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

Chapter 214 The Golden Family Splits, the Beginning of the Empire's Decline!
"Father!"

Möngke quickly helped Tolui up and shouted, "The moon rises over The Hague! The moon rises over The Hague! Quickly, take some men to show Father!"

"Yes."

Yuejulian Haiya was a Uyghur under Tolui, skilled in medicine, and in charge of all the military doctors under Tolui.

He had already been waiting with several doctors by his side. They quickly helped Tolui into the palace, laid him down on the couch, and began to treat him.

Yao Shu knelt before the bed and suggested, "In my opinion, there are three most important things to do now."

"First, the entire army should be on high alert, and more men should be stationed around the Khan and the eldest prince. The Khan has already met with misfortune; if something happens to the eldest prince as well, everything will be over."

"Secondly, no matter how the Great Khan summons him, the eldest prince must not appear before him, and it is best not to leave the Xuande Hall even for a moment."

"Thirdly, Zhao Shuo Khan should not have left the city yet. We should send someone to invite him here immediately to discuss the worst-case scenario. Khan, if I may say something, this is no longer the time to consider brotherly affection or national righteousness. Your Majesty has gone to great lengths to kill you!"

Mongge gritted his teeth slightly and said, "Mr. Yao is right. The only one who can save us now is my uncle Zhao Shuo!"

"No! No!"

Tore shook his head slightly and said, "Actually, my condition isn't that serious, and it might not have been Third Brother who did it. I feel much better now than before."

He paused, then looked at Yue Julian Haiya and asked, "What do you think of my condition?"

Knowing the immense turmoil he was facing, Yueju Lianhaiya carefully chose his words, saying, "If we consider only medical matters, it seems the Khan has ingested something unclean, but it's nothing serious. After taking a few doses of medicine, he should recover. However, since it involves matters of spirits and deities, I dare not speak rashly."

"Having drunk Third Brother's bathing water, aren't you an unclean thing?"

Upon hearing Yueju Lianhaiya's words, Tolui became even more unwilling to consider Uncle Yao's suggestion, saying, "Let's see. If it really doesn't work, we'll contact Zhao Shuohan again."

The Hague's assessment appears to be correct.

The next morning, Tore felt noticeably better.

By the afternoon, everything was normal.

Tolui was overjoyed and went to Xuanming Hall to see Ögedei again, only to find that Ögedei was now able to stand up and drink thin porridge.

On the third day, Ögedei, along with Köden, Köchü, and Tolui, inspected the Mongol army camp.

The entire army erupted in cheers.

However, by the fourth day, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

Tore suddenly felt unwell and quickly fell into a coma, losing all chance to contact Zhao Shuo. His face was ashen, his breathing rapid, and he developed a high fever. He didn't open his eyes again until two days later, but it was clearly a final burst of energy before death.

"Child, listen to me!"

Tolui gripped Möngke's hand tightly and said, "After I die, never seek revenge against Ögedei! You...you are still young, no match for him!"
This is true.

Tolui was able to rival Ögedei Khan because he had many hereditary commanders of a thousand households, and also because he had made many military achievements and enjoyed great prestige.

After Tolui's death, Möngke had no prestige whatsoever, so how could he possibly stand up to Ögedei?
They would only have sacrificed their lives in vain.

Mongke gritted his teeth in resentment and said, "Is it really not enough to ask Uncle Zhao Shuo for help?"

Why should he help you?

Tolui smiled bitterly, "The Great Khan and I are both your Aunt Huazheng's brothers. Why is Brother-in-law Zhao Shuo siding with me in our conflict? After all, it was I who distanced myself from him in the first place!"

After a pause, Tolui took a few breaths and continued, "Besides, the Great Khan has done nothing wrong on the surface. Even I can't produce any evidence myself, and your uncle has no legitimate reason to act."

"But... but what if he still won't let us go after you pass away?"

