Chapter 96: Temujin

Just as Li Xiao finally got to eat the fragrant glutinous rice, on the grasslands a thousand li to the east, it was a completely different scene.

The Selenge River still flowed surgingly, but at this moment, it was dyed red with blood.

Broken weapons, severed limbs, and some corpses of steppe people floated on the river surface, emitting a nauseating smell of blood.

The grass by the river was trampled into chaos. Wisps of green smoke rose from the charred ruins of tents, and the air was filled with the mixed scent of smoke and blood.

On a hill not far away, a tall middle-aged man was looking down at the tragic battlefield with cold eyes.

His face was chiseled, tanned dark by the sun. Years and wars had carved deep traces on his face.

He wore heavy black leather armor. The rivets on the leather armor shone with a cold light under the sun; each one seemed to be recounting his illustrious war achievements.

A white wolf-skin cloak draped over his shoulders, flapping loudly in the wind, manifesting his bravery and fearlessness.

Riding a black warhorse, he stood steadily on the hill, like an unshakable peak.

His left hand held the reins tightly, and his right hand gently stroked the hilt of the saber at his waist.

That saber had drunk the blood of enemies in this great battle. Lying quietly in its sheath at this moment, it still emitted a chilling killing aura.

And this man’s name was Temujin.

“Report—”

Just at this moment, a cavalryman rushed up the hill quickly and shouted loudly.

“Chieftain Temujin.”

“General Bo’orchu has captured Toqto’a Beki’s family, but unfortunately, Toqto’a Beki escaped.”

Hearing this, disappointment instantly flashed in Temujin’s eyes, and then he let out a soft breath.

He said in a deep voice, “That cunning rabbit got away after all.”

Standing beside him was another steppe man with a rough face and a full beard.

His name was Jelme. He had a life-and-death friendship with Temujin. Back when Temujin faced the pursuit of the Merkit tribe, he had personally stayed behind to cover Temujin’s retreat.

“Toqto’a Beki is indeed a cunning rabbit, but now he is even more of a stray dog.”

“He cannot escape.”

“Chieftain Temujin, let me take men to continue the pursuit.”

“I will definitely deliver Toqto’a Beki’s head before you.”

Jelme placed his right hand on his chest, speaking with a ferocious gaze and surging killing intent.

Toqto’a Beki was the chieftain of the Uduyit tribe among the Three Merkits. In later generations, he was known as the most awesome contrarian on the Mongolian steppe.

Because in the first half of his life, he was always an enemy of Temujin’s father, Yesugei.

In the second half of his life, he spared no effort in trying to kill Temujin.

His life’s mission was to oppose Temujin and his father.

Because initially, Temujin’s mother was originally prepared to marry Toqto’a Beki’s younger brother, but she was snatched by Temujin’s father, and then gave birth to Temujin.

And Temujin’s wife was also snatched by the Merkits and married off by Toqto’a Beki to another of his younger brothers.

Such hatred of snatching wives could be said to be irreconcilable for both sides.

Initially, Temujin was still very weak and helpless against the Merkit tribe, being chased miserably by Toqto’a Beki.

This name almost became a shadow over Temujin’s youth.

Later, he united with Wang Khan of the Keraite tribe, and in war after war, continuously weakened the strength of the Merkit tribe.

Just in this battle just now, he finally completely annihilated Toqto’a Beki’s followers.

Unfortunately, Toqto’a Beki still got away.

However, he did not stop Jelme’s request for battle. He nodded lightly and said, “Go, my anda.”

“Let Toqto’a Beki also know the prowess of us Mongols. As long as he lives for a day, the flames of vengeance will not be extinguished for a day.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

Jelme responded loudly, then rode his warhorse to lead his men to rendezvous with Borokhula and continue pursuing Toqto’a Beki.

Temujin turned his head. Under his thick eyebrows, a pair of deep eyes were like stars in a cold night, currently looking down coldly at the defeated Merkits at the foot of the hill.

They hung their heads in dejection, their eyes filled with fear and despair.

