Two

My good son, you still took action... I expelled Xuda Khan for you, because I thought your heart was broader than his, that you could accommodate your brothers and uncles, even though they are your enemies. " He gasped, as if speaking softly to himself, "But you still took action, my good son... What else do you want to obtain from your father?

When I was very young, he rode a horse, placed me in front of the saddle, and took me to Nanyang Gorge to see the sea. In winter, there were many snapper there

After a brief silence, the old man's hand tightened again. Huma felt a wave of heartache and confusion; she still remembered the first night when the side consort shared a bed with the grand prince. The grand prince was drunk, behaving as unruly as a bull, while the fifteen-year-old girl cried out in the tent as if she were going mad, stirring the hearts of those who listened. Over the course of more than twenty years, the hand that had once been forcefully grasped naturally tightened again, as if it were meant to be intertwined from the very beginning.

"Do not let me down... do not let me... down..." The lord chuckled softly, "My son, you burst into your father's tent, treating the one who is like your mother with rudeness, threatening your loyal general with a knife, you have not let me down"

Father is already advanced in age, and as the weather warms up, he should go south for recuperation. The affairs of the Northern Capital can be managed by the son on behalf of the father. Xuda Khan has been expelled, and Asule is far away. The son wishes for the father to personally write a document, bestowing the Leopard Tail and the Nine-Tailed Great Banner to the son. "Bimogan said softly, "The rebels who have been following the uncles in rebellion have already been taken outside, and the nobles and generals have also been summoned by the son. The father should make a public announcement, and for the remaining matters, the son will handle them, ensuring that the father will not be disappointed.

What? The lord turned his head with great effort

I dreamt that my father was holding my hand, teaching me how to shoot arrows. His hands were large enough to envelop my entire hand, embracing me in his arms, helping me draw back a seventy-pound bow, and assisting me in shooting a deer.

Huma took a bottle of liquor from the charcoal basin, bent down with difficulty, and placed it beside Bahang: "The strong liquor from Gurin, brought for the general to drink"

Huma suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly reached her hand into the Grand Duke's robe. The Grand Duke's chest was so hot it felt scalding to the touch

After a brief silence, the entire snowy field erupted with excitement. People shouted in reverence, burying their faces in the snow, calling out the name of Bimogan, beating the accumulated snow, and a cloud of fine snowflakes rose high into the air. Bimogan stood bewildered in the center of the crowd, shaking hands vigorously, feeling the warmth of the leopard's tail in his palm, something he had longed for many years, always wanting to know what it felt like to hold it. But now he felt that all of this was merely a dream. Bimogan stood bewildered in the center of the crowd, shaking hands vigorously, feeling the warmth of the leopard's tail in his palm, something he had longed for many years, always wanting to know what it felt like to hold it. But now he felt that all of this was merely a dream

Bimo Gan took a step forward, then retreated: "Is Father blaming me?"

Do not worry, Bi Mogan held her arm, let the doctor take a look first

"I will talk with you," said the side attendant seriously, "Asule will also accompany you."

You are here... The lord sighed softly, "I just had a dream, I dreamed of my father"

His hand suddenly fell, as he had lost the support of his father. The old man leaned sideways against his shoulder, slowly sliding down. Bimo Gan hurriedly turned around to embrace him, hearing his low voice: "My foolish son, I have done everything I could for you..."

She wanted to rush out, but was held by Hu Ma around the waist. She struggled to break free, desperately reaching out her hand towards that figure, as if trying to grasp him and keep him from leaving

Is it Huma? A man's low voice came from inside

Then, he took one last look at the eyes clouded with white, unable to discern his father's gaze—whether it was mockery, a sigh, or perhaps affection. That white haze dimmed, as if a light had been extinguished

The old man stood up, took a deep breath, and shouted: "Let them go! Let them go! Otherwise, I will kill your master!"

Huma was startled by him: "It is I, go fetch some iced milk for the Lord, the Lord is feeling hot."