"If that's the case..." Tore felt his strength rapidly draining away, he slowly released Mongke's hand, closed his eyes slightly, and breathed barely.

Mongke had to put his ear right up to Mongke's lips to hear him clearly.

Tore said, "Then go and beg your uncle at all costs. For your sister's sake, he won't just refuse to give you a way to survive."

When a person is about to die, his words are also good.

Only now did Tolui realize how correct it was for Zhao Shuo to have made such a big fuss and to be so vigilant against Ögedei.

How cold-hearted and ruthless Ögedei was!
He made a grave mistake by listening to Ögedei Khan and intentionally distancing himself from Zhao Shuo.

To put it bluntly, if he had maintained good relations with Zhao Shuo and Jochi, would Ögedei have dared to lay a finger on him?

But it was all too late.

After uttering his last two words, Tolui passed away suddenly.

"Father!"

Möngke embraced Tolui's body and wept bitterly!
"What? My fourth brother is dead? This is like a chariot losing its shaft, an eagle breaking its wings. It's...it's devastating!"

Inside the Xuanming Hall, upon learning of Tolui's death, Ögedei shouted a few times and then fainted on the spot.

But in reality, he was overjoyed.

Initially, Liu Zhonglu thought Ögedei wouldn't live more than a year or two. However, Ögedei, with his strong willpower, abstained from alcohol and sex, focused on recuperating, and successfully pulled through.

Not only that, although Ögedei had long wanted to deal with Tolui, his excessive drinking meant he was rarely sober and couldn't come up with any good solutions. This time, Ögedei stopped drinking and, apart from sleeping, spent all his time thinking about how to deal with Tolui, and actually devised a wicked plan.

After his injuries improved, he pretended that his injuries were getting worse and sent Liu Zhonglu away so that Liu Zhonglu would not notice anything amiss.

They then took the opportunity to summon Wusunchar and carry out this plan.

Of course, Ögedei Khan didn't come away without paying a price. Feigning illness isn't so easy. He took a potion offered by one of his shamanic healers, making him appear weak-pulsed, pale, and listless. For a short time, even Liu Zhonglu didn't notice, and Zhao Shuo was also fooled.

Every medicine has its side effects, and Ögedei Khan felt that his health was not as good as before.

But it's worth it!
Today, we have finally succeeded in eliminating his greatest threat!
A full hour later, Ögedei Khan feigned a "leisurely awakening" and, escorted by five hundred Kheshig soldiers, arrived at the Xuande Palace.

He continued his performance, weeping bitterly while holding Tolui's body, saying that he was the one who had caused Tolui's death, leading to Tolui being taken away by the mountain spirits of Goryeo. He promised to treat Tolui's widow and children well in the future.

Möngke gritted his teeth in secret, but outwardly acted as if he had no ill feelings towards Ögedei.

In fact, it wasn't just Möngke. Countless people outwardly praised Tolui's deep brotherly love, saying it moved the gods and that he died in his brother's place. But secretly, they felt that Tolui's death was too suspicious, and that Ögedei Khan was probably behind it all.

As night fell, inside a large and magnificent tent in Kaijing City.

Natur, son of Chilaun; Boluantai, son of Bo'erchu; Qietai, son of Shuchitai; Zatar, nephew of Muqali; Toghon, son of Bo'erhu; and Ulianghetai, son of Subutai, gathered together.

These six men were all commanders of a thousand men in the Kheshig army.

Before Zhao Shuo was enfeoffed as a king, this gathering consisted of Natu'er, son of Chi Laowen; Boluantai, son of Bo'erchu; Qietai, son of Shuchitai; Zhatar, nephew of Muqali; Tuohuan, son of Bo'erhu; and Surun.

It's a very simple principle. Back then, Temujin promised six hereditary commanders of the Kheshig army to Zhao Shuo, Muqali, Bo'orchu, Bo'erhu, Chilaun and Jochitai.

These six people are of similar status.

