Mongol Court Secrets: The Dramas of Chinese Court History Throughout Dynasties

Author: None
Publisher:
Publishing Time: None
Features: These four heroes led their troops and approached the Altai Mountains, hearing the sounds 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 banners fluttering, fleeing in all directions without resistance. Murghali, seeing the situation, urged Bolukhut 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 finest generals, and Sangkun's horse had been shot down, causing him to fall and nearly be captured. Fortunately, Murghali arrived on horseback and saved Sangkun. Chelawen, Bolukhut, and Bolokhut also charged bravely, like four fierce tigers breaking into a flock of sheep, quickly defeating the Naiman forces. Qisaiwu could no longer hold out and had to lead the remnants of his army in flight. 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 lost for me. Now Temo has sent four generals to rescue me in my hour of need. The kindness of his father and son must be remembered forever and never forgotten." He then summoned the four heroes into his tent, comforted them personally, and gifted each of them a set of brocade robes and ten golden cups. He sighed deeply and said, "I am old now, and I do not know who will lead my people after me. 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 may marry my daughter Chao'er Bokija to his eldest son Tuchir, and marry my own eldest daughter Huozhen Bokija to Sangkun's son Tushaha. View me as your father, and in the future, after my death, the two of you should support each other. I will then be at peace." The four heroes nodded in agreement and returned, reporting Wanghan's words to Temo. Temo said, "I have always regarded him as my father, but he refuses to see me as his son and has broken his promises many times. He abandoned me the other day. Now that he has shown remorse and wants me to marry his son Sangkun, I see no reason to refuse, so I will agree." He immediately sent a messenger to report back to Wanghan, inviting him to meet at the Tula River. On the day of the meeting, Temo brought his entourage to the Tula 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 oath: "If enemies come, we will defend each other. When hunting, we will go together. We will not listen to slander and must meet face to face to trust each other." After the oath, they also made Sangkun and Temo's son Tuchir brothers and parted with handshakes.
After some time, Temo wanted to foster goodwill between the two sides and sent a messenger to Wanghan, asking for his daughter Chao'er Bokija to marry Tuchir, his eldest son. In return, he offered his own eldest daughter Huozhen Bokija to Sangkun's son Tushaha. 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 manage this marriage? It is better to call off the wedding." When the messenger returned with this news, Temo felt disheartened. Jamukha had originally wanted to sow discord between Temo and Wanghan to settle old scores, but since Temo and Sangkun had become brothers and recognized Wanghan as his adoptive father, he had no opportunity to act. Now that the marriage was off, he saw an opportunity to create animosity between the two families. He secretly manipulated the situation, learning that A????, Fuchal, and Dalat 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. Seeing A???? and the others come to him, he accepted them.
Jamukha then went to Sangkun and said, "Temo is resentful because you refused the marriage proposal and has been 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 confirm Temo's treachery, he could no longer doubt their words. 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 sworn brotherhood with me as father and son. How could he suddenly turn traitorous? If he truly did this, heaven would not spare him, and I cannot fully trust the words of others." Sangkun said, "Not only Jamukha knows that Temo plans to harm us, but even A???? and the other defectors unanimously say that Temo is secretly communicating with the Naiman. 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 turmoil, that is enough. If you must act, do so, but make sure it is done properly." Sangkun left and plotted with Jamukha, sending a messenger to Temo, saying that Wanghan had agreed to marry his daughter Chao'er Bokija to Tuchir and invited him to a banquet to formalize the marriage. Temo, unsuspecting, came with only ten riders. On the way, they passed by Mingliye Chigge's gate. Mingliye Chigge, who had once served under Temo, had retired to live in the forest. That day, he was standing at the gate when he saw Temo passing by and greeted him, inviting him inside for a rest. Inside, Mingliye Chigge asked where Temo was going. Temo explained that he was going to the banquet to formalize the marriage. Mingliye Chigge said, "I have heard that Sangkun is arrogant and refused the marriage proposal, but now he suddenly invites you to the banquet. Is there perhaps some trick in this?" This reminded Temo, and he began to doubt. He said, "Wanghan has sworn brotherhood with me as father and son. If I do not go, he may be angry. To attend this banquet, however, is very dangerous. What should I do?"
To find out how Temo handled this matter, please read the next chapter. P75-77