Ch.339Conclusion (1)

# Great Capital.

Originally the capital of the Jin Dynasty, it became the capital after Yesugei conquered it.

It was the place where the Khagan resided for hundreds of years as the capital of the Yeke Mongol Ulus.

“This brings back memories.”

I said this while looking at the throne.

The brilliant golden throne that proved the Khagan’s authority made old memories surface in my mind.

“I have returned.”

I approached the throne.

And sat down on it.

From there, I could see the entire great hall at a glance.

Sitting here, various memories flashed before my eyes like a kaleidoscope.

After the unification of Mongolia, when our national power was insufficient, I paid tribute to the Jin Emperor who sat on this throne.

Later, after building up strength, I took this place and put the Jin people under my feet.

From then on, Zhongdu became the Great Capital.

As the Mongol capital, the Great Capital gathered the empire’s finest intellectuals and generals to discuss state affairs.

I was the one who listened to their proposals and made decisions.

Envoys from numerous countries offered treasures of gold and silver to gain my favor.

I saw through their flattery.

Of course, that wasn’t all that happened.

Sitting on the throne, I could learn through letters how much my son Temujin had grown.

Unlike me, whose back was becoming hunched with age, Temujin grew stronger day by day.

“And at some point, he surpassed me.”

I chuckled.

Though Temujin was my son, he had been a being who surpassed me since childhood.

I was simply glad that as a father, I didn’t hold back my exceptional child but helped him instead.

This wasn’t to say that only Temujin was exceptional.

My sons Bekhter, Belgutei, and Khasar were also outstanding individuals.

It wasn’t just because they were my children.

Beyond the natural bond between father and son, my sons were truly remarkable human beings.

As Yesugei, I was grateful for a life where I could help such sons.

Thinking this, I looked around the great hall.

And suddenly, remembering something from the past, I stood up.

“I wonder if it’s still there.”

Saying this, I examined a small gap beneath the throne.

When I pressed it, a space perfect for hiding something appeared.

Inside were confections made from sugar cane brought from Arabia.

Of course, after hundreds of years, they were covered in dust and inedible.

Fortunately, it seemed that neither rats had gnawed at them nor insects had burrowed into them.

Well, sugar cane is extremely sweet, so even most insects would find it difficult to approach.

“I put these here to give to my grandchildren… but I died before I could give them.”

There were two things I regretted.

One was not spending more time with my wives.

The other was not giving these snacks to Ogedei, Temujin’s son and my grandson.

I should have given my grandchildren as much attention as I gave my sons.

As a grandfather, I failed to do that.

“I say I was busy with work, but…”

It was just an excuse.

Thinking this, I took out the snacks and put them in a silk pouch I had brought.

As I was doing this, Nurhachi, who had sorted out the situation outside, entered the great hall.

“I’ve disarmed all remaining forces in the Great Capital.”

“Good work.”

Most of those who followed Khan Taisun were nobles from the Great Capital.

Now that Khan Taisun had been captured by me, I planned to persuade them to join my forces.

“I need to persuade them to become my followers.”

Nurhachi nodded at my words.

To protect the vast Great Capital, it was best to control as many troops as possible.

As I was thinking this, Nurhachi added with a worried expression:

“But isn’t there a possibility that the nobles might ally with other princes?”

“There’s a slight possibility, but the nobles know better. As long as Khan Taisun is my prisoner, they’ll know exactly whose allegiance would be best for their survival.”

Khan Taisun was a match for Batur Khan, who was supported by the King of Jenam.

Actually, he had an even larger force.

Yet I subdued such a force in a single battle, even if I did use the Goryeo army.

So unless the nobles were fools, they would immediately know who the most powerful contender for the throne was.

Anyway, as I explained this, Nurhachi’s expression changed.

From worry to wariness toward me.

Unlike Ko Yun, Nurhachi was a minister who sincerely served the Emperor of Goryeo.

From his position, my current actions could be seen as a threat to the Emperor.

They could appear to threaten his authority.

This was true.

So I didn’t deny it.

“I could be a threat to the Emperor of Goryeo. However.”

After taking a breath, I continued.

“I never forget for a moment that it was the Emperor who made it possible for me to be in this position.”

It would be foolish to betray the Emperor right after taking the Great Capital.

My power base itself was Goryeo.

So I had to stay with the Emperor no matter what.

Only then could I subdue the other princes and become Khagan.

The same was true for the Emperor.

As a collateral line, he could never become Khagan.

So it was better for him if I, who was beneficial to him and to Goryeo, remained his strong ally.

Beings who help each other.

That was the most desirable alliance that both the Emperor and I wanted.

But Nurhachi, whose loyalty to the Emperor was exceptional, didn’t seem to have all his doubts resolved by this explanation.