However, after Zhao Shuo was made a king, Su Lun tacitly stopped attending such gatherings, and others also stopped inviting him.

After all, Su Lun, as Zhao Shuo's confidant, was completely different from them.

Later, of Genghis Khan's four mastiffs and four heroes, only Subutai remained alive. As Subutai's eldest son, Uriyangqatai's status rose accordingly, and he joined this small group.

"I say, Tolui Khan's death was quite suspicious!"

Natur's aunt, Khadagan, married Temujin and was most heartbroken by the infighting within the Golden Family, as well as most dissatisfied with Ögedei.

He lowered his voice and said, "Why did Wusunchar only communicate with the Eternal Heaven after we were all present in the Xuanming Hall? I have followed Genghis Khan since the establishment of the Kheshig army. I have never heard of such a ritual by the Tongtian Shaman."

Bo'erchu's son, Boluantai, chimed in, "Can you exchange your own life for the life of your loved ones by praying to the gods? Before Genghis Khan died, the shaman was in the army. Why didn't he perform similar rituals back then?"

Jochi's son, Qietai, who was closest to Zhao Shuo, clicked his tongue repeatedly and said, "If you ask me, Zhao Shuo Khan was truly wise. He knew that the Xuanming Hall wasn't so easy to enter, so he directly beat the drums to gather his generals and led his troops to storm the palace. Do you believe that if Wusunchar had dared to force Zhao Shuo Khan to drink some unknown substance, he would have dared to chop off that Tongtian Shaman's head on the spot!"

Muqali's nephew, Zatar, took a sip of wine and said sarcastically, "Wusunchar doesn't have the guts, and the Great Khan probably doesn't either."

"How can you be so sure that the Great Khan was behind it? Tolui Khan's death was indeed mysterious!"

Borchu's son, Toghon, was the simplest of the three and had a deep faith in shamanism. He said, "Didn't Tolui Khan suddenly die after he had recovered? Everyone saw it. Who can be sure it wasn't the work of the mountain spirits of Goryeo?"

"It's only because we can't definitively say that the Great Khan did it that things have calmed down now," Uriyangkhadai sneered. "If the truth comes out one day, who knows what kind of trouble will ensue!"

It must be said that Tolui was a highly decorated general with great prestige in the Mongol army. His mysterious death led many to secretly feel indignant on his behalf.

Most importantly, Ögedei's actions were extremely unethical.

Tolui is not someone who cannot be killed, but only if Tolui commits a serious crime and all the Nayans unanimously agree to kill him.

If Ögedei can now secretly deal with Tolui to consolidate his power, why can't he deal with Jochi, Chagatai, and Zhao Shuo in the future? Why can't he deal with his sons-in-law?

Is it safe to have a hereditary title of a thousand-household commander?

Once this precedent was set, all the Mongol nobles felt insecure.

However, with the fig leaf of Tolui dying in place of his brother still in place, and no one having any clear evidence, everyone could barely convince themselves and maintain a temporary stability.

Inside the Xuanming Hall on the other side, Ögedei Khan felt quite pleased with himself.

Khoduan, who couldn't hold his liquor, was already completely drunk. Khochu, on the other hand, had a much higher tolerance for alcohol and continued to serve Ögedei drinks, showing him great attentiveness.

"Father Khan dealt with Tolui without lifting a finger; he was truly brilliant. I toast you!"

"Mmm, drink."

Ögedei drank it down without hesitation and said, "That's exhilarating! Truly exhilarating! I've never felt this exhilarated since I became the Great Khan! From this day forward, I am the true leader of the steppe warriors, the true Great Khan of the Mongols!"

"So, are you really going to treat Tolui's widow and children well?" Kochu asked with some unease.

"How is that possible?"

Ögedei downed a cup of wine in one gulp and said smugly, "That was just a show of force to appease people. If we don't deal with the Tolui family, where will our hereditary commanders come from? What can we do with the original five hereditary commanders? Just wait, I will definitely find a way to leave you a vast legacy!"

