Ch.28Kagan (1)

Now only the Merkit tribe remains.

I was observing the enemy camp with Toghrul Khan.

Even as we conversed, Toghrul kept watching me cautiously.

This was understandable given the strange activities Munglig and I had been doing.

Though I had earnestly explained it was exercise, the issue wasn’t completely resolved…

Judging by Toghrul’s gaze, the misunderstanding hadn’t been entirely cleared up.

I wanted to resolve the misunderstanding immediately,

but dealing with Chilaun and Tagar before us was more pressing, so I had to postpone clearing up the confusion.

Anyway, while discussing how to bring down the Merkit, Toghrul mentioned the Jin Dynasty.

“I expected the Jin Dynasty Kagan to send troops to interfere, but it’s been quiet.”

At Toghrul’s remark,

I nodded in agreement.

“I thought the same.”

Again, the Jin Dynasty had consistently interfered with the unification of the ulus.

They used tactics like exploiting the Tatars to invade other tribes and create discord—a divide-and-conquer strategy.

This was why powers based on the steppe always had to be mindful of the Jin Dynasty.

But surprisingly, the Jin remained inactive.

However, no matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t pinpoint the reason.

“Well, what does it matter when our prey lies before us?”

At Toghrul’s words, I came to my senses and nodded.

Even if the Jin interfered, we just needed to deal with Tagar first.

So I headed with Toghrul toward the ger where everyone was gathered.

The Onggirat, Oirat, and Buryat tribes were all assembled.

Toghrul and I walked to the center of the ger.

As in all cultures, the central position was reserved for elders or those in power.

The khans didn’t stop us from approaching this spot; rather, they showed reverence and proper respect.

“Great ruler of the steppe.”

“It is time for the divided roots to reunite.”

For nomadic peoples, the Xiongnu and Xianbei were the most important roots.

Though they were disparagingly called Xiongnu and Xianbei by the Central Plains people,

those living on the steppe referred to themselves as Tengri-Godo-Senwu Ulus instead, considering it their true heritage.

Here, “ulus” literally meant territory or land.

It essentially referred to the land ruled by the Senwu, son of the sky god Tengri.

For nomads who had lived on this land continuously, it wasn’t strange that what was once united should come together again.

“Warriors of the steppe. Thank you for gathering here at my and Ong Khan’s request to help punish Tagar, who has violated the laws of the steppe.”

The khans responded with respectful nods rather than words.

“Remember that this is the will of the sky god and the Lord, a war for those born on the steppe.”

“Severe punishment for Tagar who violated the law!”

“May Tengri’s divine punishment fall upon Tagar.”

“The Lord’s hammer will not forgive Tagar and Khan Chilaun.”

Encouraged by the khans’ enthusiastic responses, I nodded and drew my sword.

Then I shouted in a loud voice.

“Warriors! Battle awaits us!”

* * *

“The… the enemy is coming!”

“Khan! Your orders!”

As the battle began in earnest,

Chilaun, considerably flustered, hastily issued improvised orders to counter the enemy.

“Ca-cavalry, prepare to meet the enemy attack im-immediately!”

“What should we do next, Khan?”

The adjutant’s question followed.

Pointing to the enemy forces that outnumbered their own, he continued:

“The enemy outnumbers us. Even if we engage, we won’t be able to hold out for long.”

“Let’s hold them off first and then think.”

“…”

This was a frustrating answer from the adjutant’s perspective.

Tagar, who was standing right beside Chilaun and heard this response, looked at him as if questioning whether he was serious.

“I don’t have any brilliant ideas right now! The priority is to stop the enemy!”

But Chilaun’s statement wasn’t entirely wrong.

So the adjutant had no choice but to bow and lead the soldiers to the front line.

“Khan Chilaun.”

Chilaun looked very anxious.

Tagar tried to offer tactical advice.

“Stop, Khan Tagar. I’m not asking for your tactical advice right now.”

“But to defeat the enemy…”

“Be quiet! This is the Merkit tribe’s camp, and I am their leader. I cannot tolerate your overstepping.”

“…I understand.”

Faced with Chilaun’s firm stance, Tagar had no choice but to step back.

As he retreated, Tagar sighed deeply and muttered to himself.

“When cornered, you show your true colors.”

The recent conversation had erased any remaining hope Tagar had for Chilaun.

This led Tagar to seriously contemplate his next move.

While lost in thought, Tagar sensed someone approaching from behind.

Startled, he composed himself and turned toward the source of the sound as if nothing had happened.

“So this is where you are, Khan Tagar.”

Recognizing the adjutant who had received orders from Chilaun earlier, Tagar breathed a sigh of relief.

It could have been dangerous if it had been one of Chilaun’s close associates.

Of course, the situation remained tense even though it wasn’t a close associate.

