要让青草覆盖的地方，都成为我的牧马之地(4)

铁木真爬上了不儿罕合勒敦山顶——蒙语中的“圣山”。蒙古人崇拜大地之神、太阳之神和天神。不儿罕合勒敦山是这片地区的最高峰，是大地上最接近长生天的地方。
To thank the gods for protecting him, Temujin flicked milk into the air then sprinkled some on the ground. He prayed for guidance for three days.
为感恩众神护佑，铁木真将牛奶洒向空中，又泼了一些在地上。他祈祷了三天，祈求上天的指引。

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Three rivers flowed from this sacred mountain, presenting Temujin with three choices.
三条发源于圣山的河流，给了铁木真三个选择。
He could follow one river southeast, back toward his ger. But alone on the steppe, he would never be safe from future attacks. The Onon River flowed northeast, back to the forests where Temujin had grown up, barely surviving by hunting birds and mice. He did not wish to live like that again.
他可以沿着其中一条漂向东南，回到自己的蒙古包。但是孤身一人待在大草原上，他将永无宁日，难以躲避日后的袭击。要是沿着鄂嫩河往东北方向去，回到铁木真长大的那片山林中呢？在那里只能靠捕鸟猎鼠勉强活命。他可不希望再过那样的生活。