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

Chapter 215 The Great Song Dynasty was shaken, and Zhao Shuo was urged to become emperor!

The words had barely left his mouth when Ögedei's vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

Liu Zhonglu rushed over and tried acupuncture and medicine, but after a full half hour, Ögedei remained unconscious.

Ögedei's six queens, three adult sons Güyük, Köden, and Köchü, and three underage sons Khash, Khadan, and Mieli, all gathered in the palace with solemn expressions.

"Liu Zhonglu, what is the situation of the Great Khan? Tell the truth!" Doleg, Ögedei's sixth empress, asked sternly.

Back then, Zhao Shuo followed Genghis Khan to defeat the Naiman army and killed Tayang Khan in battle. Tayang Khan's queen, Gurbesu, became Temujin's woman.

Aliya, the most beautiful woman of the Naiman people, was given to Zhao Shuo.

This battle also resulted in the capture of two important women: the two wives of Hudu, the eldest son of Tohtoa, the chief of the Merkit tribe, one named Tugai and the other named Doregne.

Temujin gave Tugai to his brother Hasar and Doregne to his third son Ögedei, who became Ögedei's sixth wife.

Doregne, also known as Naimajin Toregona, is the famous Empress Naimajin in historical records.

Ögedei doted on her greatly. Güyük, Köden, Köchü, Khäsh, and a son who died young, were all her children.

Therefore, although Ögedei's principal wife was Bolakh, and there were as many as six women with the title of empress, Doregne was still the most respected.

Liu Zhonglu stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "After the Great Khan was injured last time, thanks to the protection of the Eternal Heaven and the Great Khan's great fortune, he was fortunate enough to recover. However, after this serious illness, his body is quite depleted, and recently he has been indulging in wine and women too much. In addition, he was too excited just now, which caused the old injury to relapse. This time it is really quite troublesome!"

Ögedei's eldest son, Güyük, said, "Please, Mr. Liu, spare no expense to treat my father. No matter how precious the medicinal herbs are, just ask, and I will find them for you."

“This has nothing to do with medicine.” Liu Zhonglu said with a troubled expression, “At this point, even the best medicine is of little use. We can only rely on the Great Khan himself and the protection of the Eternal Heaven.”

"When will Father Khan wake up?"

"I can't say for sure. It could be as quick as three or four days, or as slow as two or three months, or he might never wake up again... Something terrible has happened."

Tuolegne said solemnly, "Mr. Liu is the imperial physician who served both Genghis Khan and the Great Khan. I trust your medical skills, so please do your best to treat me."

"Yes, Zhonglu is deeply indebted to the two Khans, how could he not repay their kindness with his life?"

How many children does Mr. Liu have?

"He had only one son, named Liu Anping."

"Do you hold any official position?"

"I hold no official position; I am merely a recipient of the Great Khan's grace, who has granted me the privilege of opening a public pharmacy in Karakorum to provide medical care for the people."

"With such a family tradition of medical knowledge, Liu Anping's medical skills must be quite good. Let's do this: bring him here so that he can work with Mr. Liu, Ren Dongqing, and Zheng Xianjing to treat the Great Khan. Once the Great Khan recovers, I will certainly reward him handsomely."

As the Great Khan of the Mongols, Ögedei naturally had more than one physician serving him. In fact, there were as many as forty-seven imperial physicians in Karakorum who served the Great Khan and his consorts.

However, Liu Zhonglu was the most skilled in medicine and held the highest position. Ren Dongqing and Zheng Xianjing were also among the best, with considerable medical expertise.

But why call Liu Anping over?

This is like being taken hostage!
how?

If they couldn't cure Ögedei's illness, would they kill Liu Zhonglu's entire family?
Liu Zhonglu felt a wave of disgust. He truly regretted letting his son open the Huimin Pharmacy in Zhongdu. But what could he do now that things had come to this?
Liu Zhonglu had no choice but to bow again and say, "As you command."

Naimazhen then looked at his sons and said, "Since the Great Khan is unconscious, I will temporarily handle state affairs on his behalf. What do you think?"

"It's all up to Mother to decide."

The authority of the matriarch in Mongolia was immense.