“What is it?”

“Khan Chilaun requests that you take command of the left wing.”

“The left wing… even though we’re in such a desperate situation…”

Tagar commanding the left wing meant Chilaun would take the right wing.

In mounted combat, the right wing was strategically important.

Under normal circumstances, it would be natural for Chilaun to take the right.

But having been defeated by Yesugei in a previous encounter, Chilaun’s decision to take the right wing again meant only one thing:

Chilaun was focused on settling his grudge with Yesugei, regardless of the battle’s outcome.

This was absurd to Tagar, who had staked everything on Chilaun.

Realizing this, Tagar quickly checked the adjutant’s expression.

“Don’t worry. I share Khan Tagar’s thoughts on this matter.”

“…You mean…”

“Whatever action Khan Tagar takes, I will follow his will.”

“…Is this just your opinion?”

The adjutant shook his head.

Then he signaled outside the tent.

In response, khans and adjutants from the tribes under the Merkit entered the ger.

“They share the same thoughts.”

* * *

The refreshing wind against my skin.

The breeze felt while riding a galloping horse was indescribably exhilarating.

Beside me, warriors of the steppe rode together.

“Urrah! Urrah! Ride!”

“Kiryaaaah!”

My proud steppe brothers.

They wore such bright smiles that it was hard to tell if they were going to war or hunting.

This scene might seem strange from a modern perspective.

But having become completely accustomed to this life, I found this sight perfectly natural and comfortable.

The steppe.

Horses.

And warriors.

These were everything that defined Yesugei’s life.

They felt like they had become an integral part of me.

Thump, thump, thump.

All of these elements shone brightly, producing a rough heartbeat sound.

This heartbeat sounded so much like my own breathing that it knew only how to race, not how to stop.

So I couldn’t help but be swept up in this heartbeat, and my body tensed with every nerve following this gallop.

There was only one thing I needed to do.

Cut down the enemy.

When the drumbeat of my heart reached its peak,

the screams of the Merkit warriors, colored with fear, began to be heard.

“Hee… heeek! It’s… Ulanbaatar!”

“It’s Gurkhan!”

“Don’t run away! Stand and fight!”

My heart, which had been beating wildly with a rough sound.

When facing the enemy, that racing heart magically calmed down.

As my heart calmed, everything began to slow down.

And it allowed me to see and feel everything in the world in detail.

Warriors about to swing their swords appeared to be merely floundering.

Those screaming and turning their backs to flee looked as weak as mice.

Those charging at me on horseback seemed like fools who didn’t value their lives.

Weak, fragile, and easily broken beings.

They carried weapons that could take my life, but just as a predator doesn’t fear its prey’s claws, their weapons didn’t appear threatening to me.

Because.

I.

My sons.

My warriors.

We are faster, stronger, and braver than the enemy.

Therefore.

When I shout, the weak will be gripped by fear.

“Uaaaaargh!”

When I swing my sword, the vile beings will be split apart.

“Kyaaaak!”

“Kuhuk!”

I am the ruler of the world.

I am everything on the steppe.

Who.

“Who!”

Would dare stand against me.

“Who would dare stand against me, Ulanbaatar!”

As I roared, the enemy forces cowered.

Becoming a predator, I began to slaughter the weak prey laid before me.

* * *

“Are you really going to just keep holding out like this?”

At Tagar’s urging, Chilaun looked at him with hollow eyes.

“What do you want me to do! Our forces are surrounded, and no one is coming to help us!”

“It’s not too late. Send a messenger to the Jin Dynasty immediately and request help.”

“We’ll collapse before the Jin can help us…”

Chilaun continued making excuses, essentially showing that he had given up.

Unable to watch this any longer, Tagar finally had to draw his sword.

“It was my mistake to trust a weak being like you.”

At Tagar’s furious voice, Chilaun stepped back and addressed him.

“Wh-what are you doing!”

“I’ll kill you and lead the Merkit tribe in resistance to the end.”

“How dare you raise a sword against me who extended a helping hand to you! Guards! Is anyone there?”

Khan Chilaun’s cry.

The khans outside rushed in urgently at his call.

“Cut off Tagar’s head immediately for pointing his sword at me!”

“…”

“What are you doing! Cut off Tagar’s head right now!”

Though Chilaun shouted at the khans with veins bulging in his neck, they remained unmoved.

Instead, they glared at Chilaun and began drawing their swords.

“…Wh-what is this…”

“It’s our fault for accepting a bed-wetter like you as our khan.”

“We’ll chop you up and feed you to the wolves.”

“St-stop… stop! Is anyone there! These traitors should be… sh-should… Kyaaaak!”

Khan Chilaun of the Merkit tribe.

His life ended not by the sword of his nemesis Yesugei, but by the blades of his own subordinates.