Ch.284Defeat (3)

Bekhter led 500 soldiers and resisted desperately.

However, being outnumbered, they ultimately couldn’t withstand the Jin Dynasty’s offensive and were defeated.

Bekhter, who remained until the end defending his position, eventually became the target of Jin soldiers.

As a result, he was struck by an incoming arrow and fell into critical condition.

“The one fortunate thing is… that he was safely transported to Khara-Khoto and is receiving treatment.”

Munglig spoke these words while carefully watching Yesugei’s reaction.

At his words, Yesugei trembled slightly, as if feeling his fingertips growing cold.

“My son…”

Yesugei collapsed into his chair from the great shock.

Seeing this, Munglig approached Gurkhan with a worried expression.

Gurkhan raised his hand to calm him.

“It’s fine. I just… felt dizzy for a moment.”

Yesugei, as the leader of the Mongols, had killed many people.

It might be difficult to understand why someone who had slaughtered countless people would be so shocked at hearing his son was in critical condition.

But he was still human.

It was difficult to maintain composure after hearing that someone precious was at death’s door.

“Gather the soldiers immediately. I will kill all those Jin bastards and soak this land with their blood.”

Yesugei growled in a low voice filled with rage.

In the face of his anger, neither Munglig nor Elunka could say anything.

Yet they remained motionless.

Because they knew what outcome awaited if they confronted the Jin Dynasty in this rage-filled state.

If they attacked the Jin Dynasty, the Song Dynasty would strike the Mongols from behind.

If that happened, contrary to the Ulus’s intentions, the entire Ulus would become a battlefield.

If it became a battlefield, they obviously couldn’t continue the European expedition.

Temujin would have to return, and once the expeditionary force came back, it would be difficult to set out for Europe again.

Everyone present knew this fact.

That’s why they didn’t react to Gurkhan’s anger-filled order.

“Can’t you hear what I’m saying?!”

Gurkhan shouted these words and slammed the table.

The table, made of beautiful wood, immediately split in half.

“Now! Bring me my armor and weapons! Hurry!”

“Please calm yourself, Gurkhan.”

Finally, Munglig stood up to stop the enraged Yesugei.

As he rose, Gurkhan glared at him like a wild beast.

“Are you refusing to obey my orders, Munglig?”

“Bekhter is your son, but to me, he is like a nephew. I understand your anger better than anyone.”

“You don’t know. The sun-like rage boiling inside me.”

“Brother. Please calm down. You have always ruled this country with reason, not emotion.”

“Are you trying to lecture me?”

“Would I dare have such qualification? But if you now lead soldiers to invade the Jin Dynasty, the Song Dynasty will surely strike the Mongols from behind.”

“Have you become afraid of those insects, Munglig? You’ve grown weak with age!”

For a warrior, being called weak was nothing short of an insult.

But Munglig didn’t flinch and spoke in a calm tone.

“That’s right, brother. I have grown old. And I have become more fearful.”

At Munglig’s calm words, Yesugei stopped speaking.

However, he still looked at Munglig with bloodshot eyes.

Eyes mixed with anger and sadness.

“When I rode across the steppes with you, I had no fear. In my youth, I believed I could embrace the whole world.”

“This is not the time for old stories, Munglig.”

Though he said this, Yesugei’s anger had somewhat subsided.

“But now it’s different. I want my wife, my subordinates, my brothers and sisters to live in peace. So I hope their lives won’t be ruined by my pointless impulses.”

“Are you saying my anger is a mere impulse?”

Gurkhan said this while looking at Munglig.

In response, Munglig met Gurkhan’s eyes and continued.

“You already know the answer, brother.”

“…”

Yesugei heaved a deep sigh.

After his long sigh, filled with pain and anguish, he sat down on his throne as if he had aged decades.

“I want to be alone. Leave.”

When the order fell, the people around looked at Munglig.

Munglig, the captain of Gurkhan’s guards, gave them a look that said not to worry and to leave.

Seeing this, the officials bowed and left the ger.

After everyone had left, only Munglig and Elunka remained.

“Both of you, leave as well.”

“The Kheshig prioritizes the safety of the Khan above all else. We cannot leave.”

Yesugei silently looked at Munglig.

A cold atmosphere that was difficult to express in words enveloped the inside of the ger.

An atmosphere where it seemed no one could move.

What broke this atmosphere was the arrival of three women who opened the ger and entered.

