Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

Nerchinsk, an ancient land located west of the Argun River and east of Lake Baikal, was considered the far north by people from the Central Plains. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Huo Qubing led Han troops deep into the Xiongnu territory to drink from the "Han Sea." Some historians believe that the "Han Sea" refers to Lake Baikal. During the Ming Dynasty, the main inhabitants of this land were the Maoming'an Mongols. With the invasion of Tsarist Russia, this place became their Nerchinsk. They built Nerchinsk Fortress at the confluence of the Shilka River (a tributary of the Amur River) and the Nercha River (Nerchinsk River), which served as both a supply station and a commercial center connecting Transbaikal and the Amur River.

Along the banks of the Ambagirbich River east of Nerchinsk Fortress, clusters of tsuozi (wooden houses inhabited by the Evenki people) are built in family units, surrounding a few central tsuozi. The largest tsuozi belongs to Ghentmur, chieftain of the Baiyir clan of the Evenki (Solonbe and Shima tribes) and a duke bestowed by the Tsar.

Gentemur's followers belonged to the Solonbe tribe, the "Kamunikan," originally residing in the Chita River basin east of Lake Baikal. Due to Russian incursions, they migrated south to the Nenjiang River basin and submitted to the Qing Dynasty. Gentemur himself was granted a fourth-rank official position. However, the Qing Dynasty was always meddling in the internal affairs of the Evenki people. Unable to tolerate his daughter-in-law, who came from a Manchu noble family, usurping his power, Gentemur, along with other Evenki leaders such as Maokaodaihan, the chief of the Korteir clan, Guden, the chief of the Tokongwoer clan, Zagda, the chief of the old Namiyar clan, and Uriheng, the chief of the new Namiyar clan, defected to Tsarist Russia.

When Russian officials inquired about Gentemur's official position, this cunning old man boasted that he was a relative of the Qing emperor and had received a reward of nine poods (4,200 taels) of silver and four ingots of gold. Hearing that a Qing "prince" had come to join him, the great Tsar was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict granting him the title of duke. After being made duke, Gentemur became completely devoted to Russia. He not only converted to Orthodox Christianity but also rallied his followers to form a mercenary army to aid the Russian invasion. His army became one of the important forces in the defense of Nerchinsk.

On this day, the Duke was leisurely reclining in his sumptuous room, enjoying a massage from his concubine, when his son, Katane, burst in. "Father, Governor Vlasov requests your presence at the governor's mansion for a meeting."

“Hmm,” Gentemur waved his hand, signaling the concubine to leave. After the beauty swayed her voluptuous body and slowly walked away, he asked his son with a smile, “Tell me, what does the governor want with me?” He was getting older and intended to groom his son to become the next chief of the Evenki people.

"I heard that the Guards have already breached Albazin. They probably came to you to discuss how to resist the Guards," Katana replied.

Gentemur nodded in satisfaction; his son had a clear understanding of the situation. He continued, "So, what do you think we should do?"

“We are weak, so we should play both sides between Russia and the US, and align ourselves with whoever is stronger,” Katana said after thinking it over carefully.

Gentemur nodded slightly, then shook his head slightly. "Hmm, that makes sense on the surface, but do you think we can get the title of duke if we surrender to Wei?"

“This…” Katana’s face turned red, and he stammered, “Wei Kingdom has always had a tradition of not being able to be ennobled without military merit. We have not made great contributions to Wei Kingdom, and I am afraid that we will not be able to keep our dukedom after surrendering.”

“That’s it. People strive for higher positions, water flows downhill. Surrender is for the sake of gaining more benefits. If surrendering would only lower one’s rank, then why surrender?” Gentemur chuckled, then slowly pointed out, “Since ancient times, once you’ve done something, you’ve gone all the way. Being fickle will only bring disaster to the tribe. Besides, given the methods of Governor Vlasov, do you really think he would allow us to remain neutral?”

"Are you saying that the warlord's meeting with you today was a trap?" Katana was shocked and moved.

“If I’m not mistaken, the warlord has come to me not only to ask for troops to help in the battle, but also to request that I send some hostages into the city,” Gentemur sighed. Katana was shocked. “If that’s the case, Father might as well pretend to be ill and send someone else.”

"Nonsense!" Ghentmur, who had just been all smiles, suddenly flew into a rage, his tall, burly body trembling with fury. "If you do this, disaster will befall you!"

Seeing that his son did not understand, he sighed and patiently explained, "We are now in the Russian-occupied area. We are under their roof and have no choice but to bow our heads. Do you really think the governor is here to discuss something with me? He is just testing my loyalty. If I pretend to be sick and don't go, he will definitely think I am disloyal, and disaster will befall us! So, no matter what he asks for, we must agree to it without hesitation."

When Gentemur entered Vlasov's study, the warlord immediately stood up with a beaming smile, warmly invited him to sit down, and ordered someone to serve him Chinese tea.

Gentemur was busy being polite and careful in his response. He didn't know why, but although the new governor treated him with more courtesy and respect than the old one, he always felt a sense of dread about the man before him, a hidden ferocity lurking in his bones. This feeling wasn't unfamiliar; he had this feeling every time he encountered a wild beast while hunting.

“Your Excellency the Duke, after the capture of Albazin, the Guards show signs of continuing their offensive against Nerchinsk. I would like to hear your thoughts,” after a few pleasantries, Vlasov stepped forward, his eyes sharp as he carefully observed the other’s reaction.

"I have received great favors from His Majesty the Tsar, and I should be loyal to him! If the guards dare to come, I will gather my troops and fight them to the death!" Gentemur said passionately.

Seeing his sincere expression, Vlasov was very satisfied and praised him, saying, "At such a critical moment, we need a loyal minister like you! Please gather three thousand soldiers on the west bank of the Ambagirbich River and join General Arshinsky in blocking the guards."

“Three thousand men!” Gentemur exclaimed in surprise. He explained, “As you know, there are only about ten thousand Evenki people in Nerchinsk. Excluding women and children, to gather three thousand soldiers, we would have to conscript all the elderly people between the ages of fourteen and seventy.”

“Your Excellency, according to reliable sources, the number of guards occupying Yaksa exceeds ten thousand. We must concentrate all our forces to fight the enemy to the death. This is a last resort, and I believe you will support my decision,” Vlasov said, looking at him with hopeful eyes, his gaze tinged with murderous intent.

Cold sweat beaded on Gentemur's forehead. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "In that case, I am willing to comply!"

“Excellent! I knew you wouldn’t disappoint His Majesty the Tsar!” Vlasov praised the loyal and courageous Duke again, then changed the subject, speaking in an unyielding tone: “The men have all gone to war, leaving only women and children in your tribe. It’s too dangerous for them to stay outside the city. It would be best to relocate them to the vicinity of Nerchinsk Fortress, where they can receive the army’s protection.” (End of Chapter)