"That would be wonderful!" Kuochu raised a cup of wine and said, "Father Khan, let me offer you another toast!"

"Dry!"

The father and son drank heartily, as if a bright future lay ahead.

Zhao Shuo, however, paid no attention to what was happening in Pyongyang and slept soundly that night.

What's there?

In Ögedei's mind, the killing of Tolui was already a historical fact, and this was just a replay of it.

Moreover, this is merely the tip of the iceberg of the internal strife within the Golden Family. The future is far from over!
He has plenty of time to plan, or even do nothing and simply observe from the sidelines, and the Golden Family will reach the point of near collapse.

The next day, Zhao Shuo led his army directly back to Zhongdu.

Time flies, and a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

During that year, Zhao Shuo did many things.

Firstly, he formally divided his territory into several provinces.

The provinces of the Central Plains are self-explanatory. Shandong, Hebei, Shaanxi, and Shanxi are the four complete provinces, with Hanzhong also included in the Shaanxi region. Northern Anhui, northern Jiangsu, and most of Henan are simply named Anhui, Jiangsu, and Henan respectively. Later, when other areas of these provinces are conquered, these areas can be added to them.

In addition, there are the provinces outside of mainland China.

Zhao Shuo named the Goryeo region north of the Han River the Hannan Province.

In addition, there were the western provinces of Khorasan, Tokharistan, North India, West Rus', and Assyria.

Zhao Shuo remained unmoved by the Kingdom of Bagration, ruled by Queen Rusdan, and treated it as a vassal state. However, he did appoint a prime minister to reside there.

Thus, Zhao Shuo's kingdom was divided into thirteen provinces in total, seven inner and six outer, plus one vassal state.

Secondly, the heir apparent Zhao He was transferred from the Plain Yellow Banner of the Han Army to assist Yelü Chucai in handling political affairs. Zhao Shuo's second son Zhao Yan, third son Zhao Yi, fourth son Zhao Yu, and fifth son Zhao Xuan were respectively assigned to the Plain Red, Plain Yellow, Plain Blue, Bordered Red, and Bordered Blue Banners of the Han Army as deputy commanders of a thousand men to gain experience.

Thirdly, the navy had already built a new type of ocean-going warship. Zhao Shuo ordered the navy to pilot a warship under the Plain Red Banner to escort the envoy to Japan and demand that the Kamakura Shogunate hand over Kim Wak-seon.

In fact, Zhao Shuo didn't know if Jin Ruoxian had arrived in Japan, but he was just guessing anyway.

Zhao Shuo's main purpose was to test the warship's ocean-going capabilities.

If it performs well, we can proceed with mass production. Then, depending on the situation, we might launch an eastern expedition to Japan, a southern expedition to the Song Dynasty, or even go to Southeast Asia to collect guano.

Fourth, the State of Song sent three beauties. Besides the historically famous Xie Daoqing and Lady Jia, there was also a little-known woman named Su Yourong.

This woman not only possessed the gentle and graceful qualities unique to women from Jiangnan, but she was also an excellent cook. Her fish soup, in particular, was exceptionally delicious, and Zhao Shuo loved it very much.

Zhao Shuo simply took all three beauties as his concubines.

As for what to do if, without Xie Daoqing and Jia Meiren, the Southern Song Dynasty doesn't make the same foolish moves as in history when Zhao Shuo conquers it later?
"Let's just do what needs to be done," Zhao Shuo thought. He refused to believe that with his strength, the Southern Song Dynasty could stir up any trouble.

Besides, the Song Dynasty has already given them away. Does Zhao Shuo think they can still become empresses or imperial concubines if he returns them? Can the Southern Song court afford to lose face like that?
Princess Li Ying of Annam and Li Du Yin of the Annam royal family also arrived in Zhongdu.

At first, Li Deyin wanted to negotiate with Zhao Shuo, saying that as long as Zhao Shuo helped Annam restore its kingdom, he could marry the princess to Zhao Shuo and make Zhao Shuo and Li Ying's son the new king of Annam.

