A merry feast filled the tent, and the bamboo flute sounded. Firelight flashed in their eyes, and fragrance spread at the tips of their noses. Once the generals had filled their bellies and drunk themselves half-tipsy, it was time for the offering of dance and song.
According to the Alliance's tradition, after a great victory, the warriors were to leap into war dances and sing poems, offering prayers for the honored tribal chiefs. Mm, this custom was probably like Shang nobles holding weapons and dancing the great Huo martial dance to sacrifice to Cheng Tang. Or like the Liao emperor's spring hunt, when he held the First Fish Banquet and had the Jurchen chiefs of the various tribes offer dances.
"Xoloc, Stanley isn't here. Among the generals in the tent, you should be first—so let's start with you!"
Avet swept his gaze over the generals and smiled faintly, first calling on Xoloc, the deputy commander of the Eagle Noble Regiment and his in-law. Xoloc nodded respectfully and rose to his feet. His figure had grown plump, his chin folded in two layers, and even his smile seemed honest and simple, without the slightest look of a warrior. In truth, during this northern campaign, Xoloc had indeed held no military command, but had been in charge of the army's logistics, overseeing the transport of grain and supplies.
".I fought south of the city, I died north of the city!
My corpse lay exposed in the wilds, drawing flocks of crows to peck and feed.
I smiled and spoke to the crows: please cry a few mournful calls for the warriors!
Caw, caw, caw!
Dead in the wilds, no burial needed, Dead for the god, the soul goes to the Divine Kingdom.
And our corpses, we calmly offer to you!
Caw, caw,