Now Li Qi did not need to hide his identity, so he settled in Yizhou Fuya. The first thing he wanted to do was to understand the chieftain system of this ethnic minority.

To put it simply, the chieftain is a relationship between the imperial court, not a master-servant relationship, but more like a host-guest relationship.

The Song Dynasty established chieftains in these places mainly to show that this is our territory of the Song Dynasty, nothing more.

Even the tax collection system in previous years was very different from other states and counties.

The method of payment does not involve measuring the land or making up the Dingkou. The fixed amount of tax paid is mainly the amount that the chieftain will self-report when he surrenders.

It's the toast himself who has the final say.

Since Nong Zhigao's rebellion, these chieftains have gradually forgotten this. However, there is one etiquette that has been maintained to this day, and that is paying tribute.

Tribute means these ethnic minorities pay tribute to the imperial court. At the annual New Year's Day meeting, some chieftains among them will send people to the capital to pay tribute to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty.

Why are these chieftains so keen on paying tribute?

The key lies in "reward".

What they pay tribute every year are some local specialties and cheap items, which focus on courtesy rather than profit. However, the imperial court gives them many gifts in return every year, such as gold, silver, jewelry, silk and satin, and salt, all of which are very expensive.

The value is at least dozens or even hundreds of times that of their tribute gifts.

If you don't do this, you'd be a fool.

But the situation has changed recently. Since Li Qi took charge of diplomatic affairs, the gifts given this time have been greatly reduced. They focused on the meaning rather than the benefits, and specially sent some books to them.

Li Qi has brought his iron cock image to the extreme.

The number of Nanman who went to pay tribute also dropped sharply.

But all in all, this is not about the chieftains currying favor with the imperial court. It is about the imperial court trying to win over these chieftains!

There is nothing we can do about this. The people in this area are poor. If your court doesn't give me some help, then why should I join you, the Song Dynasty?

This shows how weak the Song court was in controlling these chieftains. To put it mildly, they were using money to buy people!

How sad!

It would be fine if the money given back by the Song Dynasty court actually got into the hands of the people, but these chieftains were very greedy. On the one hand, they used their reputation in the local area to blackmail the court and give them more money, and on the other hand, they extorted money from them.

, treating the people as slaves and a tool to make money. As a result, the people in this area are miserable and increasingly poor.

It can be said that this place has not yet entered a feudal society, but is still a slave society. People can be bought and sold at will. Even if you don't have hundreds of slaves in your home, you are embarrassed to call yourself a landlord.

If Wang Fu were allowed to come here, he would probably be a kind person. His methods of deceiving the people are nothing compared to these cruel chieftains. They are incomparable. After all, Wang Fu still has some scruples, but these chieftains

But no, they are the local emperors, with thousands of minions. If you don't give them, they will rob them. If you give them, they will capture the whole family and make them slaves or maids, or sell them to Jiaozhi.

Fortunately, the people in this area suffered relatively hard and were used to poverty. If this happened in the Song Dynasty, they would probably rebel again.

This was also one of the main reasons why Nong Zhigao rebelled in the first place.

And there are two big chieftains on South Guangxi Road. Yizhou is of course the Luo family. And Qinzhou is the Ning family. The Ning family has always been the leader of the Qinzhou chieftains, and it has been like this since the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, the Ning family was still the chieftain.

A family of officials. The Luo clan is different. Although the Luo clan also has a long history, it was only a small tribe in the past. It was only from Luo Hu that it became a big chieftain. In recent years, its strength has surpassed that of the Ning clan.

This is because Luo Hu collects money and does whatever he can to make money, no matter how unscrupulous it is. With more money, there will naturally be more people, so Luo Hu has developed very fast in recent years.

In this small area of ​​​​an acre in Yizhou, a spank from him would be much more useful than Du Ming's hysterical crying.

The Ning family is different. After all, it is an ancient family. The family has many rules that must not be violated and does not expand much. However, the Luo family does not dare to mess with the Ning family. After all, the people of the Ning family are very united. You

Kill one of his people, and his entire tribe will come to fight for you.

Seven days in a row have passed, but the Yizhou government office is full of people, not even a single customer has come to the door.

Du Ming was a little confused, because Li Qi said that he had sent people to notify these chieftains, and these chieftains would definitely come back. It was almost time, but no one came. He couldn't help but wonder at Li Qi's words,

A slight suspicion arose.

Li Qi, on the other hand, was very leisurely and not in a hurry anymore. He looked around and visited all eight major scenic spots in Yizhou. If it weren't for the Jiaozhi bandits that often haunted the market, Li Qi would have wanted to go there.

Yizhou government office.

"Privy Councilor, so many days have passed and not even a chieftain has come. Is it because your people have not found the right place? Why don't you send someone after you have resigned?" Du Ming cautiously probed.

Li Qi smiled and said: "There are still five days, no rush, no rush."

