Located in the hinterland of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Yunnan has the reputation of the south of the colorful clouds and the south of the Yunling Mountains. With an average altitude of 2,000 meters, Yunnan has a very complex geography. Yunnan is located on a low-latitude plateau and has an extremely special geographical location. Due to the influence of the high-pressure air flow of Bangladesh, a unique plateau monsoon climate is formed. It is obviously warm in winter and cool in summer, and the four seasons are like spring.

Yunnan is a multi-ethnic area, as early as Qin Shi Huang unified the Six Kingdoms, counties were established in the northeast of Yunnan. Later, after several wars, Yunnan has always been under the jurisdiction of the central government. Later, the kingdom of Dali appeared in Yunnan, and its territory included all of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, northern Burma, Vietnam, Laos and other regions. In 1253, Kublai Khan sent a Mongol army to destroy Dali and establish Yunnan Province.

The people of Semu served as the political affairs of Pingzhang in Yunnan, and the provincial capital Zhongqing Road was Kunming. Since Yunnan is rich in silver and copper, accounting for half of the country's output, Yunnan was a major silver producing area until the end of the Qing Dynasty. After the Mongol army destroyed the Dali Kingdom, a large number of Semu people and a small number of Mongols immigrated to Yunnan, forming today's ** and Mongolian people.

In the fourteenth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, that is, in 1381, Zhu Yuanzhang sent a large army to capture Yunnan and destroy the Liang King of the Yuan Dynasty. Subsequently, a large number of Hermes-Epitek began to move into Yunnan, and the economy of Yunnan developed rapidly. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yongli of the Southern Ming Dynasty fled to Yunnan, and Emperor Shun of the Qing Dynasty sent Wu Sangui, the king of Pingxi, to pursue him. Wu Sangui captured the Yongli Emperor in Burma and hanged him in Kunming, and Wu Sangui was stationed in Yunnan. At that time, Du Wenxiu, the leader of the **, established a Muslim regime with Dali as the center and captured the whole territory of Yunnan except Kunming. After the war, the population of Yunnan was greatly reduced.

With the continuous purging and suppression of ethnic minorities by the Qing Dynasty, the Han people in Yunnan have far exceeded the local ethnic minorities. Deng Zixuan ordered He Meng to lead nearly 5,000 men and horses of the 2nd Mixed Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Northern Expeditionary Army into Yunnan, in order to prepare for the next step of the invasion of Sichuan after occupying Kunming. Deng Zixuan did not give He Meng a date to occupy Kunming, so He Meng led his troops to march into Yunnan very calmly.

He Meng led his troops to the wave of Chen soldiers at the junction of Guangxi and Yunnan for half a month, and under the planning of Wang Xiaoer, he prepared for the foster care of the army. Subsequently, the army first entered the Zhuang and Miao inhabited areas in Yunnan. Before entering Yunnan, He Meng, in accordance with Deng Zixuan's order, promulgated a policy on ethnic minorities for the whole army, repeatedly emphasizing the need to respect ethnic minorities and having no choice but to regard themselves as the Han people. At the same time, taking into account the characteristics of ethnic minorities, many additional clauses were added to the military discipline of the Northern Expeditionary Army.

The sun is shining, the wind is beautiful. The army marched through the mountains, adding life to the silent valley. Suddenly, the army stopped moving, and the front reported that it was blocked by the Miao people. "Report to the brigade commander, there is Miao Village ahead, and there are a large number of Miao people blocking my advance!" He Meng heard that the horse came to the front. This is a canyon area, and Miao people have appeared on the upper ridge on the right. He Meng observed for a while and said, "Immediately send someone to communicate with the leader of the Miao people, we ask for the passage of the road!" ”

About an hour later, the liaison officer came back to report: Miao Tusi said that if the Northern Expeditionary Army was sincere, it must be expressed, otherwise the Northern Expeditionary Army would take a detour. "Fuck these southern barbarians really don't know how to lift, they are obedient to the Qing court, our military discipline is strict, and the autumn has not committed any crimes, but they don't take us seriously!" "Brigadier Commander! Just charge and kill him without leaving a piece of armor, and there is no reason to talk to the Southern Barbarians! "The brigade commander gives the order, and I promise to take the opposite hill with a charge!" The officers under his command were angry and clamored one after another.

