Chapter 151: Like a cone drawing on sand, spirited and vigorous

Inside the large tent, the stove crackled and popped, burning to provide warmth for those within.

Dong Huli lay prostrate on the ground, yet he felt exceptionally cold.

Although he was a tribal leader, the number of archers under his command barely exceeded ten thousand.

The majesty of Tuman Khan, however, was built upon a foundation of over one hundred thousand archers—with over fifty thousand direct combat troops, the Alakchut tribe starting at twenty-five thousand, the Ujumchin tribe with over thirty thousand, and the Sunid, Aohan Naiman, Urat, Kharchin, and Keshigten tribes, among others; the total number of soldiers under Tuman Khan's command, when added up, was at least over one hundred and sixty thousand!

The disparity between the two could not be measured by reason.

This was merely the most conservative estimate by Dong Huli as an outsider; no one knew exactly how many archers this Tuman Khan truly held in his grasp.

Facing such a Khan, who had ruled for sixteen years, possessed monstrous power, and had committed countless slaughters, Dong Huli felt at every moment as if he were treading on a frozen river, walking in the most dangerous of abysses.

He kept his head bowed, answering the Khan's interrogation in a tone that was both respectful and firm.

"Great Khan, after my brother Ying Ke died a miserable death, the tribe developed a blood feud with the Ming army, and I was thus forced to accept the position of leader."

"Now, after several campaigns against the Southerners, it is no longer possible for the tribe to continue interacting with the Great Ming Dynasty."

"Although there are still different voices within the tribe, that is because the Great Ming Dynasty uses abundant supplies to tempt my young, simple, and naive tribesmen. For the sake of Ming supplies, too many people have bewitched my nephew Chang Ang, inducing him to resist his own uncle's teachings."

"But these are merely matters of profit. If the Khan can provide me with grain, livestock, and horses, I can immediately eliminate the temptation of the Great Ming Dynasty."

"At that time, many who can see the situation clearly will wake up and return to my embrace, and once my nephew Chang Ang loses the bewitchment of these people, he will become an obedient relative and help me manage the tribe together."

"Whether this final step can be completed depends solely on the Khan's decision."

Having finished, Dong Huli folded his palms together, placed them against his forehead, and bowed respectfully.

He appeared extremely submissive.

But having maneuvered for years between the Mongol Left and Right Wings and the Great Ming Dynasty, he did not rely on mere submissiveness.

By now, the tribe had long been harvested back and forth countless times by the Mongol Left and Right Wings, like leeks.

Self-sufficiency was already a story from twenty years ago.

People must eat.

This was the origin of the tribal struggle over which path to take—who to look to for food?

Dong Huli maintained a very low posture, his words arguing for this very point.

If the Khan wanted to support his efforts to unify the tribe, he should solve the problem of feeding the tribesmen.

Otherwise, if he could not rely on Tuman Khan, and the Great Ming Dynasty promised Chang Ang food, how could there not be people supporting Chang Ang?

And the fact that Tuman Khan had started by interrogating him about why people were causing trouble in the tribe was even more laughable.

Dong Huli had listened to Tuman Khan and organized three invasions a year, raiding the passes.

But after disturbing the "friendly merchants" and fearing to trade in secret, winter naturally became difficult to endure.

Because they had followed the decision to attack the Great Ming Dynasty and the tribe had become impoverished, how could the tribesmen not start to cause trouble?

Conversely, as long as Tuman Khan could provide the Uriankhai Guard with supplies and solve the tribesmen's hunger,

then Dong Huli, who controlled the army, could naturally control the situation with ease.

And this point depended on Tuman Khan, not on him, Dong Huli.

After finishing, Dong Huli knelt obediently on the ground.

He was confident Tuman Khan would agree—wasn't this the very utility of the Uriankhai Guard?

But he waited for Tuman Khan's reply, only to find there was no movement for a long while.

The lack of any extra sound inside the large tent was a very anxiety-inducing thing.

Having waited in vain for a reply, Dong Huli felt his anxiety gradually rising.

