The Tale of Manas. Proclamation of Manas as Khan

VICTORY OVER ALOOKE AND THE PROCLAMATION OF MANAS AS KHAN

The pursuers chased the enemy day and night and reached the shores of Kum-Aryk. When dawn broke and it began to lighten, the troops of Alooke crossed the Shyta-Kechuu and Tash-Kechuu by wading, and at the very foothills, the wise Bakai ascended to survey the surroundings. At that time, in the area of Boyrok, by the shores of the Great Ak-Chiya, the hero Alooke sat in a white tent adorned with golden cords. Clouds of smoke billowed – the troops of Alooke had stopped to rest.

The troops of the fleeing, along with the captured gold and silver, the Turgots and Manchus, with their leaders and the chief ruler Alooke, confident that they had escaped the wrath of the bloodthirsty Manas, peacefully rested in their tents, and the warriors lay propped on their arms, barely calming down.

Observing from afar the hands of the resting Alooke, Bakai pondered. This wicked Alooke, this unfortunate hero, had gathered all the tribes of the forty Chinese khans, and now a long column, with both old and young together with fierce strongmen, was moving towards his capital. He had gathered bloodsuckers who scalped those who opposed them, he had gathered all the terrors with brows like those of a lying dog. There were plenty of officials adorned with balls, many strongmen who could break the bones of any fighter, and there were heroes with bald patches on their heads. If all the strongmen of eighteen thousand worlds attack us, we cannot do without the hero Manas here. They are ready to pounce on the enemy like wolves with gaping jaws, and if the powerful Manas is not here, they will tear apart anyone who dares to fight them. If the brave Manas is not here, who will dare to go against them, for their countless number will leave no one alive from those who attack.

The best Chinese warriors, who had ridden mules and rhinoceroses in many bloody battles, mastering thousands of types of martial arts, guarded the rest of the hero Alooke in the white tent.

Noticing the splendor and solemnity of Alooke, his stature, the astonished sage Bakai felt pity for his best brave fellows, who would have to fight such a powerful and well-trained army: "If we suddenly have to fight such a numerous army, what will happen to the dark night under a dark moon? God grant him health if the brave Manas grapples with this wicked one, then what will happen to the bright day under the bright sun?" Thus he thought, foreseeing a great battle and the death of many warriors.

Just as he thought this, Manas appeared with forty knights led by the old Kyrgyl, holding a banner with a golden crescent in their hands. Having never seen such a bearing of the brave Manas before, the old Bakai was taken aback and stood with his mouth agape. Ahead moved a spotted leopard, ready to pounce on any enemy, behind Manas followed a gray-maned lion, looking around and licking its lips in anticipation of a fierce battle. Another patron, a gray tiger, walked alongside the brave leader of the army. A huge bird Simorg soared from the heavens, as if preparing to seize the enemy right now. Forty patron angels simultaneously drew their double-edged swords, ready to strike down all enemies. The shirtless holy Khizr encouraged Manas, supporting his hero in every way. For, besides the one God, he was protected by Shay-Ata and Khizr, and together with them, twelve knights led the excited Akkula. Akkula was rearing up on its front legs, eager for a merciless fight. The khan Manas, seated upon it, was truly ready to rule the whole world. Such a Manas would not let anyone down, thought the wise Bakai, I worried in vain. Delighted at the mere sight of Manas, Bakai addressed the glorious hero:
– You are now ready for battle, your success lies in your victory, Manas, Khizr himself accompanies you, it is time to engage in combat. You are my brother, my hawk, the time has come to fight to the death. You are my important brave one, have you seen what I have seen, have you heard what I have heard? You were not created in vain, my hawk, the God himself sent you fortune, Alooke, whom you sought, is right here, all the Chinese are before your eyes. He is a good one, Alooke, gathered such a countless army, like ants surrounding the whole earth.

