The Gelug Sect's envoys Qian Ni and translator Na Che arrived at the Ili River. State Preceptor Khan Tülubaishihu saw the eight characters written to him by the Fourth Shigatse: "Annihilate the Red Sect, protect the Yellow Sect," and felt a thousand catties of weight. He immediately ordered all tribes to convene the Churgan Conference in Tarbahatai.
All the prominent figures of the Oirat Mongol arrived: Hanak Tushitu, Oqiertu, Abalai, Kundulun Ubashi, Sereng Khatan Batur, Buyan Hatan Batur from the Khoshut; He Erleke and his six sons from the Torghut; Dalai Taishi, Boyile Deng, Ileden Ubashen, Minzhu, Chu from the Durbet; Sultan from the Huit Tribe; and most notably, from the Dzungar, Taijis such as Duo Heqin, Mergen Daiqing, and Chu Hu'er Wubashi, all wearing mourning clothes.
Upon closer inquiry, it turned out that the Dzungar's "lone hero," Khara Khula Khuntaiji, had returned to the embrace of chang sheng tian.
The highly respected Yellow Sect Master Wensa III was deeply moved. He walked up to Duo Heqin and thanked him, saying, "Your tribe has suffered such misfortune, yet you still insisted on attending the conference. Your determination to sacrifice yourself for the faith is enough to move the Buddha."
"Master, as followers of the Yellow Sect, these are things we ought to do," Duo Heqin's voice was as firm as iron.
Wensa III nodded, "I have received the imperial decree sent by swift horse from Lhasa. The Great Master has already conferred upon you the title 'Batur Khuntaiji'."
Duo Heqin's spirits lifted. Previously, the people in his tribe admired his martial prowess and called him "Batur," but that didn't count. Only the "Batur Khuntaiji" title conferred by Lhasa was the real Batur.
Seeing the envious gazes cast by everyone upon this "Batur Khuntaiji," Wensa III smiled slightly. "This old monk also received imperial decrees this time, conferring the title 'Chechen Khan' upon Oqiertu of the Khoshut, and 'Huntaiji' upon Sultan of the Huit Tribe. When the army protecting the faith reaches Lhasa, the two Great Masters will personally confer the title 'Gushi Danzengqujie' upon the State Preceptor Khan."
With great difficulty imminent, the titles given by the Gelug Sect's high-ranking officials were numerous, grand, and very enticing.
However, it wasn't just the titles that were enticing. Sultan saw a familiar figure beside the Khoshut Taiji Abalai – the former Baibagas Khan's Biji Gaoyun.
Since those days of springtime romance, he had never seen this beauty again.
After two years of not seeing her, the twenty-four-year-old Biji's charm was even more captivating. Her graceful curves made Sultan's gaze fix upon her, unable to leave.
Even though she had once deceived him, personally promising that once she obtained a portion of her deceased husband's inheritance, she would lead her people to the yule duosi grassland to join him.
As a result, she did indeed secure the inheritance, but there was no news whatsoever about surrendering.
Sultan wasn't angry; he felt that the beauty must have had a hidden difficulty, otherwise, she definitely would have come to seek refuge with him.
"Puchi," just as he was thinking about this, Gaoyun suddenly smiled sweetly at him.
This smile, charming and affectionate, instantly dispersed all the clouds in the sky.
"Let us discuss and make a decision together on whether to go to Lhasa to protect the faith," the State Preceptor Khan exclaimed loudly.
"Protect the faith~ Protect the faith~ Protect the faith~"
Thunderous shouts of "Protect the faith" echoed all around.
The great and small Noyans participating in the Churgan Conference decided, "Let us serve the Great Master in Lhasa!
Aren't the Tibetan people (referring to the Tibetan people) subject to the Great Master in Lhasa?
Oirat, do not restrain yourselves, go to the place you most want to go!"
Among all the shouting Noyans, the State Preceptor Khan's voice was the loudest.
