There is no such thing as the Kangxi and Qianlong eras

Chapter 216 Tujia Yaomei
Hefeng Prefecture.

This area was a scattered prefecture under the jurisdiction of the southern part of Yichang Prefecture. It was mostly mountainous with little plains, and transportation and water conservancy were inconvenient, resulting in widespread poverty among the people. The reason for establishing this scattered prefecture was that there were simply too many Tujia people (Tujia ethnic group) here, almost more than the Han people who had migrated here.

In order to control this area and prevent unrest, the puppet Qing dynasty first built a city and established a prefecture here, and then set up the Hefeng Camp to suppress the Miao people.

However, with the successive uprisings of the Great Han and the White Lotus Sect, the Hefeng Battalion was transferred and defeated. Without the restraint, the Hefeng Miao people seized the opportunity to conspire with the White Lotus Sect to launch an uprising and take over Hefeng Prefecture City in one fell swoop.

Afterwards, Bai Lian taught herself to band together and mingle. The Tu Miao people of Hefeng symbolically attacked Yichang City, but after realizing they couldn't take it, they ran back.

Now that the Han army has arrived, the Tu Miao people are also not very keen on fighting.

Both parties agreed to first discuss the matter in Hefeng City.

On the day of the meeting.

"So you're the official sent by the Han people? You've got some nerve, actually daring to come into the city to negotiate." The Tu-Miao leader, Tian Zhengqing, carefully examined the Han official opposite him and said.

The official who came into the city to negotiate with the Tu Miao was Meng Chang, the newly appointed prefect of Hefeng who had accompanied the army. He laughed and said, "It's just negotiating in the city. What's there to be afraid of? If Chief Tian really wanted to kill someone, why wait for me to come into the city? We could have fought outside together."

"You, a Han Chinese civil official, are quite interesting, and quite courageous."

Tian Zhengqing smiled first, then said with utmost seriousness, “Since that’s the case, even an official like you has such courage, then that Han King must also be a great hero who can stand tall and upright. My Tu Miao people from Hefeng are rebelling, but it’s all out of desperation. The government doesn’t want to leave us Tu Miao people a way to survive, allowing those soldiers and officials to bully and exploit us. The taxes and corvée labor that you Han people have to pay, we Tu Miao people not only have to pay all of them, but we have to pay even more. After paying, we still have to continue to obey those corrupt officials’ private orders and risk our lives.”

"Yes, I, a member of the Han Dynasty, know all of these things."

Meng Chang nodded upon hearing this. Before coming, he had learned from the intelligence agents that the rebellions of the Miao people in Hefeng were indeed caused by the officials forcing the people to rebel, rather than the "treachery of the Miao people" as usually recorded by the pseudo-Qing government.

This should be considered a traditional tactic of the pseudo-Qing dynasty: by intensifying oppression and exploitation, they would incite various ethnic minorities in the southwest to rebel, then the court would send troops to suppress them, and after killing them, they would conveniently change the status of officials to "return to the imperial court."

The generals gained military merits, the officials gained political achievements, and the imperial court successfully implemented the policy of replacing local chieftains with appointed officials, increasing its control over the local areas and reducing the instability factors among the Miao people.

A win-win situation!
The ethnic minorities in the southwest were really unlucky. Local officials who oppressed Han people might be punished by the imperial court, but the ethnic minorities who were forced to live in the mountains were all in accordance with the rules and were legitimately serving the imperial court as herders.
If the ethnic minorities rebel, it is because they are cunning and treacherous, fearing power but not gratitude. They should be severely suppressed by troops.

Meng Chang stated clearly: "When officials force the people to rebel, even if it is the Han people who encounter corrupt officials who abuse the people, they should still rebel. As long as they do not kill innocent people or oppress and abuse the people after the rebellion, then our Great Han will forgive and forget."

Tian Zhengqing laughed and said, "Haha, don't worry about that. Although we Tu Miao are not Han people, we know that we should avenge our grudges. We won't spread our hatred to all Han people for no reason. At most, we will just confiscate the tools of some corrupt Han officials and landlords."

