Chapter 296: Temüjin’s Shock, The Northern Frontier Army Has Arrived
In the Northern Desert, the grassland had just begun to show a faint green in spring. Cattle and sheep outside the tents drank water by the river. Beneath the seemingly peaceful scene, a hint of tension lingered.
The Albaqi tribe was one of the tribes under the Kereit tribe, with over three thousand members who had been nomadic in the Tula River basin for generations.
At this moment, the leader Tiemai Chi sat on a felt blanket in the center of the tent, his brows furrowed, looking with a grave expression at the man opposite him dressed in torn sheepskin.
This person was short and thin-faced, but his eyes were fierce, and he had at least ten lives on his hands.
Although he was just an unknown nobody, he was an envoy of Temüjin, and one of the warriors who had broken through the Kereit Khanate with Temüjin.
And outside the tent, there were two soldiers from the Kiyan tribe and two surrendered soldiers from the Kereit tribe.
Their purpose in coming here was to persuade the Albaqi tribe to surrender to the Kiyan tribe.
“Chieftain Tiemai Chi,”
the envoy began, his voice carrying the unique roughness of the grassland people, “Leader Temüjin is now at Zhezhe Yundushan Mountain.”
“Lord Wanghan himself said that Leader Temüjin should take over the position of Great Khan of the Kereit tribe.”
“You won’t defy Lord Wanghan’s orders, will you?”
Tiemai Chi paused his hand holding the milk tea, a flicker of mockery in his eyes.
He knew very well that this was merely Temüjin’s trick of using the Son of Heaven to command the vassals.
After capturing Wanghan, he didn’t kill him, but instead treated him as an honored guest, paying respects daily. In plain terms, he wanted to use the name of the old Khan to subdue the various tribes under the Kereit tribe.
But this did not prevent Tiemai Chi from viewing Temüjin as a shameless scoundrel.
That bastard, when Wanghan was critically ill, sent a broken wolf’s head, mocking that Wanghan should have died long ago.
Moreover, in winter, when the Khanate was short of troops, he shamelessly attacked the Khanate.
He killed His Highness Sangkun and imprisoned Wanghan.
If it were any other time, tens of thousands of Kereit warriors would have been on guard, and each spitting could have drowned Temüjin.
But such were the rules of the grassland; the victor was king, and the vanquished had no right to complain.
Herdsmen habitually relied on the strong; as long as they could survive, it didn’t matter who ruled them.
Therefore, many Kereit tribes had already surrendered to Temüjin.
Although the Albaqi tribe was located in the western part of the Kereit territory, they were eventually found by Temüjin’s men.
“Lord Wanghan was likely not in control of himself.”
Tiemai Chi put down his tea bowl and said coldly, “His Highness Sangkun died tragically under your arrows. When the Khanate was broken through, what could Lord Wanghan say?”
The smile on the envoy’s face stiffened for a moment, then returned to normal. “Chieftain, you jest.”
“His Highness Sangkun died in the chaos of battle, not by Leader Temüjin’s intention.”
“Now that Leader Temüjin has taken over the Kereit tribe, he wants all tribes to live in peace.”
“Look, those two outside are brothers from the Khanate who surrendered earlier. Their tribes were not mistreated at all and even received more pastures.”
Tiemai Chi ignored them and turned his gaze to the envoy. “Speak, what exactly does Temüjin want the Albaqi tribe to do by sending you here?”
“Straightforward!”
The envoy clapped his hands. “Great Khan Temüjin said that as long as the Albaqi tribe surrenders, their current pastures will remain unchanged, and they will additionally receive a piece of grassland near Zhezhe Yundushan Mountain.”
“Chieftain, you will continue to lead your people, and the warriors in your tribe can be incorporated into the Great Khan’s personal army. You will receive ten percent of the spoils of future conquests.”
These terms were not harsh; they could even be considered generous.
Tiemai Chi knew in his heart that the unspoken words of the envoy carried more weight.
If they did not surrender, what awaited the Albaqi tribe was likely war.
