THE SUNAN BODYGUARD

episode 2d: So Lurah Sugih Waras

Not yet, because everyone is afraid to get close."

"What people here used to live there?"

"No. We are new people from various villages, who happen to be Muslim. We have mosques, and we are from different regions and languages. It was ordered by Kanjeng Syech Subakir, one day you will come a young man. Greet the young man, and make him your leader."

Rejo silently watched.

"Then we didn't lift the lurah. We are waiting for what our Lord said. So, here there is only the imam of the mosque. And he became our role model, and the place where we asked about our daily lives and also about religion."

"So.... Kanjeng Shech Subakir said, there will come young people who must want to be generous. That so?".

"It's not. We were told to wait for the leader, and he must have come. I myself think, lest the mentioned Kanjeng Syech is you, young man."

Rejo.

"Look, let's go to the Imam's house. That way, everything will be clear and clear. Because, to the Imam of the mosque, Kanjeng Syech spoke more and closed. We don't know what they're talking about."

Still overwhelmed with confusion and wanting to know more clearly, Rejo agreed.

The two of them finally walked together towards the Imam's house.

Along the way, they met some people. Uniquely, the person immediately bowed deeply, as if they were passing by their leader.

The imam's house, right next to the mosque.

Before long, they met and immediately spoke seriously.

"Young people. Listen to me speak first, and then say, what I am talking about is wrong or right" said the Imam.

Rejo nodded.

"You come from Mount Tidar and got the nickname Pendekar Gunung Tidar, and want to meet with Kanjeng Syech Subakir to study. Then you fell asleep for many years in a land filled with reeds. You woke up, and you were confused and you went to this village. I got this story about 4 years ago, from Kanjeng Syech Subakir. Is this true what I'm saying, young man?"

"Right, Father," said Rejo astonished.

"Kang.. please immediately gather the villagers in front of the mosque," ordered the Imam of the mosque.

Residents who escorted Rejo soon passed, to hit the bedug and the fist.

Before long, the villagers had gathered in the courtyard of the mosque.

"Mothers, we have a guest, as promised by our teacher, Kanjeng Shech Subakir. It is this young man who will lead our village."

All speechless.

Rejo was confused and confused.

"What Kanjeng Syech Subakir hinted at, answered this young man. Young man, what's your name?"

"Rejo," he answered briefly, still confused.

"Mothers and mothers alike, will bear witness, that this young man is indeed worthy to be our leader. As Kanjeng Syech Subakir told me, before proving that son Rejo deserves to be the leader, I was ordered to take the oath to Rejo. Son, will you swear?"

"For what?"

"I can't say it next until you swear first."

"How do I swear to something I don't know."

"Kanjeng Shech's government is like that. If you say, yes, then I will continue."

The villagers are getting tense.

They were waiting for what Rejo would say.

A little long thought.

Silent.

No one dared to speak. All eyes were staring at Rejo.

Stared at the entire village, making Rejo uncomfortable.

So, Rejo finally agreed.

"alright. Since you have sworn, then imitate what I speak."

"I swear...."

"I swear...."

"Will show you my true abilities."

Rejo did not answer immediately.

The Imam repeated his words twice. Finally, Rejo imitated the word.

"Will show you my true abilities."

"Well, Son Rejo, you have sworn to show your true abilities. The villagers, in the corner of the mosque there is a big stone, where, the stone we can not move when building this mosque.

You know, the stone was deliberately placed there by Kanjeng Syech Subakir, as a means to prove that anyone who can move the big stone, deserves to be a lurah in this Sugih Waras Village."

Then, one by one the Imam of the mosque called the residents to try to lift the stone as big as a buffalo. The answer is certain, which is impossible to lift. Because, when building the mosque first, almost all residents took to royong to get rid of the buffalo-sized stone, unable to.

Even so, the so-called Imam of the mosque still tried to lift the large stone. One by one they failed.

