The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 298 The Woludo Alliance, and the Army's Attack on the Qiyan Tribe

In grassland culture, Tengri means "sky".

Gurkha, on the other hand, was the supreme ruler who governed all the Great Khans, and was the Khan of all Khans.

The two titles together are similar to "Heavenly Khan," representing supreme authority on the grasslands.

Hearing Jamukha's words, the surrounding tribal leaders were stunned, secretly marveling at Jamukha's decisiveness and cunning.

Li Xiao gazed at him intently, then smiled faintly: "Gurhan is the supreme Khan of the grasslands, how can there be two of him?"

Zhamuhe knew that Li Xiao was referring to him.

After all, before the Battle of Kuoyitian, he had already become Gurhan with the recommendation of the leaders of the thirteen tribes of the grasslands.

However, after the war, with the Allied forces suffering a crushing defeat, his title of Gurkha became a joke, his prestige plummeted, and no one took him seriously anymore.

Jamukha was self-aware; this empty title was nothing but a curse to him now.

The grasslands only recognize strength. Without the power to match it, merely having the title of Supreme Khan will only bring disaster upon oneself.

So he remained kneeling on the ground, raised his head, and said with utmost sincerity, "The Grand Protector is joking."

"I am merely a temporary leader chosen by various tribes to deal with Temujin. How dare I call myself the real Gurhan?"

"Now that the Grand Protector's army has arrived, the annihilation of Temujin is just around the corner. Only you are worthy of the title of Tengri Gur Khan."

Adding the prefix Tengri before Gurhan signifies that the title of Gurhan was bestowed by Tengri, making it more authoritative than the empty title of Jamukha.

Zhahegan and the others also realized what was happening and stepped forward to advise, "Great Protector, Jamukha is absolutely right."

"If you ascend to the throne as Tengrigul Khan, all the tribes on the grasslands will be convinced and no one will dare to have any disloyal thoughts."

"Yes, Great Protector, with this title, our campaign against Temujin will be even more justified, and all the tribes will respond enthusiastically."

On the other hand, the northern frontier generals such as Da Hu and Wei Xuan did not feel much about this title.

They only care about when Li Xiao will become king.

Zhaheganbu even took the initiative to educate everyone about the legitimacy of Li Xiao's title 'Tengri Gurhan'.

"The northern frontier originally rose from the Jinshan Mountains, which was the sacred land of the Turks in the past!"

"Back then, how glorious the Turkic Khaganate was! Now, you, the Great Protector, have unified the Western Regions and are about to lead your army to conquer Temujin in the east. Isn't this precisely to restore the glory of the Turks?"

"Your ascension to the throne as Tengrigul Khan is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, and is far more legitimate than that of Temujin and his ilk."

Another Kereit chieftain chimed in, saying, "Our tribes are all related to the Turks in some way."

"We have long hoped that someone could lead us to recreate the glory of the Turkic Khaganate."

“With your base in Jinshan and a million-strong army under your command, no one but you can secure the position of Tengri Gur Khan.”

"What is Temujin? He only gained some territory through sneak attacks. In terms of legitimacy, he is not even worthy of carrying your shoes."

Li Xiao listened to these words with a blank expression, but secretly found it amusing.

These people have come up with a great reason: the Turks originated from Jinshan, and they themselves also rose to prominence from Jinshan.

Forced extradition could also establish some connection with the Turks.

Ruling the grasslands in the name of Tengri Gur Khan would indeed greatly enhance one's legitimacy and make it easier for those grassland tribes to accept one's rule.

Looking at the tribal chiefs before him who were speaking so earnestly, and then at the northern frontier army waiting in full battle formation outside the tent.

Li Xiao was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Very well."

"Since you insist on this, I, the Protector-General, will take the Khan's position."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd with an unquestionable air of authority: "I have decided that once Temujin is pacified, the Qiyan tribe will be wiped out."

"To facilitate the holding of the sacrificial ceremony at Burkhan Khaldun, not only to offer Temujin's head to the heavens, but also to demonstrate the rules of the northern frontier to the various tribes of the grasslands."

