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

Chapter 266 The Fengtian Rebellion has begun!
With Mu'atugan dead, the Chagatai Khanate's troops under the walls of Sana'a naturally came under Yesu's command.

Guyuk and Yesu discussed it and decided to first distribute all the spoils they had obtained during the western expedition to the soldiers. They also promised them even more generous rewards upon their return home.

The news revitalized the Mongol army, whose morale had been low due to Mu'atugan's death.

Then, Guyuk left behind two Mongol commanders and Yesu left behind three Persian commanders from the Chagatai Khanate, along with the remaining nearly 90,000 vassal troops, to continue setting up camp outside Sana'a, but no longer attacking the city.

Finally, Guyuk and Yesu, carrying the coffin of Mu'atugan, led their army northwards while sending messengers to Zhao He, Möngke, Batu, and Orda, inviting them to Jerusalem to discuss ending the western expedition.

The army moved much slower than individuals, and it took Guyuk and Yesu's army a full forty-five days to reach Jerusalem.

There, Zhao He, Mongke, Batu, and Orda had been waiting for a long time.

Together they went out of the city and welcomed Guyuk and Yesu into Solomon's temple.

The objects remain, but the people are gone.

When the topic of Mu'atugan's death came up, everyone's eyes reddened. Even Möngke, while secretly pleased, also felt a pang of sorrow.

After a long silence, Guyuk finally got to the point, saying, "Since my father left a will that I should inherit the Khanate, as his son, I cannot refrain from competing for it. Therefore, as you have seen, Yesu and I are leading our army back to the grasslands."

Mongke said, "Your father Khan left a will, but my father Khan died unjustly. Güyük, I'm sorry, but I will also fight for this Khanate. If we must withdraw our troops, let's withdraw together."

Batu shook his head slightly and said, "My eldest son's western expedition cannot end in failure. I have no intention of withdrawing the troops. As for the Kurultai, Orda can represent me. His opinion is my opinion."

"So, in this western expedition, only my troops and Batu's army are left?"

Zhao He, of course, had no intention of returning to his army. It was his father, Zhao Shuo,'s business to elect a new Khan; it was none of his concern.

He frowned slightly and said, "The Arabian Peninsula is still unconquered, and the Sultanate of Rum is also at war. If all three factions are to withdraw their troops, what will happen next? And how will our territory be divided?"

Guyuk had a plan in mind, saying, "Only Sana'a remains on the Arabian Peninsula. Two months have passed, and we don't know how the battle is going there. However, no matter what, with your strength, Zhao He, taking it shouldn't be a problem. After you take Sana'a, the entire Arabian Peninsula will be yours. Our Ögedei and Chagatai factions will not seek any territorial distribution in this western expedition."

"you……"

Mongke glared fiercely at Güyük, practically bursting with rage.

Clearly, this was a scheme by the Ögedei and Chagatai factions to bribe Zhao Shuo's uncle with the entire Arabian Peninsula in order to gain Zhao Shuo's support in the upcoming struggle for the Khanate.

Moreover, the reasons are quite valid.

This Arabian Peninsula was originally meant for Zhao He to clean up!

If Zhao He does not send troops, the small force that Guyuk left behind will be no match for the army of the Rasul dynasty, and the Arabian Peninsula will be lost again.

The question now is, what should we do with Mongke?
He can't possibly give Zhao He a part of the Sultanate of Rum, can he? What reason could he give? He can't just say he wants to bribe him, can he?
Mongke could only say, "Let's do the same for the Sultanate of Rum. Batu will continue to attack the Sultanate of Rum. Once the Sultanate of Rum is taken, it will belong to Batu."

Zhao He and Ba Du exchanged a glance and nodded in unison, saying, "Okay."

"Then it's settled!"

Güyük allowed Zhao He to gain a great advantage, while Möngke ceded the benefits to Batu.

Guyuk believed he had taken the lead in the battle for the Khanate with Möngke, and said happily, "My mother is causing a great disturbance in Karakorum. The situation is urgent, so I won't stay any longer and will return to the grasslands now."

After speaking, he stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao He and the others, and left the Temple of Solomon with Yesu.

During the nearly two months that Güyük marched to Jerusalem, Chagatai's second wave of messengers arrived, informing Güyük that Empress Naimajin was suspected of murdering the Great Empress Bolahjin.

What happened again?

As time goes on, who knows what kind of trouble Naima will cause next?
Guiyou truly dared not delay.

"I'm going back to reorganize my troops and prepare to return to the army."

Mongke also stood up to take his leave.

When Guyuk wrote the letter, he was cunning. He only mentioned discussing the end of the western expedition and did not mention that he had already withdrawn his troops.

Although Möngke had learned of Guyuk's retreat before Guyuk arrived in Jerusalem, it was already a month and a half after Guyuk's retreat.

In a rush, how easy would it be for Möngke to withdraw his army from the Sultanate of Rum?

He was already a step too late, so he dared not delay any longer.

Inside the main hall, only Zhao He, Batu, and Orda remained.

