Royal Road Chapter 100

Published at 1st of August 2022 06:29:43 AM

Chapter 100
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“Use Han surnames? To change barbarians through cultural influence?” Liang Feng paused for only a moment, then realized what Duan Qin meant.

Ancient China had always guarded against barbarians, especially in dynasties like the Western Jin, where ethnic relations were intensely hostile. If they could speak the Han language, assume Han surnames, use Han salutes, it could ease tensions to some extent at least. There were many Jie serving under him already, and there would likely be more in the future. If they kept using Jie names, speaking barbarian languages, it would seem as though there were dissonant voices within the militia; in time, it would beget ruination. 

Seeing that his lord had understood his meaning, Duan Qin said, “Precisely. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the Minyue and Dongyue revolted numerous times. Angered, Emperor Wu had the two tribes relocated to the Jianghuai Region, after which, these two Yue peoples ceased to exist. Assimilating barbarians through culture is the right way of it, though you must beware the difference in population. Currently, the barbarians far outnumber the Han in Bing Province. Eventually, it will bring about  disaster.”

As Duan Qin saw it, civilizing the barbarians wasn't difficult. To say nothing of the already vanished Yue people, even the five Xiongnu divisions used Han surnames and Han etiquette. However, because the world was in chaos, the population of Bing Province was declining, and the Xiongnu had a royal court and a chieftain, they had become difficult to manage, an imminent danger. In the years of Emperor Wu of Han or Emperor Wu of Wei, these Xiongnu could never have escaped the imperial court's palm.

The mediocre only knew to fear the wild beasts' claws and fangs, but the formidable could tame these beasts into their own leopards or birds of prey. Duan Qin believed that, though his lord was physically frail, his mind and strength of will, was no less than that of his ancestor, Liang Xi. The force that had been forged so quickly yet had annihilated an enemy several times its size, the Bravesage Battalion, was proof of that.

Since his lord could use the barbarians, and was able to use them, then he had to use the most correct method to help him control this elite unit! 

These were all things Liang Feng had never considered before. His hands rested on his knees as he gathered his thoughts, and finally nodded, “What you suggest is reasonable, Siruo. I will discuss it with Yiyan, and help the Jie adjust.”

In the end, their peoples had to merge, not diverge. Especially when it came to something as sensitive as the military. Those Jie who were in the militia all had a basic grasp of the Han language. If this was made a precedent, it should have some effect on the other barbarians. In addition, intermarriage and coexistence would slowly lessen the friction between them as well.

“This is the best long-term policy,” Duan Qin said.

The effect that this conversation, short though it may have been, had on the future development of the Liang Estate was like revealing the sun from behind dark clouds. Looking at the unusually serious young man before him, Liang Feng smiled slightly, “I'm afraid you won't have much leisure time anymore, Siruo. The position of registrar could go to none other but you.”

Though his tone was mischievous, Duan Qin was warmed. A registrar was the closest of close confidants, often involved in confidential affairs and the management of the estate. It was apparent, from the responsibility he'd been endowed with, how much his lord trusted him. And this trust came not through his reputation or his background, but his own talent and capability. That was what moved him most. 

Duan Qin cupped his hands in salute and bowed deeply once again, “I will not fail you, my lord!” 

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There were still traces of sweat and dust on his face; he seemed to have ridden here with all speed. This time, there was no humor in Liang Feng's voice as he asked solemnly, “Yiyan, do you know where the Jie tribe comes from?”

Yiyan was surprised his lord would ask such a question, and so seriously too. After a startled pause, he answered, “The Jie are a part of a Xiongnu tribe, mostly of Qiangqu descent, and there are some who come from the western regions.”

“Do the Jie people have their own nation-name or family names?” 

“Yes! Most are named after their clan,” Yiyan answered.

“Is it feasible to translate these clan names into family names similar to those of the Han, and replace your Jie names for Han surnames? Liang Feng asked the crucial question.

“In imitation of the Xiongnu?” Yiyan quickly caught on. Many of the Xiongnu nobles in Bing Province used the surname Liu. Because they had intermarried with the Han Dynasty for centuries, the royal clan was surnamed Liu. Those who could not use Liu as their family name used Wang, Chen, Zhang, Huang. Not only did they use Han surnames, they even dressed, ate, and lived like the Han. This was ordinary to the ethnic people of Bing Province. 

“Just so,” Liang Feng said. “And from today onwards, any Jie who wishes to join the militia must speak the Han language. Those who wish to become officers must know basic Han characters.” 

It was obvious that he meant to use the prospect of promotion as a bargaining chip to influence the Jie people's ways, but Yiyan showed no sign of being offended, “This policy can be implemented! The nobles of every tribe speak the Han language, and only those who are especially elevated have proper names and surnames. I could only learn the Han language in secret when I went away to work as a tenant farmer; if I hadn't met you, my lord, I could have never learned to read and write. You treat us not as dogs or pack animals, but as people – how could we not know your kindness, my lord?” 

Upon hearing Yiyan's answer, Liang Feng couldn't help releasing a breath. That's right – the four-hundred-year-long Han Dynasty had only just ended. Chinese culture was still strong, its influence still radiating out to its surroundings. If even their old nemeses, the Southern Xiongnu could assimilate to such an extent that they were no different from the Han, so could the Jie, who planted fields for others.

