Ch.315Reincarnation (2)

Yesterday, from the eunuch Zhang’s words, I clearly identified who my enemy was.

That enemy was none other than my birth father, Mongke Khan.

Such a Mongke Khan, if I were to eliminate him with one strike and restore the glory of the Borjigin clan…

“Immediate restoration is impossible.”

Then I let out a long sigh.

Rebuilding the Yeke Mongol Ulus.

For this, I needed power, but I was just a 12-year-old kid with nothing.

“Even though I bear the name of the Borjigin clan, I have absolutely no real power.”

Moreover, this was a foreign land.

And it was the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation ruled by my great-uncle.

“I have to start from scratch again. Sigh…”

Even Yesugei had a tribe to lead, though it was nearly ruined.

Additionally, he had a reliable talent like Munglig to entrust with his back.

But now, I truly had nothing.

I was too young to force my way through with power.

I was in a foreign country where it was difficult to receive help from those around me.

It was even hard to distinguish who was on my side and who wasn’t.

It was a total crisis.

After a long sigh, I organized my thoughts.

“First, I need to make allies.”

This young body couldn’t develop properly if it continued to be abused like this.

If a growing child suffered such physical pain, it would be difficult to study or maintain proper relationships.

Therefore, my top priority now was to remove my father, the biggest obstacle to my growth.

“However, father is of the Borjigin clan, and of the direct bloodline at that.”

The biggest problem was the title my father held.

Not just any title, but a descendant of the Borjigin clan that created the Yeke Mongol Ulus, the largest empire in human history.

Because of this status, even looking at the entire Mongol Ulus beyond the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation, there were very few people who could control him.

“But that doesn’t mean there’s no way.”

Just one person.

There was someone who could control my father.

“I need to get in that person’s good graces.”

He took in my father for a purpose.

But my father lacked the ability to fulfill that person’s wishes.

So he lost interest and neglected him.

“But that doesn’t mean he’s given up on his original desires.”

My great-uncle.

I needed to make him my ally.

* * *

Swoosh.

Thwack.

“Bullseye!”

As the white flag was raised, the officials applauded.

At this, an elderly man in formal attire lowered his bow and exhaled.

“Phew.”

“A perfect shot, Your Majesty.”

“As expected of Your Majesty. Your archery skills remain almost supernatural.”

The old man raised his hand to silence the officials’ flattery.

The chattering officials closed their mouths and bowed.

“Tsk.”

The old man clicked his tongue, then turned and descended from the platform.

A eunuch approached and took the bow from his hand.

“Your Majesty. Tulhui Khan has regained consciousness.”

“How is his condition?”

“According to the royal physician, his life is not in danger. However, there are too many wounds on his body…”

“I see.”

The old man seemed to have an attitude that suggested as long as the child’s life was safe, that was enough.

Sensing this, the eunuch couldn’t continue speaking.

“And that dissolute fellow?”

“He went out hunting, I’m told.”

“What a scoundrel.”

Even without a single line of imperial descent, Mongke was still a member of the Golden Clan.

Even for a king, it would be impossible to speak so lowly of such a noble existence.

But the old man could do it.

Because he was the Emperor of the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation.

His name was Park Yeon.

In Mongolian, he was Solumbatur Borjigin Belgutei.

Though he had two names, his identity was closer to that of a Goryeo person.

This was because, unlike his ancestors, he was born in Goryeo and had lived there his entire life.

Usually, the rulers of principalities within Mongolia were born in Mongolia and spent most of their childhood there.

After establishing their identity as Mongols, they would move to govern.

Because of this, most rulers of the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation couldn’t speak Goryeo language properly.

Additionally, having spent most of their childhood in Mongolia, they weren’t familiar with Goryeo culture.

This unusual case occurred because he had an older brother.

In other words, Park Yeon was originally not destined to become Emperor.

However, when his brother, who spent his childhood in Mongolia, died of the plague, the position of Emperor came to him.

As a result, Emperor Park Yeon had to go to Mongolia to receive his investiture.

But the situation changed drastically when the War of Princes broke out, dividing all of Mongolia over the succession issue of Tayan Khan.

“Your Majesty.”

A general in armor approached the Emperor.

The Emperor welcomed him warmly with a smile.

“Grand General.”

The man called Grand General paid his respects to his sovereign.

“I, Noihapjeok, have carried out Your Majesty’s orders and eliminated the rebels.”

“Haha. As expected of the Grand General.”

The Emperor said this while patting the Grand General’s shoulder.

And he walked with him, engaging in conversation.

