The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 932 In the Black Sea - Seris, let you be great again.
Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, Li Chengbiao solemnly took a cloth bag from his nephew.

The cloth bag contained not gold or silver treasures, but a handful of yellow earth.

This handful of soil was brought to Li Chengbiao by his elder brother from their hometown of Xuanhua Prefecture (Zhangjiakou).

"Old Li..." Zhang Daquan, who was carrying a flintlock pistol and had two triangular bayonets stuck in his belt, was about to call out "Brother Li" when he quickly realized something was wrong.

Because the Li Chengbiao before him was indeed his younger brother Li when he was in his hometown of Xuanhua Prefecture.

But in this foreign land thousands of miles away, Brother Li has become a vassal lord, with seventeen townships and over a hundred villages under his jurisdiction, tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, and tens of thousands of people.

"Brother Daquan, you can still call me Lao Si as usual." Li Chengbiao looked at Zhang Daquan with a smile, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

"An old saying goes that people are worthless when they leave their hometown, but times have changed. With the protection of the great emperor, we Han people are now noble when we leave our hometown. Just look at our Han appearance, if we go west, we'll be destined to be masters wherever we go!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Daquan looked around and saw that the people around the Li family ancestral temple dressed in military uniforms, carrying guns and knives, all had an Eastern appearance. The rest of the well-dressed people could also be identified as natives from Gaoliang Prefecture.

As for the group standing on the outer perimeter, they appeared to be locals, men, women, and children, all with their heads bowed and eyes lowered. There was a dense, dark mass of them, probably numbering in the thousands.

"Fourth brother, you've struck it rich now. You're even better off than the magistrate of Huai'an County, right?"

Zhang Daquan had traveled far and wide and gained some knowledge, but he still underestimated how much credit Li Chengbiao had for capturing Napoleon.

Lee Sung-pyo was not only granted the title of Earl, with a fief the size of a county, but also held baronial titles in England and Austria. The Austrian title included a fief, while the English title came with double the annual pension.

That was Napoleon! Even if it wasn't capturing Napoleon alive, but discovering the real Napoleon trying to escape in disguise in the mill, that would still be a huge deal.

This kind of achievement is basically the ceiling that an ordinary person can reach even after exhausting all the good fortune passed down from their ancestors.

"Uncle Daquan, the magistrate of Huai'an is only acting as a shepherd for His Majesty the Emperor. Huai'an County is not the magistrate's private property."

But this new Huai'an is my fourth uncle's private property. In new Huai'an, he has the power of life and death; he is the emperor!

Li Chengbiao's nephew laughed and said, "Even I, your nephew, have earned a baronship through hard work, governing a town and twenty-one villages, with a population of over four thousand."

Xin Huai'an is Varna, located on the western coast of the Black Sea, but it only occupies half of Varna. Li Chengbiao, along with Bao Xindu from Anhui and several other garrison commanders, shared Varna County, which has now been renamed Haixi County.

Even so, with tens of thousands of people under their rule and two or three cities, they were still a formidable noble family in Europe.

It was only then that Zhang Daquan realized that his fellow villager had risen to such a level that he could be considered a monarch. No wonder it was an ancestral temple instead of a shrine.

"There are two handfuls of soil in this bag. The one in the blue bag is from your Li family's ancestral graves, and the one in the red bag is from your parents' graves, Fourth Brother."

Your eldest child said everything is fine at home, except for being a little tired, there are no problems.

Upon realizing that his younger brother from his hometown had become successful, Zhang Daquan solemnly introduced him, explaining that bringing his ancestors' and parents' land from thousands of miles away was a great act of kindness.

Sure enough, after he finished speaking, Lee Sung-pyo gave him a deep bow. After Zhang Daquan nervously accepted the bow, Lee Sung-pyo continued:

“Brother Daquan has come all this way, I suppose you’re here to make your mark. If you think my place is alright, I’ll give you two villages. They have several thousand acres of land, all of it arable, but there aren’t many people.”

Yi Chengbiao frowned. This was the most pressing issue in his fiefdom at the moment. The Three Feudatories Army and the French Army had been locked in a protracted stalemate, and the Ottoman Empire had also intervened, resulting in a significant loss of the local population.

The West Sea County (Varna region) is not some wild wilderness. Greeks established settlements here before the Common Era, and with its current jurisdiction, supporting 200,000 people is not a problem.

But there are only over 50,000 people now, simply because there aren't that many people.

However, there was a solution. With a wave of his hand, an old woman led over several attractive women.

"Brother Daquan, go down and rest for ten days. Once you've recovered from the journey and are feeling refreshed, we brothers can discuss things again."

Zhang Daquan came from Zhangjiakou this time with thirty-seven men, all of whom were skilled warriors, capable of fighting on horseback and farming on foot.