Now that the main force of the Kereit tribe was dispersed and most of the surrounding tribes had surrendered, with only the thousand skilled archers under his command, he could not stop Temüjin’s iron cavalry.
Tiemai Chi pondered for a moment, and finally nodded gently.
The situation had come to this; resisting would only bring disaster upon his entire tribe.
He looked up at the envoy and said in a deep voice, “Tell Leader Temüjin that I agree.”
“In two days, I will personally go to Zhezhe Yundushan Mountain to pay my respects to him and Lord Wanghan.”
The envoy’s face immediately broke into a smile. Just as he was about to say some polite words, a sound of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent.
It turned out to be a slave, wearing a worn sheepskin coat and with disheveled hair, riding a horse and rushing urgently to the outside of the tent. He didn’t even bother to rub his bruised knees from kneeling on the ground.
Stopped by Tiemai Chi’s guards, he still shouted in panic, “Master, master, something bad has happened!” Tiemai Chi frowned, walked out of the tent, and shouted sternly, “What are you panicking about? Has the sky fallen?”
The slave’s voice trembled like leaves in the wind, and he said in fear, “Chieftain… I was herding sheep by the river just now, and I saw many, many cavalry in the distance, a black mass, as if they fell from the sky.”
“Cavalry?”
Tiemai Chi’s eyes widened suddenly. “How many? Which tribe are they from?”
“Too many… uncountable!”
The slave shook his head vigorously, his eyes full of fear. “Their flags are white, with sun and moon patterns. I’ve never seen them before!”
White Sun and Moon Battle Flags?
The slave had little knowledge, but he knew clearly that these were the flags of the Northern Frontier Army!
Those demons from west of the Golden Mountain had annihilated the powerful Naiman tribe and heavily damaged the Kereit tribe at Yudu Jin Mountain.
Tiemai Chi had personally participated in that battle, which was earth-shattering and filled with wails.
He never expected that these Northern Frontier people, after a few years of peace, would reappear east of Yudu Jin Mountain.
Tiemai Chi’s heart sank. Before he could think further, a low rumbling sound suddenly came from under his feet, as if ten thousand wild oxen were galloping towards the tribe.
“Rumble rumble rumble~”
Everyone in the tent froze. The smile on the envoy’s face instantly solidified, replaced by disbelief and astonishment.
“Go out and see!” Tiemai Chi pushed the slave aside and rushed out of the tent first.
The scene before him made him gasp.
On the grassland across the Tula River, dense cavalry surged like a tide. Golden and white sun and moon battle flags fluttered in the wind, darkening the sky.
The soldiers rode tall war horses, wore cotton armor, and had tasseled helmets on their heads, preparing to cross the Tula River.
And further in the rear, more cavalry galloped madly.
“Giddy up, giddy up~”
“Ha~”
The soldiers roared madly, their faces showing fearless ferocity, galloping wantonly, looking like a flowing ocean of metal from afar.
Under this fierce momentum, the cattle and sheep of the Albaqi tribe scattered in fear. The cries of women and children rose one after another, and the entire tribe was instantly thrown into chaos.
“How did the Northern Frontier Army get here?”
Tiemai Chi’s face turned pale, his lips trembling.
“Could it be because of Temüjin?”
“That’s right, it must be because Temüjin broke through the Khanate and angered the Northern Frontier people.”
Then, with an aggressive demeanor, he looked at Temüjin’s envoy and said angrily, “The Khanate and the Northern Frontier people have a marital tie. The trouble stirred up by your Kiyan tribe will harm all of us on the grassland.”
Temüjin’s envoy also clutched his saber hilt tightly, his gaze filled with horror.
He had heard of the prowess of the Northern Frontier Army. After the Battle of Kuitian, Borchu and Kublai led their troops in pursuit of Zhamuha’s remnants.
Mid-way, they encountered an ambush by the Northern Frontier Army.
The pursuing Kiyan Army was annihilated, and even Borchu and Kublai both died on the battlefield.
