Ch.120Diplomatic Battle (7)

# Medieval Times

The medieval era.

A period often featured in media like novels and films, combined with fantasy elements.

It was portrayed as a time of kings, knights, and princesses, whose lives were often viewed through a romantic lens.

But the medieval period was hardly a romantic era.

Assassinations of kings by subjects and executions of subjects by kings were commonplace—it was a harsh world where killing and sparing lives happened for reasons that would seem trivial to modern people.

An age overflowing with political intrigue.

I am a Mongol living in such times, the Khagan of the steppe.

Therefore, although I was once a modern person, I had to adapt my behavior to this era.

That was the only way I—no, my followers, officials, and people—could enjoy peace.

The price of peace was very steep.

If that price could be paid with just my life, it would be quite cheap.

With these thoughts, I revealed my intentions to those gathered at the Kurultai.

Then I looked at each of their faces one by one.

People shocked.

People saddened.

People sighing with relief.

People worried about me.

As all these emotions mingled together, I inwardly sighed with relief.

I thought, “So many people care about me.”

Though inappropriate and strange for the current situation, I felt reassured by their reactions and emotions.

I was confident that with such people, the Ulus would remain strong even without me.

It was Toghrul Khan who snapped me out of these idle thoughts.

He asked me with a calm expression.

“Do you really have to go?”

Since this was a Kurultai, Toghrul was speaking formally to me.

“I must go. The Ulus has only just ended its war with Western Liao. Fighting with the militarily powerful Jin Dynasty when the sun and moon haven’t even turned three times would not benefit the Ulus.”

Toghrul sighed deeply at my words.

Then he bowed before me and spoke with a trembling voice.

“I remember when you worked as a mercenary in your youth.”

“I remember too. That’s when I met you.”

The first thing Yesugei, who became independent at age 10, did to survive on the harsh steppe was work as a mercenary.

That’s how he grew into adulthood, taking on missions and completing them for whoever hired him.

“I still remember those eyes from your mercenary days. Never looking at the ground, always gazing at the sky and thinking about what comes next.”

“…”

“Gurkhan. No, my anda Yesugei. I know that the alpha wolf never hesitates to walk the path of death for the sake of his pack.”

Wolf packs on the steppe always followed their alpha.

This leader would guide the pack on hunts or find shelter so the other wolves could rest comfortably.

Though the alpha was the strongest in the pack, it was also the quickest to die.

This was because when the pack faced danger, the alpha would use itself as bait to lure predators away, saving the pack from danger.

Left alone, separated from the pack, the alpha wolf would meet its end, devoured by predators.

“You… you are the alpha wolf.”

Toghrul suddenly stood up.

Then, with a sobbing voice, he began to dance and sing.

“Oh, Tengri, oh Tengri, he who wears the red cloak wishes to protect the pack. Oh God, oh God, your warrior wishes to protect the pack.”

Seeing Toghrul’s actions, others also rose.

They joined him in dancing and singing along.

“Oh, Tengri, oh Tengri…”

“Your warrior wishes to protect the pack.”

“Oh heavens. Protect our leader. Return him safely to the pack. We beg you earnestly, earnestly.”

The Darughachi responded to Toghrul’s song by singing the chorus.

I watched them and nodded.

As the song ended, Toghrul approached me.

He offered his hand and whispered softly.

“Return safely to the pack, anda. This land, your wives and children, your brothers, your people—they will all be waiting for you.”

I took his hand.

And I looked at him with eyes promising a safe return.

* * *

Three months.

If I headed to the Jin Dynasty now, it would take approximately two months.

So I needed to depart immediately to meet their appointed time.

“My husband, must you really go?”

“I’m sorry.”

I responded to Ho’elun’s question with deeply apologetic words.

Her eyes reddened at my response.

Beside Ho’elun, Sochigel and Abd Chechek could not bear their rising sorrow and burst into tears.

As the two women cried, I felt uneasy as their husband.

Perhaps reading my change of heart, Ho’elun took my hand firmly with eyes telling me not to worry.

“Don’t worry. I will comfort my younger sisters.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“No need. You are not only our husband and the father of our children, but also the father of everyone living in the Ulus, aren’t you?”

“…Thank you for understanding.”

Ho’elun nodded with a smile at this.

