The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 296 Temujin's Shock: The Northern Frontier Army Has Arrived
In the northern desert, the grasslands are just beginning to turn a light green in spring. Cattle and sheep drink water by the river outside the tents. Beneath the seemingly peaceful scene lies a tense atmosphere.

The Albashi tribe was one of the tribes under the Kereit tribe, with more than 3,000 people who had been nomadic in the Tulas River basin for generations.

At this moment, Chief Temaichi sat on the felt rug in the center of the tent, his brows furrowed, looking solemnly at the man opposite him dressed in tattered sheepskin.

This man was short and thin, but had a fierce look in his eyes, and had at least ten lives on his hands.

Although he was just an unknown nobody, he was Temujin's envoy and one of the warriors who followed Temujin in conquering the Kereit Khanate.

Outside the tent, there were two Qiyan soldiers and two surrendered Kereit soldiers.

Their purpose in coming here was to persuade the Albashi tribe to submit to the Qiyan tribe.

"Chief Tiemaichi,"

The envoy spoke, his voice rough and rugged, characteristic of the steppe people: "Chief Temujin is currently at Zhezheyundu Mountain."

"Lord Wang Khan himself said that Temujin would succeed him as the Great Khan of the Kereit tribe."

"You wouldn't disobey Lord Wang Han's orders, would you?"

Tie Maichi paused, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

He knew perfectly well that this was nothing more than Temujin's trick of using the emperor to command the feudal lords.

Instead of killing Wang Khan after capturing him, they treated him like an honored guest, paying their respects daily. To put it bluntly, they wanted to use the old Khan's name to subdue the various tribes under the Kereit regime.

But this did not prevent Temaichi from regarding Temujin as a shameless villain.

When Wang Han was seriously ill, that bastard sent him a broken wolf head, mocking him as someone who should have died long ago.

Moreover, it was winter, and taking advantage of the Khan's weakened military strength, they shamelessly launched a surprise attack on the Khan's court.

They killed Prince Sangkun and imprisoned Wang Han.

At any other time, tens of thousands of Kereit warriors would have been ready for battle, and each of them could have drowned Temujin with a single spit.

But that's the rule of the grasslands: the winner takes all, and the loser doesn't even have the right to complain.

Herdsmen are always accustomed to depending on the strong; as long as they can survive, they don't care who rules them.

Therefore, many Kereit tribes have already submitted to Temujin.

Although the Albashi tribe was located in the western region of the Kereit tribe, it was eventually approached by Temujin's people.

"Lord Wang Han is probably not in control of his own destiny."

Temaichi put down his teacup and said coldly, "When His Highness Sangkun died tragically under your arrows and the Khanate was trampled, what could Lord Wang Khan say?"

The envoy's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal: "Chieftain is joking."

"Prince Sangkun died in the chaos of battle, not by the intention of Chief Temujin."

"Now that Temujin has taken over the Kereit tribe, he wants to ensure that all the tribes can live in peace."

“Look, those two outside are the Khan’s brothers who surrendered earlier. Their tribes were not only treated well, but they were also given more pastures.”

Temaichi ignored them and turned his gaze to the envoy: "Speak, Temujin sent you here, what exactly does he want the Albashi tribe to do?"

"readily!"

The envoy clapped his hands: "Temujin Khan said that as long as the Albashi tribe submits, their previous pastures will remain unchanged, and they will also receive an additional pasture near Zhezheyundu Mountain."

"Chief, you will continue to lead your people. The warriors of your tribe can also be incorporated into the Khan's personal army. In the future, you will receive one-tenth of the spoils from the wars."

These conditions are not harsh; in fact, they can be described as generous.

Temaichi knew in his heart that what the envoy didn't say carried more weight.
If they do not submit, the Albashi tribe will likely face armed conflict.

Now that the main force of the Kereit tribe has been scattered and most of the surrounding tribes have submitted, his thousand archers alone are no match for Temujin's iron cavalry.