"Son. You swore to show your true abilities. Under the stone, there is a well made by Kanjeng Syech Subakir. The well is certainly very useful for all of us. Now, the order from Kanjeng Shech Subakir that was given to me, you are asked to move the big stone. Please son."

Rejo.

For a moment he didn't move at all.

"Remember son, you have sworn. If you have removed the boulder, there is one more command from Kanjeng Shech Subakir. But, he said, the commandment was only given after you moved the stone."

Being curious, inevitably, Rejo came forward to approach the buffalo-sized stone.

Because he was used to moving large stones at times, Rejo easily lifted a stone as big as a buffalo, then moved it in a place a bit far and not disturbing.

All eyes wide.

Under the stone, there was a well hole, whose water was very clear.

After putting the stone, Rejo returned to the crowd of villagers.

"One order from Kanjeng Shech Subakir that was conveyed to me, you were tasked to make this village gemah ripah loh jinawi, toto tentrem kerto raharjo, its citizens sugih and its citizens sane."

Rejo fell down immediately. All the joints are limp.

"How is it possible, I can make this village gemah ripah loh jinawi? Allah akbar. I'm too young to lead old men?" rejo murmur.

"Young man, you deserve to be our leader. We are confident that you will be able to protect us from various threats. The proof is that you can lift a large stone easily. We believe in you young people" said the Imam of the mosque.

Not waiting long, Rejo was invited to the mosque, then they prayed for congregation, and continued by lifting Rejo as a lurah in the village of Sugih Waras.

Actually was. Rejo was very unprepared for this incident. He could not imagine, at such a young age and had no experience, he had to control one village. Where, he must take important decisions and keep the village safe from various dangers.

"Father and mother, we now have a gourd. Whatever the decision of Nak Rejo, we will all respect and carry out. Because we believe, whatever the decision, will bring benefits to this village. Are you ready to be led by Nak Rejo?" ask the imam of the mosque.

"Siaaaaaap."

"Alhamdulillah. Go ahead now Nak Rejo speaks in front of his people, "let the imam of the mosque, let Rejo stand.

A little reluctantly, Rejo did indeed finally stand up.

"Assalamualaik."

"Waalaikum salam."

"Mother, I didn't expect something like this to happen. If not for the word of Kanjeng Syech Subakir, of course I refuse. How could this very young me, be the leader of the village?

This is a very heavy burden. Just because Kanjeng Syech Subakir said, I am pleased. But, my request, if I manage to bring this village as desired, let me resign, because I really do not deserve it" Rejo said.

No one answered.

"Father mother, please note that I only met with Kanjeng Shech Subakir once, that is, before I fell asleep for a long time. I want to ask, where is now the position of Kanjeng Syech Subakir or Kanjeng Syech Jumadil Kubro?" ask Rejo.

Still no one answered.

"All right, then. We better finish this event first," Pinta Rejo is still confused, with the silence of the villagers.

"Assalamualaik."

"Waalaikum salam" replied the inhabitants in unison.

"If asked in silence, if given greetings immediately answered. What's the matter?" thought Rejo.

Rejo chose to sleep in the mosque, even though it had actually been made a decent home by the villagers. The house was indeed prepared for a leader, where with a very spacious courtyard and a decent meeting room as well.

"No need, I sleep in the mosque foyer only," Rejo refused.

Rejo is asked not to think about daily needs, because it will be fulfilled by villagers. Rejo refused. He doesn't want to trouble others. Rejo chose to plant on a plot of land near the mosque. Rejo also hunts in the surrounding forest. In addition, his time was spent gathering with his citizens.

At a very young age, Rejo began to listen to the complaints of his citizens. Some complain about the animals destroying the rice fields, some complain about the dedemites who like to disturb this new village, and some complain about the bega-begal around outside the village, which threatens the residents.

These include complaints about the threat of other villages that still adhere to Hinduism, Buddhism or worshipers of stones and plants.

"Well, gentlemen, we explain one by one the problems of this village, Maybe there is something I can try to solve for myself, but of course there is something I can not afford.