As soon as he managed to say these words, the forty knights led by the old Kyrgyl prepared to attack. While they were deliberating, the lookout of Khan Alooke, suspecting an attack, hurried to the ruler and, pushing through all the guards and sentinels, burst into the white tent with golden supports:

– Oh, brave hero, Khan Alooke! Have you seen what I have seen, have you heard what I have heard? If you sleep all the time, you will not get enough rest. If you lie down all the time, your sides will go numb. Quickly send a letter to Great Beijing. Our doom has come, black days have arrived for us. Clouds of dust have risen from the west, from their size I barely came to my senses. On his head is a gray lynx hat, beneath it a gray-maned steed – some Kyrgyz warrior has come out on patrol. He has learned all your secrets and mysteries. And after that, in impenetrable iron armor, on a swift steed, which even a bullet cannot catch up with, forty knights emerged from the foothills, I looked closely – and ahead of them was the bloodthirsty Manas himself. He pursues you to destroy you completely. If we run to the right, all people will perish in the desert, if we run to the left – we will hit the pass, from there even spirits flee.

Hearing the news from his lookout, Khan Alooke was taken aback. Not waiting long, he alerted his entire army. When the drum made of elephant skin, four fathoms thick, was struck, everyone’s ears were blocked, and all the Turgots with the Manchus, abandoning the meat boiling in the cauldrons to the smoldering coals, rushed to their horses and camels. Horns and trumpets sounded, and all those who were loading gold and silver onto rhinoceroses, now weakened and frightened, scattered in all directions, not finding their horses in fear and throwing themselves onto others, quarreling, fighting among themselves, struggling for each horse, bustling and running in different directions, not finding a place to hide, where to shelter from sight, and chaos reigned in the column.

Meanwhile, deafening the surroundings with the battle cry "Manas!", with white banners in hand, raising a commotion in Alooke's camp, with loud shouts and piercing screams, galloping on gray steeds, under the blue banner, from behind the hills appeared forty knights with the wise old Bakai.

Riding on a huge dappled horse, filling the surroundings with the cry "Kyrgyz!", with eighty-four warriors in full battle gear, burning everything in their path, girded with a gray belt, the hero Manas burst into the tent with the golden support.

From the foothills, with a loud cry, Azhybai pounced on the enemies. Not yielding in strength to Manas, the old Bakai drew his sharp sword from its sheath and also rushed to attack the countless Manchus. The earth smoked, dust rose, brave men with desperate looks perished, the armies stood against each other, drawing bows and shooting guns, smashing each other with swords – thus the favorite of the gods, Manas, instilled terror in the opponents.

With every movement killing a warrior, throwing Akkula in different directions, destroying all he caught up with, the noble Manas slaughtered a multitude of the army.

Right opposite, the forty knights led by the old Kyrgyl raised such a cry and shout, caused such a rout and mercilessly exterminated all the warriors in succession.

Such is the fate of warriors: the place of battle is determined, they come out for single combat, gallop into the open field and fight to a victorious end. Moreover, they raise such a war cry and shout to frighten the enemy. But even then, the troops of Alooke managed to gather their strength again and surround the Kyrgyz heroes from all sides. In the gorge, as if a rock had fallen, nothing was visible due to the dust, and the newly opened area suddenly became shrouded in darkness.

Spears pierced chests, halberds smashed heads, banners fluttered in hands, swords sparkled all around – too much blood was shed, and the remnants of the wounded army began to retreat. Those who did not manage to escape were impaled on spears, nothing was visible around, it was unknown where the wide steppes of Kum-Aryk remained, the steeds were foaming from sweat, the earth whirled, raising dust to the heavens, everything was enveloped in haze – such is the price of war: all warriors remained with wounded heads, and the battlefield was filled with the fallen.

Azhybai, Bakai, and the mighty Manas – all three held their spears at the ready, attacking in turn: if Manas pierced someone with a spear, Azhybai would chop off the head, if Bakai pierced, Manas would strike with the sword, and the forty brave knights crushed many of Alooke's warriors in succession, scattering the remaining survivors in different directions.

Having seen so much in his lifetime, the cunning Alooke fled faster than the wind to Beijing.

Uniting everything that could be united, bringing together everything that could be brought together, the old Bakai, having thought through the entire course of the battle and foreseeing an unexpected turn of events, sent to the rear of the enemy, where the Kalmyks might run, forty of the best warriors, unafraid of gunfire, unafraid of deadly combat. Kuldur and Chalybai, Serek along with Shuutu, Tolgochu and Yrchiyul, Baichoro and Bozool went straight to meet the fleeing Alooke.

