pappabearbooks Chapter 5397 The Tang Dynasty Concession
Chapter 5397 The Tang Dynasty Concession
Chapter 5397 The Tang Dynasty Concession
Happy New Year, my dear babies!
In the winter of the sixth year of Renhe, on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Li Chengqian issued the "Decree of Leave in Ning", which stipulated that "seven days of leave shall be granted for the New Year and the Winter Solstice".
The origin of the "Jia Ning system" can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, but it was not until Li Chengqian's "Jia Ning Order" was promulgated that the term "Jia Ning" truly became a specialized term. Its meaning is twofold: first, it is a statutory leave system for state officials; second, it is a leave system for state officials to apply to the competent authority for matters such as weddings, funerals, and auspicious occasions.
Moreover, this "Jia Ning Ling" is extremely comprehensive, with provisions in laws, regulations, rules, and forms.
This was also the first decree issued by Ma Zhou after he took office as Grand Secretary, and it was immediately praised and sought after by officials throughout the court and the country.
……
The custom of "celebrating the New Year" has a long history in China, but the date of the "New Year" is not fixed.
During the Xia Dynasty, the first month of the lunar calendar was the beginning of the year. During the Shang Dynasty, the twelfth month of the lunar calendar was the beginning of the year. Emperor Wu of Han issued the Taichu Calendar, which officially fixed the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar as the beginning of the year. Gradually, customs such as "staying up late on New Year's Eve", "ancestor worship", "paying New Year's visits", "giving lucky money", and "Nuoxi" (a type of traditional Chinese opera) have formed among the people.
Due to the importance of clan continuity and patriarchal traditions, the customs of "ancestor worship" and "reunion dinner" are considered the most important activities during the Lunar New Year.
……
Western cities are under lockdown.
This city was almost completely destroyed in war. After the Arabs conquered the city, they rebuilt it, but they never managed to repair the outer walls, making Ctesiphon a unique "city without walls" phenomenon.
Today, a low wall has risen up near the south side of the dock, enclosing several dock berths and an area covering ten square miles. This is the "concession" established by the Tang Dynasty in accordance with the agreement between the two countries.
The area within the "concession" was mostly inhabited by citizens of the Tang Dynasty, who abided by the laws of the Tang Dynasty. Foreigners entering and leaving the area were subject to strict inspections. Although the "concession" was located within the city of Taixifeng, the Abbasid Caliphate had no authority to enforce the law there. All affairs within the "concession" were managed by the Tang Dynasty's "embassy" in Taixifeng and the resident military officer.
In short, this is a "country within a country".
With the truce and the signing of treaties between the two countries, friendly and mutually beneficial relations were restored. Countless merchants from the Tang Dynasty sailed their ships to transport all kinds of goods to this prosperous land. Walking along the roadside near the dock, one could see mountains of goods being transferred or sold here.
The newly appointed military officer stationed in Taixi, Xi Junmai, dressed in a full suit of mountain armor and a helmet, with his hand on the sword at his waist, walked through the concession with Xin Maojiang and more than ten soldiers.
There was no "embassy" in the official system of the Tang Dynasty. Since the Sui Dynasty, it regarded itself as the "center of the world". Historically, it was the country that sent all nations to pay tribute. Why would it send officials to foreign and barbarian lands?
Therefore, Xin Mao was assigned to the Court of State Ceremonial and dispatched to Taixifeng to oversee the preparation and construction of the "concession"...
Together with Xi Junmai, one was a civil official and the other a military officer, and they were in charge of all matters related to the "concessions".
In addition, the "concessions" established in places such as Mosul were all subordinate agencies, and all affairs were under the jurisdiction of the "concessions" of Ctesiphon.
The docks were piled high with goods and bustling with carts and horses, while just across the street in the "concession," lanterns and decorations adorned the streets, and laughter filled the air. Although far from their homeland, officials, merchants, and ordinary people who had traveled long distances to make a living here all strived to create a festive atmosphere as the New Year approached.
On the contrary, the natives who grew up in the area felt a sense of novelty everywhere they went as they walked within the "concession".
Xi Junmai strolled around and saw that the residents and shops were all dressed in new clothes, and Tang people were hanging peach wood charms, which were six inches long and three inches wide, on both sides of the gate. Some people had the names or portraits of the door gods Shen Tu and Yu Lei engraved or written on the peach wood charms, while others had portraits and names of Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong on the peach wood charms.
Although Yuchi Gong was defeated and killed, Li Chengqian did not pursue his crime of "treason". Moreover, he was highly respected among the people and his stories of repeatedly rescuing Emperor Taizong from dire straits were widely circulated. Because the Tang people loved Emperor Taizong, they also extended their affection to Yuchi Gong.
The replacement of the ancient peachwood charms bearing the names of Shen Tu and Yu Lei with Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong is also due to the widely circulated story of these two men protecting Emperor Taizong...
Xin Mao pointed to the peach wood charms depicting Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong and said with a smile, "A few days ago, someone came to the government office to inquire whether the door gods on the peach wood charms could be replaced with Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong. After discussing it with my colleagues, I felt that it was not a problem. We even funded the production of a batch of peach wood charms to give away for free, and purchased a large quantity of fireworks in the concession for use on New Year's Eve. This is to preserve and promote Chinese culture as much as possible."
Xi Junmai was a military man and did not quite understand the intention behind this move: "Why is this? Since they are Tang people, they should speak Tang language, write Chinese characters, and preserve Tang customs."
