Chapter 289: Battle Of The Northern Desert Erupts, Grey Wolf Beheaded
That evening, a caravan flying the Kiyan tribe wolf banner arrived at the Kereit Tribe khanate.
The leader, named A’laqian, was a Hui person proficient in Chinese Language and the languages of various countries, who had long traded livestock between the Great Desert’s north and south.
Later, he followed under Temüjin’s command.
After resting one night, he met Ong Khan the next day, whose condition had improved greatly.
“Great Yeke Khan, hearing that Your health was poor this winter, Temüjin leader has been deeply concerned day and night, and has specially prepared modest gifts to present.”
“Ginseng from Liaodong, which can warm the body and replenish qi; and white fox fur from Northern Desert, may it protect you from the cold…”
“May the Eternal Blue Sky bless you to recover your health as before.” A’laqian stood in the tent, respectfully looking at Ong Khan and said.
The attendants filed in, piling packages one by one in the tent.
The ginseng wrapped in red silk weighed a full seven taels, with intact roots like silver threads; when the white fox fur was unfolded, the fluff was so plush it could engulf fingers.
There were also whole bolts of silk and saddles inlaid with silver, each item brimming with sincerity.
Ong Khan’s gaze swept over these gifts, his face softening somewhat, after all, it was the intention from his anda’s son.
Sangkun stood to the side, his mouth curling with a hint of disdain and cunning.
In his view, Temüjin’s wolfish ambition made him the Kereit Tribe’s greatest enemy.
Sending these gifts was nothing more than to lull Father Khan, buying more time for the Kiyan tribe to develop.
Once the Kiyan tribe grew strong, the first to be targeted would be the Kereit Tribe.
Therefore, that night, Sangkun had already privately reached an alliance with Hu Li, and even staged today’s drama.
No matter how insidious Temüjin was, today his ambition would be exposed to all.
Meanwhile, A’laqian in the tent was secretly observing Ong Khan and Sangkun’s movements.
According to Temüjin’s instructions, Ong Khan was old, lacking his former decisiveness and wisdom, so he needed constant flattery to lull him, showing the Kiyan tribe’s respect before Ong Khan.
To buy opportunities for the Kiyan tribe to develop and grow, Temüjin sought out many rarities each year to please Ong Khan.
This year, he had even sent Ong Khan a grand gift.
As the last sack was carried in, A’laqian’s face showed a solemn expression: “This is a rarity specially sought by the leader, said to drive away evil and ward off filth for Yeke Khan, ensuring the Kereit Tribe’s peace year after year.”
Ong Khan was already intrigued by the Liaodong ginseng, and upon hearing this, he sat up straighter, a flicker of curiosity in his turbid eyes, smiling as he asked: “Oh? What is it? To have such uses?”
He had coughed and wheezed uncontrollably for many winters in a row, and the shaman said he was haunted by evil spirits; hearing “drive away evil and ward off filth” now, he couldn’t help but feel expectant.
Sangkun sneered from the side: “Probably some worthless junk, hyped up mysteriously.”
A’laqian smiled on his face and personally stepped forward to untie the hemp rope.
The moment the knot loosened, he deliberately turned sideways to let Ong Khan see more clearly.
But in the next second, a furry thing rolled onto the ground.
The smile on A’laqian’s face froze instantly.
Everyone looked closely and saw it was a severed Grey Wolf head.
The wolf eyes were wide open, fangs bared, the neck stump still congealed with dark red blood ice, and from its dull, withered fur, clearly an old wolf that had lived many years.
In Grassland omens, killing an old wolf was cursing the tribe’s elders toward their end.
“What?”
The instant A’laqian saw the wolf head, he was completely stunned.
His eyes widened in disbelief, cold sweat suddenly breaking out on his forehead.
He urgently looked toward Ong Khan and the Kereit Tribe people in the tent, wanting to explain clearly, but his tongue knotted up when he tried to speak.
“This… this isn’t…”
Clearly caught off guard by this scene, he was speechless and unable to defend himself.
He had personally inspected the gifts; the sack should have held a ‘Sacred Stone’, how had it become a wolf head?
The air in the tent seemed to freeze instantly.
Sparks popped from the fire pit, but they couldn’t brighten the suddenly changed faces of the crowd.