He Meng was silent, remembering the commander-in-chief's advice before departure: "He Meng, the Northern Expeditionary Army is a righteous army, and we are different from any army in the past. Therefore, if you enter Yunnan, the implementation of the ethnic policy will have a bearing on the rapid occupation of the entire territory of Yunnan, on gaining the support and support of ethnic minorities in Yunnan in the future, and on the great plan for Yunnan's stability. You led your troops into Yunnan not only to attack the city and plunder the land, but also to be a propaganda team and a seeding machine. It is necessary to let the Northern Expeditionary Army make a good impression among the ethnic minorities and create conditions for us to plot against Sichuan in ・・・・・・the next step. ”

He Meng's big eyes flickered and said decisively: "Prepare 30 captured Qing army rifles and 1,000 rounds of ammunition for me, and I will personally meet the Miao Tusi to express the sincerity of the Northern Expeditionary Army." "Brigadier, you can't go, it's too dangerous!" "Brigadier Commander! Isn't it just a Miao cottage toast, you don't need to go out in person! "Brigadier Commander! In case you have three longs and two shorts, what should we do?" "The commander-in-chief has repeatedly warned that the implementation of the national policy is an important part of our rapid capture of the entire territory of Yunnan. The stakes are high for you not to act rashly, and my safety is in your hands, do you understand? Remember that without my orders, who dares to act without permission to engage in military law! He Meng said,

He Meng took off his armed belt, pistol, and waist knife, handed them to the adjutant, and then selected four soldiers in the guard platoon to walk towards the opposite hill without weapons, carrying 30 rifles and bullets. The valley follows the mountain range on both sides to form a large bay, and the vegetation on the slopes on both sides is lush and lush. A small river flows slowly with blue water, and the water is crystal clear. He Meng observed the scenery of the valley and couldn't help but admire in his heart, the beautiful mountains and rivers are really a good place to go.

Suddenly, there was a sound of breaking the air in front of me, and I saw two bows and arrows whistling, quickly inserting into the ground under their feet, and the bow and arrow feathers were colorful and swaying gently. He Meng stopped and opened his hands, meaning that we were not hostile. This kung fu picked out a few strong Miao men from the grass, who carried bows and arrows on their backs and Miao knives at their waists. Dressed in traditional Hmong costumes, each person wears a headscarf around their heads. He Meng clenched his hands into fists and said: "The contemptible man is the commander of the 2nd Division and the 2nd Brigade of the Northern Expeditionary Army, and he specially came to visit the cottage Tusi. ”

Since the Ming Dynasty, successive emperors have implemented the policy of changing the land and returning the land to the people in order to effectively control the ethnic minorities in the south, which means to change the hereditary system of the Tusi and weaken the rights of the Tusi. However, the change of land and return to the river has always been resisted and resisted by various ethnic minorities. However, under the brutal suppression of the rulers, the land was forcibly reclaimed. Since the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, a large number of large prefectures and counties have been deprived of their powers. However, the change of land and reversion to the river was met with strong resistance and resistance in the poor and remote areas. The mountain is high and the emperor is far away, so many ethnic minority cottages still follow the Tusi system.

"The Northern Expeditionary Army has heard of it, but what is the rank of this brigade commander?" one of the strong men with a waist knife asked in fluent Chinese. He Meng replied with a smile: "It's like the chief soldier in the Qing army." The strong man pondered for a while and said: "You call yourself the Northern Expeditionary Army, the military discipline is strict, and the autumn does not commit any crimes, how can you prove your sincerity" He Meng waved his hand, and the soldier opened the package to reveal the rifle and bullets and said: "This is 30 foreign guns and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, the gift is small and not a tribute, and the contemptible people want to make friends with Lord Tusi!" ”

The strong man and a few Miao people saw the rifle and bullets, their eyes were straight, there is such a good thing in the world, you must know that this is something that cannot be bought with no amount of silver. The strong man excitedly picked up the rifle and looked at it like a treasure, and a smile bloomed on his face. He Meng picked up a rifle and bullets, and loaded them with a bang. Then he handed it to the strong man and motioned for him to pull the trigger and shoot. The muzzle of the strong man pointed at the sky, only to hear a snap of black smoke coming out of the muzzle, and the bullet shot into the sky. The strong man was startled, and several other Miao people were so frightened that they squatted on the ground.