As the alliance leader, he saw the expedition to qinghai province and Lhasa as a good opportunity to escape the predicament of the Khoshut, consolidate and improve his political status. He decided to personally lead the troops, but was also worried that acting rashly might not achieve the desired results, so he wanted to go to Lhasa to understand the situation.
However, he was also worried that while he was away from Oirat, the Dzungar would take the opportunity to attack the Khoshut.
Hmm, I must get that Batur Khuntaiji from the Dzungar to go with me. Only then can I be completely at ease.
"Esteemed Taijis, I plan to disguise myself as a pilgrim going to offer incense in Lhasa to understand the situation. Is there anyone who dares to accompany me?" The State Preceptor Khan scanned everyone with sharp eyes.
His makeup skills were excellent; at the age of twenty-five, he had concealed his identity and gone deep among the Khalkha Mongols, resolving the enmity between the Oirat Mongols and the Khalkha Mongols, earning the title "State Preceptor Khan."
There was dead silence.
"Is there anyone who dares to accompany me to Lhasa to offer incense?" he asked again.
Still, there was dead silence.
The Great Khan of Oirat became angry. He looked down upon everyone and scoffed, "It's a shame that you all boast about being great heroes and Batur on a daily basis, yet unexpectedly, at the critical moment, you are so useless!"
After speaking, he stared intently at the Dzungar's Batur Khuntaiji with his tiger-like eyes.
Batur Khuntaiji only felt a raging fire burning in his chest.
Among those present, only he held the title "Batur Khuntaiji." The Great Khan was clearly ridiculing him for being timid as a mouse and unworthy of the "Batur" title.
A Mongol warrior can die in battle, but must never be humiliated.
In a fit of anger, this Huntaiji stepped forward and exclaimed loudly, "I am willing to go with the Great Khan!"
The State Preceptor Khan was overjoyed. With the Dzungar's Huntaiji accompanying him, he no longer had to worry about them causing trouble after he left Oirat.
He laughed heartily, walked forward, and patted Batur Khuntaiji on the shoulder, "I've long heard that the Dzungar produces warriors, and the Huntaiji is the warrior among warriors. Your reputation is indeed well-deserved!"
Everyone was discussing the matter of sending troops to protect the faith, but only Sultan's mind wandered. His gaze was fixed on Gaoyun's graceful figure.
In a daze, it seemed as if he saw the beauty smile at him again.
It was dark, perfect for getting things done!
Sultan decided to sneak into Gaoyun's camp to give his old lover a surprise.
He firmly believed that the beauty must be missing him in her felt tent.
This kind of matter didn't require many people; he only brought his confidant Alatan Cang and a few guards.
Gaoyun's camp was set up by the Ili River. Because Abalai had not been allocated too many followers, the usual guards were not very strict.
Tonight, for some reason, there were especially many guards, and many patrol teams were patrolling outside the camp.
"Stop, what are you doing?" Just as they approached the main tent, they were stopped by a group of people.
The leading general had a fierce appearance, a broad back and a thick waist, and his voice was like a great bell. It was the State Preceptor Khan's Nephew, Bingtu Dalai Wubashi, who served as the Khan's chief bodyguard.
Sultan recognized Bingtu Dalai Wubashi and bowed, saying, "I have old ties with Gaoyun Biji and have come specifically to visit."
"No need for a visit," Bingtu Dalai Wubashi said in a strange tone, "The Great Khan is currently in Gaoyun Biji's tent. It would be inconvenient to disturb his old man's enjoyment. Please go back!"
"Buzz!"
Like a bolt from the blue on a clear day, Sultan felt his head buzzing, and a bright green hat seemed to fall from the sky.
Thinking about it, it was also normal. Firstly, Mongols had the custom of marrying their deceased brother's widow; secondly, Gaoyun had a bad relationship with the State Preceptor Khan's Khatun Kedun Saihanzhu. If she didn't devote herself to the State Preceptor Khan, how could mother and son survive?
Even so, Sultan was still consumed by jealousy. Tulubaishu, oh Tulubaishu, You actually dared to touch my woman.
One day, I will slaughter You!