Huma grabbed the rope and shook the copper bell in front of the white tent

Huma remained silent; she had also served King Chinggis Khan. However, the Chinggis Khan in her memory was not such a gentle person. He might have killed his childhood companion in a fit of rage, exiled his most beloved mother, and there were even claims that he had whipped his own daughter to death. She had always believed that the great lord actually harbored a deep hatred for his father

The great lord did not answer him, but instead stared directly at Bimogan: "My son, my foolish son! You do not understand the rules of this grassland at all! You think that by being ruthless and striking first, you can become the great lord of the grassland? Then why don't you kill everyone? That way, no one can contest your power! Do you know that those wolves and tigers outside are eyeing your Northern Capital? They will rush in, rip open your chest, and take out your heart, placing it alongside the heads of your uncles! You think you are prepared for everything, gathering everyone here to witness your glory, good! Let me show you!"

Huma believed that the Great Lord was about to die. A few days ago, the shaman dismantled Xuanyuan's bones to pray to the Pan Tatar God, claiming that after winter, the Great Lord's illness would improve. However, Huma did not believe this. In the Qingyang tribe, the only one who could comprehend the will of the gods was Dahe Sa. Dahe Sa had visited the Great Lord several times, and on one occasion, he told Huma that the heart of the gods cannot be swayed, and there is no need to pray for divine blessings, as no one has ever heard of an immortal hero. Yet, Huma remained unconvinced. In the Qingyang tribe, the only one who could comprehend the will of the gods was Dahe Sa. Dahe Sa had visited the Great Lord several times, and on one occasion, he told Huma that the heart of the gods cannot be swayed, and there is no need to pray for divine blessings, as no one has ever heard of an immortal hero.

He turned around and commanded Bahang: "Release those people, let them carry their heads and come with me!"

Countless braziers were lit on the snow, illuminating the surroundings brightly, with shadows overlapping, and it was unclear how many people were gathered around the tent. Upon witnessing this scene, they all knelt down in terror, including Bahang. Only the old man stood proudly in the center of the crowd, one hand pulling his son and the other holding a heavy sword, raising his head to look at the sky

Huma lifted the curtain and slipped inside, hearing the sound of grinding knives. The white tent of the side Yanshi was divided into two layers, with the outer layer serving as accommodation for the night-watch female slaves. At this moment, only a man clad in iron armor sat cross-legged on the ground, holding a whetstone to sharpen a fierce heavy sword in his hand. This was Bahang Mosuer, a renowned general of Qingyang, who, along with his brother Bahu Mosuer, commanded over ten thousand cavalry. Bahang had personally been on night watch here for nearly half a month. The last time the brothers visited the Great Lord together, when they exited the tent, General Bahu had a grim expression and urged General Bahang to stay behind to protect the Great Lord. Bahang had not left since then, eating and sleeping in the white tent, only rushing out to relieve himself when he could no longer hold it. Huma did not understand much about men's affairs, but she could sense something amiss; recently, rumors had spread in the city that the Crown Prince and several Great Khans were drawing bows and nocking arrows in the golden tent, each refusing to yield to the other, creating a chaotic situation. More unfamiliar faces had appeared around this white tent, peering around with furtive expressions. Whenever these individuals were spotted by Bahang, he would brandish his sword and approach to interrogate them, gradually causing them to refrain from coming near the white tent.

"Is it you, Bimogan, my son?" The great lord continued to gaze directly at the top of the tent

He has always been like that, viewing others as puppets in his hands. At that time, he enjoyed taking me to climb the city walls of the northern capital, pointing at the people coming and going below, saying, "In the future, you will tend to my flock..."