Li Xiao paused, then his voice suddenly rose: "Those who submit will have their past transgressions forgiven and will share in peace; those who resist will be like Temujin, their lives and their clans exterminated!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Deep down, they didn't want Li Xiao, an outsider, to become the Khan of the northern grasslands, but the strength of the northern frontier army was too great, leaving them no choice but to submit.

The Turks, who rose from the Jinshan Mountains and swept across the grasslands, have once again appeared in the northern frontier.

Therefore, Zhahagan and the others shouted, "We obey Tengrigul Khan's order!"

……

At the foot of a mountain in Woldu, there is a cluster of camps belonging to tribes such as the Zandalan and Merkit.

In the distance, a cavalry unit from the Sixth Garrison, clad in white armor, was keeping a close watch on them.

While everyone was talking in the golden tent, in a tent of the Zandalan tribe, two young girls were sitting facing each other.

Qiqige is Jamukha's daughter. She wears delicate braids and has the heroic spirit unique to the Zandalan tribe between her brows. She always unconsciously straightens her back when she speaks.

At that moment, she was fiddling with the silver ornaments in her hair, looking at the woman on the other side and saying, "Hulan, what do you think Father and the others are saying in the golden tent?"

Hulan sat on the low stool opposite him, his head down as he mended his father's fur robe.

She was quiet by nature and spoke in a soft voice, like the wind blowing through wool. She gently shook her head and said, "They are probably discussing the campaign against Temujin."

“Yes, Temujin is too wicked. He doesn’t even spare his adoptive father, Wang Khan. If someone like him were to rule the grasslands, our tribes would be in danger,” Qiqige nodded.

Hulan looked out at the endless camp of the Northern Frontier army and said softly, "I heard that the Grand Protector of the Northern Frontier has come in person."

Qiqige's eyes lit up, and she leaned closer: "He's amazing. He's so young, yet he's already conquered a huge territory. Even the Naiman and Kereit tribes aren't a match for him."

Do you remember that winter?

“Our tribe was almost driven to the brink of extinction by Temujin’s men, but the white-armored cavalry of the Northern Frontier Army charged out of the snowdrifts.”

"The horse is as fast as lightning, and a flash of a blade can cleave the wooden poles of a tent and even attract the thunder of Tengri."

Hulan nodded, a hint of longing flashing in her eyes.

“My father always said that if it weren’t for the help from the people of the northern frontier, our Merkit and Jadaran tribes would have been wiped out by Temujin long ago.”

Hulan's father was Daerwusun, one of the three leaders of the Merkit tribe.

The Merkit tribe was not a unified tribe, but rather composed of tribes of varying sizes.

The largest of these were three tribes: the Uduyit tribe, led by Tokhtoa, which was also the tribe with the deepest grudge against Temujin, a feud that was irreconcilable.

The leader of the Wuwasi tribe was Da'er Wusun, the father of Hulan.

The last one was called the He'ati tribe, and it was the weakest.

After the Battle of Kuoyitian, all three tribes suffered heavy losses due to the combined attack of Temujin and Wang Khan.

It was only under the protection of the Northern Frontier Army that they were able to barely survive.

Thinking of this, Hulan lowered her head and whispered, "If only the Grand Protector had come sooner, our tribe wouldn't have lost so many people."

"Moreover, we don't know if we can defeat Temujin this time."

Qiqige nodded confidently: "Definitely. The Grand Protector is a more powerful figure than Taiyang Khan and Wang Khan."

The two women were having a lively conversation when suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the tent.

The tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a burly man in his twenties strode in.

It was Batur, the son of Jamukha and the elder brother of Qiqige.

He said with a hint of urgency, "Qiqige, Father has sent word that you must get ready immediately and go to the Golden Tent."

Then he turned to Hulan beside him: "And you, Hulan, the people of the Wuwasi tribe should also be looking for you. Hurry back to your own tent."

Seeing her brother's appearance, Qiqige felt a surge of curiosity and looked up to ask, "Batur, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Batur's gaze fell on his younger sister, who had just come of age, his eyes filled with a hint of reluctance.

