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

Chapter 165 The Death of a Prodigy!
"Assassinated? And seriously injured?"

Zhao Shuo suddenly stood up and asked in a deep voice, "How exactly was the Great Khan assassinated?"

“It was that vile woman, Gurbeljin, who did it. No matter how loyal the guards are, they can’t protect the women around the Khan!” Suren swallowed hard, suppressing his nervousness, and said, “Prince Consort, come with me quickly, and be careful not to make a sound.”

Gurbelejin? That Western Xia princess?

Zhao Shuo suddenly remembered a record of Temujin in unofficial history.

He was shocked and felt a bit absurd; he was at a loss for words. But he also knew that now was not the time to think about such things.

"it is good."

Zhao Shuo followed Sulun toward Genghis Khan's sleeping quarters.

Gurbeljin was nowhere to be seen in the bedchamber; he had likely been dealt with. Temujin lay on the couch, covered with a thick brocade quilt, his eyes tightly closed, seemingly unconscious. Attending him were Yesui Khatun, whom he had brought with him on this western expedition, and his trusted imperial physician, Liu Zhonglu.

Besides Zhao Shuo, Tolui, Ögedei, and Chagatai were also summoned to the scene.

Inside the tent, silence and oppression filled the air. Clearly, the first few who arrived knew why Temujin had been so badly injured.

Everyone looked at each other, nodded slightly, and remained silent, tacitly refraining from asking how Genghis Khan had been assassinated.

Tolui pulled Zhao Shuo outside the tent and whispered to him about how Temujin's genitals had been bitten off by the Crown Princess of Western Xia.

Zhao Shuo remained silent.

I never expected it to be like this.

Zhao Shuo and Tuolei were both speechless.

They were angry, but they couldn't quite muster the anger.

After all, this was indeed a case of Temujin being careless.

Playing with your enemy's woman using that method is inherently risky.

That Western Xia woman clearly didn't want to live either.

Not long after, Temujin's brother Temuge and Temujin's sworn brother Borchu also arrived.

Hasar and Belgutei remained in their fiefdoms and did not participate in the campaign.

Zhao Shuo, Ögedei, Chagatai, Tolui, Temuge, and Bo'orchu were the six most powerful people in the Mongol army when Temujin was unconscious.

Yesui Khatun then spoke, saying, "Gurbeljin, taking advantage of the opportunity to serve Genghis Khan in bed, assassinated the Great Khan, leaving him seriously injured. Liu Zhonglu has already administered medicine to the Great Khan, but he remains unconscious. I am also in a state of panic. Let's set aside anger and revenge for now. You all should discuss the arrangements for the future. Bo'erchu, you are the eldest, you should speak first."

Bo'orchu said with a gloomy face, "This matter has greatly damaged Genghis Khan's reputation, and I think it should be kept strictly confidential. Just say that the Great Khan is old and seriously ill, and will not receive anyone for the time being."

He nodded slightly and said, "Yes, is there any more?"

Chagatai let out a heavy sigh: "Summon Jochi back immediately. If it's Father Khan... then he can see Father Khan one last time."

“Yes, send an envoy to Jochi now.”

After a moment of silence, Ögedei Khan said, “My father’s injuries are so severe that I think we should take turns guarding him, with each person guarding for six hours until he recovers.”

“That’s not a good idea.” Zhao Shuo shook his head slightly and said, “Let’s have two people on duty together. Chagatai and I will be on duty in the Great Khan’s bedchamber tonight. After six hours, Tolui and Ögedei will relieve us.”

Yesui nodded: "Let's do it this way, the third class will be Bo'erchu and Temuge."

Therefore, it is not simple.

After Temujin defeated the Tatars, the Mongols' archenemy, he captured a beautiful woman named Yesugan and took her as his concubine. Yesugan then enthusiastically recommended her even more beautiful sister, Yesui, to Temujin.

From then on, Yesui gained Temujin's favor and later became the queen of the third Ordo, second only to Börte. Temujin brought Yesui with him on this expedition against Western Xia, demonstrating the extent of his affection for her.

So, he's already over fifty years old. Even if he's exceptionally talented, how can he compare to those young and beautiful girls?

The key is that he possessed great political wisdom, understood the big picture, and prioritized the overall situation. Before Temujin's campaign against Khwarazm, it was Yesui who suggested that a successor should be designated. Temujin brought Yesui along on this campaign precisely to ensure that, in case of unforeseen circumstances, there would be a temporary leader within the Mongol army.

It has actually come in handy now.

He then realized that it was better for two people to be on duty than for one person to be on duty, as it was difficult to explain what might happen if something went wrong.

