Ming Dynasty Popular Romance

Author: Cai Dongfan / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The white light of reflection, the widowed sister becomes pregnant, the red face of the strange child gets a wife. "Those who succeed are called kings, those who fail are called bandits," no matter in ancient or modern times, it is always such views and such appellations; this is also the general rule of judging success and failure. (The preface already covers everything.) Only after the Yellow Emperor in China, there have been five emperors and three kings. Through the Qin, Han, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Northern and Southern Song, although there has never been a single dynasty, it is still the Han nationality that has been passed down, changing surnames but not ethnicity. There were times when the Rongdi, Mianma, and other tribes invaded the Central Plains, but they also waxed and waned, coming and going on their own. Like the Xianyun, like the Yan, like the Xiongnu, they only invaded the northern frontier and were not very rampant; later, the five barbarians, the Khitan, and the Jurchen came with their iron cavalry southward, roamed the hinterland, and were indeed powerful, no one dared to oppose them, but they ultimately failed to unify China. It seemed as if the heavens had set the north and south, the earth had divided the Chinese and the barbarians, and the entire Central Plains could only be ruled by the Han nationality, with other ethnic groups unable to mix in. Who knew that when the Southern Song ended, it was completely destroyed, and the piece of meat of the Zhao family was drowned in the palace. The loyal Lu Xiufu, Zhang Shijie, and Wen Tianxiang either drowned or were killed. The vast Central Plains were actually swallowed by the Mongol khan. One emperor, one set of ministers, and they actually became emperors of China for eighty-nine years. This is truly a precedent in history! Some say it is fate, some say it is human affairs. I don't understand either, so I can only discuss history according to history and write a novel about the rise and fall of the Mongols. If you read it carefully, you will naturally be able to discern the relationship between fate and human affairs. (Subtly emphasizing human affairs is a warning to the current citizens, a talk full of patriotic intentions.)
Now, let me tell you about the origins of the Mongols. Originally, they were a branch of the Shirei people during the Tang Dynasty, living in the northern part of China, making a living by hunting, and forming their own tribes. Later, they had conflicts with neighboring tribes and were defeated in battle after battle, until their entire army was destroyed, leaving only a few men and women who fled into the mountains. The mountain was called Alge Negen, with towering peaks and deep gorges. There was only one path that could be used for entering and leaving, with a large flat area in the middle, with fertile soil and lush grass and trees. (Not inferior to the Peach Blossom Spring.) The few men and women settled here and mated with each other. Within a few years, they had several children. One of the men was named Qiyans, who was extraordinarily strong, and all venomous insects and fierce beasts that encountered him were killed instantly. His descendants were particularly prosperous (with such strength, it is natural to reproduce well). The locals called him Qiaoyate. "Qiaoyate" is a variation of "Qiyans," and "te" means category. As the number of people increased, they found the land too narrow and were troubled by the overgrown old path. They desperately wanted to open up a new path to get out of the mountain. In search of iron ore, they found deep caves. They chopped down trees, burned charcoal, and lit bonfires in the caves. They also sacrificed seventy-two cattle, split their hides into tubes, and blew air to help the fire. Gradually, the iron and stone melted, and the old winding path collapsed, suddenly turning into a wide road. Thus, the road was opened. (Without relying on the Five , they opened the path of the Shu, the Shu ruler could not take all the credit.) After several generations, a man named Duoban Bayan appeared (the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" records him as Tuban Mergen, the "Secret Annals" records him as Duoban Mergen). He once went out to pasture with his older brother, Duowa Suohe'er. One day, they arrived at the Buerhan Mountain. They saw dense forests on both sides of the road, ancient trees towering into the sky, as if they were embracing the mountain. Duowa Suohe'er said to Duoban Bayan, "Brother, look at that big mountain in front. How do you think it compares to our place?" Duoban Bayan said, "This mountain is much better! Let's take some time off and go visit it." Duowa Suohe'er agreed, and they walked together into the mountain. When they reached a steep and treacherous place, they had to hold onto trees and vines to climb up, using a lot of effort, and finally reached the summit. The two brothers sat on a flat rock for a while and looked around. The mist and clouds swirled around them, and the peaks and peaks twisted and turned, as if they were in a different world. Looking down, two rivers wound like ribbons, with tributaries intertwining, reflecting the scenery of the mountains and forests, making it even more beautiful. (What a beautiful picture.) Duoban Bayan looked for a long time and suddenly jumped up. "Brother! The shape of this mountain is very good! Very good! Why don't we move here? Let's ask you to decide!" He said a few words, but heard no reply. Duoban Bayan couldn't help but become impatient and called his brother a few more times. Finally, he heard a voice, "Don't hurry. Wait until I see clearly." Duoban Bayan said, "See what?" Duowa Suohe'er said, "Don't you see a group of people below?" Duoban Bayan said, "It doesn't matter if they are people or not!" Duowa Suohe'er said, "Among those people, there is a beautiful girl." Duoban Bayan said before he finished, "Brother, you are crazy! Are you thinking of marrying that woman?" Duowa Suohe'er said, "Not like that. I already have a wife. If that girl is not married, I will go and ask for her hand in marriage. Would you like to marry her?" Duoban Bayan said, "There are a few figures far away. How can you tell if they are beautiful or not?" Duowa Suohe'er said, "If you don't believe me, you can go and see for yourself." Duoban Bayan, young and lustful, heard of a beautiful woman and hurriedly walked to the foot of the mountain.