Meng Chang believed these words. It had nothing to do with whether the other party was seeking revenge. It was simply that the common people were all dirt poor. Who would rebel and rob ordinary people for no reason? They would definitely be after the wealthy and powerful families!
As for whether there were any innocent people who died as a result, there certainly were. That's how rebellions are; it's normal to accidentally kill a few people in the process of taking out one's anger on them. But there's no way to investigate such matters. If we really investigated them, it would only extend into ethnic hatred between the Tujia and Miao people and the Han people. We can only choose to avoid punishing the masses.

Let's skip that for now and get to the main point.

Tian Zhengqing said, “You are a truly courageous official, and the King of Han is a hero. We Tu Miao naturally do not want to be enemies with heroes. I have heard about the King of Han’s policies from Mr. Li (the spy who persuaded them to surrender). Distributing land to the people, reducing taxes, and prohibiting the people from being enslaved are all very good. But I still want to ask, can your King of Han really treat us Tu Miao people the same way, just like the people of your Han people, and treat us Tu Miao people equally?”

"The King of Han's word is as good as gold..."

Before Meng Chang could finish speaking, Tian Zhengqing rudely interrupted him: "Stop talking nonsense, I want to hear something more practical. What can you prove or guarantee?"

Meng Chang suddenly laughed, because the king had already taught them this question. He thought for a moment and said, "The Queen Consort is the Queen Consort of the King of Han. She used to be a household slave. A household slave is a slave."

Upon hearing this, Tian Zhengqing was momentarily stunned, then nodded: "Good! He truly is a great and upright hero. King Han is amazing! We Tu Miao are convinced!"

Not to mention Tian Zhengqing, the two Miao soldiers behind him, who could also understand a few words of Han language, were also very shocked when they heard the Han general opposite them say that the King of Han had married a "slave".

These were slaves, yet these Han kings could disregard such things and marry them as their wives. It's not surprising that they treated the Tujia and Miao people equally, without regard to ethnicity or origin.

Meng Chang clearly misspoke, referring to the Queen Consort. Strictly speaking, the Queen Consort could not be considered a wife, but rather a "concubine." Moreover, the Queen Consort's status as a slave had long since been revoked; there was no such thing as slavery under the rule of the King of Han. Furthermore, the Queen Consort was the King of Han's personal maidservant who had grown up with him since childhood.

However, this is quite remarkable. To be able to take a maid as a queen, and to be the first queen besides the queen herself, means that her future status and position will be immeasurable, and may even be reflected in the prince.

It should be noted that this was initially opposed by the ministers below, but it was Nie Yu, the King of Han, who personally used the pretext of righteousness to suppress the objections.

Taking this opportunity, Meng Chang continued, "The King of Han has stated that if the Tu Miao people of Hefeng are willing to submit, then our Great Han will not make things difficult for them. Our Great Han army may not be stationed in your Tu Miao villages, but will only send land distribution officials to assist you in distributing land and registering households."

"Regarding the appointment of officials, except for the prefect of Hefeng, who must be personally appointed by the Prince of Han, the town heads of other places can be elected by you Tu Miao people yourselves. Afterwards, just report to the Prince of Han. The land distribution officials will also assist you in establishing farmers' associations."

"This Farmers' Association is the place where the Tu Miao people and farmers stand up for each other. If you encounter any grievances, or if the town mayor is corrupt or derelict in his duties, the Farmers' Association can impeach the town mayor."

"The town mayor has been impeached by the farmers' association and must be temporarily relieved of his post pending investigation. Don't be afraid of retaliation from the mayor; the prefect of Hefeng... well, I myself will stand up for you!"

Tian Zhengqing raised an eyebrow and asked, "What if we can't impeach you, or what if you, the prefect of Hefeng appointed by the Prince of Han, are also corrupt?"

Meng Chang's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Then report it to the Prefect of Yichang and let him get involved. If the Prefect can't handle it, or if you can't report it to the Prefect and don't trust him anymore, then just rebel!"

"Rebel directly?" Tian Zhengqing thought he had misheard.

