Ch.131Relay Station (2)

“We have rebuilt the road connecting Western Liao and Western Xia to restore Western Liao’s interior.”

Even before I headed to the Jin Dynasty, Temujin understood the importance of roads and postal relay stations.

That’s why as soon as he became Khan of Western Liao, he mobilized workers to establish roads.

To be precise, it was road improvement.

This was because Western Liao and Western Xia were actually already connected by steppe routes.

However, these routes had been deliberately destroyed by Western Xia, which had suffered from Western Liao’s continuous plundering.

After being abandoned for a long time in that state, they could hardly serve their purpose.

But since they weren’t completely unusable, Temujin focused on improving the existing roads rather than creating new ones connecting the Mongolian steppe and Western Liao.

Thanks to that, Western Liao and Western Xia could be connected by land while I was away.

“There is currently only one road connecting Western Xia and Western Liao, but we plan to continue connecting broken roads using this one as a foundation.”

In terms of the human body, roads were like blood vessels.

If the blood vessels were completely severed, it would inevitably take a long time to restore Western Liao, which had suffered great damage from war.

That’s why Temujin concentrated all resources on a single road to connect Western Liao and Western Xia.

As a result, Western Liao could quickly begin restoration work based on supplies from Western Xia, and as restoration progressed, jobs naturally emerged, activating the movement of logistics throughout the ulus.

“Many from the private sector are interested in investing in these road connections.”

The movement of logistics and population was directly linked to money.

As a result, merchants from Western Liao, Western Xia, and Mongolia, who had an uncanny sense for profit, were rushing to invest in this industry.

“Investment…”

From a modern person’s perspective, the word “investment” might seem out of place in medieval times.

However, in the Song Dynasty, it was common practice for private investments to fund new roads or bridge installations.

Other countries in this era also knowingly or unknowingly expanded public works through private investment, so the concept of investment was certainly not beyond this era.

However, it was definitely an unfamiliar concept for the ulus.

Again, the ulus was a desolate land without any notable buildings.

Therefore, the very idea of building something with private investment was novel.

“What does the Khan of Western Liao think about investment?”

To my question, Temujin immediately expressed his thoughts.

“For someone born a warrior who has lived his entire life on horseback, investment is unfamiliar. However, if it can help restore roads quickly, there seems no reason to refuse their help.”

I thought, truly worthy of being Genghis Khan.

His willingness to use whatever was necessary greatly influenced Temujin’s conquest of the world.

Others might wonder why I was making such a fuss about this.

But as mentioned earlier, investment was an unfamiliar concept to Temujin.

In other words, he was willing to take risks with unknown factors if there was practical benefit.

As Khan of Western Liao, Temujin had much to lose.

Yet I was impressed by his willingness to take on such challenges.

“I respect the Khan of Western Liao’s opinion. However, merchants are greedy people, so we must prevent them from privately blocking or occupying roads under the pretext of investment.”

“The Gurkhan’s words are wise. I believe laws are needed for this.”

I nodded at Temujin’s words.

Then I gestured to Hussein al-Kashgari.

As mentioned before, he was a linguist who created the Mongolian language and writing system, and also served to convert my words into laws.

So I called him to create legislation.

“I, as Gurkhan who rules the ulus with the blessing of God, Tengri, and our ancestors, decree: All roads in the ulus and the land near them belong to the nation, and those who privately occupy roads or obstruct passage without the Khagan’s order will be punished regardless of status. First offenders will receive three strokes of the cane as a warning, second offenders will receive ten strokes. Those who offend three or more times will be imprisoned, and four or more offenses will result in execution.”

By modern standards, execution for occupying a road might seem excessive.

But this was the medieval era.

Once roads were established, they would inevitably attract bandits and merchants trying to illegally occupy them and collect tolls.

Moreover, the ulus was a nation with diverse languages and cultures.

This made a strict penal system necessary.

“We receive the Gurkhan’s command.”

“The Gurkhan’s will is the will of the ulus.”

The officials bowed and swore to follow the newly established law.

“Thank you for accepting my request, Gurkhan.”

I raised my hand to acknowledge the Khan of Western Liao’s words.

Then I continued, looking at Temujin.

“With this law in place, we will prevent merchants from colluding with thieves to occupy roads or obstruct travelers for private gain.”

However, this law might discourage merchants from investing.

So I asked Temujin how to solve this problem.

“However, if this law exists, merchants may be reluctant to invest. Does the Khan of Western Liao have a solution to this problem?”

If someone else were watching, they might say I should have asked this before establishing the law.

Of course, that would be correct in modern times, but this was an era where bandits threatened travelers’ lives with swords.

It was essentially a lawless territory, not unlike the Wild West.

As someone aiming for a centralized state, I had no intention of haggling with merchants over road ownership rights for the small benefit of investment when it could potentially harm national interests.