The agile brave Manas completely crushed Alooke's entire army, destroyed all his warriors, and ordered to guard the camels loaded with gold and silver.

He himself, along with Azhybai and Bakai, rushed after Khan Alooke. The horse Kartkuron of Azhybai, the steeds Akkula of Khan Manas and Koktulpar of Khan Bakai – all three rushed at full speed, sometimes overtaking each other, sometimes pulling ahead, sometimes going stride for stride. On the slope of the mountain, Koktulpar swiftly overtook, on the hills and rises, Akkula overtook with all his might, while on flat ground, Kartkuron instantly dashed ahead.

The three steeds, racing with all their might, without food, without water, raising dust from under their hooves, not knowing where they were, reached the valley of Ak-Ozon. Not knowing the bends of the road, the three riders stopped for a moment and began to look around.

They heard – from this side the cries of "Manas" were heard, they heard – from that side all the cries called to China. And then they rushed in that direction. As soon as they arrived, twelve brave warriors led by the hero Shuutu were already catching up with Alooke along with his heroes and strongmen. Suddenly, surrounding all twelve and completely defeating them, Alooke and his warriors were about to scatter in different directions.

Seeing this, Manas whipped his horse Akkula with a whip and chased after them. From the flank, also with the cry "Manas," Bakai rushed after them. The agile Azhybai on his swift Kartkuron caught up and finished off the enemies one by one.

The warriors on the hunt also did not waste time: they charged at their opponents with the battle cry "Manas!" No matter how mighty a hero Alooke was, he realized that he had lost, that he was surrounded and would soon be exterminated, so he jumped off his horse and threw himself down on his face to beg Manas for mercy.

After Alooke was captured, all the other Manchurian and Kalmyk leaders, officials, and unit commanders were destroyed. Seeing this, the frightened Alooke prayed before Manas:

– Bravo, Manas, you have proven that you are a true hero and warrior, that you are a ruler and a merciless brave one. Write a small letter to the ruler of Beijing, Karykhan, and send it with a messenger along with six steeds. For my sake, for a drop of my blood, he will not dare to refuse you anything and will give you the golden throne of Beijing. Be wise and do not kill me. But if you do not want to spare my life and kill me defenseless, that is your right, but, all-powerful hero Manas, you will gain no benefit from it. This is all I can say, my lion Manas, heed my advice, I am ready to give all the treasury and wealth. I have the city of Tash-Kopuro, next to this city is my village with many inhabitants – I will give that too. On that same side, on the white slope, lies Kyzyl-Kum, where the hunter has plenty of room, it is something like a small paradise – I will give that too. But if you kill me, oh generous one, like the sea, you will gain no benefit from it. Even if I die, my name will remain after me, and a stain of my blood will remain on you for life. I have sixty sons of my own. If I tell you about them, then listen to me, oh generous Manas. The youngest of the sons, the favorite of Khan Alooke, comes from the people of that one-eyed man, from the shores of Lake Abergen, from the region of Suuk-Tor, he studied sorcery for six years with the sixty-headed dragon. The ruler of Beijing, Karykhan, has summoned all the best experts to test my son and ordered him to pass before him. Many experts who tested him died of fear before him. My Konurbai is also strong: he got angry with the Kalmyks and killed many of them. I will send a message to the capital, summon this son, and give him to you as a companion. If you unite together, then no one will stand against you, there will be no mercy, and no one will remain alive. Do not kill me, rather inform Kalchu, brave Manas, I will give him to you as a companion.

The broad-faced, sweet-talking Khan Alooke, in order to save his skin, was pouring out his heart, delivering a grand speech before the formidable Manas.

Could the insatiable, bloodthirsty hero Manas drink blood now? But at the same time, can one let go of a hare caught in the hands? How can Manas let go of such a bloodsucker and villain, even if he offers his son as a companion?