The news spread back to the Kiyan tribe, and it was said that every household mourned, and everyone was shocked and terrified.
But what shocked them the most was that Temüjin, in his fury, prayed to the Eternal Blue Sky for a day and a night, and finally received instructions from the Eternal Blue Sky.
The Northern Frontier people had killed the warriors of the Kiyan tribe, and the Eternal Blue Sky would inflict the most wicked punishment upon the Northern Frontier people; the Kiyan tribe did not need to send troops for revenge.
However, the envoy had not expected to see the Northern Frontier Army in this manner.
Where was the punishment from the Eternal Blue Sky?
Why were the Northern Frontier Army still arrogant and unruly? Fierce and violent?
The Northern Frontier cavalry covered the mountains and plains. They crossed mountains and rivers, and every hoofbeat sounded like thunder, carrying a world-destroying momentum. How could the grassland tribes resist them?
“It’s over…”
The Kereit surrendered soldier beside him slumped to the ground, his face ashen. “The Northern Frontier Army has truly come to avenge His Highness Sangkun. I told you long ago not to surrender to the Kiyan tribe.”
Tiemai Chi also suddenly came to his senses and sternly ordered his tribesmen, “Quick! Have the warriors take up their weapons and protect the women and children behind the tents!”
During this interval, Temüjin’s envoy quietly retreated.
Along with two Kiyan warriors, he prepared to escape back to Zhezhe Yundushan Mountain amidst the chaos.
The Northern Frontier Army had invaded the Mobei Grassland. This major event had to be reported to Leader Temüjin as soon as possible.
It was spring, and the Tula River water only reached the horses’ knees.
The vanguard of the Northern Frontier Army had easily crossed the Tula River.
“All people of the Albaqi tribe, listen: surrender and live, resist and be killed without mercy.”
A captain in white armor, holding a spear, shouted loudly.
He spoke in the Kereit language. He was a Kereit soldier captured at Yudu Jin Mountain.
He had participated in the Battle of Eastern Capital, the Battle of Seven Rivers, and the Battle of Hexi with the Northern Frontier Army.
With remarkable military achievements, he had transformed from a slave to a captain.
In this campaign against the Kereit and Kiyan tribes, these soldiers from the Northern Desert would play an important role.
Facing the encirclement of the Northern Frontier Iron Cavalry, the tribesmen of the Albaqi tribe had no room to resist.
Even escaping was impossible.
Because the most important survival resources on the grassland were cattle and sheep. People could escape, but cattle and sheep could not.
Without cattle and sheep, they would become refugees and starve to death or freeze to death.
As for the slaves who had no assets in cattle and sheep, they were even less likely to risk their lives to escape.
After all, as long as they could survive, what difference did it make who they were slaves to?
At this moment, Tiemai Chi could only throw down his saber and finally understand how ridiculous his decision just now was.
The sky of this grassland had not just changed; it was about to be completely overturned.
However, he turned his head and found the Kiyan envoy missing, his expression instantly changing.
“Huh?”
“Where did those people from the Kiyan tribe go?”
“Ran away? Hurry up and catch them all!”
…
Not long after, Tiemai Chi, escorted by two White Armor cavalrymen, stumbled before a young general.
The general was about twenty years old, tall and imposing like a pine. He wore a cotton armor with a red border on a white background, its plates still stained with undried mud. His face was resolute and stern. He was Da Hu, the Deputy Commander of the Sixth Garrison.
On both sides behind him, hundreds of White Armor cavalrymen stood with spears, their formation solemn.
Beside them, a young man in a traditional Kereit brocade robe sat on horseback, his brows carrying a familiar nobility.
Tiemai Chi did not recognize Da Hu, of course, but he recognized the man and said in surprise, “You, Ke Lieyixi?”
This man was the eldest son of Zha Heganbu, that is, the elder brother of Sorghaghtani.
When Temüjin attacked the Zhezhe Yundushan Khanate, Wanghan first fled with his confidants. Coupled with Sangkun being shot dead, the defense line completely collapsed.
