During the meal, the mood of the generals was very low, because the Mongol army had suffered a crushing defeat in this battle. A total of nearly 18,000 men and horses were dispatched, and at this time only more than 4,000 people remained.

Since Tie Zhen called the Mongol Khan, although there were defeats like the Battle of the Thirteen Wings, the Mongol army in that battle was actually a strategic retreat, with almost no losses in men and horses, and judging from the results after the war, Temujin's strategy was also successful, achieving the goal of being invincible. In addition, the Mongol army destroyed Tatar on the steppe, chased Tai Yichi, drove away the beggars, defeated Naiman in Hangai Mountain, rescued Wang Han, and defeated Zamuhe in the Battle of Kuoyitian. I've never lost so badly.

This time, the loss of the whole army was more than seventy percent, and there were only more than 600 people left in the vanguard of Temujin, and the 6,000 men and horses of the two divisions of Ulu Uti and Busy Kuti were almost completely wiped out, and even the general Wei Daer was killed in battle, which was the first time since the Mongol army had lost his life. Therefore, most of the generals felt that their faces were gloomy, and they only bowed their heads and ate their food, and remained silent.

Of course, Temujin understood the mentality of the generals, and comforted the generals and said: "Wang Han's men and horses are twice as many as ours in this battle, so even if we defeat this battle, there is nothing to be frustrated, so everyone must cheer up, the battle between us and the Kereh tribe has just begun, and there will be a chance to find Wang Han to avenge this defeat in the future." ”

When the generals heard this, they felt much better in their hearts, and they all cheered up, and while eating, they discussed, what should the Mongol army do next?

At this time, Bolhu recounted to Temujin what he had heard about the movements of Wanghan's army: "Now Wang Han has set up a large camp on the side of Wenduer Mountain, and has ordered people to go back to the Kereh Department to mobilize men and horses, and prepare to continue the decisive battle with us. But the tribe of Zamuha, and the tribe of the Mir of Deheit, were not with them, but went north to join forces with the Nabarbarians. It seems that he betrayed Wang Han with the scriptures. ”

"Good!" Temujin patted Borhu on the shoulder and said, "This news came at a very timely time. Although we defeated this battle, the Kereh tribe did not take much advantage, and we killed at least nearly 20,000 elite soldiers of Wang Han, and now that he has a few thousand men and horses in Zamuhe, his power will inevitably be further weakened. In the future, it will be easier for us to counterattack Kelie Yiti. We can leave him alone for now, as long as we can return to the camp by the fishing sea safely, we can re-recruit people and horses and concentrate on fighting Wang Han! ”

When the generals heard this, they were all cheered up and promised in unison.

At this time, Mu Huali said: "Great Khan, the camp back to the fishing sea should be along the Tilulian River, but I think Wang Han must have expected this, so he will camp on the side of Wenduer Mountain, and then he will definitely pursue us along the Tilulian River, so we can't take this road, I suggest that we first follow the Nan River, reach Kuoyi Haizi, and then turn south to Yu'er Hai, so that we can avoid Wang Han's pursuit." ”

When everyone heard Mu Huali's work, their faces were sad. Because the middle and lower reaches of the river are the most desolate and isolated places on the grassland, not only does the river contain a lot of sediment, but also the pastures on both sides of the river are so bad that few herders are willing to move here, the wilderness is vast, uninhabited, and even the animals are very scarce. If the army has enough food, it doesn't matter, but now that the Mongolian army is seriously short of food, and it is all dependent on hunting, in this state, it will be very difficult to go around the river to reach the camp of Kuoyi Haizi and return to the fishing sea.

Temujin thought twice and returned from the River of Trouble. Although the journey was arduous, it was possible to avoid Wang Han's army. Therefore, in the end, it was decided to follow the route that Mu Huali said.

So after the meal, the Mongol army immediately set out. However, at the time of the exit, more than 100 Mongol warriors died due to serious injuries. And most of the other soldiers had wounds.

On the way to the march, they can only drink bitter and turbid river water, and if they can't hunt prey, they can only rely on eating wild vegetables and grass roots to survive. The vast majority of wounded soldiers were due to a lack of food and medicine, which caused the injuries to deteriorate and die of incurable deaths, which showed a trend of increasing every day, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of troops. Wounds, disappointments, and bitterness continued to spread among the army, and soldiers even began to flee in droves, causing general Mu Huali and Borshu to worry and hurry.

Along the way, however, Temujin, like all Mongol soldiers, took the lead in drinking muddy water, hunting for prey, and eating wild vegetables. So that the morale of the army did not completely collapse. Those who remained decided to follow Temujin with an unswerving heart. Later, because of their loyalty and determination, they were treated with the noblest courtesy by Temujin.

After more than ten days of marching, the Mongol army came to a small river called the Banjuni River, which was not far from the Kuoyi Haizi Meridian. By this time, the number of the Mongol army had been reduced to just over 2,600. And the main generals around Temujin were only nineteen people.

