Two years ago, there was a rebellion in the Miao territory in Baojing Prefecture, a mountainous area in the western part of Huguang. It once shocked Huguang and alarmed the capital. Two years ago, the imperial court sent General Zhu Yong to mobilize troops to quell the rebellion. However, at the time when the "remnants of Jianwen" took advantage of the situation and raised troops, Chengguo Gongsuo led officials
The Jianwen army was defeated; then the Jianwen rebellious army swept across Huguang Province, and the imperial court lost control of the surrounding prefectures, and had no chance to deal with the Miao border affairs. After the Jianwen Party's "King of Xiang" separatized Huguang, they have been facing huge pressure from the official army.
The pressure is on, wars are going on every year, and there is no intention to deal with the Miao rebels who are far away in the mountains and forests.
So after the "King of Miao" (not recognized by the Central Plains Dynasty) raised his army, he actually ruled the Miao territory for the third year without being attacked. The strength that the Miao King relied on was mainly Zhenxi, Caoziping Division
, the five major surname tribes in the three areas of Wuzhaisi built a royal palace on the top of Laer Mountain.
After they withdrew from Chenzhou, a small number of the Suzaku Army of the King of Xiang was stationed at Luxi, the pass out of the mountain. The Miao people did not leave the mountain in large numbers after that, and they were generally in peace. The Miao people had a limited population, and the Miao King had no intention of fighting with the King of Hunan.
He had a grudge, and was even less able to participate in the struggle for hegemony in the mainland. His goal was just to control the Miao territory and become the king of the mountains, free from oppression and threats from the government; even if he had more ambitions, they could only be unrealistic dreams.
Two or three years later, this ambition of the Miao King was basically realized. Zhenxi Wuzhaisi and other places originally had garrison walls built by the Ming army, and the garrisoned troops monitored and ruled the local people. However, these military strongholds lost strong support from the rear.
Gradually they were uprooted and driven away by the Miao people, and the Miao king completely controlled the local area without restraint.
But the good times did not last long, and the old man encountered another unforeseen big trouble.
The locals accidentally discovered a cave in a large mountain called "Holy Mountain". There was a huge stone in the cave. What was even more amazing was that the stone vaguely looked like a human figure, with a small mountain-like giant standing in the middle. The Miao people have always been in awe.
Ghosts and gods, this news spread faster, and gradually many people came to worship.
Then, out of nowhere, a Stone Man Sect emerged, specializing in worshiping the Big Stone Man, and "elected" Shi He, the patriarch of the Shi family, as its leader. They built a camp next to the stone cave, set up an altar, and formulated their doctrines.
Miao King Shi Sou felt a great threat and was worried. However, because the Shi family, Ma family and other powerful people were his strong allies, he could only endure it for the time being to avoid quarrels. However, the Shiren religion became more and more excessive, not only offering sacrifices
In the name of God, a large amount of material and money was taken away, and the doctrine became more and more absurd. The conflict between the Miao king and the Miao king gradually became irreconcilable.
For example, the Stoneman Cult preaches everywhere that giants have mysterious and huge power. If they are angered, they will shake the mountains and cause disaster to the world. If you obey the gods, you can have good weather and avoid famine. The drought and famine two years ago is what everyone thinks.
The reason why giants are not worshiped is because people should give all new things to the gods first, except for the newly harvested rice, and girls...
The education in Miao territory is not deep, and the folk customs are more open than those in the Central Plains. Many women have already experienced human relations with their chosen men before they are officially married. However, the Shiren religion stipulates that from now on, all girls from each family must discuss marriage when they grow up.
If you are pregnant, you must first send your first night to the cave to dedicate your first night to the gods, and then you can go on a blind date. A woman who has been blessed by the gods can bring good luck to herself and her husband's family; if she does not dedicate her first night to the gods, or she is not a virgin after coming in,
If you do, you will be cursed and punished. This punishment is done by the wizards of the Stone Man Cult to punish those who are disrespectful and prevent the gods from bringing disaster to everyone.
As for how the gods were blessed with virgins? Naturally, wizards did it for them. The wizards would perform a sacrifice in advance, summon the gods to possess a group of people, and then have sex with the girls sent to them in the caves every month. The leaders of various tribes also
One after another they joined the ranks of part-time wizards.
This rule applies to all local Miao people, and even the Miao Wang family is no exception. The old man has a daughter, Bai Fengjiao, who is nineteen years old this year. She should have married into the Long family long ago, because she had to go to the stone cave to dedicate her first night.
It has been delayed for a long time. This month, a wizard came to the Bai family to urge the matter. This was the third time.
Bai Feng's squeamish attitude was just angry and scolding, which was really ridiculous! She was very reluctant to go to that ghost cave.
Then she went to see her father and cried face to face in the Miao dialect: "What kind of gods must be caused by the heads of those families? My father was originally the Miao king, and he was supposed to give orders to all tribes, but now a stone man has appeared to confuse the tribesmen.
They have to nod for many things, it is obviously a power grab, father must be careful!"
The old man frowned and said, "King Miao was also elected by all ethnic groups."
Bai Fengjiao said again: "Things are not what they used to be. In the past, each tribe needed a leader when raising armies. The Bai family was the strongest, so they naturally pushed you to take the lead. But now that the government has been driven away and the place has gradually stabilized, they are about to take the lead."
