Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 120 The battle for succession, the first Mongol expedition to the West!
In fact, Zhao Shuo did not meet Temujin until a month and a half later.

Because the first arrow-speed messenger had just arrived, Zhao Shuo selected five hundred black cavalry and was about to set off when the second arrow-speed messenger sent by Temujin brought Temujin's latest order.

This decree required Zhao Shuo to neither go to Zhongdu nor continue attacking the Jin Kingdom, but to gather his troops on the spot and await orders.

Three days later, Temujin's third messenger arrived at the speed of an arrow, officially informing Zhao Shuo of the Khwarezmian attack on Jochi, which resulted in more than 3,000 casualties among the grassland soldiers. He ordered Zhao Shuo to rush to the newly built Karakorum City within 55 days to attend the kurultai assembly.

Zhao Shuo understood that this was Temujin calming down from his anger and preparing to do something big.

What was the strategic purpose of Mongolia’s expedition to Khwarezm?
Should we kill a group of Khwarezmians, rob them, and take revenge on Muhammad?
Or do we want to completely destroy Khwarezm?
If it was the former, he could directly send Zhao Shuo to lead his main army to the west, meet up with Jochi, and then attack Khwarezm, burning, killing, and looting to vent his hatred.

But if it is the latter, to send troops on an expedition thousands of miles away and destroy a great power of the time, it is necessary to integrate all the strength of Mongolia.

The smaller the noise, the bigger the matter.

Temujin did not immediately mobilize troops, which actually meant he was sentencing Khwarezm to death in his heart.

Sure enough, when Zhao Shuo arrived in Khorum City, he found that most of the Mongolian nobles had gone to Khorum. Even Jochi, who was on the front line in Kashgar, had been called back by Temujin.

It is obvious that a storm that can sweep the entire world is brewing in Lincheng.

The origin of this storm was the kurultai conference.

Temujin himself.

Temujin had four sons: the eldest son Jochi, the second son Chagatai, the third son Ogedei, and the fourth son Tolui.

Temujin's three brothers: Khasar, Belgutai, and Temuge.

Temujin's five sons-in-law: Botu, who married Temujin's sister; Zhao Shuo, who married Temujin's eldest daughter Huazheng; Alechi, who married Temujin's second daughter Cheche Yijian; Boyaohe, who married Temujin's third daughter Alahai; Chigu (son of son-in-law Anchen), who married Temujin's fourth daughter Tumulun; and Taichu, who married Temujin's fifth daughter Aldarukhe.

And all hereditary thousand households except the twenty hereditary thousand households of the grassland on the Kashgar front.

In the royal palace of Horqin City, Temujin looked at the Mongolian nobles with a majestic gaze.

He said, "I'm sure you all know why I called you back! The Khwarezmians not only killed over a thousand of my Mongol caravan members, but also ambushed Jochi and killed three thousand warriors from my steppes. Such a great vengeance must be repaid with blood!"

Temujin's voice was firm and deep, filled with deep anger.

The Mongolian nobles in the hall immediately echoed: "Blood debt must be paid with blood!"

Zhao Shuo was sitting where Temujin attacked, and he also spoke out with the crowd.

"Sure enough, the first Western Expedition is finally about to begin!"

Although the Central Plains had not yet been pacified, the Jin Dynasty was still struggling, and the Southern Song Dynasty was still struggling, Zhao Shuo was still very interested in the Western Expedition.

Those clowns in the West, who haven't experienced the whip of God yet, are jumping around much more happily than the few in the monster room in East Asia. For example, the Western Liao Dynasty and Khwarezm are now more arrogant than the other.

Temujin mobilized the entire Mongolian force to march westward, and Zhao Shuo still did not mind taking his Mongolian warriors and the Eight Banners of the Han Army to kill people in the west and cause rivers of blood.

However, just when the Mongolian commanders were getting excited, Temujin reached out to calm them down.

He changed the subject and said:
"Khwarazm must be destroyed, but last night Madam Yesui advised me that I am old and am now on a long expedition. If something unexpected happens, the Mongol Empire will be thrown into chaos, and you won't know who to take over the Mongol Empire."

"Although Yesui is a woman, I think what she said makes a lot of sense."

"I've been thinking about this all night and feel that I should definitely make this a priority. I want to let you and all the people in the world know whose orders you should obey if anything happens to me."

