province, Lu Zigan has been besieging Guangzong for a long time without success. Instead, he was framed by the eunuchs and imprisoned. The court has replaced him with Dong Zhongying."

However, Dong Zhuo underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly. He was ambushed by Zhang Bao at Xiaquyang, suffering heavy losses and a crushing defeat. He has now retreated to Julu, caught in a dilemma.

The court is furious and may be considering replacing the general. Furthermore… a secret letter mentions that the Grand General's office seems to intend to send an envoy eastward…

The atmosphere in the hall became slightly tense.

With the Yellow Turban Rebellion still raging, the imperial court's attention eventually turned to the north.

Zhang Xian put down the official gazette, his face showing neither joy nor anger, and simply said, "I understand."

All eyes were on his face, but no one could guess what their lord was thinking.
-
Winter has arrived, and the first heavy snow has finally covered the mountains and plains of Xihe County, gently burying the bloodshed and charred remains outside Lishi City.

A new "Xihe Market Trading Office" was established outside the county seat of Zishi.

Several huge granaries covered with thick thatched roofs have already been erected.

Beside the granary, inside a simple shed built of logs and mud bricks, the stove fire was burning brightly.

The newly appointed head of the Market and Exchange Bureau was a capable and experienced official carefully selected by Xun Yu from the Household Affairs Department of Jinyang. His name was Zhou Ping.

A long queue formed outside the shed.

However, this winter, the main characters of the procession are no longer the emaciated refugees, but groups of herders wrapped in thick, rough fur robes, their faces etched with deep fur lines by the cold wind and the pastoral sun.

They were either leading a few sheep, carrying bundles of wool that still smelled of mutton, or holding solidified milk curds, their eyes filled with trepidation and hope.

“Next!” Zhou Ping’s voice boomed.

An old herdsman named Heiguda stepped forward with a hunched back and carefully placed two rolls of dusty wool from his back on the table.

His grandson, who was following behind him, was tightly hugging a ceramic jar containing cheese made by the women in the family.

Zhou Ping picked up the wool, skillfully twisted it open, observed its color and length, and then weighed it.

Instruct the clerk beside him to quickly record the message.

"Inferior wool, with many impurities and short down, is collected according to the official standard of grade three (Bing).

Zhou Ping stated the price in a calm voice: "Two rolls of wool, weighing a total of thirty-two catties, can be exchanged for one catty and one tael of salt, or for twelve feet of coarse cloth."

A jar of cheese, weighing five pounds, of decent quality. It can be used to make ten iron needles, two bundles of thick thread, or perhaps forty coins. Choose one.

A gleam suddenly shone in Hei Guda's cloudy eyes! More than a pound of salt! Enough for his family to get through the winter with some to spare!
In the past, if wool of this quality could be exchanged for half a pound of coarse salt from those unscrupulous merchants, it would be considered an immense favor!
"Salt! Change the salt! Change the salt! And needles and thread!" Black Bone's voice trembled with excitement, his calloused hands nervously rubbing against his tattered leather robe.

Zhou Ping gestured to the clerk beside him, who quickly produced a wooden slip bearing the official seal of the Market Exchange Office and the signature of the chief clerk.

The servant weighed out one pound and one ounce of bluish-white sand salt from the mountain of salt bags behind him, put it in a thick burlap sack, and placed it heavily in front of Heiguda.

Don't underestimate this sandy salt; it's considered refined salt on the grasslands. Of course, for the people of Bingzhou, this kind of salt is only third-grade salt.

Ranking above sandy salt are blue salt and white fine salt.

"Keep the receipt safe. Next time, comb the wool more thoroughly. Fewer impurities mean a higher grade of wool, and you can exchange it for more things!" Zhou Ping reminded him.

"Oh! Oh! Thank you, Steward Zhou! Thank you, Steward Zhou! We are grateful for your kindness, Your Excellency!"

Heigu knelt down with a thud, holding the heavy bag of salt as if it were the lifeblood of his entire family.

His little grandson, bewildered, followed his grandfather in kowtowing.

This scene stirred up ripples within the team.

As the herders watched the substantial bags of salt that Heigu carried away, the doubts in their eyes finally began to slowly dissipate.

"They really can trade for salt..."

"Look, Old Black Bone got his! It weighs over a pound! How many sheep does he even have?"

"They...didn't lie to us?"

Low murmurs rose in the cold wind.

Zhou Ping's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile as he continued, "Next!"

Despite the howling wind and snow, the fire in the stove of the market stall burned even brighter.

Bags of salt, bolts of cloth, iron pots, and bundles of needles and thread flowed from the granaries, in exchange for bundles of wool, hides, dairy products, and even bones, still carrying a pungent, fishy smell.

These things each have their own uses.

Wool garments can protect people from freezing to death in wind and snow. In particular, after Zhang Xian improved the wool sweater manufacturing technology, the warmth, breathability and skin-friendly properties of wool clothing were greatly improved.

Of course, only wool and cashmere of grade two or above can achieve such an effect. Ordinary common wool is mostly used to make carpets, felt, and handmade fabrics.

Even with such collection efforts, the demand for wool under Zhang Xian's rule remained substantial, covering both military and civilian needs, from military tents and thermal blankets to handcrafted stuffing.

This is also why he was willing to use sheep to govern people and formulate policies.

As for the rest, the hides can be used to make armor and tools, and the dairy products can supplement an extra part of a balanced diet.

As for bones, they are also a valuable resource; they can be used to make glue and supplement phosphate fertilizer.

(End of this chapter)