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

Chapter 268 The Alliance of Fish and Algae, the Khanate is Set!
Three days later, Zhao Shuo and Hua Zheng, along with Kublai Khan, Zhao Shuo's children, and hundreds of civil and military officials from Zhongdu, including Yelü Chucai, the Grand Chancellor, traveled twenty li outside Fengyi Gate to welcome Chagatai, showing him considerable respect.

Of the five Great Khans of the Mongol lineage, Jochi, Ögedei, and Tolui have all passed away, leaving only Zhao Shuo and Chagatai still alive.

Although Zhao Shuo and Chagatai's relationship had been quite ordinary before, their meeting this time was still filled with emotion, and they were much more affectionate than before.

When Hua Zheng saw her only surviving second brother, she thought of the current situation in Mongolia, and her eyes reddened, she shed a few tears.

After welcoming Chagatai and Güyük into Zhongdu, Zhao Shuo and Hua Zheng personally hosted a banquet for them at the palace.

However, Zhao Shuo decided to set aside the issue of who would inherit the Khanate for the time being.

There's no other reason than that Möngke will be arriving soon.

After leading his army to Samarkand, Guyuk sent Subutai back to the steppe. He and Chagatai, with only 500 cavalry guards, hurriedly headed to Zhongdu.

After Möngke led his army into the Persian region, he ordered his general Manggesar to lead the army while he himself led 500 cavalrymen in a hurry toward Zhongdu.

Therefore, although Möngke set off much later than Güyük, by the time Güyük and Chagatai arrived in Zhongdu, he was only two days' journey from Zhongdu.

Two days later, a crucial meeting to determine the succession to the throne of the Great Mongol Empire, the world's hegemon, was held in the Yuzao Hall of the Zhongdu Imperial Palace.

In the southwest corner of the Zhongdu Imperial Palace, there is an artificial lake called Yuzao Pond. In the middle of Yuzao Pond is an island, on which the Yuzao Palace was built.

It was summer, and sitting in the main hall, a gentle breeze from the lake dispelled the heat. Looking out the window, goldfish swam in the fishpond, and the lotus and algae were emerald green, a truly delightful sight.

However, apart from Zhao Shuo, everyone in the hall was filled with fervor, concerned about who would inherit the Khan's throne, and no one cared about the grand spectacle.

Inside the main hall, Zhao Shuo sat calmly on the dragon throne in the center.

Chagatai and Güyük sat on the left. Möngke and Kublai Khan sat on the right. Everyone looked solemnly at Zhao Shuo, waiting for him to speak.

Zhao Shuo said, "I won't say anything more. Today, right here, we will settle the matter of the Mongol throne."

He paused, then looked at Güyük and said, "Now, the only ones qualified to compete for this position are you and Möngke. Güyük, you are older, so you go first."

"Yes."

Güyük stood up and delivered his prepared remarks, saying, "I am Genghis Khan's grandson and his son. Genghis Khan's will designated my father as his successor, making him the Great Khan of all Mongolia. Now that my father has passed away, and his will designates me as his successor, it is only right that I become the new Great Khan of Mongolia."

Zhao Shuo remained noncommittal, gesturing for Guiyou to sit down. He then looked at Möngke and said, "Möngke, what do you say?"

Mongke also stood up and said, "I object to Güyük's words! What do you mean by 'it is only right'? When Genghis Khan issued his will, did he expect that Ögedei Khan would kill his own brother? Perhaps he would have changed the will and passed it on to my father, the Khan? Therefore, it is only right that I become the new Great Khan of the Mongols."

Zhao Shuo remained noncommittal, gesturing for Mongke to sit down, and looked at Chagatai, saying, "Second brother, what do you say?"

Given Chagatai's current status, he could simply sit and talk with Zhao Shuo.

However, he still stood up and earnestly said, "I support Guyuk. It is true that I have always been on good terms with Ögedei and have stood with Ögedei's faction. However, my recommendation of Guyuk today is not entirely out of personal motives."