Ong Khan stared at the wolf head, first bewildered, then as if whipped hard.
His face turned from ashen to iron-blue, suddenly clutching his chest, gasping “heh heh” from his throat: “You… you all…”
The Grey Wolf was a totem carved into Grasslanders’ bones and blood; killing an old wolf was already great disrespect.
Placing this head before Ong Khan was clearly pointing at his nose and calling him a decrepit old thing to be cut down.
Sangkun reacted first, roaring in fury: “Insolent!”
He kicked over the table, the Liaodong ginseng scattering to the ground, his saber clanging out of its sheath, blade tip straight at A’laqian’s throat.
“What is Temüjin plotting?”
“Cursing Father Khan with Tengger’s envoy, he’s tired of living.”
The surrounding Kereit Tribe generals drew their blades one after another, glaring ferociously at A’laqian.
“Slaughter this pack of Kiyan tribe dogs”
“Raze their pastures”
The roar of anger nearly lifted the tent roof.
A’laqian was utterly panicked, “thudding” to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly.
“Yeke Khan spare my life, Your Highness Sangkun spare my life!”
“This absolutely isn’t the leader’s intention; someone must have swapped the package!”
“What we brought is the Sacred Stone from Gaxian Cave, the Sacred Stone that drives away evil and wards off filth!”
But his defense seemed so feeble before that ferocious wolf head.
Ong Khan was choked with this rage in his chest, pointing a trembling finger at A’laqian like a candle in the wind, suddenly his vision went black and he toppled backward.
“Father Khan!”
Sangkun quickly supported Ong Khan, only to see his eyes tightly shut, already fainted.
“Quick, summon the shaman.” Sangkun roared hoarsely.
Burning with anger, he bellowed at the guards: “Drag these Kiyan tribe bastards out and hack them to death with random knives to feed the dogs.”
The guards pounced like wolves and tigers; A’laqian struggled and cried out: “Wronged! We came with true sincerity to offer tribute…”
…
By afternoon, Ong Khan slowly awoke in his sleeping tent.
He waved his hand, dismissing the shaman and maidservants; once only father and son remained, Ong Khan slowly spoke: “Today’s matter was your doing, wasn’t it.”
Not a question, but a certain statement, his gaze on Sangkun’s face carrying a calm that saw through everything.
Sangkun’s heart jolted hard, hastily shaking his head: “Why would Father Khan say that? Clearly Temüjin that bastard harbors ill intent, using a wolf head to curse you!”
But Ong Khan raised his eyes to him, a sharp glint suddenly gathering in his turbid eyes, like an eagle locking on prey: “Temüjin has ambition, but he’s no brainless fool.”
“Sending a wolf head would only enrage this khan, drawing the Kereit Tribe’s conquest.”
At first, he had indeed been angered to fainting by the wolf head.
But calming down and thinking carefully later, Temüjin wasn’t the sort for such shortsightedness, nor did he need to offend the Kereit Tribe this way.
Honestly keeping a low profile to develop and strengthen the Kiyan tribe’s forces was most important.
Ong Khan paused, coughed twice, and continued: “Moreover, the Kiyan tribe people stayed in the relay tent one night before presenting gifts.”
“One night is enough time for many things.”
Ong Khan had been a grassland hero in his youth; how could Sangkun’s little tricks escape his eyes?
Sangkun’s face flushed red, knowing denial was futile, yet still stubbornly defending.
“Father Khan, even if I swapped it, Temüjin should have been eliminated long ago.”
“Look how many tribes he’s swallowed this year alone? If left unchecked, the Kereit Tribe will sooner or later be gnawed to the bone by him.”
He paced back and forth in the tent, his voice urgent: “You’re ill, son cannot watch the Kereit Tribe ruined in his hands.”
Ong Khan sighed heavily, his aged shoulders slumping.
How could he not know Temüjin’s threat? He was a wolf cub that couldn’t be tamed, ultimately growing into a greedy wicked wolf.
But if it truly came to breaking faces, the Kereit Tribe might not gain advantage.
Because to the Kereit Tribe’s west lurked an even more powerful fierce tiger.
Still, Sangkun’s words had gotten through to him.
He was already a candle in the wind, unsure how much longer he could live.