Zhao Shuo had no interest in Annam at the moment. After he conquered the Song Dynasty, Annam would be his prey, ready to be devoured however he pleased.
Having just acquired three beauties from the Song Dynasty, he had little interest in this Annam princess.

So, after a brief conversation, Zhao Shuo sent Li Deyin away.

A few months later, Li Deyin completely panicked.

After all, looking across the world, who else but Zhao Shuo could help them restore their kingdom?

The Song Dynasty? Let's not even talk about whether the Song Dynasty will take the opportunity to annex Annam. I heard that the main force of the Song army is divided into four routes to attack the four remaining prefectures of the Jin Dynasty, but they haven't conquered them yet and have suffered several defeats.

Currently, Li Deyin is scrambling to bribe Zhao Shuo's important officials. He doesn't dare to make demands anymore, wanting to send the princess into Zhao Shuo's harem first. After all, if the princess bears Zhao Shuo a son, wouldn't he be missing out on a fiefdom in the future?
Fifth, Zhao Shuo's workshop improved the hot air balloons. Now these hot air balloons no longer need to be pulled by ropes and can rise, fall, and turn freely.

In short, Zhao Shuo mainly dealt with domestic affairs throughout the year, and the territory remained peaceful.

Ögedei Khan seemed to be living a very comfortable life.

Three months after his return to Karakorum, Subutai and Guyuk led their armies in triumph. They killed Jalal ad-Din and pacified Iraq.

Ögedei was overjoyed and not only granted Iraq to Güyük, but also decided to arrange a good marriage for Güyük—Sorghaghtani Beki, the widow of Tolui.

A nephew marrying his aunt is considered extremely immoral by people in the Central Plains, but it is perfectly normal by people on the grasslands.

For them, seniority is not an issue at all.

For example, historical records show that Kublai Khan first married the daughter of Anchen's grandson, named Tegulun.

Chen himself was the younger brother of Börte, Temujin's wife, which meant that Kublai Khan married his own niece.

Kublai Khan's second empress was Chabi, the daughter of Anchen, who was Kublai Khan's aunt in terms of generation.

Another example is Hulagu, the son of Tolui, the founder of the Ilkhanate. His queen was named Toghus, who was originally betrothed to Tolui. However, Tolui was killed by Ögedei Khan before Toghus could marry her.

Therefore, according to Mongolian custom, Toghtosah married Hulagu.

Toghril's status as Tolui's fiancée not only prevented her from facing any discrimination, but also made her the highest-ranking of Hulagu's wives. Even Europeans, because of Toghril's status, fawned over her, claiming that she and Sorghaghtani were descendants of the legendary priest-king John.

But then again, it's obvious to anyone that Ögedei Khan wanted Güyük to marry a widow who could be Güyük's mother.

Those hereditary commanders of a thousand households left behind by Tolui.

Sorghaghtani dared not defy the Khan's decree, but instead said that he would consider his marriage after his children had grown up.

But this is not a long-term solution.

After all, her youngest son, Ariq Böke, is already ten years old.

Even if Tolui's children are considered her children, the youngest, Moge, is already three years old this year. Who knows how long Ögedei will live?
When one plan failed, Ögedei tried another. He used the pretext of a rebellion within his fiefdom to send Köden with three commanders to his territory.

Those three commanders belonged to Tolui. After they went to Ögedei's fiefdom, will they ever be able to return?

The Tolui family could no longer tolerate it. On this day, Möngke disguised himself and secretly came to Zhongdu City.

He even played a trick, not asking to see Zhao Shuo, but instead requesting to see his aunt and uncle. After all, women are soft-hearted, and with Hua Zheng's support, everything could be negotiated, right?

Therefore, Zhao Shuo and Hua Zheng received Möngke in the Kangtai Hall of the Zhongdu Imperial Palace.

