Chapter 859 Day

Chapter 859 Day

Chapter 859 Festival
Some people think Pingcheng is a hard place, but some people think it is a good place, such as Duan Wenyang, the general of Lulong Town.

The area around Lulong Town is mountainous and although it is suitable for grazing, there are very few flat lands.

The few remaining patches were mostly located on both sides of the river valleys and were very fragmented, not very large in total. They were often fought over by clan leaders who were accustomed to combining farming and animal husbandry, and people had even died in the fight.

A while ago, Youzhou Governor Yuan Chong sent someone to the army to ask him whether he was willing to move the tribe to the vicinity of Pingcheng.

He didn't even ask about the promotion of official positions, but only asked one question: Is there much flat land?
After learning that there was a lot of flat land, he agreed to half of it.

After learning that he could also be given the title of General Ningyuan (fourth rank) and a supervisory position in the Shanyu's court, he fully agreed.

It was already late September, and more than 17,000 people from the entire tribe arrived at Xuanhong Pond.

This pond is two miles long from east to west and four miles long from north to south. It is located between Dongmugen Mountain and Pingcheng. It was actually an important road connecting the two places. It was located in the Xinzhouying area of ​​Heitutai Township, just north of Datong and northeast of Fengzhen City. It disappeared in the middle of the Qing Dynasty due to land reclamation and siltation.

Duan Wenyang fell in love with this place at first sight.

The flat land is really vast, and it is completely possible to grow cold-resistant millet and sorghum. There are two or three rivers around the huge swamp called the Uzumaki Pond, which is rich in water and grass and is also a good place for grazing.

More than a hundred miles due north of here, there is a larger lake, Qifu Yuanchi (now Huangqihai), which is more than fifty miles square and much larger than Xuanhongchi.

Unfortunately, that place was occupied by the Hegu tribe under Tuoba Yihuai.

Duan Wenyang had fought with them before and had some fighting ability. Others were afraid, but he was not. As long as King Liang gave the order, they could rush to Qifu Yuanchi and attack the Hegu tribe.

On September 28th, Duan Wenyang left his followers at Xuanhongchi and led more than a hundred of his followers south to Pingcheng to receive the official seal and ceremonial guards.

Before entering the city, he saw a house crowded with people.

There was a stone pillar for tying horses in front of the door, and there seemed to be words on it. Duan Wenyang dismounted and took a look, and saw the four words "Qiu Bu Yu Yi".

What does it mean? I know the words, but I don’t understand the meaning.

"Where is this place?" He grabbed a person and asked in Jin dialect.

The man didn't understand.

Duan Wenyang switched to Xianbei language, and the other party finally understood and said, "The shogunate Zhuge Gongshi opened a private school to teach students."

"Then do you know what these four words mean?" Duan Wenyang asked again.

The man looked at Duan Wenyang as if he were a fool and said, "I don't even understand Jin language, and you're still asking me?"

Duan Wenyang pushed him several steps away.

The man was furious, but when he saw Duan's majestic and powerful demeanor, he became afraid, cursed under his breath, and slipped away.

"Not as good as Liu Ling!" Duan Wenyang snorted coldly.

So far, only Jin Zheng and Liu Ling under King Liang's command have left a deep impression on him. They are indeed brave and strong, and they are unstoppable.

"Qiu Bu Yu Yi..." Duan Wenyang looked at these four words carefully, but he didn't understand anything until the end. Instead, he didn't recognize the four words that he originally knew. He felt dizzy and extremely irritable.

"'I won't change it' is an attitude," someone said.

Duan Wenyang looked back and asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm just a businessman." The man laughed and said, "Zhuge Gongshi once said that the Han Dynasty valued classics and regarded Confucianism as a disadvantage. Since the Zhengshi period of Cao Wei, the world has advocated Laozi and Zhuangzi. In the present dynasty, people even regard being naked as noble..."