Sangkun and Temüjin were both proud by nature, one scorning the other’s ragged origins, the other hating the other’s aggression.
Even without today’s wolf head incident, they would eventually clash blades.
“You ah…”
Ong Khan looked at the stubbornness in his son’s eyes, suddenly feeling utterly weary.
Clamor rose outside the tent: Kereit Tribe nobles requesting battle, and tribesmen enraged by the wolf head shouting beyond the camp.
The momentum was already built; everyone awaited his order to mobilize.
The matter was no longer simply under Ong Khan’s control.
What could he do?
Tell everyone “the wolf head was swapped by Sangkun, Temüjin is innocent”?
That would only shake the Kereit Tribe’s foundation, making him, the Khan, a laughingstock on the Grassland.
Sangkun had precisely calculated this to dare such audacity.
Using the entire tribe’s fury to put him on the fire.
Ong Khan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them, the hesitation was gone, replaced by helpless resolve: “Very well.”
He propped himself up, leaning on soft pillows, his voice not loud but carrying undeniable dignity: “Pass the order: three days hence, all able-bodied male laborers of the Kereit Tribe assemble at the khanate.”
Joy exploded in Sangkun’s eyes: “Your son obeys, will not disappoint Father Khan.”
Ong Khan didn’t look at him, only murmuring: “Tengger above, if this battle wins, let me see the Kereit Tribe’s sun a few more years…”
Ong Khan’s decision to war with the Kiyan tribe was also a helpless move.
Besides yielding to public sentiment, more importantly, the Kereit Tribe suffered a snow disaster last winter, with cattle and sheep and grain already insufficient.
Moreover, unable to obtain large amounts of grain from border trade with Jin Dynasty, Xia Kingdom, or Northern Frontier.
Once the grain crisis fully erupted, the Kereit Tribe’s internal conflicts would intensify, possibly sparking bigger problems.
Thus, Ong Khan could only use the Grasslanders’ most primal method to solve it.
War!
Shifting internal survival conflicts to external war.
Looting other tribes for cattle and sheep and grain.
At the same time, consuming his own tribe’s soldiers to save grain.
This was the Grassland way, unchanged for a thousand years; beyond this, Ong Khan had no other good methods.
…
Soon, the order to campaign against the Kiyan tribe spread to every Kereit Tribe tribe.
When Hu Li found Sangkun’s tent, he was intently studying a Grassland map.
“Congratulations, Your Highness, your wish fulfilled.”
Hu Li cupped his hands smiling, his gaze on the Kiyan tribe territory marked on the map, his tone full of perfectly measured congratulations.
Sangkun wore a forced smile: “Hmph hmph, also congratulations to Adviser Hu.”
“Oh? What joy for this one?” Hu Li feigned confusion.
“Our Kereit Tribe is finally going to war with the Kiyan tribe; Adviser has overfulfilled the task, upon return to Northern Frontier, how could the Great Protector not reward you?”
Sangkun’s voice carried playfulness, as if weighing the words.
Hu Li laughed heartily, waving his hand: “But this one’s joy, compared to Your Highness, is truly negligible.”
He leaned in two steps, lowering his voice yet clear word for word: “Once the Kiyan tribe is eliminated, the Kereit Tribe will be the greatest tribe on Mobei Grassland.”
“At that time, proclaiming khan and founding a khaganate is not impossible!”
“Perhaps next time I see Your Highness, I’ll have to address you as ‘Your Majesty’.”
Hearing this, Sangkun’s face remained impassive, but ripples stirred in his heart.
No one could resist the temptation of power.
Since the Liao State’s fall, Mobei tribes had fallen into a century of strife, grassland heroes abounding; who didn’t want to end this chaotic times and build a powerful khaganate like the Khitan or Turkic?
As Hu Li said, once Temüjin was dealt with, everything east of Greater Khingan Range would be the Kereit Tribe’s for the taking.
All tribes could only submit; founding a powerful khaganate was imminent.
But Sangkun’s gaze soon cooled; he glanced at Hu Li, thinking darkly: “This fierce tiger of Northern Frontier must be guarded against.”
Still, that day Hu Li had convinced him.
Northern Frontier had no energy to look east in the short term.
