Ch.123Journey (3)

As Liam was nearly finished creating statues modeled after my body and Munglig’s, I continued my civilian patrols whenever I had time.

At night, I would return to my ger and continue developing my plans for the postal carriage system.

“The concept is simple, but creating a route circulation system is quite difficult.”

Since it was a public service project, some financial loss was expected. However, I couldn’t completely abandon the idea either.

Therefore, I needed to employ every method available to maximize efficiency.

“First, I need to secure public safety.”

For the postal carriage system to work properly, public safety had to be established first. Otherwise, it was clear that no one would use the carriages.

The Mongols of original history understood the importance of public safety as well. That’s why they committed significant military resources to secure it.

Thanks to this, Mongolia became the nation with the best public safety of its time. According to one Islamic historian, the safety was so good that one could walk around with a tray full of gold on their head without being harmed.

Though I couldn’t verify if this was true, considering the public safety of other countries at that time, it was clear how exceptional Mongolia’s security was.

“As soon as I return from Jin, I’ll recruit soldiers and eliminate the bandit groups.”

As wars continued, security gaps emerged within Mongolia. Small groups of bandits took advantage of these gaps to appear.

These bandits would rob merchants and travelers. Some bandit groups, after growing their power through such robberies, even raided small villages like Harung, which I had named.

The bandits’ plundering not only made the people’s lives difficult but also posed the greatest obstacle to the postal relay system that would become the foundation of the Mongol Empire. Therefore, I planned to eliminate them all, regardless of their size.

Additionally, there was an extra benefit to bandit suppression—gaining combat experience.

Of course, the effect might be less significant compared to training through large-scale battles. It’s important to note that large-scale battle training and small-scale combat training like bandit suppression had different objectives.

In large-scale battles, fighting was based on military discipline and formation. Unlike these large battles, small-scale combat relied on individual skills.

Overall, individual skills were important in large battles too, just as discipline and formation were important in small skirmishes. The difference was merely in priority.

I learned about these training differences from my platoon leader during my military service, who drilled it into my head until I couldn’t forget.

“I’ll need to keep these aspects in mind when making plans.”

I mentally reviewed what needed to be done after returning from diplomatic relations with Jin.

First, dispatch a ren, or 50 soldiers, throughout the ulus to secure public safety. Simultaneously, establish roads and postal stations connecting the entire ulus.

Then, set up postal carriages and create routes for them to continuously circulate on these roads.

Thinking about it so simply made it seem like no big deal. But in reality, as mentioned earlier, there were many factors to consider.

“Sigh… I’ll think about this later. First, I need to focus on returning alive from Jin.”

Again, Jin was concerned about the expansion of our ulus. In such a situation, I couldn’t predict what actions Jin might take.

After these thoughts, I got up. It was time for exercise.

“It seems the buroktan has been quite effective.”

I couldn’t help but make this comment while examining my body. Although I exercised in modern times too, I had never gained such significant muscle.

Originally, I was lean, but frequent company dinners and drinking due to work life had taken their toll. Additionally, with occasional overtime work, my lifestyle rhythm was completely disrupted.

Unlike that exhausting life, life in Mongolia was the epitome of health. Whether I wanted to or not, I had to wake up at sunrise, and with few entertainment options, I spent time riding horses or shooting arrows.

I ate a high-protein diet free of additives or chemicals, and then exercised again. After overseeing state affairs, I would go to sleep as soon as the sun set.

Of course, there were times when I had to fight for my life in wars, and there were also “mandatory defense battles” against my three wives. But since these weren’t daily occurrences, they didn’t put much strain on my body.

In conclusion, this condensed healthy lifestyle allowed me to develop such a solid physique.

“Exaggerating a bit, people might even accuse me of using performance enhancers…”

I had developed such a massive body that, with some exaggeration, people might accuse me of using steroids. As I was thinking this, the door of the ger opened, and Munglig entered.

“Brother, it’s time for exercise.”

“Alright, I understand.”

I nodded at my exercise partner Munglig’s words.

The diplomatic journey to Jin—while it was a trip to attend an important event, personally, it felt like an important rest period where I could focus on personal development.

* * *

“Ohhh…!”

“Amazing…!”

The villagers looked at the statue with expressions of awe. Then they turned to look at me.

