Episode 111
Memories from a distant past now feel like a dream.
Yet, for Genghis Khan, the ruler of the steppes, the events of that day remained vivid.
“Who is offering us support?”
“It’s Khwarezm! The recent conqueror of the West!”
“They’ve recognized your prowess, my lord! Finally, we can breathe easier.”
While his followers celebrated the prospect of the Borjigin clan fighting on for another decade, the young Temujin was deep in thought.
“No one makes a deal that doesn’t benefit them. What do they want from us?”
“They claim they want us to unify the chaotic Mongol tribes.”
“That’s amusing. They want a unified Mongolia?”
No neighboring state would genuinely desire the unification of the nomadic tribes of the steppes. The moment these tribes, who have long been at odds, unite, their power becomes unimaginable. History has proven this time and again. The Huns, the Liao, and now the Jin, the world’s mightiest empire, are living proof.
Knowing this better than anyone, neighboring countries have always tried to prevent Mongolia’s unification. So, if someone is offering support, there are a few possibilities to consider.
The most obvious is that Khwarezm aims to further exacerbate Mongolia’s divisions. If they truly wanted Mongolia unified, why support Temujin? There are many with greater influence than the Borjigin clan. Perhaps they think supporting a weaker faction will make it easier to establish friendly relations later.
If that’s the case, what benefit does Khwarezm gain from a unified Mongolian steppe? It’s not hard to deduce.
“They want us to crush the Western Xia for them.”
”…Pardon?”
“Never mind. Just talking to myself.”
As expected, as Temujin’s power grew, Khwarezm began to reveal their desires.
Thus, they proposed an alliance to attack the Western Xia. Once the Western Xia were gone, Khwarezm could trade freely with the East, and Mongolia could also trade with the West, potentially even mediating trade between the Song and Khwarezm.
On the surface, it seemed like Temujin had nothing to lose. At a critical juncture in his life, even the smallest helping hand was invaluable.
So, Temujin took Khwarezm’s hand and began unifying the steppes before neighboring countries could interfere.
One day, while hosting a Khwarezm envoy, a newly joined subordinate asked Temujin a question.
“Khan, should we maintain our alliance with Khwarezm?”
“They genuinely supported us. In hindsight, it wasn’t an overwhelming help, but at the time, I was grateful for even that.”
“True, but they look down on us as barbarians, thinking they can manipulate us. The Khwarezm king likely sees you as a mere pawn on his chessboard. How can we trust such people?”
“How can you be sure?”
“Just look at the envoy’s eyes and actions. They don’t even show respect to you, the Khan.”
Temujin found himself focusing on his subordinate’s words. He shared the same thoughts. Despite their alliance, Khwarezm saw Mongolia as nothing more than a tool to be used.
Of course, there was a reason for tolerating this. Most of his simple-minded followers hadn’t noticed, but this young man seemed different. Intrigued, Temujin decided to remember the face of this newcomer.
“So, what do you think? Should I reprimand the Khwarezm envoy for his rudeness?”
“If trusting Khwarezm is the worst option, then your suggestion is merely a bad one. Despite their arrogance, they are currently beneficial to us. At least until the time is right, we shouldn’t show our teeth first.”
“Interesting…”
This young man wasn’t just observing the situation; he was considering the broader geopolitical landscape. While many were skilled in combat and tactics, few possessed such strategic insight.
Temujin immediately recognized the talent in this young subordinate, who seemed nearly a decade younger than himself.
“So, you believe Khwarezm is a potential enemy?”
“Yes. But knowing you think the same eases my worries.”
“Indeed. But Khwarezm wants to join forces to attack the Western Xia. Until then, wouldn’t it be better to ride alongside them?”
“The premise itself is flawed. Will Khwarezm truly attack the Western Xia with us? We need to confirm that first to avoid being blindsided later.”
Temujin was impressed by the subordinate’s alignment with his own thoughts. If he were the Sultan of Khwarezm, he might employ a similar strategy. Having raised a powerful hunting dog like Mongolia, they would want to exploit it to the fullest.
The ideal scenario for Khwarezm would be for Mongolia to conquer all neighboring countries and then self-destruct, allowing Khwarezm to expand eastward with ease.
“We need to understand Khwarezm’s true intentions. If I’m mistaken about their goodwill, we can continue our friendship. But if not, they’ll pay for trying to use us.”
“You possess not only strength but also great wisdom, Khan. I apologize for my unnecessary ramblings.”
