Ch.314Reincarnation (1)

# A Strange Ceiling

This is the third time. The third time.

At this point, I could legitimately claim to be suffering from reincarnation syndrome.

“And once again, I’ve possessed the body of a descendant.”

I said this while wiggling my fingers.

Unlike Yesugei’s body, which was that of a middle-aged man in his 30s, this time I was in the body of a fresh-faced teenager.

“And in the body of a 12-year-old, no less.”

At 12, one hasn’t even properly gone through puberty yet.

If I had to reincarnate, it would have been better to at least be an adult.

“What am I supposed to do with this body…”

I said this with a deep sigh.

Of course, it wasn’t all despair.

“Having a body ready for action like Yesugei’s was good, but this might have its own advantages too.”

Yesugei had truly been an impressive physical specimen.

He was at an age of peak vigor, and with a clear successor in place, I just had to do what needed to be done.

Because of that, I had no hesitation in forging my own path, like the founding monarchs often mentioned in history books.

In a way, age had been helpful… but from another perspective, it had also been a hindrance.

“I died before stabilizing the country, after all.”

Originally, I should have stabilized national affairs and purged the founding contributors.

That would have allowed Temujin to nurture his successors.

I wasn’t too worried about this aspect.

Temujin, my successor, was no pushover.

Anyway, enough idle talk—I needed to assess my situation.

“What’s important now is figuring out where I am.”

I said this while looking around.

The architectural style felt different from Mongolian palaces, suggesting I might not be in Mongolia.

“If not Mongolia, the possible locations are…”

First was Western Xia.

Western Xia was ruled by my son Bekhter, and with its mix of Tangut and Han Chinese cultures, it might have palaces like this.

Second was Western Liao.

Western Liao was governed by my official successor Temujin, and if considerable time had passed since my death, it might have been divided among Temujin’s sons.

Third was the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation.

The Goryeo-Liaodong Federation was led by Belgutei, and since Belgutei had also become Emperor of Goryeo, the two countries were essentially one.

Lastly, Japan.

Japan was ruled by the Khasar Imperial Family, meaning Khasar’s descendants, with Mongol Tennos governing and the Ochige family assisting them.

Additionally, if my memory served me correctly, my son Temujin had rebuilt the Roman Empire.

That meant during Temujin’s time, he must have conquered at least France, Germany, and Italy.

So there was a slight possibility I was in Europe now.

However.

“Europe, Iran, Byzantine Empire, Mashriq, Levant, and Egypt are all possibilities, but judging by the architectural style, this is clearly an Eastern palace, so probably not.”

The most likely options were Asian countries.

As I was thinking this, a sudden pain like needles pricking my body washed over me.

“Why has my body been aching like this?”

The pain was too severe to be growing pains or muscle soreness.

I lifted my jeogori-like garment slightly.

Revealed was a skinny, emaciated arm.

And on that arm were countless bruises.

“Good heavens… what is this on a 12-year-old child’s body?”

I couldn’t help but be shocked.

Anyone could see these were signs of physical abuse.

Moreover, on the inside of my body were vivid red marks running horizontally, as if I’d been struck with a belt or whip.

“A child wouldn’t have self-harmed like this…”

When I woke up, servants had said “His Majesty has awakened,” which meant I was at least a prince.

Only one person could abuse a prince like this.

“This child’s father or mother, I suppose.”

My hands trembled with anger.

What could this poor child have done to deserve such cruelty?

Only someone inhuman could do such a thing.

“To think that trash who raises a hand against their own child could be my descendant.”

Of course, the original Yesugei was also a harsh father.

From his memories, I knew how much he had abused his children under the name of discipline.

But Yesugei was still better than this child’s father.

I’m not defending Yesugei or saying that abuse disguised as discipline is right.

I’m just saying that Yesugei was better than this child’s father in that he at least had some standards.

As I was thinking this, I suddenly heard a voice.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“Yes.”

I answered affirmatively.

Then the door opened, and a man wearing Eastern-style official robes entered.

The man had no beard.

He clearly appeared to be a eunuch, and I immediately knew he was someone who served me closely.

As I was examining him, I noticed his eyes were watery as he looked at me.

With eyes full of concern, like a grandfather looking at his grandchild, he addressed me.

