Inside the Grand Politics Hall, Daisan, accompanied by his son Yoto, listened to Hong Taiji's orders. After the meeting, father and son stepped out of the hall only to see Dorgon waiting outside.
Yoto scoffed, "This kid has really made something of himself these days."
Daisan reprimanded, "Be cautious with your words. Though you are older, in terms of seniority, he is still your uncle."
Yoto, with disdain, followed his father down the steps.
When the brothers met, Dorgon greeted him with a fist salute, "Second Brother, why has the Great Khan suddenly ordered a ceasefire?"
Daisan replied calmly, "Dorgon, don't forget what I'm telling you: the Great Khan is the lord, and you are his vassal. Even if you could lead your troops into the Ming territory and capture it tomorrow, if he orders you to retreat today, you must obey."
Dorgon's brows furrowed, his face turned steel blue, and he clenched his fists, "I understand."
"Fourteen Uncle has really grown stronger," Yoto remarked, reaching to pat Dorgon's shoulder but instead made a direct move towards his neck. Dorgon instinctively knocked his hand away, and Yoto, not one to give in, engaged him with punches and kicks, starting a sparring match on the spot.
"Stop! Stop this!" Daisan shouted angrily, "What kind of place do you think this is? What are you doing?"
Dorgon, a vigorous twenty-year-old, and Yoto, in his prime, both had fought bloodily on the battlefield. Neither would admit defeat, and now, filled with anger, they could not disengage.
Hearing the commotion, Hong Taiji stepped to the front of the hall, observing Yoto being steadily pushed back by Dorgon. Although not losing, Yoto clearly had no chance of winning.
Hong Taiji's hands clenched into fists behind his back involuntarily.
Yoto, in his early thirties and the favoured elder son of Daisan, had been pampered from a young age. He had learned archery and martial arts from their grandfather Nurhaci, his skills comparable to Hong Taiji himself.
When they ran through battlefields together, Dorgon was still a toddler rolling in the mud. But now Dorgon had grown so formidable. Hong Taiji knew well, if Yoto couldn't overpower Dorgon, he himself would fare even less well.
At that moment, Jirgalang, a younger cousin, entered from outside the palace gates and saw Yoto and Dorgon fighting. The guards dared not intervene, so he rushed forward to separate the two, scolding, "Animals! What are you showing off here? If you want to fight, go to the drill ground. There, no one will care if you fight to the death."
Jirgalang was the most beloved nephew of the great ancestor Nurhaci, and his father Shuerhazi had made notable contributions to the Jin dynasty. Although of similar age to Yoto, his status was much higher, and Yoto dared not act rashly against him.
Daisan, growing older, had not dared to intervene earlier, but now he breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Hong Taiji had come out. He pulled his son down the steps and commanded him to kneel, confessing, "It was Yoto who provoked Dorgon first; I ask the Great Khan to punish him severely."
Dorgon was also dragged forward by Jirgalang but stood upright. Even after being kicked by his cousin, he merely swayed and refused to kneel.
Hong Taiji smiled lightly, "It was getting interesting; Jirgalang, you shouldn't have intervened. Let them sort it out to see who is better."
Jirgalang clasped his fists, "They were acting improperly; I ask the Great Khan to calm his anger."
Hong Taiji replied, "A spar between uncle and nephew, what is there to punish? Everyone should be as capable as them; then my Great Jin's army would be invincible. Yoto, get up."
Daisan, relieved, apologized again and then left with his son.
Behind them, Dorgon was heard asking, "Great Khan, why order a retreat? Give me one more month, and I could..."
The rest was lost as they moved away. Daisan sighed, "What will it be like in another ten years?"
Yoto sneered, "Father, just wait and watch the show."
In the Qingning Palace, the news of Dorgon and Yoto's fight surprised everyone. Qiqige pressed down her inner turmoil and waited quietly for further news until she heard all was well, then she finally relaxed.
Soon after, Qiqige and others took their leave. Da Yuer was about to see them off but was called aside by her aunt. Jeje asked her, "Did you see Qiqige's composure and grace?"