She reached out and ruffled Qiqige's hair, her voice softening: "Qiqige, you've grown up now, and you'll get married eventually."

“Your father has already chosen a husband for you.”

Upon hearing this, Qiqige's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood that this meant she was to be arranged into a marriage alliance.

And that husband was none other than Li Xiao, the Grand Protector of the Northern Frontier, whom the two had just been discussing enthusiastically.

Without the slightest hesitation, her eyes lit up, and she asked with barely suppressed joy, "Really?"

The women of the grasslands are always cheerful and straightforward; they never hide their feelings when they meet a man they like.

Qiqige already admired Li Xiao greatly, and upon hearing that he was only twenty years old, not much older than herself, she was in the prime of her life.

It's a hundred times better than marrying a tribal chief whose hair has turned white.

Moreover, his 100,000-strong Northern Frontier Army was unstoppable, seemingly poised to sweep across the grasslands. To be able to marry such a great hero was a dream come true for her.

As for whether she was the legal wife, she never cared.

Grassland women don't have many requirements. As long as they can bring stability to the tribe, what does it matter whether they are wives or concubines?
She had no choice but to hold onto what she could see first.

Looking at the gleam in his sister's eyes, Batur nodded gently with a sigh, "It's true."

He then turned to look at Hulan beside him, his tone becoming more serious, "The same goes for you. Chief Dayier Wusun is also planning to send you to marry the Grand Protector, but in the end, it depends on the Grand Protector's decision."

The implication was that whether the marriage could proceed depended entirely on whether Li Xiao would approve of them.

Thinking about this, Batur felt a pang of unease.

Hulan is a recognized jewel of the grasslands; her clear eyes can make the waters of the Onon River lose their luster.

Many tribal leaders came to propose marriage with fine horses, cattle, and sheep, but Da'er Wusun turned them away with various excuses.

He himself had asked someone to act as matchmaker, and as Jamukha's son, he believed he was qualified to marry this beauty.

However, Kedaerwusun declined, citing that he was already married and did not want Hulan to marry him as a concubine.

Da Yier Wusun looked down on these defeated Zandalan people.

It's obvious they're keeping Hulan around to wait for a better price, hoping to find a powerful backer to help the Merkit tribe regain its strength.

And now?

The moment the hooves of the northern barbarians trod the land of Woldu, Dayir Wusun, like a dog, was eager to send Hulan there, completely disregarding the distinction between wives and concubines. Just now, Batur bumped into Dayir Wusun's confidant outside the tent; the old man was rubbing his hands and instructing his maid.

"Find out Hulan's silver fox fur coat, then scent it with spices from the Western Regions and apply rouge from Gansu. If the Grand Protector doesn't approve, our entire tribe will starve!"

These words were like a slap in the face to Batur.

The treasure he so desperately sought was treated as a bargaining chip to be picked and chosen at will, and he even had to be mindful of the whims of the ruler of the Northern Frontier.

But he couldn't retaliate. Who made Li Xiao's 100,000 iron cavalry able to conquer the northern desert? Who made the Zandalan tribe now need someone else's protection to catch their breath?

Moreover, he remembered what Jamukha had said: "Once Li Xiao is elected as Gurhan, our Zandalan tribe will be able to return to our lush pastures."

Gurhan, that is the title of the chief of the grasslands. With this title, the ground beneath Li Xiao's feet would tremble, let alone a few tribal leaders.

He took a deep breath and swallowed the bitter taste in his throat.

Compared to the survival of the tribe, what do these sentimental feelings matter?
On the other side, upon hearing this, Hulan's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of nervousness flashed in her eyes, but also a hint of anticipation.

"Huh? This...this~"

The person she had just been discussing with awe could suddenly become her husband. This unexpected news left her somewhat at a loss, and her fingertips trembled slightly.

Qiqige had already stood up, grabbed her silver jewelry box, and deftly began to tidy her braids: "I'll go get ready right now!"

She turned to look at Hulan and gave her a bright smile. "Hulan, let's go to the Golden Tent together. Maybe we can keep each other company."

……

Soon after, Qiqige and the other person were taken to the golden tent.

