Semetey. The War of Semetey with Konurbay. Expedition to Beidzhin. Part - 1

No more people remained who could oppose Semetey; he defeated all his enemies, married Aichurek, and became khan instead of his father Manas.

The time came when he began to govern the people independently, encountering no resistance.
One night, Manas appeared to Semetey in a dream and said:

- Why are you at peace and not avenging me?

Waking up, Semetey quickly jumped out of bed and began to beat the drum. Hearing the drumbeat, his advisors and khans gathered around him.

At that time, Kulchoro and Kanchoro were in the horse pastures. Hearing the sound of the drum, they said:

- Why is the drum being beaten so loudly? Have enemies come? - letting their horses gallop, they arrived at Semetey's palace.

Semetey told those gathered about his dream.

- Our well-fed horses stand still, and the warriors, having grown fat, languish idly. It is time for brave young men to saddle the swift-footed steeds: my father, the lion Manas, was killed by the Chinese along with his forty tigers and numerous army. If death comes - I will die, but if I remain alive, I will avenge the lion and smash Konurbay's head. If I do not satiate myself with his blood - cursed be the hour of my birth. Better to die than to live as a coward.

Bakay-aba! Lead us! I, Kulchoro, Kanchoro, and you, we four, seizing Konurbay's horses, will slaughter his people and return.

To this, Zakay replied to Semetey:

- Oh, my unfortunate orphan, what you say is true; we have many swift-footed steeds and capable young men, but wait another year. Remember the saying: patience is red gold. After all, Beidzhin is not a close road, and the Chinese are no joking enemies. Many have gone to Beidzhin, but none have returned. This is the land from which, as they say, there is no return. Not only you, but your father Manas and his forty choro with countless troops of warriors went there and perished. Four people cannot do anything against the numerous Chinese, as many as the hair on a cow.

So listen to me and do not go to war this year.

And Bakay told Semetey about Manas's war with the Chinese. Kankey, learning of Semetey's plan, cried so much that tears flowed from her eyes like streams, and she began to persuade her son:

- My dear and only one! Bakay-aba speaks the truth: Beidzhin is no joking land; many obstacles await you on the way there.

To frighten Semetey, she told him many terrifying things about the upcoming difficulties, thinking to deter him from the campaign. But Semetey, angered at Kankey, replied:

- Whoever is destined to die will die at home. According to you, fearing death, should I abandon the thought of avenging my father Manas? By saying many unnecessary and foolish words, you are making my head ache in vain. Under Bakay's command, taking Kulchoro and Kanchoro with me, I will fearlessly attack the numerous Chinese, as many as the hair on a cow, and avenge the old grievance. Give me your blessing, mother!

Then Bakay said:

- Your father did not make me repeat what you say twice, as you do. What you want to avenge for your father is a good thing, but for this, we need to prepare enough military supplies, equipment, and food and go into battle with a large army.

The secrets of the Chinese are known to me; I have fought with them many times.

At that moment, Sarykhan stood up and said to Semetey:

- When the lion Manas asked God for you, he said: "Will I have a son who could avenge me after my death?"

Will you now, out of fear of death, not go on a campaign to avenge your father? Whoever is destined to die will die even lying at home. A brave young man for the sake of his good name must be at the borders of his country, in the face of enemies. Avenge your father on the numerous Chinese, as many as the hair on a cow. Bakay-aba must be proclaimed khan of China once again, and, going on a campaign, fulfill the long-standing desire of our people.

The crippled blacksmith Belyokbay also, agreeing with Sarykhan, spoke of how he was a friend of Manas in his youth and fought alongside him. He recalled the bravery of Manas and the grievances he suffered from Abayka and Kyobesh.

- My little foal, Semetey! - he concluded his speech, - everything that Sarykhan said is true. Will you not avenge your father, the lion Manas, and fear to die in war? When you were born, I hoped that you, orphan, would resemble Kankor and become as brave as he. I hoped that you would avenge your father, so I took care of you in advance.

Having said this, he led Semetey and showed him the military equipment he had prepared. Upon seeing it, Semetey's heart nearly burst with joy, and hot tears of happiness flowed from his eyes.

- I spoke in vain that after my father's death I was left an orphan. "Let my father die, but let not the one who saw him die," this folk saying turns out to be true. I have decided to fight the numerous Chinese, but I will not disturb the people and gather a large army. Having received Bakaykhan's blessing, I will take Kulchoro and Kanchoro with me, and with these two, I will defeat the Chinese. I will take a great tribute from them, and Konurbay, capturing him alive, I will tie him by the neck and bring him here.

Hearing this, Kankey, continuing to cry loudly and shedding tears mixed with blood, turned to Bakay:

- My dear abake! The only orphan left from the lion wants to go to Beidzhin, from which those who have gone there usually do not return. I have no strength to hold him back. Teach me what to do? I foresaw this in advance and have long prepared bulletproof clothing, military equipment, firearms, food supplies, and medicines. - And she opened her storerooms and handed over everything necessary to those preparing for the long journey.

Meanwhile, Semetey, preparing for the campaign, donned his akolpok, armed himself, and mounted his Taybuural. He placed Bakay at the head of the people, and he, accompanied by Kulchoro and Kanchoro, crying loudly, asked for blessings from Kankey, Chiyyrdy, from the khans, and from all his people and set out on the campaign. Firearms were loaded onto fourteen swift-footed steeds.

Aichurek, running out to see Semetey off, lamented:

- My dear lion, why are you leaving us orphans, while you go to a distant land, from which there is no return?

She tried to grab his horse by the reins to hold him back.

- Why are you crying, bitch? Let your eyes flow out! Look, do not stand in my way! - Semetey said angrily and lashed her with a whip. From that blow, Aichurek's skin on her back burst, and she fell unconscious and did not come to her senses for a long time. Despite Aichurek lying in a stupor, Semetey quickly set off towards Beidzhin. Bakay also went with him.

Semetey. The Death of Chinkodzho and Toltoya. Part - 2