coobybook Chapter 1093 Leaving the Mountains
Chapter 1093 Leaving the Mountains
The trusted confidants exchanged bewildered glances, never expecting their leader's expression to change so quickly.
They were just indignant, and now they're starting to flatter.
Sharu continued, "But think about it, can the first person to throw be the same as the tenth person to throw?"
"Wouldn't His Majesty think that the first one is pragmatic and understands the general trend, and perhaps treat him differently?"
"Those who surrendered later, were they considered to have no other choice and were forced to do so?"
"Even if His Majesty is merciful and pardons everyone, when it comes to distributing benefits and determining status, will the first person and the tenth person be treated the same?"
Shalu was smug, wondering how his White Wolf Qiang tribe, originally a small tribe, had developed to its current state.
It's because they're cowardly enough, knowing to bet on both sides!
When the barbarians first rose up and wreaked havoc in Shu, I sent troops, but only the old, weak, sick and disabled, which is how I managed to preserve my current strength.
He realized then that things were hopeless, and the same is true today.
The confidants suddenly realized what was happening, and their faces showed admiration.
"The chieftain's insight is brilliant!"
"Yes, yes, yes! If we're going to surrender, we should at least throw in a big prize!"
"Our White Wolf Qiang should prosper!"
"So what are you dawdling for?" Shalu practically started running. "Go back to the village immediately, take my White Horse Qiang seal, and the best white tiger skin in the village!"
"Travel light and immediately head to the Ciyan tribe's camp. We must see His Majesty before anyone else can react!"
"Yes!"
The confidants were greatly encouraged and followed closely behind.
. . . . . .
Panyang Ridge, by the hearth.
Time passed slowly, and almost an hour had passed since Cell left.
Seeing that he had not returned for a long time, everyone gradually felt uneasy.
This idiot, is he really going to fight the Qing people to the death?
The old man from the Qingpian Qiang clan frowned and summoned a Qiang soldier guarding the door: "Has Chief Shalu returned to his village?"
The man went out to inquire around and returned quickly, his expression somewhat strange:
"Reporting to the elder, the Bai Ma Qiang people say that their chieftain has not returned to the village at all."
"He left our village gate with a few trusted men and headed straight north."
"North... Ciyan Tribe?!" The old man was taken aback at first, then his eyes widened.
The other chieftains were also taken aback. After a brief moment of confusion, they almost simultaneously realized something.
"Oh no!" the elder with indigo-painted tattoos exclaimed. "This fellow isn't going to fight to the death; he's rushing to surrender!"
“Sharu! That cunning one-eyed wolf!” Another leader trembled with rage. “He talks a good game, but then he turns around and begs for mercy!”
The crowd was initially shocked, then angry, feeling ashamed and embarrassed at being fooled.
But then, an even stronger sense of urgency welled up inside me.
Spicy! Cell beat us to it!
If he really becomes the second tribal chief to surrender, how will the Qing emperor view him?
Where will those who are still hesitating here be placed?
With that in mind, no one dared to criticize Cell anymore.
Almost simultaneously, the remaining chieftains all stood up.
"Quick! Go back to the village and retrieve the token!"
"Prepare the horses immediately! No, the mountain roads are difficult for horses to traverse, let's go!"
"Head north, to Ciyan Prefecture!"
"Damn it, you young people are so fast, what am I supposed to do?"
Just moments before, the fire pit was filled with the leaders of various tribes, but now the house is empty, with only the charcoal fire, barely extinguished, still emitting a faint residual heat.
. . . . . .
翌日清晨，天光微亮.
Li Che woke up in his tent, where he could faintly hear hushed voices outside, a stark contrast to the usual quiet of early mornings.
He had just sat up when Qiu Bai, who was on duty outside, heard the noise and immediately reported from outside the tent: "Your Majesty, you are awake."
"What's all the commotion outside?" Li Che asked casually as he tied his belt.
Qiu Bai replied, "Your Majesty, they are the chieftains of various Qiang and Man tribes."
“Starting from the latter half of last night, several groups of people came one after another, all kneeling outside the gate, saying they wanted to see His Majesty, to submit and beg for forgiveness.”
"Seeing that His Majesty had already settled down for the night, I did not disturb him and simply told them to wait."
Li Che paused slightly as he tied his belt, raising an eyebrow: "You did a good job."
He had thought that these Qiang and Man tribes could hold out for a while longer with their fighting spirit, and that he might need to slaughter one or two of the most aggressive villages to completely crush their will to resist.
Unexpectedly, once the breach in the Muye Qiang was opened, the collapse came so quickly.
