Ch.93Western Liao (2)

In the Ulus Unification War, the Naiman and Merkit tribes formed an alliance to oppose the Khamag Mongol and Kerait tribes.

The defeated Merkit tribe was completely absorbed into the Khamag Mongol.

And the Naiman tribe was divided into western and eastern factions and expelled from the Mongolian steppes.

The one who survived in this situation was Kuchlug, the son of Tayang who had been the Khan of the Naiman tribe.

In the past, I had demanded that the Naiman tribe return him to Mongolia.

At that time, the Naiman tribe tried to comply with my request and hand over Kuchlug, but the shrewd Kuchlug fled with his followers.

I had completely forgotten about Kuchlug since then.

So hearing about him again so suddenly could only make me happy.

Especially because he was currently in Western Liao, the very place I desperately wanted to conquer.

“According to the Tamma’s report, Kuchlug is currently staying in Western Liao as a close associate of the Western Liao Emperor.”

“A close associate of the Western Liao Emperor?”

“Yes. According to the report, the Western Liao Emperor appears to be planning to give his younger sister as a wife to Kuchlug.”

“It’s suspicious that the Western Liao Emperor would do such a thing.”

“I think so too. It seems to be because the crown prince is very young.”

I nodded at this.

It seemed the Western Liao Emperor’s physical condition was not good.

This made sense because he was trying to bring in an outsider and make him part of the imperial family despite having a legitimate heir to the throne.

This behavior meant only one thing.

He was trying to make an outsider with military power into a regent.

In such cases, as history has proven, there was a very high possibility that the regent would push aside the crown prince and take the throne.

Unless the Western Liao Emperor was a fool, he would know this.

Nevertheless, marrying Kuchlug to his younger sister meant he was willing to take that risk.

If the Western Liao Emperor were in good health, there would be no reason to take such a risk.

Therefore, I could immediately deduce that the Western Liao Emperor’s physical condition was not good.

“The Western Liao Emperor’s physical condition is not good.”

At this, Elunka looked at me with a surprised expression.

I looked at him and began to explain why I had said this.

“If the Emperor’s body were in good condition, would there be any reason to take such a risk?”

“Indeed, you are wise, Khagan.”

Elunka agreed with me.

And he immediately shared his thoughts with me.

“Since the Western Emperor’s physical condition is not good, now is the perfect time to subjugate Western Liao. Additionally, your son is currently on a western expedition, so it seems to be the perfect time to conquer Western Liao.”

Coincidentally, Temujin, Toghrul Khan, and Dei-Sechen Khan were near Western Liao.

So if we joined forces with them to attack Western Liao, we could conquer it quickly.

“We have the blessing of God, Tengri, and our ancestors. However, we cannot move hastily, so first send an envoy to Western Liao.”

“An envoy, you say?”

“First demand that they hand over Kuchlug, and when they refuse, we attack.”

Being nomads didn’t mean we could attack without justification.

In fact, launching a surprise attack on Western Liao, which shared the same nomadic culture, would be like smearing mud on our own faces.

Of course, such dishonor wouldn’t shake the foundation of my rule.

But when there was a good method to provide proper justification, albeit a bit troublesome, there was no need to make a bad move.

“I receive the Khagan’s command.”

With that, Elunka bowed and left the ger.

As soon as he left, I went outside and called for Munglig.

“I just saw the Darughachi coming out. Brother, what’s going on?”

“Soon winter will pass and spring will come.”

Understanding my words, Munglig’s eyes began to gleam.

For nomads, spring was the season of hunting.

“Prepare for a hunt.”

“How much preparation should I make?”

“We’re planning to catch a big one, so inform the warriors well.”

“How big is it?”

“Western Liao.”

At my words, Munglig looked at me with a big laugh.

Then he immediately bowed and began to move to spread my orders.

* * *

The Western Liao Emperor frowned at the sudden visit of the Mongol envoy.

This was because their demand crossed a line.

“Great Khagan of Great Liao, please accept the respectful request of Gur Khagan, the rightful master of the Yeke Mongol Ulus.”

“Gur Khagan’s request is clearly interference in internal affairs. As fellow nomads of the same steppe, to make such a rude demand. Does Gur Khagan know no shame?”

At the Western Liao Emperor’s words, the Mongol envoy shook his head.

And he began to explain the reason.

“Khagan of Great Liao, I believe that you, who rule the steppe, are not ignorant of the laws of the steppe.”

“What do you mean?”

“Tayang Khan secretly raided the territory of the Khamag Mongol while Gur Khagan was away on an expedition. He even plundered livestock owned by the Khamag Mongol. This is an action that greatly violates the laws of the steppe.”

