Chapter 63: Zhang Qian’s Descendants
Li Xiao prepared to carry out a very important matter.
Naturalize the Hu People!
The number of Han People in the Western Regions was still too small. Even if Li Xiao gathered them all together, they would not have much numerical advantage among these ethnic groups in Western Liao.
In addition to planning to plunder population from Western Xia and the Central Plains to supplement the number of Han People in the Western Regions, Li Xiao also prepared to naturalize these honest and dutiful Hu People.
Turn them into Han People.
Start with the Zhelan People first.
“Please grant a name, master.”
Hearing that Li Xiao was going to change Bashatu Lu’s name, a trace of envy appeared on Hutu’s face.
As Li Xiao’s personal slave, and favored due to his language talent, Hutu’s own status and treatment were not low.
But even so, he was essentially still a slave, let alone being personally granted a name by Li Xiao.
“This guy will probably be heavily favored by the master from now on.” Hutu glanced at Bashatu Lu and thought to himself.
Li Xiao had no experience in changing a slave’s name.
But it was not like naming his own son, so there was no need to be so serious about it.
So after thinking for a moment, he said: “Back in the Han Dynasty, envoy Zhang Qian was sent to the Western Regions. Along the way, the various states of the Western Regions warmly hosted him and sent many beautiful women to serve him.”
“To the point that Zhang Qian left behind quite a bit of his bloodline in the Western Regions.”
After Li Xiao finished speaking, he stared at Bashatu Lu’s face and carefully examined it, then nodded and said: “I see that Bashatu Lu’s features resemble us Han People by eight parts.”
“He is very likely a descendant of Bowang Marquis Zhang Qian.”
“So, let him directly acknowledge his ancestors and return to the fold, and change his surname to Zhang.”
“Since he was the first to charge into Wuya Village, call him Zhang Xianfeng.”
“It signifies vanguard breaking through the formation, invincible wherever he goes.”
After Li Xiao finished speaking, he looked around.
As if he had accomplished something very interesting, he asked with interest: “What do you all think?”
Those like Luo Ping who heard his words had quite splendid expressions on their faces.
“He~”
“A descendant of Bowang Marquis Zhang Qian?” Qin Kaishan pointed at Bashatu Lu’s big face and suddenly burst into laughter.
“Da Long, you’re really funny.”
The others also immediately laughed out loud, all amused by Li Xiao’s idea.
They did not expect that Li Xiao not only wanted to give this Zhelan man a Han name, but to prove the legitimacy of his Han bloodline, he even found him a famous Han ancestor.
Zhang Qian was a figure from how many years ago. Even if this guy really was a descendant of Zhang Qian, the Han bloodline in his body had long been diluted to almost nothing.
“Anyway, he’s surnamed Zhang, might as well say he’s a descendant of Zhang Yichao. It’s only been two hundred years or so.” Zhao Tiezhu chuckled.
Li Xiao immediately shook his head and firmly said: “That won’t do.”
“What if these Zhelan People get hot-headed later and want to restore Jinshan Kingdom?”
Zhang Qian was a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, but the Zhang Yichao family had established a small state.
Cannot leave hidden dangers.
“Tell him that from now on he is called Zhang Xianfeng, a descendant of Bowang Marquis Zhang Qian.” Li Xiao said to Hutu.
There were too many cases in Huaxia history of naturalizing Hu People, and they all liked to find a famous Han figure as their ancestor.
Just like the Xiongnu People claiming to be descendants of Liu Bang, or the Qiang Yao family that established Later Qin claiming to be descendants of the Yellow Emperor.
Even the family of Temüjin was rumored to be descendants of Liu Bang.
These were all necessary means carried out for political purposes.
Meanwhile, after hearing the translation, Bashatu Lu looked completely baffled, clearly not knowing who Zhang Qian was.
However, Hutu explained to him that Zhang Qian was a great figure from the Central Plains, even much greater than the chieftain of the Zhelan Tribe.
At this moment, a happy smile appeared on Bashatu Lu’s face.
He gladly accepted his new name.
Zhang Xianfeng!
With his small brain capacity, he even briefly wondered if his ancestor really was Zhang Qian.
Time slowly passed, and the sky had completely darkened.
The Seven Forts Allied Army set up camp outside Wuya Village, and Li Xiao sent out scouts to stand guard ten li away.
Soon, shouts from Geluolu Women and the wild laughter of Khitan People rang out from inside Wuya Village.
This was the consequence that the defeated had to bear after the war.
“Are all the Han People coming back?” Li Xiao stood outside the large tent, looking at the bonfire inside Wuya Village, and asked Tie Tou beside him.
“They are all coming back.”
“Sixth Uncle is arranging for them to eat and set up tents.” Tie Tou replied.
These over five hundred Han captives had lived quite miserably in the hands of the Geluolu People.
The men were completely treated like beasts, and the women even more so.
Everyone’s body was extremely weak. If Li Xiao had not taken them, falling into the hands of the Khitan People and other nomadic tribes would probably not end well.
The Khitan People would not treat them leniently just because they were Han People.
Only wolves can travel with wolves.
Li Xiao had only gained the recognition of the Khitan People and other nomadic peoples after showing his fangs.