“Your Majesty. I regret to inform you that unfavorable stories about Mongke Khan have begun to spread among the people.”

The Emperor’s expression darkened at Noihapjeok’s words.

He too knew that Mongke Khan’s misconduct was getting out of hand.

But he needed Mongke Khan for his plans.

So it was nearly impossible to let him go.

Even when the Emperor ascended to the throne, the political situation in the homeland was very chaotic.

So Park Yeon was invested as the King of Liaodong without visiting the homeland, for the first time since the founding of Mongolia.

Accordingly, he inherited the title of Emperor of Goryeo, which the King of Liaodong traditionally held, leading to the present situation.

Park Yeon, born and raised as a Goryeo person, had one dream.

It was to unite the titles of Emperor of Goryeo and King of Liaodong.

The King of Liaodong was a vassal to the Emperor of Goryeo, but it was a special position that required approval from the homeland to ascend.

Originally, the King of Liaodong was appointed as a buffer zone between Mongolia and Goryeo, a history that went back to his ancestor Belgutei.

Because of this, the homeland always tried to intervene in the politics of Liaodong and Goryeo using the title of King of Liaodong as an excuse.

Fortunately, now there was chaos due to the War of Princes, but once the war ended and a new Khagan ascended, it was clear that this issue would be the first to be addressed.

“I never dreamed that the card I was holding would be useless.”

Noihapjeok nodded at this.

It wasn’t out of generosity that he had brought in his nephew Mongke.

It was to intervene in the next Ulus Khagan’s succession.

But Mongke Khan had neither the ability nor the reputation to challenge for succession.

In short, he was a Borjigin in name only, all show and no substance.

He was truly a useless card, but one that still had to be held.

“But it’s better to keep him around for later.”

Mongke Khan was not suitable to be Khagan.

But once the War of Princes ended, he would become a troublesome existence.

Therefore, whoever it might be, once that person suppressed the chaos, they would certainly try to eliminate potential competitors.

Then, naturally, they would likely demand that the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation hand over Mongke.

At that time, the Emperor planned to secure the autonomy of the Goryeo-Liaodong Federation in exchange for handing over Mongke Khan and his descendants.

Of course, the chances of this method working properly were very low.

“Your Majesty’s words are most wise.”

Noihapjeok also understood this aspect.

He was both an experienced general and a politician.

That’s why he knew why the Emperor was protecting the scoundrel Mongke Khan.

However, continuing to ignore such misconduct was also problematic.

“I too understand the Grand General’s difficulties. I’m the only one who can control him.”

The Emperor took a deep breath.

And as if he had made a decision, he murmured.

“If he continues to roam outside causing trouble, I’ll have no choice but to imprison him.”

* * *

I frequently summoned the eunuch to ask various questions.

One of them was about my great-uncle, the Emperor.

“His Majesty was born in Goryeo and raised as a Goryeo person. That’s why the people sincerely follow and respect him.”

I nodded at Eunuch Zhang’s words.

According to him, most of my descendants followed my orders and spent their childhood in Mongolia.

The reason for this was largely to maintain a Mongolian identity.

This was to reduce resistance to the homeland.

But my great-uncle Park Yeon was different.

He was born in Goryeo and continued to stay there.

He even preferred his Goryeo name, Park Yeon, over his Mongolian name.

“I see.”

“Is there anything else you would like to ask, Your Highness?”

“That’s enough for now. But since I’ve risen from my sickbed, I think it’s time to see my elders and reassure them. What does Eunuch Zhang think?”

At my words, Eunuch Zhang widened his eyes and wore a worried expression.

“Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so it seems dangerous to have an audience with His Majesty. I will send a message on your behalf.”

“No. Thanks to His Majesty’s grace, my father and I have been able to live comfortably here. As a descendant of the family, it would be unfilial to worry an elder.”

“Since Your Highness is so determined, I will prepare formal attire right away.”

Eunuch Zhang said this and rose to carry out the order.

Before he left, I gave him an additional command.

“Please prepare Goryeo-style formal attire, not Mongolian.”

“Goryeo-style, you say? Mongke Khan might be angered by this.”

I responded to Eunuch Zhang’s worried words as if it was no concern.

“I will see His Majesty the Emperor first, then the Khan, so don’t worry.”

“If you say so…”

With that, Eunuch Zhang disappeared.

Seeing him gone, I raised one corner of my mouth and murmured to myself.

“Anyway, I won’t be able to see my father for a while, so it won’t be a big problem. The problem is…”

The problem was persuading the Emperor.

I needed to make him my ally to survive.