Six thousand five thousand hui te warriors lined up in neat ranks accepted the review of the newly appointed Great Taiji.
This army had just gone through the test of war; although silent, it carried an inherent killing aura.
Sultan rode his horse slowly, reviewing the military formation.
His appearance today had been specially styled; his braids were thick, and he had grown a beard, trying his best to appear mature and majestic.
Fortunately, born into a noble family, he never lacked food since childhood, and his physique was tall and strong.
The age of thirteen was not considered too young in this era; Lindan Khan of Chahar ascended the throne at thirteen, and Gushi Khan of Khoshut led his army to defeat the Hui at thirteen.
What others could do, he could do too!
This review of the troops was Master Liu Haogu's idea; Mongols respect the strong, and the newly appointed Great Taiji must display his strength to his subjects, so a review of the troops was a good choice.
"Warriors of Huit, in the past, you followed my father campaigning north and south, invincible; from now on, I hope you can continue to follow my horse whip and achieve new merits.
Horei!"
He shouted loudly to the soldiers, and his personal guards relayed his words throughout the formation.
"Horei~ Horei~ Horei~" Thunderous cheers of 'long live' resounded from all directions.
Sultan drew the Khan sword that his grandfather had passed to his father, and his father had passed to him.
This knife was exquisitely crafted and incredibly sharp; it was a ceremonial knife used by the leaders of various Mongol tribes, also called a "Khan sword".
In the past, Genghis Khan and the leader of the Kereit Tribe became Anda; the gifts they exchanged were the ceremonial knives they each wore, they were symbols of status and position, extremely precious, and were called "sacred objects bestowed by chang sheng tian".
Wielding the sharp treasure knife, he galloped on his horse, fully displaying his strength to the people of Huit Tribe.
Six riders behind him followed closely.
Luo Bu Zang, eighteen years old this year, his ancestors were great nobles of Huit Tribe, existing figures qualified to be called Taiji.
However, by his generation, the family's fortunes had declined, only possessing over thirty households of subjects, thus he deliberately sought friendship with Sultan, hoping to one day restore his family's glory.
Shaobu, twenty years old this year, son of the Great Shaman Daren Tai of Huit Tribe.
Daren Tai played both sides; he himself curried favor with the Great Taiji's uncles Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan, but sent his son to be the Great Taiji's confidant.
Narisong and Suhe, both in their twenties, served as Sultan's chief and deputy guards.
Twenty-six-year-old Hada was originally a slave by Sultan's side; because he was steady in his work, he was granted freedom.
Always loyal, he was the Great Taiji's eyes and ears.
Sixteen-year-old Alatan Cang was Sultan's childhood playmate, responsible for the Great Taiji's carriage and travel arrangements.
These six were all confidants of the newly appointed Great Taiji; a new emperor brings new officials, so when Sultan reviewed the troops, they naturally had to follow.
Through the military review, Sultan's prestige was enhanced; after it ended, he eagerly came to find his teacher Liu Haogu.
"Master Liu, your method is truly good!
I feel that the soldiers' eyes when they look at me are filled with respect."
"Haha, the Great Taiji is a favored son of heaven, it is right for the soldiers to respect you," Liu Haogu smiled, "It is still early, why not play a game of Go?"
The black and white chessboard was a refined pleasure for the literatus Liu Haogu, but for Sultan, it was about imperial ambition discussed amidst laughter.
The two went back and forth, playing Go and discussing the great affairs of the world.
Among the heroes of the world, only my master and I; who else is worthy of sharing the chessboard?
"Master Liu, why is it that the dynasties of the Han people last long, with many lasting for several hundred years, while the dynasties of us Mongols are often fleeting, even the mighty Great Yuan lasted only ninety-eight years before perishing?"
"Great Taiji, the rulers of China emphasize centralized power, thus imperial power is consolidated and the dynasty lasts long; while the rulers of Mongol share the realm with the Noyan, big and small Noyan each have their Ulus and Otok, controlling the military and civil affairs of their territories, akin to feudal lords, powerful ministers bully the ruler, internal strife arises, thus it is difficult to last long."
"What Master Liu says is true, I wish to imitate the official system of the Han people, implement reforms throughout Huit, seize the power of the Noyan and replace them with civil and military officials.
How about that?"
