“Third brother, look, what good things has the Great Taiji sent us?” In the northern part of the Yulduz Grassland, the Khuit Taiji Noyan Ubashen said with a smile to his brother Buyanbu'erhan. The Great Taiji he referred to was not Nomudalai, but the Dörbet tribe's Great Taiji Dalai Taishi.
“Forty firearms, a hundred sets of armor, two hundred sabers, two hundred spears, three hundred long lances,” Buyanbu'erhan murmured, his eyes gleaming. “The Great Taiji is truly generous. We only offered him some cattle and sheep, and he returned such a heavy gift.”
Noyan Ubashen pursed his lips. “Ah, you should use your brain more when things happen. The Great Taiji is dissatisfied with brother and wants to use us two to deal with him.”
Buyanbu'erhan suddenly understood. In recent years, the Dörbet tribe’s strength has been greatly weakened in the war against the Khalkha, and they have been caught up in the Oirat civil war, making it difficult for them to attend to other matters. Meanwhile, the Khuit tribe’s strength has greatly increased. Brother is unwilling to remain a Dörbet vassal and has begun to feign compliance with the Great Taiji while secretly opposing him. This has caused the Great Taiji’s dissatisfaction, and he wants to use second brother and himself to counterbalance brother.
Having figured this out, he laughed heartily, “Second brother is right. With the Great Taiji’s support, what do we fear from brother? A few days ago, I followed your instructions and contacted Eluolike and Shokhi and Namu Zhan. Eluolike and Shokhi are timid and dare not oppose brother; Namu Zhan is very dissatisfied that brother did not include him in the spoils of war during his two southern campaigns, so he can be won over.”
Noyan Ubashen stroked his long beard and slowly said, “I heard that Namu Zhan took advantage of the Khoshut civil war to take in many refugees, and his power has greatly increased. With his help, our chances of winning will be much greater.”
“Second brother, when do you plan to attack Yingsuo River City?” Buyanbu'erhan asked excitedly.
Noyan Ubashen smiled. “No rush. The Turpan army has always been brave and is not easy to defeat. We will talk about it when brother is in a stalemate in Turpan. I will give you half of the things the Great Taiji gave me. Go back and train your men well and prepare for battle.”
As the two brothers were eager to try, a confidant suddenly entered the tent to report, “Taiji, we just received news that our army has won consecutive victories in the south, first capturing Chalish and Iron Gate Pass and forcing Prince Abudullahaha to sign a peace treaty; then they captured Kucha.”
“What?”
Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan were so shocked that they couldn't close their mouths and stopped talking about attacking Yingsuo River City.
Governor Abu Hadi has been very afraid recently! Before surrendering, the Mongols promised to let him continue to be the Aqimuboke of Kucha, and they did keep their word. However, the Khuit tribe's Great Taiji Nomudalai's methods were too ruthless. He actually disbanded and reorganized his army on the day of surrender, only allowing him to manage civil affairs and not military power. This shows that the Mongols do not trust him. A surrendered official, if not trusted by his lord, often does not end well.
I am the fish, and they are the knife!
He was very afraid, afraid that he would accidentally be beheaded by the Mongols, and afraid that the huge wealth he had worked so hard to earn would end up benefiting others.
To avoid disaster, he must curry favor with the Great Taiji!
Abu Hadi thought about it and decided that since his lord had worked hard on the expedition and had not brought any female relatives with him, why not offer him beautiful women? His lord would surely be pleased. What was that saying? That's right, a hero is no match for a beauty!
He immediately began searching and found twelve beautiful concubines of various types: tall, short, fat, and thin. There was always one that would be suitable. Then he sent someone to invite the Great Taiji to a banquet.
Upon receiving the invitation, Nomudalai felt that since he had just taken control of Kucha, he should treat scholars with respect and readily agreed.
The meal was very rich, with various delicacies such as camel hump, deer antler, and bear paw. Young and beautiful maids diligently poured wine for him and the generals.
Being on an expedition and not having been with women for a long time, the generals inevitably became restless and started touching the maids, which elicited playful scolding. Nomudalai, however, remained calm and composed.
Abu Hadi secretly admired him. As expected of a Great Taiji, his willpower is strong! He clapped his hands and smiled, “Come, people, dance for the distinguished guests!”
Twelve dancers who had been prepared earlier gracefully entered the tent and performed the Sainaim dance, moving their necks, eyes, fingers, and lifting their feet. Every movement was beautiful. What was even more wonderful was that they were only wearing thin gauze, and their slender figures were faintly visible.
It was silent. The generals stared, forgetting to speak.
Nomudalai, however, was unmoved and continued to drink on his own. He and his Biji Subude had a deep relationship, and with a virtuous wife at home, he was not very interested in wild flowers by the roadside.
Oh no! The Great Taiji is knowledgeable and experienced, and ordinary beauties will not catch his eye!
Abu Hadi secretly groaned. It seemed that only a beauty like his favorite concubine Gulisu Ruhe could move the Great Taiji. But how could he bear to part with her? Even if he couldn't bear it, he had to. Now that the Mongols were suspicious of him, the only way to ensure his family's safety was to offer his favorite concubine.
He hardened his heart and said with a fawning smile, “I have a favorite concubine, Gulisu Ruhe, who is skilled in the Zhezhidao dance. I am willing to have her dance for the Great Taiji.”
“Thank you for the Aqimuboke's kind intention. This Taiji is looking forward to it, hahahaha,” Nomudalai laughed heartily.
The musicians struck the drums three times, and Gulisu Ruhe, wearing a Hu hat with gold bells and a purple silk robe, began to dance gracefully. The bells jingled crisply, her movements were swift and lively, and her spins were rapid, both graceful and vigorous. While dancing, she exchanged glances with the Great Taiji. When the Great Taiji looked at her, she covered her beautiful face with her sleeves, pretending to refuse while actually inviting, and feigning shyness while wanting to speak.
It was truly: “A brocade mat is spread out, three drumbeats urge the painted drum. Red candles move, and the peach leaves rise, the purple silk robe moves, and the Zhezhidao comes. The belt hangs down, the flower waist is heavy, the hat turns, the gold bells return to the snowy face. As soon as the music ends, she cannot be kept, like clouds and rain drifting towards the sunny terrace. The Zhe family beauty is particularly charming, making young lords and princes forget to return.”
There is such a beauty in the world!
At this moment, Nomudalai forgot about his virtuous wife at home, forgot about his imperial ambitions, and even forgot where he was. He only wanted to hold this beautiful woman in his tent. If he could spend one night with her, it would be worth dying for!
Abu Hadi forced a smile and said, “If the Great Taiji likes this beauty, I am willing to offer her.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his mouth opened wide, and his eyes widened. A sleeve dart shot out from Gulisu Ruhe's sleeve, heading straight for Nomudalai's throat.
“Great Taiji, be careful,” a loyal guard pushed Nomudalai away, but he himself was shot down.
Her robe fluttered, and a dagger appeared in Gulisu Ruhe's hand. Her elbows, fists, knees, legs, and feet were all weapons. The beautiful woman turned into a jade Shura and knocked down several guards in an instant.
“Swish,” the Khuit fierce general Tuoli shot an arrow that hit her in the chest. This woman was very fierce. At the moment of her death, she threw the dagger and stabbed Nomudalai in the right flank.
The Mongol warriors were enraged and rushed forward to cut the beautiful woman into pieces.
“Great Taiji, this matter has nothing to do with me. This woman was sent by a treacherous merchant. Unexpectedly, she was an assassin. I am guilty,” Abu Hadi knelt down and pleaded guilty, trembling all over.
“Take him down!”
Nomudalai was furious and ordered Abu Hadi to be tied up. Suddenly, he staggered and, despite his bravery, fainted.
“Not good, the dagger is poisoned, quickly call the Langzhong (Doctor),” Batu and Tan shrieked, their voices choked with sobs.