Bi Mogan's heart suddenly skipped a beat

"I see clearly now... what a ridiculous face it is," the old man said softly

"It's hot!" Huma was taken aback and hurriedly ran outside while lifting her skirt

The curtain was drawn back, and Bi Mogan glanced around, nodding to Ba Hang and Hu Ma respectively. Several attendants followed him in, each holding a lacquered medicine box. Hu Ma also breathed a sigh of relief; the Great Prince was getting married, which was different from the past. He was now steady in his actions, sitting in the golden tent during the day to handle state affairs for the Great Lord, and often bringing medicine and doctors from the Eastern Land to visit in the evening. In previous years, the princes had fought fiercely among themselves, but later the Great Lord became angry, pointed out the faults of the Third and Fourth Princes, and expelled them to the southern pastures to graze. Hu Ma also felt relieved; the Great Prince was getting married, which was different from the past. He was now steady in his actions, sitting in the golden tent during the day to handle state affairs for the Great Lord, and often bringing medicine and doctors from the Eastern Land to visit in the evening. In previous years, the princes had fought fiercely among themselves, but later the Great Lord became angry, pointed out the faults of the Third and Fourth Princes, and expelled them to the southern pastures to graze. The Second Prince liked wine and women, and had a frivolous character; even when he came to visit his father, it was just a hurried glance. Only the Great Prince Bi Mogan was attentive, always inquiring in detail about the Great Lord's recent condition. The female officials regarded Bi Mogan as the future Great Lord, with no other candidates left. In the Northern Capital, there were only two princes remaining, and the Second Prince Tie You was also wholeheartedly supporting Bi Mogan. The Great Lord could not possibly pass the throne to the child who had been sent to the Eastern Land as a hostage.

Bimo Gan waved his hand, signaling him not to say more, and pulled him into the inner tent.

When Bimogan lifted the curtain to enter the inner tent, Bahang glanced towards the tent flap with a somewhat alert expression: "Your Highness, outside..."

There is something to deal with, you handle it. I am tired

He breathed heavily and took a deep breath again: "Better than Bimo Gan! The troublemakers! Those who go against their ancestors! They are not from Qingyang! There is no land on the grassland to bury them!"

"Lemo, it's really hot..." the lord murmured, his head gradually tilting to one side, as if he were about to fall asleep

Silence reigned like that of crows and sparrows.

"The white tent's side was occupied by the lady of the tent," Bi Mogan pressed his hand to his chest, first greeting the woman, and then slowly walked to the bedside, "Father."

"Lemo, are you there?" the lord asked softly, even though he was holding the woman's hand.

Three uncles summoned the warriors and slaves, intending to rebel against my father. By the time I received the news, it was too late to discuss it with my father, so I immediately led my troops into my uncles' stronghold. My uncles gathered the household servants to resist, and as a son, I had no choice but to order their immediate execution. If the son has acted beyond his authority, I ask for my father's forgiveness, but all of this is for the future of Qingyang. If my father wishes to blame me, I am willing to accept it. " Bi Mogan slowly raised his head. If the son has acted beyond his authority, I ask for my father's forgiveness, but all of this is for the future of Qingyang. If my father wishes to blame me, I am willing to accept it. " Bi Mogan slowly raised his head.

Bimo Gan felt as if his ears had been deafened by a shock. He looked up at his father in terror, only to be unceremoniously pulled up to stand straight.

The old man tore off the leopard tail from his wrist and stuffed it into the palm of Bimogan, raising his wrist high: "My son Bimogan, you are my most beloved son! My body can no longer endure; I shall pass my position to him. From now on, he shall be your master! The lord of the Kurige Conference! The new sovereign of the Northern Capital!"

The noble lord held the hand of the woman by the bed. The woman smiled, softly humming an unknown tune, one of her hands grasped by the noble lord, while the other embraced her beloved doll, occasionally tugging at the fine braid by her cheek. Since the side consort gave birth, she has been mad for over a decade, yet she shows no signs of aging, resembling the fifteen-year-old girl who once wore a dragon's blood flower on her head.

