The longer a tree grows, the more branches it has, and the same is true for tribes. The long-standing Torghut, after many years of reproduction, has given birth to numerous branches.
Back then, the two brothers, Beguo Oerleke and Wengui, controlled the tribe, with Beguo Oerleke as the chief. As Beguo Oerleke's eldest grandson, the He Erleke branch was the main lineage, residing in the upper reaches of the Erqisi River. Mergen Temuna's Ulus, the grandson of Wengui, was very close to He Erleke, and the two of them were considered the main trunk of the tribe.
In addition, there were Taiji such as Baolan Aga Lehu and Mang Hai, sons of Beguo Oerleke, and Buzhu and Baoyin Wudun, sons of Wengui, in Qinghai Province; and Taiji such as Ejine Taishi, grandson of Beguo Oerleke, in Ili. As expected of Wang Han's descendants, they are a large tree with deep roots!
The envoys sent to Qinghai Province and Ili have returned and reported bad news to Kho Orluk Huntaiji.
Baolan Aga Lehu and Mang Hai in Qinghai Province have always been attached to Baibagas Khan of the Khoshut. Ejine Taishi's grazing land is even near Baibagas Khan's grazing land.
They are used to following the instructions of the Khoshut and dare not migrate without the Great Khan's permission.
“Alas!”
A deep sense of powerlessness came over He Erleke. Because he was not on good terms with Mergen Temuna, he did not have much hope for the Noyans of his granduncle Wengui's lineage. He only notified the Noyans of his grandfather Beguo Oerleke's lineage.
Baolan Aga Lehu and Mang Hai were his paternal uncles; Ejine Taishi was his paternal cousin, the kind of relative who is connected even if bones are broken.
Unexpectedly, none of them were willing to go with him! Alas, it is hard to leave one's homeland!
“E Qi Ge, are we still going?” Shukuer Daiqing looked at his father, a little unsure.
“Let's go, to the paradise given to us Torghut by chang sheng tian!” He Erleke said firmly.
Mongols live by water and grass, moving from one place to another, and in constant migration, they complete their lives.
In 1628 AD, He Erleke led 50,000 tents of Torghut people and some Dörbet and Khoshut herders on the long journey westward to the Volga River. This was a difficult journey, lasting two full years.
On the west bank of Zhaisan Lake, in Talachi, Tarhun Taishi, the seventh son of Dalai Taishi, grazed here.
He inherited his father's bravery but not his father's wisdom. Like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, this sixteen-year-old youth had a fearless heart and dared to provoke any strong enemy.
On this day, his great tent was filled with fine food and drink. He had invited his first uncle, Erkeyiledeng.
This first uncle had a high reputation in the Durbet. When his grandfather, Tergeltu Great Taiji, passed away, as the eldest son of the main lineage, the position of Durbet chief should have been inherited by his first uncle.
However, his first uncle felt that his father, Dalai Taishi, was more capable and more suitable to be the chief of a tribe, and stubbornly gave the position of chief to his father.
Because of this reason, his father respected his first uncle greatly, and the herders on the grassland also said that his first uncle was an honest person who did not covet fame and fortune.
His first uncle's Otok was not far from his, and they visited each other frequently. Since he came again today, they naturally had to have a good drink!
The horsehead fiddle was played, cups were exchanged, and the great tent was filled with the rich aroma of wine.
“Taiji, the Torghut have invaded our grazing land, and their warhorses and cattle and sheep are almost finished eating the green grass on our pasture,” a subordinate reported while they were drinking lively.
“What!”
Tarhun Taishi was furious and was about to draw his sword.
“My virtuous nephew, wait,” Erkeyiledeng advised Tarhun Taishi and asked, “How many people have they come?”
“They are everywhere, countless, and they are driving large carts, bringing women, children, cattle, sheep, and camels.”
The older the person, the more experienced they are. Erkeyiledeng was immediately startled and said to Tarhun Taishi, “Are the Torghut perhaps migrating? My virtuous nephew, do not be angry yet, and come with me to take a look.”
The two gathered their men to investigate, but they were blocked by a troop of soldiers. Gunbu Yiledeng, the second son of He Erleke, led his army to block them.
