THE RISE OF TEMUDJIN "GENGHIS KHAN" - 5. Jinghis Khan’s Triumphant Advance Beyond the Great Wall of China.
THE MONGOLS HISTORY - by Jeremiah Curtin - HQ Full Book.
Chapter 5 of The Mongols: A History by Jeremiah Curtin, titled “Jinghis Khan’s Triumphant Advance Beyond the Great Wall of China,” offers a comprehensive account of Genghis Khan’s early 13th-century campaigns into northern China. This chapter intricately weaves the historical backdrop of Chinese dynastic shifts with the Mongol Empire's strategic military endeavors, highlighting the profound impact of these invasions on East Asian geopolitics.
The Fragmented Chinese Landscape: From Tang to Sung
Curtin begins by contextualizing the Chinese political environment preceding the Mongol incursions. The fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 AD ushered in a period of fragmentation, leading to the rise of the Kitans, a nomadic group from Manchuria. In 916, Parin proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the Liao dynasty. The subsequent emergence of the Sung dynasty in 960 marked an attempt to reunify China, though it remained vulnerable to external pressures. Notably, in 1004, the Sung emperor was compelled to pay tribute to the Kitans, underscoring the dynasty's precarious position.
The Rise of the Kin Dynasty and Northern China's Vulnerability
The early 12th century witnessed significant upheavals. In 1114, Aguta achieved a decisive victory over the Kitans, founding the Kin kwe state. Following Aguta's death, the Kin dynasty launched an invasion of northern China in 1125, culminating in the siege of Kai Fong Fu in 1126. The capture and deportation of the Sung emperor to Manchuria exemplified the region's instability, setting the stage for Mongol intervention.
Genghis Khan's Strategic Vision and Military Mobilization
In 1211, Genghis Khan initiated his campaign to subdue the Chinese Empire. Demonstrating remarkable logistical prowess, the Mongol army advanced approximately 1,200 miles to the Great Wall of China. The support of the Onguts, a Turkic tribe, proved instrumental, providing both strategic alliances and crucial intelligence.
Military Campaigns and Tactical Maneuvers
The Mongol incursions were marked by a series of calculated military operations:
Key Figures and Internal Dynamics
Curtin delves into the roles of prominent individuals:
The Kara Kitai and the Broader Geopolitical Implications
The chapter also explores the Mongols' interactions with the Kara Kitai:
These events underscore the Mongol Empire's strategic depth and its impact on the broader Eurasian political landscape.
Conclusion:
The Legacy of the Mongol Campaigns Curtin's narrative in this chapter encapsulates the transformative nature of Genghis Khan's campaigns beyond the Great Wall. The Mongol incursions not only reshaped China's political boundaries but also set in motion a series of events that would reverberate across continents. The meticulous detailing of military strategies, combined with insights into the era's complex political dynamics, offers readers a profound understanding of this pivotal period in history.
#MongolEmpire #GenghisKhan #GreatWallOfChina #ChineseHistory #MongolInvasion #SteppeWarriors #TangDynasty #SungDynasty #KinDynasty #Kitans #MedievalChina #MilitaryHistory #MongolWarriors #HistoricalConquest #AsianHistory #ChinggisKhaan #Subotai #Onguts #KaraKitai #MongolCampaigns
THE MONGOLS HISTORY - by Jeremiah Curtin - HQ Full Book.
Chapter 5 of The Mongols: A History by Jeremiah Curtin, titled “Jinghis Khan’s Triumphant Advance Beyond the Great Wall of China,” offers a comprehensive account of Genghis Khan’s early 13th-century campaigns into northern China. This chapter intricately weaves the historical backdrop of Chinese dynastic shifts with the Mongol Empire's strategic military endeavors, highlighting the profound impact of these invasions on East Asian geopolitics.
The Fragmented Chinese Landscape: From Tang to Sung
Curtin begins by contextualizing the Chinese political environment preceding the Mongol incursions. The fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 AD ushered in a period of fragmentation, leading to the rise of the Kitans, a nomadic group from Manchuria. In 916, Parin proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the Liao dynasty. The subsequent emergence of the Sung dynasty in 960 marked an attempt to reunify China, though it remained vulnerable to external pressures. Notably, in 1004, the Sung emperor was compelled to pay tribute to the Kitans, underscoring the dynasty's precarious position.