Zha Heganbu’s family, along with their confidants, took the opportunity to break through towards the Western Sea with Hu Li.
At that time, Temüjin was busy pursuing Wanghan and had no time to deal with these “escaped fish,” so they were able to reach the Western Sea safely.
Now, Ke Lieyixi, as a guide for the army’s vanguard, was cooperating with Da Hu to clear out the tribes along the way.
With the guidance of these locals, the Northern Frontier Army easily found the various tribes on the grassland.
“Leader Tiemai Chi, I trust you are well.”
Ke Lieyixi’s voice was calm and unruffled, but his eyes held a hint of a smile.
“Hehehehe~”
“I never expected to see you under these circumstances, Ke Lieyixi.” Tiemai Chi said with a wry smile and a shake of his head.
Da Hu, however, had no patience for their reminiscing.
He swept his indifferent gaze over Tiemai Chi and said coldly, “Surrender and live. If you resist?”
“Annihilation of your tribe.”
Hearing the translator’s words, Tiemai Chi’s heart trembled instantly.
He stole a glance at the surrounding Northern Frontier cavalry. Those men had no expression on their faces, as if the word “annihilation” was no different from slaughtering cattle and sheep.
Furthermore, the Northern Frontier Army was different from the grassland tribes; they would not adhere to the rules of the grassland people.
On the grassland, after a tribe was defeated, it would only be absorbed into another tribe. This was because the grassland population was scarce, and as long as it wasn’t a season of food scarcity, every laborer was cherished.
But the North was different.
Their foundation was west of the Golden Mountain. The grassland population was not indispensable to them.
Therefore, Tiemai Chi did not doubt that the Northern Frontier Army would truly carry out the annihilation of tribes.
At this moment, Ke Lieyixi also rode forward a step and said in a deep voice, “Wanghan is imprisoned, and Temüjin is ambitious.”
“The Kereit tribe will only face a dead end following them. Now that the Northern Frontier Army has entered the territory, it is an opportunity to revitalize the Kereit tribe. Why must you let your entire tribe be buried with them?”
Tiemai Chi’s lips trembled. He looked at the expressionless Da Hu, then at the earnest Ke Lieyixi, and then recalled the sky-obscuring cavalry formation. Finally, he hung his head in dejection.
The conditions offered by the Northern Frontier Army were far less generous than those given by Temüjin, but what did that matter?
In the face of the absolute strength of the Northern Frontier Army, he had no right to bargain.
“I… am willing to surrender.”
Not long after, on a distant grassland of the Albaqi tribe, a thousand selected herdsmen stood in a crooked formation.
Among them were nobles dressed neatly and slaves in ragged clothes.
They were incorporated into the Auxiliary Army and would cooperate with the Northern Frontier Army to conquer the Kiyan tribe.
The remaining elderly, weak, women, children, cattle, sheep, and supplies were gathered at a rear camp, guarded by dedicated Northern Frontier Army soldiers.
A captain on a black horse galloped to the front of the formation. He was from the Kereit tribe, had surrendered to the North in his early years, and was now a proper Northern Frontier officer.
Waving his spear, he shouted loudly in the Kereit language, “All of you, listen!”
The formation instantly quieted down. Fear appeared on everyone’s faces, and their gazes were focused on him.
“Regardless of whether you were a Noyan or a slave before, you are now soldiers of the Northern Frontier’s auxiliary forces.”
“The North has always valued military merit. As long as you kill one enemy, you will immediately be rewarded with two sheep, and slaves will be directly freed and become free commoners of the North.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the slaves in the formation immediately stirred, and their dull eyes burst with astonishing light.
Two sheep are important assets on the grassland.
But the word “emancipation” was like a thunderclap that shattered their numb lives, a hope their ancestors had never dared to dream of.
“Don’t feel like you’re at a disadvantage.”
“Kill three enemies, and you can keep some of your property, and you’ll be allocated good pastures in the Western Sea.”