Guiyou, Kuoduan, and Kuochu had no choice but to nod in agreement, as their mother had a strong personality.

The three of them had no objections, and Ögedei's left prime minister Zhenhai and right prime minister Henchuan Chongshan had even fewer objections.

Thus, it became a settled matter that Empress Naimajin would assume regency, with Zhenhai and Henzhu Chongshan assisting her.

In Zhao Shuo's view, this was actually nothing.

According to Mongolian custom, Doregne's actions were not inappropriate.

Besides, he's too lazy to deal with the internal strife within the Mongol court right now. He believes in strengthening himself first.

When Zhao Shuo was in Henan, he established the Second Ten Thousand Household of the Bordered Red Banner of the Han Army, with Jia Tong serving as its head.

In northern Jiangsu, a new 20,000-household unit of the Han Army Bordered Blue Banner was established, with Guo Alin serving as its head.

When Zhao Shuo launched his second campaign against Hebei, he recruited five generals: Zhang Fu, Li Ting, Miao Daorun, Wu Xian, and Jia Tong.

Zhang Fu, Li Ting, Miao Daorun, and Wu Xian had long been promoted to the rank of Wanhu (a military rank), with Wu Xian even becoming the banner lord of the Semu Plain Red Banner.

Jia Tong's long-cherished wish has finally come true.

Guo Alin was a general whom Zhao Shuo recruited during his conquest of Shandong. The Yellow Crane Sleeve Army he commanded was a remnant of An Zhen's Flower Hat Army, and its fighting strength was considerable. Guo Alin himself was also a general of both wisdom and courage.

Of course, in terms of ability alone, Guo Alin is definitely not as good as Guo Zhongyuan.

But when did Guo Alin start following Zhao Shuo through thick and thin? He participated in the western expedition against Khwarezm!

Despite Guo Zhongyuan's merit in killing Jin Yunhou, he certainly wouldn't be chosen as the second commander of the newly formed Han Army Bordered Blue Banner.

But Guo Zhongyuan wasn't in a hurry; there was plenty of time. The Southern Song Dynasty, countless kingdoms to the west, and the clearly hostile Mongol court—there were plenty of battles to fight!

When Zhao Shuo led his troops into the palace in Kaijing, he entrusted Guo Zhongyuan with the 108 most elite Banner soldiers, which showed his trust in him.

Given enough time, would Guo Zhongyuan still be worried about becoming a commander of ten thousand households? Even becoming a banner lord wouldn't be impossible.

Zhao Shuo divided the newly acquired Persian lands into three provinces and established three Semu Eight Banners Ten Thousand Households: the Second Ten Thousand Household of the Semu Plain Black Banner, the Second Ten Thousand Household of the Semu Bordered Yellow Banner, and the Second Ten Thousand Household of the Semu Bordered Red Banner.

These three commanders of ten thousand households were all drawn from the thousand-household commanders of the Eight Banners Han Army.

Thus, Zhao Shuo's Han army Eight Banners reached fourteen ten-thousand-household units.

The number of Semu Eight Banners also reached fourteen.

In addition to a commander of ten thousand men in the Plain Red Banner of the Navy, and Zhao Shuo's own troops, his regular army exceeded three hundred thousand.

The territory is vast.

After Persia came under Zhao Shuo's control, Zhao Shuo's territory comprised sixteen provinces (seven inner and nine outer) plus one vassal state.

In terms of territory alone, it can be called the number one in the world.

At this point, even if Jochi, Chagatai, and Ögedei joined forces, they could no longer do anything to Zhao Shuo in terms of territory, population, or even military strength.

However, the world's focus now is not on Zhao Shuo's strength, but on the internal strife within the Mongols. Many Mongols themselves find the idea of ​​Tolui dying in place of his brother dubious, let alone people of other ethnicities.

Today, the truth about Tolui's death has been spread in great detail and is known to almost everyone.

In addition, on the day Zhao Shuo led his troops into the palace, Ögedei later oppressed the widow and orphans left behind by Tolui. Tolui's lineage offered the land of Persia as a gift to Zhao Shuo for protection. Ögedei fell into a coma, and Empress Naimajin took over the reins of government...

Most people believe that although the Mongols are now stronger than ever, they have gone too far and are on the verge of disintegration.

