The Silent Reforms of Eldridge Chapter 86

When the Hui people rioted, the imperial court would launch an expedition and transport grain thousands of miles, often spending hundreds of millions of money on grain. But those unworthy officials have both fame and fortune, causing the country to suffer endless burdens. In recent years, there has been a lot of arrears in military pay, and the money cannot be paid on time. It is difficult to guarantee that they will not borrow money from the Hui people, or even extort them by force. This time the troubles among the Muslims in Kashgar were also caused by apportionment. Although the whole thing lasted less than two months, it already cost more than 100,000 yuan. The feudal lord's office turned the treasurer upside down, but he was still in dire straits. Although the Ministry of Revenue allocated 500,000 taels, the provinces received less than half, and the vassal treasury was almost exhausted.

I once suggested that the ministers and garrisons in the eight cities of the Hui tribe be withdrawn, and eight people from the Hui chiefs who are well-off and capable and able to convince the public should be selected, and they should be awarded the title of king respectively, and let them control one city each; It is stipulated that cattle, sheep and furs should be paid as tribute every five years. The cities are evenly matched, who dares to rebel? If there is a rebellion, others will be sent back to Sullivan Wang to lead his headquarters to conquer it. When there is no trouble, the mainland's salary needs can be saved, and when there is trouble, it can also save the mainland's military strength. Although the cities were enfeoffed, the land was never abandoned, and the court's system and face were not lost. Some people may want to say: The land the size of our ancestors should not be given to others casually. It was so difficult to expand the territory and open up new territories in the past, but now it is abandoned like a legacy. How can we live up to the instructions of our ancestors? Indeed. But the method I mentioned does not abandon the ancestral land. Feudal countries in the past dynasties have always entrusted the people and land to their own hands, and Feng Shuo's current dynasty, why not assist and support the common master? Today, following the example of feudalism, each king has his own country, each has his own people, and each respects the emperor's house as if it were a vassal state. This cannot be said to be neglecting the country. Now the Taiping Army in the south has not been subdued, and there is a shortage of funds. The military pay in each city has been arrears a lot, and the soldiers are still hungry. A crowd rose up to respond, but there was no pay or troops to mobilize in the interior. If a rebellion broke out 20,000 miles away, it would be beyond the reach of the whip. If troops were ordered to be stationed for a conquest, the troops in each city would not be large, and they would certainly not be able to go there empty-handed. Even if the defenders know the righteousness of the enemy and share the same hatred, but there is a huge disparity in strength, it will be difficult to succeed. At that time, they will be unable to stop. If we do not show our authority and allow the rebellious Hui people to seize control of one side, it will not only harm the country, but also make other ethnic groups want to follow suit. Looking back since we returned to Xinjiang to open up, there has never been a rebellion that did not involve the mobilization of Manchu and Green battalions and generals from the mainland, and the emperor sent the president to lead the army to suppress the arrests. The ineffectiveness of the garrison is a clear proof. If the South Xinjiang Road is abolished and the North Road is discussed, the border will gradually be cleared. For the national economy and people's livelihood, although it cannot increase revenue, it can also reduce expenditure. As for Wuyuan and Yili, they are the gateways connecting China and the outside world. They can be used as barriers to the mainland if they are left, and their abolition cannot be discussed lightly. The Music Governor also thought that my suggestion was very reasonable, but he was generally courageous and ignorant, and of course he did not dare to report it to the court. I was just thinking about it.

Almost everyone on the borders of Xining, Pingfan, Guide, and Bayanrongge was robbed by raw and cooked people, monks in white clothes (i.e., Muslims), and poor Mongolians. There are thieves hiding in almost all hotels; there are also many people in Qinghai Yamen who secretly interact with thieves. The so-called theory of good times was put forward by Sa Ying'a. Wild people are not allowed to set up tents in the north of the Yellow River. This has always been expressly prohibited. In recent years, wild people have not obeyed the restrictions and have crossed the border one after another. The north bank of the Yellow River has been covered with felt like clouds. Since Qixiang was convicted for the suppression of Yongsha, Shu Xing'a and Yi Tang took over as governors one after another. Because of Qixiang's experience, all cases of robbery by wild bands were not allowed to be reported. In the third year of Xianfeng (1853), Yefan almost mutinied; Hongshui County was only a hundred miles away from the provincial capital, so the post road was blocked. In February of the sixth year of Xianfeng (1856), wild bands robbed 50,000 taels of pay and silver for the troops stationed outside the customs. In April, they robbed and killed government messengers and tore into pieces the memorials they carried, but the court did not dare to attack them.

After Le Bin took office as governor, he heard that the wild tribes wanted to surrender, so he sent his fellow governor Naxun Agula to act as the governor of Xining Prefecture, with the intention of recruiting these wild tribes to surrender. Soon, Naxun Agula reported that he personally went outside the customs. The leader of the Yefan and he recited sutras and swore in the temple that they would never interfere with each other. He only asked that the land north of the Yellow River that originally belonged to Mongolia be given to them for grazing. According to investigations, more than 530,000 Fan people have crossed the river. The Mongols are as fearful as tigers and dare not disobey. So he asked the music supervisor to perform and recommended many people. Naxun Agula also said that the border could be reclaimed and cattle could be borrowed for cultivation. The copper produced in Qaidanmu Mountain can be mined and transported by cattle and horses. The government rewarded them with highland barley rations. In short, Naxun Agula's words are fascinating and eloquent.

I laughed at Naxun Agula. He is so old, but he is still so eager for success, yet his knowledge is so dim, and his work is so absurd and boundless. Yet the governor entrusts him with such a heavy responsibility, which is really worrying. I said to Le Bin: "When it comes to border affairs, we should not be hasty. In this matter, success will not be recognized as merit, and failure will be a disaster. We must consider it before and after, and we must ensure that no future troubles are left." There is insight among colleagues. , and also saw that Le Bin seemed to have regrets and fear in his heart. Later, Le Bin said to me: "This matter has to be postponed. If they are not allowed to surrender, then the rebels will definitely change; if they are allowed to surrender, there is no guarantee that they will not rebel again. I may not be able to serve as governor for ten years, but one day will count." Just one day."