Balta had got all the Kyrgyz people to wrap up their pre-war preparations secretly. In order to keep those animals in heat during their estrus from making noises and then alerting the enemies, they castrated all of them in the end. Balta’s charisma and high prestige were incomparable among numerous Kyrgyz people. He got his only son Chubak and other twenty warriors under the thumb of Manas. In addition, a total number of twenty warriors led by Agibai, the son of Kypchiak, also joined the forces of Manas. All the warriors and their deliberately-selected subordinates living in the steppe had become the military backbone of Manas’ troops. And this was just the starting point of the 480-member army led by Manas who was nicknamed “a wolf with green mane.” All the warriors used the horse blood to swear fidelity. “If someone breaks the promise, he will be punished by arrows or shotgun bullets,” they said.
Samarkand would turn into the sanguinary battlefield. All the old, sick and emaciated Kyrgyz people were sent to the areas far away from the battlefield
Legend of Manas
like Osh and Namangan.
The kindhearted lame blacksmith was also about to turn aside from Bakai and Manas. Before set off on his trip, he did not ask for even a penny from them. Instead, he said in earnest:
“You are a young eagle whereas I am an old man.
The point of your spear will not rust away
From now on, Manas the Great,
Will be the leader of the whole nationality.
The back of your axe will not crack.
And it is hard to find out such an axe all over the world.
You should unite the people from all walks of life.
And don’t let them sink into the predicament of being oppressed any longer.
A galaxy of warriors at your disposal bring you a stroke of good futune,
And the vast steppe serves as a prop to your heroic feats in the future.
You ought to win the self-respect for our ethnic group,
And you’d better spare no time in taking action.”
Manas held the hands of Boluehkbai firmly in order to show his resolution to defeat the enemies.
The name of Manas was sewn onto the red flag of Orozdu and dyed in golden yellow. An estimated 30,000 troops got together right there. Manas had already sent a letter of challenge to Kontoy, a Qalmaq tribe chief. The well-trained 60,000 Qalmaq troops were of high morale.
As Manas was still quite young, the widely-acclaimed Bakai Khan took the post of commander-in-chief.
A bloody slaughter took place at the foot of Mount Bielzaz. Strong Kyrgyz soldiers riding on sturdy horses charged at the enemy lines just like the overwhelming deluge. They relieved their feelings by raving deliriously while bearing down on their foes. Just as the thunders roared through the sky, the Kyrgyz warriors’ deafening cries had showed their unparalleled juggernaut which was supposed to destroy any resistant force after a long spell of silence.
Led by Kontoy, Qalmaq people also made for the Kyrgyz warriors like the swarms of insects. As a merciless devil, Kontoy was accustomed to sipping the syrup mixed with human blood every day. So many youthful heroes could not
Manas Drives Enemies off and Fellow Villagers Elect and Proclaim
39
the Teen as Khan of Their Clan
bear the full brunt of his long spear with the shape of a wolf tongue and died on the scene instantly. Naturally, he was celebrated as an invincible hero by Qalmaq people. He looked down on Manas as well as his teenage companions. However, his so-called Qalmaq Grand Army suffered a great loss even at the beginning of the fighting. Two fierce generals of his were killed by Chubak. And this triggered off his anger. So he rushed toward Chubak abruptly, waving his long spear violently. Chubak fell down from his horseback. Kazak warrior Semit was also stabbed in the body while he tried to save Chubak. “Oh, man, look! All of the so-called Kyrgyz warriors have nothing on the ball. Don’t waste my precious time. I really want to challenge the real warriors,” he yelled in an arrogant tone.
Manas was so angry over Kontoy’s arrogant air that he kept brandishing his lance repeatedly. It was time for Manas to show up in the battlefield. Manas dashed forth towards Kontoy to the accompaniment of slogans shouted by his companions. “Come on, Manas! Hang on, Manas!” they shouted unceasingly. An incredible miracle had appeared gradually while Manas was running forward with a lance in his hand. A bare child prodigy at the age of seven or eight distinguished himself by a red mark on the forehead sending out flashes of lightning. The child was hanging on to the reins. A pair of grey magical rabbits were running forward at full gallop under the hero’s stirrups. All other people were obsessive about their facial expressions and nimble movement. In addition, two fierce tigers dotted with red stripes on their body were also seen running in great hurry on the both sides of the magical steed of Manas. As the most faithful companions of Manas, they took charge of guarding the hero. In addition, what amazed people included a huge serpent which thrust its way through the crowd. All the people who saw such a giant-sized serpent were so scared that they could not help pissing their pants.