Chapter 298: Woluoduo Alliance Meeting, March On The Kiyan Tribe
Tengger means “sky” in the culture of the grasslands.
And Gurkhan is the supreme ruler of all Khans, the Khan of Khans.
Together, these two titles are akin to “Heavenly Khan,” representing supreme authority on the grasslands.
Hearing Zhamuha’s words, the surrounding tribal leaders were stunned, each secretly acknowledging Zhamuha’s decisiveness and cunning.
Li Xiao also gazed at him deeply and smiled faintly, “The Gurkhan is the supreme Khan of the grasslands, how can there be two?”
Zhamuha knew that Li Xiao was speaking about him.
After all, before the Battle of Kuitian, he had been made Gurkhan by the recommendation of the leaders of the thirteen tribes of the grasslands.
But after the crushing defeat of the allied forces, his position as Gurkhan became a joke, his prestige plummeted, and no one took him seriously anymore.
Zhamuha had self-awareness; this empty title was a disaster for him at present.
The grasslands only recognize strength, and without matching power, merely holding the title of supreme Khan would only invite death.
So, he remained kneeling on the ground, looking up, and said with utmost sincerity, “Great Protector, you jest.”
“I am merely a temporary leader chosen by the various tribes, born to deal with Temujin. How could I dare to call myself a true Gurkhan?”
“Now that the Great Protector’s royal army has arrived and Temujin’s defeat is imminent, only you are worthy of the supreme position of Tengger Gur Khan.”
Adding the prefix Tengger before Gurkhan signifies that this Gurkhanate is granted by Tengger, possessing greater authority than Zhamuha’s empty title.
Zha Heganbu and the others also reacted and stepped forward to advise, “Great Protector, Zhamuha speaks the truth.”
“If you ascend to the position of Tengger Gur Khan, all the tribes of the grasslands will surely submit wholeheartedly, and no one will dare to harbor dissent.”
“Indeed, Great Protector, with this title, our campaign against Temujin will be more righteous, and the tribes will respond enthusiastically.”
On the other hand, the Northern Frontier generals such as Da Hu and Wei Xuan did not have strong feelings about this title.
They were only concerned about when Li Xiao would declare himself king.
Zha Heganbu even took the initiative to educate everyone on the legitimacy of Li Xiao’s claim to the title ‘Tengger Gur Khan.’
“The Northern Frontier originated from the Golden Mountain, which was the holy land of the Turkic people back then!”
“In those days, the Turkic Khaganate was so glorious. Now you, Great Protector, have unified the Western Regions and are about to lead an expedition against Temujin. Is this not to recreate the glory of the Turks?”
“Your enthronement as Tengger Gur Khan is in accordance with heaven and the will of the people, and far more legitimate than someone like Temujin, who is merely a clown.”
Another elder leader from the Kereit Tribe added, “Our tribes, our ancestors, had connections with the Turks.”
“We have long hoped for someone to lead us in recreating the glory of the Turkic Khaganate era.”
“Great Protector, your foundation is in the Golden Mountain, and you command an army of millions. Only you can firmly hold the position of Tengger Gur Khan.”
“What is Temujin? He only gained some territory through surprise attacks. In terms of legitimacy, he is not even worthy of carrying your shoes.”
Li Xiao listened to these words, his expression unchanging, but he was secretly amused.
These people found excellent justifications; the Turks originated from the Golden Mountain, and he too had risen from there.
With forced connections, a link to the Turks could be established.
Ruling the grasslands under the name of Tengger Gur Khan would indeed greatly enhance his legitimacy, making it easier for the grassland tribes to accept his rule.
Looking at these ‘sincere’ tribal leaders before him, and then gazing at the Northern Frontier Army standing in formation outside the tent,
Li Xiao remained silent for a moment and slowly said, “Very well.”
“Since you are so insistent, I shall accept this Khanate.”
He said, his gaze sweeping over everyone with unquestionable dignity, “I have decided that after we pacify Temujin and crush the Kiyan tribe,”
“We will hold a grand ceremony to sacrifice to heaven at Burkhan Khaldun. Not only will Temujin’s head be offered to the heavens, but the rules of the Northern Frontier will also be proclaimed to all the tribes of the grasslands.”