Just at this moment, he suddenly felt the field of vision before him darken.

He quietly raised his eyelids, only to see Tuman Khan squatting beside him, looking down at him from above.

He heard Tuman Khan's voice.

"What you say makes sense. Unless I return your tribe's cattle and sheep and restore the pastures, as long as there are merchants in the Great Ming Dynasty willing to supply grain and livestock, there will always be people who are bewitched and become traitors to the Mongols."

Seeing Tuman Khan agree with him, the anxiety in Dong Huli's heart subsided slightly.

"So, you saw this point clearly, which is why you let the tribe cause trouble, hoping to use this to pressure me, right?"

As soon as the words fell, Dong Huli's body shuddered violently, and he raised his head in astonishment.

Afterward, he immediately suppressed his strange expression and spoke as calmly as possible: "Great Khan! I..."

Before he could finish.

"Hmph!"

Tuman Khan let out a cold snort and kicked Dong Huli over.

He gave no opportunity for defense, kicking the latter directly to the side of the tent, leaving him covered in dust.

Tuman Khan looked at the latter with a cold expression; although the Uriankhai Guard was far away, planting a few ears and eyes was still within his capability.

He did not know where Dong Huli found the courage to plot against him.

He had even defended himself in his words.

What did he mean by Ying Ke dying a miserable death?

Dying at the hands of the Great Ming Dynasty was called martyrdom!

Wasn't that phrase "miserable death" implying that he, the Khan, had driven Ying Ke into the pass and used him as a vanguard, harboring a hatred for indirectly killing him?

Dong Huli took the kick and endured it without making a sound.

After recovering, he prostrated himself again to explain, his tone devoid of any extra emotion: "The Great Khan has misunderstood me."

"The Southerners once said that blocking is not as good as dredging. If I don't let people cause trouble, I have no way to kill people reasonably and legitimately to establish prestige, nor can I suppress the dissatisfied emotions within the tribe."

"This is not just for the Great Khan to see, but even more so for the tribesmen to see; everything is considered solely for the sake of leading the tribe."

"The Great Khan is wise and martial; you will surely be able to distinguish whether what I say is honest."

Hearing this, Tuman Khan seemed to have caught a flaw and could not help but say coldly: "Now you admit it was a performance for me to see?"

Dong Huli kept his head bowed, his expression unreadable, only his sincere and earnest voice continued to ring out: "Great Khan, it was not a performance."

"The Great Khan is the son of Eternal Heaven; there is never anything that can be hidden from the Great Khan."

"The tribe's difficulty in getting through the winter is a fact, and it should be seen by the Great Khan."

"This is also the purpose of my coming to the Golden Tent to seek the Great Khan."

Having said this, although Dong Huli was covered in dust, he still meticulously folded his hands and bowed deeply.

As soon as he bowed.

The anger on Tuman Khan's face suddenly dissipated, and he chuckled without warning.

Afterward, he laughed heartily and boldly: "The Great Ming Dynasty truly did not mistranslate; you really are an old fox who has become a spirit!"

"Get up."

Having said this, he grabbed Dong Huli's arm and pressed him into a large chair.

Dong Huli wiped the dust from his face: "The Great Khan is the azure eagle of the grasslands; the fox crawling on the ground gnawing at food will forever be reflected in the azure eagle's eyes."

Tuman Khan did not make things difficult for Dong Huli this time.

He smiled, threw a booklet he had prepared long ago from his bosom, and said: "Our ancestors were one family; I will not treat you unfairly. These are the supplies granted this time; go collect them from the right tent later."

As he spoke, he threw it casually toward Dong Huli.

Dong Huli caught it nimbly, feeling a sense of relief in his heart while once again thanking Tuman Khan respectfully.

After obtaining Tuman Khan's permission, Dong Huli opened the small booklet and began to read.

It was roughly a list of cattle, sheep, clothing, salt, and the pastures to be returned, with items and quantities listed.

However, the quantity...