After a moment of contemplation, Tie Maichi finally nodded slightly.

Now that things have come to this, continuing to resist will only bring disaster to the entire clan.

He looked up at the messenger and said in a deep voice, "Tell Chief Temujin that I agree."

"Two days later, I will personally go to Zhezhe Yundu Mountain to pay my respects to him and Lord Wang Han."

The envoy's face immediately broke into a smile, and he was about to say some polite words when a series of chaotic footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent.

It turned out that a slave wearing a tattered fur coat and with disheveled hair had hurriedly ridden his horse to the outside of the tent, not even bothering to rub the bruises on his knees from hitting the ground.

Blocked by Tie Maiqi's guards, he still cried out in panic, "Master, Master, something terrible has happened!" Tie Maiqi frowned, stepped out of the tent, and shouted sternly, "What's the panic? Is the sky falling down?"

The slave's voice trembled like a leaf in the wind as he said in terror, "Chieftain... I was herding sheep by the river just now when I saw a huge number of cavalry coming from afar, a dark mass, as if they had fallen from the sky."

"cavalry?"

Temaichi's eyes widened suddenly: "How many people? Which tribe are they from?"

"Too many... I can't count them all!"

The slave shook his head vigorously, his eyes filled with fear: "Their flags are white, and they have sun and moon patterns on them. I've never seen anything like it before!"

A white war banner with the sun and moon?
The slave may have limited knowledge, but he knew perfectly well that this was clearly the banner of the Northern Frontier Army!
Those demons from the west of the Golden Mountain wiped out the powerful Naiman tribe, and inflicted heavy damage on the Kereit tribe at Yudujin Mountain.

Tie Maiqi even personally participated in that battle, which was so fierce that the sky collapsed and the earth cracked, with cries of agony filling the land.

Unexpectedly, after a few years of peace, this group of people from northern Xinjiang have reappeared east of Yudujin Mountain.

Temaichi's heart skipped a beat. Before he could think it through, a deep rumbling sound came from beneath his feet, as if thousands of wild buffalo were galloping toward the tribe.

"Boom boom boom~"

Everyone in the tent froze. The envoy's smile instantly vanished, replaced by incredulous astonishment.

"Go out and take a look!" Temaichi pushed aside the slaves and rushed out of the tent first.

The sight before him made him gasp.

On the grassland across the Tula River, cavalrymen surged forth like a tidal wave, their golden and white sun and moon banners fluttering in the wind, obscuring the sky.

The soldiers, riding tall warhorses, wearing cotton armor and plumed helmets, were preparing to cross the Tula River.

Further back, even more cavalrymen were galloping at full speed.

"Gee, gee, gee~"

"Ha~"

The soldiers roared wildly, their faces contorted with fearlessness, and charged forward, appearing from afar like a flowing ocean of metal.

Under this violent force, the cattle and sheep of the Albashi tribe were frightened and ran around in all directions, and the cries of women and children rose and fell, plunging the entire tribe into chaos in an instant.

"Why would the Northern Frontier Army be here?"

Tie Maichi's face was deathly pale, and his lips were trembling.

"Could it be because of Temujin?"

"That's right, it must be because Temujin breached the Khan's court and angered the people of the northern frontier."

Then, with a menacing look, he looked at Temujin's envoy and said angrily, "The Khan's court and the people of the Northern Frontier are related by marriage. The trouble caused by your Qiyan tribe will harm all of us on the grasslands."

Temujin's envoy also gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes filled with horror.

He had heard of the power of the Northern Frontier Army. After the Battle of Koyitian, Bo'orchu and Kublai led their troops to pursue and kill the remnants of Jamukha's forces.

They were ambushed by the Northern Frontier Army halfway there.

The pursuing Qiyan army was completely annihilated, and even Bo'erchu and Kublai died on the battlefield one after another.

When the news reached the Qiyan tribe, it was as if every household was in mourning, and everyone was terrified.