As soon as Temujin said this, the hall suddenly became quiet.

All the Mongolian nobles gasped!
They never expected that Genghis Khan would drop such a bombshell just as the kurultai began.

This is about choosing an heir!
However, no one spoke, firstly because they were not qualified, and secondly because they did not dare to speak.

Temujin looked around and found that everyone's expressions were different and no one dared to speak, so he said:
"Jochi is my eldest son. Let's talk about it. Can he become the Great Khan of all Mongolia?"

"no!"

Almost no one expected that the first person to speak would be the usually taciturn Chagatai.

Zhao Shuo turned his head and glanced at Chagatai.

Chagatai was really quick-tempered. Before he could react, Chagatai had already refuted him.

When he looked over, Chagatai had already stood up.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Chagatai said with deep indignation: "Jochi is a bastard born of the Merkits. How can he be the successor of my father Khan? I will not accept him becoming the Great Khan of all Mongolia!"

"..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the palace fell silent.

Zhao Shuo pulled the corner of his mouth and shook his head slightly.

As soon as the words were out, it was no longer appropriate for him to intervene.

"Chagatai, you are talking nonsense!"

After being stunned for two seconds, Jochi flew into a rage. He stood up and grabbed Chagatai by the collar, his eyes blazing with fire as he said, "My father, the Khan, has never said anything unusual about my background, let alone looked upon me differently. Tell me, have I led more troops abroad, or have you? Do I have more thousand-household men under my command, or do you?"

Chagatai sneered and retorted, "If that's what you mean, Ashu has been on more expeditions than you have. He has as many thousand households under his command as Tolui. What? He's also the Khan's biological son?"

"you……"

Jochi was speechless, his veins bulging with anger as he roared, "I won't waste my words on you. Come on! Let's fight! Whether it's archery or wrestling, I, Jochi, will fight you to the end! If you beat me in archery, I will break my thumb and never use an arrow again. If you beat me in wrestling, I will never compete for the position of Great Khan again."

"Let's compete. Am I afraid of you?"

Chagatai showed no sign of weakness. The two men separated, rolled up their sleeves, rubbed their hands, and were about to fight.

"What do you two want to do!"

"stop!"

Of course, the ministers could not just watch Jochi and Chagatai fight in front of Genghis Khan.

Zhao Shuo also knew that he could no longer stand idly by.

There are no more than a handful of people here who are qualified to mediate the fight.

Captains like Naya'a all lowered their heads and dared not step forward.

He and Temujin's brother-in-law, Wanhu Chang Borshu, looked at each other and immediately stood up!

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, hugged Jochi and Chagatai tightly around the waist.

No matter how they struggled, they couldn't break free.

Hu Nan said in a deep voice, "Chagatai, is it appropriate for you to say this about your own mother? She didn't elope, but was abducted by thieves. This wasn't a mistake made by a man and a woman in love, but a disaster caused by war."

"You are speaking of Jochi in this way now. Are you being worthy of your loving and pure mother? Are you being worthy of your fellow brothers?"

"Chagatai, you disappoint me so much!"

Temujin leaned forward, his eyes wide open, and his hands tightly gripped the handles of the tiger-skin chair, as if he wanted to crush it.

Börte was his Achilles' heel.

It would be fine if Chagatai was dissatisfied with Jochi, but he should never have brought up Jochi's background.

He tried his best to suppress the raging anger in his heart and said in a calm tone, "Jochi is my eldest son. This will never change. Anyone who dares to make a fuss about what Chagatai said will be executed immediately! Chagatai, if you say something like that again, you are no longer my son."

"I... I just don't accept Jochi being the Great Khan." Chagatai sensed his father's anger and dared not struggle any further. He said weakly, "Of course I respect my mother. If Jochi doesn't become the Great Khan, I can kneel down and kowtow to him to apologize. I prefer to apologize to my father and mother."

Jochi was still furious: "To be frank, isn't it because you want to be the Great Khan that you insult your mother in public?"

"I have absolutely no such intention!" Chagatai gritted his teeth and said, "How about this, Jochi? Neither of us will become the Great Khan. How about letting my third brother be the Great Khan? We can both assist him together."

