CHAPTER 530: CHAPTER 284 PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH_2

Mr. Xiao began by talking about the origin of the Xiongnu. Although Zhao Yao had read about it in historical records before, he still listened with great interest.

Regarding the origin of the Xiongnu, Mr. Xiao did not elaborate on every detail but spoke in general terms. After explaining the origin, he went on to discuss the relationship between the Xiongnu and the Central Plains.

"The emperors and ministers of the previous dynasty did not dare to fight the Xiongnu. They sought peace with the Xiongnu without any dignity, offering marriage alliances, gold, silver, treasures, and grain. Why did the Xiongnu not take the opportunity to invade the Central Plains with their armies and overthrow the previous dynasty? Why did the Xiongnu not take over the Central Plains and proclaim themselves emperor?"

Zhao Yao was taken aback by this question because, in the history of the world he dreamt of, foreign tribes had indeed taken control of the Central Plains.

"Firstly: The Central Plains is vast, and it is impossible for the Xiongnu to take control of the Central Plains within three or five years. Secondly: If the Xiongnu truly had ambitions to conquer the Central Plains, the people of the Central Plains would definitely resist strongly. The Xiongnu could massacre a resisting city, but they couldn’t kill all the people of the Central Plains. Thirdly: The Xiongnu did not have the strength to annex the entire Central Plains. Fourthly: The Xiongnu were not fools; they could easily obtain money and grain from the previous dynasty without any effort. Why would they expend energy attacking the previous dynasty?"

Zhao Yao continued, "Most importantly, the Central Plains is different from the grasslands. Even if the Xiongnu did take over the Central Plains, they would not be able to manage the splendid land, and sooner or later they would be driven out by the people of the Central Plains."

Mr. Xiao gently nodded at Zhao Yao’s words. Then he asked, "Your Highness, why do you think the Xiongnu would be unable to manage the Central Plains after taking it over?"

"It’s very simple; their way of life on the grasslands is not suitable for the Central Plains." Zhao Yao shrugged and said, "Most importantly, the Xiongnu have no understanding of the culture of the Central Plains. Any foreign tribe looking to take over the Central Plains must assimilate into Central Plains culture."

"Assimilate into Central Plains culture?" Mr. Xiao asked with a puzzled expression, "What does that mean?"

"It means that foreign tribes must learn the culture of the Central Plains..." Zhao Yao listed many ways to thoroughly assimilate into Central Plains culture.

Mr. Xiao, who had been stroking his beard, suddenly stopped his action and stared at Zhao Yao in amazement at the mention of cultural assimilation.

Seeing Mr. Xiao’s shocked gaze, Zhao Yao thought he might have said something wrong.

"Mr. Xiao, did I say something incorrect?"

Mr. Xiao regained his composure, suppressing the shock in his heart, and pretended to be calm as he said, "Your Highness, you are absolutely correct."

He asked, "Then what do you think is the new Modu Chanyu’s objective?"

"The new Modu Chanyu’s goal is quite simple, hoping that Great Zhou, like Da Xia, frequently tribute money and grain to the Xiongnu." Zhao Yao propped his face on his right hand and said, "Unfortunately, the new Modu Chanyu is miscalculating. Great Zhou is not the incompetent Da Xia."

"Your Highness, if Great Zhou goes to war with the Xiongnu, do you think it’s likely that Great Zhou would win?"

"Very, very likely." Zhao Yao suddenly raised two fingers and said, "Winning a war relies mainly on two things."

Mr. Xiao asked, "Which two things?"

"People and provisions." Zhao Yao said earnestly, "The soldiers of Great Zhou are all battle-hardened, and most of them have lived through the chaos of the previous dynasty, they have spirit."

He continued, "After these years of recuperation, many regions in Great Zhou have become well supplied. If we really fight with the Xiongnu, we don’t need to worry about a shortage of provisions."

"Your Highness speaks the truth." Mr. Xiao lightly tapped the book in his right hand against his left palm, "Your Highness, after defeating the Xiongnu, how do you think we should arrange the Xiongnu prisoners, and how should we manage the Xiongnu people?"

"Ah?" Zhao Yao had never considered this question, and it left him momentarily stunned when Mr. Xiao suddenly asked him. He scratched the back of his head and said, "Mr. Xiao, why do you ask me this question?"

"Just casually asking." Mr. Xiao smiled gently, "I’m curious about what Your Highness would do."

"Let me think." Zhao Yao held his left hand with his right, pinched his chin with his right hand, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Teach them to farm, teach them etiquette, let them become like the citizens of Great Zhou."

Mr. Xiao’s pupils momentarily enlarged but quickly returned to normal. He pretended to be calm and asked, "Is there anything else?"

"After all, whether the people of Great Zhou or the Xiongnu’s people, they all want to live a stable, good life." Zhao Yao said, "As long as the Xiongnu people have enough to eat, warm clothing, and are not made to wander, they will certainly be willing to integrate into Great Zhou, honestly becoming citizens of Great Zhou."

Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s words, Mr. Xiao sighed lightly, then remarked, "Your Highness is correct, what the people everywhere seek is very simple; to eat well, to be warmly dressed, and no longer have to wander, living without a fixed abode."

Zhao Yao lamented, "Indeed, what the people seek is so simple, yet these simple requests often go unmet."

"Your Highness, the Xiongnu is a barbaric land, and the Xiongnu people are barbarians. Educating them is not an easy task." Mr. Xiao continued, "Perhaps they won’t even accept education."

"To thoroughly educate them, one must use stern measures, like making them stay hungry if they don’t study well, or have them do hard labor." Zhao Yao laughed and said, "If the Xiongnu people want to eat well, they must obediently study and learn the etiquette and rules of the Central Plains."

"Your method, Your Highness, is indeed a good one." Mr. Xiao suddenly thought of something else, "Your Highness, the people of the Lingnan area are just as wild as the Xiongnu. What is your plan for them?" Zhao Yao had long told Mr. Xiao that he would head to Lingnan when he came of age and was enfeoffed as king.

"Regarding this matter, I have thought about it." Since Mr. Xiao brought it up, Zhao Yao planned to discuss it properly with him. "Mr. Xiao, I plan to establish free schools in Lingnan to teach the people to read and write. Once they have studied, they will no longer be barbarians."

Mr. Xiao nodded and said, "Your Highness, your idea is good, but building just a few free schools is not enough." The population in Lingnan is considerable, and a few schools are not enough to teach them to read.

"I am aware, so I plan to establish many free schools in various places in Lingnan, and during that time, Mr. Xiao, you will have to work hard."

"Your Highness, building many free schools is not an easy task." Mr. Xiao didn’t want to dampen Zhao Yao’s spirit, but he had to remind him.

"I know, that’s why I’ve been preparing for this all along," Zhao Yao said, his demeanor becoming serious. "Mr. Xiao, I am committed to this, so you must also be prepared."

Seeing Zhao Yao’s seriousness, Mr. Xiao felt a sense of solemnity in his heart.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will be prepared."

Just then, the sound of drums and music came from outside the window.

This was the music to entertain foreign guests.

"The luncheon is about to begin."