PFC Chapter 81 Jing
Chapter 81 Jing
Chapter 81 Returning to Beijing
The bloodshed and gunpowder smoke of Black Stone Beach gradually dissipated with the autumn wind.
But the shock and aftershocks of this battle continue to reverberate in the Hehuang region and even beyond.
The results of the battle were shocking.
Xi Sheluo Sa gathered nearly 4,000 Tibetan soldiers, killed more than 1,300 in battle, leaving corpses strewn across the field; captured more than 2,100, all of whom were ashen-faced and dazed.
The remaining hundreds scattered and fled into the deep mountains of Qilian, where they could no longer pose a threat.
Of the 1,800 elite troops of the Western Xia army, more than 1,000 were lost. In particular, the fearsome 800 Iron Falcons were reduced to only 300 surviving riders who escorted the heavily wounded Yeli Jie back to safety. The Bubazi were also reduced to only 500.
Yeli Jie's banner, representing the majesty of the Right Wing Chaoshun Army, became Zhong Pu's trophy, hanging high on the top of Qingtang City, alongside the hideous head of Xi Sheluosana.
The Song army also paid a price.
More than 400 were killed in action, and more than 400 were wounded, bringing the total number of casualties to more than 800.
The Unity Battalion suffered about half of the casualties, and many young faces were forever left on the slopes of Black Stone Beach.
But through this tempering of blood and fire, this young army shed its last trace of immaturity, and its eyes gained a calmness born of iron and blood. The camaraderie forged between the Han and non-Han soldiers in their fight to the death and mutual rescue was stronger than any preaching.
They truly became a trustworthy "Hehuang soldiers".
Zhao Mingcheng ordered that a site with excellent feng shui be selected on the banks of the Huangshui River outside Qingtang City to build the "Tomb of Loyal Martyrs," where all fallen soldiers, regardless of whether they were Han or non-Han, would be laid to rest, their names recorded on a monument, and commemorated with sacrifices throughout the four seasons.
Families of the fallen will receive preferential treatment, and their children who wish to join the army will be given priority for recruitment by the Unity Battalion and the Border Army.
Those who are injured or disabled will be supported by the government for life, or will be assigned to work in military farms or markets to ensure their livelihood.
Zhao Mingcheng did not indiscriminately kill the more than two thousand Tibetan prisoners.
He ordered Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Xia Zheng, and others to oversee the process and verify each case one by one.
About two hundred people, whose hands were stained with the blood of Song soldiers and civilians or who were henchmen of Xi Sheluo Sa, were publicly tried and punished according to the law, as a warning to others.
The remaining 1,900 or so people were mostly ordinary tribal herders who had been coerced or coerced. They were scattered and settled in various newly established settlements, organized as "auxiliary soldiers" or "settlement households," and managed by reliable officers and veterans. They were given land, seeds, and tools and were required to cultivate the land and support themselves.
They also receive basic military training and legal education, giving them the opportunity to reform and become border residents.
Zhao Mingcheng demonstrated leniency and principle towards the small and medium-sized tribes that were coerced by Xisheluosa into sending troops to fight.
He sent messengers to order the leaders of each tribe to come to Qingtang to plead guilty and hand over the ringleaders in their tribes who had actively sided with the rebels.
Most tribes, seeing Xisheluosa beheaded and the Xia army defeated, were already terrified and bound their warlike leaders, coming to surrender.
Zhao Mingcheng reiterated the court's policy of "pacifying and suppressing rebellion," which only punished the ringleaders who surrendered, and pardoned the rest of the tribes, allowing them to continue living on their original pastures and participating in market transactions, but they had to abide by the law and bear the corresponding taxes and labor.
After this incident, these tribes completely submitted and dared not harbor any disloyal intentions again.
News of the great victory at Heishitan spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the Hehuang region.
Those scattered small tribes in more remote mountainous areas, who were originally still observing, were terrified and sent envoys one after another with gifts to Qingtang to express their submission.
Thus, since the recapture of Qinghai, all large-scale resistance forces in the Hehuang region have been completely eradicated.
Zhao Mingcheng's series of "border stabilization" policies, such as "harmonizing the people, garrisoning and cultivating the border, uniting and training the troops, and using the barbarians to control the barbarians," withstood the most severe test of war, and their effectiveness is obvious to all.
He not only won the sincere support of the tribes who had submitted to him, but also established the unshakable prestige of "Jiacha Gabu" and the dignity of "the imperial law" in the hearts of the Han and Tibetan people in the Hehuang region.
With the great battle over and everything in ruins, Zhao Mingcheng's gaze was already set on something much more distant.