Because Northern Frontier had just fought the Battle of Hexi and needed to recuperate; after Xia Kingdom’s defeat, unwilling, it had invited Jin Dynasty to prepare next year’s Western Expedition against Northern Frontier.
This matched the intelligence scouted by the Kereit Tribe; Jin Dynasty was indeed strengthening border defenses, poised for major war.
Moreover, compared to Mobei’s harsh cold, Northern Frontier valued the prosperous Central Plains more.
Li Xiao, with pure Han People blood, never forgot the ancestral goal of returning east to Central Plains, scorning Mobei Grassland entirely.
So Hu Li’s big flatbread was tempting: Central Plains and Western Regions to Northern Frontier, central and eastern Mobei Grassland to Kereit Tribe, the two forging eternal alliance.
Sangkun naturally wouldn’t fully believe Hu Li, but he had gauged Li Xiao’s intentions.
He feared the Kereit Tribe stabbing in the back during war with the Jin-Xia allied army, so guided the Kereit Tribe to war with Kiyan tribe, leaving no attention for the west.
And Sangkun had the same plan: while Northern Frontier and Jin Dynasty these two fierce tigers were occupied, first settle Kiyan tribe, unify Grassland east of Greater Khingan Range.
“If the Grassland remains scattered sand forever, it will surely be picked off by Northern Frontier one by one.”
“Only by uniting all tribes’ strength can we contend with Jin Dynasty and Northern Frontier.”
Then Sangkun looked up at Hu Li, a meaningful smile on his face: “Adviser Hu’s good intentions, Sangkun appreciates.”
“After settling Temüjin, then discuss Grassland grand plans with the Great Protector.”
Hu Li smiled and cupped hands: “Your Highness is deeply farsighted; this one admires.”
“Northern Frontier will surely provide aid within its power to the Kereit Tribe, awaiting Your Highness’s triumphant return.”
By historical records, in Tianxi 26, that is last spring, the Kereit Tribe was supposed to launch a surprise attack on the Kiyan tribe.
But Li Xiao this butterfly’s wingbeats had made Ong Khan hesitate to decide.
Another year passed in a blink; Li Xiao could wait no longer.
Northern Frontier’s strategic plan was long set: first pacify Mobei Grassland tribes, then march south to scheme for Central Plains.
But rashly advancing east now, Temüjin and Ong Khan would surely set aside grudges and ally against Northern Frontier Army.
Both were Mobei overlords, each with tens of thousands of troops, strength not to be underestimated.
Northern Frontier Army coming from afar, unfamiliar with terrain and facing allied forces, victory no easy matter.
Thus Li Xiao devised a plan: first sow discord, let Kereit and Kiyan self-destruct, then reap the fisherman’s profit when both were exhausted.
As for the so-called Jin-Xia allied Western Expedition?
Merely a pretext to deceive Sangkun.
Song Dynasty was about to launch Northern Expedition; Jin Dynasty could barely manage itself, powerless to intervene in Northern Frontier war.
Western Xia’s national power weaker still, naturally no threat.
Thus, Northern Frontier Army had ample time and energy to wait for the two to mutually wound, then calmly enter and harvest the battle results.
…
Helanzhen Shatuo.
In the large tent, Temüjin wore a moon-white brocade robe, collar and cuffs embroidered with simple wolf patterns, without gold or silver adornments yet exuding steady dignity.
He sat on the tiger-skin couch at the head, smiling as he listened to the Teligē Tribe envoy’s words.
“No need for excessive ceremony.”
Seeing the envoy kneel in grand rite, Temüjin raised his hand for him to rise, his voice mild yet carrying undeniable strength.
“The Teligē Tribe has generations living at the foot of Greater Khingan Range（ Greater Khingan Range）, guarding the Grassland’s eastern gate; this khan has long heard.”
The envoy held the tribe’s totem token, face full of awe: “To gain Temüjin leader’s favor is the Teligē Tribe’s honor.”
“Our tribe offers a hundred war horses, a thousand furs, from now on at Great Khan’s disposal, with no second thoughts.”
Temüjin took the token, casually handing it to Chilawen beside him, gaze on the envoy: “Leave the war horses and furs for now, as witness of our alliance.”
“But what this khan wants is not tribute, but hearts.”
