222: Chapter 222 Blood Ritual

The leaders and high-level officials of the Liefeng Tribe, Chiyanju Tribe, Shuangzong Tribe, Lingyu Tribe, and Qinglan Tribe held a secret meeting.

Qing Ying said, "Although we repelled the Right Great Danghu and the White Sheep King, we have also offended the Right Worthy King!"

"The Right Worthy King likely won't let this matter drop just like that."

"Indeed, the White Sheep King is a minor king and general under the Right Worthy King, and he is highly regarded by him."

Ling Yu said, "Now that the White Sheep King has died on the Qinglan Grassland, the Right Worthy King will definitely not let this go!"

"Our only way to survive is to seek refuge with Great Qin."

"Mhm!"

Ling Yu's proposal was approved by the other leaders.

"Chief Lie Yun, what do you think?"

Qing Ying's gaze turned toward Lie Yun.

If one were to say who among these tribal leaders was most repulsed by the Qin people, it would be Lie Yun.

"I'll follow your lead."

Lie Yun replied.

His words were just like an ancient girl who, upon seeing that the suitor introduced by her parents was handsome, would say it was her parents' command and the matchmaker's word, and that she would leave everything to her parents' decision.

"Good."

Qing Ying said, "Then I will go speak with Chief Jin Tu."

"Mhm."

All the leaders nodded.

After finding Jin Tu, Qing Ying explained their intention: they wanted to submit to Great Qin and hoped he could speak with Captain Tian.

"Wonderful!"

Jin Tu said, "My daughter is now a woman of His Majesty the Premier of Great Qin. His Majesty the Head of State originally intended to accept your tribes."

"Oh!"

The gazes of Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and the other leaders toward Jin Tu changed instantly.

"Chief Jin Tu, if you become wealthy and powerful, do not forget us!"

Qing Ying immediately flattered him.

"Chief Jin Tu, do you remember? We've ridden the same horse and slept under the same wool blanket!"

The boisterous Lie Yun took Jin Tu's hand, acting like they were the best of buddies.

Chi Yan, dressed in a fiery red sheepskin robe, said, "Chief Jin Tu, although we weren't very close before, we fought together against the Right Great Danghu and the White Sheep King. That's a life-and-death friendship. Once you've made it big, don't forget your old brother!"

"Indeed, indeed!"

The other leaders nodded one after another, all fawning over Jin Tu.

This was truly a case of a father's status rising because of his daughter!

Among these tribal leaders, Jin Tu had originally been a marginal figure.

Fortunately, his daughter had caught the eye of His Majesty the Premier of Great Qin and become his woman; only then could his status undergo such a world-shaking transformation!

Jin Tu informed Lu Jia that the Liefeng Tribe, Chiyanju Tribe, Shuangzong Tribe, Lingyu Tribe, and Qinglan Tribe wanted to submit to Great Qin.

Lu Jia said, "Consider them sensible."

The corners of his mouth curled up.

This way, he could easily complete the task assigned by his lord, saving him a lot of breath.

"My Lord."

Jin Tu said, "Chiefs Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and Ling Yu intend to hold a Blood-Treading Ceremony with you."

"Blood-Treading Ceremony?"

Lu Jia was taken aback.

"My Lord."

Serving as the translator, Cao Jiacheng was more familiar with the situation of the grassland tribes, so he explained to Lu Jia, "This Blood-Treading Ceremony involves smearing the blood of a sacrificial animal on one's lips, symbolizing that anyone who breaks the oath will be destroyed by the gods!"

"Sacrifice" nowadays refers to giving one's life for a just cause, or giving up or harming one party's interests for the benefit of another.

In ancient times, it had two meanings: one was a solid-colored whole animal used for sacrifice; the other was an animal used for oaths and banquets.

"I need to explain the situation to my lord."

Lu Jia said.

He understood very well the concerns of chiefs like Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and Ling Yu.

Jin Tu's daughter was his lord's woman, so Jin Tu had a guarantee of safety in Great Qin.

But they didn't have beautiful daughters.

They could only form an oath with Lu Jia to create a bond.

Although it is said that such oaths are made only to be broken—

for instance, the King in the North's favorite thing to do was to break contracts—

Lu Jia still took oaths quite seriously. As long as chiefs like Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and Ling Yu did not betray Great Qin or act against its interests, he would ensure their safety.

"Very well."

Jin Tu nodded.

Lu Jia wrote a brief summary of the matter on a slip of paper, tucked it into a message tube, and arranged for it to be sent by carrier pigeon.

After receiving Lu Jia's letter, Zhao Fusu instructed Lu Jia and Tian Ju to act as representatives of Great Qin and hold the Blood-Treading Ceremony with the Liefeng, Chiyanju, Shuangzong, Ling Yu, and Qinglan Tribes.

"The lord has agreed."

After receiving Zhao Fusu's reply, Lu Jia found Jin Tu and said.

"Good, I understand."

Jin Tu hurried to tell the good news to chiefs like Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and Ling Yu.

"Our thanks to Chief Jin Tu."

Qing Ying and the other leaders were all overjoyed.

They had been waiting for the reply with great anxiety, fearing that His Majesty the Premier of Great Qin would not agree to the Blood-Treading Ceremony, which would leave their safety unguaranteed.

Now that they had received a definitive reply from His Majesty the Premier of Great Qin, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Qing Ying personally went to arrange the Blood-Treading Ceremony.

A large number of cattle and sheep were slaughtered and laid out on a long table.

People from the Liefeng Tribe, Chiyanju Tribe, Shuangzong Tribe, Lingyu Tribe, and Qinglan Tribe gathered together.

Chiefs Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and Ling Yu stood at the very front.

When Lu Jia and Tian Ju, acting as Great Qin's representatives, arrived at the scene, the crowd immediately made way for them.

Both sides began to swear the covenant.

"By the eternal blue sky above!"

"The Liefeng Tribe, Chiyanju Tribe, Shuangzong Tribe, Lingyu Tribe, and Qinglan Tribe are willing to submit to Great Qin. We swear to guard the borders and never betray you. If our tribes are in trouble, Great Qin must provide full support!"

"May those who break this oath be destroyed by the gods!"

After completing the oath, chiefs like Qing Ying, Chi Yan, Lie Yun, and Ling Yu smeared the sacrificial blood on their lips one after another.

Lu Jia and Tian Ju followed suit, smearing the sacrificial blood on their lips as well.

To show their determination, everyone from the five tribes—regardless of gender or age—smeared the sacrificial blood on their lips.

They were as clear-headed as a mirror; if they didn't seek refuge with Great Qin now, once they were defeated by the Right Worthy King's cavalry, they would all become his slaves!

Lu Jia and Tian Ju glanced at each other. While deeply shaken, they also brought over their thousand-rider unit, and each soldier smeared the sacrificial blood on their lips.

This was also to put the minds of these tribal herders at ease.

Under the gaze of the eternal blue sky, Great Qin and the Xiongnu Tribes concluded the Blood-Treading Ceremony.

This piece of history would later become a mandatory question on the history exams for students of the United States of Great Qin.

[Question: In history, who were the two individuals who, as representatives of Great Qin, concluded the Blood-Treading Ceremony with the Xiongnu Tribes?]