Enraged, Manas turned pale, recalling all the treachery of Alooke and his villainies. After all, due to Alooke, the peacefully living people of the Kyrgyz were scattered across the world so much that now it is difficult to gather them all together. Some perished on the way due to hardships, others from hunger, and others in battle. And now, to deceitfully save his own skin, this black Chinese chatterbox is even ready to give away his son. Why do I need the son of this captured dog? He wants to use his son to take me into his hands, learn all my secrets, and then destroy me. If I respect him as an elder, if I obey him and let him go, then he can gather his Chinese and deal with me. If I reconcile with him and allow him to live nearby, then this hated enemy will cleanse himself of all past sins and become kin to me? I barely gathered the tormented and suffering people, and he will scatter them again? The Chinese have an emperor, they have a blood enemy with whom they have been at war for many years. I will look at him, and this fellow Alooke is trying to charm me, deceive me, and bewitch me. If I obey him now, will the Chinese not one day attack us, will they not pierce me with a spear, will they not destroy my commanders, will they not crush my warriors, will they not capture my trusting people? Thus thought Manas and finally asked Bakai for advice:

– Can one spare an enemy, uncle Bakai, give me advice. Is it worth releasing such a hero as Alooke?

The wise Manas understood Bakai's and Azhybai's thoughts without words.

And Manas drew his sharp sword from its sheath, which, if drawn, would not return without blood, which, if he took it in his hands, could not be returned without being satiated with blood, and which, like from the heavens, fell on the enemy's head and cleaved it in two. This sword burned with blue flame, and if used skillfully, it could extend to forty fathoms, with this sword, forged from damask steel, Manas swung above the head of Khan Alooke.

Alooke's head rolled on the ground like a ball and mixed with the dust on the road. Blood gushed from the jugular vein, and the soul could not leave the mortal body for a long time, writhing on the ground.

Can wealth acquired through hard work, blood, and sweat, taken from others, bring anyone happiness and well-being? The Kyrgyz regained their cattle and wealth taken from them, gold and silver loaded on camels.

And the Magnanimous Manas sent a messenger with six steeds to inform the ruler of Andijan, Sunchybek with the split beard, to come to Manas, to accept his allegiance along with his people, and to take back the wealth taken from him by Khan Alooke.

When Alooke was khan, he ruled the vast Kashgar, tortured the ruler of the Six Cities Alabek, and collected tribute of six thousand silver ingots along with a thousand otter skins. Having mounted Kulansur, the son of the noble Baabedin, dressed him in furs, Manas sent him to Kashgar.

The Bukhara ruler Sharip from this side, the worthless Chyambyl from that side – the hero BuuDayyk sent messages to all: "Let everyone come here and see what Khan Manas is like."

Closer here, the ruler of Samarkand Sanchybek, Khan Kokand Kozubek, who had always been slaves themselves, and their wives widows, they never even dared to raise their heads before the formidable wicked Alooke – and these unfortunate ones he ordered to summon.

Khan Margelana Malabek was also crushed by humiliations and insults – he too was sent a messenger to come quickly and share in their joy, to receive his share of gold.

To Koshoy, whose ears were huge like a shield, and whose eyes were bright like the morning star, who was very educated and knew sorcery, to this elder, dwelling in Chech-Dobo, to the respected man by Manas, whom he revered like a prophet, sent even Azhybai and firmly instructed:

– To the elder of the katagans, but holy for all the people, the most skillful and agile of heroes, the expert of all strongmen, the support of all the unfortunate and destitute, the most faithful and devoted hero Manas in battle with fierce enemies, convey greetings to uncle Koshoy from me. Let him prepare pack animals to carry his share of gold, which will not fit even into all his carrying bags, otherwise uncle Koshoy will be at a loss. Tell him that uncle Koshoy himself should come here to see all this with his own eyes. Let him equally divide among his kin the first booty, which was obtained by the lion-like Manas. Let him not hesitate: he has always been the most just and honest among us, and even holy. Let him divide the spoils of battle among his people with his own hands.

Thus they sent messengers in all directions of the world so that everyone could witness the victory of the Magnanimous Manas and share the golden wealth of Alooke.

They sent messengers to the weakened and impoverished people.

