Ch.57Conquest (3)

“Huh…”

After hearing Munglig’s story that sounded like fiction, I couldn’t tell if I was in reality anymore. What made it even more unbelievable was that people had actually volunteered to enlist just because he showed them his muscles.

Of course, it made more sense that they enlisted because they were promised food. But even considering that, this was still quite a surprising outcome.

“You were right, sir. Violence is bad. Muscles… only muscles can reform people without violence.”

Hearing Munglig’s words made my head spin. He was advocating logic that anyone could see made no sense at all.

However, it was undeniable that thanks to his actions, we had recruited soldiers without using violent means. So in a way, it was natural for Munglig, who had led this effort and achieved these absurd results, to hold such beliefs.

“…G-good job.”

It was difficult to tell him to stop. After all, if we prohibited this method, the only means left to us as an invading force would be coercive methods.

So it seemed better to let this continue, even if it was a bit strange. While I was thinking this, Munglig seemed to have come up with something good and was about to speak to me.

“What is it?”

“Since the people inside Khara-Khoto are now citizens of the Ulus, I thought it might be good to accept their voluntary enlistment as well.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Of course. My muscles prove it.”

With that, Munglig showed me his impressive biceps. I could only look at him with an expression that said “what am I supposed to do with that?”

“I’m disappointed, brother. I thought you would feel the intense waves emanating from these biceps.”

Intense waves…

If Elunka hadn’t entered just then, I might have blurted out “what nonsense is that?”

“Excuse me, my Khan. As you commanded, I’ve issued rest orders to the entire army.”

“Good work.”

“Thank you.”

Elunka bowed to me. Then he naturally looked at Munglig standing beside him.

Munglig shrugged his shoulders and met Elunka’s gaze.

“I heard you accomplished great things this time, Lord Munglig.”

“Hahaha! Of course, Lord Elunka. I inspired the people of Western Xia with these magnificent muscles and got them to enlist voluntarily. And we’re talking about 250 new recruits! Haha!”

Hearing this story, Elunka looked at me with an expression asking if it was true. I could only nod my head, confirming that Munglig’s words were true.

“You’ve truly accomplished something great.”

Though his words were polite, his eyes were already burning with competitiveness. This was because the Tamma led by Elunka and the Kheshig led by Munglig were rivals.

Now that Munglig had recruited an impressive number of new soldiers through non-violent means, Elunka couldn’t help but feel jealous.

Of course, the Tamma had also achieved great merit by capturing Li Byeongsang, so they too had accomplished something impressive. However, separately from that, the Kheshig had increased their numbers, thereby increasing their influence, so it was natural for the leader of the Tamma to feel threatened.

“Haha. Thank you, Lord Elunka. It seems the honor of being the Ulus’s elite unit will go to our Kheshig. Well, it was always ours to begin with, so that’s only natural. Bwahaha!”

Munglig laughed heartily as he said this. As he did, his upper body muscles began to shake with him.

It was such an unseemly sight that I felt I needed to stop Munglig. Just as I was about to do so… Elunka looked at me with a desperate expression.

“Great Khan of the Ulus.”

His expression was so desperate that I couldn’t help but stutter.

“Wh-what… do you w-want to say…?”

“I believe the Tamma should also recruit new soldiers. This would allow us to collect more accurate information about enemy territory, as well as perform various missions such as disrupting enemy forces, creating confusion, and assassinating key figures. Through this, the Ulus would be able to make more diverse strategic choices. This would enable the Ulus to respond more quickly to variables like the current situation, and furthermore…”

I nearly lost consciousness during Elunka’s endless speech. Fortunately, before passing out, I was able to understand the core of what he was trying to say.

“So… you want to recruit new soldiers from Khara-Khoto?”

“Yes. That way we can continue our friendly competition with that arrogant… upper-body muscle mass… I mean, with Lord Munglig.”

It seemed Elunka had been really provoked by Munglig’s taunting. That’s why he was so actively expressing his desire to recruit new soldiers.

Moreover, this was our rest time here, so there wouldn’t be any particular problems. And since it would benefit the Ulus in any way, there was no reason to stop it.

However…

I was a bit concerned about Elunka’s comment about “upper-body muscle mass.” This was because I had received reports that Elunka and the Tamma he led focused primarily on lower body training.

I couldn’t help but worry that this might lead to the formation of upper body and lower body factions within the Ulus military.