Dong Huli's expression changed slightly, and he tentatively opened his mouth: "Great Khan, this batch of rewards is likely not enough to feed my sixty thousand tribesmen."

Although winter was only half over.

But wouldn't they have to eat in the spring?

Either give some breeding cattle and sheep and return more pastures so they could be self-sufficient, or simply give more grain, and he would be at Tuman Khan's beck and call in the future!

What was the meaning of being so stingy and giving a discount?

This was truly going to starve people to death!

Tuman Khan sat beside Dong Huli; his figure was burly, and as soon as he sat down, he was truly like a golden mountain and a jade pillar.

He remained unmoved and spoke slowly: "I said just now, I am very dissatisfied with the progress of your work."

"Since we are going to use troops next year, why keep those in the tribe who don't listen to orders as vanguards, and why keep them in the tribe to feed an extra mouth?"

He looked at Dong Huli, whose expression had changed abruptly, and said seriously: "I have calculated it; if a batch dies, the supplies will be enough."

Once these words fell, there was no sound in the tent for a time.

Tuman Khan was confident of success.

Dong Huli's expression was uncertain.

Finally, Dong Huli gently closed the booklet, let out a turbid breath, and opened his mouth to speak.

It was clear he had made up his mind, though it was unclear how he would choose.

But just at this moment, Tuman Khan suddenly reached out and gripped Dong Huli's dust-covered arm.

He took the initiative and said: "There is one more thing I want to tell you."

He gently let go of Dong Huli's arm and even thoughtfully brushed off the dust left by the kick earlier: "I am preparing to... convene a Kurultai assembly within two years!"

These words were spoken inexplicably.

But upon hearing this, Dong Huli's expression shifted.

A Kurultai assembly, something Tuman Khan could speak of with such extreme caution, naturally had its corresponding status in the Mongol-Yuan political situation.

This was the system established when Genghis Khan founded the nation and was crowned—a democratic centralist assembly.

The Kurultai assembly held by the Khan, involving tens of thousands or even one hundred thousand participants, was the grandest event in Mongolia.

In the hearts of the Mongol-Yuan people, it held a sacred and supreme status, while simultaneously possessing incomparable political legitimacy.

Matters that could be brought to the assembly were all major affairs concerning all Mongol tribes.

For example, the birth of every generation of Khan, whether designated by the previous generation or seized by force, had to go through a Kurultai assembly.

Or large-scale military actions like national wars all required a consensus from the Kurultai assembly.

Or perhaps... reforming new systems.

Dong Huli lowered his eyes, trying his best not to let his expression reveal too much of his inner thoughts: "What matter does the Great Khan intend to discuss by convening the Kurultai assembly?"

He actually had some guesses.

It certainly wouldn't be to change the heir—the current heir, Borjigin Buyan, although lacking in ability, was still much better than other brothers or collateral branches.

So, was it to launch a great war, or to reform the system?

Fortunately, Tuman Khan did not let people's wild thoughts continue for too long.

He stared at Dong Huli and spoke with a solemn expression: "Now that the Left and Right Wings have been divided for a long time, after Altan Khan submitted to the Great Ming Dynasty, the unification of the Mongol-Yuan is even more remote."

"Looking at the Southern Dynasty, after the new Emperor ascended the throne, he swept away the decadence, raised the banner of reform, and frequently took action, actually beginning to sharpen weapons and feed horses!"

"The two dynasties belong to the north and south, but now one rises while the other falls, which is shocking to me!"

"As the Great Khan, if I do not reform and innovate, I fear that sooner or later, our tribes will perish and our race will be extinguished!"

The Mongol Left and Right Wings were, in essence, the six tumens of the Left and Right designated by Dayan Khan after he unified East Mongolia.

They were divided into the three tumens of the Left Wing—the Chahar, Khalkha, and Uriankhai tumens—and the three tumens of the Right Wing—the Ordos, Tumet, and Yungshebu tumens.

Now, all the tumens of the Left Wing served under Tuman Khan, while the three tumens of the Right Wing followed the orders of Altan Khan.