For Han Chinese from the heart of China, even if you are a coward in your hometown, once you have traveled tens of thousands of miles, crossed the Gobi Desert, grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped mountains, and experienced life and death to reach the western shore of the Black Sea, you will become a true warrior.

After a relaxing hot bath, the most renowned wine of Xihai County served in jade glasses, and large chunks of roasted lamb and grilled mullet, Zhang Daquan's tense nerves finally relaxed.

His attention began to fall on the woman kneeling on the carpet by the door.

She wore a white long dress adorned with purple-red floral patterns, and on her head was a modified conical hat, the kind of large hat with a pointed top and a white veil that could cover the face, worn by maids in the Tang Dynasty when they went out.

Zhang Daquan only recognized a little over a basketful of characters, so he naturally didn't understand what a cone-shaped hat was, but that didn't stop him from feeling that the hat was very familiar and very nice.

He beckoned, and the maid quickly stood up and walked to his side. Zhang Daquan lifted the veil of his conical hat and took a look. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she was fair-skinned and young, with bold and passionate eyes.

But that was enough for Zhang Daquan, because back in his hometown he was known for his dullness. He had many brothers, and there weren't even enough cornbreads to go around, so no girl would ever be interested in him.

Therefore, he was still unable to settle down and start a family in his thirties, and in the end, he had no choice but to travel thousands of miles west.

Gently stroking the girl's face, Zhang Daquan noticed the flame-shaped floral pattern on her forehead.

"Are you a Persian from the Zoroastrian sect?" Zhang Daquan had passed through Persia and Gaoliang Prefecture on his way here, and knew that people with flame patterns on their bodies and clothing were basically from the Zoroastrian sect.

The girl giggled, and her words came out in Mandarin with a Guanzhong accent, even her vocabulary had a Tang Dynasty feel to it.

"You are not only a Persian under the light of the sacred fire, but also a Persian from the Gaoliang Prefecture of Dongba County (Baku)."

"Hahaha, great!" Zhang Daquan was overjoyed. The Fire Worshipers were the most reliable followers of the Han people in the west.

However, he couldn't say anything else touching. He could only say "okay," and then, trembling, he grabbed the girl's shoulders and gently pushed her back.

Little did this honest and simple man from Hebei know that it took countless people racking their brains and risking their lives to finally bring this Zoroastrian woman to him.

. . . .

Northeast Persia, Tabriz, Mount Savilan, a Zoroastrian holy site.

A white flag with a red flame, symbolizing Zoroastrianism, fluttered high, and soldiers, mostly of typical Azerbaijani appearance and dressed in red and white battle robes, cheered loudly.

At their feet lay the corpses of numerous Zoroastrian heretics.

Yes, this is heresy, not paganism.

Because in Persia, Zoroastrianism was never completely eradicated. For example, in Tabriz, there were still tens of thousands of Zoroastrian followers.

But looking at the current situation, it's clear that after nearly twenty years of accumulating strength, the Fire Worship Sect, as defined by the Great Yu Dynasty, is about to usher in a period of great development.

“You are not followers of Ahura Mazda; you are nothing but lackeys of the Qin people. The God of Light will not forgive you!”

"Unexpectedly, unexpectedly, we didn't die at the hands of the Islamists, but instead, after holding out for hundreds of years, we died at the hands of our own people!"

In the temple on the holy mountain, the last patriarch of the Persian Zoroastrian sect lay on the ground, looking resentfully at the warrior in front of him wearing a red and white flame-patterned battle robe, filled with unwillingness.

Footsteps sounded, and a man who looked exactly like a Han Chinese appeared, but was wearing a long robe with a white lotus pattern emerging from a sea of ​​fire, which only one of the great masters of the Fire Worship Sect could wear.

He glanced contemptuously at the headmaster on the ground and snorted coldly, "Who says you're one of us!"

You heretics who fawn over the Arabs to survive are unworthy of being called glorious Zoroastrians, nor are you worthy of being called glorious Persians!

Having said that, the man turned his back to the virtuous man, faced the believer, and opened his arms, shouting loudly.

"All devout followers of the sacred fire, followers of the light, we are the true inheritors, the true Persians."

When the Arabs destroyed our homeland, our ancestors did not submit. They either followed Prince Peroz to the Tang Dynasty in the East to accumulate strength, or they lay in wait in secret for the restoration of their homeland.

Only the scriptures passed down from our ancestors are the true sacred fire, and those who believe in Eastern religions are the true Persians!

In fact, Zoroastrianism and Confucianism are not only different in name, but their religious doctrines have also undergone significant changes. Doctrinally, Zoroastrianism in Persia has only one true God or a benevolent God, namely Ahura Mazda, the wise lord representing light and truth, and strongly opposes idolatry.