The Rise of the Kin Dynasty and Northern China's Vulnerability
The early 12th century witnessed significant upheavals. In 1114, Aguta achieved a decisive victory over the Kitans, founding the Kin kwe state. Following Aguta's death, the Kin dynasty launched an invasion of northern China in 1125, culminating in the siege of Kai Fong Fu in 1126. The capture and deportation of the Sung emperor to Manchuria exemplified the region's instability, setting the stage for Mongol intervention.
Genghis Khan's Strategic Vision and Military Mobilization
In 1211, Genghis Khan initiated his campaign to subdue the Chinese Empire. Demonstrating remarkable logistical prowess, the Mongol army advanced approximately 1,200 miles to the Great Wall of China. The support of the Onguts, a Turkic tribe, proved instrumental, providing both strategic alliances and crucial intelligence.
Military Campaigns and Tactical Maneuvers
The Mongol incursions were marked by a series of calculated military operations:
- 1211: The initial advance to the Great Wall, leveraging alliances with local tribes.
- 1213: Renewed offensives in China, coinciding with the Tangut attacks, further destabilizing the region.
- 1214: Assaults on territories along the Hoang Ho (Yellow River), intensifying pressure on Chinese defenses.
- 1218: The submission of Corea (Korea) to Genghis Khan, expanding Mongol influence in East Asia.
Key Figures and Internal Dynamics
Curtin delves into the roles of prominent individuals:
- Subotai: Tasked with confronting the Merkits, showcasing Mongol military versatility.
- Mukuli: Originating from humble beginnings, he rose to become one of Genghis Khan's most esteemed generals.
- Boroul: His death in 1217 marked a significant loss, reflecting the human cost of the expansive campaigns.
The Kara Kitai and the Broader Geopolitical Implications
The chapter also explores the Mongols' interactions with the Kara Kitai:
- Yeliu's Victory over Kashgar: Demonstrating the Mongols' reach into Central Asia.
- Invasion of Kwaresm: Highlighting the empire's westward ambitions.
- Treachery and Execution of Gutchluk: Emphasizing the internal challenges and the Mongols' uncompromising stance on loyalty.
These events underscore the Mongol Empire's strategic depth and its impact on the broader Eurasian political landscape.
Conclusion:
The Legacy of the Mongol Campaigns Curtin's narrative in this chapter encapsulates the transformative nature of Genghis Khan's campaigns beyond the Great Wall. The Mongol incursions not only reshaped China's political boundaries but also set in motion a series of events that would reverberate across continents. The meticulous detailing of military strategies, combined with insights into the era's complex political dynamics, offers readers a profound understanding of this pivotal period in history.
#MongolEmpire #GenghisKhan #GreatWallOfChina #ChineseHistory #MongolInvasion #SteppeWarriors #TangDynasty #SungDynasty #KinDynasty #Kitans #MedievalChina #MilitaryHistory #MongolWarriors #HistoricalConquest #AsianHistory #ChinggisKhaan #Subotai #Onguts #KaraKitai #MongolCampaigns
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter five, Jinghis Khan's triumphant advance beyond the Great Wall
of China. Many provinces of China had been subject to
foreign rule for three centuries. After the fall of the
Tang dynasty, which had ruled the whole country from six
hundred eighteen to nine hundred seven, this immense empire fell
to commanders of provinces and was cut up into ten states,
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coexistent and separate in Testin wars. The result of this
parceling favored the rise of a new power in Northern Asia.
The Khitans, who formed a part of the Manchu stock,
held that country from the Sungare southward as far as
the present shan Hai Kwan, and from the Shing'an range
on the west to Korea. These people had for a
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long time been vassals of Tartar khans and next of
Chinese emperors. They were divided into eight tribes, each with
its own chif for Manager. Abaki, the head of the
Shiliu tribe which owned the district known at the present
as Perrin, gained supreme power in nine o seven and
used the whole full strength of the Catans to subdue
Northern Asia. In nine sixteen, he proclaimed himself sovereign, and
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when he died ten years later, his dominion extended eastward
to the Ocean and westward to the Golden Mountains or
to the Altai. Tikoen, the son of this first Kitten ruler,
by giving the aid of his arms to a rebel
chieftain in China, secured victory and a throne for him.