“Ashuo, think about it. If Güyük inherits the Khanate, with you protecting the Tolui lineage, what danger could they possibly face? But if Möngke ascends the throne, he has a blood feud with the Ögedei lineage for killing his father, and he commands hundreds of thousands of steppe warriors. At that time, will the Ögedei lineage still be in good shape?”

"By then, how will people view my Golden Family? What will our Great Mongol Empire look like?"

As he spoke, Chagatai's eyes reddened and his voice choked with emotion. He said, "Ashuo, we've known each other for so many years, and I've never asked you for anything. Today, I'm begging you. Please support Güyük as the Great Khan of the Mongols. I'm old and in poor health; I won't live for many more years. I really don't want to see any more bloodshed from the Golden Family in my lifetime!"

Zhao Shuo's expression was solemn. He shook his head slightly and said, "Chagatai, I do not agree with what you have said."

"Firstly, you are still alive and willing to set aside your pride to beg me. But what about Tolui? He has already returned to the embrace of the Eternal Heaven. If Tolui were still alive and also came to beg me, whose side should I side with? I can't let Tolui's lineage suffer such a great loss for nothing, since Tolui was killed by Ögedei."

"Secondly, your reasoning is not sufficient. If I can protect the Tolui lineage, why can't I protect the Ögedei lineage? Even if Möngke ascends the throne, he may not be able to do anything to the Ögedei lineage."

Chagatai said, "So, Ashoka, you mean you support Möngke?"

Zhao Shuo shook his head again and said, "That's not it. Actually, in terms of personal ability, I don't think there's much difference between Mongke and Güyük. If I had to choose one as the Great Khan, I would also prefer Güyük. There are three reasons for this."

"The first reason, as Guyuk has already stated, is that he is, after all, the Great Khan appointed by Ögedei's will. And Ögedei's Khanate was granted by Genghis Khan. Even considering only Genghis Khan's spirit in heaven, Guyuk has not committed any misconduct, so I cannot overturn Ögedei's will."

"The second reason is that if Genghis Khan's dying wish was wrong, and that Tolui should have inherited Genghis Khan's throne according to the Mongol custom of the youngest son guarding the hearth, then Möngke was not Tolui's youngest son. Should we then make the young Ariq Böke the Khan?"

“If the custom of the youngest son guarding the hearth were not followed, Genghis Khan might not have chosen Tolui even if he hadn’t made Ögedei Khan. Now, Möngke might not have been able to succeed him either.”

"The third reason is that Güyük is older and not in good health. Look at him sitting here, his left hand is still shaking. Möngke is still young and in much better health, and he will have plenty of opportunities in the future."

This is one of the key reasons why Zhao Shuo made Guyuk Khan.

Historical records indicate that Guyuk died a few years after ascending to the throne. Some say he died of a serious illness, while others say he was assassinated by assassins sent by Batu Khan.

Regardless, it is an undeniable fact that Takayuki's health is not good.

Zhao Shuo estimated that his lifespan would not be very long.

Moreover, Guiyu has a good wife, Haimishi!
Historical records indicate that after Guyuk's death, Khayysh, together with the Chagatai princes, strongly advocated for his nephew Shirewan to succeed to the throne. This was opposed by the princes of the Jochi and Tolui lines, and the succession remained unresolved for a long time. He then served as regent for over three years, following the customary Mongol system.

She was obsessed with witchcraft and spent her days with shamans, which led to the collapse of the political system. She and her sons, including Hucha and Naohu, opposed supporting Möngke as Khan.

After Möngke ascended the throne, he ordered Haimi and Shiliewan's mother to be thrown into the river and executed on the grounds that Haimi had lost his allegiance to the princes and had disobeyed orders. His sons were exiled to the border regions.

Zhao Shuo's choice of who to make Khan was, of course, based on his own interests.