By now, you may have a question: Why did Duowa Suohe'er see a beautiful woman, but Duoban Bayan said he couldn't see clearly? The reason is that Duowa Suohe'er had only one eye, which could see far, so the people called him "One Eye." He could see what others couldn't, so he sent his younger brother to check the truth, while he slowly walked down. By the time Duoban Bayan rushed to the foot of the mountain, he indeed saw a group of people coming. Among them was a black carriage with a beautiful and graceful woman sitting inside. (It was as if an immortal had come.) He couldn't help but glance at her a few times. The woman seemed to have noticed it and looked back at Duoban Bayan with her bright eyes. (It was as if she was flirting, showing her charm.) Duoban Bayan stood there dumbfounded, and when the woman came closer, he still stared at her with his eyes fixed. Suddenly, he felt a slap on his back and turned to look. The one who slapped him was none other than his older brother, Duowa Suohe'er. He didn't have time to ask for an explanation and turned back to look at the woman. He heard a loud voice from behind, "Are you crazy? Why don't you ask her about her background?" Duoban Bayan, upon hearing this, was reminded of his folly and quickly asked, "Where do people like you come from?" An old man replied, "We are from the family of Huerlaerat Mergen. We were originally the masters of the land of Bahuuzhen." Duoban Bayan said, "This young woman, who is she to you?" The old man said, "She is my granddaughter." Duoban Bayan said, "What is her name?" The old man said, "My name is Baluhudai Mergen. I only have one daughter, named Bahuuzhen Haha, who married a man from Huerituomadun." Duoban Bayan heard this and sighed, "What bad luck! What bad luck!" He turned to Duowa Suohe'er and said, "This won't work. Let's go back!" (A vivid portrayal of a young man's impatience.) Duowa Suohe'er said, "Did you hear clearly? Why do you say it won't work?" Duoban Bayan said, "I didn't remember the names he mentioned, but I know for sure that her daughter has been married before." Duowa Suohe'er said, "Don't be silly! He said his daughter, not his granddaughter." Duoban Bayan thought for a moment and realized he was right, so he said, "Brother, you are sharp-eyed and perceptive. Let's ask her yourself." So, Duowa Suohe'er stepped forward and greeted the old man. After finding out the details, they learned that the woman's name was Alan Guo. (Previously recorded as Alanguohuo, the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" records it as A, the "Secret Annals" records it as Alanhua.) The old man then explained her background: Because the land of Huerituomadun prohibited hunting for sable and other animals, they came here to seek refuge. Duowa Suohe'er said, "Does this mountain already have a master?" The old man said, "The master of this mountain is named Xinchiboyan." Duowa Suohe'er said, "That's fine, but I don't know if your granddaughter has been betrothed." The old man replied that she had not, and Duowa Suohe'er asked for her hand in marriage on behalf of his younger brother. The old man asked about their surnames and family background and then went to tell his granddaughter. At this time, Duoban Bayan stared at the beautiful woman, hoping she would agree at once. But the woman lowered her head and said nothing. (A deliberate turn of events, skillful.) After the old man said a few more words, the woman's face flushed, and she became even more charming. After a while, (Duoban Bayan was almost desperate,) the woman finally nodded. (The word "nod" is skillful.) Duoban Bayan was overjoyed and, before the old man could report back, hurriedly walked to the old man's side to pay respects as a nephew. Unexpectedly, his older brother reached out and stopped him. Duoban Bayan took a step or two back, still resenting his brother. Later, after the old man and Duowa Suohe'er explained that she had agreed, Duowa Suohe'er called Duoban Bayan forward to pay respects to the old man. They then set a date for the wedding and parted. On the way, Duoban Bayan said to his brother, "Since she is willing to marry me her beautiful daughter, why don't she give her to us today? Why do we have to wait?" (A lustful fellow.) Duowa Suohe'er said, "You are not a thief, so you won't rob her, will you?" Duoban Bayan was speechless.
A few days later, Duowa Suohe'er took out two pieces of elk hide, two pieces of leopard hide, two pieces of fox hide, and several pieces of weasel hide, and put them in the carriage. He dressed Duoban Bayan in wedding clothes and led the carriage and attendants to Buerhan Mountain to fetch the bride. By daybreak, they had brought the woman back and performed the wedding ceremony in front of the sky, entering the bridal chamber. The joy of that night need not be described in detail. Later, they had a son and then another son. The eldest son was named Buguqinete, and the second son was named Boguqinete. (The "History of the Yuan Dynasty" records them as Buguhetai and Bokeduo Sale, the "Mongol Origins" records them as Bolegete and Bogunde.) The two sons were still very young when their older brother, Duowa Suohe'er, suddenly died of illness. Duowa Suohe'er had four sons, all of whom were very stubborn and did not treat Duoban Bayan as their uncle. Duoban Bayan, filled with anger, took his wife and two sons to his brother's grave and mourned for a while before returning to Buerhan Mountain to live. He hunted and herded by day and spent the night with his wife and children, living a happy and free life. But fate had no intention of making him beautiful, and he suddenly caught a cold and fell ill. When he was dying, he bid farewell to his lovely wife and beloved children, and entrusted the affairs of his estate to his brother-in-law, Mahali, with a deep sigh, and passed away.