Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 440 Xiongnu: I want to be a Han Chinese!

During the two-day Xiongnu grievance meeting in Hedong, many herders were surprised to find that the Han emperor could actually speak some Xiongnu language and asked about many people's pain points while chatting and laughing.

How did the nobles collect taxes, and how did they lead them to join Yuan Shao, and then were defeated by the Han army twice? Who caused all this?
It was not the Han emperor, but the greedy Xiongnu nobles who caused the situation. From the Chanyu to the pawnshop owner, no one could escape responsibility.

The more the Huns talked about the tragic events at home, the more they realized that the spearhead was directed at the nobles, which made some forces that still had their hearts set on the nobles become dumbfounded.

He immediately told himself that they were "Hu" and not "Han", and that even if he surrendered completely to the Han people, he would still be treated differently, and even worse than being under the nobles. He numbed himself by repeating this thought.

Otherwise, the nobles' confidants would begin to waver and suspect that the tribal leader had ulterior motives.

However, this belief did not last long, as the Han emperor, with a smile on his face, put forward a fatal opinion.

"In my heart, I still hope that the people and herdsmen of Han and Hu can be like one family and fight against natural disasters and man-made disasters together. Moreover, the Han family has long used the Xiongnu as ministers and has not treated them with contempt because of their Hu identity. Why should we doubt the emperor's broad-mindedness?"

Liu Bei raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

Hearing what Your Majesty said, some Huns scratched their heads and thought about all the famous nobles in the tribe, but they could not think of any one who was valued by the Han emperor and became a court minister.

For a moment, many herdsmen frowned, and only some of the nobles' confidants had a thoughtful look on their faces.

A disheveled young man took a deep breath, stepped out boldly, and said, "May I ask Your Majesty, are you talking about Jin Midi, the son of the Xiongnu King Xiutu, and the Grand Master of Imperial Households?"

Liu Bei smiled and nodded, his eyes giving a satisfied and affirmative answer.

"The incident of Jin Midi is the Emperor Xiaowu's tolerance towards the Xiongnu. The closeness between the Huns and the Han people lies in the heart, not in status."

"Even though you are all herdsmen, don't you have the opportunity to see me today? The present time is different from the past. The sky, earth, water and grass have all changed. The Han family is also changing. I am the master of all the people in the world at this moment. I also consider all the people. You are also among the people."

"If there are corrupt officials causing chaos, please report it to me and I will personally make the decision for the herdsmen."

As Liu Bei spoke, his eyes and eyebrows were full of smiles, giving people a sense of majesty and friendliness. From time to time, he used a word or two in Xiongnu language. Not to mention ordinary Hu herdsmen, even the confidants under the nobles' tents could not help but feel their hearts pounding when they saw it.

I have never seen such a "leader" before. He is good at fighting and has dignity. He can also reason with them, carefully inquire about their sufferings, grant equal benefits, and more importantly, speak some Hun language.

This is the "Great Khan" that the Huns have been dreaming of for many years. For years, they have been hoping that a leader would emerge and lead them to victory, gain more cattle and sheep, have larger pastures with water and grass, and reduce the casualties among herdsmen.

This would prevent the herdsmen from having to sell slaves, wives and children when the harvest was poor in order to survive the demands of the nobles and Han officials.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, can you really treat everyone equally?"

Someone asked in disbelief, his throat tightening.

When Liu Bei heard the voice, he looked in the direction and saw a Hu man with a scar on his face standing behind the Huns. He couldn't help but stick his head out and ask.

"You are not kidding..." Liu Bei smiled and said in Xiongnu language, "From now on, if there is a war and herdsmen are recruited to fight, if they ride horses and carry bows and arrows as soldiers, they will receive the same money and cloth as the Han soldiers. You can use it to buy food and various daily necessities. You can buy refined salt, sugar, and wine at the same market price."

"If you can accomplish great feats, such as capturing the heads of Xianbei and Wuhuan nobles, you can be granted the title of Marquis of Ting. If you kill Khan, Chanyu and other leaders, you can also be granted the title of Marquis of Wanhu and serve as an official in the imperial court."

"You can also choose to be an auxiliary soldier in transporting cattle and sheep. If you successfully transport them to the military camp, it will be considered a military achievement, and there is no need to attack head-on." "The court will never lower the price when purchasing cattle and sheep from herders, and will not deceive or cheat them."

"At that time, we will set up a military office. All the families of soldiers selected to fight will be exempted from taxes, but auxiliary soldiers are not exempted. Those who died in the Xiongnu army will enjoy the same financial compensation as the Han army. Orphans and their children can also attend the agricultural official school. After completing their studies, they can take the examination to become rural minor officials..."

Before Liu Bei finished speaking, countless Huns had already gasped, and some even covered their mouths to prevent themselves from making any noises.

The person sitting on the high seat is not the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, but the Great Khan of the Xiongnu. What a privilege!
If this can be achieved, even if Maodun were to be resurrected and call upon the Huns, they would certainly fight against Your Majesty.

"Your Majesty! I have ten households in my garrison, all of whom are good at archery. We are willing to join the army to fight against the Xiongnu and Xianbei in the north, shed our blood for the emperor, and fight against the barbarians!"

A Xiongnu armored captain immediately knelt on his knees and excitedly asked for a fight.

"Your Majesty, I am also willing to lead a hundred herdsmen to select soldiers to fight for Your Majesty, and to fight against those who disobey us in various places, and return with their heads hung on horses!"

Another quick-eyed and quick-handed headman also immediately knelt down and bowed his hands to beg.

The others reacted and knelt on the ground, shouting excitedly: "The Xiongnu in the north rebelled against the Han Dynasty and were traitors. We are willing to fight the Xiongnu and Xianbei in the north for Your Majesty and sacrifice our lives to build merits for the Han Dynasty."

At this time, everyone wanted to fight sincerely. The wandering people and the slow-witted herdsmen who had been wandering around for years had already died. If they didn't seize the opportunity of tax exemption, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Isn’t it just an attack on the Huns?

They have had old and new grudges with the tribes in the north, and now it is a rare opportunity to join the Han army to seek revenge.

Let the northern barbarians also try the Han people's iron hammer and let them see what it means to be one Han against five Barbarians.

Some Xiongnu kept their postures still, but in their hearts they were gloating: "You refused to let us return to Bingzhou before, divided up our original pastures, and laughed at us for being defeated by the Han people many times. This time we will see how strong your skulls are. It's best if you can withstand the heavy hammer and not surrender."

Many Huns seemed to have suddenly found their backbone. They were no longer confused and looked at Liu Bei with extremely fiery eyes.

"Combat soldiers..." Liu Bei smiled and waved his hand for them to stand up, explaining, "To become a combat soldier, military discipline is the most important. You must have the will to fight for a long time and to fight to the death, and you must also be an outstanding warrior in the tribe."

"In addition, if you become a warrior, you can be granted a surname by the emperor!"

These words not only failed to dispel the Huns' fear, but instead made them brighten up.

Good, good! It is good to have differences.

It would be meaningless if one could easily become a soldier.

The imperial court is now completely different from before, and all kinds of treatment have been improved.

Rather than being a poor and destitute Hun, it is better to be a new Han Chinese. Only after being granted a surname by Your Majesty can one be considered a Han Chinese.

(End of this chapter)