Bimogan no longer struggled. Despair was all that remained in his heart; he knew he was going to die. As long as his father stood, he possessed the entire Northern Capital, a city that his father had defended with his life. Even Bimogan's companions dared not draw their swords in front of the sovereign at such a moment. At this time, Bimogan's mind was filled with the shadow of that woman, and the sound of the bells in her hair ringing "ding ding" echoed in his ears. Suddenly, he felt regret; he thought he had understood, like Luo Ziyan, that he needed to seize power at all costs. Yet now, all he wanted was to go to the grasslands and graze sheep with that woman.

Bimo Gan glanced at his companions behind him and said, "Two of them know a bit about herbs; let me go in first to see my father"

Huma crouched down to add coal to the brazier

His voice became hazy and distant: "Father, the fate of the Pasul family truly repeats from generation to generation..."

"Guo Le Er ... ... Guo Le Er ... ... Guo Le Er ... ..." Le Mo dazedly repeated the name of the great lord, and suddenly she threw down the doll in her arms, crying out loudly, "Guo Le Er!"

After a long time, the sovereign turned around and lay flat, as if all the bones had been drawn out of him

The old man took a breath of cold air, pointed at the heads behind him, and shouted deafeningly: "These people, you all know them! They are my brothers! They are dead now, my son Bimogan killed them..."

These words were spoken over twenty years ago by a fifteen-year-old girl named Lemo, who came from the northern region, with a large dragon's blood flower tucked in her hair. Later, she became the side consort of the Bai Zhang of the Qingyang tribe. She and her sister were married to the Great Lord together. When they disembarked, her sister was filled with fear and anxiety, while the younger sister, like a small wildcat harboring hostility, fixed her gaze on the Great Lord, her small face tense. The Great Lord merely smiled and instructed Huma to assist her in settling into the white tent. As the girl was led into the tent by Huma, she coldly turned back and said these words, to which the Great Lord responded only with silence. She and her sister were married to the Great Lord together. When they disembarked, her sister was filled with fear and anxiety, while the younger sister, like a small wildcat harboring hostility, fixed her gaze on the Great Lord, her small face tense. The Great Lord merely smiled and instructed Huma to assist her in settling into the white tent. As the girl was led into the tent by Huma, she coldly turned back and said these words, to which the Great Lord responded only with silence.

The Great Prince ... ... '' Ba Hang let out a sigh of relief

What are you still dawdling for? Celebrate now! Celebrate your... new sovereign!" The old man roared.

The lord suddenly sat up! No one could believe that this bedridden man had suddenly regained the strength of a lion. With one hand, he fiercely grabbed the collar of Bimogan, and with the other, he drew the heavy sword that had accompanied him throughout his life, placing it against his son's neck. He turned his head and scanned the surroundings, his gaze sharp as a knife, causing everyone to feel an urge to kneel. Bimogan still wanted to struggle, but he found himself completely unable to move; in his father's grip, he was like a bird with its neck caught. He turned his head and scanned the surroundings, his gaze sharp as a knife, causing everyone to feel an urge to kneel. Bimogan still wanted to struggle, but he found himself completely unable to move; in his father's grip, he was like a bird with its neck caught.

It is I. Today there are several matters that are extremely urgent. My father is ill, and I should not have come to disturb you; however, if a timely decision is not made, I fear it may lead to calamity for Qingyang. Thus, I have come here in the dead of night.

Can father take a glance? A glance is all that is needed

"Great Prince!" Ba Hang shouted angrily

"The prince has arrived just in time, the lord has a fever, I must quickly fetch some chilled goat's milk," said Huma.

Bahang had not lifted the alert; he completely ignored Huma and instead fixed his gaze intently on the tent flap. The thick old sheepskin flap was shaken by the wind, slapping against the wooden frame with a loud sound.

The Golden Tent Palace is precisely such a place, a domain for men. Women, even if they are the Great Consort or the Side Consort, are merely tools for carrying coal basins, serving horse milk, and giving birth.

Bimo Gan was momentarily taken aback; he felt a sudden twitch in the large area of his chest, followed by a sharp pain. That kind of pain felt as if something had ruptured from within.

