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

Chapter 325 Surrender to Zhao Shuohan and you'll be safe!
Of course, Möngke profited from the battle at Huining Prefecture.

After this battle, his number of steppe warriors increased by 12,000. Of the 8,000 casualties, about 2,000 would be able to return to the battlefield within three months. Another 1,000 also had the hope of returning to the battlefield.

Roughly calculated, the pure loss of steppe warriors in this war was around five thousand.

Subsequently, Möngke divided his forces into two groups.

He and his eighth brother, Bochuo, led 10,000 grassland warriors to the grasslands to incorporate their old troops. The Tuolei lineage was originally the master of the vast majority of the thousand-household commanders on the grasslands, and did not need many soldiers in a short period of time.

The ninth brother of Tolui's faction led the remaining troops south to join Kublai Khan in attacking the 30,000-strong North Goryeo army led by Hedan.

Hedan suffered a crushing defeat and fled back to North Goryeo with only a few dozen horsemen.

Moge led five Mongol commanders and six thousand Jurchen Eight Banners troops, totaling eleven thousand soldiers, into North Korea and pursued them relentlessly.

Kublai Khan then led his main force, consisting of 7,000 Mongol soldiers, 30,000 Manchu Eight Banners Jurchens, and 17,000 Wild Jurchens, to reinforce Möngke Khan.

After all, the decisive battle took place on the grasslands, not in North Korea.

……

……

Meanwhile, in Zhongdu City, inside the Yuzhao Palace.

Zhao Shuo, Xin You of the Black Ice Guard, Shi Tianni, the Deputy Privy Councilor, and Yelü Chucai, the Grand Secretary, had just received news of the Battle of Huining Prefecture and were discussing matters.

Yang Weizhong stood by, ready to draft an imperial edict at any time.

Zhao Shuo said, "So, in the Eastern Campaign, the Tolui faction has won? It seems that the Jurchen Eight Banners are quite capable. Even if they set up an ambush, it's quite impressive that they were able to cleanly and efficiently force 20,000 Mongol troops to surrender."

"Yes."

Xin You said, "Kublai Khan established the Fubing system in the Northeast and formed the Jurchen Eight Banners. He built the army entirely according to the king's rules, so it is not surprising that it has such combat power."

Zhao Shuo then asked, "What about the situation in the west?"

Xin You said, "In the western war, the Ögedei lineage has won a great victory. The Mongol army has not yet assembled. The Chagatai and Ögedei lines, with a total of 200,000 troops, have come to attack. How could they possibly stop them? Besides, the Ögedei lineage blames the Tolui lineage for the death of Köden. It is not unreasonable for Empress Haimish to issue an order to punish them."

"Now, they have taken over all the former Naiman territory and have 40,000 more steppe warriors under their command. Even if Möngke were to send troops immediately after subduing the princes of the eastern route and gather his old troops, he would probably be at a disadvantage. It must be said that although Köchü has not achieved many military exploits, he is quite capable and has managed to push the Tolui faction to such a point."

Yelü Chucai said, "The Tolui faction isn't exactly at a disadvantage either. Not to mention distant Poland, their Iraqi territories haven't even been touched yet. Your Majesty, should we allow Iraq to join the war?"

At the time, before the Mongol civil war even began, news of the assassination attempt on Köden by Tolui's faction had already spread. Hulagu and Ariq Böke, far away in Iraq, realized that the matter could not be resolved peacefully. They sent a personal letter via express courier, requesting Zhao Shuo to allow 50,000 Iraqi troops to cross the border.

Regardless of whether we fight or not, let's get the army to the grasslands first.

After all, from Iraq to the steppe, there are still the Persian and Khorasan regions of the Zhao Shuo Khanate, the Transoxiana region of the Chagatai Khanate, and the former Western Liao region of the Ögedei Khanate.

Before an army of 50,000 could pass through, Zhao Shuo's permission was required.

This letter was only delivered to Zhongdu two days ago.

To be honest, Zhao Shuo hasn't made up his mind yet.

Zhao Shuo had no intention of stopping the internal war between the Chagatai, Ögedei, and Tolui factions.

Firstly, ever since Ögedei Khan assassinated Tolui, the internal conflicts within Mongolia had become irreconcilable. Historical records show that Möngke Khan not only exterminated the line of Güyük but also severely suppressed the Ögedei family.
By the time Kublai Khan ascended the throne, the Mongol Empire had effectively split apart, though it held the title of Great Khan of the Mongols.

Secondly, Zhao Shuo had designs on the throne of the Mongol Great Khan.

He was merely Genghis Khan's son-in-law. Although Zhao He was bestowed the "Borjigin" clan name by Genghis Khan, he was, after all, only Genghis Khan's grandson.

The Mongols would not want his lineage to ascend to the Khanate unless they were desperate enough.

Therefore, the key question is how far this Mongolian civil war will go.

Zhao Shuo didn't want too many losses among the steppe warriors, and even less did he want too many members of the Golden Family to die. Genghis Khan had treated him very well, and besides, there was also Hua Zheng's influence.