“This old servant is overjoyed to see Your Majesty awake again.”

“Who are you?”

At my words, the eunuch showed great surprise.

After pondering for a moment, as if finding his own answer, he lowered his body and continued.

“You must have lost your memory due to the shock of that incident.”

“What incident? Besides, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I am Eunuch Zhang Yingwu, an internal official who serves at Your Majesty’s side.”

Internal official or court eunuch.

It typically referred to an official position that served as secretary to the king or heir to the throne.

This role could be performed by officials with regular positions as well.

However, in our country, as eunuchs took on the role of court officials during the Joseon Dynasty, the concepts of eunuch and court official became established as the same.

So anyone could serve as a court official, and it didn’t mean only eunuchs could be court officials.

Anyway, Eunuch Zhang.

What a name… though I was in no position to comment, having used the unusual name Yesugei myself.

“Eunuch Zhang…”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Are your memories perhaps returning?”

“No, they’re not coming back clearly. However…”

I let my words trail off as I looked at Eunuch Zhang.

Looking into his eyes, I could tell he was the type who would do anything if ordered.

“I might remember if I hear more details.”

* * *

The Great Mongol Ulus no longer exists.

To be precise, it still exists but has essentially been split into several countries.

The reason for this terrible situation was none other than my grandfather, Tayan Khan.

Tayan Khan had several children, but he favored his second son the most.

Because of this, he broke the principle of primogeniture that I had established and made the mistake of passing the imperial throne of the Ulus to his second son.

Naturally, all his sons rose in opposition.

The one who opposed most strongly was, of course, the eldest son.

As the King of Western Liao, he held the title of Khan of Western Liao, which had been held by Emperor Taizong Temujin in the distant past.

In fact, the title of Khan of Western Liao was essentially a title for the crown prince.

Despite holding such a significant position as Khan of Western Liao, he couldn’t become emperor, so he naturally had to oppose.

When the eldest son rebelled, all of Tayan Khan’s children followed suit.

The Borjigin clan, like any imperial family, sometimes intermarried with relatives.

This led to them forming independent power bases by allying with influential in-laws in various regions.

Of course, this was only when the in-laws were strong.

My father, Mongke Khan, didn’t even have a hill to lean on.

Such a person was taken in by the Emperor of the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation, my father’s uncle, who showed generosity.

To be precise, rather than generosity, it was more like investing in a potential asset in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Otherwise, there would have been no reason to take in a good-for-nothing who spent his days hunting.

Anyway, thanks to my great-uncle’s consideration, my father and I settled in Goryeo-Liaodong.

“At first, His Majesty also looked after you, but…”

Eunuch Zhang let his words trail off as he gauged my reaction.

It seemed my great-uncle had wanted something through my father.

But my father had neither the power nor the ability to fulfill my great-uncle’s requests.

Realizing this, my great-uncle abandoned my father.

However, he couldn’t drive him away because others might snatch up my father and use him politically.

Thus abandoned, my father became disappointed in my great-uncle, who treated him coldly unlike before.

That disappointment naturally led to a dissolute life.

Embracing women, going hunting, drinking, abusing his children.

They say he was even drinking in the red-light district on the day my mother passed away.

Hearing all this, I could hardly tell if he was a father or even a human being.

“After the queen passed away, Mongke Khan’s behavior became increasingly violent and excessive.”

I originally had an older brother, I was told.

He was six years older than me and was essentially my father’s successor.

Despite this, my father killed my brother because he displeased him.

And he did it during a hunting trip under the pretext of practicing with firearms.

Of course, there was no evidence that my father killed him.

But since my father took my brother hunting, and my brother died in an unfortunate accident during that hunt, such speculation was natural.

“Of course, this was due to a sudden accident, but…”

“Enough.”

I raised my hand to stop Eunuch Zhang.

“I think that’s enough for today.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I acted foolishly, knowing Your Majesty’s condition is not good.”

“No, it’s just that I think I need more rest. I’ll call for you again later, so you may go now.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The eunuch bowed and left the room.

After he left, I gritted my teeth.

“How dare you… tarnish the reputation of the Borjigin clan?”

I was reborn in the body of a descendant.

It was the moment I realized what I needed to do now.