During the Ming Dynasty, the grasslands south of Gansu Province, southwest of Liang Province, and north of the Qilian Mountains were called "Great Grassland (Dacao Tan)" in the northwest part and "Huangcheng Tan" in the southeast part.
This was a vast grassland, roughly including the southern parts of Minle County and Shandan County (including the military stud farm) and the western part of Yongchang County in later generations.
In those years, Lindan Khan, the co-ruler of the Mongol and the Chahar, led his people to migrate west from the Hetuo area of the Yellow River towards Qinghai Province.
He chose the route crossing the Ming Dynasty territory to enter Qinghai Province, entering the Great Grassland at Shilata La (now the area around Yonggu Town, Minle County, Gansu Province) via Yongchang Weiting.
This place belonged to the Duogan Dusi enfeoffed by the Great Ming Dynasty, but as the Qing Dynasty's national strength weakened, this area had long ceased to be under the control of the Great Ming Dynasty, and was instead governed by various Khalkha Mongol and Oirat Mongol tribes.
Upon reaching Shilata La, the great Lindan Batur refused to continue west, north, or south to seek refuge with his allies, even unto death.
He was making a strategic retreat, not fleeing, so he was determined to hold his ground here.
Shilata La was close to the Hetuo area, so he could return to Hetuo at any time and then fight his way back to Mobei.
After the initial tragic experiences, the Chahar tribe's living conditions began to improve.
First, the three-year frost and snow disaster subsided, and the cattle and sheep gradually multiplied.
Then they formed an alliance with Choktu Khong Tayiji (Qietu Khan) of the Khalkha, Tsangpa Khan of Later Tibet, and Baili Tusi of Kang District, and intermarried with Chechen Khan of the Khalkha.
The scattered people gathered again under the "suld" passed down by Genghis Khan; this dadu held a unique place in the hearts of the Mongols.
A direct descendant of Genghis Khan was a golden signboard, and herders from various grassland tribes continuously flocked to him.
"Next year, Your Majesty will return to Hetuo," Lindan Khan declared grandly.
Even when facing the worst situation, this Great Khan never yielded.
If chang sheng tian could give him more time, perhaps he could truly lead the Chahar tribe to revitalization.
Unfortunately, fate did not favor him; the heroic ruler of a generation contracted smallpox.
This was a highly contagious virus with an extremely high mortality rate in this era.
At first, the Great Khan only had headaches, backaches, chills, and shivers.
Then red spots appeared on his forehead, cheeks, wrists, arms, torso, and lower limbs.
Later, he experienced difficulty breathing and confusion.
The Samans and famous doctors, some praying for blessings, others administering medicine, were all powerless to save him.
"Master, the Khatun requests you go to the Khan's tent to pray for the Great Khan," early in the morning, as Shalpa Khutughtu was meditating in his felt tent, an attendant came to invite him on Nangnang Qatun's orders.
The Great Monk gave a bitter smile.
For the past ten-plus days, he had prayed for the Great Khan's blessings and longevity every day, but it had been of no use.
When one's lifespan was ending, how could human power prevail?
But he couldn't not go.
He sighed and headed towards the Khan's tent with his disciple.
On the way, a golden yak mooed softly at him, as if greeting an old friend.
Shalpa Khutughtu looked at the yak, and the yak looked back at him, shimmering with golden light, majestic and imposing.
In an instant, the golden yak lifted its four hooves and disappeared into the wind.
"Alas!" Shalpa Khutughtu let out a long sigh.
"Master, why are you sighing?" the naive disciple asked.
"It's nothing.
An old friend of mine is leaving and was saying goodbye to me!
amitabha, everything in the world is but fleeting clouds!"
Shalpa Khutughtu arrived outside the Khan's tent, sat cross-legged, and began chanting mantras: "Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum."
These were the mantras passed down by Master Lianhua Sheng.
It is said that they can "remove illness, avert disasters, grant longevity, provide abundant food and clothing, extinguish all calamities caused by earth, water, fire, wind, and space, destroy perversion and evil forces, and make all sentient beings, both visible and invisible, respectfully obey."
His disciples all sat cross-legged with him and chanted the mantras, their voices solemn and majestic, filled with benevolent light.
As if the mantras had taken effect, Lindan Khan, who had been lying on the bed in a coma, slowly woke up.
"Great Khan, you're awake?" Shitu Taiji and Gunchuk Taiji, who were attending by his side, were overjoyed.
One was the Great Khan's younger brother, and the other was the Great Khan's brother-in-law.
They were the most trusted on a daily basis.
"How many days has Your Majesty been in a coma?"
"Brother, you have slept for three days," Shitu Taiji replied cautiously.
Lindan Khan opened his eyes wide and said, "Hmm, go summon the important ministers to enter the tent."