Upon hearing this, Jochi frowned in shock. He hadn't expected Chagatai to voluntarily give up the fight for the Khanate, retreating to advance. If he continued to harass, it would appear that he was still coveting the Khanate.

Subconsciously, Subuchi responded.

"Alright, as long as it's not you, Chagatai, who becomes the Great Khan! Am I, Jochi, more stingy than you, Chagatai!?"

Actually, Jochi knew that his status was somewhat awkward and he had never intended to sit on the throne of the Great Khan. It was only when Chagatai publicly called him a bastard of the Merkits that he flew into a rage and started a quarrel with Chagatai.

Chagatai could not become the Great Khan, and Jochi had no objection.

Temujin turned to Ogedei and asked, "Ogedei, what do you say?"

"It's up to my father Khan!" Ogedei replied respectfully.

"Tolui, what do you say?" Temujin asked.

"I am willing to assist my third brother and be his left and right hand. When he sleeps, I am willing to be his guard. When he does something wrong, I will definitely remind him." Tolui said without hesitation.

Temujin looked around and said, "What do you think? If something unfortunate happens to me during the Western Expedition to Khwarezm, would you support Ogedei as the Great Khan of Mongolia?"

Zhao Shuo and other Mongolian nobles said in unison: "Genghis Khan is wise!"

What is there to say?
Of course, what Zhao Shuo wanted most was for Temujin to make Jochi his successor.

However, he understood that Jochi's background had always been a thorn in Temujin's heart, and Temujin had no intention of making him his heir. Otherwise, Temujin would not have suppressed his anger just now, but would have picked up the horsewhip and whipped Chagatai on the spot.

If Zhao Shuo strongly recommended Jochi, it would not only be futile, but would also likely cause Temujin's resentment.

Chagatai dared the world to expose his father's scars and use his mother as an excuse. He must have reached some kind of deal with Ogedei: to use Chagatai to force Jochi to be replaced and ensure Ogedei's position.

Temujin may not have seen through this.

However, the current discussion was about who would immediately succeed Temujin as Khan and lead the army against Khwarezm if something happened to him during his Western Expedition? Jochi's lineage was questionable, and Tolui was too young and lacked prestige, so they were not even considered by Temujin.

Therefore, Temujin could only choose between Chagatai and Ogedei. Since Ogedei and Chagatai had reached a consensus, Temujin could only choose Ogedei even if he saw through the situation.

What if Temujin had not died on the Western Expedition, but returned safely?
Then, according to the Great Jasa, after Temujin's death, a khuriltai meeting would be held, and all the Mongol nobles would determine the new Great Khan. This position of Great Khan would not necessarily be in Ogedei's pocket, and Tolui still had a good chance.

Temujin said, "Very good, this is settled.

This western expedition to Khwarezm, thousands of miles away, is different from our attack on the Jin. Even if we suffered a setback against the Jin, we could return to the steppes. However, Khwarezm is thousands of miles away. If we suffered a major defeat, we would likely be unable to return east.

So, besides me, there are Jochi, Chagatai, Ogedei, Tolui, and Ashu. Ashu, although you are not my biological son, I have always treated you as my own. Like Jochi and the others, you should appoint your own heir.

If something unfortunate happens, the Great Mongol Empire will act according to what we have agreed upon today."

"Yes," Zhao Shuo said, "If something unfortunate happens to me, my eldest son, Zhao He, will inherit the throne, with Hua Zheng assisting him."

Subuqi said: "If I am unlucky in this western expedition, my eldest son, Orda, will succeed me, and Huolulatai will assist me."

Chagatai, Ogedei and Tolui all appointed successors.

To be frank, establishing an heir was certainly a precautionary measure, but the main reason was that Temujin wanted to give a clear message to the Mongolian generals: this expedition to Khwarezm would be a dangerous battle, and Temujin, his four sons, and Zhao Shuo were all prepared to die in battle at any time.

If you slack off in the slightest, don't blame me for chopping off your heads!
Of course, once you win, the rewards are extremely rich.

Temujin said: "If, under the blessing of Eternal Heaven, our Great Mongol Empire really annexed Khwarezm.

I will share the wealth and women of Khwarezm with all the Nayans who participated in the Western Expedition!
Furthermore, Khwarezm's original territory will be divided into four parts, each designated as the fiefdom of Jochi, Tolui, Chagatai, and Zhao Shuo. These fiefdoms will then be inherited by their descendants, whom they will appoint today!"