“Select those men whose physical condition is still acceptable to follow the army into battle.”
“The rest, you take men to escort back to Hexi Fort.” Li Xiao said.
“Yes~”
The next day, the army stayed at Wuya Village and continued cleaning the battlefield.
But soon Li Xiao heard a piece of news.
The Eastern Capital Army’s battle to encircle and suppress the Qibi Tribe had failed.
It could not be called a complete failure; it was just that after discovering the Eastern Capital Army, the Qibi Tribe decisively abandoned their cattle and sheep property and fled.
The Eastern Capital Army’s cavalry were pursuing and killing them from behind.
Unfortunately, in the vast grassland and mountains, catching up to another cavalry force was not that easy.
Especially once night fell, it became even harder to track the enemy’s whereabouts.
In the end, the Eastern Capital Army only intercepted over two thousand old, weak, women, and children, while several hundred young and strong fled into the Altai Mountains.
“After crossing the Altai Mountains, it’s the Naiman People’s territory.” Li Xiao thought to himself.
According to the Moman Tribe captives, the Naiman People’s army had already arrived at the Altai Mountains pass, ready to enter Jin Prefecture at any time.
So, the remnants of the Qibi Tribe had gone to seek protection from the Naiman Tribe.
“It looks like it won’t be long before we have to enter the mountains and fight the Naiman People.” Li Dashan said in a deep voice.
The Naiman People were not easy to deal with.
Compared to the loose tribal alliance state of the Geluolu, the Naiman People had already begun to take the embryonic form of a state.
Their centralized power and the scale of army and supplies they could mobilize far surpassed what the Geluolu People could match.
But there was no choice; even if they did not fight, the Naiman People would eventually enter Jin Prefecture.
“Sixth Uncle, it’s cold in the mountains. Quickly gather a batch of thick clothing for our warriors to wear.” Li Xiao instructed Li Dashan.
“We don’t know how long this battle will last.”
Although it was summer, the average temperature in the mountains was seven or eight degrees lower than outside, especially at night—wearing thin clothes would definitely be unbearable.
“Good!”
Li Dashan nodded lightly and, taking advantage of these few days before setting out, took men back to Hexi Fort and other fortifications to prepare some thick clothing.
The next few days, Wuya Village remained as peaceful as ever.
Apart from occasionally seeing Khitan People throwing out naked corpses of Geluolu Women from the village, nothing else happened.
Xiao Simo seemed to completely avoid talking about the Qibi Tribe matter, as if it had never happened.
If there was one thing that caught Li Xiao’s attention, it was the new Han camp outside Wuya Village.
It was the troops from the other Han fortifications in Jin Prefecture.
The news of the Eastern Capital Army’s arrival had already spread throughout Jin Prefecture, and everyone knew about the defeat of the Moman Tribe and Qibi Tribe.
So, without needing Xiao Simo to summon them, the leaders of these Han fortifications and the chiefs of other nomadic tribes in Jin Prefecture hurriedly brought men to Wuya Village.
That day, several people came to visit Li Xiao’s tent.
“Da Long, let me introduce you. This is the Fort Master of Changshan Fort~”
“This is the Fort Master of Bohai Fort~”
“This is the Village Master of Black Mountain~”
“This is the Village Master of Huangsha Village~”
Qin Kaishan introduced them one by one to Li Xiao. Due to age differences, it was Li Xiao’s first time meeting these people.
But Qin Kaishan and the others, even if not familiar, definitely knew them.
Li Xiao spoke with them one by one, but when it came to the Village Master of Huangsha Village, he felt slightly awkward.
“Fort Master Li is young and promising, wise and brave, truly a model for us Han People in Jin Prefecture!”
“This old man has heard of Fort Master Li’s achievements and admires them greatly~ Hahaha~”
The Village Master of Huangsha Village was named Huang Daquan, appearing to be in his forties, though his actual age might be a bit younger.
His face was dark, skin rough, smiling at Li Xiao with a mouth full of big yellow teeth.
No particularly standout features, completely the image of an old farmer from the fields.
“Village Master Huang overpraises me. I was just doing my best. I couldn’t just watch the Geluolu People continue to harm us Han People in Jin Prefecture, right?” Li Xiao said.
“If we’re talking truly, Village Master Huang has fought horse bandits these years, protecting the local peace, which is immeasurable merit!”
Li Xiao began his routine flattery.
Huangsha Village was located at the southernmost part of Jin Prefecture; further south was the Great Desert.
In that vast desert wilderness, there were many unregulated horse bandits and robbers who frequently raided the surrounding fortifications.
They were also the main enemies of Huangsha Village; over these years, quite a few horse bandits had died at Huang Daquan’s hands.
Of course, these matters were things Huang Xiuer had confided to him intimately after opening her heart.
It also gave Li Xiao some understanding of the situation in southern Jin Prefecture and the Great Desert to the south.
“Where, where?”
“How can mere horse bandits compare to the Geluolu People?”
Hearing Li Xiao’s affirmation of his achievements, Huang Daquan laughed very happily.
But he did not forget the other important matter for this trip.
“Fort Master Li, this old man came this time also to thank you for showing mercy to my daughter and for taking care of her these days.”