But what is most shocking is that in his rage, Temujin prayed to the Eternal Heaven for a day and a night, and in the end, he received instructions from the Eternal Heaven.

The people of the Northern Frontier killed the warriors of the Qiyan tribe. The Eternal Heaven will bring down the most vicious punishment upon the people of the Northern Frontier. There is no need for the Qiyan tribe to send troops to retaliate.

However, the envoy did not expect to see the Northern Frontier Army in this way.

What about the punishment from the Eternal Heaven?
Why is the Northern Frontier Army still so arrogant, domineering, fierce, and violent?
The mountains and plains were filled with northern frontier cavalry. They crossed mountains and rivers, and every hoofbeat was like thunder, carrying a destructive force that no grassland tribe could withstand.

"It's over..."

The surrendered Kereit soldiers beside him slumped to the ground, their faces ashen: "The Northern Frontier Army has indeed come to avenge His Highness Sangkun. We have long said that we cannot submit to the Qiyan tribe."

Temaichi suddenly snapped out of his daze and shouted sternly to the tribesmen around him, "Quickly! Get the warriors armed and protect the women and children behind the tents!"

Taking advantage of this brief respite, the envoy from the Qiyan tribe quietly withdrew.

With two warriors from the Qiyan tribe, he prepared to take advantage of the chaos to escape back to Zhezheyundu Mountain.

The Northern Frontier Army has invaded the northern grasslands; this is a momentous event that must be brought to the attention of Leader Temujin as soon as possible.

It was springtime, and the Tulai River was only up to the knees of the warhorses.

The vanguard of the Northern Frontier Army had easily crossed the Tula River.

“Listen up, all you Albashi people: those who surrender will not be killed, but those who resist will be killed without mercy.”

A captain dressed in white armor, holding a long spear, shouted loudly.

He was speaking the Kereit language; he was one of the Kereit soldiers who had been captured in the Yudujin Mountains.

He followed the Northern Frontier Army and participated in the Battle of Dongdu, the Battle of Qihe, and the Battle of Hexi.

Through his outstanding military achievements, he transformed himself from a slave into a captain.

These soldiers from the northern deserts will play a crucial role in the campaigns against the Kereit and Qiyan tribes.

Faced with the encirclement and suppression by the northern cavalry, the people of the Albashi tribe had no chance to resist.

Even escaping was impossible.

Because the most important resources for survival on the grasslands are cattle and sheep; people can escape, but cattle and sheep cannot.

Without cattle and sheep, they would become refugees and would starve or freeze to death.

And those slaves who didn't own cattle or sheep were even less likely to risk their lives to escape.

After all, as long as you can survive, what difference does it make who you become a slave to?

At this moment, Tie Maiqi could only throw away the scimitar in his hand, finally realizing how ridiculous his decision had been.

The sky over this grassland has not just changed, it's practically been completely turned upside down.

However, when he turned around, the Qiyan tribe's envoy was nowhere to be seen, and his expression changed instantly.

"Ok?"

"Where are those people from the Qiyan tribe?"

"They escaped? Quickly, capture them all!"

……

Soon after, Tie Maiqi was escorted by two white-armored cavalrymen and staggered to a young general.

The general was about twenty years old, tall and sturdy like a pine tree. He wore white cotton armor with red trim, and the armor plates were still covered with wet mud. His face was resolute and stern. He was none other than Da Hu, the deputy commander of the Sixth Garrison.

Behind him, on both sides, hundreds of white-armored cavalrymen stood with spears, their military bearing solemn.

Beside him, there was a young man wearing a traditional Kereit brocade robe, riding a horse, with a familiar air of nobility in his eyes and brows.

Tie Maiqi naturally didn't recognize Da Hu, but he did recognize the man. He said in surprise, "It's you. You also know about the guest?"

This man was Zhahaganbu's eldest son, who was also the elder brother of Surughtani.