Zhao Shuo thought for a moment and said, "If we allow Ariq Böke to cross the border, he will attack the Chagatai Khanate's Mesopotamian region after he crosses it. Let's allow him to cross. Otherwise, some people will inevitably say I'm favoring Ögedei's faction. Shi Tianni!"

"Yes." Shi Tianni bowed slightly.

"Your Privy Council should formulate a plan to provide Ariq Böke with logistical support along the way. Of course, it won't be free; they'll have to pay for it. In addition, 30,000 Semu Eight Banner soldiers should be transferred to the Khorasan region. Hairige's Flying Eagle Army should no longer be stationed on the Baluwan Grassland; it should also head to the Khorasan region. We don't care how the Tolui and Chagatai factions fight in the Transoxiana region, but we absolutely cannot allow them to affect the Khorasan region."

"Yes."

Zhao Shuo continued, "Yang Weizhong, draft an imperial edict. Send Wang Shizi Zhao Yan to Karakorum to meet with Kochu. Send Wang Shiyizi Zhao Jiong to the grasslands to meet with Möngke. Tell them that the death of Koduan is shrouded in mystery. One side says they want revenge, while the other says they were framed. I don't know who to believe. They'll use their swords to settle things according to the customs of the grasslands, and I won't stop them."

"However, members of the Golden Family should be preserved as much as possible. It is acceptable to deal with the descendants of Temuge. Any further action against members of the Golden Family must be decided by the Kurultai and no one may be executed without authorization. As for ordinary steppe warriors, as long as they are willing to surrender, they should not be killed indiscriminately."

"Yes."

Yelü Chucai reminded him, "And what about the Hulunbuir Grassland? Shouldn't Your Majesty also make arrangements there? The city of Harka is located there; it must not be lost."

Zhao Shuo said, "The Privy Council should also make a plan to transfer 20,000 Han troops to garrison the city of Harka. In addition, announce to the world that no steppe warriors are allowed to enter the Hulunbuir Grassland to fight. If they are defeated and flee, they are allowed to enter the Hulunbuir Grassland, and the victors shall not pursue them."

"Of course, at the same time, this army that fled into the Hulunbuir Grassland shall withdraw from this war and shall not be allowed to recuperate in the Hulunbuir Grassland before going out to fight again. Anyone who violates this rule shall be considered an enemy of me."

"According to the order!"

Yang Weizhong quickly wrote down the imperial edict.

The Zhao Shuo Khanate's stance in this war has demonstrated complete neutrality.

……

……

Half a month later, at Wushabao.

Wushabao was the territory of the Ongud tribe. Originally, the Ongud tribe was a border army of the Jin dynasty called the "He Army." After Genghis Khan rose to power, they secretly surrendered to him.

Before Genghis Khan's first attack on the Jin Dynasty, the Jin Dynasty felt that the Ongud tribe was unreliable and sent General Wanyan Chihu to lead an army to request a troop exchange with the Ongud tribe, demanding that the Ongud tribe give up Wusha Fort.

The Ongud tribe was unaware whether the Jin court merely considered them unreliable or had already decided to kill them. Once they surrendered Wusha Fort, their lives would be out of their control.

Therefore, the Wanggu tribe did not abandon Wushabao, but resolutely resisted Wanyan Chihu's army.

Fortunately, Zhao Shuo led the Mongol vanguard to arrive in time and defeated Wanyan Chihu's army, thus saving the Ongud tribe from danger.

Today, another moment has arrived that will determine the fate of Wushabao.

The seventh son of Ögedei Khan, Meri, led an army of 50,000, including 10,000 Mongol soldiers and 40,000 Western Liao soldiers, and had already surrounded Wushabao.

Within Wusha Fort, there were only five commanders of the Ongud tribe!

"Please, Uncle Bo, come up to the city wall to speak!"

Under the protection of hundreds of armored soldiers, Mieli, holding a horsewhip, shouted loudly below the city.

Because Bo Yao married Princess Alahai, the daughter of Genghis Khan, Meri referred to him as such.

If history had unfolded normally, after the Ongud leader Arawus submitted to the Khanate, Genghis Khan would have betrothed his daughter, Princess Arahai, to him.

After Araqus, his eldest son Buyanxiban, his nephew Zhenguo, and his second son Boyaohe, along with his sons, uncles, nephews, and brothers, all married Princess Araqus.

However, Zhao Shuo changed history, and Princess Arahai only married Bo Yaohe.

Before long, Bo Yaohe and Princess Alahai, leading several dozen people, climbed onto the city wall.

He shouted, "Bo Yao is here! What do you have to say, Myri?"

Merri said, “The Tolui clan has gone mad and sent someone to assassinate Köden. Now, the Empress has decreed that troops be sent to punish the Tolui clan. Uncle Bo Yaohe, you are a reasonable man. Why not obey the Empress’s decree and join us in punishing the Tolui clan? After the matter is accomplished, my Ögedei clan will certainly not treat you unfairly, and the new Khan will certainly not treat you unfairly either.”

"You must not marry the prince consort!"