Li Xiao paused, his voice suddenly rising, “Those who surrender will have their past transgressions forgiven and will share in peace; those who resist will, like Temujin, perish with their clans!”
As his words fell, everyone felt a chilling cold.
Deep down, they did not want an outsider like Li Xiao to be the Great Khan of the Mobei Grassland, but the strength of the Northern Frontier Army was too great, leaving them no choice but to submit.
The event of the Turks rising from the Golden Mountain and sweeping across the grasslands in ancient times was, after all, being re-enacted by the Northern Frontier.
Thus, Zha Heganbu and the others shouted, “We obey the orders of Tengger Gur Khan!”
…
At the foot of a mountain in Woluoduo lay a cluster of tents belonging to the Jadalan, Merkit, and other tribes.
In the distance, a Sixth Garrison cavalry unit, clad in white armor, constantly monitored them.
And while everyone was talking in the Golden Tent, in one of the Jadalan tribe’s tents, two young women sat facing each other.
Qiqige, Zhamuha’s daughter, wore her hair in delicate braids and possessed the unique spirit of the Jadalan people in her brows, always straightening her back unconsciously when she spoke.
At this moment, she was fiddling with the silver ornaments in her hair and said to the woman opposite her, “Hulan, what do you think Father and the others are discussing in the Golden Tent?”
Hulan sat on a low stool opposite, sewing a leather robe for her father.
She was quiet and spoke softly, like the wind blowing through wool, and shook her head, saying, “Most likely they are discussing the campaign against Temujin.”
“Yes, Temujin is truly too wicked; he even spares his sworn father, Ong Khan. If someone like him rules the grasslands, we tribes will be in danger.” Qiqige nodded.
Hulan looked at the endless Northern Frontier Army camp outside the tent and said softly, “I heard the Great Protector of the Northern Frontier has personally come.”
Qiqige’s eyes lit up, and she leaned closer, “He is very capable. At a young age, he has conquered a vast territory, and even the Naiman and Kereit tribes are no match for him.”
“Do you still remember that winter?”
“Our tribe was chased by Temujin’s men and was almost wiped out. It was the white-armored cavalry of the Northern Frontier Army who charged out of the snow.”
“Their horses were as fast as lightning, their blade light could cut through tent poles in a flash, and they could even summon Tengger’s thunder.”
Hulan nodded, a flicker of longing in her eyes.
“Father always says that if the Northern Frontier people hadn’t intervened that battle, our Merkit and Jadalan tribes would have been destroyed by Temujin long ago.”
Hulan’s father was Da’er Wusun, one of the three leaders of the Merkit tribe.
The Merkit tribe was not a unified tribe but was composed of many smaller ones.
The largest were the Udu’it, led by Toqto’a, who had the deepest enmity with Temujin, a relationship of irreconcilable hatred.
The Uwaas tribe, led by Hulan’s father, Da’er Wusun.
The last was the Qaa’at tribe, the weakest.
After the Battle of Kuitian, these three tribes were all jointly attacked by Temujin and Ong Khan, suffering heavy losses.
They could only barely survive under the protection of the Northern Frontier Army.
Thinking of this, Hulan lowered her head and whispered, “If only the Great Protector had come sooner, our tribe wouldn’t have lost so many people.”
“And I don’t know if we can defeat Temujin this time.”
Qiqige nodded with confidence, “We definitely can. The Great Protector is a more powerful figure than Sun Khan and Ong Khan.”
As the two girls were chatting excitedly, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the tent.
The felt curtain of the tent was flung open, and a burly man in his early twenties strode in.
It was Batur, Zhamuha’s son and Qiqige’s elder brother.
He said with some urgency, “Qiqige, Father sent word for you to get dressed immediately and go to the Golden Tent.”
He then turned to Hulan, “And you, Hulan, the Uwaas tribe should be looking for you too. Hurry back to your tent.”
Seeing her brother’s demeanor, Qiqige’s heart suddenly filled with curiosity, and she looked up and asked, “Batur, what happened? Why the rush?”