"Yes, Great Khan."
Kunga Odeser, Nanchu, Zaisang Qitat Cherbei, Doni Kuluk, and other important ministers entered the great tent.
Lindan Khan's complexion was unusually rosy, and he spoke clearly as he gave his final instructions: "Your Majesty has only one son, Ejei.
You should assist him."
"Your servants respectfully obey the Khan's command," the ministers quickly knelt down to receive the order.
"But Great Khan, Nangnang Qatun is already pregnant.
If she gives birth to a male infant, wouldn't the succession be even more legitimate?" Kunga Odeser said, gritting his teeth.
He was a confidant of Lindan Khan's Empress Nangnang and wanted to fight for his Lord.
After all, if the Empress gave birth to the legitimate eldest son, the bloodline would be even more precious.
"Whether the child in Nangnang's belly is male or female is yet unknown.
Furthermore, Your Majesty's time is running out and I cannot wait.
What?
Do you intend to defy the command?" A cold light flickered in Lindan Khan's eyes.
As soon as he said this, Shitu Taiji and Gunchuk Taiji immediately tightened their grips on their sword hilts.
Kunga Odeser trembled all over, kowtowed to the ground with loud thuds, and said, "Your servant dares not.
Your servant swears to serve Ejei Huntaiji until death."
"Hmm, this is how you show your loyalty to Your Majesty," Lindan Khan took a breath and continued, "Let the Khatun and all the Biji enter the tent in order.
Your Majesty wishes to see them one last time."
According to the tradition of the Golden Family, the Great Khan's Khatuns and Bijis each had their own Ordo.
Nangnang Qatun was the Great Khan's principal wife, with the most followers, and oversaw the Aghe Tumeng Wanhu Ordo.
Siqin Tu Biji oversaw the Gaor Tumeng Wanhu Ordo.
Sutai Biji oversaw the Hana Tumeng Wanhu Ordo.
Badmanao Boqi Biji oversaw the Dou Tumeng Wanhu Ordo.
Wuyunna Biji oversaw the Alake Chote Wanhu Ordo.
Subahai Biji, Erzhe Tu Biji, and Taisina Boqi Biji also each had their Wanhu Ordo.
One by one, the consorts entered the Khan's tent to say their final farewells to the Khan.
Lindan Khan did not have much time left.
He only briefly instructed the other consorts, focusing his conversation on Nangnang Qatun and Sutai Biji.
He said to Nangnang Qatun, "You are already pregnant.
If you give birth to a son, he should rightfully be the ruler of all Mongols.
However, Your Majesty's lifespan is nearing its end, and the Chahar tribe is in turbulent times.
It is necessary to establish the eldest son as the ruler; only then can the state be blessed.
Ejei is already thirteen years old, while your son is not yet born.
Your Majesty has no choice but to do this.
I hope you can understand."
His voice was very gentle, as if pleading.
Nangnang Qatun's eyes turned red, and she wept, "Your servant is willing to assist Ejei and revitalize the Chahar!
The Great Khan's blessings are boundless; he will surely recover."
"That you can think this way, Your Majesty thanks you on behalf of the ancestors," Lindan Khan waved his hand, "Your Majesty does not have much time left.
Summon Sutai and Ejei to enter the tent."
Sutai Biji entered the great tent with her son.
Seeing her husband's emaciated appearance, she sobbed uncontrollably.
Ejei also cried until he was a tearful mess.
"As Mongols, we will return to the embrace of chang sheng tian sooner or later.
Do not cry, and listen to Your Majesty," Lindan Khan coughed violently, his body trembling.
Sutai quickly went over to support her husband.
"Shitu and Gunchuk are loyal to Your Majesty.
Nanchu is your younger brother.
These three can be trusted.
Kunga Odeser is Nangnang's confidant.
Nangnang is noble as a Khatun, her status is esteemed, and she has many followers.
You must both respect her and guard against her.
If she gives birth to a girl in the future, it will be fine.
But if she gives birth to a boy, you must send people to monitor him closely.
If you discover any rebellious intentions from him, you should consult with Shitu, Gun Chu Ke, and Nanchu."
"Yes, Great Khan," Sutai's tears could no longer be controlled and flowed down.
"Ejei, you will be the Great Khan of all Mongols.
You must, you must shoulder your responsibility!"
Lindan Batur used his last ounce of strength to roar these words, then fell limply onto the bed, no longer breathing.
"Father Khan!" Ejei cried heartbrokenly.
"Great Khan!" Outside the great tent, Shitu Taiji, Gunchuk Taiji, Nanchu, Kunga Odeser, Zaisang Qitat Cherbei, and Doni Kuluk all cried until they were tearful messes.