For a moment, the world was shaken.

Southern Song Dynasty, Lin'an, inside the imperial palace.

"Your Majesty is overjoyed! Overjoyed indeed!"

A young eunuch rushed into the Xuande Hall, carrying a document in his hand. He said, "Prime Minister Zheng reports urgently: Five days ago, Meng Gong, the commander of the Zhongshun Army, led the charge, beheaded Guo Hama in battle, and captured Caozhou City! Now, all four prefectures in Henan have fallen into our hands. Prime Minister Zheng will soon be returning to the capital!"

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Minister Zheng, you are truly my trusted and capable minister!"

Zhao Yun took Zheng Qingzhi's memorial and became more and more pleased as he read it. He said, "Quickly summon all the prime ministers to a meeting. I want to discuss with them how to welcome Prime Minister Zheng!"

In fact, Zhao Yun knew that the Song army's attack on the four last remaining prefectures of the Jin Kingdom had not gone smoothly. It had taken more than two years and 30 million strings of cash in military expenses, and they had suffered several defeats. Even the Sichuan general Sun Yingcheng had been killed in battle.

But didn't we win?

Wasn't the remaining forces of the Jin dynasty wiped out by his hand?

It's still worth celebrating.

On the surface, the ceremony was a celebration of Zheng Qingzhi's victory, but in reality, it was a demonstration of Zhao Yun's martial prowess to the world.

Before long, Shi Miyuan, Xuan Zeng, Qiao Xingjian, and Liang Chengda, whom Shi Miyuan had recently promoted to the position of prime minister of the Song Dynasty, entered the main hall together.

In fact, they had already learned of Zheng Qingzhi's impending triumphant return before Zhao Yun, and immediately congratulated Zhao Yun in unison.

Liang Chengda, who had just been promoted from Censor to Prime Minister, exclaimed loudly, "I believe that in addition to Prime Minister Zheng's imminent triumphant return, there is another great joyous occasion. Our Great Song Dynasty is truly blessed with double happiness!"

Zhao Yun's eyes lit up, and he asked, "What other good news is there?"
"The greatest threat to our Great Song Dynasty now is none other than the Mongol court. Who doesn't know that King Zhao Shuo is at odds with the Mongol court? Back when Ögedei Khan summoned Zhao Shuo in Gaegyeong, Goryeo, Zhao Shuo led his troops directly into the palace, revealing his disloyal intentions."

"Later, Ögedei bullied Tolui's widow and orphanage. Tolui's lineage sought help from Zhao Shuo, offering to give him the entire Persian kingdom and asking for his protection. Zhao Shuo openly accepted it, which clearly showed that he wanted to rival Ögedei."

"Now, the Great Khan of Mongolia, Ögedei, is seriously ill and beyond cure, and Empress Naimazhen is in charge of the government. How can Empress Naimazhen, a mere woman, be a match for Zhao Shuo? It's a joke! Moreover, a hen crowing at dawn—isn't this an omen of national ruin? I congratulate Your Majesty! I congratulate the Great Song Dynasty!"

The idea of ​​a hen crowing at dawn is actually somewhat taboo.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, several empress dowagers ruled from behind a screen. For example, Gao Taotao ruled from behind a screen when Emperor Zhezong was young. She appointed Sima Guang to abolish the New Laws and ruled for nearly ten years. Although she did not have the title of emperor, she had the power of an emperor.

But isn't this the Southern Song Dynasty?
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Emperor Guangzong was deposed due to mental instability. Empress Dowager Wu ruled from behind a screen when Prince Jia, Zhao Kuo, ascended the throne, but this lasted only three days. The new emperor immediately removed the screen after his ascension.

After Emperor Ningzong's death, Empress Dowager Yang conspired with the powerful minister Shi Miyuan to depose Prince Zhao Hong and install Emperor Lizong Zhao Yun in his place. She ruled from behind the curtain as Empress Dowager, but she also voluntarily withdrew from the curtain the following year.

This was used during the brief transition period after the old emperor's death and was not the norm.

Who knows how long Ögedei Khan was in a coma?
Does this mean that as long as Ögedei remains unconscious or alive, Empress Naimajin will continue to rule the Mongol government?
This is the end for Mongolia!

