At the same time, in Chahar, which is thousands of miles away, the same green grass is everywhere, and there are flocks of cattle and sheep.
But compared to the Khalkha Mongolia, the herdsmen of Chahar have already put on the coarse cloth of the Han Dynasty, which is not only stain-resistant, comfortable, but also very cool.
Arada wears a green Mongolian robe with quails embroidered on the chest, which makes him very conspicuous on the grassland.
The horses were galloping, dust and grass were flying all the way, disturbing countless cattle and sheep, and dogs barking incessantly.
The herdsmen raised their heads one after another and couldn't help but curse.
When they saw his conspicuous green robe and majestic horse, he immediately stopped talking, and instead bowed their heads one by one, respectfully.
The child who had just returned from nomadic life was still ignorant and looked up, blinking his eyes, his red face full of curiosity.
"My child is an official of hundreds of households. We have to bow our heads and salute. If you are discovered, a whip will come down and you will have to lie down for half a month!"
"Eji, what is the official of hundreds of households?" the child asked innocently.
"On behalf of the Great Khan, the officials who manage our hundreds of accounts are more majestic than the previous Taiji!"
"Where did Taiji go?"
"They -" the woman sighed: "They went to Chifeng to enjoy their happiness. There are only some pastures left. Let us help them herd sheep..."
Arada naturally ignored the incident on the way, and he couldn't wait to arrive at Qianhusuo:
"News came from Chifeng that all the Chahar tribes, including Khan, Nayanzhang (noble territories), and Tabu Nang (nobles), will participate in the Naadam Conference on August 15th——"
At this time, Qianhu and the judge were stunned immediately. They couldn't figure out why.
Because of the Naadam Conference, it originated from when Genghis Khan was elected as the Great Khan of Mongolia. In order to review his troops, maintain and allocate pastures, he held the "Dakhuli Getai" (big gathering) from July to August every year.
In the Yuan and Ming dynasties, archery, horse racing, and wrestling competitions were combined and became a fixed form.
Theoretically speaking, this is just a purely folk entertainment activity and has little to do with the imperial court.
"Since it is the governor's wish, then we can only comply with it."
Qianhu could only agree, while the judge nodded.
Soon, the news spread throughout the Chahar region through the huge Mongolian bureaucratic network.
As early as after the emperor convened a meeting of the nobility to reorganize the aristocratic system, Chahar's pace of centralization continued to accelerate.
The hundred-household official system, which was originally only in the Khan's tent, instantly spread to the entire Chahar. Except for Chahar Khan Abul and Beihai County King Budali, the rest of the small and medium-sized tribes have completed the centralization of power.
The middle and lower class Tabu Nang, Taiji, and Nianlu, who received imperial salary, were forced to stay in Chifeng for a long time and voluntarily, enjoying a prosperous life.
Also, they were ranch property and were preserved.
In other words, the imperial court helped them run the territory, and they just sat back and collected money, without having to worry about labor, and they lost some power.
Under the power, almost no one dares to violate it.
After Alada delivered the message, he returned to his tent exhausted. The servant brought milk tea, which he drank in one gulp:
"Huhe, Huhe, my son——"
"Abu, you called me?"
At this time, the eldest son with a broad face and a dark face shouted, holding a bow in his hand and running over panting.
"My son, in Chifeng, a world-famous Naadam Conference is about to be held."
Arada suppressed his excitement: "Although I don't know why the governor called all the Chahar people to participate, there must be generous rewards."
"And, a great future."
"Abu, can I be an official of hundreds of households?" Huhe said excitedly.
"My official position cannot be passed on to you, but if you go to the Naadam Conference, many high-ranking officials will come to see it, including the Governor-General."
"When the time comes, as long as you perform well, you will definitely have a great official career, and you can even go to Beijing to protect the great Chuluo Khan."
Hearing the word Beijing, Huhe's heart skipped a beat.
"I must go to Beijing."
He made up his mind.
The officials of Baihu, who belong to Baiji, convey the news from Chifeng.
The bureaucracy is not decrepit yet, it operates normally, and government orders are delivered smoothly.
Soon, in early August, thousands of Mongolian men gathered outside the majestic Chifeng City.
Anyone who has ambitions and wants to show off his power will come to Chifeng.
As the ruling center of Chahar, Chifeng is not only a political center, but also an economic center and a religious center.
Including the governor, two county kings, the great lama, Taiji, Tabu Nang and other small and medium-sized nobles, they all live in this grassland city.