In Zoroastrianism, which is also known as the fire religion and operates within China, the belief in deities began to have multiple origins.

Although Ahura Mazda still holds the titles of God of Light or God of Fire, he has actually been demoted to one of the polytheists.

For example, Zoroastrianism also worships the Mother of Life, the Water God, and native gods from India, Central Asia, or the Western Regions, and there are signs of idol worship such as wooden and ceramic idol statues.

In terms of customs, Zoroastrianism in Persia advocates sky burial, believing that the body should be decomposed by birds and beasts after death, while Zoroastrianism has gradually begun to practice earth burial.

Most importantly, in terms of daily religious activities, Persian Zoroastrianism practices a monotheistic dualism, emphasizing the conflict between the god of light and the god of darkness, and includes concepts such as the Bridge of Judgment (the Last Judgment) and the Soshyanth Salvation (the coming of the Messiah).

Moreover, although they are called Zoroastrians, they do not worship fire, but rather use fire as a medium to communicate with the gods in rituals.

Zoroastrianism, on the other hand, has none of these features; it is purely a worship of the fire god, which is widely reflected in China, such as the numerous fire god temples and fire god grandfather temples in Henan and Shanxi provinces.

To put it more bluntly, Zoroastrianism in Persia was a local religion in the Middle East, and its doctrines profoundly influenced the later Semitic religions.

After being introduced to China, Zoroastrianism underwent significant changes in the early Tang Dynasty. Although it still retained the appearance of fire worship, at least half of its core had been orientalized, just like Buddhism.

Behind this, one can even see the shadow of the ruling class from the late Northern and Southern Dynasties to the early Tang Dynasty. Zoroastrianism was not simply a self-reformation to adapt to the East, but was deliberately and forcibly altered.

If China hadn't entered a period of contraction later, Zoroastrianism would likely have become an important ally in pushing back from China after the Persian Empire was destroyed by the Abbasid Caliphate.

Thus, when Mo Zibu began to lay out his plans for the West, this characteristic of Zoroastrianism was quickly discovered by clever people in the court.

With the addition of descendants of the Persian royal family who fled east, Zoroastrianism, transformed into the Fire Worshipping sect, immediately made a comeback.

Naturally, the biggest enemy of Zoroastrianism in the Persian region was not Islam, but the still struggling Persian Zoroastrianism.

Heretics are more hateful than pagans; this is entirely true in religion and is a profound truth.

In contrast to the Zoroastrianism of Persia, which was struggling to survive in order to preserve its traditions, the Zoroastrianism in China has a clear lineage, with records in scriptures and local chronicles, and even temples built during the Song and Jin dynasties.

These characteristics were so convenient to use to promote orthodoxy and condemn those who remained in Persia as heretics.

“I pity you, because you have altered the doctrine in order to survive, but I cannot forgive you, because heresy must be eradicated!”

Li Qin, who was of Persian royal birth, shouted loudly in Persian, then picked up an oil bottle and gently smashed it with a knife, spilling the tung oil inside all over the priest on the ground.

"If your faith is devout and sincere, then pray in the sacred fire. If you can complete your prayer, then I will forgive the sins of others."

Li Qin held aloft a lotus-shaped torch, its flames blazing fiercely within. Upon seeing this, the surrounding believers immediately knelt on one knee, raised their hands high, interlaced their fingers to mimic the rising flames, and chanted in unison:

"The sacred flame shines brightly, the sacred flame blazes. All my disciples, let us work together with one heart and one mind."

"My benevolent father, who understands righteousness and compassion, enlightens my mind and awakens my true nature."

Well, Emperor Mo Da got lazier and lazier, and used the Great Enlightenment Record created in later generations, regardless of whether it conformed to the doctrine, making Zoroastrianism seven or even eight parts similar to Manichaeism.

Yes, that's precisely why the Fire Worship Sect can get along with the White Lotus Sect, which currently holds a dominant position in the four provinces of Gansu, Qiangtang, and Anxi.

During the chanting, many Persian and Azerbaijani believers did not understand the meaning of the Chinese text at all, but remained very devout.

This is because it not only represents the revival of faith and the slogan of making Persia great again raised by the Great Yu, but also because there are benefits to following the Great Yu.

Not all Azerbaijanis and natives of the Persian homeland are qualified to become honored Persians. Da Yu only intends to grant status to 20% of them, making them one of the many feudal lords Da Yu will appoint in Persia.

These people followed Li Qin and others to complete the ceremony and became honored Persians, who could not only attack Persia from Azerbaijan but also become feudal lords.

Even those who could not gain military merit could settle on both sides of the Black Sea with the vassal kings and vassal lords of Dayu, serving as a 'firewall' for the Han people and as obedient farmers.