When Temujin launched a surprise attack on the Khanate of Zhezheyundushan, Wang Khan was the first to flee with his confidants. In addition, with Sangkun being shot and killed, the defense line completely collapsed.

Zhaheganbu and his confidants seized the opportunity to break through towards the West Sea with Hu Li.

At that time, Temujin was busy chasing Wang Han and had no time to deal with these "escaped fish", which is why they were able to reach the Western Sea safely.

Now, the guest train is also serving as a guide for the vanguard of the army, assisting the tiger in clearing out the tribes along the way.

With these locals as guides, the Northern Frontier Army easily located the various tribes on the grasslands.

"Chief Temaichi, how have you been?" Ke Lieyi's voice was calm and even, but his eyes held a hint of a smile.

"Hehehe~"

"I never expected to see you under these circumstances. I also know about the guest train," Temaichi said with a wry smile and a shake of his head.

But Da Hu had no patience to listen to their reminiscing.

His indifferent gaze swept over Tie Maiqi, and he said coldly, "Surrender and you will be spared death; but if you resist stubbornly?"

"Exterminate the clan."

Hearing what the translator said, Temaichi was instantly jolted.

He glanced at the Northern Frontier cavalry around him. Their faces were expressionless, as if the words "extermination of the race" meant nothing more than the slaughter of cattle and sheep.

Moreover, the Northern Frontier Army is different from other tribes on the grasslands; they do not adhere to the rules of the grassland people.

On the grasslands, once a tribe is defeated, it is simply absorbed into another tribe. This is because the grassland population is sparse, and as long as it is not a season of food scarcity, every able-bodied person is valued.

But the situation is different in northern Xinjiang.

Their roots are west of the Gold Mountain, and the population of the grasslands is not irreplaceable to them.

Therefore, Temaichi had no doubt that the Northern Frontier Army would actually commit the act of genocide.

At this moment, Ke Lie also stepped forward on his horse and said in a deep voice, "Wang Khan has been imprisoned; Temujin harbors wolfish ambitions."

"Following them will only lead to the death of the Kereit tribe. Now that the northern army has entered the country, it is an opportunity to revitalize the Kereit tribe. Why do you want to drag your entire tribe down with you?"

Tie Mai's red lips trembled. He looked at the expressionless Da Hu, then at the earnest Ke Lie Yixi, and then at the overwhelming cavalry formation he had just witnessed. Finally, he lowered his head in dejection.

The conditions offered by the Northern Frontier Army were far less generous than those offered by Temujin, but so what?
Faced with the overwhelming strength of the Northern Frontier Army, he had no right to bargain.

"I... am willing to surrender."

Soon after, on a grassland some distance away from the Albashi tribe, a thousand selected herders stood in a crooked line.

Inside were both well-dressed nobles and ragged slaves.

They were incorporated into the auxiliary army and would cooperate with the Northern Frontier Army in the campaign against the Qiyan tribe.

The remaining elderly, women, children, cattle, sheep, and supplies were concentrated in the rear camp and guarded by special Northern Frontier Army soldiers.

A captain riding a black horse galloped to the front of the formation. He was from the Kereit tribe and had surrendered to the Northern Frontier in his early years. Now he was a proper officer in the Northern Frontier.

Waving his spear, he shouted in Karelian, "Listen up, all of you!"

The queue fell silent instantly, everyone looked apprehensive, and all eyes were on him.

"Whether you were Nayan or slaves before, you are now servants and soldiers of the Northern Frontier."

"The Northern Frontier has always valued military merit. As long as you kill one enemy, you will be rewarded with two sheep, and the slaves will be released from their status and become free civilians in the Northern Frontier."

As soon as the words were spoken, the slaves in the queue stirred instantly, their murky eyes flashing with an astonishing light.

Two sheep are an important asset on the grassland.

But the words "removal from citizenship" were like a thunderbolt that shattered their numb lives, a hope that their ancestors had never dared to dream of.