Historical records indicate that Möngke died in the Battle of Diaoyu Fortress. Since the Battle of Diaoyu Fortress is impossible now, who knows how long Möngke would have lived?
If Möngke had never made any major mistakes, how could Zhao Shuo have unified the country in his lifetime?
However, this noble life was destined to be short-lived, and his wife, Hai Mishi, was another Empress Naima Zhen, making her a very good choice.

When the authority of the Mongol court further declines and the people of the grasslands are filled with resentment, Zhao Shuo will naturally be able to go north to restore order and will be the one everyone hopes for.

Of course, Mongke was unaware of Zhao Shuo's thoughts.

Just now, when Zhao Shuo announced his inclination towards Guyuk ascending to the throne, he and Kublai Khan looked at each other blankly, their eyes ashen.

Upon hearing Zhao Shuo say this, a sudden glint of light flashed in his eyes!
Mongke suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Uncle Zhao Shuo, Uncle Chagatai, I have something to say!"

Zhao Shuo said, "Go ahead and speak."

"I am not cursing Güyük. But what if one day Güyük predeceases me and returns to the embrace of the Eternal Heaven? What if someone then produces some will from Güyük's will, allowing his son to succeed him?"

Zhao Shuo said, “I said I would give you a chance, and I meant it. If I am still alive by then, even if Guyuk has a will, I will not accept it. Not only that, I will also tell my descendants that even if I am no longer here, I will not accept Guyuk’s will.”

He then looked at Chagatai and said, "Chagatai, what do you say?" If possible, Chagatai certainly did not want to express his opinion and deny Guyuk's dying wish.

However, isn't the position of Great Khan now essentially held by Zhao Shuo with a veto power?
Zhao Shuo's willingness to choose Güyük as Khan was already a great favor to Chagatai, so how could he possibly cause any further trouble?

Chagatai immediately said solemnly, "Then it's settled. Guyuk will be the next Great Khan. However, before Guyuk passes away, no matter who he bequeaths the throne to, neither I nor my descendants will recognize it."

Kublai Khan's heart stirred, and he suddenly stood up, saying, "I have another question."

“Go ahead,” Zhao Shuo said.

Kublai Khan said, "What if there is still a young son to guard the hearth? If someone suggests that, according to Mongolian custom, Güyük's youngest son should succeed to the throne, what should we do then?"

This is what Kublai Khan cared about most.

There is a proper order between elders and juniors.

In the Central Plains, it is customary for the eldest son to inherit the family business.

In the grasslands, it is customary for the youngest son to inherit the family business.

Kublai Khan was Tolui's fourth son, neither the eldest nor the youngest. According to either reasoning, he had absolutely no right to inherit the Khanate.

In the absence of Zhao Shuo's time travel history, why did the Mongols, after Möngke's death in Sichuan, support the younger Ariq Böke instead of the older Kublai Khan?
One of the important reasons is that "the youngest son guards the stove".

As for Kublai Khan leading the Hebei superman north to the grasslands, attacking Karakorum, and seizing the Khanate, that's another story.

Kublai Khan was a man of great talent and ambition, and he also aspired to become the Great Khan of the Mongols.

Who knows when Güyük will die? When that time comes, he'll want to compete for the Khanate too! If all else fails, he can always try after Möngke dies, right?

Zhao Shuo and Chagatai exchanged a glance and nodded.

Zhao Shuo said, "At that time, we can no longer use the excuse of the youngest son guarding the hearth. Güyük's sons will need to compete fairly with the Mongol princes."

Chagatai said, "That's what I meant too."

Kublai Khan bowed slightly and said, "In that case, I have no objection."

Möngke, receiving a consolation prize, bowed and said, "I am willing to represent Tolui's faction and support Uncle Zhao Shuo's opinion, agreeing to Guryu as Khan!"

Anyway, Zhao Shuo chose Guiyou, so the matter is settled. Having this promise is better than having none at all.