The Southern Song court's fifty paces could still be a great mockery of the Mongols' one hundred paces.

"Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations! I offer my congratulations to the Great Song Dynasty!"

The other four prime ministers also bowed down in unison.

"Everyone is safe."

Zhao Yun was both pleased and somewhat worried, saying, "The incessant internal strife among the Mongols is indeed a good thing for our Great Song. However, I have heard that Zhao Shuo is constantly training troops in Henan, so the pressure on the Great Song is still considerable!"

Liang Chengda, however, dismissed the concerns, saying, "Not at all, Your Majesty is overthinking it. Zhao Shuo is training troops only to deal with the Mongol court; what does it have to do with our Great Song?"

Zhao Yun remained somewhat worried, saying, "That being said, it's hard to say when Zhao Shuo and the Mongol court will start fighting. Now that things have come to this, how should our Great Song Dynasty seize this opportunity to gain an advantage?"

Qiao Xingjian said, "Of course, it's to take advantage of the fact that the Mongols and Zhao Shuo are fighting amongst themselves and have no time to spare, and use the Jurchens to form the Balu Camp to conquer Annam."

"Conquer Annam? Wasn't that a plan we'd already made?" Zhao Yun was not satisfied with this answer.

After all, Zhao Shuo and the Southern Song Dynasty had a five-year peace treaty.

The Mongols did not fight amongst themselves, and the Southern Song Dynasty conquered Annam.

The Mongols were so engrossed in internal strife that it was like a hen crowing at dawn, while the Southern Song Dynasty was still conquering Annam.

Wasn't the internal strife in Mongolia pointless?
Qiao Xingjian thought for a moment and said, "There is another plan. The three beauties that our Great Song Dynasty sent to Zhao Shuo have greatly pleased him. I heard that because of these three beauties, Zhao Shuo even disdained the Annam princess. Otherwise, when our Great Song Dynasty attacks Annam, we will have to consider Zhao Shuo's thoughts, which will undoubtedly cause a lot of trouble."

"You mean, send more beauties and have them persuade Zhao Shuo to rebel against the Mongol court?" Zhao Yun said unhappily.

The fact that he had already given Xie Daoqing and Jia Meiren to Zhao Yun was enough to cause him immense pain.

How could Zhao Yun possibly bear to offer up a few more beauties?

Qiao Xingjian saw through Zhao Yun's thoughts and could only say helplessly, "Although the internal strife in Mongolia continues, Zhao Shuo's power is too great. If our Great Song does not use the beauty trap, I'm afraid it will be difficult to exert influence on Zhao Shuo!"

"What do you all think?" Zhao Yun looked at the other prime ministers.

"..."

Liang Chengda and Xuan Zeng both rose to the position of prime minister by flattering Shi Miyuan, so they had no better options and kept quiet.

However, Shi Miyuan smiled slightly and said, "This old minister has a plan, but it would be detrimental to Your Majesty's reputation. I wonder if Your Majesty would agree."

"What brilliant plan? Duke of Wei, please tell me!"

"The conflict between Zhao Shuo and the Mongol court is common knowledge. Within the Mongol court, the Ögedei faction and the Tolui faction are at odds with each other. What we need to do is add fuel to the fire."

How do I add fire?

"It is said that Zhao Shuo is a member of the imperial family of our Great Song Dynasty. Many soldiers and civilians in the north call him Emperor Zhao, and his soldiers have even shouted 'Long live the Emperor' many times. Why don't we send an envoy to persuade Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne?"

For Shi Miyuan, urging Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne was entirely beneficial. He was nearly seventy years old and had been suffering from many illnesses in recent years. Knowing that his days were numbered, he knew it was time to consider his posthumous reputation and the future of his descendants.

If Zhao Shuo were to engage in a war with the Mongol court as a result, both sides would suffer heavy losses, leaving no time to attend to the Southern Song Dynasty. Shi Miyuan, before his death, had already contributed significantly to the strategy for the Southern Song Dynasty.

What if Zhao Shuo became emperor and unified the country?

Shi Miyuan was the first person in the Southern Song Dynasty to urge Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne, which was still a great achievement and a sure-fire way to make money.

(End of this chapter)