“…”

Raiding another tribe while they were away on an expedition was a common occurrence.

However, taking the livestock raised by the tribe after such a raid was clearly theft.

On the steppe, theft was typically paid for with one’s life.

“Additionally, Tayang Khan joined hands with the Merkit tribe and attacked the Khamag Mongol and Kerait tribes for personal gain. In response, Gur Khagan firmly rose up and defeated both forces and vanquished Tayang Khan.”

“Then isn’t the grudge between Tayang Khan and Gur Khagan over?”

“No, it is not, Khagan of Great Liao. Tayang Khan fled after being defeated in battle. And he died in the place where he fled. Before my lord, Gur Khagan, could resolve the grudge. According to the laws of the steppe, Tayang Khan’s crimes have been passed on to his son, Kuchlug. Therefore, Gur Khagan’s demand is just and a legitimate action that respects the laws of the steppe.”

The Western Liao Emperor couldn’t help but feel a headache at the envoy’s eloquent words.

This was because there was nothing wrong in what the envoy said.

If Tayang Khan had died by Gur Khagan’s sword, Kuchlug would not have had to bear the blame.

But since Tayang Khan died alone in a foreign land, his crimes were transferred to Kuchlug.

According to the steppe law, which included collective punishment, Gur Khagan, who had a grudge against Tayang Khan, could demand Kuchlug’s extradition.

“Gur Khagan’s demand is just, but it is excessive. Kuchlug is clearly my guest. If I send such a guest to Gur Khagan, the world will surely point fingers at me.”

“Khagan of Great Liao, Kuchlug is a criminal before being your guest. If your ancestors knew that you were hiding such a criminal, they would be angry.”

Bang!

At the envoy’s words that crossed the line, the Emperor couldn’t help but be angry.

An official standing right next to him rebuked the envoy on behalf of the Emperor.

“Hiding! Envoy, mind your words! You stand before the Khagan of Great Liao!”

“Please forgive my rudeness, Khagan. However, I hope you have not forgotten that the foundation of your rule over the steppe comes from this law.”

At the envoy’s words, the officials in the court began to stir.

Although his words were very extreme, they were true.

Most of the current officials of Great Liao were born on the steppe.

Therefore, they knew better than anyone how important this steppe law was.

However, if they expressed this outwardly, they might offend the Emperor, so they just shared their opinions among themselves without advising the Emperor.

“Enough! I don’t want to hear any more from that disrespectful fellow. Throw him out!”

At this, the guards approached the envoy.

Facing the crisis of being dragged away, the envoy pointed his finger at the Khagan of Great Liao with veins bulging in his neck.

“You vile pig! And you call yourself the ruler of the steppe! Did you think you could survive after breaking the law established by God, Tengri, and our ancestors! You who will receive heaven’s punishment! The title of Khagan doesn’t even suit you!”

The envoy was clearly uttering words that anyone would see as openly criticizing the Western Liao Emperor.

At this, the Emperor could no longer contain himself and pointed at the envoy, shouting loudly.

“The Mongols have occupied Western Xia and now they’ve lost all respect! Cut off that arrogant fellow’s head and send it back to Gur Khagan!”

“Hahaha! Can you cover the sky with your palm? Heaven knows and earth knows that you have violated the laws of the steppe. And everyone here knows it! You, who have violated the law to hide a criminal, will forever remain in history with a shameful name!”

“You…!”

The enraged Emperor rose and approached the envoy.

Then he immediately drew the sword from a guard’s waist.

“P-Please calm down! Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!”

The officials tried to stop the Emperor belatedly, but it was already too late.

Thud.

The envoy’s head was cut off, and blood gushed from the wound.

The Western Liao Emperor, who was splattered with the blood, looked down at the envoy’s head with an angry expression.

It was not a painful expression but a peaceful one.

As if the envoy had wanted the Emperor to cut off his head himself.

At this, the Emperor belatedly realized that he had fallen into a trap.

But it was already too late.

So he calmly sat back on his throne, still holding the sword.

As he sat down covered in blood, the stirring officials could say nothing.

“Preserve that fellow’s head in salt and send it to Mongolia.”

“Y-Your Majesty. If you do that…”

The Emperor silently looked at the hesitating official.

At this, the official immediately bowed and began to collect the envoy’s head.

“From now on, if anyone in this place speaks about what happened today…”

The Emperor pointed at the headless corpse of the envoy with his sword.

And he continued in a chilling voice.

“You will end up like him.”