East Mongolia today was like two suns in the sky.

But having said that, this Altan Khan of the Right Wing did not have the same ability as Tuman Khan.

After he took his grandson's wife, causing his grandson to defect to the Great Ming Dynasty, his prestige plummeted.

He was even subsequently subdued by the Great Ming Dynasty using this opportunity and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Shunyi.

At the same time, Altan Khan's wife, San Niangzi, was herself the daughter of a tribal leader, and because she was intelligent, heroic, and skilled in riding and archery, she had personally participated in several major battles and cultivated many confidants.

It could be said that today, within the Mongol Right Wing, San Niangzi's prestige even exceeded that of Altan Khan.

But San Niangzi herself had repeatedly engaged in illicit dealings with people from the Great Ming Dynasty; every time there was a border market, she would dive into the residence of the Xuan-Da Viceroy Wang Chonggu, not knowing what kind of shady business they were conducting.

It was said that Altan Khan's acceptance of the enfeoffment and tribute was all led by San Niangzi.

With such a person present, even if Tuman Khan persuaded Altan to join forces to restore the Mongol glory, I fear they would not be able to pass San Niangzi's hurdle.

That was why Tuman Khan said the Left and Right were divided and unification was remote.

The Northern Yuan was in a difficult time, and Tuman Khan had long been hoping that after the old Emperor of the Southern Dynasty died, the new policies would die with the person.

Unexpectedly, even during the gap before the Emperor had ascended the throne, the new policies continued to be pushed forward.

And now, they were gradually gaining momentum!

Tuman Khan sat in a high position; seeing this in his eyes, how could he not take action?

And Dong Huli, hearing these words, seemed thoughtful and muttered the phrase again: "Reform and innovate..."

After he digested it, he came back to his senses and asked: "What does the Great Khan intend to do?"

This vocabulary was often seen in the Southern Dynasty's new newspapers.

As the Uriankhai Guard served as scouts, this newspaper was the thing Dong Huli presented to Tuman Khan most frequently, and he himself had read plenty of it.

He naturally understood what the Khan before him meant.

He also realized that Tuman Khan mentioning this matter expressed a hint—so-called reform and innovation would inevitably involve major changes that would offend countless people, but also major benefits to win over countless people.

Right now, he was likely promising benefits to him in advance!

Tuman Khan leaned forward, his presence full of pressure: "I have three points."

"The first point concerns the Buddha's gate, the Third Living Buddha, the Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso."

Dong Huli had expected this and was not overly surprised.

Now that the Left and Right Wings had been divided for a long time, both sides had inadvertently forgotten that they originated from the same lineage.

Especially after Altan Khan submitted to the Great Ming Dynasty.

The Left and Right Wings often fought until they broke each other's heads.

Under such circumstances, if they wanted to bridge the contradictions, I fear they could only seek help from the state religion!

The status of the Buddha's gate in the hearts of the Mongol people was like that of Confucianism for the Southern Dynasty's scholar-officials.

As long as the Buddha's gate was willing, their words were more useful than the Khan's—religious belief, for many people, touched the soul more than profit.

And the Third Living Buddha was the leader of the Buddha's gate, the one with the highest attainment in Buddhist law, and even, the incarnation of Eternal Heaven.

The Khan now had two, but there was only one Living Buddha.

Having a Living Buddha come to bridge the contradictions between the two Khan tribes, with a tacit understanding among the high-level officials on both sides, would inevitably have miraculous effects!

Dong Huli, with an expression of admiration, asked Tuman Khan: "Has the Great Khan invited the Third Living Buddha?"

Tuman Khan shook his head and then nodded: "I sent an envoy to deliver a letter last year, and the reply only came back last month. Apart from some hesitation, there were no other obstacles."

"I have already resolved his hesitation for him and am preparing to send another letter after the spring begins. Once he receives the signal, he should set out to come."

The so-called hesitation was naturally that the price had not been negotiated.