Furthermore, Zhao Shuo deliberately chose Ögedei and Chagatai as their ancestors, separating Ögedei and Chagatai. This was to prevent the two, who had already formed an alliance, from forging any will of Temujin. Or, even if no will of Temujin was forged, it could be questioned by others, affecting the stability of the Great Mongol Empire.

Let's take precautions against the worst-case scenario first.

Fortunately, the worst-case scenario did not occur.

Three days later, Temujin finally regained consciousness.

However, he was getting old, and his injuries were sometimes better and sometimes worse.

When things were going well, Temujin would have someone carry him to the outskirts of Zhongxing Prefecture. To be honest, Jochi's personality was most like Temujin's; they didn't like the magnificent houses of the Central Plains, but rather the vast and boundless grasslands.

However, Temujin's injuries are too severe to return to the grasslands, so he can only go to the outskirts of Zhongxing Prefecture to get some fresh air and enjoy the green trees and mountains.

Sometimes, he would order someone to bring out a bag of jewels and jade, and casually throw it on the ground, letting the guards pick it up as they pleased. Whoever found it could keep it. As long as the guards were happy, that was fine with him. After all, Temujin didn't need these things anymore; he only liked seeing the joyful smiles of his loved ones.

Sometimes, he would show his vulnerable side, saying to his guards, "In the future, when my descendants ride fine horses, drink fine wine, and are surrounded by beautiful women, will they remember all of this, and who gave it to them?" Then, without waiting for the guards to answer, he would shake his head and say, "They certainly won't remember."

When Temujin was unwell, he would have a fever all night long, and sometimes even fall into a coma.

Zhao Shuo and others took turns keeping watch.

Finally, two months later, Temujin awoke from his coma once again and summoned Zhao Shuo, Ögedei, Chagatai, Tolui, and Jochi's son Orda to his bedside.

So the Khatun served him from the side.

Bo'erchu and Temuge, armed with knives, stood guard at the palace gate.

Clearly, Temujin was about to give his final words.

"Children, I will soon be summoned by the Eternal Heaven! After I leave, if you want to continue to enjoy a life of wealth and pleasure and the joy of wielding power, you must unite to resist your enemies and honor your friends."

"Do you remember the story I told about the multi-headed serpent and the single-headed serpent? Never forget it. Not only never forget it, but also tell it to your descendants."

"Under the protection of the Eternal Heaven, I have established the largest country in history. It stretches nearly 20,000 li from east to west and 10,000 li from north to south. Such a vast territory is more than enough for you to enjoy."

"I know that you all want to inherit my position, but there can only be one Great Khan. If others are not satisfied with their fiefdoms, they may attack other countries. Whether it is the Jin and Xia kingdoms in the east, or the European countries in the west, whoever conquers them, they take their territory. The only thing you must not do is challenge the authority of the Great Khan and cause the division of our Mongol Empire. Do you all understand?"

Zhao Shuo, Ögedei, and the others replied in unison, "Understood. We will obey the Great Khan's instructions!"

Temujin said, "Ashuo!"

"Here!" "Although you are not my son, you are not only my son-in-law. I have always regarded you as my own son. Whether it was the founding of my Mongol Empire or the subsequent expansion of its territory, you made the greatest contributions. To be honest, your achievements are somewhat disproportionate to the size of the fiefdom you hold."

After a pause, Temujin took several deep breaths to regain his strength before continuing, "Therefore, before I am summoned by the Eternal Heaven, I bestow upon you the lands of Hebei and Shandong as your fiefdoms. From this day forward, you are the King of Yan and Zhao, Qi and Lu, Khorasan, Tokharistan, North India, the Kingdom of Bagrajionni, and West Rus'!"

These are Temujin's true feelings.

After all, Temujin didn't know history. He understood that even without Zhao Shuo, he would have built the largest empire in history, only its territory wouldn't have been as vast as it is now.

All he knew was that without the three thousand troops Zhao Shuo brought with him on the banks of the Banzhuni River, they might not have been able to defeat Wang Khan, and the Great Mongol Empire would not have been established.

All he knew was that without Zhao Shuo's use of wooden plaques to motivate the Jin army, the attack on the Jin would likely not have been so successful. If the campaign had been solely one of suppression, the Mongols would probably still be engaged in a protracted war of attrition with the Jin.

All he knew was that without Zhao Shuo's outstanding military achievements in the western expedition, Khwarazm wouldn't have been so easily conquered. Not to mention the Kipchak Steppe and the Rus' territories.

Genghis Khan believed from the bottom of his heart that the glory of Mongolia was due first to his contributions and second to Zhao Shuo's contributions.

There is no third person who has made any significant contribution; the contributions of others cannot be compared to those of the two.