Accompanying them were the daughters, sisters, or nieces of other tribal leaders.

Each of them was a carefully dressed young woman. Some had their heads down, looking slightly nervous and uneasy, while others were quite bold, looking up at Li Xiao.

Seeing that young and handsome face and imposing aura, she happily gave Li Xiao a seductive look, wishing she could immediately crawl into Li Xiao's arms.

Qiqige stood beside Zhamuhe, her usual heroic spirit as a grassland girl somewhat diminished by her current restraint. She was also secretly observing Li Xiao, her curiosity still evident in her eyes.

Hulan hid in the crowd, wearing a silver fox fur coat that made her skin look even whiter than snow, giving her a more aloof air than others.

Li Xiao sat upright in the main seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the gilded wine cup on the table.

His gaze swept over the girls standing below with their heads bowed. He first looked at Jamukha and asked gently, "Chief Jamukha, which one is your daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Jamukha quickly stood up and waved to the person behind him: "Qiqige, come and greet the Grand Protector."

Qiqige stepped forward in response, and although she was a little nervous, she straightened her back. When she looked up, she met Li Xiao's gaze.

She wasn't exactly a beauty that could topple kingdoms, but her eyes and brows carried a sense of carefree spirit, like someone galloping across the grasslands. The high-altitude blush on her cheekbones resembled two touches of rouge, radiating vitality.

Li Xiao nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Not bad."

These two words eased half of Zhamuhe's anxiety.

He was well aware that his former title of "Gurhan" and "Commander-in-Chief of the Thirteen Routes of the Anti-Iron Army" still carried weight, even in his current predicament.

Li Xiao's willingness to give Qiqige this face not only shows that he values ​​her, but also indicates that he still relies on her to some extent.

This shows that Li Xiao had no intention of betraying him after using him.

Then, Li Xiao's gaze swept over the other girls, most of whom had ordinary appearances.

Apart from Jamukha and Zhaghaganbu, there were no other tribal leaders that Li Xiao particularly valued, and they were not worth his serious consideration for marriage alliances.

However, Qiqige alone couldn't withstand Xiaolong's power, so they needed to find her a helper.

When Li Xiao was selecting people one by one, preparing to judge them by their appearance, Hu Lan's appearance caught his eye.

"What's your name?" Li Xiao's voice held a hint of interest.

Hulan trembled slightly, and before she could respond, Da Yier Wusun stepped forward and said, "Reporting to the Grand Protector, this is my daughter Hulan."

"Oh, so she's the daughter of Chief Da Yier Wusun." Li Xiao chuckled.

"I had long heard that Chief Daerwusun had a daughter of unparalleled beauty, who was revered as the pearl of the grasslands. Now that I have seen her, she is indeed extraordinary."

Upon hearing this, Da Yier Wusun burst into laughter and nodded repeatedly, saying, "My daughter is only slightly beautiful and does not deserve such praise from the Grand Protector."

But he was secretly very proud, after all, he was quite confident in his daughter's appearance.

Li Xiao gradually remembered the name Hulan.

He's no nobody.

In the original historical trajectory, the powerful Naiman tribe collapsed after the Battle of the Tula River.

Seeing that Temujin's momentum in unifying the grasslands was unstoppable, in order to gain Temujin's forgiveness, Daerwusun, who had always been Temujin's enemy, offered up his daughter.

Temujin doted on Khulan, making her his second queen, second only to Börte in status, and even her son, Köljeen, was regarded as his legitimate son.
But when Li Xiao thought that Temujin was already over forty years old at that time, and that Khulan had to accompany the old man as soon as she came of age, he felt that it was really a waste for such a beauty.

Now that this has happened, how can we let this tragedy repeat itself?
[Still from the drama, featuring Consort Hulan]

"very good."

Li Xiao looked at Hu Lan and nodded in satisfaction: "You can stay too."

Hulan looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with astonishment, which was then replaced by embarrassment, and she quickly lowered her head.

Li Xiao then summoned the accompanying maids: "Take them down to check on them and send them to the back tent."

