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Finest Servant Chapter 584
🕑 Added 2023-10-23 11:44:54 +0000 UTCChapter 584 The Great Sheep Snatching Competition
Tursun glanced around suspiciously, then abruptly swung his arm, bellowing, "Search!"
The warriors he led were the finest of the tribe. Though numbering only slightly over a hundred, each was exceptionally skilled. At Tursun's command, the Turkic warriors swiftly unsheathed their gleaming curved blades, fanning out around the camp tents and plunging into the dense undergrowth. Their blades swung in swift arcs, cutting through clusters of grass and dry twigs as they advanced rapidly.
"Could it be her? Is she back?" Tursun murmured to himself, watching the progress of his warriors. His eyes flickered with a mix of bright excitement.
Zhao Kangning's face was both bruised and pale. Yet, as he stood under the same roof as Tursun, he had to bow his head. His only hope for returning to the Great Hua lay with this Turkic chieftain; he dared not offend him. So, he bore the pain of the earlier whip-lashing silently.
Hearing Tursun mumbling to himself, the young prince clenched his teeth and cautiously approached. "Right Prince, what are you looking for?" he asked in a deferential tone.
His actions seemed to fall within Tursun's expectations. The young Turkic chieftain glanced at him and spoke slowly, "I'm searching for a particular scent."
Realizing that Tursun wasn't going to lash out again, Zhao Kangning felt temporarily relieved. Holding his cheek, he asked, "A scent? Right Prince, could you be more specific?"
Tursun chuckled, "It concerns a woman I'm fond of. You wouldn't understand even if I explained."
Zhao Kangning hurriedly replied with a smile, "Ah, I see! A woman worthy of your attention, Right Prince, must be as wise as she is beautiful, radiant like the kapok flowers on the plains. I wish you success in winning her heart!"
The compliment seemed to be effective; a smile broke out on Tursun's face. He patted Zhao Kangning on the shoulder, saying, "Not just that, she is a hundred times stronger than you can imagine. Young prince, I know you're concerned about the battles at the front lines. I was too emotional earlier and acted hastily; please don't take it to heart."
"Of course, of course," replied the young prince, bowing with gratitude. "You were absolutely right to reprimand me earlier. I was reckless and imprudent."
Tursun grunted in acknowledgment. "Tomorrow morning, a hundred thousand elite soldiers will rush to the front lines. At such a time, if I make unusual demands to the National Tutor, people would think I'm a coward. Even when I'm right, it will turn into wrongdoing. I, Tursun, will not do such foolish things. If what you reported earlier is true and Batur is indeed trying to undermine my warriors, I will report this to the Khan at the appropriate time. I trust that he will act justly and punish the villains, restoring the honor to our warriors."
Hearing this, Zhao Kangning was elated. He bowed deeply, saying, "On behalf of my late father and the suffering people of Great Hua, I thank you for your kindness."
"Is there any need for thanks?" Tursun gently lifted him up. "You were also thinking of the Khanate. Even if your words were a bit excessive, no one would blame you if they reached the Khan's ears."
Apart from nodding in gratitude, Zhao Kangning found himself at a loss for words to describe his emotions at that moment.
The two exchanged a few words when the Turkic warrior in charge of the search returned. In his hands, he held bunches of wet flowers and herbs, dripping with droplets of water.
"Your Highness, we found nothing unusual in the bushes. These plants were all retrieved from Uvs Lake; they're common around the lake's edge. It's possible that they were discarded by the herders in our tribe," the warrior reported.
Zhao Kangning had spent enough time among the Turkic people to understand the warrior's words, albeit with some difficulty.
Tursun took the water-soaked plants and lightly sniffed them. After a long pause, he sighed deeply, shook his head, and struggled to contain the joy on his face. ‘Is it her? It's about time she came back!’
"Congratulations, Your Highness!" Zhao Kangning, standing beside him, seized the chance for flattery.
Staring at the tightly bound bouquet, Tursun chuckled and shook his head, his deep blue eyes glowing. ‘Your taste for mischief hasn't changed, even though your status has.’
The young and valiant Turkic Right Prince took a deep breath; his gentle smile was astonishingly captivating.
Zhao Kangning's eyes darted quickly, clearly contemplating what kind of woman could make a prairie hero like Tursun fall head over heels. He looked around and asked, "Your Highness, do you mean the queen is nearby?"
Zhao Kangning was cunning, already referring to her as the queen. Tursun laughed and shook his head, "You misunderstand; she could never be my queen."
"Then why are you so happy?" Zhao Kangning was utterly baffled.
Tursun didn't explain but smiled wistfully, "We grew up together on the prairie. She's the most beautiful, remarkable woman among the Turkic people. Intelligent, peerless, decisive, unique—she's never liked people prying into her affairs. Finding these flowers at Uvs Lake today was an unexpected delight. I suspect she'll return to the court in a few days. After all, the big day is nearing."
Mention of the 'big day' lit up Tursun's face; his eyes filled with anticipation. Zhao Kangning hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, what big day are you referring to?"