“Think about how Temüjin treated the Kereit tribe! Following the Northern Frontier Army is the only way to survive!”
The captain then turned his spearhead towards the slave owners who looked resentful.
If slaves become commoners, who will work for them?
But these are the rules of the Northern Frontier Army.
The Great Protector’s Mansion manages all commoners directly, collects rent and taxes, and refuses intermediate profiteers such as slave owners, landlords, and officials.
Tiemai Chi stood at the end of the formation, looking at the slaves with shining eyes, and sighed softly, shaking his head. The hearts of the people are scattered, and the army is difficult to lead.
On the other side, Da Hu was looking through the tribal roster presented by Tiemai Chi, while Chilawen pointed at the map and explained.
“After three more days of travel, we will reach Mount Burkan, where there are three subordinate tribes of the Kereit tribe, with not many troops.”
“They may have already surrendered to the Kiyan tribe.”
Da Hu slightly closed the roster, his eyes sharp as a hawk, “Send down the order, strike camp at Mao Shi tomorrow.”
“Let the auxiliary army be the vanguard.”
At this time, the Northern Frontier’s two armies had already reached the east of Yudu Jin Mountain, continuously subjugating various tribes along the way.
They were organized into auxiliary armies and incorporated for their own use, and the cannon fodder naturally increased.
Only those who truly achieved military merit and possessed value could become part of the Northern Frontier’s own people.
…
Meanwhile, in the Khanate tent on Zhezhe Yundushan Mountains, it was warm and pleasant.
Temüjin sat cross-legged on a felt blanket covered with tiger skin, playing with a saber inlaid with gems, and occasionally smiled with satisfaction as he listened to his subordinates report on the surrender of various tribes.
“Any news from the Albaqi Tribe?”
“Replying to the Great Khan, the envoy sent has not yet returned, but it is expected that Tiemai Chi would not dare to disobey your orders,” Chilawen replied.
“What about the Balihu Tribe?”
“They have surrendered, and their leader will come to Zhezhe Yundushan Mountains to pay respects in two days.”
“Also, the Tultusut tribe is also willing to surrender.”
Listening to his subordinates’ reports, Temüjin nodded slightly, feeling quite proud.
Since he had conquered the Kereit tribe’s Khanate, tribes had been surrendering one after another, and his troops had grown like a snowball, no less than when the Kiyan tribe was at its strongest.
However, these newly surrendered tribes were certainly not as loyal as the direct descendants of the Kiyan tribe.
If they surrendered to him today due to the situation, they could also surrender to others tomorrow if the Kiyan tribe was defeated.
“I still need to establish an army that is completely loyal to me,” Temüjin said to himself.
He planned to select elite warriors from various tribes to form an army that would directly obey him.
Although the Kiyan tribe had initially replaced the Kereit tribe as the overlord of the Northern Desert, he felt very insecure.
His gaze inadvertently shifted westward, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.
The Northern Frontier was a man-eating tiger, and an indelible shadow in his heart.
The Naiman Tribe, the western overlord with tens of thousands of troops, was destroyed by the Northern Frontier just like that.
Borchu and Kublai, brave and skilled in combat, led more than ten thousand elite Kiyan tribe warriors, all of whom also perished at the hands of the Northern Frontier.
Moreover, even his eldest son, Jochi, was still detained by the Northern Frontier people, his fate unknown.
Temüjin’s hatred for the Northern Frontier was deeply ingrained, yet he was also extremely wary of its power.
He constantly worried that the Northern Frontier Army would suddenly attack him before he could establish himself.
Fortunately, through questioning the Kereit nobles, he learned that the Northern Frontier Army had occupied the Hexi Corridor the year before, enraging the Jin Emperor.
Now, the Jin and Xia Kingdoms were preparing to launch a Northern Expedition, and the Northern Frontier was likely too preoccupied to interfere in the affairs of the grassland.
Thinking of this, a hint of determination flashed in Temüjin’s eyes.
