The Legend of the Condor Heroes: I became one of the Five Great Masters by drawing cards

Chapter 158: War on New Year's Eve

Jochi's "reverse scale" originated from a difficult experience that Temujin had in the past.

At that time, the Mongolian tribes did not abide by reason and law, and it was common for wives and relatives to be kidnapped.

The tribe was weak, and not long after Temujin's wedding, they were ambushed by the Merkit tribe, and even his wife Borte was abducted.

By the time he regrouped and took back his wife, nine months had passed.
At that time, Borte was already pregnant and gave birth to a son before she returned to the tribe.

Although Temujin treated the child as his own, he named him "Jochi", which means "guest" in Mongolian.

It was also because of this name that Jochi's life story became a joke on the Mongolian grasslands.

Chagatai was also reckless. In order to vent his anger, he insulted his own mother and his father Khan's beloved wife.

He was hit by a punch from Jochi and spat out blood. Just as he was about to fight back, he heard Temujin punch the tiger-head armrest hard.

"enough!"

The Khan was furious and everyone in the tent fell silent.

Subutai and Chagatai were pulled by the generals, glaring at each other, but no one dared to say a word.

"You two are so arrogant that you're killing each other in front of so many people!"

Temujin suddenly stood up, pointed at the two of them, pursed his lips, and his eyes flashed with anger.

All the generals tried to comfort them. Guo Jing was not very close to the two princes, so he just followed Gu Ping'an and watched the show at ease.

The atmosphere in the tent was eerie. As luck would have it, Tuolei persuaded Hua Zheng to rush back. When he lifted the tent curtain, he was suddenly startled.

The third prince, Ogedei, was a man of "generous and forgiving" character, and had the best relationship with his fourth brother. Seeing that he was at a loss, he quickly waved and called him to his side, and then pulled him behind him, fearing that his father Khan's anger would affect him.

Temujin glanced at him and said coldly, "Jochi, Chagatai, you two are fighting over this credit. What are you thinking? Do you really think I can't see it?"

When the two were named again, they both looked stern and lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

"Ogedei!"

"Father Khan."

Ogedei thought that his actions had angered Temujin again, so he had no choice but to step out and respond with his head down.

"This battle is yours to fight!"

The third prince had never shown his ability to command troops and rarely went on expeditions. Everyone was stunned when they heard this, including Subutai and the other two, and they all turned to look at him.

"Father Khan, I..."

Ogedei knew that his ability to lead a army was not as good as his two brothers, and was stunned for a moment.

"You don't have to give in. When it comes to fighting, you're not as good as your elder and second brothers, but when it comes to being a human being, you're far superior."

Temujin stood high on the steps, looking down at everyone, his majesty fully displayed.

"Today's events have reminded me that our Mongolian cavalry is invincible, but there is a prerequisite: we cannot kill each other."

Mu Huali's expression changed: "The Khan means..."

"If Ogedei wins this battle and returns victorious, I will make him Crown Prince, and he will hold high my banner after my death!"

The founding generals had accompanied Temujin in his campaigns for many years and had witnessed him growing older. Worried about him, they had long hoped that he would establish a queen.

Jochi and Chagatai have been fighting openly and secretly for so long just for the position of crown prince, but now the position has been easily taken away by his third brother. How can they be willing to accept this?

"Father Khan, Ogedei"

The two were halfway through their conversation when they were interrupted by Ogedei.

"Father Khan is as strong as a steppe eagle. He can live for ten or twenty years. Why rush?"

"Stones have no skin, and human life is mortal. My hair and beard are now white. My beloved concubine has advised me several times before, and now is the perfect time."

Hearing him say this, Temujin felt even more relieved.

"You are kind to others. When you become the Great Khan in the future, the kings and generals will not fight and kill each other. Our Mongolian cavalry will naturally sweep across the world." Gu Ping'an recalled silently that Temujin's appointment of the crown prince should have happened several months later, before the Mongolian army marched westward to Khwarezm.

Unexpectedly, he inadvertently foiled Subutai's plan to take Fengxiang, and actually brought the matter forward by half a year.

Temujin glared back at the objections of Jochi and the other man. Ogedei refused a few more times, but the generals and Tolui persuaded him together, and he finally agreed reluctantly.

But this was just a forced sincerity, and only he himself knew whether he was happy in his heart.

Tomorrow happens to be "Chagan Sar", the Spring Festival in the Mongolian desert.

The Mongolian calendar is the same as the Central Plains lunar calendar. Tonight is "Bitong", which is New Year's Eve in Chinese.

Since Gu Ping'an and his wife set out on their journey after their wedding, they have traveled over 6,000 miles and more than a month has passed.

This was also his first Spring Festival since traveling through time, but he didn't expect to spend it in the Mongolian desert. Fortunately, his wife was with him.

As we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, and the Khan is appointing his successor, tonight is a bit more lively than previous years.

The grassland style is very different from that of the Central Plains. Bonfires have been lit everywhere before nightfall.

The smoke from the roasted whole lamb rises and the aroma of kumis fills the air.

At this time, Buddhism had not yet been introduced to Mongolia, and there was no custom of offering Hada. Everyone wore auspicious white robes, sang and danced to their heart's content, and drank heartily.

Huang Rong was a child at heart, and when Guo Jing pulled her around to play, she forgot all her dissatisfaction from the day.

Mu Nianci is now much more cheerful. After a few drinks, she was invited by an enthusiastic Mongolian girl to learn Mongolian dance.

She was quite talented in this area and after only a short while of learning, she was able to dance quite well.

The noise lasted until late at night, and the two returned home with great pleasure.

Combing and tying his wife's hair in the morning and evening has become Gu Ping'an's daily routine.

Just as he was proudly showing off his improved skills, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the tent, followed by Guo Jing's anxious voice.

"Brother Gu, Sister Mu, something happened!"

The two of them hurriedly changed their clothes and lifted the door curtain.

"what happened?"

"Jochi and Chagatai were drunk and had just started arguing. In a rage, they each led their troops to fight!"

Gu Ping'an was not only not panicked, but was happy to see it happen.

Both of them command the most elite troops in the Mongolian army. If they fight each other, both sides will suffer losses.

After suffering such a severe blow, even the famous Genghis Khan would have to think twice before attacking the Song Dynasty.

"Didn't anyone send for Temujin?"

"The Khan was even more drunk, and even the princess couldn't be woken up!"

On this cold winter night in the desert and snowfields, Guo Jing was sweating profusely with anxiety.

Gu Ping'an asked in a deep voice, "Brother Guo, they are fighting among themselves, why are you so panicked?"

Guo Jing was stunned at first, then quickly replied, "When the two of them fight, the casualties are innocent soldiers. Regardless of who wins or loses, if the Khan learns of this tomorrow, he'll probably be furious and hurt himself again."

"If these soldiers and generals will swing their sabers against the people of Shu in the future, do you still think they are innocent?"

“I don’t know that either.”

Guo Jing was speechless for a moment, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead.

"But they haven't moved south yet, so we can't..."

He said "can't" several times, but after a long while, he still couldn't finish his words.

　Next chapter is coming soon, please
　　
　
(End of this chapter)