The tense situation was defused. Tulubaihu, with his superb political skills, avoided a civil war and successfully took control of the Khoshut's reins. This day was very important to him and to the tribe, marking the official entry of the Khoshut into the era of dual Khans.
As the great task was accomplished, he suddenly felt a pang in his heart, sensing someone was staring at him with hateful eyes. Following the feeling, he looked over and saw the venomous gaze of Saihanzhu. In this woman's heart, the man before her was a devil who had stolen her son's power and people.
How audacious! How dare you glare at this Khan!
Tulubaihu felt angry in his heart. In recent years, his prestige had been outstanding, and few people dared to be disrespectful to him. Under his anger, he narrowed one eye slightly, coldly aiming at Saihanzhu. This look was one he often used when hunting fierce beasts. He enjoyed hunting, and while hunting around Urumqi and Barkol, he had shot and killed many tigers, leopards, bears, and wild boars. Whenever he encountered a fierce beast or an enemy, he would use this look to draw his bow and nock an arrow. His subordinates, whenever they saw him look at someone with one eye narrowed, were always afraid.
Saihanzhu, however, was not afraid. For her son, she was fearless and continued to glare at her second brother-in-law.
Tulubaihu suddenly found it amusing. Second sister-in-law, ah, second sister-in-law, you still haven't understood your situation! Everything you have is because of Second Brother's protection. With Second Brother here, you are the Khatun of the Khoshut and even the entire Oirat; without Second Brother, you are nothing! He suddenly felt it was meaningless; after all, she was just a widow. What kind of big waves could she stir up? As a great Khan, he should be magnanimous and not bother with a widow.
Having thought this through, he no longer narrowed his eye at Saihanzhu. Instead, he smiled warmly at her, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth. This was the confidence of the strong; there was no need to bare fangs and claws towards the weak. Politeness was actually a form of disdain towards the weak.
This smile made Saihanzhu feel very helpless. This man made her feel powerless, as if facing a mountain that could not be shaken no matter how hard she tried.
After electing two great Khans, a feast was naturally held to celebrate. The Khoshut were immersed in a festive atmosphere. The Noyans, big and small, drank until they were staggering and returned to their camps one after another. Only Hanak Tushitu refused to leave.
Tulubaihu deeply respected this elder brother who had made great contributions to his claim for power. He quickly invited him into the main tent and respectfully asked, "Brother, you are not willing to return to the camp. Is there something you want to tell your younger brother?"
"Fourth Brother handled today's matter very appropriately! But it was also very inappropriate! I'm afraid our Khoshut people are going to have internal strife again!" The old man sighed leisurely, mentioning the words "internal strife" and wiping away tears with the back of his hand.
"Brother, what are you talking about?" Tulubaihu was startled. "Didn't today's matter already reach a satisfactory resolution? Where does internal strife come from?"
"Oh, Fourth Brother, you are confused! Since ancient times, there has been no second sun in the sky and no second ruler in a country. How can a tribe have two great Khans? Although you suppressed your great Nephew today, he indeed could not contend with you. However, chicks will grow into eagles sooner or later. When your great Nephew's wings are full, I worry that the civil war between you two, uncle and Nephew, will be inevitable!"
"Hiss ~"
Tulubaihu took a deep breath, remembering the look in Saihanzhu's eyes towards him, and suddenly felt a chill. Finally, he came back to his senses and smiled at Hanak Tushitu, saying, "Brother is unwilling to return to the camp, so you must have a brilliant plan. Please enlighten your younger brother!"
Hanak Tushitu also smiled. Among his brothers, the second was brave and skilled in battle, shaking the four directions, but he was lustful, greedy for drink, and fond of wealth. The fourth, however, was different. Not only was he courageous in battle, but he was also wise, intelligent, and generous, stronger than the second! With the Khoshut in his hands, it will surely rise again!
"Fourth Brother, our Mongols have a custom of a younger brother marrying his elder brother's widow. Now that Saihanzhu has lost her husband and is alone and helpless, why don't you marry her? This way, the two families become one. You will not only be Oqiertu's uncle but also his stepfather. A son opposing his father is unfilial, so he will no longer have any reason to oppose you. The hidden danger of civil war in our Khoshut will also be eliminated, and we will be able to sleep soundly from now on!"
"You want me to marry Second Sister-in-law?"
Tulubaihu secretly praised after hearing this. Ginger is still spicier when it's old! He had only thought about weakening the power of his second sister-in-law and great Nephew, but he had overlooked the future hidden danger. This method of his elder brother's is good; directly marry the second sister-in-law into the family. From then on, they will be one family, and the Khoshut will be as stable as a mountain!
Although she was called his second sister-in-law, Saihanzhu was actually fifteen years younger than him, just thirty-three this year. She had fair skin and a plump figure. Although she didn't have the shyness of a young girl, she had the charm of a mature woman.
Thinking of the look his second sister-in-law had given him just now, Tulubaihu's heart couldn't help but stir. Then he suddenly remembered something and said hesitantly, "Your idea is good. But I already have a Biji in my home. She is the younger sister of Torghut Huntaiji and Oerleke. Second Sister-in-law is of noble status. She can't possibly be a concubine, right?"
In those years, in order to promote peaceful coexistence among the various Oirat tribes and unite against external threats, the tribes intermarried. The elder sister of Torghut Huntaiji and Oerleke married the Dörbet Great Taiji Dalai Taishi, their younger sister married the Khoshut's Tulubaihu, and their daughter married Batur, the son of Dzungar Huntaiji Khara Khula.
Saihanzhu was the Khatun of the former Khan, of noble status. Naturally, she would have to be the main wife if she married in. However, the original main wife was the younger sister of Oerleke. He dared not divorce her; divorcing her would offend the powerful Torghut. He was truly in a dilemma!