As for those related to agriculture, of course I cannot afford. Maybe, can I solve the problem of begal, the beast of the bully, the dedemit. About the threat of other villagers who are still Hindus, of course it is the responsibility of all of us. We have to show that we are good Muslims, and have good deeds" Rejo said.

Everyone seemed satisfied, Rejo answered.

It is planned, in the near future Rejo invites the imam of the mosque named Syuaibi, to accompany him in touch with the head of the neighboring village.

"All the blessings we need to make friendship. So, there are no enemies here" asked Rejo.

In a small heart, Rejo actually wants this problem to be resolved quickly, he can immediately resign from the position of lurah, which is considered quite burdensome. For that, he was very keen to finish the begal that often disturbed the villagers.

"Tonight, Father and Mother, after the prayer of Isha, please in their respective homes. Please prepare weapons near the door, just in case. I will go to the begals, if there is still time, I will also go to the dedemites, including if there is time, I try to dispel the agricultural destroyers. Leave me alone, not one of my father, mother, who goes out of the house, whatever happens, until dawn" Rejo ordered.

All assented.

So, after the Isya prayer, Rejo walked alone along the village streets, including passing through the road to the forest. Rejo hopes to meet begal, or dedemit. At least, meet with a bullies animal.

However, a few hours walking alone, none of them were found.

"What's this about? He said there were trashes, robbing, dedemits or animals bullies. Whereabouts? I didn't meet."

Even until dawn, Rejo was alone.

"None of them I met. What's this really about?" rejo asked Syuaibi, after the dawn prayer.

Syuabi.

"It could be, because the villagers say, that the village lurah is a student of Syech Subakir. By saying that name, the villagers hope the condition of the village is safe. And it could be, last night, the village people have been woro-woro that the lurah has been present. This may be the reason why you didn't meet anyone last night" Syuaibi said.

"All right, if that's the case. Then the complaint has been handled," Rejo replied.

Syuabi hopes so.

At night, Rejo no longer walks in the village. Rejo chose to sleep on the veranda of the mosque. However, in the morning, Rejo got a story that was quite surprising. Some villagers who returned home last night, finally scuttered. In fact, some were hit by sabetage.

"How is this, Mr Lurah?" ask one citizen.

Rejo himself did not immediately answer, but was serious about dealing with bleeding from the wounds of his citizens, by covering some blood roads with a massage.

After massaging, Rejo turned around, and stared at the crowd.

Highlight Rejo's eyes were very sharp.

All who were present in the courtyard of the mosque were immediately frightened.

They did not expect, the anger in this new gush, making the originally soft face become very scary.

No one dared to speak. People choose to bow.

"Mothers and mothers all, this is overdue. Not taking treasures was more than enough. If I hurt, I don't accept it. Why do the begal know, if I do not keep watch. There may be spies in our village. Remember, we are Muslims, we have to look after each other. I, as a gentleman here, will not hesitate to kill the spy, if it is found out."

All down.

"Now I lead this village. I want to bring our village baldatun toyyibatun warabbun ghofur. I have no tolerance for betrayal. Lebib is good to admit it now, while the villagers have not died because of being killed. I assure you, if we confess now, we will all forgive. But, if you do not want to confess, please bear the consequences."

Everyone's still down.

"Pengkhiat, let's get up from your seat. I promise I won't do you any good. I will protect you and your family. God willing all the villagers will forgive you. But, if you don't want to confess, really, I don't hesitate to kill you with my own hands."

Everyone's still down.

However, before it could disperse, one person immediately stood up.

"I, Mr. Lurah."

Not everyone stood up.

The man walked over to Rejo.

Rejo stared very sharply. He was the man Rejo met when he first entered the village.

"Oh, it turns out that spy's brand was a piece of it?"

This middle-aged man nodded.

"Why?"

"My family was threatened. If I don't give any information about our village, my family will be killed one by one."

"So you sacrifice others for your own safety? Look at that, our brother, he's cut like that."

The spy looked down.