Although there are still five days left, the problem is that no one has come yet! How could Du Ming not be anxious, but seeing that Li Qi was so calm, it was hard to ask further questions.

But at this moment, Brother Nong suddenly ran in in a panic and said: "Sir, sir, that---that---."

Du Ming said displeased: "You are so presumptuous, how can you behave in such a hurry in front of adults?"

"Yes, the villain is guilty."

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Brother Nong said: "Oh, then---Qinzhou Ningwu is here."

"Ning Wu?"

Du Ming was shocked. This Ning Wu was the current patriarch of the Ning family. He was very famous in this generation. He never expected that the first person to come would be Ning Wu from Qinzhou.

Li Qi suddenly looked unhappy and said, "I said you master and servant are really miserable."

Du Ming was stunned and asked subconsciously: "Why did the Privy Council say this?"

Li Qi snorted: "When my dignitary envoys came here, you didn't look so frightened. But when a chieftain came, you acted as if the Bodhisattva had arrived. Do you think you don't know what's good?

You are in a bad mood, so go and meet Ning Wu. Anyway, I see that you admire him quite a lot."

"Privy Envoy, this---this is a misunderstanding. I definitely didn't mean this." Du Ming felt that he was wronged, and thought in his heart, how could this Privy Envoy be so small-minded.

"It doesn't matter if he is. He is just a little chieftain. If I see him, it is a gift from me. If I don't see him, it is reasonable." Li Qi stood up and said to the drunkard: "Drunkard.

How about we go out and look for some local wine?"

When the drunkard heard this, his eyes shone and he said in admiration: "Sir, you are so wise."

Li Qi happily said to Du Ming: "Did you see it? Learn more."

Du Ming was dumbfounded. This Privy Councilor was too mighty and domineering. He then said, "But Privy Councilor, this Ning Wu is here to see you. If you don't go, what will your subordinates say?"

Li Qi sighed: "It's very simple. Just say that I have just arrived here and the climate is not suitable for me to meet guests. When I want to see him, I will naturally send someone to inform him. Okay, I'll leave first."

After saying that, he took the drunkard to the side door and left.

What kind of thing is this? Du Mingyun was confused, this Privy Envoy was really well-deserved, it was so strange. You must know that when Di Qing came here, these chieftains did not give him even the slightest respect, and they were all indifferent.

It makes sense, usually the officials from the imperial court come here to curry favor with them. They politely ask these chieftains to help them complete their tasks.

Now that you have said a word, the boss of the Ning family is here in person, which is enough for your face, but you ignore it. Du Ming feels that Li Qi is still too young and prone to being impulsive.

But there was no way, Li Qi had already left, so he had no choice but to go out.

When I came to the lobby, I saw three men standing inside. The first one was about forty years old, with bronze skin, wearing leather armor, and holding a riding crop. He was about 175 years old. He was quite impressive and talented, and he was very different from ordinary indigenous chiefs.

Same, because this person has a little more nobility.

It was Ningwu at this time.

"Chief Ning is here to visit us. I am sorry for Du's delay in greeting me. I apologize for my sin."

Du Ming stepped forward quickly and cupped his hands.

Although Ning Wu was from Qinzhou, he was much stronger than Du Ming, the prefect, even in Yizhou.

"Oh, Magistrate Du, you're fine."

Ning Wu returned the favor.

Du Ming extended his hand and said, "Chief Ning, please sit down quickly."

After Ning Wu sat down, he got straight to the point: "I was invited by the economic envoy to come here. I wonder if the economic envoy is here?"

Du Ming nodded and said: "The economic envoy arrived a few days ago, but---."

Ning Wu asked: "Just what?"

Du Ming said: "It's just that the economy has made the boats and vehicles tired, and the climate and soil are not suitable for us, so it is temporarily inconvenient to see guests."

Upon hearing this, Ning Wu hurriedly said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Since the economy has made you sick, you should have a good rest. I'll come back to visit you in two days."

This ---. Du Ming was stunned. Although Ning Wu was not as domineering as Luo Hu, he was still a local emperor. When did he become so easy to talk to? He found that he could not understand the world more and more.

I feel that I have really failed as a prefect.

...

...

Shanglin County, Baihu Village.

This Baihu Village is located in a valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides. They are all cliffs, but the middle area is very wide. There is a small river. This small river is formed by the springs in the mountain. Most of the people in the valley live there.

On the riverside.

There is only one entrance to this valley, which is very narrow and has a very steep hillside. You must know that as soon as the river leaves the valley, there is a small waterfall. It can be seen that the terrain of this valley is actually relatively high, and it has the potential to be condescending.

When Niu Gao learned about the terrain here, he had everything he wanted to do. He could either block the valley entrance with Luo Hu and fight a war of attrition. However, this would frighten the snake, and secondly, his purpose

This is not Baihu Village. Luo Hu can afford it. His granary is inside and there is water. Moreover, they can climb out of the cliff. But Niu Gao can't afford it. He can't spend too much time here. If
To be continued...