Ch.97Western Liao (6)

I was preparing thoroughly before setting out on the Western Liao expedition.

This expedition required more preparation than the Western Xia campaign.

This was because Western Liao controlled a much larger territory than Western Xia.

In terms of objective military strength, Western Xia had actually been the more powerful entity.

This was because Western Xia, as a settled nation, had built fortresses in rugged terrain that put us at a disadvantage.

Fortunately, we were able to conquer Western Xia easily because they underestimated the Mongols as nomads.

Compared to Western Xia, Western Liao had more extensive territory but fewer strategic strongholds.

Not only were there few suitable places to build fortresses, but they were also nomads themselves, so they were far from having fortified positions.

Therefore, the Western Liao expedition might not involve many siege battles to capture fortresses.

However, there was another problem.

As mentioned earlier, their territory was vast.

Having extensive territory meant we would need substantial resources to completely conquer them.

Unlike Western Xia, conquering their main strongholds wouldn’t automatically lead to the surrender of surrounding cities.

Of course, capturing their capital Qara-Ordo would likely lead many to surrender.

However, the vast territory could continuously spawn rebel forces.

“It would be perfect if Kuchlug went mad and started a rebellion right now.”

If Kuchlug actually rebelled at this precise moment, it would be ideal.

If he, without legitimacy, became the Western Liao emperor, the central control that the Western Liao emperor had built over many years could completely collapse.

There were various controversies about the political system of Liao at this time, but the mainstream opinion was that they were somewhere between feudalism and monarchy.

This opinion emerged because, naturally, since the Khitan era, they had been pursuing centralization like the Central Plains countries.

In Western Liao, which was in the process of centralization, if there was a problem with the emperor, who was essentially the control center, the entire country would inevitably be shaken.

“Kuchlug isn’t a fool, so he probably won’t rebel after killing the Mongol envoy.”

Of course, there was a possibility he might rebel.

If a mobilization order was issued throughout the country due to war with the Mongols, it would become more difficult to remove the emperor.

If Kuchlug hadn’t been an outsider, he could have seized power during the war under the pretext of rectifying state affairs.

But as an outsider, he lacked legitimacy in any form.

So if he misjudged that it would take the Mongols a long time to absorb Western Xia, he might rebel.

From his position, it would be most effective to rebel now during the chaos.

In actual history, many had succeeded in rebelling before wars.

Kuchlug might follow that history of betrayal.

“Whatever happens, it’s beneficial for us.”

If the enemy divided themselves, it would be unconditionally advantageous for us.

After all, our target was Western Liao.

While I was thinking this, Munglig approached me.

I turned my head to look at him.

“Why do you look so excited?”

“Brother! Please listen to what I have to say.”

Seeing Munglig’s excited expression, I thought he was making a fuss over nothing again.

As if reading my thoughts, Munglig waved his hands, insisting this time was different.

“We recruited new Kheshig members, and an archery prodigy has appeared! I’ve never seen a child shoot so well in my life!”

“An archery prodigy?”

“He hits the target every time while riding a horse. There was even this incident…”

* * *

A mobilization order had been issued throughout the ulus by Gurkhan’s command.

At that time, Munglig was recruiting new soldiers as the commander of the Kheshig.

“Attention!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Muscles!”

As always, he was winning people’s favor with his impressive muscles.

After that, as he was trying to recruit people, a shabby-looking boy who appeared to be about thirteen or fourteen, almost an adult, approached Munglig.

The boy, who looked quite starved, looked at Munglig and asked a question.

“If I become a Kheshig, can I eat?”

“You speak Mongolian fluently. Are you from the steppe?”

At Munglig’s words, the boy thought for a moment and then nodded.

Seeing this, Munglig began to examine the boy carefully.

“Hmm…”

The reason Munglig was considering this was simple.

From the boy’s appearance, he seemed to belong to the Taichigud tribe, which had opposed Yesugei during the unification of Khamag Mongol.

The Taichigud chieftain Ambaghai had once helped Juchi, who had cheated in Bokh.

Because of this, even after the Taichigud tribe was merged into the large Khamag Mongol tribe, unfavorable views toward those from the Taichigud tribe remained.

So Munglig, as Yesugei’s closest aide, couldn’t help but hesitate when looking at the boy.

“I heard that the great Gurkhan said all people should be employed according to their abilities. And I also heard that the Kheshig, who serve the Gurkhan’s will, do not discriminate based on origin.”

Hearing these precise words from the boy’s mouth, Munglig made an expression as if he had just realized something.

Indeed, Yesugei had instructed that everyone should be employed according to their abilities regardless of their origin.

Since this had even been made into law, Munglig had to follow it.

“Your words are correct. However, as you said, it will be determined by ability.”

“Of course.”

The boy nodded confidently.

Seeing this, Munglig realized that the boy had an extraordinary spirit and ordered the Kheshig.

“Give this boy something to drink and eat. And give him a place to rest so he can rest well.”