Some were in ragged clothes, bearing wounds on their bodies, blood seeping through their simple garments; some had their hands tightly bound by ropes, kneeling on the ground with difficulty, their bodies trembling slightly, begging for mercy in fear.

Facing all these tragedies, there was not a shred of pity in Temujin’s eyes, only the majesty and coldness of a victor.

He said in an indifferent voice, “All males in Toqto’a Beki’s family who are taller than a cart wheel, execute them all.”

He could not possibly show mercy to his nemesis’s family.

“Yes, my Lord.”

The soldier nodded heavily and turned to leave.

Temujin continued to stand on the hilltop, overlooking the earth. The mountain wind whistled past, blowing his hair and cloak.

Looking at the messy battlefield and captured enemies before him, an indescribable sense of accomplishment surged in Temujin’s heart.

This was the feeling of victory; this was the charm of power.

He, Borjigin Temujin, wanted everyone to prostrate at his feet.

He wanted to be the Khan of Khans.

At this moment, Temujin’s gaze was firm, and a wild shout was roaring in his heart.

But soon, his lofty ambition seemed to have a basin of cold water poured over it, immediately extinguishing more than half of it.

“Chieftain Temujin, Lord Wang Khan invites you over; he has important matters to discuss.”

Hearing this, Temujin instantly became alert in his heart.

His wings were not yet full, and his strength was far from satisfying his lofty ambitions, so he couldn’t get carried away yet.

He had to lay low.

So he nodded lightly and said, “I’ll go over right away.”

Wang Khan, chieftain of the Keraite tribe.

His original name was Toghrul. Wang Khan was not his Khan title, but an official title bestowed upon him by the Jin State.

He was not a Khan like Tayang Khan who had undergone a formal Khan-crowning ceremony and received widespread recognition.

Because in essence, he was an official of the Jin State.

Temujin was the same.

Two years ago, when the Jin State attacked the Tatar tribe, Temujin immediately responded to the call of the Jin people. After the war, he was appointed as ‘Jaut Quri’ by the Jin State.

It roughly corresponded to the meaning of a vanguard commander.

But this official title was of great significance to Temujin; it was equivalent to him receiving official recognition from the Jin State.

This further enhanced his influence on the steppe.

Starting from here, he slowly gained the possibility of breaking with Wang Khan.

But now, Temujin still had to lie dormant.

Thus, he took his men and soon arrived at the Keraite camp dozens of li away.

“Greetings, Lord Wang Khan.”

After walking into Wang Khan’s large tent, Temujin immediately placed his hand on his chest and bowed.

Wang Khan looked to be about fifty years old, with a burly figure and a majestic face. Wearing a wolf-skin coat, he sat grandly on a folding stool, hugging two beauties in his arms.

Seeing Temujin arrive, Wang Khan laughed and nodded, waving his hand: “Temujin, there are no outsiders in this tent; don’t call me Lord.”

Temujin straightened up, a gentle smile also appearing on his face, and nodded, saying, “Temujin greets Foster Father.”

Hearing this address, Wang Khan nodded with satisfaction.

He was not the legitimate son, nor did he take over the Keraite tribe in the line of succession; there had been a tragic struggle involved.

As a result, Wang Khan was not very popular after becoming the chieftain of the Keraite tribe.

Not only did his brother rebel against him, but his uncle also raised troops in rebellion. The situation back then was very critical; fortunately, he received the help of Temujin’s father, Yesugei, to stabilize the overall situation.

After that, he became sworn brothers (anda) with Yesugei.

And after Yesugei died, he adopted Temujin as his foster son, helping the then-weak Temujin defeat enemies several times.

It was under his protection that Temujin had grown to this point.

So, the feelings between the two could definitely be called ‘like father and son’.

“Temujin, you came at the right time. How about these two beauties?”

“They are top-quality ones selected from the Merkit tribe.”

Wang Khan pushed one of the women out, letting them attend to Temujin.

Regarding such matters, Temujin also refused no one. He chuckled and pulled the woman into his arms, commenting.