Batur’s gaze fell upon his sister, who had just come of age, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
He reached out and ruffled Qiqige’s hair, his voice softening, “Qiqige, you’ve grown up now, and you’ll eventually get married.”
“Father has already chosen a husband for you.”
At these words, Qiqige’s heart leaped, and she instantly understood; she was to be sent for a marriage alliance.
And that husband was none other than Li Xiao, the Great Protector of the Northern Frontier, whom they had just been enthusiastically discussing.
There was no hint of shyness on her face; instead, her eyes lit up, and she asked with barely contained joy, “Really?”
Grassland daughters have always been forthright and direct; they never hide their feelings for a man they admire.
Qiqige already admired Li Xiao greatly. She heard that he was only twenty years old, not much older than herself, and at the prime of his strength.
Compared to marrying tribal leaders whose hair had already turned white, he was a hundred times better.
Moreover, his Northern Frontier Army of one hundred thousand was like a surging tide, poised to sweep across the grasslands. To ally with such a hero was a dream come true for her.
As for whether she would be the main wife, she didn’t even consider it.
Grassland women did not have many stipulations; as long as it could bring stability to the tribe, what did it matter if she was a wife or a concubine?
She had no choice, so she would seize what she could see.
Batur looked at the sparkling light in his sister’s eyes and nodded with a helpless sigh, “It’s true.”
He then turned to Hulan and said more solemnly, “It’s the same for you. Chief Da’er Wusun is also preparing to send you for a marriage alliance with the Great Protector, but ultimately it will depend on the Great Protector’s wishes.”
The implication was that whether the marriage would take place depended entirely on whether Li Xiao fancied them.
Thinking of this, Batur felt a pang of bitterness.
Hulan was acknowledged as the pearl of the grasslands; her clear eyes could make even the waters of the Onon River lose their luster.
Many tribal leaders had come with fine horses and cattle and sheep to propose marriage, but Da’er Wusun had turned them all away with various excuses.
He himself had also tried to arrange a match through intermediaries. As Zhamuha’s son, he considered himself qualified to marry this beauty.
However, Da’er Wusun had refused, citing that he was already married and did not wish Hulan to be his concubine.
Da’er Wusun clearly looked down on their fallen Jadalan people.
He was clearly keeping Hulan to sell at a high price, waiting for a powerful backer to help the Merkit tribe regain its strength.
And now?
As soon as the Northern Frontier people’s hooves touched the land of Woluoduo, Da’er Wusun, like a dog, was ready to offer Hulan, even disregarding the distinction between wife and concubine.
Earlier, Batur had bumped into Da’er Wusun’s confidant outside the tent, and the old man was rubbing his hands together, instructing the maidservants.
“Find Hulan’s silver fox fur cloak, scent it with spices from the Western Regions, and apply rouge from Gansu. If the Great Protector doesn’t like her, our whole clan will starve!”
These words struck Batur like a slap in the face.
The treasure he could not obtain was being treated as a bargaining chip to be picked and chosen at will, and he had to consider the face of the ruler of the Northern Frontier.
Yet he could not retaliate, for who could stop Li Xiao’s hundred thousand iron cavalry from crushing the Mobei Grassland? And the Jadalan tribe now had to rely on their protection just to catch their breath?
Furthermore, he remembered Zhamuha’s words: “Once Li Xiao is elected Gurkhan, our Jadalan tribe can return to the lush pastures.”
Gurkhan, that was the title of the supreme leader of the grasslands. With this status, the ground beneath Li Xiao’s feet would tremble, let alone a few mere tribal leaders?
He took a deep breath and swallowed the bitterness in his throat.
Compared to the survival of the tribe, what was this trifling sentiment?
On the other hand, Hulan heard these words, her cheeks flushed, a hint of nervousness flashing in her eyes, yet also containing some anticipation.
“Ah? This, this, this~”
The person they had just been reverently discussing might suddenly become her husband; this sudden news made her somewhat flustered, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Qiqige, however, had already stood up, grabbed her silver ornament box, and began tidying her braids with neat movements, “I’m going to get ready now!”
She looked back at Hulan, showing a bright smile, “Hulan, let’s go to the Golden Tent together. Maybe we can keep each other company.”