Of course, this might just be my premature concern. So I accepted Elunka’s request.

“I permit it.”

“Thank you, Great Khan.”

Having received my permission, Elunka rose with a smile. Then he looked at Munglig with an expression that said “just you wait.”

Munglig, receiving such a look, seemed to welcome the challenge and responded with a “bring it on” expression.

Caught between them, I could only look at the two and think to myself:

I’m just being overly concerned, right…?

Right…?

* * *

The people of Khara-Khoto wore curious expressions as they watched the Mongol soldiers resting near their homes. This was because these soldiers, who they thought would be heartless and cruel, seemed like people similar to themselves when seen up close.

“I thought they were monsters with an extra eye…”

“Yeah, I thought they were crazy when they threw corpses into the city.”

“About that? I heard they did that because Li Deyun provoked them first.”

“Really?”

“Li Deyun was truly an evil person!”

The Western Xia people were all busy cursing Li Deyun. This was because Li Byeongsang, who had become the new governor of Khara-Khoto, had announced all of Li Deyun’s evil deeds.

Taking other men’s wives.

Receiving bribes from merchants under the pretext of trade.

Selling official positions for money.

Ruling in favor of those who bribed him in disputes between citizens, and so on.

If one were to list all the evil deeds Li Deyun had committed, it would easily fill more than a dozen pages.

Additionally, there was accumulated discontent among the people of Khara-Khoto because Li Deyun had accepted villagers from nearby areas when the Mongols first invaded. Thanks to this, the false rumor that the Mongols had invaded Khara-Khoto because of Li Deyun spread widely.

Of course, it was true that Li Deyun had brought the second invasion upon himself. But the first invasion was entirely an act of plunder by the Ulus.

However, due to Li Deyun’s bad reputation, both the first and second invasions were attributed to him.

“History is always written by the victors.”

Li Byeongsang smiled as he looked at the people. As the new authority, he shifted all blame to the previous ruler, Li Deyun.

His actions weren’t solely due to the Mongols’ orders.

“If I am to properly govern this city, shouldn’t I erase all traces of the previous authority?”

“Your words are most wise.”

The adjutant bowed at Li Byeongsang’s words. From the perspective of Li Byeongsang, who had become the new governor of Khara-Khoto, the very existence of the previous authority was uncomfortable.

This could lead people to question the governance of Li Byeongsang, who had betrayed Li Deyun. So Li Byeongsang deliberately eliminated not only those who had bribed Li Deyun but also those who could become his political opponents.

This was possible thanks to the cooperation of the adjutant, who controlled the military.

“It’s thanks to your help. The Khan also highly values your contribution and has permitted your appointment as Sirang.”

“I am grateful for the governor’s words.”

The adjutant was able to succeed Li Byeongsang’s position and become Sirang. In a way, it was thanks to Li Byeongsang’s help, so showing loyalty to him was natural.

“Haha. Not at all. I hope you continue to assist me well in the future.”

The adjutant bowed again and expressed his gratitude. As this warm atmosphere flowed, a commotion was heard in front of the government office.

“What’s happening?”

“I’ll go check.”

“Please do. If it’s the Mongol… I mean, if the Ulus soldiers are causing a disturbance, tell me immediately. That way, I can report to the Khan and have them punished.”

After occupying Khara-Khoto, Gurkhan had issued one command: never harass the people of Khara-Khoto.

This harassment included various crimes such as assault, theft, extortion, and more. If anyone violated Gurkhan’s strict order, they would not escape punishment, even if they were Mongol soldiers.

“Understood.”

The Sirang nodded at Li Byeongsang’s words and went outside the government office. After a while, he finally returned to Li Byeongsang.

“So what was it? And… why do you look like that?”

“Well… I’m not sure if what I saw was real… I don’t know how to explain this…”

The Sirang standing before Li Byeongsang wore an expression as if he had seen something bizarre. The governor frowned and questioned him again.

“Tell me exactly what you saw.”

“It’s… something I’ve never seen before… I think you should see it for yourself, Governor.”

At the Sirang’s reluctance to answer, the governor followed him out of the office. As soon as they left, he could immediately understand why the Sirang had spoken that way.

“What… is this…”

It was a sight never seen before. Muscular Mongol soldiers were lined up on both sides of the government office, striking strange poses.