But Tuman Khan was a man of courage and immediately decided to make concessions, just so that the Kurultai assembly two years later could be held smoothly.

Dong Huli could not help but exclaim: "Eternal Heaven has spirit."

These words cost nothing; he just praised it casually. He wasn't very moved in his heart, after all, this had nothing to do with the predicament before him—major Mongol-Yuan affairs could not compare to the tens of thousands of mouths of the Uriankhai Guard.

He saw Tuman Khan stand up and walk toward the bed in the tent: "The second point: the codification of the law."

As he spoke, he groped under the bed and pulled out a booklet.

Dong Huli followed Tuman Khan as he stood up and walked over.

He looked closely and saw that the booklet in Tuman Khan's hand was clearly titled "Tuman Khan Code" in a long string of characters.

Tuman Khan handed out the booklet and nodded to signal Dong Huli.

Dong Huli hesitated before taking the code.

Tuman Khan patted Dong Huli on the shoulder and said boldly: "Anything that cannot be seen is not in it; read it with peace of mind."

Only then did Dong Huli set his mind at ease and begin to read it earnestly.

This code had clearly been in preparation for a long time; otherwise, it would be impossible for it to be so extensive.

Official systems, military affairs, sacrifices, property, criminal law, marriage, etc., were all listed within it.

Of course, there was still some time before it was completed, and items marked as "missing" or "to be determined" could be seen on every page.

No wonder the assembly was set for two years later.

"Eternal Heaven inspired me with the affairs of Dayan Khan and Esen; relying solely on force to unify the tribes will sooner or later lead to a day of disintegration."

"I should establish a unified rule that conforms to each tumen and the majority of people!"

"Only by establishing a new order will there be a chance to unify Mongolia!"

Tuman Khan spoke eloquently, and Dong Huli read earnestly without answering, appearing very serious.

But under Dong Huli's earnestness, he could not help but feel a bit startled.

The content of this code was complex, but every article touched upon interests.

It included cutting the flesh of the Left Wing to benefit the body of the Right Wing; it also included peeling the bones of the lower strata to supplement the blood of the middle strata; and even included ways to treat the Han, Jurchen, Korean, and Oirat people who had submitted.

It won over many people, but it also offended quite a few.

Dong Huli looked at Tuman Khan, wanting to speak but stopping.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and spat out the doubt in his heart: "Great Khan, can this truly be implemented?"

Tuman Khan did not feel displeased.

Instead, he met Dong Huli's gaze very seriously and said sternly: "Therefore, there is a third point, used to win over the various tribes."

Dong Huli was startled, then immediately revealed a curious expression of earnest listening.

Clearly, this point was related to his own personal interests.

Tuman Khan slowed his speech, appearing to speak word by word: "I am preparing to learn from the Southern Dynasty to bridge the differences between the Left and Right Wings... I want to integrate the various tribes as much as possible and open a system of cabinet governance!"

"I have already reached a consensus with several tumens: the Chahar tumen's Amudai Hong Taiji, the Inner Khalkha Barin tribe leader Wei Zheng Subahai, the Ordos tumen's Kutuktai Sechen Hong Taiji, the Yungshebu tumen's Nomdara Noyan, and the Tumet tumen's Chelike Hong Taiji all have a seat in the cabinet!"

"From now on, we shall open the system of various tribes discussing politics!"

"I only ask that the descendants of Eternal Heaven can put down their grudges, follow me to kill our way back to Dadu, take the head of the Southern Dynasty's Emperor, and sacrifice to Eternal Heaven!"

Dong Huli was now shaken to the core and could not speak.

How could such a top-level reform matter be told to him!

Could it be...

He saw Tuman Khan look toward Dong Huli and say seriously: "Dong Huli, integrate the Uriankhai tumen for me."

"At that time, the troops and horses of the Uriankhai tumen will be under your full command; I will no longer interfere, and the pastures that were encroached upon by the Uriankhai can also be recaptured by you."

"As long as you nod at this moment, at the Kurultai assembly two years later, I can propose..."

"Letting you enter the cabinet!"