Batu said somewhat unwillingly, "Uncle Zhao Shuo is one thing, but Brother Zhao He was granted the Borjigin title by Genghis Khan. Don't you really want to compete for it?"

Zhao He shook his head and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? I have absolutely no chance at the Kurultai."

This is true.

At the Kurultai, only the Mongol noyans had the right to vote.

If Zhao He wanted to vie for the Khanate, the factions of Tolui, Ögedei, and Chagatai would certainly turn from enemies to friends and prevent Zhao He from ascending the throne.

What about the other members of the Golden Family? The descendants of Belgutei and Hasar, the descendants of Temujin's uncle Dalitai, and Temujin's younger brother Temuge himself? Who would support Zhao He?
There won't be any at all.

Batu sneered, "It's not necessarily impossible. The Kurultai is attended by people, isn't it? As long as they're human, they're not afraid of death. I don't believe that with a knife to their throats, they won't choose you as their Khan, as we wish!"

“Yes!” Orda echoed, “If we march together on the Mongolian steppes, this throne might very well be yours!”

The Jochi lineage was on good terms with the Zhao Shuo lineage, but on the other hand, everyone was holding their breath.

Oh, so you think Jochi's bloodline is questionable, so you exclude Jochi's line from the Great Khan's successor?

Very well, if the Khanate won't come to us, then you shouldn't even think about taking it either!
Everyone parted ways, allowing Zhao Shuo's faction to take over!
Zhao He thought for a moment, then shook his head again, saying, "Let's not. If we did that, not only would the grasslands be stained with blood, but the Golden Family would also suffer more than half its casualties. Neither Genghis Khan nor Jochi Khan would want to see that."

"Let's wait and see. If the Eternal Heaven truly intends to let the Khanate fall into our hands, no one can take it away."

Batu nodded and said, "Since Brother Zhao He puts it that way, then so be it. However, I have something to say: apart from Uncle Zhao Shuo or you becoming the Great Khan, we, the Jochi lineage, will not recognize anyone else!"

In the original history, Naimajin killed Genghis Khan's most beloved granddaughter, which deeply offended Batu Khan.

Furthermore, due to his resentment towards Ögedei's faction, Batu Khan already harbored ambitions of independence at this time.

Therefore, even though Güyük had already arrived in Karakorum, Batu Khan refused to attend the Kurultai, citing a foot ailment as the reason.

What's the point of holding a Kurultai if the Khan of the Jochi Khanate isn't there?
The entire conference was delayed for three years.

In addition, the position of Great Khan of the Mongols remained vacant for more than four years during the year-long period after Guyuk returned from the west.

In the history altered by Zhao Shuo, Batu, though not convinced by others, still respected Zhao Shuo and Zhao He.

Therefore, although he is still willing to maintain the Mongol court, he no longer recognizes the so-called Great Khan, but only the Zhao Shuo lineage. In a sense, the Zhao Shuo lineage has become the stabilizing force for maintaining Mongol unity.

Orda also declared, "At the Kurultai assembly, I will certainly follow Uncle Zhao Shuo's lead!"

"Okay, with your words, I feel relieved."

Zhao He extended five fingers, then clenched them into a fist, and said, "As long as we are united, this position will ultimately be ours!"

……

……

Six months later, Guyuk finally led his army, carrying Mu'atugan's coffin, to the city of Samarkand.

"Muatugan! My Muatugan!"

Although Chagatai had already learned of Mu'atugan's death, he was overcome with grief and burst into tears upon seeing Mu'atugan's coffin.

Despite his statement to Yesu that Mu'atugan was "more fierce than cautious," seemingly indicating dissatisfaction with Mu'atugan, he remained silent.

But in reality, there was no choice at all; Mu'atugan was already Chagatai's most outstanding son.

If Chagatai's throne wasn't to be inherited by Mu'atugan, who would? Yesu, whose drinking was no less than Ögedei's, was also a problem. Moreover, Yesu had another flaw: he was afraid of his wife and obeyed her every word. He was even more pathetic than Ögedei's favoritism towards Naimajin!
With Mu'atugan's death, the Chagatai Khanate, already in turmoil, was in even greater danger!
"it's all my fault!"

Guiyou's eyes reddened as he blamed himself, saying, "If I hadn't been in such a hurry to capture Sana'a and return with my troops, Mu'atugan wouldn't have died on the battlefield. Second Uncle, if you're upset, punish me severely to vent your anger!"

"What does it have to do with you?"

Although Chagatai was indeed angry with Guyuk, he knew that the Ögedei and Chagatai factions had to unite closely to overcome the current difficulties.

He shook his head and said, "That's just how Mu'a Tugan is. This isn't the first time he's led from the front. His death in Sana'a this time can only be attributed to the end of his lifespan, and the Eternal Heaven has summoned him back."

"It's good that you're taking it easy, Uncle."

If it weren't for the need to transport Mu'atugan's coffin to Samarkand, Guyuk would have left the main army with Subutai and Yesu long ago and rushed to Karakorum to stop Naimazhen's various perverse actions.