"Well, according to my promise, I will protect my family. Either from the threat of begal or from villagers who do not accept. Whoever hurt this man will confront me. I want all citizens to forgive this father's mistake."

Everybody stay down.

"Sir, please apologize to everyone present."

Then, the person walked over one by one, shook hands, even hugged, and apologized.

He even cried a lot.

"Now, you have to tell us all here. Where is the Begal headquarters?"

The farmer man nodded.

"Then, how do you tell me about Begal?"

"They approached me in the fields or in the garden."

"When will you meet them again?"

She shook her head.

"Unscheduled. Suddenly they came into the garden."

"Alright, if it's like that. Please, if they come to you again, say that the new Mr. Lurah brought his treasure. The treasure is gold, which will be brought here to build the village. The gold was to be picked up by horse-drawn carriage, and placed in a wooden crate. It is estimated to reach the village, after the prayer Isya."

The man nodded.

"If you've met begal, meet me immediately."

He's nodding.

"All right, everybody get out."

Indeed, finally, the man went to the mosque porch to meet Rejo.

"Assalamualaikum Mr. Lurah."

"Waalaikum salam. I've met begal."

While frightened, he nodded.

"My son was hurt. They said, this time just read my son's arm, but if later the information I gave lies, they will slash the neck of all my family members."

"What's? Can they read out your father's arm?"

He's nodding.

The anger within Rejo was unbearable. His eyes turned into an extremely sharp highlight, his hands clenched. Sweat pouring.

"It's so cruel, they're it."

The farmer finally told me about his encounter with Begal.

Rejo took the two of them to the imam's house at the Syuaibi mosque.

"Bapak Syuaibi. In these two days, I will leave the village. Please take care of all the village affairs first."

Rejo borrowed his horse and cart, clothes and some other equipment.

In the not too distant future, Rejo had already disguised himself as an older figure. Rejo immediately boarded the horse cart, complete with an empty chest.

Rejo carried the bamboo that had been shaved.

"Son Rejo, what's the drawstring bamboo doing?"

"Make a weapon" Rejo answered accordingly.

Syuaibi and the farmers were quite overwhelmed. The cart started to slowly walk out of the village.

"Sir, as far as the father knows, what begal often patronizes our village, what kind of people are not?"

"God willing, sir. I was really scared if they came. In fact, when coming to me, sometimes interspersed with the presence of strong winds, sometimes others accompanied by wolves. Sometimes they show off strength, knock down a big tree hit with a single punch."

"God willing, is it true that Son Rejo will fight them with a shaved bamboo that is as big as a pinky? If it's true, is it possible to defeat the mighty begal?"

Finally, Syuaibi ordered to hit the spool. The goal is to gather the villagers.

"All fathers. Just getting out of our way, Nak Rejo set out alone to fight back. Do you know what the fathers of all are weapons? Bamboo shavings. In fact, begal who can disturb us, generally sakti-sakti. Now, I offer to all the fathers. How can we let our gentleness fight against the magical begal-begal? If I were alone, I would help. Maybe some of the fathers would also like to help?"

Apparently, no one ventured.

Syuabi is a bit of a gamang.

One man advanced, none other than the farmer who became a spy.

"I'm willing to help our lurah. I have enough fear. I have committed too many sins to my neighbors. I want to make up for it, by helping Mr. Lurah fight against the begal, although I know, there is no way I won against the begal who is indeed powerful. But I am sincerely fighting. May God forgive my sins."

"Alhamdulillah. Any more people want to help?"

Two young men came forward. After that, no one dared.

"All right, now disband."

There were four of them in the mosque.

"We go home first, for the wife's part. After the prayer of Isya, we will leave at the border of the village. Remember our goal is to help Mr. Lurah. It is not us who will eradicate them, because we will lose. Help to the Lurah, we do if it is true that we are stuck and squeezed in a begal attack. Please go home, and please bring your own weapons."

And it is true, after the prayer of Isha, they were ready to fight. Slowly, they settled cautiously towards the outside of the village. They don't want the begals to catch. If that happens, there will be no more mercy.