…
Not long after, Qiqige and the two were brought into the Golden Tent.
Along with them were the daughters, sisters, or nieces of leaders from other tribes.
They were all meticulously dressed young women; some lowered their heads, appearing nervous and uneasy, while others were quite bold, looking up to appraise Li Xiao.
Seeing his young and handsome face and imposing aura, they happily cast alluring glances at Li Xiao, wishing they could immediately fall into his arms.
Qiqige stood beside Zhamuha, her usual grassland spirit somewhat subdued by the current restraint. She also secretly observed Li Xiao, her curiosity still evident in her eyes.
Hulan hid in the crowd, wearing a silver fox fur cloak that made her skin appear as white as snow, lending her a more aloof air than the others.
Li Xiao sat at the head seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the gilded wine cup on the table.
His gaze swept over the young women standing with lowered heads. He first looked at Zhamuha and asked gently, “Leader Zhamuha, which one is your daughter?”
Zhamuha quickly stood up and gestured behind him, “Qiqige, come forward and greet the Great Protector.”
Qiqige stepped forward. Although a little nervous, she straightened her back and met Li Xiao’s gaze as she looked up.
She wasn’t stunningly beautiful, but her eyes held a straightforwardness of a rider on the grasslands. The rosy flush on her cheekbones resembled two touches of rouge, exuding vitality.
Li Xiao nodded slightly, a faint smile curving his lips, “Not bad.”
These two words made Zhamuha’s anxious heart settle somewhat.
He knew that his former titles of “Gurkhan” and “Supreme Alliance Leader of the Thirteen Tribes Against Temujin,” though now fallen on hard times, still carried weight.
Li Xiao’s willingness to grant him this courtesy indicated not only his appreciation for Qiqige but also that he still placed some reliance on him.
This meant that Li Xiao had no intention of abandoning him.
Subsequently, Li Xiao’s gaze swept over the other young women, most of whom had ordinary looks.
Apart from Zhamuha and Zha Heganbu, the other tribal leaders did not hold his particular attention; they were not worth a formal marriage alliance.
However, Qiqige alone could not support Little Dragon’s power; she needed a helper.
As Li Xiao was selecting them one by one, preparing to judge them by their appearance, Hulan’s arrival caught his eye.
“What is your name?” Li Xiao’s voice held a hint of interest.
Hulan’s body trembled slightly. Before she could respond, Da’er Wusun eagerly stepped forward and said, “Replying to the Great Protector, this is my daughter, Hulan.”
“Oh, so you are Chief Da’er Wusun’s daughter.” Li Xiao chuckled.
“I have long heard that Chief Da’er Wusun has a daughter of unparalleled beauty, revered as the pearl of the grasslands. Seeing her now, she truly lives up to her reputation.”
Upon hearing this, Da’er Wusun beamed with joy and nodded repeatedly, “My daughter only possesses modest looks; she does not deserve such praise from the Great Protector.”
But in his heart, he was immensely proud, as he had great confidence in his daughter’s beauty.
Li Xiao slowly recalled the name Hulan.
She was by no means an unknown figure.
In the original historical trajectory, after the Battle of the Tula River, the powerful Naiman tribe collapsed.
Seeing Temujin’s unstoppable momentum towards unifying the grasslands, Da’er Wusun, who had always been an enemy of Temujin, offered his daughter to gain Temujin’s pardon.
Temujin doted on Hulan, making her his second Empress, second only to Borte. Even her son, Kulegen, was considered a legitimate son.
But when he thought that Temujin in history was already over forty, and Hulan was to accompany an old man as soon as she came of age, Li Xiao felt it was too unfair to such a beauty.
Now that he had encountered her, how could he let such a tragedy repeat itself?
【 Scene still, Consort Hulan 】
“Very good.”
Li Xiao looked at Hulan and nodded with satisfaction, “You may stay as well.”
Hulan suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with shock, then covered by shyness, and she quickly lowered her head.
Li Xiao immediately summoned the maidservants accompanying him, “Take them down to be checked, and send them to the rear tent.”