"Hahahaha! Fourth Brother, you are truly smart for a lifetime, but confused for a moment!" Hanak Tushitu laughed heartily, grinning widely. After a long while, he said, "Since a tribe can have two great Khans, why can't the harem have two Khatuns?"
"Wonderful!"
Tulubaihu suddenly realized. Having an old person at home is like having a treasure! His elder brother had considered everything thoroughly! That's right, let them both be Khatuns, without distinction of rank, and everything will be resolved!
He cupped his hands and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Brother, for your guidance. Please persuade Second Sister-in-law on my behalf."
Although Mongols had the custom of a younger brother marrying his elder brother's widow, a widow with children had autonomy. If you wanted to marry her, she had to agree.
"Fourth Brother, rest assured, I will go and persuade my sister-in-law now!" Hanak Tushitu laughed heartily.
Crash! Inside the Khatun's large tent, various utensils like ayaga (cups), tabak (plates), kukur (pots), and haisu (cauldrons) were smashed all over the floor. The beautiful widow Saihanzhu was very angry.
At today's meeting, she had lost, and lost badly! On the surface, her son Oqiertu had also been called Khan, but he was only a nominal vice-Khan with no power at all. That hateful man had even taken away her son's two thousand-household subjects and pastureland and given them to Abalai, the son of her mortal enemy Gaoyun. It was utterly despicable! With nowhere to vent her anger, she began smashing pots, bowls, and dishes.
"Khatun, Hanak Tushitu Taiji requests an audience." While she was raging, an uninvited guest arrived.
"What is this old fellow doing here?"
As soon as she thought of this first uncle, Saihanzhu became furious. If it weren't for him taking the lead in flattering the fourth brother, how would things have developed this way?
"Oh, First Uncle, why aren't you currying favor with the Guoshi Khan? Why have you come here? We, orphans and widows, are not convenient for outsiders to see." The word "outsiders" clearly showed Saihanzhu's resentment towards this first uncle.
It seems my sister-in-law is truly angry with me! A great man can bend and stretch. One should not stoop to the level of a widow!
Hanak Tushitu Taiji pretended not to hear the veiled threats in her words. Tears welled up instantly, and he said in a sorrowful tone, "Sister-in-law, you have misunderstood me. Everything I do is for the good of our Khoshut!"
"Since you are doing it for the good of the Khoshut, why are you still coming to me?" Saihanzhu glared at him.
"I have come to save your great Nephew's life. Sister-in-law is a heroine. Can't you see that the danger of death is close at hand?"
This sentence stunned the widow. She involuntarily asked, "What danger of death?"
There's an opening! I was afraid you wouldn't respond. It's easy to handle if you do!
Hanak Tushitu Taiji asked slowly in a heavy tone, "Sister-in-law, what kind of person do you think Fourth Brother is?"
"Hmph! Fourth Brother looks righteous and benevolent, but in reality, he is a hypocrite with a cruel heart and ruthless methods!"
"Exactly! Since Sister-in-law knows that Fourth Brother is cruel and ruthless, you should know that the danger of death is close at hand! Since ancient times, there has been no second sun in the sky and no second ruler in a country. How could Fourth Brother, being a powerful ruler, be willing to let his great Nephew be called Khan alongside him? The so-called dual Khans of one tribe is merely a temporary measure. Once he has firmly established his position as Khan, your great Nephew will be in danger!"
As soon as Hanak Tushitu said this, Saihanzhu felt a sudden shock and fear. Although she was fiery, she was a dignified Oirat Khatun who had experienced countless bloody storms. Naturally, she knew that her first uncle was speaking the truth. Political struggle was incomparably cruel; where was there any talk of kinship?
"Then what about letting Abalai give up the title of Khan?" The widow came up with an idea.
"The status has been set. How can it be withdrawn just because you want to?" Hanak Tushitu's tone was heavy. "Sister-in-law, you weigh it yourself. Do you have the strength to contend with Fourth Brother?"
Saihanzhu smiled bitterly. If she had the strength to be an enemy of Tulubaihu, why would she be smashing bowls and plates?
After a moment, she finally understood. She knelt down in front of Hanak Tushitu with a thud, saying, "Please, First Uncle, save the lives of my son and me!"
"Oh, Sister-in-law, don't do this. I have come today precisely to save your son and you," Hanak Tushitu's tone paused, and he said slowly, "The most crucial point in this matter is that Fourth Brother and Sister-in-law are two separate families, naturally guarding against each other. Our Mongols have the custom of a younger brother marrying his elder brother's widow. Why don't you marry Fourth Brother? This way, the two families merge into one. Fourth Brother will become your great Nephew's stepfather and will naturally protect him in every way. Your son and you will naturally be as stable as a mountain."
"Two families merge into one?"
It was only at this point that Saihanzhu finally understood her first uncle's intention. It turned out that the fourth brother had designs on her. Remarrying so soon after her husband's death naturally felt awkward, but if she didn't, she and her son would be thorns in her second brother-in-law's side, and their lives would be in danger sooner or later!
The deceased are gone, but the living must find a way to survive. After all, she was a Khatun who had seen big occasions. After a moment of hesitation, she made her choice: "I will leave everything to First Uncle's discretion."
"Good, ah ~ Good, ah ~ This way, our Khoshut will be peaceful!" Hanak Tushitu was overjoyed.
A storm turned into a spring breeze filling the hall.
As the saying goes:
Swords drawn and bows bent, mortal enemies,
Now all transformed into tender softness.
Talented man and beautiful woman, a perfect match,
Why fight a battle that grieves spirits and gods.
