"E Qi Ge, you are in the prime of your life, why do you want to pass the position of Great Taiji to your child?" Sultan suddenly had a bad premonition and cried with a sobbing voice.
"Foolish child, people must die eventually. This time I was poisoned, I heard the call of chang sheng tian, and I estimate I won't last much longer. While I'm still alive, after you succeed to the position of Great Taiji, I can still help you stabilize the situation," Nomudalai said, breathing heavily.
"No, E Qi Ge, you will surely live a long life!" Sultan's heart was filled with sorrow, and he wept bitterly.
"Foolish child, live a hundred years? Wouldn't your father become an old immortal?" Nomudalai smiled, "Alright, wipe away your tears. We Mongol warriors shed blood, not tears. Go and summon the civil and military officials, and the Noyan from all regions."
When Noyan Ubashen, Buyanbu'erhan, Eluolike, Namu Zhan, Aledaer, Erke, and other Noyan; Batu and Tan, Tiemuer, Nasutu, Ba'er Si, Tuoli, Xi Rimo, Dash, E'erdun, Mandulatu, and other civil and military ministers appeared in the great tent, Nomudalai was already in full military attire, looking radiant.
"I wish to quiet my heart and comprehend the Dharma, no longer wishing to be disturbed by worldly affairs. From today onwards, I will pass the position of Great Taiji to my son, Sultan. Are you willing to pledge allegiance to my son?" he asked sternly.
Those who knew the inside story remained silent, while those who did not understand the situation whispered among themselves.
"Brother, the horse whip of our Huit Tribe is in your hands, how can you abandon us to cultivate Buddhism?" Noyan Ubashen shouted.
"Yes, Brother, Sultan Nephew is still young, how can he bear such a heavy responsibility? You should pass on the throne in a few more years," Buyanbu'erhan also disagreed.
With the two of them taking the lead, Namu Zhan, Eluolike, and other Noyan also voiced their opposition.
"Enough!"
Nomudalai's body trembled like a tiger, and he let out a roar: "My decision is made, are you willing to pledge allegiance to my son?" After speaking, he stared coldly at the crowd. Outside the tent, there was a faint metallic glint, clearly indicating that an ambush had been laid.
"We pledge our lives to the Great Taiji Sultan," Batu and Tan, Tiemuer, Nasutu, Ba'er Si, and other civil and military officials swore allegiance one after another.
Namu Zhan, Eluolike, Aledaer, Erke, and other Taiji hesitated for a moment, then also expressed their allegiance.
Noyan Ubashen and Buyanbu'erhan looked at each other and could only follow suit.
Seeing that his son's succession was settled, Nomudalai finally felt relieved and ordered the Noyan and ministers from other regions to return to their posts. After everyone dispersed, he could no longer hold on, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and fell into a deep sleep.
"Second Brother, this matter is strange. Why did Brother pass the throne to his eldest Nephew for no reason?" On the way back, Buyanbu'erhan said to Noyan Ubashen.
"Haha, it is indeed strange. I have already clarified this matter with the Great Shaman. According to Daren Tai, Brother was injured and poisoned during the southern expedition, falling critically ill. When he returned to the city, he also fell from his horse, which is why he passed the throne to his son," Noyan Ubashen sneered.
Buyanbu'erhan was puzzled, "Brother's health is failing? Then why did you pledge allegiance to that young child just now?"
"Hmph, didn't you see the ambush hidden outside the tent? If we didn't pretend to pledge allegiance to that young child, how could we still be alive?" Noyan Ubashen said in a deep voice.
"Then what are your plans for the future, Second Brother?"
"As long as Brother is still alive, we cannot act rashly; but if Brother is gone, this Huit Tribe will be ours for the taking." After speaking, Noyan Ubashen let out a long whistle, whipped his horse, and galloped towards his Otok.
Nothing in this world is immortal; even the most powerful Niu will have the day they return to the yellow earth.
Another year passed, and the former Great Taiji of the Huit Tribe, Nomudalai, finally reached the end of his life. He had fought battles on the battlefield for the tribe, overdrawing his body. Now, he wanted to rest.
Batu and Tan, Tiemuer, Nasutu, Ba'er Si, and other important officials took turns entering the great tent to bid their final farewells to the leader.
After entrusting the Prince, the old father summoned his two sons, Sultan and Sumuer. Forcing a smile, after giving instructions to his sons, he waved them out of the tent, not wanting to show his weakest side to his children. He hoped that in his children's hearts, he would forever be the Hero who could swallow thousands of miles like a Tiger, not a sick man waiting to die in bed.
In his final moments, he wanted to spend time with his Biji Subude. This was his woman, his lifelong lover. In front of her, there was no need to pretend to be strong.
"Subude, I am leaving, chang sheng tian is calling me," Nomudalai's breath was faint.
"Great Taiji, I want to accompany you," Subude was heartbroken, her tears like pearls with broken threads.
"No, the children are still young, you must take good care of them for me," Nomudalai gathered his last strength and gave a sad smile, "Do you know? You look ugly when you cry, you look better when you smile~"
After saying this, the generation's Hero breathed his last. Dust to dust, earth to earth, great men and commoners are all dust!
"Great Taiji~ Wu~ Great Taiji~"
Subude could no longer control her emotions and burst into tears.
"Wu~ Wu~ Wu~"
Sultan and the civil and military officials waiting outside the tent choked with sobs and shed tears.
On this day, a thirteen-year-old boy lost his father and truly took charge of the horse whip of the Huit Tribe.
"Great Taiji, everything is ready, shall the funeral begin?" The old minister Batu and Tan asked Sultan sadly.
"Let's begin," Sultan said with tears in his eyes.
The warhorse that Nomudalai rode during his lifetime pulled the cart, transporting the body of this Great Taiji to the wilderness. When the horse stopped, the people built a wooden house at the stopping place, surrounded it with three layers of fences, and then killed the warhorse to sacrifice to this great Hero.
His body was washed clean with pure water, wrapped in white cloth, placed in a coffin, and rested under the eaves on the west side of the main house. Offerings were placed in front of the spirit, and Buddhist lamps and incense were lit. The Masters began chanting scriptures, and the personal guards dug a hole with antelope horns. After Sultan kept vigil for his father for three days, the auspicious time for the funeral procession arrived. The important ministers carried the coffin to the hole and ignited the firewood for cremation.
"E Qi Ge," the sorrowful call moved everyone who heard it.
The Great Shaman of the Huit Tribe, Daren Tai, recited the eulogy:
Returned to the embrace of chang sheng tian,
The Great Taiji of the Huit Tribe.
Gathering loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness in one person,
Regarding fame and fortune,
Unassuming.
The pride of the Oirat,
Nomudalai.
The bravery in battle,
The loyalty of character,
The foresight of strategy,
The fierceness of blood,
The warrior who shook the world,
Named Nomudalai the Hero.
Born with the mission of chang sheng tian,
Leaving behind an eternal heroic name.
"E Qi Ge~" Sultan prostrated himself on the ground and wept bitterly again.
"Great Taiji~" Batu and Tan, Tiemuer, Nasutu, Ba'er Si, Tuoli, Xi Rimo, and others all shed tears.
The Great Shaman Daren Tai also had tears streaming down his face. At this moment, his sorrow was certainly no less than that of others.
Finally, the funeral was over. Daren Tai returned to his felt tent. Ignoring the need for rest, he picked up his pen and began writing a secret letter. He summoned his trusted servant and instructed carefully: "Go north and deliver this letter to Noyan Ubashen Taiji."