"Puff!" Duan Wenyang couldn't help laughing so hard that his saliva sprayed out.

That's such a mean remark!
Although he admired the Central Plains culture, he could not stand the behavior of many scholars. He felt that they were a little too crazy and not like serious people.

The merchant waited for him to stop laughing, and then continued, "Zhuge Gongshi has a beautiful demeanor and likes to talk about things in a refined manner. He often debates with others about classics and has a deep understanding of them. His words 'I will not change' mean that he does not want to be associated with some people."

If there is a way in the world, I will not change it.

Zhuge Xian knew that metaphysics was very popular and was the "great way". He said, "I have no objection, but I will not participate."

"What book teaches this subject?" Duan Wenyang asked.

"I heard that he teaches the "Guoyu", "Gongyang" and "Guliang", and also studies "Laozi" and "Yi". "The merchant replied.

Duan Wenyang was a little tempted when he heard this, so he asked, "Do you accept everyone?"

The merchant looked at him and said, "You must learn to read first. If you can't read, you can go to elementary school."

"That's right." Duan Wenyang smiled.

His children are literate, so perhaps they could be sent over to learn.

I just don't know whether he will accept it or not. If there is no other choice, I will offer Zhuge Congshi 500 sheep. I don't believe he will refuse.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look at this small manor.

It seems that many nobles in Pingcheng have sent their children here.

He heard that Murong Wei attached great importance to this in Liaodong. He allowed scholars from the Central Plains to open schools to teach, forced tribal nobles to send their sons and nephews to study, and even Murong Wei himself often attended classes, so the academic atmosphere flourished.

Pingcheng actually opened a school for teaching! I just don't know whether the nobles of the tribe sent their children and nephews to learn voluntarily or under duress.

Huh? Duan Wenyang suddenly thought, am I not the so-called noble of Pingcheng tribe? It seems that sending his nephews to study is not a problem. Not only his family members will come to study, but also the children of several trusted clan leaders will come. The momentum of King Liang is too good. If you don't study, you can't become an official in the Central Plains, unless you plan to stay in a remote place and herd sheep for the rest of your life.

Although Duan Wenyang was a military man, he also understood this truth deeply.

******
October 1st, strong wind.

The Luonan soldiers and Hedong Xiaba have already evacuated, and the number of troops left in Pingcheng is decreasing.

There was a rumor in Pingcheng that King Liang intended to withdraw his troops and return south in mid-October.

When the news came out, some people were worried, some were celebrating, but most people were indifferent.

On this day, all the dignitaries of Pingcheng gathered on the stage, and King Liang hosted a banquet.

"On the first day of October, people in different parts of the Central Plains eat millet and make 'millet porridge' or 'sesame soup and bean rice', depending on their customs. They try it because it is freshly cooked." Shao Xun pointed to the bowl in front of him and said, "I have been in the north for more than half a year, and I miss the food in the Central Plains very much, so I set up this banquet to enjoy it with you all."

After hearing this, the officials and nobles of Dai finally understood the reason for today's banquet - if they were entertaining guests, they should just eat bean rice, which was just one dish. If there was no reason, it would be really shabby.

Mrs. Wang, the wife of Shao Xun, smiled and said, "Some time ago, the King of Liang ate mutton sausage and praised it highly, calling it a 'Xianbei delicacy'. Today, I tried this bean rice and found it delicious. But I don't know how we can eat this rice next year when there are no beans in Pingcheng after the King left."

After saying that, he glanced at Shao Xun.

Shao Xun avoided her gaze, looked at everyone, and said with a smile: "Pingcheng is rich in millet, which can also be used for the festival. The Central Plains is vast, and customs vary. The food eaten by people in different places on the first day of October is also different. You can use local ingredients."

Madam Wang glanced at Shao Xun again and was about to say something when Wang Chang, the governor of Yunzhong, hurriedly said, "I wonder what this section is called?"

