Zhizhong chuckled and said, "Obviously, Secretary Zhang knows it, right? Do I need to teach a fish how to swim?"
"But go ahead and say it."
"Alright, I'll tell you. This Mulang Town in front, previously…"
Zhizhong really started talking.
Mulang Town is now the economically strongest town in Dingkang County, obviously enjoying a geographical advantage with its broad river valleys and fields.
Before liberation, only Han people, who stayed in the town and farmed or grazed in the valley, were there, no minorities.
Where were the minorities?
In the mountains or they had migrated deep into the mountains, far upstream of the Ailian River.
Originally, generations of Yi and Tibetan peoples lived near Mulang Town.
About three hundred years ago, the Han people arrived, and the three groups coexisted.
The three groups often fought over the Mulang River Valley, leading to bloodshed and frequent deaths.
After fighting for over a decade, everyone realized it was a losing battle. So, what to do?
The County Magistrate of Dingkang at that time came up with an idea. He suggested the three groups choose a day to settle matters once and for all, mark territories in the valley within a twelve-hour span, and whatever they enclosed would be theirs. For origınal chapters go to 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
So, during the day, the Tibetans got moving. Hundreds of their people, armed with knives, began cutting the grass in the valley, telling the County Magistrate that the areas they outlined and enclosed would be theirs.
Meanwhile, the Yi people mobilized everyone they could, tying red ribbons around trees in the valley, enclosing patches, telling the County Magistrate that the areas marked with red ribbons were theirs.
But at this time, the Han people hadn't made a single move. Instead, the Han leader approached the County Magistrate and claimed that the areas where stones could be seen on the grasslands and farmlands of the valley were marked by them and belonged to them.
The leaders of the three groups, with the County Magistrate and the heavens as witnesses.
Throughout the day, the Han people remained still. The other two groups were busy dividing almost all of Mulang River Valley, even mocking the Han people, saying they would ultimately have to roll far away from this land.
However, come evening, the Han people set fires throughout the valley, which burned throughout the night.
By the next morning, the boundaries cut by the Tibetans had disappeared; the red-ribbon limits set by the Yi people were also gone. Only the stones of various sizes remained visible on the land.
The Han people had won the valley.
The Yi and Tibetan peoples could no longer graze or cultivate in the valley. They had to move up into the mountains or migrate away, upstream or downstream.
Zhizhong concluded, "The Tibetans moved even further away; there are no Tibetans in Dingkang County anymore. As for the Yi people, they are all in the mountains. Of course, in modern society, many have moved down from the mountains, and quite a few have moved into the cities. This story still makes many Yi people resent the Han people, saying the Han were terribly ruthless and shamelessly seized their land to live better lives, leaving the Yi in dire straits."
Zhang Xingyue laughed, saying, "That's the wisdom of the Han people, right?"
Zhizhong shook his head. "What wisdom? This was just unabashedly breaking the rules, sigh… Nowadays, minority policies are truly great, while Han policies are total crap."
Zhang Xingyue stifled a laugh, saying nothing further.
At this time, they had reached Mulang Town, and it was completely dark.
Under the densely starry night sky, bright with moonlight, the town radiated a peaceful charm.
However, it was the peak season for road trips, and accommodations like hostels and inns in the town were fully booked.
After Zhizhong and Zhang Xingyue circled around, they were tired.
In the town, of all the hostels and inns, there was only one single room left.
The pair were at a loss—should they stay or not?
As Zhizhong and Zhang Xingyue looked at each other, speechless and about to say something, a middle-aged couple behind them were urging them.
"Hey, are you two going to stay or not? If you don't like the conditions, please move aside so we can take the room."
"You…" Zhang Xingyue was about to explode upon hearing this.
Zhizhong quickly tugged at her blouse and signaled with his eyes before quickly saying, "Alright, you can go; we'll take the single room."
The people heard and, disappointed, turned to leave, indicating they would sleep in their car instead.
Meanwhile, the innkeeper immediately said to Zhizhong, "280 yuan, give me your ID card."
Zhizhong, taken aback, pointed at the price list on the wall: "Isn't a single room supposed to be 80 yuan?"
"Sorry, but it's peak season now, that's the price. The one you're talking about is for the off-season. Are you staying or not?"
Zhang Xingyue was really upset, never expecting such a rip-off at this wretched place.
She immediately said, "Forget it. We'll just sleep in the car!"
Zhizhong, frustrated, said, "No matter how good, a car can't compare to a bed…"
"Are you listening to me or what? If you want to stay…"
The innkeeper hastily interjected, "What's the matter with you two? One wants to stay and the other doesn't. I've just lost customers because of you. Are you staying or not? The price will go up to 380 yuan soon."
Zhizhong had no choice but to hand over his ID card. "Alright, we'll stay!"