“Ho’elun…? Sochigel…? Abd Chechek…?”

Yesugei looked surprised at the appearance of his wives.

Unlike Yesugei, Ho’elun looked at Gurkhan with a calm expression.

“Husband, I’ve heard the news. That Bekhter has been seriously injured.”

“I’m sorry. I have no face to show you all.”

“That’s right. You shouldn’t have a face to show.”

Ho’elun said this while staring at Yesugei.

“Bekhter, your brother’s son and our son, led his soldiers and fought to the end to protect his people.”

“…”

“This is what a ruler of the steppes should do and deserves respect.”

Ho’elun said this and then looked at Yesugei.

“But you, husband, fail to understand Bekhter’s heart and are consumed by anger, seeking only revenge.”

She took a breath and continued.

“If you endanger all of Mongolia with revenge driven by emotion, you will not only tarnish Bekhter’s honor but also ruin the future of your children. Do you truly wish to hold back Temujin, who is leading troops in Europe and is on the verge of great achievement? Do you wish to plunge Belgutei, who is trying to establish his fame as the King of Liaodong, into hardship? Do you wish to put Khasar, who has just established himself as the Tenno and king of the islands, in a difficult situation?”

At Ho’elun’s words, the anger in Yesugei’s eyes gradually began to fade.

As his anger disappeared, the intelligence hidden within began to regain its light.

“My anger has clouded my vision. It is my fault.”

Yesugei stood up and approached his three wives.

Then he spread his arms and embraced them.

His wives shed tears and leaned into Yesugei’s embrace.

“I almost became a father my children would be ashamed of. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Having regained his senses, Yesugei wiped the swollen eyes of his wives.

Then he kissed them and sent them away.

After the sudden appearance and departure of his wives, Gurkhan looked at Munglig and Elunka with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry, Munglig and Elunka.”

“Not at all, Gurkhan.”

“I’m glad you controlled your anger, brother.”

“Yes. I almost fell into a pit.”

Gurkhan said this and heaved a deep sigh.

Given the meticulous nature of the commander leading the Jin Dynasty, it was highly likely that they had set a trap.

If he had been swept up in anger and led his soldiers to invade the Jin Dynasty, they would certainly have been defeated.

* * *

As my anger subsided, I finally began to see the current situation clearly.

“The fact that Khara-Khoto hasn’t fallen means the Jin soldiers are tied up in Xingqing.”

“That’s right.”

At Elunka’s words, I nodded.

In those days, there was an excellent means of transportation called the horse.

But unlike modern vehicles, it was a living being, so there were limitations to how far it could travel in a day.

In other words, it would take time for the Jin army that had occupied Xingqing to return to Sichuan.

“This is a perfect opportunity for revenge against them.”

Munglig looked at me with a shocked expression.

“Has your anger still not subsided, brother?”

“My anger has long since disappeared.”

“Then why revenge…”

“I’m just following the law of the steppes.”

According to the law of the steppes, one must return exactly what was done to them.

Since the Jin Dynasty also followed nomadic culture, there was no reason not to adhere to this law.

“However, this time I plan to take revenge rationally.”

“Rationally… you say?”

“Yes.”

I said this and looked at Elunka.

Elunka bowed and prepared to receive orders.

“Use the Tamma to spread rumors that I am urgently gathering soldiers and heading to Xingqing.”

Gurkhan’s Bekhter is in critical condition.

Enraged by this, Gurkhan is personally leading soldiers for revenge.

It was a rumor that anyone would believe.

“I will spread this rumor to the Jin Dynasty.”

At Elunka’s answer, I shook my head.

He looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Not to the Jin Dynasty, but to the Song Dynasty.”

“To the Song Dynasty… you say?”

“Yes. If it spreads to the Song Dynasty, we can easily occupy the undefended Song territory.”

The Song Dynasty and Jin Dynasty are hostile to each other.

However, following the principle that they share a common fate, the commanders of the Song and Jin have formed a secret alliance.

But only the two of them know this fact.

The Song government, unaware of this fact, would see this information as an opportunity.

“What do you mean… Ah!”

Elunka, who finally understood, opened his eyes wide.

Munglig, who still didn’t understand, asked me a question.

“Please explain what you’re talking about, brother.”

“Why pretend not to know when you already do?”

“I truly don’t know.”

“Really? Then you don’t need to know.”

“Brother!”

Munglig made an aggrieved expression.

I just smiled and didn’t answer.