Meng Chang nodded: "Since Han people can be forced into rebellion by officials, the Miao people can naturally be forced into rebellion as well. As long as you make a big enough fuss, the King of Han will take notice and send people down to investigate thoroughly. You don't need to worry about being held responsible. As long as it's found that you were indeed forced to rebel and didn't indiscriminately kill innocent people, then if the fuss gets too big, the ringleaders will at most be exiled. It can even help you punish corrupt officials and restore peace and stability to you." Tian Zhengqing asked with a hint of amusement: "And what about you?"

Meng Chang said earnestly, "I know what you want to ask, but what I want to say is that I have also personally worked in the fields and done farm work, and I know how much suffering the people endure. So I will not embezzle. If one day I embezzle and force you to rebel and beg for a living, then you don't need to worry about me, because that would be my just deserts."

Upon hearing the other party's reply, Tian Zhengqing almost subconsciously felt that this Prefect of Hefeng, sent by the Prince of Han, must have some serious mental illness.
But then I thought, if all the officials under the Han King were this good, then it seems that the Miao people really wouldn't need to rebel anymore.

Don't think this is impossible. This is precisely the political vitality that a qualified new dynasty should have, filled with idealism and goals from top to bottom.

Take the Ming Dynasty as an example. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, it was ridiculously powerful. It could fight wars every year without lacking money and food. Local corruption was almost invisible. From top to bottom, everyone was working together to unify the country and eliminate the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty and local warlords.

What Meng Chang just said was indeed from the bottom of his heart, but it may not necessarily be out of genuine concern for the people. He may simply want to make a name for himself by resolving the conflict between the Han and Tu people of Hefeng, thereby paving the way for his own advancement to the position of prime minister in the new dynasty.

Getting back to the point, Tian Zhengqing was basically convinced by Meng Chang, and his tone softened considerably. He even dismissed his personal guards, instead having food brought over. While eating, he said, "Prefect Meng has already said all this, so we Tu Miao people certainly can't be ungrateful. Tomorrow, the Tu Miao people of Hefeng will officially change their allegiance. You can take back those Han villages that we control. Let us know when the land distribution officials are coming. And as for those villages that don't like you Han people, I'll talk to them for you. Don't worry!"

Hearing this, Meng Chang breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, an agreement had been reached. He smiled and said, "With Chief Tian's assurance, I am naturally at ease. There is another matter. It just so happens that the King of Han is currently building primary schools in the villages and towns. These primary schools will serve as academies. Currently, primary schools provide three years of compulsory education. The King of Han has not made any requirements for you Tu Miao people for the time being, but you can still send your children to primary school. Those who graduate from primary school can become land allocation officials or village chiefs. Those who graduate with excellent grades from primary school and have the means can also come to the prefectural city to study at middle school. After graduating from middle school, they can become town mayors, and so on. After graduating from university, they can become county officials."

Tian Zhengqing didn't quite understand. He only understood the terms "field distribution official," "village head," and "town head." The field distribution official was someone sent by the Han Chinese government to help them distribute land, establish peasant associations, and make decisions for them. The village head was the leader of each village, and the town head was the leader of several hamlets. So what was the county magistrate?

Surely we can't appoint them as county magistrates?
They are Tujia and Miao people, not Han people, yet they can become county magistrates?
Meng Chang quickly answered Tian Zhengqing's question: "He is not the county magistrate, but he can serve as the county assistant magistrate. After observing the administration for a period of time, he can take over as the county magistrate when the county magistrate is dismissed or promoted. He is equivalent to a deputy county magistrate of a county."

So he really is a county magistrate?

Tian Zhengqing looked astonished. Even as the leader of the Tu Miao people who advocated peace talks with the Han army, he was somewhat unsure of himself. The Han army's words seemed a bit too nice.

Meng Chang said, "I know what Chief Tian's doubts are, and I should have already answered this question from the beginning. The King of Han treats all ethnic groups equally. If he treats them equally, then what is the difference between a Miao person being a county magistrate and a Han person being a county magistrate?"

Actually, they are still different. Because the local Miao people are still the local Miao people. Whether it is in recognizing and writing characters or in understanding Chinese studies, they are definitely not as good as ordinary Han students. They simply cannot beat Han candidates in exams.