Come to think of it, if the Qiang and Man people were not afraid of death, they would have fought the Shu people to the death long ago. How could they have survived to this day?
In any case, this saved him a lot of trouble and prevented him from shedding a lot of blood.
He slowly finished washing up, ate a simple breakfast, and read a few military briefings that had just been delivered.
Then he said to Qiu Bai, "Have them wait in the open space in front of the central command tent. I will be there shortly."
"Here."
. . . . . .
In front of the central command tent, on an open ground.
When Li Che finished getting ready and strolled out unhurriedly, this was the scene he saw:
A dozen or so Qiang chieftains, dressed in various styles, knelt down in a scattered group.
Some of them had their heads down, while others were peeking up furtively, their faces full of unease.
The first to arrive, Sharu, knelt at the front, his back straighter than the others, but his face was covered in bruises.
He fought more than once with the chieftains who arrived later, but fortunately, he was strong enough to hold onto his first position.
Li Che did not speak immediately. He calmly glanced at the people and then walked to the seat that had been set up and sat down.
His guards stood silently on either side, with Qiu Bai and Ying Bu standing beside him, their hands on their swords.
As soon as the emperor sat down, the invisible pressure suddenly increased, and the chieftains held their breath even more intently.
After a moment, Li Che slowly spoke: "We're not fighting anymore?"
The kneeling crowd trembled, shook their heads, and whispered in agreement:
"No fighting! No fighting!"
"I wouldn't dare! I'll never dare again!"
"Your Majesty's divine might has overwhelmed us! We were foolish and ignorant, and we have offended Your Majesty's countenance. We deserve to die!"
"Your Majesty, please have mercy! Forgive our tribe!"
A slight smile appeared on Li Che's face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, making him seem unfathomable.
"That's good. Fighting and killing are not a long-term solution. I am not a bloodthirsty person, nor do I necessarily want to eliminate all enemies."
These words put the leaders at ease.
Seizing the opportunity, Sharu knelt forward half a step and said, “Your Majesty is benevolent. We, the humble people of the mountains, have already confessed our sins and repented!”
"We only beg Your Majesty's mercy to allow our tribes to return to their original villages. We will certainly abide by our duties, pay our tribute on time, and never harbor any disloyalty again!"
"We, the Baima Qiang, are willing to offer our clan's treasures and send our sons and nephews to the capital to serve Your Majesty, as a sign of our loyalty!"
His words were clearly prepared in advance, and he spoke quickly and sincerely.
The other leaders also realized what was happening and quickly followed suit, vying to promise various conditions.
The core message is the same: they all hope to return to their mountain stronghold and continue their previous lives with the leniency of the imperial court.
Li Che listened quietly, tapping his fingers lightly twice on the armrest of the chair.
When their voices subsided and they looked at him expectantly, he smiled and shook his head.
"Mountain, you can never go back."
A seemingly casual remark struck like a bolt from the blue.
The expressions on everyone's faces froze instantly, and they looked at Li Che blankly.
"Your Majesty?" Cell's one eye widened. "You mean...?"
Li Che's smile faded slightly as he scanned them and said, "My meaning is very simple."
“Since you are willing to submit, you are subjects of my Daqing. As subjects, how can you live scattered in deep mountains and dangerous ravines year after year?”
“You are not accustomed to the king’s ways and do not obey the teachings. The root of all the past chaos lies in your isolation from the world, with each tribe forming its own territory.”
He paused, then said in an unquestionable tone, "If you want to live, you must become a citizen of Daqing in order to receive my pardon and protection."
Shalu gritted his teeth and asked, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"
Li Che then revealed his true intentions, speaking with a serious expression: "I have only one condition—all the tribes that have submitted must relocate from the deep mountains and settle in the plains I have designated."
"The village can be rebuilt according to the regulations of the imperial court, and the land can be allocated according to the number of people. The imperial court will provide seeds and farming tools, and send officials to teach farming and weaving, and to teach written laws."
The chieftains were completely stunned, and all color drained from their faces.
Leaving the mountains and forests where their ancestors lived for generations and going to unfamiliar places?
This was even harder to accept than the worst-case scenario they had anticipated.
They thought that paying a heavy tribute and handing over hostages would be enough.
If all else fails, they could even surrender their soldiers and weapons, which would then pose no threat to the imperial court.
But the emperor actually ordered them to leave the mountains?
For the Qiang people, the mountains are not only their home and hunting grounds, but also the embodiment of their faith!
After leaving the mountains and arriving in the area inhabited by the Qing people, are they still the Qiang people?
If the Qing people are willing, they could be devoured without leaving a single bone!