"Don't feel like you've lost out."

"Kill three enemies and you can keep some of your property and get a good ranch in the West Sea."

"Think about how Temujin treated the Kereit tribe? Only by following the Northern Frontier Army can we survive!"

The captain then turned his gun on the disgruntled slave owners.

If the slaves have all become commoners, who will still work for them?
But that's just how the Northern Frontier Army operates.

The Protectorate General exercised vertical management over all commoners, levied taxes, and refused to allow slave owners, landowners, scholar-officials, and other middlemen to profit from the difference.

Standing at the end of the line, Tie Maiqi looked at the slaves with shining eyes, shook his head and sighed softly. The morale of the people had fallen, and the team was difficult to lead.

On the other side, Da Hu was looking through the tribal register presented by Tie Mai Chi, while Ke Lie also pointed to the map and explained.

"If you go another three days, you will reach Burkhan Mountain, where there are three affiliated tribes of the Kereit tribe, none of which have many soldiers."

"They may have already submitted to the Qiyan tribe."

Da Hu slightly closed the roster, his eyes sharp as an eagle's: "Pass down the order, we will break camp at dawn tomorrow."

"Let the auxiliary troops lead the way."

At this time, the two armies from the north and south of the northern frontier had arrived east of Yudujin Mountain, continuously subjugating various tribes along the way.

By organizing them into a puppet army and bringing them under their control, the number of cannon fodder naturally increases.

Only those who truly achieve merit and possess value can become one of our own in the northern frontier.

……

Meanwhile, inside the Khanting tents at Zhezhe Yundu Mountain, it was warm and cozy.

Temujin sat cross-legged on a tiger-skin-covered felt rug, toying with a jewel-encrusted scimitar in his hand. As his subordinates reported on the surrender of various tribes, a satisfied smile occasionally appeared on his lips.

"Any news from the Albashi tribe?"

"Your Majesty, the messenger sent has not yet returned, but it seems that Temaichi would not dare to disobey your orders," Chilaowen replied.

"What about the Barihu tribe?"

"They have already surrendered, and their leader will come to Zhezheyundu Mountain to pay his respects in two days."

"Oh, and the Bald-Tu Zhesu tribe is also willing to submit."

Listening to his subordinates' report, Temujin nodded slightly, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Since conquering the Kereit Khanate, one tribe after another has submitted to him, and his military strength has grown exponentially, rivaling even the most powerful period of the Qiyan tribe.

However, these newly returned tribes are certainly not as loyal as the direct descendants of the Qiyan tribe.

Today they may submit to you because of the circumstances, but tomorrow they may submit to others because of the defeat of the Qiyan tribe.

"I still need to build an army that is completely loyal to me," Temujin thought to himself.

He planned to select the elite warriors from each tribe to form an army that would directly obey his orders.

Although the Qiyan tribe had initially replaced the Kereit tribe as the overlord of the northern desert, he felt very insecure.

His gaze inadvertently drifted westward, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

The northern frontier was a ferocious tiger that devoured people, and a shadow that lingered in his heart.

The Naiman tribe, the western overlord with tens of thousands of soldiers, was wiped out in the north.

The valiant Bo'erchu and Kublai, leading more than 10,000 elite Qiyan troops, also perished at the hands of the northern frontier.

Moreover, even his eldest son, Jochi, is still being held captive by the people of the northern frontier, and his fate is unknown.

Temujin harbored deep hatred for the northern frontier, yet he was also extremely wary of its power.

He was constantly worried that the Northern Frontier Army might launch a surprise attack while he was still establishing himself.

Fortunately, through questioning the Kereit nobles, he learned that the Northern Frontier Army had occupied the Hexi Corridor two years ago, which angered the Jin emperor.

Now, the Jin and Xia kingdoms are preparing to launch a northern expedition, and the northern frontier is probably too busy to intervene in matters concerning the grasslands.