Zhao Shuo then looked at Guyuk and said, "I will reiterate once again that after you ascend the throne, you are not allowed to use your authority as Great Khan to harm Tolui's faction. Otherwise, don't blame me for disrespecting your authority as Great Khan."

"I will heed the teachings of my uncle, Zhao Shuo."

Guyuk was naturally not satisfied with the outcome of today's meeting. After all, he had only gained the Khanate, but lost the right to designate an heir.

However, to be fair, being able to inherit the Khan's throne is already quite good; it's much better than letting Möngke take the throne, right?
He even felt that he should now try to please Zhao Shuo.

After all, he knew his own body well, and whether the throne could be passed down smoothly depended on Zhao Shuo's support.

Guyuk took the initiative to express his opinion, saying, "People say that Uncle Zhao Shuo is the ruler of China. However, the original territory of Western Xia still belongs to the Mongol Khanate, not Uncle Zhao Shuo, which is not ideal. After I succeed to the throne, I am willing to use the original territory of Western Xia to reward Uncle Zhao Shuo for his contribution to maintaining the unity of the Mongols."

Guiyou was merely indulging in wine and women, and was in poor health, not a good-for-nothing.

What Kublai Khan could think of, he could also think of.

Zhao Shuo's map of the ancient lands of China is missing only the area originally belonging to the Western Xia dynasty.

If Zhao Shuo doesn't ask for it, how can Gui You not offer it?
Zhao Shuo nodded and said, "That's excellent, it's all thanks to your thoughtfulness."

Then, he said happily, "Today, our Mongol Empire has appointed a new Great Khan, which is a great joyous occasion and should be celebrated properly. I have already ordered wine to be prepared. What do you think, should we hold the banquet in the Fish and Algae Hall, or should we move to another place?"

"Let's go with Fish and Algae Palace."

As he relaxed, Chagatai suddenly realized that the scenery of the Fish and Algae Palace was truly beautiful. In particular, the beautiful goldfish in the Fish and Algae Pond were a rare sight in the north at that time, and Chagatai had never seen them before.

"Let's go with Prince Uozao!"

Guyuk, Möngke, and Kublai Khan also echoed this sentiment.

Next, Zhao Shuo prepared to issue an imperial edict, ordering the eunuchs to bring the banquet to the Yuzao Palace.

However, at that moment...

Thump thump thump~
With a series of hurried footsteps, a eunuch rushed into the hall and said, "Your Majesty, Yang Weizhong requests an audience; he has urgent military information."

Yang Weizhong was Zhao Shuo's de facto secretary.

"Urgent military intelligence?" Zhao Shuo frowned slightly and asked doubtfully, "At this time, who would dare to provoke the Mongols? What urgent military intelligence could they possibly have? Let him in."

"Yes."

With a series of footsteps, Yang Weizhong entered the main hall.

Zhao Shuo said, "Yang Weizhong, what exactly happened? Tell me."

"Your Majesty, trouble has broken out on the grasslands!" Yang Weizhong, holding a scroll of documents, announced loudly, "Temuge has sworn an oath and raised an army on the banks of the Hailar River, intending to attack Karakorum, expel Empress Naimazhen, and install a new Khan. To put it bluntly, he is trying to purge the court of corrupt officials and is planning a rebellion!"

"Huh? Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuo almost laughed in exasperation, saying, "We were just discussing that the Mongol Khanate was already established! Now it seems that some people are dissatisfied! What do you suggest we do?"

"kill him!"

Chagatai, Guyuk, Möngke, and Kublai Khan all spoke in unison.

Indeed, Chagatai didn't want to see any more bloodshed from the Golden Family. However, in his mind, the Golden Family members were nothing more than the five Mongol lineages. Temuge, you dare call yourself a member of the Golden Family?
Needless to say, Guyuk, Möngke, and Kublai Khan were all too eager to kill members of the five Mongol lineages, so why would they care about their grandfather Temüge getting away with it?

For the sake of the Khanate, they had long planned to kill until the blood flowed like rivers!
(End of this chapter)