Separately, receiving investment would be beneficial to us.

So I asked Temujin about methods to attract investment.

“I’ve discussed this matter with officials.”

Truly my son indeed.

Always prepared in advance.

I looked at my son with an expectant expression.

“What is it?”

“As the Gurkhan knows, postal relay stations managed by the Department of Animal Husbandry will be established alongside roads.”

Postal relay stations were lodgings that managed horses.

Travelers could stop there to rest their tired horses and take a break themselves.

This naturally made postal relay stations gathering places for people.

Therefore, transactions often took place there.

“We plan to give merchants who invest in road construction and reconstruction the right to trade throughout the ulus and the right to establish shops near postal relay stations.”

As mentioned repeatedly, roads and postal relay stations were managed by the Department of Animal Husbandry, a state agency.

Therefore, the land near roads naturally belonged to the state.

Of course, in medieval times, the concept of ownership wasn’t as clear as in modern times.

But the law I just established mentioned that all roads and surrounding lands within the ulus belonged to the state.

This meant merchants couldn’t privately build structures next to postal relay stations.

Understanding this well, Temujin proposed giving merchants who invested in road reconstruction the right to build near postal relay stations.

Additionally, offering the authority to conduct commercial activities throughout the ulus would be irresistible to most merchants.

“That seems like a good solution.”

Satisfied with the answer, I nodded with a smile.

While there were still details to refine, I was confident Temujin could handle them.

“Thank you, Gurkhan.”

Temujin bowed and stepped back.

As he retreated, Bo’orchu, the Chancellor of Western Liao, stepped forward.

“I have something to say to the great Khagan.”

I gestured for him to continue.

“As roads are being rebuilt or newly constructed throughout the ulus, it appears Western Liao, Western Xia, and Mongolia will soon become one.”

The officials nodded in agreement with Bo’orchu’s words.

Connected roads meant land travel was now possible, allowing us to spread the ulus’s influence more effectively.

“Three nations that were originally separate have become one under the ulus banner, so the ulus will soon become an empire.”

Empire.

It referred to a monarchical state where an emperor is the head of state, or a state that rules or dominates other ethnic groups or nations.

However, in East Asia, this concept was linked to the Mandate of Heaven, typically used by Central Plains nations.

This was because an empire could only be claimed by a state that served the Mandate of Heaven.

Under this concept, other nations were considered feudal states serving the empire.

In other words, only a nation with the Mandate of Heaven that led feudal states could claim to be an empire.

Originally, the Song Dynasty that occupied the Central Plains, or the Jin Dynasty that drove the Song Dynasty south of the Yangtze River and received the Mandate of Heaven through a ceremony at Mount Tai, claimed to be empires.

However, Mongolia had neither ascended Mount Tai nor conquered the Central Plains.

Therefore, Bo’orchu’s concept could be considered very radical in East Asia.

But none of the officials objected to Bo’orchu’s words.

This was because the ulus’s national power was enough to threaten the Jin Dynasty.

Moreover, since Western Liao and Western Xia were nominally feudal states, Bo’orchu’s statement couldn’t be considered incorrect.

“If the ulus becomes an empire, I believe it needs appropriate laws, administration, and security. For this, administrative reforms are necessary to move the empire more efficiently.”

An empire needed administration suitable for an empire.

Therefore, Bo’orchu’s argument was very reasonable.

“Administrative reform. What method do you propose?”

At my words, Bo’orchu bowed.

Then he shouted in a loud voice.

“When the Khan of Western Liao ascended to the throne, he followed the Song Dynasty’s administrative system by establishing three ministries and seven departments to restore Western Liao’s broken administration. I believe the ulus, which will become an empire, needs the same administration as Western Liao.”

He was suggesting establishing three ministries with seven departments under them, like Western Liao.

Bo’orchu’s proposal was very reasonable, especially since Temujin would inherit my position after my death.

Then Temujin could handle imperial administration as he did as Khan of Western Liao, which wouldn’t be complicated.

“I will consider the Chancellor’s proposal. Let’s discuss it at the Kurultai.”

At this, everyone including Bo’orchu bowed.

Then they looked at me with expectant gazes.

“…?”

Wondering what was happening, I looked at Munglig.

He approached and whispered quietly.

“You need to take the Kurultai pose.”

“…”

I could only sigh at Munglig’s words.

But I couldn’t disappoint the officials’ expectations, so I had to reluctantly stand up.

Then I faced everyone and took a side chest pose.

“Hmmph!”

“Oh… this is the Gurkhan’s majesty…!”

“Indeed, the Kurultai pose…!”

Seeing the officials’ admiring eyes, Temujin involuntarily shuddered.

When Yesugei died, he would have to take that pose himself.