In return for such service, the newly made emperor, who
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fixed his residence or capital at the present chaifong Fu
on the south bank of the hong Ho or Yellow River,
ceedd sixteen districts to Tiko and in peich Lie Shahan,
a Sai, and Liaotang, engaging also to furnish three hundred
thousand pieces of silk as his annual tribute. The new
Chinese emperor took the position of vassal to the Kitten
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and termed himself his grandson in subject. The successor to
this Chinese ruler sought to modify these conditions, Tikoen made
war on him, conquered all the provinces north of the
hong Ho, seized Pien chifong Fu, captured the emperor, and
sent him to regions north of China. Following Chinese usage
the Kitten took a new name for his dynasty, calling
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at Liao, that is Iron. After the fall of the
Tang dynasty, five petty lines followed one another on the
throne of chaifong Fu in the course of five decades.
On the ruins of these dynasties, in nine hundred and sixty,
the House of Sung united nearly all China. This house
made war on the Ktans, but failed to win back
the districts previously ceded to them, and in one thousand four,
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because of hostile action by the Catans, the Sung Emperor,
to gain peace, engaged to pay an annual tribute, both
in silk and silver. The Kitten Empire lasted two centuries
and assumed in its functions Chinese forms, at least externally,
but Chinese methods made it feeble. After strong and warlike
chiefs came weak in timid emperors. At last, a great
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man named the Guta rose among the Juchies, a nomad
people living in the lands between the Amor, the Eastern Ocean,
and the Sungai River. These formed part of the same
Tungus stock as did the Ktans, but they were untouched
as yet by luxury. In eleven fourteen, a Guta gained
a victory over the Katans, and the following year proclaimed
himself Emperor of the Juchies. The new state he called
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Aejin Kuran kin Qui in Chinese that is, Golden Kingdom.
He would not act, he said, like the Katans, who
had taken the name of a metal that is eaten
by rust very easily and ruined. A Guta subdued the
whole Kitten Empire and died in eleven twenty three. Two
years later, his successor seized ye Yo yen Hi, the
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ninth and last emperor of the Kitten dynasty, which had
endured nine years and two centuries. The Sung Emperor had
abetted a Guta and even urged him towards victory, hoping
thus to regain the lands lying between the Yellow Sea
and the Yellow River. The Ktans were crushed in the conflict,
but the new power, the Kin Dynasty, was more dangerous
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for him than the old, as he learned to his
cost very quickly. In eleven twenty five, the Kin Emperor
invaded North China. The year following, he reached the hong
Ho or Yellow River and besieged kaifong Fu, which lies
south of it. The Sun Emperor, who visited the camp
of the invader to find peace there if possible, was
seized and sent to Manchuria with his family. One of
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his brothers, living then in the south, was made sovereign
by the Chinese. The Kins advanced farther, reached the yang
Sei and took lin Nan in the che Kiang province.
They forced the emperor to acknowledge their conquest and promise
a yearly payment of twenty five thousand pieces of silk
with two hundred and fifty thousand ounces of silver, and
to avow himself a vassal. In addition, the rivers Ha'i
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and Han formed the boundary between the two empires, and
now the Qin Empire reached a line almost half way
between the great rivers hong Ho and Yangsei. The Sung
Emperor moved his capital to lin Nan, known as han Chou.
Somewhat later, the Kins took up arms to extend their
new empire still farther southward, but were confronted by failure.
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The war ended in eleven sixty five by a treaty
which retained former boundaries but decreased the Sun tribute the
Southern emperor. Moreover, instead of being a vassal to him
of the North acquired the relation of a nephew to
an uncle. But in twelve o six the Sun Emperor
began a new war, which brought defeat to him. To
restore peace, he was forced now to pay the original tribute.
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About the middle of the twelfth century, the Kins had
chosen the present Peakan as their residents. They called it
chong Tu or the Middle Capital. Lords over one third
of China. They had adopted the customs and laws of
that country. Their dominion extended on the north beyond China
proper to Lake Baikal and the Great Amoor River. The Ktans,
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once masters, had now become subjects to the Kin dynasty.
But in eleven sixty two they revolted. After that they
were by force brought down to obedience. Some years before,
the Kins had had a struggle with the Mongols, which
for the Kins proved disastrous. They ended it by making concessions.