Receiving the order from Bakai and Manas, Azhybai jumped on his swift brown steed and rushed without rest, driving the horse both day and night, through mountains, through valleys, over high passes, fording swift and rushing rivers, and finally reached Khan Koshoy in Chech-Dobo. Swiftly dismounting from Kartkuron, he quickly tied him to a copper hitching post with a golden protrusion, stumbling over his formidable sword, with a smile on his face and joy in his mouth, the delighted Azhybai greeted the chosen one of the holy spirit, elder Koshoy.

– Peace to your home, uncle Koshoy!
– And to yours too, my son, come in, come in.
– How is your health, uncle Koshoy?
– Thanks to God, my son, come here. May luck accompany you.

Azhybai took out from his bag a letter written on white parchment and handed it to Koshoy.

Having read that Khan Alooke has been expelled from the palace, that all his fortresses have been leveled to the ground, that all the Chinese army has been defeated, that after a great battle, Khan Alooke himself and all his associates and warriors have been destroyed, that it is time for uncle Koshoy to come and distribute all the wealth taken from the Chinese, to distribute it equally and justly, having read such a letter, the hero Koshoy understood that Manas is not an ordinary hero, and smiled to himself.

– You must be tired from the road, hero Azhybai. Stay with us tonight and rest. May our brave hero expand the lands of Ken-Kol and Talas, God grant him luck and strength, may Manas always be strong. If the great Manas wishes it, I will go to his feast, I will try to equally share his first booty, not depriving anyone of the people.

The brave uncle Koshoy the next day ordered to gather a caravan of eighty camels to load gold onto them, ordered sixty strongmen to play the trumpets, like a child, cheerfully chattering, shaking his white beard, and with great ceremony set off on the journey.

They traveled quickly, often changing horses, and soon reached the place where Alooke-khan was defeated.

Setting up white tents along Kum-Aryk, slaughtering fat lambs, everyone awaited the arrival of all the summoned khans and rested.

After a while, all the summoned khans arrived. The Khan of Kokand Kozubek, the ruler of Andijan Sunchybek with the split beard, Khan Margelana Malabek, the ruler of the Six Cities Alabek, the khans BuuDayyk, Tekechi, Shigay, the ruler of the eshteks Jamgyrchi, in general, no khan from the nearby valleys was left uninvited.

The mighty Koshoy, shaking his white beard, addressed all the arrivals:

– Have you seen how the best of the best has come to us, capable of opposing all our enemies, have you heard how happiness has come to us along with him? Let us cast aside various rumors and together choose our ruler, the great Manas. Let us divide his spoils, pray to God, and elect Manas as our khan for all time. Why do I say this? The fact is that there are many enemies around, think, people, many who wish to trample us into the dirt. On that side are the Chinese, ready to destroy our people. Right before you are numerous armed opponents who would like to defeat us. Let us think well, find consensus, and today give the full power to our brave hero.

If we unite our efforts and come to an agreement, if we elect Manas as our ruler, then no enemy will dare to attack us, and if they do, they will not be able to overcome us, no one will leave us alive, no one will be able to touch us. It is precisely Manas who can be our support and assistance at any moment, what do you say to this, my dear ones?

While Koshoy was speaking, all the arriving khans and the rest of the people enthusiastically supported him.

– Our uncle Koshoy speaks the truth. Let us give all the power to Manas. May we be cursed and may God's wrath fall upon us if we do not obey the brave Manas and do not fulfill his commands. And let the bullet released punish us with its deadly fire! – thus, in unison, all the people swore, grabbing knives, cutting branches from trees, slaughtering white mares, rolling up their sleeves, dipping their elbows in blood, and swearing loyalty.

They seated the Magnanimous Manas on a carpet with a golden ornament, all eight khans took hold of the edges of the carpet, one end was grasped by Koshoy with his thumbs, they lifted him high onto a throne the size of a camel, and on the wide glade elected Manas as khan.

To all who arrived, uncle Koshoy distributed the spoils taken from Alooke equally, measuring with a whip. Even those who could not reach the very spoils received a gold ingot in their hands.

The Tale of Manas. The Interrogation Conducted by Khan Alooke