He paused, tone sincere: “Teligē Tribe’s sons, if willing to enlist, this khan treats all equally; if staying on homeland, this khan will send people to help improve your pastures, ensuring tribesmen want for nothing in food and clothing.”
The envoy’s eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this.
He had thought submission would bring exploitation, yet Temüjin was so generous.
He hurriedly called out: “The leader is benevolent and virtuous!”
After the Battle of Kuitian, Temüjin’s forces expanded to Eastern Grassland.
Hongjila Tribe, Shanzhi Kun Tribe, Taichiud tribe and others all submitted under Temüjin, his power ever stronger.
The many small tribes on Eastern Grassland could only offer loyalty to Temüjin.
The Teligē Tribe was a small tribe near Greater Khingan Range.
To avoid Kiyan tribe attack, they proactively came to submit.
Temüjin’s attitude gave them a reassuring pill.
After the envoy left, the generals in the tent praised: “Leader’s move will surely win the Eastern Grassland tribes’ heartfelt submission.”
Temüjin was not complacent, only gazing outside: “The Grassland is vast, enough room for all willing tribes.”
“Only by twisting all tribes’ strength into one can we achieve anything!”
At that moment, urgent footsteps came from outside, accompanied by guards’ obstruction: “Lord Hasar, the leader is in council…”
“Let him in.” Temüjin’s brows furrowed slightly; Hasar was always steady, why so agitated today?
The tent flap was flung open, a disheveled man stumbling in.
His leather armor was full of blade marks, stained with mud, filth and blood, hair disheveled across his face: Temüjin’s own younger brother Hasar.
“Brother!”
Hasar thudded to his knees, voice hoarse with sobs: “We… we were attacked by the Kereit Tribe.”
Temüjin’s smile froze instantly, abruptly standing: “What did you say?”
“I led our people staying at the old camp; previous night suddenly hit by Kereit Tribe iron cavalry raid.”
Hasar pounded the ground, tears mixing with blood rolling down: “They came too suddenly; we had no preparation at all.”
“Brothers resisted to the death, but they outnumbered us… in the end…”
The air in the tent turned heavy as iron.
Generals drew blades one after another, angry shouts rising.
“Is the Kereit Tribe trying to exterminate our Kiyan tribe?”
“Must be that bastard Sangkun scheming.”
“Kereit Tribe has numbers, but our Kiyan tribe isn’t to be bullied.”
“Great Khan, we’ll fight them to the death.”
Hearing the generals’ righteous fury, Temüjin stood rigid, body slightly trembling.
He could hardly believe his ears.
Ong Khan was his sworn father; these years he had always been respectful to the Kereit Tribe, just recently sending A’laqian with Liaodong ginseng and other heavy gifts—how could they suddenly raid the Kiyan tribe old camp?
“You saw clearly? Truly Kereit Tribe people?” Temüjin’s voice was dry, with faint tremor.
“No mistake.”
Hasar raised his head, eyes bloodshot: “I saw Sangkun, and the Kereit Tribe’s wolf head banner; they shouted to raze Kiyan tribe, capture you alive, brother.”
Temüjin slowly sat down, teeth clenched, seething with hate.
Though the current Kiyan tribe had swallowed many small tribes to become Eastern Grassland overlord.
Compared to veteran overlords like Kereit Tribe, it still fell short.
Temüjin had planned to endure a few years, secretly accumulating strength, growing tribe population.
Wait until Ong Khan died before turning on Sangkun, but unexpectedly Ong Khan struck first.
Even raiding the Kiyan tribe old camp.
Helanzhen Shatuo was in latter-day Inner Mongolia, closer to Jin Dynasty.
Originally Tatar Tribe territory, seized by Temüjin to expand further east.
Temüjin brought Kiyan tribe main force to Helanzhen Shatuo, leaving only one-third troops to guard Kiyan tribe homeland.
Fatally, many soldiers’ families were still at the old camp!
The battle had just begun, and Temüjin had already lost half.
Stunned for a long while, when he opened his eyes again, Temüjin’s gaze held no confusion, only bone-chilling cold.
He smashed a fist on the table, growling deeply: “Ong Khan, Sangkun, such ruthless hearts!”
“Wanting to exterminate my Kiyan tribe? First see if Eternal Blue Sky agrees.”
“Muster troops!”
“Fight to the death!”