"Genghis Khan is wise!"

Temujin said, "Okay! Now, listen to my orders. Temuge!"

"exist!"

"You are my younger brother. Every time I went on a campaign, you always guarded the royal court, ensuring that I had no worries. This time, you will once again lead six thousand households and stay in Helin, responsible for the safety of the entire grassland."

"Yes!"

Temujin looked at Zhao Shuo again and said, "Son-in-law Zhao Shuo!"

"exist!"

"You are the Darughachi of the land south of the Iron Gate Pass and north of the Yellow River. You have already taken all of Hebei and Shandong. Except for the necessary garrison troops, all of you will follow me to conquer Khwarezm."

"Yes!"

Temujin continued, "Muhuali!"

"exist!"

"You are the Darughachi of the world north of Tiemenguan. You haven't yet taken all of the northeast. For now, hold off and continue your offensive in the northeast. If there's trouble on the grasslands or south of Tiemenguan, be ready to provide support. If you have the strength to spare, you can attack Goryeo or Shaanxi. It's up to you."

"Yes."

In the historical line where Zhao Shuo did not travel through time, Mu Huali was granted the titles of Grand Tutor, King, and Provincial Governor, and was in charge of all the affairs of the Central Plains, reaching the peak of his power.

The Mongol army came out in full force to attack Khwarezm. At that time, the Mongol army was actually at a disadvantage in the Central Plains. It was necessary to give Mu Huali great power and act according to his convenience in order to protect the territory that had been conquered.

To put it bluntly, Mu Huali's responsibility was not to "attack the Jin army" but to "defend the territory."

It’s just that the hereditary marquises of the Han army were so good at fighting that Mu Huali’s victory seemed more brilliant.

However, now that Zhao Shuo had quickly stabilized Shandong and Hebei, even if he withdrew most of his troops, it would not be a problem to defend Shandong and Hebei, so there was no need to give Mu Huali such great power.

Moreover, Zhao Shuo conquered Shandong and Hebei in just one year. But what about Mu Huali? Without the support of the Han army's hereditary marquises, he hasn't even conquered Northeast China. This stark contrast means that Mu Huali's reputation in Temujin's eyes is far less high than it was historically.

Of course, letting Mu Huali stay in the Northeast and be ready to provide support to the grassland or the Central Plains at any time is also a great use.

Temujin said, "The rest of you, return to your headquarters and mobilize all your forces. All males under your command, aged fourteen and over, and under sixty, will join the expedition against Khwarezm. All war horses will be requisitioned, with a minimum of four horses per man."

"Yes!"

Then, Temujin ordered Tatatong'a to convey the order to Western Xia, ordering Western Xia to send 50,000 troops to join the expedition against Khwarezm.

Next, an unprecedented mobilization began throughout the Mongol Empire.

Yes, it is unprecedented.

The last time Mongolia attacked the Jin Dynasty, it left 10,000 grassland warriors on the grassland, but this time it only left 6,000.

Last time, the people in the forest were not mobilized, but this time, even the people in the forest were conscripted.

Last time, it was just one man and three horses, but this time, Temujin requisitioned all the warhorses, requiring at least four horses per man. The maximum number of horses a man could control simultaneously was three, with the remaining horses forming a herd that would follow the central army and replace any lost horses.

Oh, and there are also craftsmen. Last time, Mongolia had few craftsmen, so naturally, they were not among the conscription. This time, however, all craftsmen who can make and repair siege engines, or who can do the job after simple training, will also be conscripted. These craftsmen will be equipped with a large number of mules and draft horses, and will move alongside the army.

The entire mobilization process lasted four months.

In addition to Zhao Shuo's troops, Temujin recruited a total of 93,000 steppe warriors, 34,000 from the Baru camp, 10,000 Han soldiers, and 13,000 artisans, for a total of 150,000 troops. If we add the 17,000 steppe warriors and 5,000 Han soldiers that Jochi left in Kashgar, the total number reached 172,000.

Zhao Shuo also counted the soldiers under his command.

There are 135 counties in Hebei and 147 counties in Shandong, and the 500 quota of government soldiers in each county is fully staffed.

If all are mobilized, 140,000 soldiers can be gathered.

