Chapter 62: Naturalized Foreigner

The Thousand Household system was not created by Xiao Simo; it originated in the early years of the Jin Dynasty.

After the Jingkang Incident, many Song Dynasty generals surrendered to the Jin Dynasty.

To settle these surrendered generals, but not wanting to incorporate them into the Jurchen Meng’an Mouke system lest it affect the Jurchen’s own combat power…

The Jurchens created the Thousand Household system modeled on the Meng’an Mouke system.

Essentially, it was similar to the Meng’an Mouke system, just another set of team with a different name.

Just like the Qing Dynasty created the Han Eight Banners, it was of the same nature.

But the emergence of the Thousand Household system indeed greatly stabilized the Jin Dynasty’s rule and management over the surrendered Song army.

It eliminated redundant officers from the original Song army, simplified administrative management, and enhanced the army’s combat effectiveness.

It also became the key for the Jin Dynasty’s million-strong army to suppress neighboring powerful countries.

Xiao Simo borrowed the Jin Dynasty’s Thousand Household system, preparing to implement a set of Thousand Household system suitable for himself in the Northern Border.

“But doing this will definitely affect the original fortress and village structure,” Zhao Tiezhu said with a slight frown.

Still considering how this reform would affect himself.

“One hundred households of herdsmen are divided into a separate Hundred Household; what about the extra people in the fortress beyond one hundred households?” Qin Kaishan asked.

Wouldn’t this divide part of their fortress’s strength?

“If there are ten or twenty extra households, the Khitans probably won’t do anything, but if there are more, they might be forcibly separated,” Li Xiao shook his head and said.

Such a change was actually more beneficial to small-scale fortresses.

Fortresses with more people would instead be split apart.

The status and strength of the Fortress Lord would plummet.

Like Hexi Fortress, initially having more than two hundred households, and after absorbing people from Sanhe Fortress and Hou Village, now had nearly four hundred households.

Li Xiao planned to hide some households, but it would still be divided into at least three Hundred Households.

If Li Xiao hadn’t become this Thousand Household, he would at most become one of the Hundred Households, and his power would shrink by one-third compared to before.

He certainly wouldn’t be willing in his heart!

“Once the registration of households begins, Jin Prefecture will probably continue to be chaotic,” the Qianhe Village Lord shook his head and said.

He wasn’t too worried.

Because Qianhe Village was a small village, the number of households didn’t even reach a hundred; maybe they could even get a few households allocated to them.

But those large fortresses would inevitably not be reconciled.

“This is inevitable. Every reform is taking a knife to those with vested interests before. Cutting meat from them will definitely intensify conflicts.”

“However, Xiao Simo’s twenty thousand troops are right in Jin Prefecture. They won’t leave until the household registration is completed,” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.

With twenty thousand Eastern Capital troops stationed, whoever dared to act recklessly would be crushed into powder instantly.

This Karluk rebellion was played perfectly by Xiao Simo.

It completely became a stepping stone for him to further control the Northern Border.

“This person, Xiao Simo, is indeed as Da Long said, very deep-minded!” Qin Kaishan shook his head and sighed.

“In just ten years, our Jin Prefecture will be completely controlled by the Khitans.”

Others saw the interest struggle of a few more or fewer households of herdsmen now, while Qin Kaishan looked further ahead.

He said worriedly: “Previously, we Village Lords managed the villagers without caring about Khitan interference.”

“But in the future, when it becomes Thousand Households and Hundred Households, it’s not certain who will have the final say.”

Very simple logic: the previous Han Fortress Lords and Village Lords were generated by themselves, unaffected by Khitans.

But once the Thousand Household and Hundred Household system was implemented, it would undoubtedly put a shackle on the fortresses, villages, and nomadic tribes of Jin Prefecture.

Initially, the original Fortress Lords and Chiefs might still be appointed as Hundred Households and Thousand Households.

But as time passed and the lower-class herdsmen’s recognition of this system deepened…

Then the various Hundred Households and Thousand Households would probably gradually be replaced.

Changing from candidates generated within the fortress and confirmed by the Regency to being directly appointed by the Regency.

The two had essential differences in the source of power.

“Replacing Native Officials (Gaitu Guiliu)!”

These four words instantly appeared in Li Xiao’s mind.

He had to admit, Xiao Simo had plenty of courage and indeed brilliant means.

Given enough time, maybe he could really take back the ruling power of the Northern Border’s grassroots level from the hands of the original Fortress Lords, Village Lords, and tribal chiefs.

“Just don’t know if Xiao Simo has so much time to wait,” Li Xiao thought secretly.

Just as everyone was discussing the gains and losses of the system reform in Jin Prefecture, Erhu walked in with two people.

One was Li Xiao’s slave Hutu.

The other was a very magnificent Čarlan man, the one who rushed into Wuya Village first not long ago.

He said with a low and humming voice: “This lowly one Basihatulu, greets the Lord.”

Hutu beside him hurriedly translated this for Li Xiao.

This Čarlan person looked about twenty years old, with a robust physique, his exposed chest and arms full of muscles.

His head was bald, his face full of scars, looking very scary.

There were still many hastily treated wounds on his body, showing that he indeed fought hard in the battle not long ago.