This also creates its unique brilliance.
Its city has a surplus of 20,000 households, which is unprecedented on the grassland.
Han and Mongolian merchants gathered here, selling goods from the Han region and absorbing Chahar's local specialties.
In a sense, the glory of Chifeng is inseparable from the gathering of Mongolian nobles here, because they collect money from their respective territories and spend it in Chifeng.
On this day, including the great lama who was enshrined as Hutuktu, the governor-general Sun Changzhou, and all the nobles of Chahar, they came thirty miles outside Chifeng City to solemnly welcome the arrival of the distinguished guests.
Sun Changzhou remained silent.
But Beihai County King Budali couldn't bear it. Looking at Abda who was also taciturn, he couldn't help but show off: "Nephew, do you know who is coming?"
"Uncle, do you know?"
Abda was already eighteen years old at this time. He was a talented person and exuded nobility from the inside out.
He was brought to Beijing when he was a child. When he became an adult, he married a clan girl and returned to Chahar at the beginning of the year to manage his tribe.
But obviously, even Chifeng, the first city of Chahar, is not as good as Beijing, which makes him particularly uncomfortable.
As for the revenge for killing his father back then, considering his current situation, he was simply unable to take revenge and could only go with the flow.
"Of course." Budali said proudly: "Don't you know that my two daughters married the King of Qin?"
"I am the most well-informed about Beijing's news."
"Then it can't be King Qin, right?" Abda chuckled.
"Half guessed right."
Budali continued to talk.
"Really the King of Qin?" Abda couldn't believe it: "Didn't he go to Annan?"
"Isn't this back?"
Budali raised his chest, the fat on his face was bulging, and his eyes narrowed into a slit: "In addition to the King of Qin, there is also the King of Qi."
"The last two His Highnesses set out from Beijing and came to Chifeng."
"Then what is their purpose? Is it just to attend the Naadam Conference and have fun?"
Budali shook his head slightly and showed an unpredictable smile: "I don't know either."
Abda was devastated.
However, he had also passed the boring period at this time and began to look forward to it.
In front, Sun Changzhou, who had been waiting for a long time, listened to the words of the two Mongolian princes and couldn't help but talk:
What Chinese did you two Mongolians say in front of me?
As the two of you continue, time flies by.
After a while, a huge cavalry was seen approaching in a mighty manner.
Iron-armored muskets, majestic.
A sharp glance reveals an elite teacher.
There are three thousand horsemen, which may not seem to be many in number, but their elite level is enough to make this group of Mongolian nobles fearful.
Seeing the pale faces of the nobles from the corner of his eye, Sun Changzhou smiled heartily: "It seems that the cavalry in the Beijing camp are already among the best in the world."
"Compared to the border troops, they look much stronger."
The military power boosted the prestige of the two princes, and the nobles who were originally respectful because of their status wanted to put their faces to the ground.
After a while, two huge carriages appeared in front of everyone.
It was pulled by twelve horses, and the carriage was two feet long, which was very different from Mongolia. The patterns and decorations on the carriage all revealed wealth and luxury, which made the nobles stunned.
"Your Majesty, Sun Changzhou, Governor of Chahar, led everyone in Chahar to pay homage to your two highnesses."
"Get flat!"
At this time, a magnetic voice came from the carriage.
Soon, the curtains of one or two of the carriages were opened, and two fair and delicate maids in thin clothes walked out.
A handsome young man walked out of the carriage with a smile on his face.
Soon, a young man also walked out of another carriage.
"His Royal Highness King Qin, His Highness King Qi——"
Sun Changzhou bowed again.
The King of Qin was nearly six feet seven inches tall, while the King of Qi was half a head shorter.
Although both princes are handsome, their appearance is very obvious.
The King of Qin has tall eyebrows and majestic hair, like a Confucian general; while the King of Qi has delicate eyebrows and thin lips, which makes him more handsome. He is obviously superior in beauty.
Of course, the mother of King Qi is the imperial concubine Miaoxian. If you look closely at her eyes, you will see that her pupils are browner and the bridge of her nose is higher, making her facial features particularly beautiful.
"Please get up quickly. Before leaving, Father, please ask us again and again to take care of your health!"
The King of Qin was his brother, so he put away the fan in his hand and spoke first, showing his true feelings.
King Qi on the side said slowly: "Yes, if we follow the rules, we will have to call you my grandson!"
"I don't dare to be an old minister!" Sun Changzhou smiled bitterly, and then introduced the two princes to the nobles.