Thinking of these things, a resolute glint flashed in Temujin's eyes.

He must take advantage of the fact that the northern frontier and the Jin Kingdom are preoccupied with other matters to quickly annex the gains of the Kereit tribe and strengthen his own power.

After the battle between the Northern Frontier and the Jin Dynasty is decided, he will lead the warriors of the Qiyan tribe to seek revenge.

Both the Jin Dynasty and the northern frontier were his enemies.

Although the Qiyan tribe is not yet strong enough to reap the benefits, it is qualified to kick a dog when it's down.

He would pounce on and bite whoever lost the battle between the Jin Kingdom and the Northern Frontier.

First attack the weak, or attack the Xia Kingdom first, continuously strengthening your own power in the war, and then finally fight the strong.

This is the grand vision and strategy in Genghis Khan's mind.

Just as he was engrossed in his calculations, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the tent, with people shouting something in a panic.

"What's going on?" Temujin frowned slightly and stood up.

Before he could finish speaking, the tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a figure staggered in—it was the envoy sent to the Albashi tribe.

He was dressed in rags, covered in dust, his face filled with terror, and his hair was a mess, as if he had just rolled in the mud.

"Chief...leader..."

The envoy was panting heavily, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "The...the Northern Frontier Army...the Northern Frontier Army is coming!"

"What did you say?"

Temujin was struck dumb, his eyes widening in shock. The smugness and composure on his face vanished instantly, leaving only disbelief and astonishment.

"The Northern Frontier Army? Why are they here? Did you see clearly?"

"It's absolutely true, Great Khan!"

With a sob in his voice, the envoy knelt down with a thud: "I saw it with my own eyes in the Albashi tribe, a dark mass of cavalry, carrying golden sun and moon battle banners and wearing white armor."

"Five of us went there, but I was the only one who managed to escape back."

"Tie Maiqi has surrendered, and they... they're about to arrive here!"

Temujin stood frozen in place, his expression filled with shock.

He couldn't believe that the Northern Frontier Army would attack at this time.

Weren't the Jin and Xia kingdoms planning a northern expedition? How could the northern frontier have time to send troops to the grasslands? Did those Kereit nobles deceive him?

The others inside the tent were also stunned. They looked at each other, their faces full of solemnity.

They still managed to defeat the Kereit tribe by using a surprise attack, despite being outnumbered.

We are still far from being able to establish a firm foothold and have not yet recovered our strength.

But the even more powerful Northern Frontier cavalry arrived.

Has the Eternal Heaven no longer shown favor to the Qiyan tribe and given them no way to survive?
Temujin snapped back to his senses, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He grabbed the envoy by the collar and roared, "How many men are there in the Northern Frontier Army?"

The messenger was terrified and stammered, "No... I don't know how many there are, but you can't see the end of them..."

"very many."

Temujin's heart sank to the bottom. He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and his mind raced.

escape?
Are we just going to throw away the hard-won gains?
He hadn't even enjoyed his status as the overlord of the northern desert for a few days before he was about to return to being hunted down like a stray dog.

war?
Although he has a considerable number of troops, most of them are newly surrendered tribal soldiers, so they are only good at fighting when things are going well.

Compared to the Northern Frontier Army, they are probably still not enough.

"Give me the order!"

Temujin abruptly released the messenger and shouted at the top of his lungs, "All troops must assemble immediately and prepare for battle!"

Upon hearing the order, the soldiers outside the tent began to move about in a panic, and the once peaceful Zhezhe Yundu Mountain was instantly shrouded in the shadow of war.

Temujin stood at the entrance of the tent, looking at his panicked followers in the distance, his heart filled with anger and resentment.

He finally achieved what he has today, so why did the Northern Frontier Army have to come knocking on his door at this crucial moment?

But it's too late to say anything now.

He clenched his fists, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Even if it means death, he will make the Northern Frontier Army pay the price.

(End of this chapter)