Ch.107Occupation War (6)

Temujin, who had conquered Almaliq, was devising strategies with Bo’orchu, who had newly become his advisor.

Although Bo’orchu had been a mere merchant, his abilities were extraordinary, which is why Temujin had effectively appointed him as an advisor.

Bo’orchu had accepted Temujin’s request and was assisting him.

“If we continue westward from here, we’ll reach Qara-Ordo.”

Bo’orchu pointed at a spot on the map as he spoke.

Then he looked at Temujin and continued.

“As Your Majesty knows, the enemy capital will be different from the fortresses we’ve faced so far. Neither the divine archery skills displayed at Kucha nor the strategic surrender obtained at Almaliq will work in the capital.”

Temujin nodded at Bo’orchu’s words.

As he said, Qara-Ordo was not a city that could be conquered by chance.

Befitting the capital of Western Liao with its vast territory, it had extremely thick and sturdy walls unlike the fortresses they had faced before.

With elite soldiers stationed there to protect the emperor, it was wishful thinking to capture Qara-Ordo with simple tactics.

Therefore, this time they needed to use a direct approach.

“That’s why Your Majesty must choose one of two methods.”

“What are they?”

“One is to wait for our main force to arrive.”

In a direct assault, the most important factor was always troop numbers.

With more troops, facing the enemy would be easier.

Since this was an unchanging truth, Temujin simply nodded without responding verbally, gesturing for Bo’orchu to explain the next method.

“The other method is to attack Qara-Ordo right now.”

“Right now?”

The vanguard led by Toghrul, or rather effectively by Temujin, numbered no more than 20,000.

Moreover, being the vanguard, most of the troops were cavalry.

Suggesting a surprise attack on the enemy with just 20,000 cavalry was essentially suicidal.

“I understand your surprise. But as Your Majesty knows, the enemy capital is currently in chaos.”

Kuchlug had rebelled, aiming for the throne.

This meant that the interior of Qara-Ordo was in disarray.

“If we exploit this chaos to launch a surprise attack, the enemy won’t be able to respond properly.”

It was a plausible strategy, but one with very low feasibility.

However, if this strategy worked, Temujin, or rather the Yeke Mongol Ulus, could easily conquer Western Liao.

Therefore, instead of dismissing Bo’orchu’s proposal as absurd, Temujin began looking for ways to make the second method succeed.

Using trebuchets to continuously damage the walls.

Using swift cavalry to provoke the enemy and lure them outside the walls.

Various suggestions were made, but none gave absolute confidence that they could capture Qara-Ordo.

While Bo’orchu and Temujin were devising strategies, night had deepened.

Temujin ordered Bo’orchu to rest.

“That’s enough for today. Go back and rest. You’ve worked hard.”

Bo’orchu tried to refuse Temujin’s words, but seeing how tired Temujin looked, he had no choice but to follow his suggestion.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Your Majesty.”

After Bo’orchu left, Temujin was alone in the ger.

He let out a long sigh, sat on the floor, and caught his breath.

“Bo’orchu’s suggestions are all excellent, but implementing them would cause massive casualties.”

It was the same concern he had when conquering Kucha.

But unlike then, this battle was of particular importance.

Qara-Ordo.

The capital where the Western Liao emperor resided.

So he needed to be more thorough than when conquering Kucha.

“Minimizing casualties while conquering Qara-Ordo. That’s the most important thing.”

Unlike when conquering Kucha, there was no time constraint this time.

If they stalled, the main force would eventually arrive here.

In that sense, time was on Temujin’s side.

But since this might just be his own thinking, he didn’t become complacent.

If Kuchlug had eliminated the emperor, the situation could change.

“If Kuchlug has eliminated the emperor and become the new emperor of Liao, he will surely stabilize military authority quickly and counterattack.”

Although they had conquered Almaliq and Kucha, they were still clearly in enemy territory.

So he couldn’t feel at ease. For this reason, Temujin was trying to avoid troop losses as much as possible.

While he was thinking, Toghrul came to Temujin’s ger.

“You were resting. I’ll come back later, son-in-law.”

“No, it’s fine, father-in-law.”

At Temujin’s words, Toghrul nodded and took a seat.

Then he immediately revealed why he had come.

“Are you planning to attack Qara-Ordo as it is?”

Temujin showed a contemplative expression.

After examining Toghrul’s countenance, he nodded.

“Yes. I think now is our opportunity.”

“An opportunity, you say.”

“Kuchlug has thrown the enemy capital into chaos. I don’t think such a rare opportunity will come again.”

“I sympathize with your words, son-in-law. But what if Kuchlug has already eliminated the Liao emperor and usurped the throne?”