I took out a letter that the Emperor had given me in preparation for such a moment.

And handed it directly to Nurhachi.

“This is…”

“A letter the Emperor wrote to me.”

Nurhachi silently unfolded the letter.

After his eyes moved quickly across it, he let out a sigh.

“I apologize for my disrespect, Your Highness.”

“Not at all. Your loyalty is noble. It is virtuous not to ignore threats to the one you serve. I respect you for having such virtue.”

I deliberately answered in a scholarly tone.

Nurhachi nodded with a grateful expression.

The misunderstanding between us was cleared up.

Feeling that the situation had been somewhat resolved, I spoke to him.

“I will convene the Kurultai in the name of the Emperor of Goryeo.”

“It is an honor to be Your Majesty’s herald.”

Nurhachi bowed and went outside.

After he left, I murmured quietly.

“Kurultai.”

I couldn’t help but sigh at the thought of having to take the posture of opening a Kurultai again.

* * *

Tolui Khan, son of Mongke Khan, had occupied the Great Capital.

None of the princes were unaware of this news.

They had sent troops to occupy the now-empty Great Capital.

The news that came from there was shocking to the princes.

500 cavalry had defeated 50,000 cavalry.

This made them realize how exceptional Tolui Khan was.

Moreover, Tolui Khan wasn’t just militarily exceptional.

As soon as he occupied the Great Capital, he convened a Kurultai using the influence of the Emperor of Goryeo, the elder of the family.

The Kurultai was an event that only the Khagan could convene.

In such a situation, even though he borrowed the Emperor’s influence, the fact that Tolui Khan convened a Kurultai had special significance.

To convene a Kurultai, one needed not only justification but also power.

That’s why even though Khan Taisun, who had power, repeatedly convened Kurultais and invited princes, none responded.

In contrast, Tolui Khan had both power and justification.

Military power that had occupied the Great Capital.

Influence enough to convene a Kurultai.

And legitimacy as a descendant of the main branch of the Golden Clan.

For these reasons, they couldn’t refuse Tolui Khan’s call.

Moreover.

“I heard the King of Jenam has responded to the call.”

“Even Batur Khan himself is said to be moving.”

Batur Khan, who had been a match for Khan Taisun, was participating in the Kurultai.

Since the powerful Batur Khan moved first, everyone could feel which way the tide was turning.

“We will respond too.”

“We will participate in the Kurultai.”

This made the princes with minor forces anxious.

They had very little chance of becoming Khagan.

So it was better for them to submit now and secure a position in the imperial court.

Therefore, they had to work hard to impress Tolui Khan.

Eventually, everyone participated in the Kurultai.

“I don’t like it, but there’s no choice.”

“I’ll participate for now.”

Even those with forces comparable to Batur Khan participated.

However, their purpose was different from the princes supported by minor forces.

“Can a young brat properly take the posture of opening a Kurultai?”

“Right. If he can’t take the posture of opening a Kurultai, he’s disqualified as Khagan.”

Since they couldn’t gain the upper hand in power and justification, they tried to disparage Tolui Khan on external aspects.

The posture of opening a Kurultai.

A posture first established by Founder Yesugei, which all subsequent Khagans had to adopt.

And they had to do it perfectly.

If they couldn’t, they weren’t qualified to rule the Yeke Mongol Ulus.

“The posture of opening a Kurultai is the identity of the Ulus.”

“Anyone who can’t do this doesn’t even qualify.”

The princes were saying such things, full of anticipation.

While everyone was thinking various thoughts, the door of the ger opened.

The person who opened the door and appeared was Tolui Khan.

He wore a del, the traditional Mongolian clothing.

It was a plain del without any of the elaborate Chinese patterns, Khitan feather decorations, or Goryeo-style embroidery.

Despite his plain appearance, the aura emanating from Tolui Khan was extraordinary.

As if…

“It’s as if the Founder has returned.”

“Impossible…”

Tolui Khan was a youngster who had just reached adulthood.

But the piercing light in his eyes and his aura were by no means those of a child.

This was the kind of aura that would come from Founder Yesugei, who was legendarily said to have broken the spine of a monster that devoured mountains.

“Thank you for responding to the Kurultai.”

Tolui Khan spoke informally despite the presence of family elders.

But because of the aura he emitted, no one felt that this speech was strange.

“This is the place to determine the next Khagan.”

At this, the princes snapped to attention.

They immediately tried to reprimand the arrogant Tolui Khan.

This young brat has no manners.

That rascal Mongke has raised his son to be a bastard.

Just as the princes were about to say such things, Tolui Khan beat them to it.

“Harap.”

“Perfect posture…”

“The posture of opening a Kurultai.”

“The Founder… the Founder has returned.”

The princes could only close their mouths at the perfect posture for opening a Kurultai.