“Although these two Merkit women are beautiful, they are ultimately just women of ordinary status.”

“My subordinates have just captured Toqto’a Beki’s two daughters. I was just preparing to present them to you, Foster Father.”

“Isn’t the greatest joy for us men to kill our enemies and seize their wives and daughters for pleasure?”

Hearing Temujin’s words, Wang Khan instantly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, good.”

“Temujin, you really have more and more of your father’s style.”

Temujin’s actions fit his wishes exactly, because he also had a grudge against the Merkits.

Because his mother was not of high birth, Wang Khan had a very miserable childhood and was even captured by the Merkits and became a slave.

That was a dark past he was unwilling to mention.

So now, he also spared no effort to eliminate the Merkits.

Unfortunately, Toqto’a Beki’s wife was too old, otherwise Wang Khan wouldn’t have planned to let her go either.

“Foster Father praises me too much; I am still far behind my father.” Temujin gave a humble smile.

Then thinking of something, he said, “Although the Uduyit Merkit tribe has been defeated by us, their chieftain Toqto’a Beki has escaped.”

“I have already ordered men to pursue him.”

“In addition, in this battle, the Keraite soldiers contributed the most and deserve the greatest reward.”

“I am willing to hand over all the prisoners and women of the Uduyit Merkit tribe to you, Foster Father, to deal with.”

Temujin was certainly clear about the importance of population. He was naturally also very envious of these defeated Merkits.

But there was no choice. Now, in order not to arouse Wang Khan’s suspicion, he had to pretend to be obedient and without ambition.

But Temujin had been secretly absorbing the forces of various steppe tribes in the dark to expand his strength.

“Oh? Temujin, you really are as generous as your father.”

Wang Khan was very satisfied with Temujin’s voluntary presentation of prisoners.

In his heart, he believed more and more that Temujin had no ambition and could be taken as his arm for unifying the steppe.

“Your Khamag Mongol tribe doesn’t have a large population. If you absorbed so many Merkits, there would definitely be trouble.”

“Let my Keraite tribe manage these people.” Wang Khan said unceremoniously.

Temujin immediately nodded respectfully in agreement, appearing to leave everything for Wang Khan to decide.

“Also, there’s no need to pursue Toqto’a Beki anymore.”

Wang Khan continued, “Gather the troops of your Khamag Mongol tribe and follow me to crusade against the Naiman tribe.”

“What?”

Hearing Wang Khan’s words, Temujin was stunned for a moment, looking at Wang Khan with astonished eyes.

“Is this… going to war with the Naiman tribe?”

The Naiman tribe was one of the largest tribes on the steppe, its strength on par with the Keraite tribe.

Once a war broke out between the two major tribes, the consequences would be unpredictable.

“Foster Father, has something happened?” Temujin keenly sensed that there must be some hidden story here.

Temujin knew a bit about the enmity between Wang Khan and the Naiman tribe.

But for so many years, Wang Khan had endured it. Now, he was suddenly preparing to make trouble for the Naiman tribe.

If there wasn’t a special situation, Wang Khan would absolutely not be so rash.

“You guessed right, Temujin.”

“The Naiman tribe is in trouble.”

“They went to war with the Liao people, were defeated by the Liao army, and many people died.”

“Those two idiots, Tayang Khan and Toqto Bolad, were chased by the Liao people all over the steppe.”

As he spoke, a brilliant smile appeared on Wang Khan’s face.

And the smile became more and more rampant, finally turning into loud laughter.

“Hahahaha!”

“Temujin, my foster son.”

“I have waited for this day for too long. The time for revenge has come.”

Wang Khan clenched his hands, laughing proudly.

He would not forget how the Naiman tribe bullied him when he first became the chieftain.

Now, it was time to pay it back.

Having just defeated the Merkits, the next step was to beat the drowning dogs of the Naiman tribe.

Beside him, Temujin’s face changed drastically upon hearing this.

His eyes widened, and he shouted with a look of disbelief, “The Naiman tribe was defeated by the Liao people?”

“This… this…”

“This is too shocking.”