Power. The main reason is that my father has no children, and he also said that he wants to marry me to Long Er, so that the Long family will become more powerful in the future. The other clans are not convinced, and they want to join forces to engage in conspiracy and conspiracy against us. Tolerance can only allow those with ulterior motives to advance.
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When the old man heard this, he secretly admired his daughter's knowledge. His daughter had been running around everywhere due to lack of strict discipline since childhood, but she was actually very smart.
But after the old man came to power, his tone became tighter and tighter. Even in front of his relatives, he was no longer used to talking nonsense. This time, he did not clearly agree with Bai Fengjiao's statement. He just said in a deep voice: "The Stoneman Sect blatantly sent people to urge them, which is also a kind of behavior."
The temptation is, if you don't suit their wishes and teach them how to make trouble... I really don't want the Miao people to kill each other."
The old man sighed again: "I understand your thoughts, you just don't want to go to the cave and let the wizard ruin you."
"I don't believe in that god!" Bai Fengjiao stamped her feet anxiously, and the colorful stone decoration on her short skirt swayed loudly.
Her father's calm performance made her anxious, and she couldn't help but finally expressed her other thoughts: "Even if you tolerate it and avoid this, others will find a second excuse, which is not the solution. I think
Why not send someone out to ask for help from the King of Huguang and Xiang!"
After hearing this, the old man was surprised and looked towards the door. Only two close servants were standing there. They hurriedly lowered their heads. The old man hurriedly said: "Can the Han people be relied on? Why did we finally drive away the Han officials? Why are those Han officials?
When the officials come, they will only oppress us and plunder our cattle, sheep and property. As for whether we have any internal affairs, life or death, have we ever cared about it? It is better to rely on ourselves than to rely on others. If Han officials are brought in, won't the Miao people scold us?
I?"
He continued: "What's more, the King of Xiang has too much time to take care of himself. How can he have the strength to send people to this deep mountain and old forest? If we just pay lip service to it, we will not get any benefits by then, but will be reviled in the Miao territory. This method will not work.
Don’t think about it.”
Bai Fengjiao painstakingly said: "From the history books of the Han dynasties, we can see the dynasty's attitude towards the border ethnic groups. For some grasslands and mountainous areas that are difficult to directly govern, the dynasty most hopes that the people in these areas will submit to the emperor, become vassals to the emperor, and not threaten them."
The people in the inland cities do not hope to get any benefits from the border. Only when we fight against the Central Plains Dynasty with great fanfare will they waste their people and money and send troops to fight.
If his father recognized the title of Emperor Jianwen of Huguang, although he would bear the risk of becoming an enemy of the capital court, it would definitely attract the attention of the Jianwen court. Because the submission of the Miao people could increase the reputation of Emperor Jianwen; on the other hand, if his father accepted Jianwen's canonization,
It also relieves the rear of Huguang from worries. In the long run, if the Ming Dynasty court can get a leader in the Miao border who can help them maintain the place and abide by the court's laws, the court will be very willing to maintain the border area without garrisoning troops and building cities. See details
The Peng family, the chieftain of Yongshun in the north, has been canonized by successive imperial courts and has been hereditary for thousands of years, and its incense will never fade."
When the old man heard this about the Peng family, he was already moved. Although he did not have a son, it was okay to adopt one from the family once his status was stable. But he still said openly: "You read
I have read too many Chinese books and been deceived by what is on paper."
Bai Fengjiao said angrily: "If Miao Jiang surrendered to the imperial court and showed compliance with the law, there would not be such ridiculous and barbaric things as wizards forcing women to have their first night!"
When she said this, she thought of what she had read in the book about Datong's way of governing the world without picking up leftovers, and that the people should be the noblest and the king should be the next best thing to the country... and the beautiful ideals of pity for all living beings in the Book of Songs. She couldn't help but show a look of yearning in her eyes.
He murmured: "My people have been unable to see anything in the mountains for generations. We really should see the bigger world... If my father is still worried, let his daughter secretly go to Wuchang as an envoy to discuss the matter with the King of Xiang."
The old man had long heard that Bai Fengjiao had an affair with King Xiang Zhu Wenbiao, and he had secretly leaked the secret to King Xiang more than two years ago. The old man said: "You are going to see King Xiang? If anything happens, how can I tell the Long family?"
Say? We have already announced the marriage with the Long family."
Bai Fengjiao also spoke quickly and said directly: "If you can get the support of King Xiang, what else can you do with the Long family? I have long disliked Long Er. He is dark and thin and only knows things in the mountains. Besides, what ability does he have?
, the Stone Man Cult is so aggressive that they don’t even dare to show off! I want to find a man who is upright and upright, not a mediocre and incompetent coward."
"Do you really think Wuchang will send troops?" the old man said thoughtfully.
Bai Fengjiao said: "The 'official army' is not the common people in our mountains. They are well-armed and well-trained. The reason why it is difficult to win in Miao territory is because of the rugged terrain, high mountains, dense forests, unfamiliar terrain, and the resistance of the local people."
It will be difficult for them to supply and rest. If we join forces with the government and the army, we can solve the problem of unfamiliar terrain for them, and we can also call on the tribe to relieve their worries. In this way, the government and the army can play a vital role without having too many people."
The old man ignored Bai Fengjiao's impatience and did not agree to her immediately. Instead, he secretly sent a confidant and godson out of the mountains to find out the news from the general Zhou Mengxiong in the west. Zhou Mengxiong was in charge of Lizhou, but he also dispatched the garrison in Luxi.