"normally. Begal's getting ready around here."

"Alright, then, let's climb a tree high enough. And we stay in that tree, waiting for what happens," the imam of the Syuaibi mosque asked.

Four of these people climbed a tree that was quite lush, but could see freely down. These four people no one dared to move.

Moreover, shortly after they climbed up, some appeared, and they hid in the bushes.

Another swarm, clustered in a place farther away. Presumably, the people who were huddled in some distant place were in charge of blocking if, the ambushed person was about to escape.

Syuaibi and three others were tense. They hardly dare to breathe. They don't want to die silly from being discovered.

Towards midnight, sari towards the outside of the village, seen a wagon running slowly.

Syuaibi is tense. Does not feel they feel then gripped the handle of each machete or keris. They knew that the one who came was the Lurah. Rejo.

The wagon approached, Syuaibi and friends increasingly asphyxiated.

The wagon approached the horde of begal.

In the darkness, Syuabi began to count. There are about 50 people. Even more, if coupled with some people armed with arrows, who hid a bit further. They would carry out a deadly attack, by raining arrows, should their friends lose.

"Stop!"

Suddenly this herd came against the cart, from the front and back.

Syuaibi saw Rejo in a calm condition. It's just that, because it's dark, Rejo's face doesn't look like a mimic.

"What are you stopping this wagon. I'm dropping off Mr. Lurah's stuff. I'm going to throw it to the lurah" said the wagon.

"Ha ha ha. We already know. Get down from the wagon. This wagon now belongs to us, ha ha ha," one person shouted.

"Are you the leader?" ask sais the cart.

"What to ask! You're just looking to die."

"I'd get off the wagon, if you told your leader to. Where's your leader, tell him to come here."

"Ha ha ha. Just this time, we met the pretentious village people. Find *****just."

"Please your leaders tell you to come here. If you don't want to, I'll come to him with this wagon" Rejo said.

"Where is your leader?"

"Ha ha ha, have the old man come down, or we force him down!"

"You're the only ones who ride here."

Some members of the Begal, who underestimated the opponent, attempted to ride the wagon.

Without changing the sitting position, Rejo's right hand, holding the bamboo around, was immediately knocked towards the people who were about to ride the wagon.

"Cethar!"

"Cethar!"

"Cethar!"

His voice is quite blaring.

The four people who were in the tree, had been shocked and almost released the handle from the branch.

Three members fell down, then the corner rolled on the ground.

"Aww.. sakiiiiit.pardon..pardon..pardon...pardon... !" yell them together.

This makes the other members of the begal had been stunned.

However, they soon gained control of themselves, and became fierce figures again.

"Bad. Want to show off science, huh? In that case, you deserve to be made ******....! Come on, guys, attack!"

However, the members of the Begal who surrounded the wagon did not move to attack. They looked at their three cornered friends rolling on the ground screaming.

"You guys have fear too" thought Rejo.

"You are too cruel to the villagers. How many people have you killed. I suggest you stop if you want to survive. And please don't make me angry. Really, if I get angry, I don't know what's going to happen to all of you. I can't control myself. Really, please, don't make me angry. Really, please," Rejo said.

"Please, your leaders tell you to come here. If not, really, I'll go to him. Either in the horde at the end of the road there, or who was armed with arrows there," Rejo said, pointing in both directions.

Of course the ones who surrounded were shocked. Because, it seems unlikely Rejo can find out there are three groups of begal in that location.

The four people in the tree were also shocked.

"Don't Mr Lurah also know that we are in the tree?" syuabi.

It didn't take long to find out.

Suddenly, Rejo runs his cart. Some of the people who were in front of the cart got out of the way and started to snatch the horse parts.

Rejo had already calculated this possibility. As fast as lightning Rejo bounces forward, perches on the horse's back, and hits his bamboo on the people who are about to read the horse.

This fast enough movement, not taken into account the herd begal.

"Thak!"

"Thak!"

"Thak!"

Three people fell. The others retreated.