A stable frontier requires a thriving economy to support it; lasting peace requires closer ties between the Hehuang region and the interior.
Moreover, he also had his own "personal matters" to attend to.
Taking advantage of the captured exquisite artifacts, gold and silver from the Western Xia, as well as the favorable situation of the newly settled Hehuang region and the safe trade routes, Zhao Mingcheng instructed Tong Guan and Xia Zheng to use all their connections and channels to fully open up a fast trade route from Hehuang to Qinzhou to Bianjing.
Tong Guan's network of scouts and wealthy merchants in the border regions played a crucial role. They eliminated potential small bandit groups along the way and secured checkpoints and tax posts, quickly establishing a relatively safe and efficient passage.
Meanwhile, in Qing Tang City, the "Ningxiang" workshop made smooth progress in improving its techniques thanks to the joint efforts of skilled craftsmen from the Incense Tile Department and artisans assigned by Zhao Mingcheng.
By carefully selecting raw materials, optimizing the formula, improving the extraction and condensation technology, and experimentally adding a small amount of precious flower and herb extracts unique to the Hehuang region, such as snow lotus and rhodiola rosea, the fragrance of "Ningxiang" is made more rich and lasting, and the moisturizing and nourishing effects are also significantly improved.
Zhao Mingcheng personally designed a simple and elegant lacquered wooden box with Tibetan patterns as the packaging, and named it "Snowy Fragrance".
The first batch of 800 boxes of "Snowy Fragrance" was quickly completed. The paste is delicate and smooth, and the fragrance is elegant and refined.
Zhao Mingcheng was well aware of the sensation and profits this item could bring to Bianjing, but he did not have time to manage it personally at the moment.
He summoned Tong Guan, allocated a portion of the seized Western Xia property as capital, and selected a branch of the army that had a prior relationship with Tong Guan.
The Qinzhou caravan is extremely reliable.
"Master Tong, please arrange for these eight hundred boxes of incense and this letter to be delivered to the caravan safely to the Zhao residence in Kaibao Temple Lane, Bianjing. This is my private property, so please do not lose it."
Zhao Mingcheng handed a sealed box and a letter to Tong Guan, and whispered his instructions.
The box contained the incense and detailed instructions on its effects and usage. The letter asked the father to keep it for the time being and to dispose of it after he returned to the capital.
"Rest assured, sir!" Tong Guan solemnly accepted the document. "I personally instructed the caravan leader to send capable men to escort it, ensuring its safe passage!"
Zhao Mingcheng nodded.
He did this partly to increase the family's income and to accumulate capital for future management.
At the same time, it is also to connect the specialties of the Hehuang region with the Central Plains market, and to find a sustainable way for this land to "generate its own income".
ability.
This "fragrant snow-covered land" is the first stone thrown to test the waters.
After arranging the trade routes and the matter of Ningxiang, Zhao Mingcheng began to write a detailed post-war summary and a memorial outlining a long-term strategy for the governance of the Hehuang region.
He meticulously analyzed the course, results, and significance of the Battle of Heishitan, the current situation in the Hehuang region, and all matters concerning the resettlement of the surrendered tribes, the promotion of land reclamation, the opening of trade routes, the training of the Unity Battalion, and the consolidation of border defenses, compiling them into a thick stack of memorials.
At the end of his memorial, he earnestly pleaded that the overall situation in the Hehuang region was settled, the new policies were on track, and requested permission to return to the capital to report on his duties and discuss matters in person.
Bianjing had already issued an imperial decree allowing Zhao Mingcheng to return to the capital immediately to report on his duties after settling matters in the Hehuang region. Zhao Xu was eager to see Zhao Mingcheng.
The day of parting has finally arrived.
Today, outside Shanzhou city, along the banks of the Huangshui River, crowds of people stood to see him off.
Wang Shan and Zhong Pu, fully armed, led the Song soldiers who remained behind in a solemn formation.
Tong Guan, Xia Zheng, and the leaders of the thirty-one tribes who had come overnight from all over the grasslands after receiving the news, all dressed in their finest attire and with their own followers and gifts, gathered by the roadside.
Further away, there were many herdsmen, migrant farmers, and market vendors who had come after hearing the news, a dark mass of people silently watching the young official in scarlet robes who was surrounded by the crowd in the center.
Zhao Mingcheng had changed into his formal court attire for entering the capital; the scarlet robe and leather belt made him appear even more dignified.
Liu Zhongwu, also dressed in military uniform, stood by his side. He was about to lead a team of elite soldiers to escort Zhao Mingcheng back to the capital.
