Han Khan

Chapter 177, Freeing the Slaves

The cold wind in the early morning raged across the grassland like a knife, rustling the tents around the camp. The sky in the distance gradually turned pale, and the whole earth was still shrouded in a layer of mist, as if everything was waiting for some kind of imminent change.

Just then, the tranquility of the camp was broken by a sudden scream.

The screams came from the slave area. The slaves, wearing rough furs and holding children in their arms, seemed to be frightened by something terrifying. They rushed out of their tents in panic and gathered around the campfire, trembling.

Seeing this, the patrolling guards and slave soldiers stopped and looked at each other, not knowing what was going on.

Most of these slaves were captured by the Jinhan tribe from the Naiman, Dubo, Ubili, Guchuwuti and other tribes. They originally fought on their own, but were now incorporated into the slave system of the Jinhan tribe.

However, at this moment they seemed to sense some ominous omen and let out a creepy cry.

The commotion in the camp gradually spread, and more soldiers were alarmed and moved closer to the slave area. At this time, the sound of dense horse hooves came from afar, as if the earth was shaking.

The patrolling soldiers looked closely and saw a huge team marching towards the camp, led by the Jinhan guard chief Koza and the chief financial officer Zhang Anzuo. Tens of thousands of soldiers followed closely behind, with an imposing manner.

Zhang Xibao, the guard in charge of daytime patrols, saw this and immediately rode to Koza and Zhang Anzuo and asked anxiously:

“Lord Koza, the Great Treasurer, what are you doing? Why are you gathering so many warriors and slaves?
Moreover, in the early hours of this morning, I saw several Tatar chieftains and their people leave the camp and go to the Bulgan River to camp. They claimed to be following the orders of His Highness. Did you know about this? "

Zhang Anzuo smiled calmly, nodded and said, "Captain Zhang Jinwei, His Majesty is going to release these slaves, and has specially ordered us to come and reorganize them.

We will distribute livestock, organize them to dig holes, build tents, and choose marriage partners for them.”

Zhang Xibao was shocked when he heard this: "Release the slaves? Distribute the livestock? And give them collective marriages! Wait a minute... Are you saying that His Majesty wants to give the order personally?"

Zhang Xibao was stunned, unable to digest this shocking news for a while. He was only ordered to set up camp on the east bank of Lake Uvssu, but he did not expect such a huge change to happen in the camp overnight. He could not believe that Koza had brought so many soldiers.

Zhang Anzuo saw his astonishment, smiled slightly, and said with a cupped hand: "Captain Zhang Jinwei, yes, it was the order given by His Majesty himself.

Your Majesty is ready to be named Khan, and we have already decided on the title for you.

There are many captives and slaves in the camp now. Your Highness is worried that if something happens, it will affect the safety of the Jinhan tribe.

Therefore, Your Majesty decided to turn these slaves and captives into subjects when he was proclaimed Khan, and to appease the people through marriage.

You were not in the camp yesterday and therefore failed to attend the meeting. It was not because His Majesty did not value you, but because the situation was urgent."

Zhang Xibao frowned, thought for a moment and asked, "In other words, the Jinhan tribe wants to establish a country on this grassland, and Your Highness wants to be called Khan? Why not just be called Emperor to inherit the Emperor's will?"

Zhang Xibao has followed Zhang Sheng's father Zhang Chengfeng since he was a teenager, and has experienced many battles. Now he continues to follow the emperor's son, and feels that he is deeply trusted and valued.

If you want to establish a country, wouldn't it be more legitimate to become an emperor?
Koza patiently explained, “Captain Zhang Jinwei, you have to consider our current situation.

We are in the grasslands, and most of our people are warriors and slaves from various tribes in the grasslands. Although we have a population of more than 300,000, nearly half of them are captives and slaves.

If Your Highness proclaims himself Emperor, it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among Li Cunxu, the King of Shatuo Jin, and Yelü Abaoji, the Khitan, and may even lead to their joint attack. It is safer to proclaim yourself Khan at this time, which is in line with our current situation and can avoid attracting powerful enemies. "

After hearing this, Zhang Xibao felt unwilling, but he also understood Koza's concerns, so he nodded and said:
"Understood. I will continue to be responsible for patrolling today and ensure the safety of the camp."

Koza nodded to show his understanding, and then added:

"Please inform the slave soldiers that today His Majesty will pardon all captives and slaves. After today, they will no longer be slaves, but free subjects."

Zhang Xibao said no more, turned back to the patrol team, and led them to continue patrolling. At this time, thousands of slaves and captives looked at the Jinhan army getting closer and closer, and knelt on the ground one after another, and even children bowed their heads and knelt under the leadership of adults.

The six thousand slave soldiers led by Koza formed a neat square formation, while he and Yin Shanxiong led 1,800 fully armed guards, holding the holy flag, and entered the slave group. As time passed, more captives were brought to the camp, and even more than 20,000 Tang refugees were incorporated into this team.

The scene before him was like a huge tide, with captives and slaves densely gathered around the camp, and the scene was shocking.

Zhang Sheng rode his warhorse slowly forward under the protection of more than a hundred guards. The warriors beside him held up the holy flag, which fluttered in the cold wind, exuding an extremely solemn aura. All eyes were focused on Zhang Sheng. They knew that something important would happen today that would affect the future of the entire Jinhan tribe.

Zhang Sheng got off his horse steadily, walked onto the temporary high platform, and looked down at the dense crowd in front of him. In the cold wind, his cloak and hair fluttered in the wind, looking majestic. He took a deep breath and announced in a loud voice:

"Today, I, the leader of the Jinhan tribe, the Son of Heaven of the Holy Religion, and the messenger of the Supreme Lord Haotian on earth, have decided to liberate you from your status as slaves. From this moment on, you are no longer slaves, but my subjects, and you are free people!"

Zhang Sheng's voice was like thunder, echoing in the camp. The guards loudly conveyed his orders, and the holy flag fluttered in the wind. The tension of the slaves gradually dissipated, and they whispered to each other, and new hope began to ignite in their hearts.

However, Zhang Sheng did not stop, he continued: "I know that in the past you were reduced to slavery because of war and failure, and lived in fear and pain.

But now, everything will change! From today on, you will become subjects of the Jinhan tribe!
You will have cattle, land, and the freedom to marry. Your children will no longer be slaves, but free men!"

His words stirred up more murmurs, and the captives and slaves looked at each other, unable to believe their ears.

They were the people of the grassland and knew what would happen to the losers. Moreover, most of them were originally slaves of the chiefs and leaders and had long been accustomed to being oppressed and enslaved. The news of their sudden freedom was difficult for them to accept.

At this time, Zhang Anzuo, the chief financial officer behind Zhang Sheng, stood up and added loudly: "Many of you were once brave warriors and the backbone of the tribe.

Today, your destiny has changed, but your courage and strength have not disappeared.

The noble emperor will ascend the throne as Khan. He will establish a country for us, called the Jinhan Khanate. From now on, you are all citizens of the Jinhan Khanate.

The Khanate needs your loyalty and strength. His Majesty will lead you to conquer the desert, and you will get more cattle, sheep, women and wealth.

Will provide you with a new home, a new life, and a new future!"

(End of this chapter)