The strong man is the surrounding Miao people, there is no doubt that He Meng became a guest of honor in a blink of an eye. The group turned uphill, and He Meng saw the cottage. The Miao cottage is built along the hillside facing the river, and the architectural pattern of this stilted building shows the characteristics of the Miao people. Walking into the gate of the cottage along the stone steps, the smooth stone road is spotless, and you can see the neatness of the Miao people. On the way, He Meng learned that this Miao cottage is called Xiangshui Cottage, which is named after the Xiangshui River at the foot of the mountain.

He Meng had seen Miao people in Annam, so he was no stranger to the silver ornaments worn on the heads and necks of Miao women. At this time, many Miao women were wearing colorful clothes and standing on the stilted building of their homes to look around, obviously these Miao women were both curious and apprehensive when they saw the soldiers wearing "strange costumes". He Meng observed that there were not many men in the cottage, presumably the men had gone up the mountain to prepare for war.

Came to the door of a magnificent stilted building, and there was a chubby old man in his 50s standing in front of the door. The old man held a hookah in his hand and looked at He Meng coldly. Behind the old man stood several strong men, who held their hands on the handle of the knife at their waists and stared at them. The strong man saw that the old man was busy saluting, and then stepped forward and muttered a few words in the Miao language. The old man was slightly taken aback when he heard this, this guy didn't bother to say hello and went to check the rifle and bullets first, and his eyes suddenly flashed green.

The strong man introduced: "Brigade Leader, this is Lang Kun Toast!" He Meng clenched his hands into fists and said: "Respected Langkun Tusi, the contempt is He Meng, the commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Northern Expeditionary Army. Our entry into Yunnan was aimed at the Manchu court, with no intention of offending the Miao. I want to make friends with the Miao people, this is a little bit of courtesy! The strong man said in Chinese: "Lord Tusi, this General He is equivalent to the rank of chief soldier." "Apparently this toast can understand Chinese.

Sure enough, Tusi said in fluent Chinese: "General He, I heard that the Northern Expeditionary Army had strict discipline and did not commit any crimes in the autumn. Seeing is true to the real name. General He presented such a big gift, demonstrating the sincerity of the Northern Expeditionary Army. General Ho please! "Entering the living room of the stilted building, Toast ordered tea. He Meng personally opened the package and let Toast look at it again. Lang Kun Tusi happily held the rifle and said lovingly: "General He, the Northern Expeditionary Army is all foreign guns?" ”

"Yes, my 5,000 soldiers and horses are all foreign guns," He Meng said with some understatement. Lang Kun Tusi's eyes widened again: "I heard that you annihilated 5,000 French troops in Annam? He Meng smiled and nodded. Lang Kun Tusi was a little excited and said: "General He looks up to the Miao people so much, and the old man is grateful. You are guests from afar, I hope that the army will stay here for a few days, and the old man will do his best to be a landlord. ”

"Dear Langkun Tusi, we are entangled in military affairs, we just take advantage of the road and don't bother!" He Meng declined. "General He, since you want to make friends with the Miao people, you must show sincerity. Don't you Han people also have rules, guests are as they please. Lang Kun Toast was a little unhappy. He Meng smiled and said: "In this case, the contemptible people can't refute the good intentions of Lord Tusi, so they will bother in Guizhai for a day." He Meng then ordered the troops to come in.

The Northern Expeditionary Army was a friend of the Miao people, and the news quickly spread throughout the village, and the cottage suddenly boiled. Miao women, the elderly, and children in the cottage all flocked to the Xiangshui River, vying to witness this strange army. The cavalry regiment was the first to drive over, and they rode the captured French war horses and walked majestically. This was followed by three infantry regiments. He Meng drank with Tusi, and one of his subordinates reported: "Report to the brigade commander, the troops have arrived at the gate of the cottage, please instruct!" ”

"Order the troops, not to enter the village, not to disturb the people, not to brush horses by the river and dirty the river, and all officers and soldiers to camp along the Xiangshui River." He Meng ordered loudly. The rice wine brewed by the Miao people made He Meng drunk, and soon the Northern Expeditionary Army was recognized by the Miao people. At the time of parting, He Meng gave the mirror, soap, matches and salt he brought to Toast. Lang Kun Tusi was greatly moved, and sent Miao people to lead the way to broadcast the news.

The troops continued northward, all the way through unimpeded. Passing by Miao Village along the way, many Miao people spontaneously stood on both sides of the mainland to welcome this unprecedented army.