Tarico couldn’t help asking, “Why are you looking at me? I’m not suitable to be a tribal leader and I have no interest in it. I can’t manage so many things.”
One of the seniors said, “If it has to be associated with the camel team, then it can only be Tarico. Although Tarico is an orphan, he’s upright and gets along well with young men. He has the awareness to help someone like Mcginon. Besides, the young men all listen to him, so he’s the best candidate to manage tribal affairs.”
Tarico replied, “I usually go out with the camel team, so I have no much time for tribal affairs. Won’t you be worried about a leader who’s often not in the tribe?”
“Mahal also often went out to earn his money. Besides, if there’s anything, we can help you handle it. If it really needs your decision, we can just wait for you.”
Tarico still wanted to decline it.
But just then, Li Chengru said impatiently, “Tarico, now that the seniors believe you’re suitable and competent, just take this position and be a good leader.”
Tarico was rendered wordless.
What a hot temper this king had! It appeared as if Tarico was a dilly-dally man.
Another senior said, “Now that the Seventh King also said so, let’s set the handover ceremony on the Festival of Sacrifice. Tarico, you’re picked by our king in person. You can’t refuse it.”
Tarico’s brothers also elected him to be the tribal leader. They told him not to think too much and promised that they would support him after he became the leader.
As such, Tarico could only agree.
…
…
The news that Tarico would replace Mahal as the tribal leader soon sparked a hot discussion in the tribe.
Some agreed with the decision and some opposed it.
But generally, more people were for it than against it.
In the past, Tarico had been merely a poor guy. Despite his excellence in archery and riding, he had been not qualified to be a leader. But now, he was leading the camel team which was valued by the two kings, so he was totally eligible to rule the tribe.
Those who supported Tarico also tried to reason with those who didn’t. Gradually, the dissenting voices became less and less.
Anyway, Tarico was better than Mahal in many aspects.
During these years, Mahal hadn’t made any contributions to improving the people’s living standards. Besides, his wife and daughter always abused the power and bullied the others, which irritated many people.
…
Knowing that Tarico would be the tribal leader, Ye Xiaoxian also felt very happy for him.
Under his leadership, they could obtain more freedom in trading and more convenience in purchasing materials. Besides, Tarico could publicize their brand and encourage the locals to support their work so as to reach a win-win situation.
After a discussion, Ye Xiaoxian and Squire Liu decided to buy a suit and a black pair of leather shoes for Tarico to wear at the ceremony when he would come to power.
……
…
The Festival of Sacrifice.
Like last year, the families slaughtered cattle and goats as sacrifices to the Tianshan god.
After that, there were singing and dancing performances.
Without Guri, the female dance became much better in part because the dancers selected were all very beautiful. Ye Xiaoxian also saw the show and was greatly amazed by the women who were exceptionally pleasant to the eye.
On the second day, it was shooting and riding competitions. Li Chengru didn’t participate this time, but Tarico did.
Unsurprisingly, Tarico won the first prize again.
Then, it was the handover ceremony.
Wearing new clothes and a wreath, Tarico was pushed onto the stage by his brothers.
He was somewhat embarrassed at first. Having been used to a free, casual life, he felt unnatural to attend such a formal ceremony.
But as he showed up, many women exclaimed in surprise.
Tarico used to be a poor guy dressing casually, but now he looked more than dashing in a new crisp robe. It was not exaggerating to say that he was the most handsome in the tribe.
Seeing others’ astonished expressions, the girl living near Tarico said proudly, “You just found he’s good-looking? I told you, Tarico is the most handsome. He’s better than those from rich families.”
On the stage, the handover ceremony began. After worshiping the heaven, the earth and the Tianshan god, Tarico was sprinkled with “holy water” collected from the Tianshan mountains. Then, he was led down the stage to walk around. After going through the process, he finally became the official leader in the tribe.
As soon as the ceremony was over, the atmosphere eased. Someone shouted from below the stage. “Tarico, I remember there’s a rule in our tribe. The leader, if unmarried, can show his affection for a woman on the day of the ceremony. Usually, this woman won’t reject you.”
The seniors also thought of that.
Unlike most leaders, Tarico was not only young but unmarried. Few leaders were single when they came to power.
The seniors advised, “Tarico, just pick a gentle and virtuous woman on the spot. If she agrees, she can be your wife and help you with tribal affairs from today on.”
The women below the stage suddenly became shy.
Some wished to be chosen, but they were too shy to say it out. So they took two steps forward, hoping to attract his attention.
The girl living near Tarico even raised her hand slightly to draw his attention.
At the same time, the men bantered in chorus, “Tarico, pick one, pick one!”
“…”
Standing on the stage, Tarico felt somewhat uneasy, but he had a glance at Ye Xiaoxian subconsciously.
At this moment, she was among a group of locals. Thinking the ceremony might be interesting, she had also come here to have a look.
When Tarico looked at her, she suddenly felt nervous.
He had bared his heart to her once. Would he do that again?
Please don’t! She didn’t want to be a target for envy and she didn’t think she was suitable to be a tribal leader’s wife. Tarico hadn’t stabilized his position; if he married a southern woman, he would be opposed by those anti-foreign people.
After a while, Tarico said, “Actually, I’ve found the woman I like.”
The crowd asked, “Who is she?”
“Tell us who she is!”
“Bare your heart to her! You can marry her right away!”
Tarico paused and said, “But she doesn’t like me.”
The crowd burst into an uproar.