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| | 1: The Eastern Chief |
 | | They had been roistering, rumbustious, warlike tribes of the famous Nanchao people, who by their courage, feats of arms and military prowess had turned back wave after wave of Chinese troops and would-be Chinese settlers. |
 | | The young men of Nanchao, having proved to be exceptionally good fighters would be taken into the Chinese Imperial Guards, given special status and privileges, handsome wages, clothing, uniform, arms, board, lodging and generous leave. |
 | | The arrangement had worked well, so well in fact that when the Nanchao stronghold was attacked by a large raiding party from the north, there was not a single young warrior in the place. |
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