But none of that matters. What matters is that the King of Han has opened this door. If there are truly Tujia and Miao students who can fully assimilate into Han culture, becoming indistinguishable from the Han people, and who also study diligently, then becoming an official is not impossible.

Tian Zhengqing hadn't expected this, or rather, he hadn't thought that the King of Han would dig a pit for them, the Tu Miao, here.

If the Tu Miao people are allowed to study and become officials just like the Han people, but they are taught the Han people's Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, ethics and morality, and Han Chinese learning, then over time, the Tu Miao people will cease to exist, and only Han people with the identity of the Upper Miao will remain.

These are all open schemes, including the subsequent appointment of town mayors. Initially, the town mayors were allowed to be elected by the Tu and Miao people themselves, and these mayors were definitely the leaders of each village.

When these town mayors' terms come to an end and a new town mayor takes office, there will definitely be changes, and they will be more inclined to favor the Tujia and Miao people who are more Sinicized.

The Han Dynasty could not allow these Tu Miao people to hold free elections indefinitely, as this would be detrimental to the Han Dynasty's rule and assimilation of the Tu Miao, and also to the Tu Miao people themselves.

Over time, the position of town mayor would inevitably become a hereditary chieftainship for the Tujia and Miao people, necessitating the intervention of the Han Chinese to forcibly appoint him. Moreover, the appointed town mayor would be a Tujia and Miao person, not a Han Chinese from another region governing the Tujia and Miao people, thus preventing any potential incitement of resistance from the Tujia and Miao lower classes.

After a moment of contemplation, Tian Zhengqing said, "Since Prefect Meng has said so, then we Tu Miao people will believe the Prince of Han. However, we Tu Miao people also have a condition."

Meng Chang quickly raised his hand: "Chief Tian, ​​please feel free to bring it up. I will definitely pass it on to the King of Han."

Tian Zhengqing laughed and said, "If even the Queen Consort of the King of Han can be of slave origin, then we Tu Miao people would also like to form a kinship with the King of Han."

"..."

Meng Changren was stunned. After a moment, he came to his senses and asked somewhat awkwardly, "What did Chief Tian just say?"

Tian Zhengqing said, "We, the Tu Miao, want to form a marriage alliance with the King of Han. We will choose the most beautiful youngest sister to marry the King of Han. At that time, we, the Tu Miao, and the King of Han will be one family. Then, all the Tu villages will not need me to persuade them; they will submit to the King of Han on their own."

Upon hearing this, Meng Chang roughly understood what Tian Zhengqing meant.

He was too young; he actually mistook the other person for a simple and honest Miao man because of the other person's cheerful opening remarks and demeanor.

How could Tian Zhengqing, who was able to conquer the prefecture and become the leader of many Tu and Miao people, really be a straightforward and honest man?
Meng Chang was in a dilemma. He had boasted that he would submit a memorial to the King of Han, but now that the other party had stated their conditions, if he did not submit the memorial, all his previous efforts would be in vain, and he would lose all his credit.

After pondering for a while, Meng Chang made up his mind. He would submit the memorial anyway, since it wasn't a bad thing. The King of Han would eventually take a concubine, and taking a Miao concubine would gain him the support of countless Miao people. It was a very profitable deal!
As for whether the King of Han likes it or not?

Your Majesty, for the sake of the stability of the Han Dynasty, we have no choice but to trouble you to make a sacrifice!

Moreover, this is not without precedent. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty took many foreign concubines into their harems, including those from Korea, Vietnam, and the Yao ethnic group. It is said that the Hongzhi Emperor was born to a Yao woman, which is why the emperors of the Ming Dynasty suddenly became fair-skinned starting with the Hongzhi Emperor.

Meng Chang cupped his hands in greeting: "I understand Chief Tian's meaning, and I will certainly report to the Prince of Han as soon as possible on Chief Tian's behalf!"

Tian Zhengqing also smiled and said, "That's good, then I'll trouble Prefect Meng."

……

(End of this chapter)