Then he introduced the Mongolian princes, great lamas, Zhu Taiji, etc. to the two princes.
In front of others, King Qin could be said to have given Budali's father-in-law enough face, making him very happy.
During the bonfire banquet at night, the father-in-law patted King Qin on the shoulder and said: "There are many women on the grassland. Whichever one you like, even if it is my woman, I will find it for you."
King Qin couldn't laugh or cry.
The King of Qi on the side was enjoying himself.
I almost didn't even look at those dancing Mongolian women.
Hearing the two people talking like this, he couldn't help but chuckle.
At this time, how could King Qin spare him and said directly: "My father is asking you to choose your concubine in person this time, and you can't escape."
"Let me help you choose——"
At this time, Budali, who had a sharp ear, couldn't help but replied.
King Qi was speechless: "Prince Beihai, it's not enough for you to have King Qin as your son-in-law, you want to drag me in too?"
Hearing this, Budali couldn't help but laugh because he had violated a taboo. His face turned red and he just thought he had drunk too much.
Abda, the king of Chahar County on the side, went too far at this time and said: "There are quite a few women in my lineage. Your Highness, King Qi, can choose from them."
King Qi smiled slightly: "Thank you very much."
After a few days, the Naadam Conference was prepared in an orderly manner. There were too many things to prepare for the Naadam Conference, which was unprecedented in scale.
The King of Qin and the King of Qi, representing the emperor, walked around Chifeng to convey greetings from the emperor.
Of course, in the past few days, King Qi was also unambiguous and chose a few people he liked as concubines, which was considered to have completed the task.
However, on the day of the Naadam Conference, Sun Changzhou still met the two princes:
"You two tell me exactly how many people are going to pretend to leave this time?"
Facing the governor's inquiry, the two brothers looked at each other and smiled. King Qin was the first to speak: "We don't want much, let's just have a hundred people each!"
Hearing this, Sun Changzhou smiled bitterly: "My Highness, according to the established regulations, the Naadam Conference only enrolls 300 people. You have stolen all of them."
The Naadam Conference, according to the regulations of the imperial court, is actually the imperial examination in Han Dynasty.
Obviously, the paralyzing effect of religion still did not reassure the emperor. At the same time, in order to ensure the continuous improvement of talents, the emperor would definitely use the Naadam Conference as the basis and expand it into the Mongolian version of the imperial examination.
In archery, horse racing, and wrestling, the one who ranks first in each of the three categories will be the first, second, and third overall pick.
They will be directly selected into the Guard Division and even serve as officers.
The top ten in the third category will be awarded the second rank Jinshi and enter the bodyguard department.
Of course, before joining the Guards Department, you must go to the Jiangwu Hall to study for two years. After all, you need to learn Chinese and Chinese characters.
They are candidates for generals and the mainstay of the army.
Those in the third category, from ten to one hundred, will be trained in Chifeng for half a year, then serve as deputy hundreds of households officers in various places. After three years, they will be promoted to hundreds of households, and then to thousand households or official officials.
If you perform well, you can even serve in the Governor's Mansion.
In the feudal era, nationality and race had no meaning at all, only interests were the only thing.
The most obvious evidence is that half of Zhu Yuanzhang's army during the Northern Expedition were downtrodden Mongolian people.
As a time traveler, Zhu Yixi deeply understands the essence of community of interests.
Only by establishing the Mongolian bureaucracy can it be truly integrated into the Ming Dynasty. The autonomy of feudal lords will not last long at all.
Three hundred people in three years, an average of one hundred people per year. With the number of hundreds of thousands in Chahar, after excluding the old, weak, sick and disabled, as well as women, children, lamas, and soldiers, there are only 20,000 people who can really participate in the competition.
This screening quantity is neither too big nor too small, just right.
The fundamental way is to co-govern Chahar and even the entire Mongolian Plateau with these Mongolian elites.
The King of Qin and the King of Qi came to Chahar for the first Naadam Conference.
Their purpose is also very simple, which is to select capable people, recruit them as employees, and prepare for joining the vassal in the future.
Even after getting married, the Prince of Qin's palace could openly recruit palace officials. Except for the long history, the court and the emperor did not interfere at all.
Where did it come from?
He just wanted the King of Qin to pick out those talented people who were capable but not suitable for the imperial examination and let them go to the vassal state to realize their ideals.
Therefore, King Qin was specially recalled and came to Chahar to select people.