Ch.19Kurultai (3)

# The Gathering of Khans

Many tribal chiefs had gathered once again.

They had assembled here in Kiyat at my summons.

“Thank you all for answering my call.”

The tribal chiefs observed Mongol etiquette in response.

Looking at them, I explained why I had convened today’s kurultai.

“I believe order has been restored to the steppes since the disappearance of our enemy, the Tatars.”

The tribal chiefs nodded in agreement with my words.

“Therefore, I believe it is time for the Yeke Mongol Ulus to unite once again under the order led by our Khamag Mongol. What are your thoughts on this?”

A proposal to unify the ulus.

At these words, the tribal chiefs eagerly offered their opinions one by one.

“The Merkit and Naiman tribes, with Western Xia’s support, have been invading Khamag Mongol territory.”

“Indeed. We must punish these thieves who dare cross into Khamag lands and steal our livestock.”

Remarks from Chalukhab and Hulitu.

I nodded at their words.

“I will take it that everyone agrees on punishing these thieves.”

The tribal chiefs observed Mongol etiquette in response.

Now that the kurultai had decided to attack the Merkit and Naiman, we needed to complete war preparations quickly.

“Then I shall see you again when Tengri touches the earth.”

When Tengri touches the earth.

This referred to summer, when the days grow extremely long.

The perfect time for an attack.

Since the Mongolian steppe was close to Siberia, the weather would be neither too hot nor too cold—ideal conditions.

With these thoughts, I exited the ger.

Looking out at the green steppe, I muttered to myself.

“The real problem will come after absorbing the Merkit and Naiman tribes.”

Normally at this time of year, Mongols would gather their horses, dried meat, and bows for summer hunting.

Regardless of gender, everyone would mount horses and draw bows to hunt rabbits, wolves, foxes, and even bears.

The meat from these hunts would be dried into jerky for winter preparations,

while the skins would be dried in the arid steppe winds to make furs for sale to the Central Plains countries.

For these reasons, Mongols were excellent hunters and warriors, as well as merchants.

In any case, Khamag Mongol had chosen war instead of hunting, this crucial economic activity.

Consequently, this battle would need to yield plunder equal to or greater than what hunting would have provided.

“There is no other way than to attack Western Xia and plunder them, Khan.”

A remark from Jadaran Elunka.

As the Khan of the Jadaran tribe participating in this kurultai, he had somehow approached my side while I was muttering to myself.

“I apologize, Khan. If my approach has caused you any discomfort, I wish to offer my apologies.”

“No need, Khan of Jadaran. Rather, I’d like to hear more about your suggestion to attack Western Xia.”

At my words, Elunka’s eyes lit up as if he had been waiting for this.

He began to present his argument while looking at me.

“It seemed that Gurkhan intended to absorb the Merkit and Naiman after conquering them, just as with the Tatars.”

“That’s right. They are different from us, but they follow the laws of the steppe, so it is fitting that they become subordinate to us.”

The Khamag Mongol and Tatars belonged to the same Shiwei lineage.

As described in the New Book of Tang, they were both of Eastern Hu descent, essentially branches from the same root, sharing similar appearances and cultures.

In other words, while there was old resentment between the two nations, they were fundamentally the same people, making tribal integration not particularly difficult.

However, the Merkit, Naiman, and Kerait had different origins.

They were Turkic peoples who had become Mongolized, so their Shiwei lineage and roots were inherently different.

For this reason, I worried about potential obstacles in absorbing them, unlike with the Tatars.

But I couldn’t abandon the idea of absorbing them.

If we failed to incorporate these elite warriors, there was a significant possibility we wouldn’t be able to build enough strength to attack the Jin Dynasty.

This meant we needed to do something to eliminate their discontent.

As fellow Mongols, there was only one easy way to suppress their dissatisfaction.

“However, if we absorb them by force, there will certainly be resistance, so we’ll need a means to persuade them.”

Elunka smiled at this.

He nodded and agreed with my words.

“Western Xia possesses sufficient treasures to persuade them, and they are also the most suitable opponent for practice before attacking the Jin Dynasty.”

Elunka’s precise analysis.

As he said, the Mongols, who would eventually need to attack the Jin Dynasty for survival, needed to gain experience before attacking such a massive empire.

Western Xia was the perfect entity for gaining that experience.

Once a nation that extracted tribute from the Song Dynasty,

it was now in chaos due to internal division, making it an ideal training opponent.

“A keen analysis, Jadaran Khan.”

“You flatter me, Gurkhan.”

Elunka then looked at me silently.

I immediately understood that he wanted something.

“Is there something you desire?”

Elunka immediately knelt down.

“Yes, Gurkhan.”

“What do you wish for?”

“When we attack Western Xia, please allow our Jadaran tribe to lead the vanguard.”

The Jadaran asking to lead the army’s vanguard.

It seemed he had been influenced by how Bulqa Khan had taken the vanguard in the war against the Tatars and claimed many spoils from his military achievements.

“Is it for the spoils?”

“No. I simply wish to earn recognition from Gurkhan through military achievements.”

“You want my recognition… but that doesn’t seem to be all. Speak truthfully.”

At my words, Elunka took a deep breath.

He looked at me and carefully spoke.

“Please give me the opportunity to take your daughter Temulun as a wife for my son Jamukha.”

* * *

Temujin was wiping his well-honed blade with an oiled cloth.

His younger brother Khasar approached him.

“Brother, have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“They say some guy named Jamukha is asking for Temulun.”

“What?!”

Temujin jumped to his feet.

This was understandable since Temulun was Temujin’s younger sister who monopolized the family’s affection.

His precious little sister.

