Altan ulus-un šastirThe Story of the Golden State

DESCRIPTION

Cassette: 061-069
Transcription: hdl:11341/0000-0000-0000-275D
Transcription Number: Mo 7-13
Transcription Pages: 553 pp.
Recording: In December 1993, Rinčindorǰi recorded the text from the recitation of the bard Damrin of Baγarin West Banner.
Transcription Note: On March 1995, Rinčindorǰi finished writing down the text. He also added notes to it.
Peculiarities: -
Further Information: Original tapes partly damaged
Language Archive Cologne: hdl:11341/0000-0000-0000-2713

SUMMARY

According to the rhymed prologue, the Golden State was a prosperous land, where people lived happily and the five species of domestic animals filled the plains. The Golden State was ruled by King Süke and its capital was Zhongdu. King Süke had two young daughters named Altanquwar and Mönggöquwar. They each possessed a magic ball, which was to be used to select their predestined husbands. When the time came for the two girls to marry, announcements were circulated throughout the country, summoning people to the city. It was announced that the men whom the two balls struck would marry the two princesses. Crowds of people came from all directions. There was at the court of King Süke a minister named Qadai, who had long desired to marry the two princesses. When Altanquwar and Mönggöquwar recited spells, each holding the magic ball, the two balls flew up in the sky and missed the minister Qadai. The general Batučaγan set off with his troops to retrieve the two balls. They reached Panlong Mountain, where the two brothers, Kürelböke and Küderbilig, lived by hunting. It so happened that the two balls fell on their shoulders. Seeing this, General Batučaγan knew that the two brothers were the predestined husbands of the two princesses. After the marriage was celebrated, the minister, Qudai, became jealous and decided to take revenge. He secretly set off for Western Liang. Originally, Qudai belonged to the Wei family. He was the son of Wei Shan, who as a punishment for his crimes had been banished from the Tang. He had come to the Golden State where he learned Mongolian and adopted Mongolian customs. Qadai sought refuge in Western Liang because his father’s sister was the second wife of Meng De, the king of Western Liang. Qadai and Meng De discussed with each other plans for attacking the Golden State. Meng De of Western Liang sent a letter to Süke of the Golden State, in which he accused him of being corrupt and oppressive and unworthy of ruling his kingdom. He also threatened to attack Süke’s kingdom if he did not hand over his kingdom to him. Having read the letter, the Prime Minister J̌ayaγatai advised Süke that they should join forces with the Tang against Western Liang. Thus a letter was sent to the Tang emperor, who agreed to form an alliance with the Golden State. He sent his Tiger Generals with a force of one hundred thousand warriors. These events set the stage for endless battles.