Most importantly, his height was nearly 1.9 meters; standing in the tent was like a tower, full of oppression.

Li Xiao was also slightly stunned seeing this height.

But not too surprised; such height wasn’t rare among children born after 2000 in later generations.

“Basihatulu?”

“Good man.”

“Well done.” Li Xiao stepped forward, sized up the strong man, and nodded with satisfaction.

“During the battle, I was watching from behind. You were very brave, a true warrior.”

“You shouldn’t continue as a slave,” Li Xiao said.

At this moment, he had an inexplicable state of mind.

Just now in Xiao Simo’s big tent, he was also standing below, being rewarded by Xiao Simo.

Now, he was rewarding others.

The hierarchical system forged by power was so strict and ruthless.

To rise a step, one either relied on connections or risked one’s life.

Li Xiao at least had the meager connection with Xiao Yanyan, but this strong man in front of him relied entirely on risking his life.

After listening to Hutu translate Li Xiao’s words, this strong man named Basihatulu opened his mouth, suddenly chuckled, and nodded happily.

“Hehehe~”

“Good, good~”

This slightly honest and silly laughter instantly attracted the attention of Luo Ping and the others.

Found this strong man was just giggling and nodding, and that was it?

Hutu beside him explained with a helpless look: “Master, forgive him. Basihatulu is a bit stupid in the head.”

“Clumsy with words, can’t say nice things.”

“The words he said when entering just now were also taught by your slave many times before he could say them.”

Stupid in the head?

Li Xiao realized, no wonder he felt this guy was a bit weird before.

Turns out there’s something wrong with his head.

Let alone now, even in the countryside a millennium later, there were plenty of such people.

However, Li Xiao observed that this strong man wasn’t truly stupid, just a bit unsure how to express his meaning.

Simply put, he was clumsy.

Too low-key and honest.

Both IQ and EQ were a bit lower than average people.

But simple communication was still no problem; otherwise, he wouldn’t be happy hearing Li Xiao pardoning his slave status.

“Hehe~” Li Xiao smiled gently and nodded.

“Clumsy in a cute way.”

Then he sat back in his seat and said indifferently: “Some people are loyal on the surface but treacherous inside.”

“Some people are outwardly stupid but more loyal and dutiful than anyone else.”

Undoubtedly, he himself was the first type of person.

Thinking of the words he said in front of Xiao Simo, Li Xiao felt a bit ashamed.

But whether this Čarlan slave was the second type of person, Li Xiao remained skeptical and needed time to consider.

“Hutu~”

“Slave is here.”

“Basihatulu is so brave; didn’t the Čarlan chief think of making him a confidant?” Li Xiao asked curiously.

Hutu smiled helplessly: “Basihatulu is actually not a true Čarlan person, but a slave captured by the Čarlan people since childhood.”

“Later, he established military merits and became a person of the Čarlan tribe.”

“Because your slave hasn’t been in the Čarlan tribe for long, I only heard a little from others.”

“Basihatulu was originally the guard of Nierdu’s elder brother. Later, his elder brother died suddenly of illness, and Nierdu became the chief of the Čarlan tribe.”

“Some rumors say Nierdu was related to his elder brother’s death, so I guess this is also the reason Nierdu dared not trust Basihatulu.”

“So that’s how it is.” Li Xiao nodded gently.

Nierdu dared not trust Basihatulu but appreciated Basihatulu’s bravery, so he kept him as an ordinary tribesman to charge into battle for him.

If he really died in battle one day, it didn’t matter; it would be settling a knot in his heart.

“Hutu, go tell Basihatulu that he fought bravely in this battle.”

“This Fortress Lord will pardon his slave status and grant him fifty sheep as a reward.”

“From now on, he is a person of my Hexi Fortress.”

As Li Xiao spoke, Hutu translated for Basihatulu.

This strong man’s face slowly became lively, his smile even brighter.

Grinning, nodding constantly, saying words Li Xiao couldn’t understand.

Hutu said: “Basihatulu is expressing thanks to Master.”

Fifty sheep was not a small amount; for a herdsman, it was a large fortune.

With these sheep, Basihatulu would directly become petty bourgeoisie.

“Tell him to work hard in the future. As long as he dares to fight and risk his life, this Fortress Lord will reward him with more cattle, sheep, wealth, and even beauties and slaves,” Li Xiao promised.

Buying horse bones with a thousand gold (valuing talent highly).

Li Xiao wanted to use this Čarlan person to set an example, letting other Čarlan slaves see hope.

In the next battle, the Čarlan people would become more active.

“Also, since he has become a person of my Hexi Fortress, his daily communication is also a problem. When you have time, teach him more Chinese.”

After speaking, looking at Basihatulu’s not-so-smart appearance, Li Xiao shook his head slightly and said: “Teach as much as possible!”

If he really couldn’t learn, there was no helping it.

“Yes, Master!” Hutu nodded respectfully.

“Also~” Li Xiao thought of another important matter.

“The name Basihatulu is too awkward; don’t use it in the future.”

“Since he has become a person of my Hexi Fortress, he must have a Han name.” Li Xiao looked at Basihatulu and said.

(End of this chapter)