After the maid led Qiqige and Hulan away, he looked up at Dahu, Weixuan and the others, pointed to the remaining girls, and spoke as casually as if he were distributing cattle and sheep.

"You should each choose two, so as not to disappoint the leaders' good intentions."

Upon hearing this, Da Hu, Wei Xuan, and the others nodded in agreement: "Thank you, Great Protector."

They all stepped forward and took turns choosing the woman they liked.

This wasn't just for them to vent; it came with a political mission.

Seeing this, the tribal chiefs inside the tent breathed a sigh of relief and quickly put on fawning smiles.

Although their daughter didn't catch the eye of the Grand Protector, it's not a bad thing that she caught the eye of a key figure in the Northern Frontier Army.

This can be considered as having established a connection with high-ranking officials in northern Xinjiang.

Then, Li Xiao turned to look at Zhaheganbu and asked in a deep voice, "At the Woldu Alliance, which tribes are still absent?"

A month earlier, Li Xiao had already ordered Zhaheganbu and Zhamuhe to spread the word to the various tribes of the grasslands, ordering their leaders to come to Woldu for an alliance meeting.

Once you arrive, you are a friend of Northern Xinjiang.

If they don't come, then they are all enemies of the northern frontier.

There is absolutely no room for neutrality in this matter; Li Xiao never allows fence-sitters to exist.

Those who do not come will be considered as part of Genghis Khan's faction.

Zhahegan bowed and replied, "Reporting to Khan Tengri, the Chuluosi and Datu tribes..."

He rattled off a long list of names, and Li Xiao listened quietly, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Finally, Li Xiao slowly rose, surveyed the generals in the tent, and said in a voice as firm as metal and stone: "You all, engrave the names of these tribes in your hearts."

"They are not friends of the northern frontier, but mortal enemies."

Li Xiao's voice suddenly turned stern: "There is no need to show any mercy to these enemies."

"Break down their camp, divide all the cattle and sheep, cut off the men's heads to make a mound of skulls, and give the women to the brothers who charged ahead."

"We must show all the people of the grasslands what happens when you go against the northern frontier."

The tent was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat. Even someone like Tuohei Tuo'a, who had spent years licking blood from the edge of a knife, couldn't help but feel his Adam's apple bob.

There are many tribes on the grasslands, and their populations are quite diverse. Li Xiao has no intention of bringing them all under the control of the Northern Frontier.

What he needs to do is to win over some people and destroy others.

The resources of the destroyed tribes were used to reward the soldiers in the northern frontier, thus consolidating the foundation of their rule over the northern grasslands with tangible benefits.

Therefore, Li Xiao felt no regret whatsoever for those tribes that did not attend the alliance meeting.

Since they refuse to bow down, crush their bones and use them as nourishment for those who obey.

Li Xiao glanced at the map one last time, memorizing the names of those tribes, and said in a deep voice, "Tomorrow morning, the army will assemble and march on the Qiyan tribe."

"Yes, sir!" the generals replied in a deep voice.

"Woooooo~"

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the sound of thunderous horns rang out in the Woldo camp, mingled with the clanging of armor, the loud neighing of warhorses, and the shouts of soldiers.

Qiqige, who was inside the tent, woke up first and moved subconsciously. She touched a warm patch of skin and turned her head to see Hulan curled up beside her, her cheeks flushed.

Hulan was also awakened by her commotion. When she opened her eyes and saw the scene before her, she let out a weak gasp, filled with shame and indignation.

"When did he leave?"

"I do not know either."

But in reality, Li Xiao had already left a long time ago.

He doesn't like having strange women sleeping next to him.

The bugle call sounded again outside the tent, this time more urgent than before.

"It seems... the army is about to set off."

"What should we do?"

"Let's stay in Woldo for now."

"Anyway, we're already the Grand Protector's women, so we can only follow him for the rest of our lives."

At this moment, Li Xiao couldn't care less about the two women. Wearing dark gold dragon-patterned cotton armor, his cold gaze was fixed on the Northern Frontier Army and the grassland auxiliary army in front of him.

The success or failure of the Battle of Mobei hinged on this battle.

(End of this chapter)