He must seize the opportunity while the Northern Frontier and the Jin Kingdom were unable to attend to him to quickly annex the spoils of the Kereit tribe and strengthen his own forces.
After the Jin Kingdom and the Northern Frontier had decided the outcome of their conflict, he would lead the warriors of the Kiyan tribe to take revenge.
Both the Jin Kingdom and the Northern Frontier were his enemies.
Although the Kiyan tribe’s current strength did not allow them to profit from the situation, they had the right to attack a weakened enemy.
Whoever lost between the Jin Kingdom and the Northern Frontier, he would attack.
First attack the weaker one, or first attack the Xia Kingdom, continuously strengthening himself in war, and finally engage in a decisive battle with the strong.
This was Temüjin’s grand strategy.
Just as he was immersed in his schemes, a sudden commotion arose outside the tent, along with panicked shouts.
“What’s going on?” Temüjin frowned slightly and stood up.
Before he finished speaking, the tent flap was violently thrown open, and a figure stumbled in – it was the envoy sent to the Albaqi Tribe.
His clothes were tattered, he was covered in dust, his face was filled with terror, and his hair was disheveled, as if he had just rolled around in the mud.
“Chieft… Chieftain…”
The envoy panted, his voice trembling uncontrollably, “The North… the Northern Frontier Army… the Northern Frontier Army is attacking!”
“What did you say?”
Temüjin was struck by lightning, his eyes widening, his smugness and composure instantly vanishing, replaced by disbelief and shock.
“The Northern Frontier Army? Why are they here? Did you see clearly?”
“It’s absolutely true, Great Khan!”
The envoy, with a crying voice, knelt down with a thud, “I saw it with my own eyes at the Albaqi Tribe, a vast sea of cavalry, flying the golden Sun and Moon Battle Flag, wearing white armor.”
“Five of us went, and only I managed to escape back.”
“Tiemai Chi has surrendered, and they… they are about to attack here!”
Temüjin stood frozen, his expression filled with shock.
He could never have imagined that the Northern Frontier Army would attack at this time.
Weren’t the Jin and Xia Kingdoms about to launch a Northern Expedition? How could the Northern Frontier have the time to send troops to the grassland? Had those Kereit nobles lied to him?
The others in the tent were also stunned, looking at each other with solemn expressions.
When dealing with the Kereit tribe, they had won by being the weaker party, relying on surprise attacks.
Now, they had not yet established themselves and had not recovered their strength.
Yet, the even more powerful Northern Frontier Iron Cavalry was attacking.
Had the Eternal Blue Sky no longer favored the Kiyan tribe and denied them a way to live?
Temüjin suddenly snapped back to reality, ferocity flashing in his eyes. He grabbed the envoy by the collar and roared, “How many soldiers does the Northern Frontier Army have?”
The envoy, terrified, stammered, “I… I don’t know how many, but I can’t see the end of them…”
“Very, very many.”
Temüjin’s heart sank to the bottom. He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and his mind raced.
Flee?
Should he abandon the achievements he had so hard-won?
Had he not even enjoyed his status as the overlord of the Northern Desert for a few days before returning to a life on the run like a stray dog?
Fight?
Although he had a considerable number of troops now, most of them were from newly surrendered tribes, capable of fighting in favorable conditions.
Compared to the Northern Frontier Army, they were probably still no match.
“Pass my order!”
Temüjin suddenly released the envoy and shouted hoarsely, “All men and horses, assemble immediately and prepare to fight.”
The soldiers outside the tent heard the order and began to move in a panic. Zhezhe Yundushan Mountains, which had been relatively calm, was instantly engulfed by the dark clouds of war.
Temüjin stood at the entrance of the tent, looking at his panicked followers in the distance, his heart filled with anger and unwillingness.
He had worked so hard to achieve his current position, so why did the Northern Frontier Army come knocking at this particular time?
But it was too late for regrets.
He clenched his fists, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.
Even if he were to die, he would make the Northern Frontier Army pay a price.