Now that the mission is complete, Guiyou said impatiently, "Second Uncle also knows what Mother did in Karakorum. Without further ado, I will return to Karakorum City to stop Mother and prepare for the Khuriltai Conference. You must support me then."

Chagatai shook his head and said, "Guyyu, you're so confused! At a time like this, why are you still going to Karakorum? Why are you still thinking about the Kurultai?"

"Where to go?"

“Go to Zhongdu! I’ll go with you! I’ll risk my reputation to get Zhao Shuo’s support for you to ascend the Khanate! Otherwise, wouldn’t Mu’a’tugan have died in vain?”

He paused, then added, "You don't know yet, do you? Kublai Khan has already arrived in Zhongdu. I wonder what terms he negotiated with Zhao Shuo. It's too late for us to go now!"

"Ah! Kublai Khan has already arrived in Zhongdu?!"

Guiyou shivered.

Since Guyuk had already ceded the Arabian Peninsula, he must have long intended to bribe Zhao Shuo to help him ascend the throne.

However, his plan was to discuss the matter with Zhao Shuo in detail after Zhao Shuo arrived in Helin City. In other words, Guyuk believed that he was destined to become the Great Khan, and although he needed Zhao Shuo's help, he still wanted to maintain a certain level of reserve.

But I never dreamed that the attitude of the Tuolei faction would be much more humble than his!
Kublai Khan had already arrived in Zhongdu!

He murmured, "So, the place where the Great Khan of the Mongols is decided now is not Karakorum, but Zhongdu! Not the Kurultai convened by the Mongol noyans, but Zhao Shuo's uncle alone!"

"You can say that."

Chagatai sighed and said, "Right now, Zhao Shuo can't just make whoever he wants become Khan, but if he doesn't want someone to ascend the throne, that person won't get the throne! Zhongdu is the key to deciding the Khan's position!"

"I understand."

Guiyou nodded and said, "Then let Subutai lead the army to Karakorum, and we will head to Zhongdu to see Uncle Zhao Shuo."

"it is good."

It must be said that by now, the Chagatai lineage, the Ögedei lineage, and even the Jochi and Tolui lineages have all realized that Zhao Shuo's will is the key to determining the Khanate.

Because they were not only among the most outstanding figures of their time, but also had once dispatched their elite troops to fight alongside Zhao Shuo's army, they were very clear about Zhao Shuo's strength.

However, some other people don't think that way.

For example, Temuge.

As Temujin's youngest brother, he not only had his own share of the chiliarchy, but also inherited all the chiliarchy from Temujin's mother, as his youngest son was in charge of the hearth.

A total of ten thousand households!

Among the Mongol noyans, he was second only to Tolui, and more numerous than Jochi, Chagatai, and Ögedei.

Temuge was never quite clear about his position, but he felt he had a good chance of becoming the Great Khan of the Mongols.

Back when Ögedei and Tolui were vying for the throne, he was constantly stirring up trouble. So much so that Ögedei, at his coronation ceremony, found him too annoying and gave his place to Zhao Shuo.

Later, seeing that Ögedei was nearing death, he fabricated rumors about him. Ögedei was furious and ordered his army to publicly humiliate four thousand women from Temuge's tribe in broad daylight.

Empress Naimazhen's rule plunged the Mongol court into chaos, and Temuge felt that his chance to seize the throne had arrived.

Recently, Naimazhen finally implemented the tax farming system, handing over the collection of taxes from the entire grassland to Aodulaheman. Aodulaheman immediately tripled the grassland's tax revenue, causing widespread resentment throughout the grassland, and Temuge felt that time was of the essence.

In his view, with the main force of the Mongol army marching west, Empress Naimazhen had lost the hearts of the people, and his 10,000 troops were enough to stabilize the situation on the grasslands.

The youngest son guarded the hearth, so it was only natural for him to ascend to the position of Khan.

As for Zhao Shuo?

He doesn't even have the surname Borjigin. What does it matter to Zhao Shuo who ascends to the throne? Is it any of his business?
Located on the western slope of the Greater Khingan Mountains, along the Hailar River.

"Warriors of the grasslands!"

Temuge looked at his 10,000-strong army and said, "When Empress Naimazhen took power, she first killed Genghis Khan's most beloved granddaughter, and then expelled important state officials such as Zhenhai and Henian Chongshan. After that, not only did she kill the Grand Empress, she went even further, appointing a merchant from the Western Regions as prime minister and directly tripling the taxes on the grasslands! How are the people of the grasslands supposed to live?"

"As Genghis Khan's youngest brother, I cannot stand idly by and watch the legacy he left behind be squandered in her hands! Everyone, follow me to storm Karakorum, expel Empress Naimajin, and establish a new Khan! The salvation of Mongolia begins today!"

"Charge into Karakorum! Save Mongolia today!"

"Charge into Karakorum! Save Mongolia today!"

……

The soldiers raised their swords and spears, shouting loudly, their voices shaking the heavens!
(End of this chapter)