"Neigh! Neigh! Neigh!"
Wild horses were neighing. This was a large herd of wild horses, gathering hundreds of untamed steeds.
Yes, untamed!
They stood tall on the wasteland, letting the strong wind scatter their long manes, craning their necks and gazing wistfully at the free sky.
Their thick tails dragging over the bushes, their messy manes draped over their chests, necks, and foreheads, and their uncombed and unkempt backs covered in dust all showcased their untamed spirit.
These noble horses, unwilling to kneel for survival, had no stable to shelter them from wind and rain, constantly circled wolves, chased water and grass in the desert, and evaded hunters' capture.
In their wild eyes, not a trace of docility could be found; only fierceness and spirit.
Rather die than be unfree!
Detestable humans, yet they insisted on depriving them of their freedom.
Huit Tribe Taiji Namu Zhan arrived with five hundred soldiers.
He was a master at roping horses and enjoyed capturing and taming wild horses for fun.
"Prepare the lasso poles," Namu Zhan ordered, his eyes fixed on the herd of wild horses, gleaming.
This gleam was brighter than when he faced the beauties in his tribe.
The soldiers took out lasso poles nearly ten feet long, with rope loops tied at the top, sized appropriately to fit over a horse's head.
Using lasso poles to rope horses was a signature skill of grassland men.
Namu Zhan, however, did not use a lasso pole but took out a rope and tied a slipknot.
He wanted to rope a horse with a rope, which was much more difficult than using a lasso pole.
As a master, one must challenge high difficulty; if it's too easy, it's not fun!
"Go!" he roared.
"Hoo~ Hoo~ Hoo~" The five hundred warriors howled, splitting into two groups, charging towards the herd from the left and right.
Namu Zhan spotted a fiery red horse with a slender waist, long legs, and a thick rump – a good horse!
The wild horse bolted in fright, but he was in no hurry, galloping after it, estimating the distance in his heart, and skillfully throwing the rope.
So fast, so accurate!
The red horse couldn't dodge in time and was caught by the head.
It was unwilling and resisted fiercely, shaking its head and neck violently, kicking its hooves randomly.
But the rope tightened more and more.
Finally, the red horse let out a mournful cry, stopped resisting, and became a trophy for humanity.
"Hahaha!"
Namu Zhan laughed heartily, feeling not old at all, still the Chasing Wind youth of yesteryear.
"E Qi Ge," a young man in his twenties, riding a horse, galloped up.
It was his eldest son, Zhuoliketu He Shokhi.
"Noyan Ubashen Taiji has sent someone with a letter."
"Noyan Ubashen? Hmph, a black crow can't wash into a white swan.
When the leaves rustle, the wind must be coming!"
Namu Zhan sneered and led his troops back to their grazing grounds.
His Otok was in the eastern part of the Yule Duosi Grassland.
In recent years, he had continuously taken in refugees and accumulated strength.
His tribe had grown from one thousand-household to over twelve hundred households, capable of mobilizing up to two thousand warriors, making him a relatively powerful Taiji within the Huit Tribe.
Looking at the letter written to him by Noyan Ubashen, Namu Zhan's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, remaining silent for a long time.
Zhuoliketu He Shokhi knew that only when his father encountered a difficult decision would such an expression appear on his face.
"E Qi Ge, what is written in this letter that makes you so hesitant?"
"Uh, take a look," Namu Zhan handed the letter to his son.
"Baibagas Khan has issued a summons, requiring all tribes to gather on the west bank of the Ili River to jointly attack Kundulun Ubashi, Nuoerwei Zheng Chukur, and other rebels.
The Great Taiji has decided to obey the Great Khan's decree and lead the army to the west bank of the Ili River to assist in the battle.
Alas!
This young brat, acting without knowing the gravity of the situation.
The Khoshut Tribe's civil war, what does it have to do with our Huit Tribe?
If Nomudalai Great Taiji were still alive, he would never meddle in this.
Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan believe this is a good opportunity to seize Yingsuo River City.
After that child leads the army away, they will make their move.
If I agree to participate, after the matter is done, we will divide the Huit Tribe into three."
After speaking, Namu Zhan's eyes shot out a brilliant light, brighter than when he was roping the horse just now.
He had been biding his time for these years, and his strength had grown considerably.
When a person has strength, ambition is easily born.
When Nomudalai was alive, he dared not act and could only hide his ambition.
But now the new master is only thirteen years old, and in his eyes, he is just a young brat, so his ambition has been revealed.
"E Qi Ge, are you planning to act with Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan Taijis?" Zhuoliketu He Shokhi asked.
"Alas!
Without casting a large net, you won't catch a big fish.
Such a great opportunity, if missed, would truly be a pity!
But this matter is too great; once it fails, the lives of the whole family will be difficult to protect!
Your father is now like playing chess, holding the piece, unable to decide!" Namu Zhan said with a long sigh.
"E Qi Ge's worries are very reasonable.
We Mongol people often say, 'When you are best at riding a horse, you must prevent falling from the horse.'
Your son does have a strategy that is beneficial to both sides," Zhuoliketu He Shokhi said unhurriedly.
"Oh, what is your good idea?"
"E Qi Ge, you can send someone to Noyan Ubashen's camp and verbally agree to join, but do not leave a written letter.
When dispatching troops, arrive one day later than the agreed date and observe the situation.
If Noyan Ubashen wins, lead the army to join him; if he fails, return to the Otok."
Namu Zhan thought carefully, then suddenly laughed heartily, "My son's idea is excellent!
You are my son, so you will make this trip to Noyan Ubashen's camp for me."
Fine wine and music, entertaining distinguished guests.
Inside Noyan Ubashen's large tent, Zhuoliketu He Shokhi received a guest-like reception.
Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan entertained them attentively, making them feel at home.
After eating and drinking heartily, the three swore a blood oath.
Then, Zhuoliketu He Shokhi returned to his Otok.
"Second Brother, this Namu Zhan is truly a good man!
Much stronger than that Eluolike fellow.
That fellow received our letter and dared not join, saying he had no great ambition and just wanted to be a peaceful old man.
Hmph, useless!" Buyanbu'erhan said excitedly to Noyan Ubashen.
Noyan Ubashen was also very excited.
"Namu Zhan has two thousand soldiers, and the two of us together have four thousand.
As long as that kid Sultan leads the main army away, six thousand soldiers attacking Yingsuo River City have a very high chance of success.
As for Eluolike, hmph, after we and Namu Zhan take down Yingsuo River, we will combine our forces and divide his tribe."
"Second Brother, when do you plan to make your move?" Buyanbu'erhan asked anxiously; he had waited for this day for too long.
"Hehe, Third Brother, don't worry.
I have already contacted the Great Saman.
As soon as that kid Sultan's army leaves the city, he will send me a message.
At that time, with coordination from inside and outside, breaking the city will not be difficult," Noyan Ubashen said confidently.
Buyanbu'erhan greatly admired him.
"Second Brother's foresight is profound, and I admire you.
It's just that the Dörbet Tribe's Great Taiji Dalai Taishi has always supported us, so why don't you borrow troops from that old man?"
"Oh, Third Brother, you are confused!
Once the Dörbet people's cavalry enters Yingsuo River, can this Yule Duosi Grassland still be the world of us brothers?" Noyan Ubashen said firmly.
"It is acceptable to ask the Dörbet people for some soldiers, armor, money, and grain, but borrowing troops is absolutely not allowed!"