Ming Dynasty Court Secrets - Legends of Chinese Dynastic Courts

Author: Xu Muxi / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: These four heroes led their troops and approached the Altai Mountains, hearing the shouts of battle ahead that shook the heavens and earth. They knew the two armies were engaged in combat. They then climbed the mountain to observe the situation and found that Wanghan's army had been defeated by the Naiman forces, with soldiers in disarray and flags fluttering, fleeing in all directions without resistance. Murghalai, seeing the situation, urged Bolushu and the other three to gallop down the mountain like the wind and rush to the rescue. At this moment, Wanghan had lost two of his fine generals, and the horse of Sangkun had also been shot down, causing him to fall from the saddle and nearly be captured. Fortunately, Murghalai arrived on horseback and rescued Sangkun. Cheluren, Bolushu, and Bolhu also fought bravely, like four fierce tigers disrupting a flock of sheep, quickly defeating the Naiman forces. Qisaiwu could no longer hold out and had to lead some of the remaining troops to flee in panic. This battle not only turned defeat into victory but also rescued Sangkun's family. All the captured supplies were recovered and handed over to Sangkun. Sangkun reported back to Wanghan. Wanghan was overjoyed and said, "In the past, Temo's father Yesügei had once recovered the territory I had lost for me. Now Temo has sent four generals to rescue me in my time of crisis. The kindness of his father and son must be remembered forever and never forgotten." He then summoned the four heroes into his tent, personally comforted and rewarded them with a set of fine robes and ten golden cups. He sighed deeply and said, "I am old now, and I do not know who will lead my people in the future. My brothers are unreliable, and my son Sangkun is not capable. When you return, tell Temo that if he does not forget the bond between our two generations, he can marry my daughter Chao'er Boghe to his eldest son Tuchir, and marry my own eldest daughter Huozhen Begi to Sangkun's son Tusuha. If he treats me as his father and we support each other after my death, I will be at peace." The four heroes nodded in agreement and returned, reporting Wanghan's words to Temo. Temo said, "I had already regarded him as my father, but he refused to treat me as his son and repeatedly broke his promises. He even abandoned me the other day. Now that he has shown remorse and wants to make brotherhood with Sangkun, I see no reason to refuse." He immediately sent a messenger to report back to Wanghan, inviting him to meet at the Tuerla River. On the day of the meeting, Temo brought his entourage to the Tuerla River, where Wanghan was already waiting. They met and Temo treated Wanghan with the respect of a father. They held a grand feast, drank freely, and made an alliance: "If enemies come, we will resist them together. When hunting, we will go out together. We must not listen to slander and must meet face to face to trust each other." After the alliance was formed, they also made Sangkun and Temo brothers and parted hand in hand.
After some time, Temo wanted to strengthen the bond between the two sides and sent a messenger to Wanghan, asking for his daughter Chao'er Boghe to marry his eldest son Tuchir. In return, he offered his own eldest daughter Huozhen Begi to Sangkun's son Tusuha as a wife. Wanghan had no objection, but Sangkun was furious and said, "Our daughter is used to sitting in the south; if she goes to his house, she will be like standing behind the door. His daughter has never seen the world and will be timid and awkward in our house. How can we arrange this marriage? It's better to call it off." When the messenger returned with the news, Temo felt disheartened. Jamukha had originally wanted to sow discord between Temo and Wanghan to settle past grievances. However, since Temo had made brotherhood with Sangkun and recognized Wanghan as his adoptive father, he had no chance to act. Now that the marriage was off, he saw an opportunity to create animosity between the two families and secretly manipulated the situation. He learned that A????, Fuchal, and Dalaitai had been humiliated by Temo and harbored deep resentment. He allied with them, urging them to abandon Temo and submit to Wanghan. Wanghan, however, did not consider that he had just made an alliance with Temo for mutual support and could not accept their surrender. When A???? and the others came to join him, he accepted them.
Jamukha then went to Sangkun and said, "Temo is resentful because you refused the marriage and is secretly communicating with the Naiman envoys, planning to harm Wanghan." At first, Sangkun did not fully believe it, but when Jamukha brought A???? and the other three defectors to prove Temo's treachery, he could no longer doubt them. He went to Wanghan and said, "I have heard that Temo wants to harm us. It would be better to strike first and eliminate him to prevent future trouble." Wanghan replied, "Temo has made a father-son pact with me. How could he suddenly turn traitorous? If he truly did this, heaven would not spare him, and the words of others should not be taken too seriously." Sangkun said, "Not only Jamukha knows that Temo wants to harm us, but even the three defectors who came to surrender—A????, Fuchal, and Dalaitai—all say that Temo is secretly communicating with the Naiman. Father, why do you not believe them?" Wanghan said, "Temo has saved me many times. How could I betray him? Besides, I am old now. As long as I can live out my remaining days in peace without hardship, that is enough. If you must act, do so, but make sure it is done properly." Sangkun left and plotted with Jamukha. They sent a messenger to Temo, saying that Wanghan was willing to give his daughter Chao'er Boghe to Temo's eldest son Tuchir and invited him to a banquet to formalize the marriage. Temo had no suspicion and came with only ten riders. On the way, they passed by Mingliye Chige's gate. Mingliye Chige, who had once served under Temo, had retired to the forest and was sitting by the gate. When he saw Temo passing by, he greeted him and invited him inside for a rest. Inside, Mingliye Chige asked where Temo was going. Temo explained that he was going to the banquet to formalize the marriage. Mingliye Chige said, "I have heard that Sangkun was arrogant and refused the marriage, but now he suddenly invites you to the banquet. Is there perhaps some trick in it?" This reminded Temo, and he began to doubt. He said, "Wanghan has made a father-son pact with me. If I do not go, he may be angry. To attend this banquet, however, is very dangerous. What should I do?"
As to how Temo handled this matter, let us wait and see in the next chapter. P75-77