“It feels like the Gur Kagan’s magnificent physique has been perfectly captured.”

“Yes, yes. It feels like it could come alive at any moment.”

“The statue of Lord Munglig beside it is the same.”

At the villagers’ comments, I looked at the statue that was an exact replica of my body.

A protruding forehead with intense eyes. Unlike that fierce impression, the mouth wore a very gentle smile.

In that state, striking a side chest… no, a kurultai pose, it was incredibly bizarre.

“Is this right?”

The shock was so great that the thought in my head escaped through my mouth. Misinterpreting my words, Munglig smiled and laughed heartily.

“The spirit of Daichi Tengri contained in your body can be felt through the statue.”

“No… that’s not what I…”

“And have you seen my statue next to it? Can’t you feel the majestic Burkhan Khaldun pose?”

“…Burkhan what?”

Munglig’s statue had both arms raised, showing off his triceps, lats, and lower body. What’s known in bodybuilding terms as a front double biceps pose, Munglig was calling it the Burkhan Khaldun pose.

“The Burkhan Khaldun pose. I named it because the arms look like massive mountain peaks. What do you think?”

Seeing Munglig’s expression that seemed to say “Did I do well?”, I wore a dumbfounded expression. I wanted to ask why he changed the name on his own, but I couldn’t.

That’s because at this time, there was no such pose as front double biceps. Bodybuilding itself didn’t exist. In that sense, I could be called the originator of bodybuilding… or rather, muscle enhancement exercises in this world.

Munglig was the first to learn exercise from me. So I couldn’t criticize him for naming poses as he pleased.

“Y-yes, well done.”

“Haha, thank you, brother. Now that the statue is there, this village will remember you forever.”

“They won’t be able to forget… I mean, that’s right.”

As long as that bizarre statue existed, people would have no choice but to remember me, whether they wanted to or not.

Anyway, as I was thinking this, Liam approached us. After bowing, he carefully asked for my opinion.

“I… I humbly ask what you think of my… my inadequate work.”

“You did well. You accomplished it admirably in such a short time.”

Liam had fulfilled the tremendous request of creating a statue in just two weeks. So even if he had wanted to make it, I wanted to praise him for it.

“Th-thank you, Gur Kagan.”

“Thanks to this statue, the villagers will remember me. It’s thanks to you. I want to reward you, so tell me what you desire.”

It was a reward I didn’t necessarily have to give, but since I was out here checking on the people’s welfare, I needed to open my purse a bit. This was because good deeds like this would spread positive rumors about me.

So I intended to reward Liam for creating the statue.

“N-no. I… I was the one who initially said I wanted to make a statue. So… so a reward is not… not necessary… K-Kagan.”

“In the ulus, there’s a saying that proper compensation should be given for labor. So I want to reward you. Don’t refuse.”

In truth, there was no such saying. I just made it up because I thought he would continue to refuse otherwise.

Anyway, after my insistence, Liam seemed to finally decide to accept the reward and carefully spoke.

“Th-then I have a… a request for the G-Gur Kagan.”

“What is it?”

“P-please allow me to travel throughout the ulus and… and create statues of the Gur Kagan. I would be… be grateful.”

“Statues of me?”

“Y-yes. The Gur Kagan’s physique has such perfect proportions that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s divinely blessed. Such proportions should be preserved in statues for generations to come. So if you would grant me the honor of creating statues…”

“…”

The immediate thought in my mind was one thing: the practice common in communist countries of erecting statues of leaders everywhere.

I wondered if I should permit such an action that seemed like something a dictator would do. Just as I was about to refuse, thinking it might be excessive… Munglig stepped forward.

“If you also create my statues standing beside the Gur Kagan, he will permit it.”

At Munglig’s words, I glared at him. But Munglig didn’t budge.

“R-really? Th-thank you. Thank you, Gur Kagan.”

Liam bowed twice more, then stood up. And he began walking away as if he was going to start on the next statue immediately.

I couldn’t stop Liam now that he had already gone far. So I turned my head and glared at Munglig.

“Don’t glare at me like that, brother. Aren’t you secretly pleased?”

“…It seems I need to have a sincere muscle conversation with you.”

I felt that I had neglected Munglig too much while attending to state affairs. The desire to discipline him was growing vigorously within me.