After the greetings and a few pleasantries, Möngke sighed and said, "Uncle and Aunt have heard about what happened on the grasslands, haven't they? The Great Khan has really bullied us orphans and widows. I beg Uncle to uphold justice!"

"Justice? What justice can I possibly uphold?"

Zhao Shuo shook his head and said, "Now that the Great Khan and you are at odds, if I join in, wouldn't that be tantamount to starting a civil war in Mongolia?"

Möngke quickly replied, "There's no need to start a civil war. My mother, my brothers, and I have already discussed it and are willing to hand over the entire Persian gulf to our uncle. In this way, the Great Khan will know that our uncle is behind them and will probably not dare to continue to pressure us."

Zhao Shuo shook his head again and said, "Wouldn't that make me covet your ulus and become an enemy of the Great Khan? That would be even worse."

"Please, Uncle, for Father Khan's sake, you must agree to this!"

Möngke immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "What are the Persian Ulughs? The foundation of our family has always been on the grasslands, on those grassland warriors. Now the Great Khan is pressing us step by step, leaving us no way out!"

Then, she looked at Hua Zheng and said, "Please say a word for me, Aunt! You can't just stand by and watch us be bullied to death by the Khan, can you?"

"A-Shuo, look..."

Hua Zheng looked at Zhao Shuo with pleading eyes.

She is very depressed and can't understand how things could have come to this. Her brothers all have their own fiefdoms.
Ögedei not only killed Tolui, but also bullied the orphans and widows left behind by Tolui, which was too much.

Zhao Shuo nodded and said, "Alright, since your aunt has spoken up, I'll wade into this mess! Actually, Tolui really died unjustly!"
Mongke's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Does Uncle also believe that Father Khan's death was indeed suspicious?"

"It's not just a belief, it's a fact."

Zhao Shuo said, "After your father drank the bathing water from the Great Sweating, he felt unwell at first, then he felt much better for two days, and then his condition deteriorated rapidly. This is actually a typical symptom of poisoning after eating a certain type of poisonous mushroom."

"Although I don't know how Wusuncha'er concocted the poison, it must have been made primarily from similar poisonous mushrooms."

"Over the past year, I've sent people to find some poisonous mushrooms. If you don't believe me, try them on a few death row inmates. Although the onset time may differ from your father's, the symptoms are similar."

This is true.

Zhao Shuo read some reports in later generations.

Some people who eat poisonous mushrooms initially experience gastrointestinal symptoms and seem to have recovered after 24 hours. However, after another two days, their condition deteriorates rapidly, and even with modern technology, there is a significant mortality rate. These two days of apparent improvement are called the "false recovery period." On the surface, they appear to be better, but in reality, the mushrooms are slowly eroding their liver, making this a critical period for rescue.

How sophisticated could poison techniques be in this era? And Torei's feigned recovery period was too obvious; Zhao Shuo immediately thought of this.

"No need to try, I believe you!"

Möngke gritted his teeth slightly and said, "It really was Ögedei who did it. One day, I will, I will... announce to the world the cause of my father's death!"

Actually, what he originally wanted to say was to kill Ögedei's entire family.

But as soon as the words were on the tip of his tongue, he realized that Hua Zheng was right there. Hua Zheng didn't want the Tuolei faction to be bullied, and she certainly didn't want Ögedei's entire family to die. So, Möngke quickly changed his tune and gave a different explanation.

One month later, in the Imperial Palace of Horlin City.

"Haha, my beauty, drink this pot of wine, and I'll reward you with a hundred barishes!"

Ögedei Khan was fond of fine wine, beautiful women, and extravagant spending. Since winning over Tolui, he became increasingly dissolute.

At this moment, he was pinching a beautiful woman's chin and forcefully pouring a pot of wine into her cherry-like mouth.

More than eighty beautiful women were also gathered nearby, laughing and joking.

If there is a paradise for men on earth, it is probably here.