“That’s not necessary. I can prove my ability right now.”

“You need rest now. Challenge when you can show your abilities to the fullest.”

“…Thank you.”

The boy bowed and followed the Kheshig.

As time passed, Munglig received word that the boy had recovered his strength to some extent.

“Now I would like to show you my abilities.”

“Good. What abilities do you possess?”

“Archery.”

“That’s a talent every nomad should have. Can you do it while riding a horse?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Give this boy a horse.”

The boy mounted the horse and was handed a bow and arrows.

Holding the reins, the boy began to gallop forward.

And he fired arrows in rapid succession at the target ahead.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

With that sound, four arrows accurately hit the target.

Seeing this, Munglig was greatly surprised.

“To be able to shoot so accurately at such high speed…!”

Before Munglig’s surprise could fade, the boy twisted his body on the horse.

And he shot arrows at the target while looking backward.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Again, the arrows hit exactly in the center.

“Impressive.”

After proving his ability, the boy approached Munglig.

And looking at Munglig, he carefully spoke.

“I have a request for the Darughachi.”

“You are already part of the Kheshig. So tell me what you need. If there’s something you want, I’ll help you within my ability.”

“Thank you for your words. But I haven’t shown you all my abilities yet.”

“You mean there’s more?”

“Yes. Would you please set up ten scarecrows in front of the target?”

“In front of the target…?”

“Yes, I will accurately hit the center of the target with the scarecrows blocking the view.”

Munglig was greatly surprised at this.

With ten scarecrows in front of the target, it would be difficult to even identify the target.

In such a situation, saying he would hit the center of the target, Munglig couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Is that really possible?”

“Of course. I’ll show you while riding a galloping horse.”

“Good. I grant your request.”

Munglig also wanted to know the limits of the boy’s abilities.

So he instructed the Kheshig to set up scarecrows in front of the target.

Once the scarecrows were set up, the boy began to ride his horse as if he had been waiting.

Even while aiming precisely at the target, the boy didn’t reduce his speed.

At this rate, he would pass the target.

At that moment, the boy leaned back on the horse and shot an arrow.

“…”

Munglig couldn’t close his mouth at this impossible situation.

The arrow had grazed between the scarecrows and hit the center of the target.

“Divine archer…”

Munglig muttered this while looking at the boy.

* * *

“…This is what happened. That boy is truly an archery prodigy… no, a divine archer.”

“So he’s that remarkable?”

“Yes.”

A divine archer from the Taichigud tribe.

Something was starting to come to mind.

“I need to meet him in person.”

I headed to the training ground where the Kheshig were, accompanied by Munglig.

When we arrived, the Kheshig were diligently doing strength training.

When I arrived, the Kheshig stopped their training and paid their respects to me.

“We greet the great Khan.”

“It is an honor to meet the Khan who carries out the will of heaven.”

I raised my hand to acknowledge the Kheshig’s respect and looked around.

Then my eyes fell on a boy with a somewhat smaller build than the other Kheshig.

“That’s him.”

At Munglig’s words, we approached the boy.

As I stood in front of him, the boy paid his respects to me with a trembling voice.

“I greet the ruler of the steppe.”

“I heard from Munglig. I heard your archery skills are so excellent.”

“You flatter me.”

“I would like to see more of your archery skills. Would that be possible?”

“I will follow the Khan’s orders.”

The boy said he had no objections and immediately prepared to shoot.

Just as he had done in front of Munglig, he showed dazzling archery skills in front of me.

Munglig looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask if I believed him now.

“Your shooting skills are truly excellent.”

“I don’t know how to respond to the Khan’s praise.”

“It’s not flattery. But from watching you shoot, it seems this isn’t the full extent of your abilities. Am I right?”

“…The Khan is correct.”

At the mention that he could show more, Munglig opened his eyes wide.

And looking at the boy, he asked a question.

“You mean there’s even more?”

“Yes. I can accurately hit the target even through moving objects.”

“Oh…”

“Good. I’m curious about the limits of the child. Release horses in front of the target.”

“Horses? If an arrow hits and kills a horse…”

To Munglig’s objection, I replied that it would be fine.

And I turned my head to look at the boy.

The boy mounted a horse as if to meet my expectations.

And he shot an arrow at the target placed among the horses moving chaotically in the training ground.

“…”

“Wow…”

Seeing the arrow accurately embedded, my mouth opened involuntarily.

The ability to shoot an arrow through busy moving horses and hit the center of the target…

It was so incredible it could be believed to be magic.

“What is your name?”

“Jirqo’adai.”

“Ah…!”

I finally realized this boy’s identity.

This boy was a marksman.

And not just any marksman, but a divine archer proven by history.

Such a boy needed a true name.

“I will give you a name befitting your ability, which is close to that of a divine archer.”

Having the ruler of the steppe personally bestow a name was nothing short of a family honor.

At this, Jirqo’adai immediately paid his respects.

“Jebe. It means the arrow of the ulus.”