Tursun roared with laughter and remained silent. An attendant beside him spoke up, annoyed, "Young Prince Zhao, you've been in our Khanate for so long, and you don't know about our annual sheep snatching contest in the spring?"
"Sheep snatching contest?" Realization dawned on Zhao Kangning. He quickly bowed and said, "I see. I wish Your Highness victory and success. On that day, I will present you with the most exquisite pearls from the Great Hua as a congratulatory gift."
"Excellent, excellent!" Tursun burst into hearty laughter, his eyes filled with delight.
...
"General, should we make our move now?" Having held his breath underwater for quite some time and far away from Tursun's tent, Xu Zhen surfaced, exhaled deeply, and gestured excitedly. His face was filled with a ferocious expression.
The sudden arrival of the Turkic Right Prince, Tursun, was undeniably a big catch. Eliminating him would be like cutting off the Turkic people's right arm. Moreover, there was Zhao Kangning, the traitorous man who sold out his own heritage for glory; he was simply detestable. Capturing both would be hitting two birds with one stone. No wonder Xu Zhen's eyes glinted with excitement.
Lin Wanrong looked across the river and saw the Turkic people and Zhao Kangning in animated conversation. The Right Prince's hundreds of elite guards had already expanded their patrol radius, even stationing a team on the lake itself. Lin Wanrong slowly shook his head, "This Tursun is not like Sheng Dan, who is nothing more than a fool. This man is incredibly cautious. The way he has set up his camp is highly strategic. The campfires are along the lake, but the tents are far from the water, making encirclement impossible. Moreover, with hundreds of elite guards ready to die for him, he could easily escape at the slightest sign of trouble."
Xu Zhen carefully surveyed Tursun's large camp and found that Lin Wanrong was right. The Turkic Right Prince was truly extraordinary. Their tents were properly spaced, implicitly suggesting a defensive stance. The hundreds-strong Turkic guard force was the elite among the elites, each one physically imposing and battle-hardened. Their patrol radius had expanded to cover hundreds of yards in every direction. Any attack from any angle would be immediately noticed. Holding their ground might be challenging, but escaping would be easy for them.
Sighing in resignation, Xu Zhen looked frustrated. Lin Wanrong patted him on the shoulder, saying solemnly, "Little Xu, remember, our target is not just Tursun; it's the entire Turkic Royal Court! Capturing Kyzil would be the most direct and powerful blow to the Turks! As for Tursun and Zhao Kangning, their time will come."
Invigorated, Xu Zhen quickly nodded, "General, you're right. We should focus on the bigger picture, that's what's truly satisfying."
Lin Wanrong patted his shoulder again and burst into hearty laughter. He had already learned from Zhao Kangning and Tursun's conversation that nearly a hundred thousand Turks were gathering around Kyzil and were about to rush to the Helan Mountain frontline. It seemed that Xu Zhiqing was indeed doing everything to divert the enemy's attention to coordinate with Lin Wanrong's actions.
After reaching the shore and tallying their men, Lin Wanrong quickly set off back to camp, where Hu Bugui, Gao Qiu, and Li Wuling had grown impatient waiting for him. Upon his return, they were instantly relieved, "General Lin, what news do you bring?"
Lin Wanrong nodded and recounted what he had seen and heard by the lake. Everyone listened, astounded. Even Zhao Kangning alone was quite a mystery, let alone the influential Turkic Right Prince, Tursun. When General Lin took action, the impact was immediate.
"That traitorous scum!" Gao Qiu cursed, referring to Prince Cheng's son, Zhao Kangning.
Hu Bugui chuckled, "Sowing discord between the Turkic Left and Right Princes and even urging Tursun to overthrow the Khan and seize the throne himself—Young Prince sure has some guts!"
Lin Wanrong sighed, "As for Zhao Kangning, sooner or later, someone will deal with him. What surprises me is the youth of this Tursun; at under thirty years of age, he's already an accomplished Turkic Right Prince!"
Hu Bugui spoke gravely, "Tursun is not someone to be underestimated. He took over his father's position at the age of thirteen, and in less than two decades, he turned his tribe into one of the most powerful in the Turkic Khaganate. Along the way, he waged wars in all directions, defeating the Nine Clans of the Tiele people five times. He is the greatest contributor to the unification of the Turkic grasslands. The man is incredibly ambitious, steadfast in his convictions, and carries an impressive demeanor. Even though he has yet to reach thirty he's already considered on par with the older Batur. I've never personally crossed swords with him, but his reputation as the Right Prince of the Turks precedes him."
‘So, this Tursun has been fighting wars for nearly two decades—that's at least twenty times more experience than I have. How embarrassing.’ Lin Wanrong chuckled, "If Tursun is so strong, then why did the responsibility for attacking Helan Mountain fall on Batur?"
Hu Bugui explained, "That's the advantage of age and experience. Batur’s tribe is the foremost tribe in the Turkic Khaganate; even Lu Dongzan comes from this tribe. How could they let military power fall into others' hands? To attack the Great Hua Empire, the Turks have gathered all their military strength. Imagine how Tursun must feel, having to hand over his most trusted warriors to be commanded by Batur. This internal strife among the Turkic royals is said to have started from the time of Tursun's father."