It is I, a calm voice came from outside, "Bring the medicine to father."

What good would it do to blame you? Take the leopard's tail, it's right on my wrist, you can pick it yourself, isn't this what you've always wanted?

Inside the box are not medicinal herbs, but human heads. Huma can clearly recognize the faces of the three great khans: Taigor, Suha, and Geler. Their eyes are wide open in disbelief, as if they cannot accept the reality before them until their last breath

I am here, I am here, I am holding Asule, eating the pine nut candy from Husuhei, listening to you tell me stories. " The side lady smiled, "Asule is very well-behaved, not crying at all.

Bahang, you and your brother have always prevented me from doing this, but it is too late now. Bimogan lowered his head slightly and sighed gently, saying, "It has already become a foregone conclusion"

"Who is it?" Half-awake and half-dreaming, Bahang suddenly knelt up, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife, like a poised leopard.

Has the doctor arrived

The old man widened his eyes, staring intently at the three heads as if locking eyes with them. His lips trembled violently, yet he could not utter a word; something welled up in his grayish eyes, indistinguishable as either terror or sorrow. The side concubine, dragged away from the bedside, cried out in a whimper, urging to strike the attendant's hand. Bimo Gan looked at his father, remaining silent.

"Huma," the sovereign said from behind, "take Lemo to rest; she is quite tired as well"

Huma went up to support the side queen, his gaze falling on the hands she and the great lord were holding. The great lord loosened his grip, but just two fingers remained intertwined with the side queen's fingers. The side queen stood up following Huma, yet she did not let go of his hand, turning back to look at the great lord like a child.

The attendants did not dare to confront his authority, and one by one, they dropped their swords and knelt down together. Taking advantage of the moment, Bahang drew his sword, kicked a few attendants together, and pointed his blade at the back of their necks: "Your Majesty, what shall we do now?"

His voice echoed in the snow, yet no one responded, and people could not comprehend everything before them

The son of King Qindahan, Lu Song · Guo Le'er · Pasuer, died in the harsh winter of the fourth year of Emperor Cheng's reign. Amidst the cheers of millions, he leaned on his son's shoulder, and his body gradually grew cold

Bimogan turned back to look at his companions, and Banzhalie nodded vigorously at him, while the other companions followed suit. Bimogan recalled the story that Luoziyan had told him, about how Emperor Fengyan burst into the chamber of his father, Emperor Ren. Emperor Ren silently handed him the will that had long been inscribed with the name "Bai Qingyu." Luoziyan was right; power in this world does not belong to anyone, yet everyone desires it, depending solely on who is willing to fight for it with all their might. He no longer hesitated, striding forward to sit at the edge of the bed, leaning forward to grasp his father's hand. As he crossed over his father, he inadvertently caught sight of the old man's eyes. Those eyes were also looking at him.

It is I who adds charcoal to the brazier

Is that so? the old man said softly, "Lemo, are you tired?"

The evaluation of this monarch, who ruled the grasslands for over thirty years, is not particularly outstanding in later generations. After inheriting the vast Han Prefecture from his unparalleled heroic father, Guo Le'er also achieved remarkable military accomplishments, defeating the greatest enemy of the Qingyang tribe, the Shuo Bei tribe, with a disadvantaged force, and forming a marriage alliance with the wolf lord of the Shuo Bei tribe, Meng Le Huo'er · Wo Er Han, thus maintaining the status of the Qingyang tribe as the rulers of the grasslands. However, he failed to expand the territory for the barbarian people and did not truly enable the impoverished herders to live prosperous and peaceful lives. In his old age, he became senile, executing the Great Khan of the Lanma tribe, Dade Li, who had supported him the most, and leading the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to completely annihilate the weak Zhenyan tribe, leaving tens of thousands of corpses in the Iron Line River at sunset. Most controversially, he actually bowed to the untrustworthy Eastern Land people, forming an alliance with a vassal state of the Eastern Land as a barbarian lord, and sent his youngest son to the land of tigers and wolves as a hostage. In summary, his name does not shine under the illustrious reputation of his father, and there are no stories of him in the herders' songs of the fierce-maned lute. People do not express disdain for him, yet they do not reminisce about him either.