"Absolutely not!" Liu Haogu was greatly startled, "The system of Noyan has been implemented in Mongol for several hundred years, their power is deeply rooted.
These Noyan firmly control the great power of their territories, managing both the people and the army.
Even a strong ruler like your father only dared to tentatively implement reforms in the newly acquired land of Yarkand.
You have just ascended the throne, your prestige is not yet established, and your foundation is shallow; if you infringe upon their interests, they will surely rise up and attack you.
The matter will be in peril!"
Hearing these words, Sultan fell into deep thought and remained silent for a long time.
"How can there be a reason to reform before the trouble at your elbow and armpit is removed?
I deeply worry for the Great Taiji," Liu Haogu added another sentence.
"Trouble at my elbow and armpit?
Where does this trouble come from?" Sultan was startled.
"Have you forgotten your two uncles, Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan?
Now that the lord is young and the state is in doubt, these two are ambitious wolves; how could they not make a move?
You should make plans early."
Sultan suddenly understood, "Master Liu is absolutely right, please help me eliminate this trouble at my elbow and armpit."
Liu Haogu smiled slightly, "This matter is not difficult; have you read the section 'Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan' in the Zuo Zhuan?
Just handle it according to that."
"Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan?" Sultan thought carefully, and after a long time understood: Mr. is telling me to learn from Duke Zheng, deliberately expose a weakness, give my two uncles an opportunity to rebel, and then lure them in and annihilate them.
Excellent!
He bowed and thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, Master Liu, you are truly my Zhuge Kongming!"
"Alas!" Liu Haogu suddenly let out a long sigh.
"Master Liu, why are you sighing?"
"Back then, I made a three-year master-disciple agreement with the Great Taiji; now three years have passed, the fate of our master-disciple relationship is over!
I am eager to return to my hometown, wishing to return to my old home in Pingyang (Yuncheng), Shanxi, I request the Great Taiji's permission."
"What!
You wish to leave your disciple?
Has your disciple been negligent or impolite in any way?
These past years, the master-disciple bond has been deep, how can I bear to part with you, Master?" Sultan was greatly alarmed.
"Alas!
I also cannot bear to part with the Great Taiji.
It's just that my aged father is old; if I do not return to my hometown to serve him, it would be unfilial.
How can the Great Taiji bear to let me become an unfilial person?" Liu Haogu's eyes were red, and he burst into loud sobs.
Seeing him cry so heartbreakingly, Sultan knew he could not be persuaded and could only agree, "Master wishes to return home to fulfill filial piety, your disciple dares not force you to stay; I can only escort you thirty li, to fulfill the duty of master and disciple."
"Thank you, Great Taiji," Liu Haogu thanked him profusely.
"Great Taiji, Your servant believes Master Liu possesses world-shaking talent; if such a person cannot be used by you, he must be eliminated, never allowed to return," returning to the great tent, the confidant Hada said to Sultan.
He was originally a slave under Sultan's tent; because he was steady in his work, he was heavily relied upon, appointed to the position of centurion, responsible for collecting internal and external intelligence.
"What you say is also reasonable, but having been master and disciple, I truly cannot bear to commit such a cruel act!
Never mention this matter again," Sultan waved his hand.
"Yes, Great Taiji," Hada bowed and withdrew; while worrying that his Lord had let a great talent go, he was also moved by his Lord's emphasis on loyalty and righteousness.
The time for parting arrived; Liu Haogu took the two plump and charming Mongol concubines Nomudalai had given him back then, eight slaves, as well as the son and daughter born to the concubines, and left Yingsuo River City.
Sultan gave him a cart full of gifts and personally escorted him thirty li away.
In the biting cold wind, the master and disciple stood.
"Great Taiji, seeing off a guest a thousand li, one must eventually part.
Please return," Liu Haogu said with red eyes.
"At the moment of parting, I have a word to offer my esteemed teacher.
The current Emperor of Great Ming is mean and ungrateful, narrow-minded and suspicious, not a ruler capable of defending the land.
In the future, if esteemed teacher cannot remain in Pingyang, please come to Yingsuo River City to find me.
I will surely sweep my mat to welcome you!" Sultan bowed again in salute.
Liu Haogu was startled; his disciple's words seemed to have deep meaning.
But his homesickness was strong, he couldn't think too much, returned the salute and bid farewell.