No wonder Zhao Kangning dared to sow discord so boldly; it turned out there was so much internal politics involved. Tursun was indeed put in an uncomfortable position. Lin Wanrong nodded and suddenly asked, "Brother Hu, have you ever seen the Turkic Khagan?"
Hu Bugui shook his head and sighed, "The Turkic Khagan is far away in Kyzil. We've never even entered the grasslands; how could we possibly see the Turkic Khagan? Not just me—even General Li Tai, who has fought the nomads all his life, has never seen the Khagan. That said, how many Turks have actually seen our own Emperor?"
Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile, "So, it seems we could very well become the first people from the Great Hua Empire to ever see the Turkic Khagan."
The group broke into hearty laughter, each harboring a sense of wonder and anticipation. This wasn't just talk; if they managed to conquer Kyzil, they wouldn't just see the Turkic Khagan—they could even capture him.
Lin Wanrong shook his head and turned serious, "According to what Tursun and Zhao Kangning said, about a hundred thousand troops from the outskirts of Kyzil are going to reinforce the front lines tomorrow. So, how many troops do you think Lu Dongzan will leave to protect the Turkic court?"
Everyone exchanged glances, realizing that this question could probably only be answered by Lu Dongzan himself. Being the most familiar with the habits of the Turks, Hu Bugui pondered before speaking softly, "Kyzil is no ordinary place; it's the heart of the Turkic court and heavily guarded by the nomads. Though it is near the natural defenses of the Altai Mountains and has never been attacked, even the Turks wouldn't be too careless. In my estimation, Lu Dongzan would leave at least ten thousand elite cavalrymen for emergencies. Along with the city defense forces, Kyzil should have over twenty thousand troops."
Hu Bugui's estimates were sound. On the open plains, a mere ten thousand Turkic cavalry was already an irresistible force. Add to that the city's defenses, and the able-bodied men within the city, not to mention the royal guard of the Turkic court, the total number was undoubtedly more than twenty thousand.
Facing twenty thousand Turks with a mere five thousand troops in a siege was insanity—anyone could see that. Even if they were committed to fighting to the death, it would be foolish to throw their lives away so recklessly. Lin Wanrong's brow furrowed in deep thought.
The upcoming battle at Kyzil might very well be their last, but it was also sure to be one for the history books. Regardless of the outcome, the names of these five thousand soldiers would be etched into the annals of history. But as the commander in the field, Lin Wanrong knew it was his duty to secure the greatest possible victory at the lowest possible cost.
The atmosphere grew tense, almost stifling, as everyone fell silent and turned their eyes to Lin Wanrong. At such a critical juncture, each decision he made would determine the fate of those five thousand soldiers.
The room was so quiet it felt suffocating. Lin Wanrong paced a few steps and then stopped abruptly. Looking up, he suddenly asked, "Brother Hu, have you ever heard of the Sheep Snatching Contest?"
"The Sheep Snatching Contest?" Everyone looked puzzled. Hu Bugui quickly nodded, "Yes, yes. It's the most famous event on the plains."
"Oh?" Lin Wanrong's interest was piqued. "So, how exactly does this 'Sheep Snatching' work?"
"Well, the Sheep Snatching Contest on the plains is pretty similar to our Great Hua's martial contests for selecting a spouse," Hu Bugui explained.
"Martial contests for selecting a spouse? I love the sound of that," Gao Qiu exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "How do Sheep Snatching and selecting a spouse relate? Do tell, Old Hu."
Old Hu nodded, smiling. "The customs for finding a spouse among the Turkic people are different from ours. We have arranged marriages, but the Turkic people value natural connections between men and women. They meet, fall in love—it all happens naturally."
"This actually sounds good," Li Wuling interjected, clapping his hands. "It's right up Brother Lin's alley. He's gone through a hundred matchmaking sessions and could easily go through a hundred and one."
Lin Wanrong rolled his eyes, and everyone burst into laughter.
"This freedom to choose who you love is a good thing. But among the various Turkic tribes, there's an imbalance between men and women. Moreover, given the expansive plains, it's not easy for them to meet. So, the original Sheep Snatching Festival, which used to celebrate the harvest, is now held in the spring as a matchmaking event. Unmarried women from various tribes come to watch and choose their future husbands. Whether you're a noble or a commoner, you can participate in this contest. To ensure fairness and avoid persecution later, participants cover their faces with black cloth and wear numbers. The first to reach the finish line with the sheep is declared the champion, and the most prestigious woman present can pick him as her groom."
‘A masked Sheep Snatching contest? Now that's exciting!’ Lin Wanrong chuckled. "Turkic people are quite inventive; this isn't Sheep Snatching, it's more like groom grabbing."
As everyone was laughing, Hu Bugui suddenly looked startled, then excited. "General, are you planning to use this Sheep Snatching Contest to our advantage?"