All eight banners were fully staffed, totaling 80,000 men.

The grassland soldiers of Zhao Shuo's headquarters plus the reinforcements from Baru Camp totaled 15,000 people.

The Baru Camp has 40,000 men.

The engineering battalion has 4,000 people.

The total military strength reached 280,000.

Of course, the palace soldiers were not very strong and could only defend the local areas. Therefore, Zhao Shuo did not plan to lead the palace soldiers to the battle this time.

Zhao Shuo ordered each of the Eight Banners to select 2,000 soldiers, a total of 16,000 people, as field troops, stationed in Shandong and Hebei to guard against the Jin Kingdom.

In addition, Zhao Shuo sent Geerile to lead a thousand grassland warriors to take charge of the military affairs in Hebei.

Veteran General Su He led a thousand grassland warriors to take charge of Shandong's military affairs.

Altana, who was good at running, led a thousand grassland warriors to guard the Hulunbuir grassland, under the command of Hua Zheng.

Therefore, Zhao Shuo was accompanied on the expedition by 12,000 grassland soldiers, 40,000 Baru battalions, 4,000 engineering battalions, and 64,000 Eight Banner soldiers, for a total force of 120,000.

The combined forces of Temujin and Zhao Shuo amounted to 292,000 men, which was said to be one million.

Well, there are not a million people, but there are definitely more than a million war horses and there are still more than enough.

……

……

On March 1217, , Zhao Shuo set out on his expedition.

The Mongol army of nearly 300,000 men certainly wouldn't gather together to march westward. Subuchi had already returned to the front lines in Kashgar, and Zhao Shuo would lead his 120,000-man army as the vanguard. After joining Subuchi in Kashgar, they would attack Western Liao.

At this time, Khalkha was thirty miles outside the city.

To the west was Zhao Shuo's army, a force of 120,000 men, with flags waving and banners fluttering.

To the east was the farewell team, the soldiers and horses left behind in the noble city of Khalkha, as well as the craftsmen and their families who stayed behind, with a total number of nearly 50,000.

At the front of the farewell procession were Zhao Shuo's wife and children.

Hua Zheng gave birth to two sons for Zhao Shuo, the eldest son Zhao He, and the fifth son Zhao Xuan.

Su Na gave birth to a daughter and a son for Zhao Shuo, Zhao Shuo's eldest daughter Zhao Ying and second son Zhao Yan.

Hu Lan gave birth to a son and a daughter for Zhao Shuo, Zhao Shuo's third son Zhao Yi, and second daughter Zhao Xue.

Alia also gave birth to a son for Zhao Shuo, Zhao Shuo's fourth son, Zhao Yu.

Zhao Shuo now has five sons and two daughters.

By the way, there is also Princess Wanyan Ningjia of Qi State of Jin Dynasty.

Her face was beautiful and exceptionally gentle. Her skin, bathed in the morning light, was a faint rosy glow, like a newly blossoming peach blossom. Her left hand unconsciously rested on her slightly swollen belly, adding a touch of maternal radiance.

That’s right, Wanyan Ningjia is pregnant.

Five or six years ago, when the Jin Dynasty and Mongolia signed the "Da'an Agreement", Yan Ningjia was still young, so Zhao Shuo did not recruit him and kept him.

Last year, Zhao Shuo passed by the Hulunbuir grassland on his way to attend the Khuriltai Conference and enjoyed it. Now Wanyan Ningjia is five months pregnant.

Of course, the focus of today's farewell is still Hua Zheng.

Hua Zheng took the glass of wine from Hu Lan, held it up in front of Zhao Shuo with both hands, and said, "I wish my husband good luck in martial arts and a victorious return!"

"Haha! I can lend you some good words!"

Zhao Shuo took the wine, drank it all, and said, "I will return victorious from this trip to Khwarezm!"

Then he turned and addressed his 120,000 soldiers, saying, "Genghis Khan has allowed me to establish a kingdom after conquering Khwarezm. This kingdom is mine, and yours as well. We shall share Khwarezm's children, wealth, and land!"

"I am willing to die for your majesty!"

Boom~~
One hundred and twenty thousand soldiers responded in unison, their voices shaking the sky.

Then, he mounted his horse and, under the leadership of Zhao Shuo, headed towards Kashgar, seven thousand miles away!

(End of this chapter)