Chapter 1442 - 1349: Submission

The Western Qiang have occupied all of Qing and Zang, and part of Xinhe Chuan. It is a vast land, mostly consisting of plateau areas.

Zhao Hanzhang never imagined that she could reclaim the land all at once. When Wang Mang changed systems, he relocated the Qiang Clan to West Sea County, where they have lived and thrived for hundreds of years, forming their own survival habits.

The Qiang Clan is an ancient tribe of Huaxia. Unlike the Xiongnu who are fierce, like the scorching sun; nor like the Jie Clan who rebound from oppression, like the phoenix’s rebirth, majestic and tragic; this group is like water, constantly flowing gently and inclusively.

Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang doesn’t intend to conquer and reclaim them forcibly but wants them to submit willingly. For instance, Zhao Erlang has pierced through the Western Qiang, heading towards the Western Region, so she dispatched Ji Ping and Li Tian with an army to pacify the tribes suffering along the route and sent Zhao Xin with Wei Ran to persuade Yao Yizhong’s group, who were fiercely battling near the Jinsha River.

"Stop fighting, if you continue, your rear is going to be lost."

The Nan’an Qiang Clan of the Yao Family and the Dengzhi Qiang Clan had to pause, and even the usually silent King Cheng, Li Xiong, couldn’t help but step forward to mediate. He is from the Di Clan, but the Qiang and Di have always had close relations, and he does not wish for further internal conflict among the Qiang Clan.

He not only advised them to cease fighting but also urged them to submit to the court.

"In the past, the court could not stabilize the regions, and we had to manage on our own. Now the emperor possesses heavenly virtue and the ability to pacify the people. Why can’t we submit?"

Yao Yizhong seemed thoughtful, but Zhang Han of Dengzhi was quite displeased upon hearing this and retorted directly, "King Cheng speaks easily, having received huge benefits from Zhao Hanzhang, established Cheng Country, nominally a vassal state yet autonomous; can we Western Qiang do the same?"

Li Xiong was speechless.

If the Western Qiang had a united leader, they could naturally mimic Li Xiong, but they don’t have one.

Yao Yizhong wants to submit; he is smart, knowing that war only depletes wealth and manpower, and only peace allows the people to recuperate, shepherding and farming, developing population.

But other Qiang tribes may not be willing, with unity of consciousness lacking. Isn’t this why they are fighting?

Yao Yizhong’s gaze flickered, scanning everyone present. If consciousness isn’t united, he’ll subdue them and unify the Western Qiang before negotiating with the court.

Then Zhao Hanzhang quickly showed him there was no need for such trouble. Zhao Xin conveyed the reactions of each Qiang tribe to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang immediately chose Yao Yizhong as the leader of the Western Qiang, commanded Ji Ping and Li Tian to assist him, and had Ningzhou Inspector Wei Ran and King Cheng Li Xiong facilitate it, persuading the Western Qiang tribes to support Yao Yizhong, effectively mimicking Cheng Country to establish another vassal state.

The Western Qiang tribes instantly fell into chaos; some pledged to the court supporting Yao Yizhong, while others, like the Zhang Family of the Dengzhi Qiang, doubted the court’s intentions and were unwilling to submit.

Everyone was in disarray, arguing from autumn to winter, then from winter to spring. Zhao Erlang fought all the way to Shanshan, and Zhang Mao expanded northwards and eastwards, encroaching on the territories of the Xiongnu and Northern Qiang.

Beigong Chun wasn’t idle either. Given permission from Zhao Hanzhang, he pressed towards the Northern Qiang enclaved in the Hetao Plain, accompanied by Tuoba Liuxiu, who also mobilized troops against the Northern Qiang, and Shi Le sent an army upon receiving cotton seeds.

This war never ignited; the three armies merely paused at the borders of major tribes, prompting the Northern Qiang to pledge allegiance to Zhao Hanzhang.

The Northern Qiang are different from the Western Qiang. The Western Qiang possess natural barriers, residing on plateaus, where outsiders find entry difficult. The Northern Qiang inhabit the Hetao Plain with favorable geography, making shepherding and wheat cultivation easier, although they are not content.

Previously surrounded by four great powers, they were immobile, especially facing the Southern and Northern Xiongnu, who raided south annually. Southeast Liu Yuan directly extorted protection fees, under the guise of tribute.

Then there is Xiliang, constant friction on both sides, and even the southern Jin State frequently had Inspectors occasionally proclaiming to reclaim territory, and proceeded to attack them.

Initially, the Northern Qiang could fight against Xiliang and the Xiongnu, occasionally exploiting Jin State’s internal disorder to move southward, or suppressing Jin to remind them that Northern Qiang shouldn’t be trifled with.

But such a situation gradually vanished under Zhao Hanzhang’s rule.

Since Zhao Hanzhang ascended to power, the Northern Qiang have quieted significantly, and once the Tuoba Xianbei father and son exchanged places, the Northern Qiang further retreated in silence.

Internally, voices of submission were already present, merely waiting for Zhao Hanzhang to act.

Thus, when three armies pressed the border, they immediately submitted an allegiance.

This prompted military generals accompanying the army to grumble; their battle merits vanished.

No one dared ignore the Northern Qiang’s surrender or forcefully instigate conflict; the army contained covert observers, making such actions impossible to conceal.

All they could do was await the emperor’s orders.

Zhao Hanzhang was delighted; immediately she established Xiazhou in the Hetao area, selecting a smart, prestigious, and visionary Qiang tribal leader to serve as Xiazhou Inspector, then dividing Xiazhou’s cities into districts, adopting a Qiang-Han co-governance strategy.

Zhao Hanzhang carefully selected officials to serve in Xiazhou, advising them individually before their departure, "Although Xiazhou is administratively governed by the state, the territory hosts far more Qiang people than Han or other ethnic groups, hence it should be autonomously governed by the Qiang, respecting each ethnic group’s customs. Your task is to assist them."

"The Hetao Plain, abundant in water and grass, isn’t only suitable for shepherding but also for planting wheat and rice. I hope you will help them cultivate wheat and rice, and assist them in raising healthier, stronger sheep."

"Your Majesty is overly generous to them, potentially fostering ambition, and when the time comes..."

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, saying, "How would it? As long as they realize following us is better than standing alone, I believe they will choose us. Isn’t their submission the best indication?"

But they submitted because your army was pressing the borders, right?

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "You must coexist well with the Northern Qiang, the Western Qiang are observing. I believe, if the court can satisfy the Northern Qiang, Western Qiang will surely submit due to the court’s moral prowess."

Advised officials pondered silently, having heard that Prince Qin’s troops already returned but left a portion in Shanshan, blocking Western Qiang tribes intending to migrate northward.

This isn’t moral prowess; it clearly resembles the same military threat as with the Northern Qiang.

Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t admit it. Her armies only entered the region to mediate each tribe’s internal conflicts, never engaging in war.

Her hope is that everyone coexists peacefully, without fighting.

The new Inspector of Xiazhou, named Dong Qisheng, a leader of the Qiang Clan, couldn’t resist writing to several tribal leaders of Western Qiang with whom he was close after meeting Zhao Hanzhang, essentially saying, this emperor is worthy of dealings, hurry and come.

Some were persuaded, contacting Yao Yizhong to express allegiance immediately, while others dismissed the advice, ignoring it while they waited for the conflict’s resolution to decide their stand.

Amidst this commotion, as spring blossoms, Zhao Erlang returned with a convoy of merchants, including Zhao Hu’s clan.