There weren't many of these cavalrymen, only about two thousand, but they were exceptionally fierce.
The general leading them had a bitter gourd-like face, thin eyebrows, and a listless appearance, as if he were the reincarnation of a hanged ghost.
Looking spiritless, he suddenly let out a great roar that shook the heavens, "Who dares to bully my nephew-in-law?"
The thunderous momentum startled Omobudai Qing and Sonam Tsering.
They looked around and their hearts sank.
How could it be this malevolent god?
"Second Brother, why have you come?" Omobudai Qing put on a smiling face.
"Brother has seen Second Brother," Sonam Tsering also bowed respectfully.
The person who arrived was none other than Chu, the second son of the Dörbet Great Taiji Dalai Taishi.
This Prince Chu, despite his seemingly lack of spirit, was a notorious fierce man in the tribe, with exceptional martial arts and a cruel penchant for killing.
His great saber had slaughtered countless heroes.
Among the eight brothers, Prince Chu only got along well with his Brother Minzhu, often engaging in acts of revenge and killing together.
It was precisely because these two eldest sons acted too rashly that Dalai Taishi did not favor them much, and instead cultivated his fourth son Omobudai Qing, giving the two eldest sons fewer tribesmen and cattle.
This, in turn, made the two brothers cling to each other even more tightly, warming themselves in each other's embrace.
When Sultan came to marry, Dalai Taishi ordered that they should not only form a marriage alliance with the Huit Tribe but also exert pressure on them so that the Dörbet could occupy a dominant position in the future alliance.
Hearing that his old father had ordered his fourth and eighth brothers to lead twenty thousand troops to display their military might, Minzhu was dismissive.
They were all one family, why have so many schemes?
The father-in-law doted on his son-in-law, and he dared not disobey his own father, so he secretly asked his Brother Chu to come and support him, lest his son-in-law suffer a loss.
"Hmph, Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, do you not know that our niece Ulji Bayar is married to this young man?"
"Counting it up, you are all his elders, bullying the young with the old, how is that heroic?"
Chu's voice returned to normal, lazy, still in the manner of the hanged ghost from before, constantly glancing sideways at the two with a pair of phoenix eyes.
Their hearts turned cold.
Every time Second Brother glanced sideways with his eyes, it was a prelude to killing.
Although they were close brothers, they were still afraid.
Omobudai Qing said with a forced smile, "Second Brother, we heard that someone was driving away the people by the Chu Hu Spring, and we thought villains had arrived.
Unexpectedly, it was our nephew-in-law, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."
"Yes, Second Brother, as the Han say, this is a great flood washing away the Dragon King Temple, family members not recognizing their own family members," Sonam Tsering also let out a laugh.
"Hmph," Chu sneered, then suddenly roared, "Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, why haven't you quickly withdrawn your troops and returned to camp?"
His voice turned loud again, startling a flock of gulls and egrets.
The two felt as if they had received a great pardon and withdrew their troops back to camp.
Prince Chu changed to a smiling face, rode up to Sultan's horse, and laughed heartily, "My good nephew-in-law, come with me quickly, your father-in-law and young wife are waiting anxiously.
Hahaha!"
After speaking, without further ado, he led Sultan towards the grazing grounds of Prince Minzhu in Tarbahatai.
The Tarbahatai area was the economic center of the Dörbet, and even the entire Oirat.
The grasslands were fertile, and commerce was prosperous.
Dalai Taishi's eldest son Minzhu, second son Chu, and fifth son Gumu Bu all grazed here.
The wedding procession approached Prince Minzhu's encampment in a magnificent manner, when suddenly a thousand cavalrymen galloped up.
The young general leading them was fifteen or sixteen years old, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and an honest appearance.
Upon seeing Sultan, he happily saluted from his horse, "You must be my brother-in-law, you are indeed a talented person!
I am Eberboduiulanghai, Ulji Bayar's brother.