"Come here," he said softly after a moment of silence, "let me see you"

She scooped the ash into the basin and stood up to go outside

Years later, Duke Asule Pasur of Qingyang Zhao stood on the mountain peak, leaning on his sword, gazing at his father's grave. He proclaimed to everyone on the grassland that his father was a king like a mighty eagle, who deeply loved this land.

Bahang silently nodded, expressing his gratitude, and continued to sharpen his knife. Huma lifted the curtain of the inner tent and saw the elderly man lying on the bed. The man was wrapped in a deep red soft silk robe woven in Donglu, with an open collar revealing his still strong and broad chest. He was covered with mink fur, lying quietly on his back. His eyes were open, but there was no life in them; the white cloudiness that had once been sharp now appeared diffused, making his pupils look gray and dim. Since the day the sovereign fell from his horse, he had been like this. Huma knew that he could still see, but he could not perceive anything on his left or right, only able to gaze straight ahead, albeit in a blurred manner. He kept his eyes open, yet there was no vitality within them; the white cloudiness that had once been sharp now appeared diffused, making his pupils look gray and dim. Since the day the sovereign fell from his horse, he had been like this. Huma knew that he could still see, but he could not perceive anything on his left or right, only able to gaze straight ahead, albeit in a blurred manner. Since then, he had completely aged, requiring assistance for eating and drinking.

He dragged Bimogan, who was in the prime of his life, out of the tent, making him feel as weightless as a paper figure in his hands. Bahang followed closely behind, pressing Bimogan's companions. As the curtain was lifted, the biting cold wind and swirling snow rushed in, striking against his bare chest like a heavy hammer. His robe billowed, and his disheveled hair flew wildly, resembling an angry lion. Huma stared blankly at that figure, feeling as if he were in a dream. His robe billowed, and his disheveled hair flew wildly, resembling an angry lion. Huma stared blankly at that figure, feeling as if he were in a dream

The attendants holding the medicine box removed the lid, and blood began to drip down. Huma let out a cry and stumbled backward. Bahang was about to explode in anger, but several quick-witted attendants rushed forward and pressed a knife against his neck, forcing him to retreat until he was pressed against the wall of the tent. Another attendant stepped forward, grabbed the collar of the side consort, and dragged her away from the sovereign's bedside.

Come in

Huma threw pieces of charcoal into the fire pit, and sparks flew out chaotically, flashing and extinguishing in the air

Huma's heart stirred slightly: "Your Highness, the side consort has rested in the afternoon and is not in a hurry to sleep. Let us talk for a while longer; the new charcoal has been added, and this tent is warm."

Tears fell on Huma's hands, causing her heart to tremble. For over a decade, the side princess had always smiled, never shedding a single tear. Today, she cried, sobbing uncontrollably, like a little girl who had lost her most cherished toy

Yes, my lord

The wind tugged at the white banner in front of the tent, making a rustling sound. Huma, hunched over, draped in a heavy sheepskin coat, walked past the banner pole holding a basin of new charcoal. She looked up at the large banner flapping vigorously in the wind, her dry eyes were blown by the wind, and tears involuntarily streamed down her face. She quickly wiped them away, fearing that the cold wind would freeze them on her face. This was her fortieth year serving as a lady-in-waiting in the Golden Tent Palace, and she thought she might be nearing death. She had no husband and had never given birth to a child; if she died, she would be thrown in the snow, and when spring came, a pile of grass would be burned over her, and that would be the end of it. This was her fortieth year serving as a lady-in-waiting in the Golden Tent Palace, and she thought she might be nearing death. She had no husband and had never given birth to a child; if she died, she would be thrown in the snow, and when spring came, a pile of grass would be burned over her, and that would be the end of it.