But a single tear finally formed at the corner of her eye.

I embraced her tightly to calm her.

Finally breaking down, Ho’elun began to sob uncontrollably.

All I could do was pat her back.

“Please… please return safely.”

“I will do so.”

At these words, Ho’elun steadied her breathing while resting her head against my chest.

Then she pulled away from my embrace.

Though her eyes were still red, her face bore a smile as if she had never cried.

“I will be waiting, my husband.”

After saying this, Ho’elun brought Sochigel and Abd Chechek, who were still crying behind her, to my side.

I embraced the two women who were still in tears.

They seemed to calm down a bit and looked at me while hiccupping.

Finding their appearance endearing, I unconsciously stroked their hair.

Then I heard a slight cough from behind.

“A-ahem.”

I had ordered that a signal be given if the children were coming, as it might be embarrassing for them to see such a scene.

In this situation, Munglig was giving the signal, meaning the children had arrived.

I turned around with an awkward expression, leaving my wives behind.

Then I greeted the children with a composed face as if nothing had happened.

“Haha… you came early.”

“No, we didn’t. Haha.”

“That’s right.”

The perceptive Temujin and Belgutei spoke these words, helping me save face.

Unlike the two of them, however, the youngest, Khasar, tactlessly revealed his true thoughts.

“I didn’t see anything.”

“…”

“…”

When Temujin and Belgutei glared at Khasar, he gave an awkward smile.

“Haha… ha… a… anyway… w-we heard Father was heading to the Jin Dynasty…”

“Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules.”

Temujin was spending his busiest time as the Khan of Western Liao.

Additionally, Belgutei was preparing to head to Goryeo, meeting daily with Ho’elun, Sochigel, and Abd Chechek for discussions.

As for Khasar… well, being the youngest, he had plenty of time to play.

“Khasar said we needed to move quickly, so we came right away.”

“He said we needed to move as quickly as possible to see Father off…”

“…B-brothers! Are you really doing this?!”

Temujin and Belgutei teased Khasar while giggling.

Khasar looked at his two brothers with an expression of injustice.

“In any case, I’m grateful that you came to see me.”

I said this while embracing each of my sons.

“I entrust the household to you while I’m gone.”

Temujin nodded at my words.

Then I turned to Belgutei and Khasar.

“Support Temujin well. While I’m gone, Temujin is the head of the household.”

“Don’t worry, Father.”

“We’ll take good care of brother Temujin.”

At Khasar’s playful words, Temujin approached and lightly tapped Khasar’s head.

Behind them, Ho’elun, Sochigel, and Abd Chechek were smiling brightly as if they had never cried.

* * *

“Are you moving somewhere?”

At my words, Munglig pointed at the luggage as if to say “what do you mean?”

“When the rightful ruler of the steppe, Gurkhan, travels, we must pack at least this much.”

“…That seems like too much luggage…”

I said this while looking at the pile Munglig had assembled.

A marten coat from my wife, jerky, fermented mare’s milk, and exercise equipment… wait… exercise equipment?

“Why are you bringing exercise equipment?”

“Of course we must bring it. If you exercise diligently during the journey and maintain your physique, the Jin people won’t be surprised when they see your body and won’t try anything strange.”

It was a peculiar statement that somehow seemed both right and wrong.

The words in the sentence seemed disconnected. I wanted to object, but my brain seemed pickled in muscle, and I couldn’t voice my disagreement.

When I didn’t respond, Munglig made an expression that said “I thought so” and began packing more exercise equipment.

“Why are you packing more exercise equipment?”

“I need two sets if I’m going to use them too.”

“You’re coming too?”

Munglig looked at me with an expression of disappointment.

“Where the needle goes, the thread must follow. So of course, when Gurkhan goes, how could I, the captain of the Kheshig, not accompany you?”

As I’ve mentioned before, Munglig led the Kheshig who guarded the Khagan.

So as he said, it didn’t make sense for me to move without Munglig.

“You weren’t planning to leave me behind, were you?”

“Haha… h-how could that be possible?”

“Hahaha. Of course not. I almost felt hurt for a moment.”

“…”

In truth, I had slightly considered leaving Munglig behind.

I was planning to order him to recruit and train new Kheshig here… judging by his expression, I was glad I hadn’t mentioned it.