The waters of the Banjuni River were still very muddy, but the banks of the river were not so desolate, and the place was free from the danger of Wang Khan, so Temujin decided to repair the water of the Banjuni River for a few days, and at the same time decided to rekindle the fighting spirit of the Mongol army here.

The people went hunting in all directions, hunted some prey, slaughtered a few horses, and made fires by beating stones and stones, and finally had a full meal.

At this time, Temujin stood up, came to the river, bowed with his helmet and took a handful of muddy water, turned to the nineteen generals who had persevered with him until now, and said loudly: "Now that Wang Han's power is strong and our Mongolian power is weak, you are still following me and never abandoning me. Today, I vow to live forever and drink with you the water of the Banjuni River, and if I can accomplish great things in the future, I will surely share the joys and sorrows with you, and if I do so, I will be like the water of the Banjuni River. With that, Temujin raised his helmet, took a sip of muddy water, and then handed the helmet to Borshu beside him.

Bo Yushu took the helmet and said with a solemn face: "I follow the Great Khan, and I would rather die than regret it." Victory is not arrogant, defeat is not discouraged, difficulties do not retreat, one heart and one mind, overcome difficulties together, will surely regroup and help the Great Khan to achieve great causes. With that, Borshu also took a sip of the muddy water from his helmet. Then pass it to Mu Huali.

Mu Huali also said: "I will swear to follow the Great Khan to the death and never regret it." Then he took a sip of muddy water as well. And he handed it to the other generals beside him,

Everyone took turns drinking the muddy water from their helmets, and they all swore to be loyal to Temujin forever. Even the other ordinary soldiers were moved, and immediately thundered with joy, and everyone rushed to take the oath. The sluggish morale has finally regained its strength

The 19 major generals who participated in the oath this time were later called by the Mongols as "the people who drank the water of the Banjuni River", and not only won the trust of Temujin, but also became the backbone of the Mongol army.

After two days of rest, the Mongol army had recovered from fatigue, and the soldiers had regained their fighting spirit, and when Temujin was about to give the order to continue out, the second brother Heqi'er and his young son Bald suddenly came to the Banjuni River to find Temujin.

It turned out that Heqi'er was ordered by Temujin to guard the camp by the fishing sea, because he saw that Temujin had not returned for a long time, and heard that Temujin had lost the battle in the Red Willow Forest, so he was relieved and handed over the matter of guarding the camp to Shen Bai, Hechiwen, Temuge and others. With a team of men and horses, he looked for it along the Timid Green River.

On the way, Heqi'er met his father-in-law's army that had defected to Mongolia, including He's wife and three children. From their mouths, Hegar learned the exact news of Temujin's defeat. Since he had come along the Tilulian River and there was no trace of Tie Zhen, he judged that Temujin would return to the camp from the Tsunan River.

Just as Ghazar was about to change course and go to the banks of the Nan River to find Temujin, he happened to run into the Kereh army, who were also looking for the Mongol army along the banks of the Tilulian River. The team led by Heju'er and his father-in-law was immediately dispersed by the Kereh army, and his father-in-law, wife, and two sons were nowhere to be found. After several demolitions, Temujin was finally found on the banks of the Banjuni River.

After hearing what He'er said, Temujin was not only worried about the safety of his younger brother's father-in-law and wife, but also secretly rejoiced that he had followed Mu Huali's advice and did not take the road of the cowardly Green River, otherwise he would have been caught up by the Kereh army.

It seems that if nothing else, He's father-in-law and wife must have been captured by the Kereh Ministry. So the two brothers hugged their heads and cried again, vowing not to defeat the Kerebu, capture and kill Wang Khan, and never give up.

Everyone discussed together, thinking that the Kereh army was looking for the Mongol army in the Tilulian River, so it means that the Mongol army is safe now. Therefore, I will not visit here for a few more days. This place is very close to the station of the Yiqi Sibu, when the Mongols had formed an alliance with the Yiqi Sibu, Temujin married the younger sister Temulun to the leader of the Yiqi Sibu, the relationship between the two families is very close, so Temujin first sent Heqi'er to immediately rush back to the camp to recruit the people and horses, to prepare for a decisive battle with Wang Han, and at the same time sent people to contact the Yiqi Sibu to win more allies.

The leader of the tribe of Yiqirasi was very respectful of Temujin, and immediately after receiving the messenger, he and Temulun rushed to the bank of the Banjuni River with 2,000 people, and brought with them a large amount of grain and tents. When the two met, the negotiation was very accommodating, and the bald very happily agreed to join the Mongols and confront the Kereh tribe, and swore allegiance to Temujin, and at the same time drank the water of the Banjuni River, which was recognized by Tie Shuzhen as "the person who drank the water of the Banjuni River".

At this moment, I saw a caravan appear in the distance, along the river of trouble, and walked over.