Chapter 23: Planning
Chapter 23
Zorigt is a 20-year-old Khereit tribe warrior. Just like many others, he followed Wan Khan for glory and riches and joined the Battle at Muu Undur.
Zorigt used to be a squad leader in the army, he believed that after defeating Temuujin, he would have gained enough merits to get allocated livestock and a woman to marry.
But alas, the Battle at Muu Undur is a complete defeat for the Khereit tribe and now, he is one one of the captured prisoners and shares the same fate with 500 of his tribesmen.
At first, Temuujin's guards mocked, beat, and forced him to do tedious works that no one dare to do. Under Khoorchi Minister's command, he was released from a wooden crate. What waited for him was not freedom but to carry three boxes full of materials from Muu undur to Buir lake on his bare foot. Whenever he started to get tired, he would get lashed. He endured the pain, he hoped that one day he would be released. To make the situation worse, Khoorchi's men threw their leftovers and let the prisoners have a competition over the food.
Dozen of his tribesmen has died on their way to Buir lake. When they have finally reached Buir lake, he had anticipation that they may get released. But his hope was crashed when Temuujin's troops were gossiping that Temuujin's planning to send them as a death squad against their own tribe if they decide to do a battle.
By eating the leftover food that was left, he gritted his teeth. Just like many others, he lost many pounds of weight. But the important thing is to survive and get revenge! Some days passed since they have reached Buir lake. A news of the Messenger of Tenger is serving lord Temuujin has passed the camp.
In a ragged tent dozen of prisoners are crowded sitting on the ground, feeling hunger and exhaustion.
"Messenger of Tenger my arse! If he is truly a messenger of Tenger, why is he not saving us?" claimed a skinny prisoner next to Zorigt.
"Khurel, please calm down. If the guards hear you cursing their messenger of Tenger, we may lose our lives" replied Zorigt with a worried countenance.
"Zorigt, I thought you were brave! What are you afraid of? The Borjigin clan? The Temuujin? We will eventually die within a year. Temuujin will kill us either by let us starve or send us on as a death squad, forcing us to kill our brothers!" claimed Khurel the skinny prisoner next to Zorigt.
"Khurel! If you have your hope, one day you will survive and will get your revenge. Till then let's be quiet or else a dead man can not get his revenge!" said Zorigt.
Khurel after hearing Zorigt's statement contemplated for a moment and took a deep breath. 'Yes! A dead man can not take his revenge. Only by surviving I would have a chance to get revenge." Thought Khurel and shut his mouth.
"Prisoners! Line up!" a guard shouted. The frightened prisoners stood up in a hurry and lined up in a hurry.
The prisoners lined in a several rows at the shore of Buir lake and awaited their command. A man with dark short hair and elegant robes has stood in front of the line. Zorigt, due to standing behind couldn't hear what that man said, but soon the prisoners in the first row shouted in unision.
"Work for one year and you are free!"
Zorigt didn't believe his ears. 'Work for one year and we are free? He must be kidding me! Temuujin will never let us go!' thought in his mind.
But the people in the front started to shout louder "Work for one year and you are free!". Zorigt felt a strange emotion in his heart. 'He must be lying!" he thought while clenching his fist.
"Work for one year and you are free!" shouted almost every person in unison. Zorigt turned his head and saw his spark of hope in his tribesmen and co-prisoners' eyes.
When Zorigt saw the dark short haired young man's face, he couldn't help but murmur in his mouth. "Messenger of Tenger"
Since that day, the living condition of the prisoners improved dramatically. Every day the Messenger of Tenger's guard Jegei would come and let them hunt for their meal, he provided warm ger to live, warm clothes to wear and also twice a meal in a day! The work they have to do is do mining but the work schedule is reasonable. 8 hour per day and they even have a free day on every seven days! Truly the messenger of Tenger! Claimed the prisoners and devoted their belief and trust on him.
Unfortunately, this good treatment didn't last for long. The messenger of Tenger was sent to a mission to chase and bring a girl back by the order of Temuujin, and soon the troops in charge of the prisoners changed from Zuchi's guards to Tsagadai's guards.
They discontinued to let the prisoners live in a warm ger and thrown them out to let them stay in a ragged tent during the winter month. Their daily two portions of meat and a free day on every seven days is abolished as well. The only good thing is that the warm clothes which was provided by Jegei is still with the prisoners that let them survive this freezing cold weather.
"Did you hear that the that demon Dorj has cursed Zuchi and he is on the verge of death?" said a guard.
"No, that is an outdated news, that demon actually come back this morning and is locked in a black ger. I heard to lift Zuchi khankhuu's curse, he will be sacrificed to the Tenger tomorrow night!" said another guard.
The conversation of the guards intrigued the interest of the prisoners.
Meanwhile in the spirit world.
"Who are you?" asked Dorj with a surprise. Amidst a snowstorm, there is a pitch black old man standing in front of him.
"You may call me Tiiren, a name which was given to me by shamans." replied the black man with hoarse voice.
"Tiiren? Isn't that a general name for demons?" asked Dorj with a hint of alarm. This may be a dream, but since coming back in time and seeing a real spirit, he couldn't help but believe this may not be a dream and in front of him is a true demon.
"A demon? You guessed correct, I used to be a human when I was alive, if you guess my real name then I will tell you a secret" replied the demon with a mockery?
"A human? Then you must be pretty old. But guessing your name by just your title is a bit difficult. Give me a hint" replied Dorj and held his crystal brear amulet.
"Fair request. So listen carefully. When I shoot an arrow to my dear horse thousands of archers followed me, but a few disobeyed which cared for my horse, therefore I executed them. When I shoot an arrow to my dear wife, thousands of archers followed me, but a few hesitated because it was my.wife, hence I executed them. When I shoot an arrow to my father, all of my troops didn't hesitate and shoot an arrow to my father. Then who am I?" asked the Demon.
Dorj pondered for a moment
'I have heard this story somewhere in the modern era. But I couldn't remember when and who was it about. Since he was a human, he must have been born prior to the 13th century. Who could be this person?' thought Dorj.
"So, what would be your answer. If you cant answer my question, can you tell me a secret of yours?" asked the Demon with a grin.
"Wait a mireute, I am thinking." replied Dorj.
'He must be a general or a king when he was alive. Or else no one would follow him when he shoot. Wait! I remember now. The only person who didn't care his horse and wife but cared only for country was...' flashed a hint of surprise in Dorj's eyes.
"Modun Chanyu?" replied Dorj softly.
The demon's white eyes widened and he replied.
"How did you know? Only Song dynasty has written the script of my history. No Mongolians shall know my story yet! You are not a messenger of Tenger, but a deity of a foreign country!" replied the demon with shock and anger.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone