Ch.10Gur Khan (2)

“Phew…”

“Good work, brother.”

A single remark from Munglig.

I nodded at him in response.

“I should head back home soon.”

“Haha. Do you already miss your wife?”

“A-ahem.”

“Or perhaps…”

Munglig poked my side gently with a suggestive expression.

“Are you excited about the prospect of embracing your new concubine?”

“E-excited? I’m not that kind of person!”

“Come on, brother, you know you like it.”

“I am not some shameless man who enjoys taking another man’s woman.”

“Then why did you accept Juchi Khan’s wife as your concubine?”

Munglig’s sharp observation.

I couldn’t help but stammer in response.

“T-that… was necessary to make the Jalair part of the Kiyat tribe.”

“Is that really true?”

“Y-yes… it’s true.”

It happened during the process of incorporating Juchi and Ambaghai’s tribes into the Kiyat clan.

On the steppe, the most common method of assimilating another group was to take women from the subjugated group as concubines.

This reduced resentment among the subjugated people and helped them assimilate more quickly.

Of course, by modern standards, this would seem like barbaric plundering.

But life on the steppe was harsh and dangerous, so in Mongolia, such actions weren’t considered morally wrong.

To summarize, the Jalair tribe members had been worried they would be punished for their leader Juchi Khan’s violation of steppe law.

In this situation, by accepting Juchi Khan’s second wife as my concubine, I had essentially chosen a steppe-style integration that removed their guilt, which they naturally welcomed given their circumstances.

Anyway, for these reasons, I took Juchi’s wife—specifically his second wife—as my concubine,

and consequently, albeit unintentionally, gained another wife.

“Well, if you say so, brother.”

“You seem to be crossing the line lately, Munglig. Should I remind you of our bokh practice session from before?”

Munglig startled at my words.

He immediately straightened his posture and shook his head with an awkward smile.

“Haha… o-of course not! I… I just said that because I’m envious that you’ve acquired a beautiful Semuren concubine.”

Juchi Khan’s second wife, Abd Chechek.

This name was the Mongolian pronunciation of her original name, Elif Cherchen, phonetically transcribed in Chinese characters.

As evident from her name Elif, which is commonly used in modern Turkic countries like Türkiye, she was of Turkic origin.

I’m not sure how a Turkic woman from far away came to be Juchi Khan’s wife,

but considering she was originally Ambaghai Khan’s concubine, she was likely a slave brought by Persian merchants.

“Anyway, let’s stop talking about women. You’ve become a Kheshig of Gurkhan, the legitimate ruler of Khamag Mongol, so you should conduct yourself accordingly.”

“Understood, brother.”

Munglig nodded.

Indeed, he was no longer an ordinary Mongol soldier of an arban unit but had become part of the imperial guard that protected the Khagan of Khamag Mongol.

Kheshig.

Known in Chinese characters as Qiexue.

In modern times, they’re often recognized as elite troops similar to the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire in medieval and early modern periods,

but originally, they were a guard unit created by my son Temujin to prevent assassinations.

As the Mongol Empire expanded, this guard unit evolved into an elite force,

and khans after Genghis Khan began recruiting soldiers from conquered territories.

Because of this, the Yuan Shi records that the Kheshig consisted of soldiers from various regions such as Georgia, Russia, Persia, and Solongos.

In terms of modern country names,

it meant they employed soldiers from Georgia, Russia, Persia, and Goryeo as Kheshig.

In fact, Goryeo’s history records that Prince Wang Toqto’a-buqa, the great-grandson of King Chungnyeol, also served in the Kheshig.

“It’s time to go back now.”

The long winter had ended on the steppe.

The snow that had covered the ground had all melted away. Green grass was sprouting in its place.

* * *

The women sitting before me were staring at me with raised eyebrows.

Ho’elun and Sochigel were giving me intense looks as if they had something to say.

Between me and my wives sat Abd Chechek, a blonde woman with blue eyes.

Abd was watching both Ho’elun, who exuded the aura of a strong woman, and me, her husband-to-be.

“Well…”

“I understand why my husband made such a decision.”

“…”

“Even as a woman, I know that the Jalair and Taichiud clans must become our family, and naturally, we must receive the legacy of the khans who led them.”

“Thank you for understand—”

“However.”

Ho’elun’s expression turned cold.

I immediately knew the main point was about to begin.

“If you had given me, who manages the household affairs, some advance notice, neither I nor Sochigel would have been hurt.”

In short, they were upset.

I could fully understand their complaints since I had taken a concubine without my wives’ permission.

“I’m sorry.”

When I apologized, Sochigel looked surprised.

Next to her, Ho’elun also dropped her angry expression and looked surprised.

“Did you say… you’re sorry?”

“Yes. I truly apologize for bringing in a concubine so unilaterally without a word to my wives, disturbing your peace of mind.”

“You’ve definitely changed, husband… sister…”

“Y-yes, indeed.”

“…?”

The two were rather flustered by my apology.

I immediately understood why my wives were surprised.

Yesugei.

It seemed this man never apologized even when he did something wrong.

Anyway, the atmosphere became awkward as soon as I apologized.

Ho’elun tried to regain composure and carefully spoke to me.

“S-since you apologized…”

“Yes. Next time, something like this…”

Just as I was about to say it wouldn’t happen again,

Ho’elun gave an unexpected response.

“If this happens again, as long as you inform us first and seek our consent… it’s… it’s fine.”

“…?”

“A-as your wives, we shouldn’t hinder your actions, let alone help you.”

I wondered if I should be grateful for this.

While I was thinking, Ho’elun blushed and fidgeted with her fingers.

“H-however.”

“However…?”

“E-even if you take more concubines, please promise that you’ll… embrace me and Sochigel as usual… ♡”

“I… I feel the same as my sister… my husband… ♡”

“…”

The two were shooting heart-filled gazes at me.

Having these two sensual married women asking for love so cutely made me feel like the protagonist of an obsession novel.

“My husband…”

“Please answer…”

“I… I will… As your husband, I shall fulfill my duty(?) to my wives who speak such words.”

“T-then… ♡”

Sochigel suddenly blushed while looking at me.

Since the usually calm Sochigel never showed such behavior, I couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

“S-since we have a new family member… ♡ How about the four of us… join together…?”

“…”

Sochigel was suggesting not just a threesome but a foursome.

I looked at Ho’elun with an expression that questioned if this was right…

“That’s a good idea, sister… ♡”

Ho’elun seemed quite pleased with Sochigel’s suggestion.

The two approached me slowly, staring intently.

Just as I was about to be pounced on by these two married women…

“Brother! Toghrul Khan of the Keraites is here to see you! Are you in, brother?!”

Munglig’s voice boomed from outside.

The passionate gazes of Ho’elun and Sochigel immediately turned murderous.

“That Munglig… again…”

“We need to teach him a lesson, sister.”

The two women’s eyes filled with killing intent, as if they would murder Munglig on the spot.

Sensing I might get caught up in this too, I chose to escape for my survival.

* * *

“Congratulations on becoming the Khan of Khamag Mongol, my anda! By the way…”

Toghrul extended his arms to congratulate me.

After greeting me, he naturally noticed Munglig standing behind me.

“Why is that fellow’s face so swollen?”

“It’s complicated and difficult to explain.”

Munglig had an aggrieved expression.

No wonder, as his face was covered in dark bruises.

Those bruises were the handiwork of my wives.

After being summoned by Ho’elun and Sochigel and beaten nearly to death, his face couldn’t help but be swollen.

From Munglig’s perspective, the situation was truly unfair.

He had only done his duty as my guard by announcing the visit of my anda, Toghrul Khan.

He was simply unlucky with his timing.

“Anyway, thank you for coming in person to congratulate me.”

“Not at all. When my anda receives the title of Lord of the Steppe through the endorsement of other khans, of course I should come personally to congratulate you.”

Toghrul was genuinely happy for me as if it were his own achievement.

I expressed my gratitude for his sincere congratulations.

“By the way, now that you’ve become Gurkhan and not only recovered your lost tribespeople but also punished those who oppressed you, everything seems to have returned to its rightful place.”

“There’s still something left to do.”

At my words, a gleam appeared in Toghrul’s eyes.

“Revenge against the Tatars remains.”

“That’s right. I must bring down the hammer on those who violated steppe law.”

“Of course.”

Toghrul nodded at my words.

Then he carefully brought up his main point.

“May I help you with that revenge?”