Moreover, the Mongol dynasties were different from those of the Central Plains dynasties.

There is no such thing as an emperor who is supreme and treats his meritorious generals and ministers with "heavenly grace" in the sense that "both thunder and rain are divine favors."

The noyans on the grasslands didn't recognize it, and Temujin himself had absolutely no such idea.

To put it bluntly, the position of the Great Khan of Mongolia was merely that of a representative of the collective interests of the nobility of the grasslands, and he could not be the sole ruler.

Even the successor to the Great Khan of the Mongols had to be chosen by the steppe nobles through the Kurultai. The Great Khan directly appointed by the previous Great Khan was not the legitimate successor.

Therefore, the only way for the Great Khan to secure his position is through two methods. First, lead his nobles to continuous victories and seize more spoils. Second, be fair in rewards and punishments, so that most of the Noyan are convinced of his authority.

Since Zhao Shuo had made such great contributions, Temujin wanted to give Zhao Shuo everything he deserved before he died.

Zhao Shuo never expected that Temujin would grant him both Shandong and Hebei before his death.

This filled him with emotion.

He understood Temujin's meaning.

Temujin hoped that he would maintain the Great Mongol Empire and support his successor.

Temujin did not use threats or tests, but instead solidified his rule over the Han lands.

Whether or not he is willing to support his successor is entirely up to him.

How could Zhao Shuo not be moved by such respect?

"Thank you, Father Khan!"

Zhao Shuo spoke up.

He had already guessed that Temujin intended to make Ögedei his successor.

Since Temujin wanted him to support Ögedei, then to repay Temujin's kindness, he would do as he was told.

Anyway, Ögedei Khan wouldn't be the Great Khan for long.

As expected, Temujin nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good. Now, I will announce my successor, Ögedei, as we agreed upon before the western expedition. Ashoka, do you have any objections?"

"No."

"Where is Chagatai?"

"I am willing to serve Ögedei as Khan!"

"Tolui?"

"I will obey Father Khan's decree!"

"Jochi is not with me. Orda, why don't you speak on behalf of your father?"

Orda was clearly a little nervous and said, "Grandpa, whatever you say goes... Father Khan will definitely have no objection."

"Then it's settled. At the next Kurultai, you must all elect Ögedei as the Great Khan of the Mongols." Temujin was overjoyed, having relieved himself of his greatest worry, and said to Yesui, "Bring out the documents and have them all write their names on them."

"Yes."

As I said before, it's not up to Temujin to decide who will become the Great Khan of the Mongols in the future.

He can only influence it through some means.

He then produced the documents he had prepared beforehand and had Zhao Shuo, Chagatai, Ögedei, and Jochi's son Orda all sign their names.

With everything in black and white, these four people can't possibly go back on their word at the Holiland Conference.

With the unanimous recommendation of these four men, Ögedei's succession to the position of Great Khan of the Mongols was a foregone conclusion.

Then, Temujin began to give instructions on other matters.

For example, the title Genghis Khan was exclusively for Temujin. After Ögedei Khan succeeded to the throne, he was called "Khan," not "Genghis Khan."

For example, among the current Mongol generals, he favored Subutai the most. However, Subutai should be used with caution, and he should be reminded to take good care of his soldiers. This is because Subutai's physique is different from that of ordinary people; he "can walk for long distances without getting tired, and does not feel hungry or thirsty, which is something no one else can do," he is practically a human camel.

Subutai himself did not feel hunger or thirst, and thus often subconsciously ignored the feelings of his soldiers. From now on, no matter whose command Subutai serves under, he must be mindful of reminding them of this.

For example, there are many religions in the world, and Genghis Khan didn't actually believe in shamanism. He only believed that there was a single sovereign ruler in the world, who could be called "Eternal Heaven." A ruler should not favor any particular religion. Religions that obey the ruler's commands should be allowed to develop freely. Religions that disobey the ruler's commands should be exterminated.

For example, Ögedei Khan was good in every way, except that he was too fond of drinking. After ascending to the Khanate, he could not drink to his heart's content more than three times a month.

For example, isn't Zhao He of the Borjigin clan seventeen years old? It's time for him to marry a proper wife.

The more Temujin spoke, the more excited he became, and the brighter his eyes became.

Zhao Shuo nodded in agreement, but his heart was heavy with sorrow. Clearly, Temujin's condition was a final burst of energy before his death, and he likely wouldn't last much longer.

Sure enough, the light in Temujin's eyes suddenly dimmed, like a candle flame about to be extinguished.

He strained to open his eyes wide and said, "I...I have one last decree."

“Father, please speak.”

"Kill all the Tanguts!"

(End of this chapter)