“Very well then. Starting tomorrow, collect your clan names and change them to Han surnames. Also, what is your clan name? Let me see which surname would be most suitable.” Yiyan was the general of his militia, of course it was best if Liang Feng changed his name personally.

Unexpectedly, Yiyan didn't immediately reply. He hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to take on your surname, like ah-Liang, my lord.” 

Many of the Liang Estate's servants and serfs had no surnames of their own either. Those like ah-Liang, who performed exceptionally and earned their master's notice, would be permitted to use the surname “Liang” – and count as domestic slaves.

Liang Feng hadn't expected him to say such a thing, but after a moment, he shook his head, “Ah-Liang is merely a loyal servant of my estate; you are not my family slave, but the general of my army, there is no comparison. The matter of surnames must be treated cautiously.”

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He hadn't thought his lord would refuse with such finality, but his words, “not my family slave,” held such trust and regard. Yiyan's breath caught in his throat. It took a while before he finally asked lowly, “Then is the word 'Yi' a surname?”

“Naturally, it is a surname.”  Though it was uncommon, it was indeed a Han surname. It had originated from before the Qin Dynasty, and existed for many years. 

“In that case, I wish to be surnamed 'Yi!'” Yiyan answered decisively. These two words were based on his Jie name, but as Yiyan had been illiterate, it was his lord who had chosen two suitable characters and taught them to him. If he couldn't use “Liang” as his surname, then of course he would use the name that his lord had called him by day after day. What clan name? What nation-name? It didn't matter to him at all! 

Liang Feng sighed at Yiyan's stubborn expression, “Alright then. Though you are not yet twenty, you are already a commander. It's best to have a courtesy name when dealing with others. Let me grant you a name then, how about ….. 'Boyuan?'”

Yi Yan suddenly lifted his head. Having a name and surname was good enough already, but a courtesy name – that was the privilege of scholars! His lord had actually given him a courtesy name! Now, having learned many characters, he knew that “bo” meant “oldest brother”; his lord knew he once had a little brother who'd died young. And “yuan” reflected the meaning of “yan.” This courtesy name hadn't come about randomly, his lord had fashioned it specially for him!  

“Thank you, my lord, for giving me a courtesy name!” the words burst from his mouth. Short, but containing so many sentiments.  

Liang Feng's heart was touched unwittingly by the redness at the corners of his eyes and the slight trembling of his body. He said gently, “From now on, those who respect you, value you, should address you by your courtesy name. That is the recognition you ought to be entitled to.” 

No, this isn't something I'm entitled to. No one, whether they were Han, Xiongnu, Jie … would treat me this way! Yi Yan lowered his head, pressing it to the floor. Only my lord would place such importance on me. And only my lord would, through these courtesies, honor and cherish me so.

Countless thoughts whirled about in his head, yet he wasn't able to say a single word. Only by prostrating in worship could he express even a thousandth of his gratitude. 

A slight rustling sound came from behind the desk. A pair of feet, clad in silken shoes, stopped before him. Then, he sat kneeling and laid a hand on his shoulder, “It's only a courtesy name. How will you manage, when the court confers you a title, when you become a marshal of great armies and command tens of thousands? Boyuan, straighten up.” 

His voice jolted Yi Yan like a bolt of lightning. He slowly raised his head. That familiar face was the same as he remembered, beautiful beyond measure, a smile hiding a hint of good-natured jest. They were so close that Yi Yan could see, in those deep, dark eyes, his own reflection. This was his lord, the only one he would ever esteem and love in this lifetime.

A bit of bittersweet and a pinch of confliction mingled with the joyousness in his heart, but Yi Yan let no sign of it show on his face. He only nodded forcefully.

That day, the Jie people in and outside the Liang Estate began changing their surnames. Some used the surname He, some used Shi, and a few used Mi. Those hard-to-read, hard-to-pronounce personal names were also simplified into one or two-character Han names in quick succession. If they'd still had a chieftain, or still lived in their villages, perhaps they would've been resistant to the idea. But this was the Liang Estate, beneath the feet of the bodhisattva who'd protected them and given them a new hope, a new life. Even the most stubbornest, most unable-to-speak-Han, old biddies silently accepted this new arrangement.

Quietly, that group – with tall noses, deep-set eyes, different-colored hair and irises – started using Han names, learning the Han language. This, of course, did not go unnoticed by the other commoners. 

The Medicine Buddha could enlighten yakshas, convert barbarians to Han, and make them do his bidding. He was infinitely merciful and compassionate; his divine powers were almighty; he could call down thunder and lightning to smite the wicked. And he could bring healing and medicine to save the gravely ill. Having such powers, naturally, he could vanquish locusts and dispel disaster, sparing the Liang Estate and its environs from the Locust God. 

As the Medicine Buddha's eminence spread throughout the four directions, the Liang Estate and Gaodu's locust extermination campaign began with gusto as well.

The author has something to say:

Hahaha, a hundred chapters now! *feeds the small wolfdog candy*  

Actually, the reason that the “upheaval of the five barbarians” was called “ethnic amalgamation,” is precisely because the five barbarian tribes at the time Sinicized more and more, one after another. Until Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei adopted a Han surname as well, and had the Xianbei people assimilate with the Han. So in this era, Sinicization efforts are very likely to succeed. Liang Feng, a modern person who's used to 56 ethnicities, naturally wouldn't let it slip away =w=

Chapter end