Post by Gongsun Chao on Nov 15, 2009 22:15:46 GMT
The Miao were one of the largest ethnic minorities in the area of Guiyang and Yunnan at the time of the Three Kingdoms. It is probable that some of what were called Nanman were also tribes of the Miao ethnic minority. The term Miao is not new, and has been recorded throughout the centuries.
Five years ago, Chao had met and befriended a young Miao prince when the young prince was being held at the capital. Although Chao had not learned the language, he had learned enough about the culture that he felt quite comfortable speaking to them and trying to unify them behind the banner of Liu Bei.
Chao rode with his bodyguard and a few men to the city of Guiyang, and bid them gather some of the leaders of the ethnic Miao minority. Chao spoke to them in the confines of a large room, speaking not to the entire population, but instead attempting to win over the hearts of the elders who were so trusted among the population. He started by greeting them in their traditional way, something he had learned from his friend.
They offered him rice-wine, as was the culture, and he drank just enough to follow their customs, with Zhang Ci making sure he did not drink enough to get drunk.
"Men of Guiyang, no longer do the ethnic walls that were built out of fear and distrust need to stand. The Lord Liu is a virtuous man, and he will bring back the Han without the discrimination that the pretender Minister would surely bring. The House of Liu stands for its people, whether they are of Han descent or not. That is why I have come to Guiyang."
After a few moment he continued.
"Inform your people not to fear the Lord Liu, his men will treat you with the respect you deserve. Inform your cousins in San Jiang and Yun Nan, inform your friends that a Lord has come who will unite the land in peace!"
"This is not the time for squabble when a pretender Minister holds dominion over the North, keeping the Emperor as a puppet to his evil will. No, I beseech you, may you and your people support the Lord Liu in his efforts to return virtue, justice, and peace to the land."
"You are not a belligerent people, it is peace that you wish for, not war. We of Han origins are the same, we as a people wish only for peace. This is the ideal that the Lord Liu has taken into his heart, he promises to take the wishes of the people and not of one or two greedy advisors"
"I once again beseech you, people who unite under the name of Miao, might you also unite your people under the House of Liu, the causes of justice and virtue, and the battle to end the war. In the name of the Heavens above and the Spirits below, I beseech this upon you. May you follow the just path."
With that, Chao stepped down from the podium and spent most of the rest of the day speaking with the various elders and trying to win over their complete support. He followed their customs to the best of his ability, drinking the rice wine, even attempting to participate in their music and dances. He also dropped hints to some of the elders that there was a possibility of building a trading post in Guiyang to benefit the trade of the rice that they produce. Chao was planning this, afterall, and he knew it might be a selling point to win over a few more. At the end of the day, Chao returned to an inn where he decided to spend the night. His bodyguard, Zhang Ci, congratulated him on a job well done.
Five years ago, Chao had met and befriended a young Miao prince when the young prince was being held at the capital. Although Chao had not learned the language, he had learned enough about the culture that he felt quite comfortable speaking to them and trying to unify them behind the banner of Liu Bei.
Chao rode with his bodyguard and a few men to the city of Guiyang, and bid them gather some of the leaders of the ethnic Miao minority. Chao spoke to them in the confines of a large room, speaking not to the entire population, but instead attempting to win over the hearts of the elders who were so trusted among the population. He started by greeting them in their traditional way, something he had learned from his friend.
They offered him rice-wine, as was the culture, and he drank just enough to follow their customs, with Zhang Ci making sure he did not drink enough to get drunk.
"Men of Guiyang, no longer do the ethnic walls that were built out of fear and distrust need to stand. The Lord Liu is a virtuous man, and he will bring back the Han without the discrimination that the pretender Minister would surely bring. The House of Liu stands for its people, whether they are of Han descent or not. That is why I have come to Guiyang."
After a few moment he continued.
"Inform your people not to fear the Lord Liu, his men will treat you with the respect you deserve. Inform your cousins in San Jiang and Yun Nan, inform your friends that a Lord has come who will unite the land in peace!"
"This is not the time for squabble when a pretender Minister holds dominion over the North, keeping the Emperor as a puppet to his evil will. No, I beseech you, may you and your people support the Lord Liu in his efforts to return virtue, justice, and peace to the land."
"You are not a belligerent people, it is peace that you wish for, not war. We of Han origins are the same, we as a people wish only for peace. This is the ideal that the Lord Liu has taken into his heart, he promises to take the wishes of the people and not of one or two greedy advisors"
"I once again beseech you, people who unite under the name of Miao, might you also unite your people under the House of Liu, the causes of justice and virtue, and the battle to end the war. In the name of the Heavens above and the Spirits below, I beseech this upon you. May you follow the just path."
With that, Chao stepped down from the podium and spent most of the rest of the day speaking with the various elders and trying to win over their complete support. He followed their customs to the best of his ability, drinking the rice wine, even attempting to participate in their music and dances. He also dropped hints to some of the elders that there was a possibility of building a trading post in Guiyang to benefit the trade of the rice that they produce. Chao was planning this, afterall, and he knew it might be a selling point to win over a few more. At the end of the day, Chao returned to an inn where he decided to spend the night. His bodyguard, Zhang Ci, congratulated him on a job well done.