Wang Shan strode forward. This fierce general on the battlefield had reddened his eyes. He clasped his hands and bowed, his voice loud but choked with sobs.
"This humble general, Wang Shan, respectfully sees off the Imperial Envoy! Your Excellency has managed the Hehuang region, turned the tide, and saved our soldiers and civilians. Your kindness is like giving us a second life!"
"This humble general is a rough man, not good with words, and has offended you in the past. I hope you will forgive me, sir! This journey to the capital is a long and arduous one, and this humble general—only wishes you, sir, to take care! As long as this humble general is here in the Hehuang region, I will surely protect your hard work, making it as solid as a rock!"
Zhao Mingcheng stepped forward, helped Wang Shan up with both hands, and said with emotion.
"General Wang, you flatter me! The Hehuang region is what it is today thanks to your and your soldiers' bloody battles and unwavering loyalty. You are a pillar of the nation and a bulwark of the Hehuang region. In the future, you will be responsible for guarding this place, ensuring the safety of the people and protecting the borders. Your responsibility is immense."
We met in times of crisis and worked together through hardships. This friendship will be forever etched in my memory. I hope the general will take good care of himself, defend the city, and allow the people to rest.
Zhong Pu also stepped forward and bowed.
"This humble general, Zhong Pu, has come under the orders of Commander Hu. To be able to fight alongside you, sir, against the enemy is truly a great pleasure in my life! Your military prowess is divine, and your benevolence in governing the people is deeply admired by me! I wish you a safe journey, sir, and if the opportunity arises again in the future, I, Zhong Pu, am willing to serve you once more!"
"General Zhong is the bravest of the three armies. He made great achievements at Heishitan. With a tiger general like General Zhong in Xihe, the court has nothing to worry about."
"I hope the general will inform General Hu that the Hehuang and Xihe regions are as close as lips and teeth, and we must work together in the future," Zhao Mingcheng encouraged.
Tong Guan squeezed forward, his attitude sincere and ingratiating.
"With your return to the capital, Your Excellency will surely win the Emperor's favor and be given great importance! It is my great fortune to serve under Your Excellency and share in your glory!"
"Rest assured, sir, I will keep a close eye on the business and information channels in the Hehuang region. Any suspicious activity will be reported to the capital as quickly as possible!"
Zhao Mingcheng nodded to Tong Guan, and said meaningfully.
"Master Tong has worked hard and made great contributions. He is very perceptive and has a keen eye for information. We will need his help in the future regarding trade and intelligence in the Hehuang region. Our friendship is long and promising."
Xia Zheng, along with thirty-one tribal chiefs, knelt down in unison.
Xia Zheng led the way, his voice trembling.
"Lord Zhao! Gyaltsabha!" You are the auspicious light of our Hehuang region. Without you, Hehuang would still be a hell of blood and fire. You gave us fair trade, a peaceful life, and the dignity of being human! We, the Tubo people, will never forget your kindness! Please accept our highest respect, and may the gods of the snow mountains forever bless you!
The chieftains also expressed their blessings and gratitude, and presented gifts such as hada scarves, golden knives, and fine horses.
Zhao Mingcheng accepted the hada one by one, solemnly draped them over his shoulders, and said loudly to everyone.
"Please rise, esteemed chieftains! The Hehuang region belongs to the imperial court and is the shared home of both Han and non-Han peoples. All my actions are carried out in accordance with the imperial court's orders and the virtues of the Great Song Emperor."
Now that the overall situation is settled, as long as you all abide by the covenant, live peacefully and harmoniously with the Han people, and engage in fair trade, the court will not fail you. As long as I am in court, I will speak frankly for the tribes of the Hehuang region!
May you all safeguard the territory and its people, and work together to create prosperity!
"We will heed the teachings of Gyaltsen!" The chieftains roared in unison, their voices echoing across the plains.
The sun was high in the sky, and the time had come.
Zhao Mingcheng mounted his horse, took one last look at the land he had poured countless efforts into, a land that had just recovered from the flames of war, glanced at the reluctant faces, took a deep breath, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the people seeing him off.
"Gentlemen, may the green hills remain and the clear waters flow forever! Zhao Mingcheng bids farewell! Take care!"
"Respectfully seeing off the Imperial Envoy! Take care, Your Excellency!"
The crowd cheered in unison, their voices like a surging tide.
Without further hesitation, Zhao Mingcheng flicked the reins, and under the escort of Liu Zhongwu and a hundred elite cavalry, the caravan started moving southeast, heading towards the rising autumn sun.
Heading towards Bianjing.
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