Shao Xun pondered for a moment and said, "It is said that during the Qin Dynasty, October was the beginning of the year, and the first day of the year was the first day. At this time, the autumn grain was harvested and the farming work was completed. The people who had been busy all year could take a break, taste the new grain, sweep the graves of their ancestors, and prepare winter clothes. During the Qin and Han dynasties, this festival was as lively as the New Year's Day. It was slightly less lively during the Wei and Jin dynasties, but it was still a major festival. It was simply called 'October's First Day', and it was commonly called 'Autumn Festival'."

After saying that, he clapped his hands.

After a while, the personal soldiers walked into the hall holding brocade robes.

This is a cold-resistant winter coat made of brocade on the outside and silk wadding (cotton) on the inside. It was hastily made by the Shaofu and delivered with the latest grain-carrying convoy.

"Two pieces per person, everyone gets one." Shao Xun said with a smile.

The personal guards began to distribute brocade clothes, and the nobles smiled happily and kept touching them.

This workmanship and fabric are very rare on the grassland and are very valuable.

"Thank you, King Liang, for your gift." Led by Prime Minister Wei Xiong, the nobles stood up one after another and bowed to express their gratitude.

"You are all important ministers of the country and have made outstanding contributions. You deserve this reward. There is no need to be polite." Shao Xun waved his hand and said.

Everyone sat back happily and continued to eat bean rice.

Wang was in mixed feelings. She had just taken two bites of bean rice when she felt something was wrong.

She stood there, her face turned slightly pale and her brows gradually frowned.

She felt nauseous, but she forced herself to hold it back, clenching her hands tightly on the table.

"The Xianbei are also the descendants of the Central Dynasty. You may make this a regular practice." Shao Xun put down the bowl, looked at everyone and said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, what you said makes sense." Wei Xiong also put down his bowl and chopsticks, and said with a smile: "After a year of hard work, it's time to have a good rest. Why not call it 'Cold Clothes Festival' to commemorate the king's gift of clothes."

"Good!" As soon as Wei Xiong finished speaking, Su Zhongyi echoed, "In August, the Yinshan Mountains are harvested, and September is also busy, so October is just the right time to celebrate this festival. The Cold Clothes Festival is great! It would be great if the king could come to Pingcheng every year to give away clothes."

Everyone laughed.

Amid the noise, Wang quietly left the table.

Shi Yijian, who was sitting next to her, wanted to follow her but was stopped by Wang Chang.

Shi Yijian looked at Wang Chang in confusion. Wang Chang slowly shook his head but refused to let go.

Shao Xun looked at everyone's smiles and felt happy.

Festivals are an important part of culture, and the Xianbei people’s celebration of the October New Year Festival was a good start.

Because of the reward of winter clothes, it can also increase Shao's legendary status in Pingcheng, which is even better.

Controlling the Tuoba Dai Kingdom requires more than just military victory; that is only a necessary condition, not a sufficient condition.

In fact, since the capture of Pingcheng and the general end of the military operations, he has spent no less time than when he was fighting. It's just that many things have only just begun, and they still need time to develop, settle, and solidify. And this process cannot be interrupted, otherwise he will have to start from the beginning again, which is even more troublesome.

Fortunately, in this era, the Hu people have a deep-seated worship of the Central Plains, and the halo of the Central Plains dynasty has not yet been broken by the Hu cavalry.

Shao Xun was born on the eve of the revolutionary development of cavalry technology and the explosive growth of the military strength of the Hu people. He pulled the Central Plains back from a period when half of it was falling into the abyss, thus preserving the high and mighty face of the Central Plains dynasty. He could then continue to use this face to seek benefits.

Today's big show is just the first step in his plan.

While he was daydreaming, the military commander Huang Zheng came over and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, Madam Wang might be pregnant."

Shao Xun was startled, but his expression remained unchanged and he continued to chat and laugh with the Hu people.

After a long time, he apologized, got up, changed his clothes and left.

(End of this chapter)