“That’s a possibility. But I think it would be difficult for Kuchlug, an outsider, to seize military authority quickly.”

“You’re aiming for that gap.”

Temujin nodded at this.

He knew it was greedy. But he didn’t want to miss the opportunity given by heaven.

“I know my son-in-law is being greedy. But I don’t want to dissuade you from that greed.”

Toghrul smiled as he looked at Temujin.

His gaze was like looking at his anda, Yesugei.

“My anda and I also had such reckless moments. Now my body has become sluggish, and there are more things to consider.”

At Toghrul’s words, Temujin gestured in denial, maintaining a humble attitude.

“Thanks to you, father-in-law, I’m gaining such valuable experience. If you weren’t here…”

“Even without me, you would achieve everything, son-in-law.”

“…”

“The achievements you’ve made come entirely from your decisions. Even heaven would reproach excessive humility.”

He pointed to the sky as he said this.

Temujin responded with a smile and made the sign of the cross.

Toghrul, a devout Nestorian, also made the sign of the cross.

Soon, the two men discussed the upcoming war.

As their conversation deepened, Jebe urgently entered the ger.

“My lord.”

“What is it, Jebe?”

Temujin had appointed Jebe as his aide.

But since Jebe was originally a Kheshig, he was also responsible for Temujin’s protection.

“A horse has arrived from Qara-Ordo… and the rider…”

“Who is it?”

“He claims to be the crown prince of Liao.”

The crown prince of Liao.

At these shocking words from Jebe’s mouth, Toghrul and Temujin couldn’t help but widen their eyes.

* * *

Despite the late hour, Temujin met with the child, accompanied by Toghrul, Dei-Sechen, Bo’orchu, Jebe, and all the darughachi.

The child wore tattered clothes, but the nobility in his face immediately revealed that he was no ordinary person.

“I am Temujin, the eldest son of Gurkhan, the rightful ruler of the steppe. Are you truly the crown prince?”

“Yes. I am the crown prince of Great Liao.”

The child, who appeared to be about 7 years old, introduced himself confidently.

Then, perhaps concerned that his poor appearance might make his words seem like lies, he immediately showed proof of his status as crown prince.

Temujin nodded after hearing the merchant who interpreted this.

The golden tablet had something written on it in Khitan script.

Seeing this golden tablet, Temujin turned his head to look for someone who could read Khitan script.

However, since there was no one of Khitan origin who could read Khitan script among Temujin’s subordinates, there was no way to verify if the golden tablet was genuine.

Khitan script was a writing system for the royal family or nobility.

As such, even the merchant who was interpreting could translate speech but couldn’t read the writing.

“None of us can read Khitan script. So whether you’re really the crown prince…”

“Kuchlug has killed the emperor of Great Liao and usurped the throne.”

“…”

Pure anger that could never come from a child’s body filled the ger.

Temujin silently observed the child.

Bloodshot eyes.

Though he looked like he might cry at any moment, those black pupils contained a determination to do anything for revenge.

“Very well. I’ll believe you.”

“Thank you.”

Despite being in enemy territory, the child answered proudly.

Then he looked at Temujin and spoke boldly.

“I know that the emperor killed Mongol envoys, bringing shame. Even so, I have a request for the Mongols.”

“What is it?”

“Help me kill Kuchlug. Then I will surrender the throne of Western Liao.”

The crown prince offered to hand over the throne.

At this, Temujin laughed loudly.

“You are no longer the crown prince. How can you offer the throne to me, or rather to Gurkhan, as if it’s in your hands?”

Despite Temujin’s pointed words, the crown prince did not yield.

“The throne of Liao belongs to the Yelu clan. As the heir to the imperial lineage, I can give you justification to eliminate Kuchlug, who is usurping the emperor’s title.”

Justification.

At those words, Temujin looked at the crown prince with interest.

But he only looked.

The crown prince studied Temujin’s expression.

Then he realized what Temujin wanted.

“…Please help me with my revenge. If I can achieve revenge, I’ll give you anything. If you want my life, I’ll give that too.”

The crown prince begged, prostrating himself.

It was a desperate voice that could never come from a child.

“What is your name?”

“…Yelu Zhilugu.”

The crown prince no longer referred to himself as the crown prince.

And he had no hesitation in revealing his name.

“Yelu Zhilugu. From now on, your name is Yelu Chucai. If you accept this and serve by my side, I will accept your proposal.”

Chucai, meaning “rod of discipline.”

Understanding the meaning, Yelu Zhilugu readily nodded.

For revenge, a name didn’t matter.

Therefore, Yelu Zhilugu, or rather Yelu Chucai, bowed to Temujin, expressing with his whole body that he would follow his will.