Having slogans and beliefs is one thing, but you also need benefits to get things done.

Amidst the devout chanting, the screams of the Persian Zoroastrian high priest grew weaker with each note; who could possibly chant scriptures while being burned by flames?

Even if such a person existed, he wouldn't be the one burned on the ground unless he chose to be.

As a descendant of Peroz, the Persian king, Li Qin, from Dayi County in Sichuan, was the most outstanding member of the Persian royal family.

He had passed the imperial examinations and served as a prefect and military commissioner. At only thirty-three years old, he was at the perfect age to make his mark.

Behind Li Qin was Lin Zexu, the mastermind behind the entire Gaoliang Prefecture (Caucasus) region.

Lin Wenzheng spent ten years in the Caucasus and finally designed a usable system for the region.

That is, to evolve Zoroastrianism, which had been modified since the Northern and Southern Dynasties, into the Zoroastrian sect, and to use the restoration of the ancient Persian Empire as a rallying cry to elevate a group of Caucasians and Iranians, including Azerbaijanis, to the glory of the Persians.

This allows them to willingly become tools for the Great Yu to fragment Persia, strike at the power of the Tianfang religion, and coerce the various states and tribes of the Abbasid Caliphate.

As for the Armenians, that's even easier to deal with. They have a legend that their ancestors were from the East, although they don't reach the level of the Hungarians, who would come to trace their roots even after the East had completely declined in history.

However, given the current momentum of the Great Yu, they can still follow the lead of the Red and White factions, and because of their deep-seated hatred for the Turks, this tactic is quite effective in Asia Minor and the western coast of the Black Sea.

In the autumn of 1815, while Europe was at the Vienna Peace Conference, Zoroastrianism, which occupied Tabriz, began to develop rapidly.

Its most important purpose is no longer to expand the territory of Dayu, but to place a henchman in the future largest oil-producing area.

A fragmented Persian kingdom, whose local vassals were all appointed by the Great Yu.

Meanwhile, in the new Huaining City on the western shore of the Black Sea, Zhang Daquan had fully recovered after fifteen days of rest. He decided not to go back, but to stay here and follow Li Chengbiao, hoping to become a garrison commander.

"Brother Daquan, in the future, the western shore of the Black Sea will definitely belong to us Hebei people." Li Chengbiao was full of confidence, because he knew that the attack on the Ottoman Empire would definitely begin, and there was even more possibility in the future.

"Look at the weather here, it's not much different from back in my hometown in Hebei. I've hardly ever seen anyone from Hebei come here and suffer from acclimatization problems."

Lee Sung-pyo's mouth was wide open in a smile as he spoke, because the climate on the western coast of the Black Sea is indeed very similar to that of Hebei.

Rainfall ranges from 400 to 700 mm. The four seasons are distinct, with mild winters and moderate summers. The average annual temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. The area is rich in wheat, corn, cherries, grapes, and other agricultural products.

Zhang Daquan couldn't help but nod. Soon after, the clock on the dock rang, and squads of Han men dressed in tight-fitting clothes and carrying weapons disembarked.

Upon seeing the arrival of the people, Li Chengbiao and Bao Xindu, along with more than thirty other nobles, quickly went to greet them.

Fifteen-year-old Bai Zhaonan, accompanied by his uncle Bai Fengchi and more than a dozen members of the Bai family from Anxin County, Baoding Prefecture, Hebei Province, set foot on the land of Xinhuaian.

"My lord, we have been waiting here for a long time. Our warriors have been assembled and are ready to be presented to you after you have met the king."

As the person with the highest rank among them, Li Chengbiao quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting, because the person who came was none other than Bai Fengshan's son, who had died in the rearguard battle in Bucharest, and who was also the first major vassal of Liaodong, the Duke of Anxin, personally conferred by the emperor.

Fifteen-year-old Bai Zhaonan received the standard education of a second-generation meritorious official of the Great Yu Dynasty, or a second-generation colonizer, and has graduated from junior military academy, already showing some signs of being a soldier.

He glanced around and saw that those wearing bestowed robes such as the Flying Tiger Robe and the Cloud Leopard Robe were all Han dynasty officials. Further out were the garrison commanders and deputy commanders wearing military belts.

A little further out from the garrison officers, a large number of Armenian junior officers from the Caucasus were watching them intently.

The rule of Dayu on the western coast of the Black Sea was divided between Han Chinese vassal states on the surface, garrisons and outposts on the outskirts, and Han Chinese settlers and Armenian vassal troops on the countryside.

"Thank you, uncles and elders. Please take me to see the King now. My father's blood cannot be shed in vain!"

Bai Zhaonan composed himself, his heart filled with a desire to expand his territory in the future.

(End of this chapter)