He was a famous warrior of the Torghut and was ordered by his father to serve as the outer guard.
Looking at the Durbet cavalry, Gunbu Yiledeng sneered. He had long wanted to deal with the Durbet, or rather, join the camp against Baibagas Khan.
On the one hand, he was a man who hated evil like poison and was extremely disgusted by Baibagas's encroachment on his cousin Qing Taiji's inheritance; on the other hand, he was close to his uncle Mergen Temuna.
After Mergen Temuna joined Nuoerwei Zheng Chukur's side, he also wanted to help his uncle. Unexpectedly, his father refused, and not only refused but also fell out with his uncle.
He did not dare to disobey his father, but he was very hostile to the Durbet who supported Baibagas Khan.
“Shoot!” Gunbu Yiledeng ordered.
“Swish~ Swish~ Swish~”
A shower of arrows shot towards the Durbet. Fortunately, the distance was still far, and the vanguard of the Durbet army was wearing armor and carrying round shields, so there were no casualties, only a few horses were hit by arrows.
Tarhun Taishi was furious and was about to rush forward and fight for his life.
Erkeyiledeng quickly held him back and pleaded bitterly, “My virtuous nephew, the Torghut have come out in full force. We have brought few people, and we will suffer if we fight. Perhaps it is a misunderstanding. Let me inquire about their intentions.”
After saying that, he stepped forward and shouted, “I am Erkeyiledeng of the Durbet. Please ask your leader to come forward and speak.”
A general in a black robe rode forward on his horse. He wore a black robe, black armor, and had dark skin, like a fierce god from hell. “I am Gunbu Yiledeng of the Torghut. May I ask what instructions you have?”
It's good to have someone to talk to! Erkeyiledeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said gently, “Our two tribes have never had any enmity. Why has your tribe invaded our Durbet grazing land? If you are just passing through, please water your warhorses and feed your livestock, then hurry on your way!”
The words were polite and gave the Torghut a way out. If they were good-tempered, they would feed their livestock and leave, and nothing would happen.
However, Gunbu Yiledeng had a fiery temper and had long disliked the Durbet who supported Baibagas Khan. He sneered, “This grassland is a gift from chang sheng tian to the Mongols. Why can you Durbet feed your warhorses, but we Torghut cannot feed our cattle and sheep?”
This was just twisting words. Each tribe had its own pasture. To graze on someone else's pasture and be so self-righteous, Gunbu Yiledeng was thick-skinned enough!
Erkeyiledeng was extremely angry, “Even He Erleke is polite when he sees me. How can you be so rude?”
“Humph!”
Gunbu Yiledeng sneered, took down his longbow, and shot an arrow, knocking off his helmet.
Erkeyiledeng was startled and hastily returned to his formation.
“Ha~ Ha~ Ha~”
Laughter erupted from the Torghut army formation.
“You dog thief are rude!”
Tarhun Taishi could no longer suppress his anger and led his army to attack the Torghut.
This was exactly what Gunbu Yiledeng wanted. He had long wanted to cause trouble to provoke his father into sending troops to help his uncle Mergen Temuna. Without another word, he led his army to meet the enemy.
The two armies fought in a chaotic battle. After all, the Torghut were more numerous and powerful. Erkeyiledeng and Tarhun Taishi were no match and were defeated.
“Kneel!”
Hearing about this unexpected battle, He Erleke was very angry. He only wanted to safely reach the paradise in his heart: Eijile River (Volga River). But this rebellious son, he actually provoked the Durbet for no reason!
He immediately ordered him to kneel.
“E Qi Ge, brother was momentarily confused. It is useless for you to punish him. Let's quickly lead the clansmen on our way,” said the eldest son Shukuer Daiqing, urging his father with deep brotherly affection.
“Humph! The enmity has been formed. Do you think the Durbet will let it go?” He Erleke said in a deep voice, and suddenly pulled his big beard fiercely.
“Since we've started, let's finish it. Issue the order immediately to attack the Durbet's pasture in Talachi, seize people and livestock, and take them to the Eijile River!”