However, at that moment, a series of hurried footsteps shattered the illusion of paradise.

"Zhenhai pays respects to the Great Khan!"

"Zhenhai! Get up, what...what is it?" Ögedei looked at Zhenhai with bleary, drunken eyes.

"Uh, please dismiss those around you, Your Majesty."

"Alright... fine, you're always so cautious." Ögedei waved his hand and said, "You may all leave."

"Yes."

Seeing the group of beautiful women leave the main hall, Zhenhai hurriedly reported: "Something terrible has happened. We have just received news that the Tolui Khan lineage has reached a consensus that they are unable to manage the Persian Ulus and will hand it over to Zhao Shuo Khan free of charge!"

"Wh...what?" Ögedei shuddered, instantly sobering up considerably. He said, "Say it again, they want to hand over Persia intact to Zhao Shuo?"

"Yes, that's right."

"This...how is this possible?"

Now, Ögedei was completely dumbfounded.

He had considered that if he pushed the Tuolei faction too hard, they might switch their allegiance to Zhao Shuo.

But what can the Tuolei faction offer Zhao Shuo?

The hereditary commanders of a thousand households belonged to both Tolui's lineage and the Great Khan's, so they did not have that power.

Some lands in Persia? Would Zhao Shuo even be interested in them?
Who would have thought that Tolui's faction would be so ruthless, giving the entire Persia to Zhao Shuo!
Now it is clear that Zhao Shuo has gained the entire Persian province, but he has gained nothing of substance. Moreover, it is impossible for him to gain any more substance in the future.

Since Zhao Shuo dared to accept Persia, he was already prepared to turn against him.

He wasn't confident that he could confront Zhao Shuo head-on with his own strength.

This is so frustrating!
He finally managed to kill Tolui, but ended up getting nothing for himself, while Zhao Shuo benefited from it all!

"This is simply unreasonable!"

Ögedei, enraged and humiliated, roared, "The Tolui lineage is giving away the legacy left by Tolui to Zhao Shuo, an outsider. Aren't they afraid of being scorned by the people of the steppe? And Zhao Shuo, taking advantage of the chaos like this, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the world?"

"I'm afraid that's not necessarily true!"

Zhenhai said bitterly, "Great Khan, you may not know this, but now it's widely rumored that Tolui Khan was killed by you. You had Wusunchar use a toxin extracted from a poisonous mushroom, under the pretense of the will of the Goryeo gods, to kill Tolui Khan."

"This... actually happened?"

In an instant, Ögedei's face turned deathly pale.

Many people suspected that Torei was responsible for his suspicious death. However, the circumstances surrounding his death were so bizarre that they were not entirely sure.

Now that such a rumor exists, what difficulty is there for them to find poisonous mushrooms with similar effects?
Furthermore, his abuse of the orphans and widows left behind by Tolui is widely known.

Once those herdsmen of the grasslands find similar poisonous mushrooms, they can confirm that he was indeed the one who did it!

He could even kill Tolui, let alone Tolui's family? Tolui's family abandoned Persia to protect themselves, what is there to despise about them?
Zhao Shuo's acceptance of Persia meant a complete break with Ögedei Khan, which risked war with him. It couldn't be considered taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

Not only that, Ögedei had no achievements to speak of, and he even killed his own brother. What prestige did he have left to rule the steppe?
This Khan is destined to be alienated from the people of the grasslands!

His prestige is a minor matter; the real question is how he will pass on the Khanate to his descendants.
It is important to know that the position of Great Khan must be confirmed by the Kurultai!

At that time, if Zhao Shuo's faction and Tuolei's faction joined forces, it would be a sure thing to put Mongke in power!

Finished!

It's all over!

"It hurts...it hurts so much!"

Ögedei grew increasingly frustrated, when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He clutched his chest tightly and exclaimed, "Quick! Summon Liu Zhonglu! I'm afraid... my old injury has flared up again!"

(End of this chapter)