As the cherished female sibling in a family with five older brothers, it was only natural for Temujin, the eldest son, to be angry.

“Is that true?”

“I heard it from Uncle Munglig. He said the Jadaran Khan personally requested it from Father.”

This was adults’ business.

As such, there wasn’t much Temujin could do to prevent it.

But that didn’t mean Temujin was willing to simply hand over his adorable little sister to someone named Jamukha whom he had never even met.

“Bring the horses right away, Khasar.”

“Where are we going?”

“Where else! We’re going straight to the Jadaran tribe to see the face of this Jamukha fellow.”

“A-are you serious? What if we cause trouble?”

“What trouble? If he’s a decent guy, we’ll let it go, but if he’s strange, we’ll beat him until he becomes normal.”

“Is that even possible? I heard this Jamukha is quite strong.”

Khasar’s remark.

At these words, Temujin, who had been about to rush out immediately, paused and fell into thought.

“I don’t like it, but there’s only one way.”

“What way?”

Suddenly turning around, Temujin headed toward the training ground in Kiyat.

There, Bekhter and Belgutei were swinging their swords at straw dummies.

“Hey! Bekhter!”

Despite Temujin’s call, Bekhter remained focused on swinging his sword.

Instead, Belgutei, who had been practicing alongside Bekhter, approached Temujin.

“What is it… brother?”

Unlike Bekhter, Belgutei had a good relationship with Temujin.

As a result, Belgutei often served as an intermediary between Temujin and Bekhter.

“Go tell that ugly brother of yours.”

“He won’t listen unless it’s about a rematch in polo.”

“Is polo important right now? Some guy named Jamukha is trying to take our precious little sister as his wife!”

Belgutei’s expression turned to shock.

Soon, he too frowned and gritted his teeth.

“Someone dares to covet Temulun?”

“Yes! So call your brother right away. Bekhter should be able to handle this guy.”

“Alright. Wait a moment.”

Belgutei approached Bekhter again.

When Belgutei said something to Bekhter, he threw down his wooden sword and approached Temujin with an angry expression.

“Which damned bastard is after our cute Temulun! I’ll kill him right now!”

“Well, well, we can actually communicate.”

Temujin’s sarcasm.

Bekhter blushed and tried to change the subject.

“Communicate? I have no intention of getting along with someone like you. I just hate the guy who’s after Temulun.”

“Isn’t that what communication is?”

“H-hmph. Forget it! Anyway, we’re going to see what kind of man this Jamukha is, right?”

Temujin nodded at his words.

Then he looked at Khasar as if asking for an explanation.

“I heard he’s big, strong, and smart…”

“That must all be lies. Just to get Temulun.”

“I think so too. So help me out. With your size, even this Jamukha won’t dare mess with you.”

“A-ahem. If you put it that way, I’ll… I’ll go with you just this once. This is absolutely not for you! It’s for Temulun!”

“I know, so stop shouting. Hey, Khasar. Prepare the horses.”

Khasar blinked at this.

He looked at Temujin with an expression that asked if he was serious.

“As the youngest here, shouldn’t you move on your own?”

Bekhter and Belgutei nodded vigorously as if Temujin’s words were correct.

Khasar had never resented being born last as much as he did now.

* * *

Swoosh!

Thwack!

An arrow hit the center of the target.

Seeing this, the young man raised his bow arm with a pleased expression.

“As expected of Lord Jamukha.”

“That’s right. Lord Jamukha is the only one who can hit the center of a target with an arrow while on horseback at such a young age.”

“And with his outstanding appearance, he’s the pride of our tribe.”

The tribespeople were busy praising Jamukha, who had shot the arrow.

This was because he was not only excellent in martial arts but also had outstanding looks.

Having inherited his father’s sturdy physique and his mother’s beautiful features, he had a prominent nose, thick eyebrows, and broad shoulders.

Because of this, the Jadaran tribespeople already recognized Jamukha as the future leader who would strengthen the Jadaran tribe.

Jamukha was well aware of this.

He too was working tirelessly to lead the Jadaran tribe well.

“Whew… I should end today’s training here.”

As Jamukha was wiping his sweat and about to finish training,

he heard someone calling his name from a distance.

“Jamukha!”

“Where is Jamukha!”

Angry voices looking for Jamukha.

Sensing the ominous atmosphere, the Jadaran tribespeople began to block four young men on horseback.

“Who are you to look for Lord Jamukha!”

“What kind of trouble is this!”

“Trouble? The trouble isn’t us, it’s Jamukha!”

“That’s right! How dare he try to take our precious little sister?!”

Angry voices.

Belatedly recognizing who they were, Jamukha raised his hand to calm the tribespeople.

“They are not enemies but guests! Calm down!”

At Jamukha’s words, the tribespeople had no choice but to step back.

“Are you Jamukha?”

“I am. Who are you who come to our tribe causing such a commotion?”

Jamukha’s confident exclamation.

At his exclamation, the man on the right began to whisper something.

“This Jamukha guy… he’s better looking than I expected, brother.”

“You’re right. At this rate, even Temulun might like him.”

The two men whispered.

Unlike these two, the large man at the front and the extraordinary man beside him glared at Jamukha.

“No matter how handsome you are, I will never accept this!”

“That’s right! If you want to take our sister, you’ll have to defeat us first!”

“That’s why I’m asking who you are.”

Then the two men in front of Jamukha shouted their names simultaneously, as if by agreement.

“I am Temujin, Temulun’s eldest brother!”

“I am Bekhter, Temulun’s brother!”

Jamukha had met his future brothers-in-law before even meeting his future wife.

Jamukha couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat as he faced Temujin and Bekhter, who looked ready to kill him on the spot.