“No, thanks to perceptive subordinates like you, I’m confident in my decisions. So, if anything bothers you, always feel free to speak up. A truly wise person learns even from the mistakes of fools, let alone the sincere advice of loyal followers.”
Thinking of such subordinates growing stronger brought a smile to his face. It assured him that his army would only grow more formidable over time.
As Temujin turned to return to his quarters, he paused to take another look at the young subordinate.
“I forgot to ask your name. I’ll be relying on you more in the future.”
“Mukhali. It would be an honor to be called upon by you, Khan.”
The young man, who would grow to become Genghis Khan’s most trusted strategist, had already left a strong impression on his revered leader from their first meeting.
Thus, Genghis Khan continued to deceive the world by playing the role of a mere brute, until the deeply rooted tree became an unshakable giant.
Genghis Khan’s decision to conquer the Western Xia and simultaneously confront the Jin and Western Xia was not reckless.
In truth, Mongolia wasn’t the only one uneasy about the extended frontlines. The Jin Empire was far larger than Mongolia, with vast territories to defend. Despite its decline, it still shared borders with the Song, a major power in the Central Plains.
In such a situation, the Jin wouldn’t recklessly gamble by launching an invasion. If war broke out, it would be Mongolia making the first move. The Jin could only respond with small-scale military demonstrations.
Mukhali, now one of Genghis Khan’s most formidable vanguards, shared a similar view.
“The Jin isn’t an enemy we can defeat in a year or two. We must prepare for a conflict that could last at least a decade, if not two. Given the long-term nature of this war, neglecting other areas isn’t wise.”
“I agree. But leaving the Jin unchecked gives them time to prepare for our attack, doesn’t it?”
“Exactly, Khan. That’s why we should focus on preliminary operations until Jebe and Jelme return from conquering the Western Xia. The Jin may seem strong, but it’s been over fifty years since its founding. Cracks in their system are inevitable.”
A state founded by nomads differs fundamentally from one established by settled peoples. While they might stabilize their empire and territories, transitioning to a new system inevitably causes friction.
“So, you’re suggesting we exploit their weaknesses. You must have a plan in mind?”
“Yes. The Jin has long oppressed nomads, not just us but also the Khitan in Liaodong. They’re very dissatisfied with the Jin. By leveraging them, we can naturally stretch the Jin’s frontlines.”
“An excellent strategy. Send envoys immediately.”
While it might seem contradictory to ally with the Khitan in Liaodong while conquering the Western Xia, the two have no real affinity. The Khitan in Liaodong consider themselves the true descendants of the Liao, refusing to acknowledge those who fled west.
Genghis Khan’s grand strategy to pressure the Jin was rapidly taking shape.
“If we elevate the leader of the Yelu clan to king, they’ll surely side with us over the Jin.”
“Let’s propose an alliance to the Song as well.”
“Do you think the Song will attack the Jin? They’d probably prefer to watch us destroy each other.”
“Even if we can just get the Song to stop paying tribute to the Jin, that would be enough. The loss of such a massive tribute would deal a blow to the Jin beyond imagination. And tell the Song that the Khitan have already decided to join us. That should naturally sway them to our side.”
“Then I’ll inform the Yelu clan that the Song have already agreed to cooperate with us.”
Genghis Khan responded with a smile, appreciating his subordinate’s quick understanding. This strategy had come to him after observing how the Khwarazm were trying to manipulate them for their own gain.
Even if that hadn’t been the case, war tends to sharpen one’s thoughts, but he wouldn’t have been able to devise a strategy this swiftly otherwise.
Pretending to dance to the Khwarazm’s tune had, in the end, been the best decision.
“No matter how formidable the Jin are, it’s structurally impossible for them to fend off an attack from three directions. As soon as Jebe and Jelme subdue the Western Xia, we’ll strike the Jin.”
“What about the Khwarazm once the Western Xia surrender?”
“Didn’t you say their forces are moving northwest? That means they have their own enemies to deal with. For now, let’s leave the Khwarazm to them.”
“If they manage to inflict significant damage on the Khwarazm’s army, it will make things easier for us.”
That would be ideal, but even if they just keep the Khwarazm occupied until we pressure the Jin, that would be satisfactory.
Genghis Khan silently cheered for the unknown enemies of the Khwarazm, hoping they would fight valiantly, as he gazed out over the vast expanse of the steppe.
It would still take some time before the Great Khan of the Mongols became aware of the existence of the Western prophet.
It was, quite literally, only a matter of time.