Chapter 96: Hatred

Ten shots, merely ten shots, shattered Subutai and Bo'orchu's burning desire to become a shaman. The first shot of the test killed the shaman instantly; a hole as big as a fist appeared in his head, blood gushing out ceaselessly, dead beyond any doubt.

Yet the tester insisted on firing ten shots before reluctantly stopping, the head already beaten beyond recognition.

However, such a gruesome death drew applause and cheers from the audience below. Temujin knew the sanctity of the divine authority had completely collapsed here; no shaman could ever again pretend to be a god to maintain their supreme status.

So what fate awaited the nobles and tribal chiefs who needed divine authority to legitimize their rule?

The Tatars soon gave them the answer. When nobles dressed in magnificent attire stood once more on the high platform before them, they were no longer as imposing as in the past.

"Zadalin, you beast, do you remember my son Mu'a? Since my grandfather's generation, our family has served you like cattle and horses for four whole generations. Even if we had no merit, we surely had suffering. Yet because I accidentally spilled wine, you whipped him to death. Now the Eternal Heaven has opened its eyes; finally, someone is dealing with you beasts."

A shepherd, bent and emaciated, climbed the high platform with unsteady steps and raged at his former slave master.

The old man's grief-stricken expression and miserable experience instantly stirred sympathy among the crowd below. This sympathy was not mere pity for the weak, but the feeling of a rabbit mourning a fox; the old man's experiences were theirs too, and some had suffered even worse.

"My brother endured your beatings and curses without a single complaint. Why did you use him as a target for your son's arrows?"

"And me! You don't know that these bastards made a wine vessel from my daughter's skull. How dare they drink from my daughter's skull? How dare they!"

Sounds of anguish and curses filled the air. There is a saying: "When a thousand people point the finger, even the healthy die." Facing the accusations of a thousand people could drive one to depression and death, let alone a thousand pairs of eyes that wished to devour you alive.

In the past, he naturally did not care, for anyone who dared to show disrespect would be ordered beaten to death. But now, they had to endure the hatred of these people who wanted to tear their flesh and gnaw their skin.

They feared; they lowered their heads, unable to face the angry gazes of these victims, forcing themselves to treat the curses as wind in their ears.

Those who once stood high and mighty were now so humble before the slaves they despised. At this moment, Temujin and his companions discovered something important: hatred existed not only between tribes, but between the Jin people and the Mongols, between nobles and nobles, and between nobles and slaves.

This hatred was deeper than all the others, accumulated over generations. They had never cared because slaves and herdsmen were too humble. But their indifference and lack of attention did not mean these hatreds would vanish. Like dry firewood, these hatreds piled up higher and higher until someone lit a fire upon them.

"Fathers, mothers, and fellow villagers, according to the people's opinion, Zadalin, Muhaodu, Guiyou, and other reactionary elements have persecuted the masses for years with cruel methods. According to the Base Area Law, they will be executed by firing squad today." After the trial concluded, the staff member in charge of the struggle meeting announced the verdict against these people.

With the sentencing concluded, everyone present witnessed the execution of these nobles. The moment the gunshots rang out, the mighty figures of the past were nothing more than corpses.

Their deaths merely provided more food for the vultures on the steppe and applause for those harboring deep blood feuds.

After these people died, Temujin found the Wang Gubu tribe, once lifeless, suddenly brimming with vitality. He could not help but recall the young man he had seen in the Jin camp, who truly possessed the miraculous ability of Sha Tongtian to turn the rotten into the divine.

"Very well, now we shall announce our policies. First, we have overthrown the slave-owning nobles. Therefore, their grasslands and livestock must be confiscated. Then, we will distribute livestock and production tools according to the population of each household. Families with soldiers will receive priority allocation."

After the executions, the person in charge announced this news to everyone again. Immediately, the atmosphere in the tribe for signing up for the army became extremely lively, with everyone fearing they would fall behind others.

Temujin followed these people into the ranks of the Revolutionary Army. After being a captive for several days, he finally entered the military camp to see for himself, feeling as though his wish had been granted.

Several people curiously surveyed everything in the camp. As commanders who had led armies in battle and would later become famous generals sweeping across the world, they could discern the principles behind these strange training methods.

In their view, even without obtaining guns, simply learning this military knowledge made the trip worthwhile. Before the new recruits joined their companies, the army gave them a day off to relax.

After reuniting, Temujin sat in the main seat and asked the generals, "After a month of observation and study, tell me your views on this so-called Revolutionary Army."

As Temujin's personal guard commander, Bo'orchu spoke first: "After a month of observation, I believe Mu Hua Li's words were somewhat conservative. Twelve thousand Revolutionary Army troops, even without firearms, will not just be able to win; they will definitely win."

"Oh? Can you elaborate?" Temujin looked at Bo'orchu with keen interest and deep satisfaction; his personal guard commander never disappointed him.

"Based on my observations during this period, this army is perfect. When attacking, they lack no courage; when ambushing, they lack no patience; when facing crisis and needing defense, they lack no firm will. The commander's orders can be transmitted to the lowest soldiers instantly, and the soldiers will do everything possible to fulfill the commander's orders."

"The tribal coalition fights each for themselves, lacking unified command. When the army encounters difficulties, they flee. Given a little temptation, everyone rushes forward in a mob that cannot be controlled. Fleeing is one thing, but when troops from various tribes mix, panic breaks out. The Revolutionary Army fighting the tribal coalition is like a strong young man fighting a dozen old men leaning on crutches, gasping for breath." After Bo'orchu finished speaking, everyone present burst into laughter.

"Is there anything else to say?" Temujin glanced around at the others. Chi Lao Wen immediately followed: "I think their training is excellent. This training keeps you in a state of constant readiness. To speak frankly, at first I did not understand why they were so strict about cleanliness, such as folding quilts into tofu blocks. Later, I pondered it and understood the benefit: it trains soldiers to obey orders at all times. War is a moment of life and death; not a moment can be wasted, for wasting a moment means missing an opportunity. This kind of army allows you to seize any opportunity as much as possible."

Temujin was very pleased with the growth of the two.