Come quickly into the camp, E Qi Ge was afraid something might go wrong and ordered me to come and meet you."
Sultan was secretly moved.
When his old father was alive, he often said that this father-in-law of his was a righteous person, valued family affection the most, and was a man of strong emotions.
As expected!
It seemed his old mother was right, marriage alliances could indeed increase the strength of the Huit Tribe.
There was nothing wrong with marrying a few noble ladies from other tribes, after all, they were all one family!
Upon arriving at his father-in-law's large tent, he respectfully led his best man Alatan Cang and the Blessings Tiemuer, dressed in festive attire, and rode his horse around the large tent once, presenting a "Door-touching sheep" (a sheep for knocking on the door) and other gifts to the bride's family.
Then, Sultan and Alatan Cang, holding Hada and fine wine, entered the large tent and offered wine to his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and elders one by one, performing the kneeling and bowing ceremony.
"My worthy son-in-law, dispense with the formalities!"
Prince Minzhu laughed happily.
The father-in-law looked at his son-in-law and was more and more satisfied.
He ordered a feast to be prepared.
The banquet was very rich, with lamb five-forks displayed.
There were many rules for seeking names and asking about the year of birth, and not a single one could be missed.
"Where are you from?"
"Who are you?"
"On this bright and sunny morning, gathered in groups, adorned in red and green, for what reason have you come here?"
The bride's Blessings began to sing praises and ask questions.
This did not trouble Tiemuer at all.
He was an old minister from Nomudalai's time, well-informed.
He opened his mouth and sang in reply, "It is because of a beautiful marriage that we have come to marry."
"Since that is the case, what kind of gifts have you brought?"
"We have brought gold and silver treasures, silk and satin, cattle, horses, camels, and sheep."
The atmosphere of the banquet reached its climax in the exchange of praises.
"Worthy son-in-law, Ulji Bayar is the apple of my eye, you must not bully her," the old father-in-law earnestly exhorted.
"Yes, brother-in-law, if you dare to be unkind to my sister, don't blame me for turning against you," Eberboduiulanghai also said.
As a time-traveler who had experienced the ways of the world, Sultan naturally agreed readily, saying a lot of sweet words.
This meal was very harmonious, but there was still one hurdle to overcome.
He still needed to meet his grandfather-in-law, the legendary figure of the Dörbet, Dalai Taishi.
The Mongols moved according to water and grass, and their grazing grounds were managed and migrated.
At this time, his grandfather-in-law's royal tent was in Udok Menduk, not far from Tarbahatai.
The expected difficulties did not occur.
After listening to his fourth and eighth sons report the failure of their attempt to exert pressure, Dalai Taishi sighed deeply.
Since he could not use force, he would use affection.
The magnanimity and strategy of a hero were far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Not only did he not make things difficult, but he also ordered his people to welcome his grandson-in-law with the grandest ceremony.
"Grandson-in-law pays respects to grandfather-in-law," Sultan respectfully performed a grand bow.
He dared not show the slightest neglect towards this legendary hero who was the first to lead his people across the Altai Mountains and migrate west to the banks of the Erqisi River.
His head knocked loudly against the ground.
"You are my grandson-in-law Sultan?
Good!
Full of heroic spirit, truly the demeanor of your father back then!"
Dalai Taishi got up and stepped forward, personally helping him up, and sighed, "Mongolia has produced heroes for generations, the future world belongs to you young people!"
"Grandfather-in-law is not old at all, grandson-in-law still hopes that you will lead us to revitalize the Oirat," Sultan said respectfully.
What seemed like a casual remark was actually a political statement, indicating his recognition of Dalai Taishi's leadership position in the Dörbet-Huit alliance.
"Hmm," Dalai Taishi smiled, seemingly understanding, and seemingly not understanding.
Soon, the aroma of wine and meat filled the Dörbet royal tent.
This meal was even more lavish than the one at Prince Minzhu's place.