Möngke's envoy, Kitbuqa, was right beside Boyogh.

He quickly said, “Why would Möngke Khan send someone to assassinate Köden? Köden is dead, but there is still Köchü, and there is still Meri. Even the next generation has fifteen adults! What is the point of killing Köden? In my opinion, this was done by Köchü! He wanted to get rid of Köden Khan to slander Möngke Khan and ascend to the throne himself, killing two birds with one stone.”

"Furthermore, you are Genghis Khan's son-in-law. How can you not obey Genghis Khan's last will and pledge allegiance to the Tolui lineage?"

He paused, then looked at Princess Alahai and said, "Princess, please say something!"

“I…I don’t know who to help.” Princess Arahai sighed helplessly.

Indeed, Boyaohe was assigned to Tolui's lineage by Genghis Khan. But who knows how Köden died?

If Köden was indeed killed by Möngke, and he had already gone to such extremes, was he acting on Genghis Khan's orders? Why would Bogdah help him?
Seeing this, Mie Li became even more smug and said, "It doesn't matter if Aunt doesn't know who to help. After all, the situation is beyond our control! My 50,000 troops have arrived here and have completely surrounded Wusha Fort. Besides obeying the Empress's decree, do Uncle and Aunt have any other choice?"

“If you refuse to open the city gates, accept the hostage, and follow the Empress’s orders to lead your troops to attack the Tolui faction, I may have to resort to force! When that happens, and Wusha Fort falls, do you and your aunt really want to see the Ongud tribe suffer such devastation? To be honest, at this point, you and your aunt have no other choice!”

Kedebuhua quickly said, "Your Highness and Princess, there's no need to worry. Möngke Khan's army is only five days' journey from here. Wusha Fort is well-defended; you just need to hold out for five days! Once Möngke Khan ascends the throne, he will definitely reward your loyalty! The rise of the Ongud tribe is just around the corner!"

However, Bo Yaohe shook his head slightly and said, "Don't waste your energy on the weak. When we fought against the Jin dogs, there were no cowards in our Ongud tribe. Even the strong women went to the battlefield. But now, when we fight against the Mongols, the blood of our Ongud tribe is not so worthless!"

"Haha! Uncle is indeed a very sensible person!"

Seeing this, Mieli became even more smug and said, "Open the city gates quickly. From now on, you will be the most important supporter of my Ögedei lineage. After we destroy the Tolui lineage, I can give you at least five more chiliarchs!"

However, Bo Yaohe still shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I won't open the city gates and join Ögedei's faction either."

He paused, then sneered, "By siding with Ögedei's faction, our Ongud tribe has avoided this great war. But what about the future? We might have to obey Ögedei's orders and fight to the death against Tolui's faction. I've said it before, the lives of my Ongud warriors are not so worthless!"

Mieli scoffed, "Uncle Bo, you don't think that just because you declare that you're neutral, I won't order my army to attack, do you? To be honest, your Ongud tribe's strength is not enough to qualify you to remain neutral!"

"Then why don't I just ally with someone who is qualified to be neutral?"

Bo Yaohe had already made plans. He turned to look at the Wanggu tribe members on the Wusha Fort city wall and asked, "More than twenty years ago, who defeated Wanyan Chihu and preserved the Wanggu tribe?"

"It's Zhao Shuohan!"

"When we first attacked the Jin Dynasty, under whose command did we fight and make a fortune?"

"It's Zhao Shuohan!"

"Guiyou led his western expedition for six or seven years, and an ordinary steppe warrior only received one hundred taels of silver. But a great figure sent steppe warriors to conquer Japan, and in just one year, each steppe warrior received more than two hundred taels of silver in valuables. Who is this great figure?"

"It's Zhao Shuohan!"

Bo Yaohe nodded and said, "Very good! I hereby declare that from today onwards, the Ongud tribe will follow Zhao Shuo Khan's lead! If Zhao Shuo Khan is neutral, we will be neutral. Whom Zhao Shuo Khan commands us to attack, we will attack. From the east where the sun rises to the west where the sun sets, the direction our Ongud warriors will fight will be the direction in which they clash. What do you think?"

"I am willing to die for Zhao Shuo Khan!"

The warriors of the Ongud tribe on the walls of Wushabao responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens!

Then, Bo Yaohe looked at Mieli below the city wall and said, "Meli, did you hear that clearly? My Wanggu tribe has surrendered to Zhao Shuo Khan today! Why don't you quickly make way for us and let us into Zhao Shuo Khanate?"

What are you doing?
What does the struggle between the three Mongol lineages have to do with the ordinary Mongol noyans?

In the history without Zhao Shuo's time travel, they had no other choice but to fight alongside their respective masters in the various Mongol civil wars.

Now that they have Zhao Shuo, they have a third option.

Surrender to Zhao Shuohan and you'll be safe!

Regardless of the outcome of this war for the Khanate, and regardless of Zhao Shuo's interest in the throne, Zhao Shuo is the strongest and will undoubtedly emerge victorious. Surrendering to Zhao Shuo is the safest option!
(End of this chapter)