Chapter 14: The Evergreen Mountain

All the events were over in Ordu-Baliq. Even Umm Rayan and her son Amir had departed back to the western Khaganate, and so did the Queen Mother with the baby. The Great Khan, Chulun, and the Grand Sage set out on their journey to the Evergreen Mountain.

The carriage was ridden by the Great Khan, while the Queen Mother, her grandson Chulun with the baby, and the Grand Sage were inside. It looked more like a son riding his old parents and children back to their hometown.

They rode beyond the city, the markets, and the villages, then to the far end where majestic and beautiful grass lay on vast plains—nothing like the eye had seen before. There stood a huge lonely mountain, its peak kissed by clouds and snowy.

At its slope stood three yurts on the right, and to the left stood the largest horse farm in the whole Khaganate. That was the Evergreen Mountain; others called it the Evergreen Grasslands because of its unique climate. Throughout the year, it remained green—the most perfect place for horse rearing and herding in the entire grasslands.

The atmosphere here was misty, giving a mystical, historical feel, and indeed this was where history was written—and still being written.

When the carriage reached nearby, Batu stopped it and climbed down excitedly, calling out, "Anu! Anu!"

The Grand Sage asked the Queen Mother, "Your Majesty, have we arrived?"

She smiled and said, "Definitely not that near. It's Batu just meeting an old friend."

The Grand Sage wondered who the Great Khan would love to meet with such joy—until he heard the strong sound of a horse, which made him curious. He opened the carriage window, and to his surprise, it was a horse named Anu—the old friend Batu was calling.

A majestic black Tibetan horse, its dark coat gleaming, strong and muscular, reflecting the power and endurance of the steppes, was running toward Batu. Batu was running toward it like a close friend who hadn't seen each other for a long time—only six days.

These two friends' love and longing for each other were clearly visible, like looking into a mirror. It was heart-melting, but the scenery behind them was breathtaking. It compelled the Grand Sage to say, "Wow, my eyes have finally seen the sight of nature."

Noticing how wide his eyes were open, the Queen Mother asked, "Sage Liu, would you mind riding our carriage? It seems Batu just quit his job, and besides, it would lighten your eyes."

The Grand Sage replied, "It's my pleasure." Then he got out and rode the carriage while his eyes lingered—he couldn't get enough of the scenery.

At that time, they reached the center of the yurts. The heavy curtains were drawn aside, and an elderly female attendant stepped out, holding a small, swaddled bundle.

She bowed and said, "Welcome back, my princess, Batu and Pema."

She was a bit confused by the old man. Batu told her, "He is Sage Liu. He will be the little princess's master."

She bowed again and took the baby from the Queen Mother's hands.

Amala said, "Pema, be careful. It's been ages since we last handled kids since these old men…" She brushed Batu's head and then Chulun's, then continued, "have grown."

Pema replied, "Yes, Your Highness," and then took the baby inside.

The Queen Mother humbly led Sage Liu to another yurt like a host showing a guest where to sleep.

She said, "Sage Liu, follow me."

As they entered the Great Khan's yurt, it looked more like a scholar's retreat than a king's. It smelled of ink and books—not perfumes and silk. Very simple, furnished with only the bare essentials: two small beds, a plain writing desk, and a bookshelf.

The Grand Sage looked at the yurt and wondered how the Great Khan could rule an empire yet sleep on a mattress humbler than a shepherd's. That is why the heavens loved him.

The Queen Mother apologized and said, "We are a very simple family and cherish a simple lifestyle. This is the yurt of my Batu. I hope you do not find it uncomfortable sharing it." Then she smiled—a smile that said, This is home. Feel at ease, and she went out.

The Grand Sage looked at the humble bedroom and whispered, "Your humility makes me shy."

The Great Khan then entered, smiled at Sage Liu, and got some old clothes. "Mother, mend this for me while I go check on the farm."

He climbed onto Anu and rode off toward the farm.

It was already dark. The family sat outside around the fire, eating dinner. Sage Liu asked out of concern, "When will the Great Khan be back?"

His mother replied, "He must still be checking on the horses. Don't mind him; he will come back."

Not long after, he came riding his horse. The moment he landed, he said in a complaining voice, "Mother, I hope you mended my clothes. These fine silks look just expensive for no good reason—they're so itchy."

His mother laughed and mocked him, "Batu, didn't I tell you to stop wearing what you don't love and what's not comfortable?"

He said, "Come on, Mother, it's just for the ceremonial, but now I'm home." He went inside and changed.

When he got out, Sage Liu looked at him as if he couldn't recognize him.

Chulun asked, "Doesn't clothes make the man?"

Batu replied mockingly, "Indeed—but at what expense?" as if indirectly lecturing someone.

Then Pema said, "Batu, are you referring to Chulun or yourself?"

He said, "Aunt, seriously."

Sage Liu looked at this little family and remained silent.

After that long ride, he returned hungry and weary. The Queen Mother tasted his soup before serving it, then added a pinch of salt.

"Even emperors need their mothers," she said with a wink. "Who else will remember how much salt you like?"

He smiled and said in a funny and loving voice, "Amala Yara, daughter of my grandfather, how on earth will I pay for the services of the best mother?"

Chulun interrupted, "Father, your now too old granny is mine alone."

Pema replied, "My princess, look at this spoilt brat," and they jiggled playfully.

All along, Sage Liu sat quietly, yet he enjoyed what was happening—this small home and everyone laughing just like they were common people, not members of the royal family. The more he looked at their smiles, the more he wanted to become closer to these people.

Then Chulun remembered something and said, "Father, I need to tell you something."

Batu, who was eating, answered, "Yes, go ahead."

Chulun said, "Old man Oku has been sneaking into our lands early in the morning to graze his animals."

Batu stopped eating and said, "Are you meaning Oku, father's subordinate?"

Amala jumped in, "Indeed, there's no one named Oku in these grasslands except your father's coworker."

Batu took his last bites and then said his goodnight and went to sleep.

Pema, shocked, asked, "Is that all, Batu?"

Batu replied, "Aunt, stop nagging. I will deal with that ruckus tomorrow."

Amala, in disbelief, laughed, "Deal with that? You're so slippery, like a snail."

Batu, too sleepy, replied, "Whatever, Mom."

The Grand Sage asked in concern, "Is he going to sleep?"

Chulun answered, "Yes, Father sleeps early so he can wake up in the middle of the night."

Amala added, "Batu has been waking up early to write the Sutra as merits for my father."

Sage Liu seemed surprised.

Amala added, "He's a good boy, isn't he?"

Sage asked, "But he didn't bathe."

Pema added, "Batu loves to sleep unwashed and bathe after breakfast."

Amala replied, "He's such a baby," then she and Chulun went to their yurt, and so did everyone.

Entering the yurt, Batu slept like a pig. Then Sage Liu climbed onto the empty bed and slept with a big smile—maybe because he saw a lot of beautiful things or discovered things other people may not have known.