After the maidservants led Qiqige and Hulan away, he raised his eyes to Da Hu, Wei Xuan, and others, gesturing to the remaining girls, his tone as casual as if he were distributing cattle and sheep.
“You all pick two each, don’t let down the good intentions of the tribal leaders.”
Da Hu, Wei Xuan, and the others nodded upon hearing this, “Thank you, Great Protector.”
They stepped forward one after another, and successively chose the women they fancied.
This was not simply for them to vent, but carried a political mission.
Seeing this situation, the tribal leaders inside the tent breathed a sigh of relief, their faces quickly breaking into fawning smiles.
Although their own daughters were not chosen by the Great Protector, being favored by core figures of the Northern Frontier Army was not a bad thing.
It was also a way to secure a connection with the high-ranking officials of the Northern Frontier.
Afterward, Li Xiao turned to Zha Heganbu and asked sternly, “For the Woluoduo assembly, which tribes have not yet arrived?”
A month earlier, Li Xiao had already ordered Zha Heganbu, Zhamuha, and others to spread word among the various tribes of the grassland, commanding the tribal leaders to come to Woluoduo for the assembly.
Those who came were friends of the Northern Frontier.
Those who did not come were all enemies of the Northern Frontier.
There was absolutely no room for neutrality in this matter; Li Xiao never allowed fence-sitters to exist.
Those who did not come would all be considered allies of Temüjin.
Zha Heganbu bowed and replied, “Reporting to Tengger Khan, the Chuluosi tribe, the Datu tribe…”
He listed a long string of names, and Li Xiao listened quietly, his gaze heavy.
Finally, Li Xiao slowly stood up, scanned all the generals in the tent, and said with a voice like stone, “You all, engrave the names of these tribes in your hearts.”
“They are not friends of the Northern Frontier; they are mortal enemies.”
Li Xiao’s voice suddenly sharpened, “Towards these enemies, show no mercy.”
“Destroy their tents, confiscate all their cattle and sheep, behead the men and make Jingguan, and reward the women to the brothers who charged at the front.”
“I originally intended for all the Grasslanders to see what would happen if they opposed the Northern Frontier.”
The tent was so quiet one could hear their own heartbeats; even Toqto’a, who had lived by the sword for years, couldn’t help but swallow.
There were many tribes on the grassland, with a mixed population, and Li Xiao had no intention of bringing them all under the banner of the Northern Frontier.
What he intended to do was to win over some and destroy others.
Using the resources of the destroyed tribes to reward the Northern Frontier officers and soldiers, and with tangible benefits, to solidify the foundation of rule over the Mobei Grassland.
Therefore, Li Xiao felt no regret for those tribes that had not come to the assembly.
Since they were unwilling to bow their heads, he would crush their bones and use them as nourishment for the obedient.
Li Xiao cast a final glance at the map, etched the names of those tribes in his mind, and said in a deep voice, “Tomorrow morning, the army will assemble and march on the Kiyan tribe.”
“As you command,” the generals responded in unison.
“Wuwuwu~”
The next day, at the first hint of dawn, the camp at Woluoduo resounded with thunderous horn calls, the clanging of armor, the neighing of warhorses, and the shouts of soldiers.
Qiqige inside the tent woke first, instinctively stirring, only to feel warm skin beside her. She turned her head to see Hulan curled up beside her, her cheeks still flushed.
Hulan was also awakened by her movement. Upon seeing the scene before her, she let out a soft gasp from her throat, a mixture of shame and indignation.
“When did he leave?”
“I don’t know either.”
In reality, Li Xiao had already left much earlier.
He did not like unfamiliar women sleeping beside him.
The horn calls outside the tent sounded again, more urgent than before.
“It seems… the army is about to depart.”
“What about us?”
“Let’s stay in Woluoduo for now.”
“After all, we are already the Great Protector’s women; we can only follow him for the rest of our lives.”
At this moment, Li Xiao no longer had the capacity to worry about the two women. Dressed in dark gold dragon-patterned cotton armor, his cold gaze was fixed on the Northern Frontier Army and the grassland auxiliary army ahead.
The success or failure of the Mobei campaign hinges on this battle.