"It's not that easy."
Xin Mao shook his head, pointing to the cheerful Tang people coming and going on the street: "The saying goes, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Although this is a concession of the Great Tang, it is still a foreign land. The Abbasid Caliphate is a country founded on Islamic law and is most adept at bewitching people. If we cannot always remember our fundamental principles of respecting Heaven and our ancestors and our long-standing local customs, we will eventually be assimilated by foreign races. How tragic it would be if one day the descendants of the Chinese living here had the appearance and blood of Tang people, but believed in the laws of foreign lands and followed the customs of foreign races!"
The Tang Dynasty now pursues the policy of "cultural conquest" and "assimilation of foreign races." However, the Arabs have an exceptionally firm faith, and their religious doctrines are extremely profound and persuasive. If these Tang people who have migrated to the Arab world are assimilated by foreign races, it would be a complete failure for the Tang Dynasty.
The intern looked grave, and Xin Mao said in a deep voice, "The cultural war is sometimes more brutal than the sword fights on the battlefield."
Xi Junmai looked at this top student from Zhenguan Academy, who was also Xu Jingzong's son-in-law, and nodded emphatically, saying, "I don't understand these things, but there is one thing: if there is anything that requires the army's help, please speak up. This is half of our duty as soldiers; it is our duty, and we will not hesitate to die for it!"
"The most difficult part now is establishing rules. As long as there are guidelines to follow, we can achieve twice the results with half the effort. Let's join hands and make this enclave impregnable. Neither the Arabs' swords, arrows, warhorses, nor cultural strategies can cross the line!"
The two walked and talked, reaching a preliminary agreement on their collaboration, with pleasing results.
The concession of the Tang Dynasty within the city of Taixi was merely a grid-like territory consisting of three horizontal and five vertical streets. Before they knew it, they had reached the northern edge. Suddenly, a commotion ahead attracted their attention, and they quickly walked over.
At the end of the street, between the walls on both sides, was the north gate of the concession. At this moment, dozens of Tang soldiers, fully armed and clad in armor, blocked a group of Arab soldiers outside the gate. Their swords were drawn and their bows were strung, exuding a murderous aura and awe-inspiring presence, as if they were ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
A man, looking like a blood-soaked gourd, was protected behind Tang soldiers, while the Arab soldiers outside the door were furious and yelling in unintelligible languages.
Xin Maojiang and Xi Junmai quickly approached, and the sudden increase in numbers made the Tang army even more emboldened.
"What happened?"
Xin Mao asked with a stern face.
A Tang army captain quickly came over and pointed at the blood-soaked man, saying, "This man was being chased by Arab soldiers and was on the verge of death when he suddenly ran into our concession. Although I don't know who he is or why the Arab soldiers were chasing him, since he has entered the concession, he is under our control. We will not allow the Arabs to take him away under any circumstances."
Xi Junmai nodded in approval: "Regardless of reason or right or wrong, principles and bottom lines cannot be trampled on!"
The captain immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Although his superiors repeatedly emphasized that he should be assertive towards the Arabs and that the rules of the concession should be upheld, the concession had only been established for a short time and had never experienced such a situation before. He was terrified to act on his own. What if this caused damage to the diplomatic relations between the two countries? Wouldn't that be a disaster?
Hearing Xi Jun's words about buying, I naturally understand the situation.
Xin Mao stepped forward and stood behind the Tang soldiers. He addressed the group of Arab soldiers outside the gate in Arab language, saying sternly, "Since this is a concession of the Great Tang, it is also the territory of the Great Tang. We will never allow foreign barbarians to enter with weapons! Are you trying to start a war by showing off your power like this?"
The Arab soldiers outside the door, who had been so aggressive, suddenly panicked. The war between the two countries had not been over for long, and it ended with the Arabs suffering a major defeat and signing a series of humiliating treaties to achieve peace. If they were to cause another war between the two countries because of them, how could they bear the consequences?
But they were unwilling to give up.
The leading Arab officer stepped forward, his face filled with shock and anger, and loudly retorted: "That man is a wanted criminal of our Great Abbasid Caliphate. We were tracking his whereabouts and wanted to arrest him, but he was captured by your soldiers. Could it be that your Great Tang Dynasty is colluding with that criminal?"
Xin Mao scoffed, "The treaty signed by the two countries clearly states that the area within the concession is Tang territory, governed by Tang law, and the Abbasid Caliphate has no right to interfere! Regardless of this person's identity, since he is in the concession, he is protected by Tang law. If you want to arrest him, then wait outside the door. Once he walks out of this door, you can kill or torture him as you please!"
"I warn you to retreat immediately, otherwise I will consider the safety of the concession threatened and initiate a war, and you will bear all the blame!"
Faced with the Tang army's overwhelming power, the Arab soldiers dared not speak out in anger, and could only say resentfully, "Go! Go back and tell Governor Sheikh about this, and have him come and negotiate!"
A group of Arab soldiers left in anger.
Xin Mao then looked at the blood-covered man on the ground, bent down to examine him, and saw that although he was on the verge of death, his eyes were open. He then asked, "Who are you?"
The man said, “My name is Elan, an Amorite. I have come to Ctesiphon on the orders of my chieftain to seek an audience with the Tang official.”
Xin Mao frowned slightly: "What is it?"
Elan said, "Let's make a deal!"