The Mongol chieftain then took the title of Khan, which
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he kept ever after Jing His in beginning a war
against China was really attacking the Northern or Kin dynasty,
which had driven out that of the Katans. Hence, very
naturally he turned for co operation to the Katans. Medaku,
the Kin Emperor, died in November twelve O nine, and
in twelve ten an envoy informed jingh His Khan that
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chong Hai, the eighth of the dynasty, had succeeded Medaku.
The envoy demanded that the vassal as he claimed to
consider Jinghis, should receive the announcement while kneeling in accordance
with the etiquette of China. Who is this new emperor,
asked Jinghis of the envoy. Prince chong Hei. On hearing
the name jing His, spat toward the south, and then added,
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I thought that the son of Heaven must be lofty
and uncommon. But how is this idiot chung Hay to
sit on a throne? And why should I lower myself
in his presence? Then he mounted his steed and rode
away without further word or explanation. He summoned his leaders
at once and said to them, my forefathers suffered very greatly,
as ye know, from Chinese monarchs, and still those same
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monarchs failed to conquer this land of ours. After centuries
of effort, Heaven has granted me victory over every opponent,
and permitted me to mount the highest round of fortune.
If ye act with me faithfully, that same Heaven will
grant a glorious triumph over China. Through this triumph, the
Mongols will win the greatest wealth and magnificence. Their fame
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will never cease among nations. All were delighted, all praised
their conquering ruler. They agreed with him then to send
an envoy to the Altin Khan, Golden Khan, one with
the following message. Of course, it has come to thy
knowledge that we, by heaven favor, have been chosen from
among all the Mongols to hold the reins of empire
and of guidance. The fame of our conquering host has
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gone forth and is spreading. We are planting our banners
over all the Earth's surface, and soon every people and
all nations will submit without delay or hesitation to our
prosperous direction and share in its many benefactions. But should
any rise and resist, their houses, goods, property, and dependence
will be ruined without mercy, praise, and honor to high Heaven.
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Our dominion is so well ordered that we can visit China.
With us will go instruments of every sort and crushing weapons.
With us will march an army which is like a
roaring ocean. We can meet enmity or friendship with the
same tranquil feeling. If the Golden Khan in wisdom selects
the way of friendship and concord and meets us in congress,
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we will secure to him the management of China in
proper form and strong possession. If he cannot come himself,
let him send his honored sons to us as hostages
with treasures. But should he resist, which Heaven forbid, we
must wait for warfare and for slaughter, which will last
till Heaven puts the diadem of victory and power on
the head of him whom it chooses, and puts the
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rags of misery and want on him whom it desires
to wear them. On receiving these words such as no
man had ever sent a sovereign in China, Chunghi burst
into a blazing rage and dismissed the envoy with contempt
and with injury. If jinghis has planned war and slaughter
against us, replied he who can prevent him from tempting fortune.
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The last word had been uttered, and both sides made
ready now for warfare, directing tigature to guard home lands
from every possible disorder. Jing has moved from the Caroline
in March twelve eleven to subdue the Chinese Empire. But
before he left his native place, he visited a lofty mountain.
On the summit, he loosed his caftain, put his girdle
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round his neck, and called high Heaven to help him.
Boundless Heaven said he, I am going to to avenge
the blood of Berkai and Amegay, my uncles, whom the
Altan Khans put to death with infamy and torture. If
thou favor me, send aid from out the lofty places,
but on earth send men to help me. Send also
spirits good and evil. His four sons, Juchi, Jagatai, Ogtai,
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and Tului, accompanied the Mongol sovereign. This army of invasion
was held together by the sternest discipline and made up
of mounted men only. The units of this force were
ten one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand warriors. The
orders of the sovereign were given to the chiefs of
ten thousand, and by them to subordinates. Each man had
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a strong rawhide armor and helmet. He carried a lance
and a saber, with an axe, a bow, and a quiver.
He was followed by a number of horses which had
no food saved, at which they found as they traveled.
Immense herds of cattle were driven in the rear of
the army. In time of forced marches, each man carried
with him some milk and a small portion of flesh food.
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To reach the Great Wall, the Mongols crossed a space
of about twelve hundred miles, consisting in part of the
desert known as Chaiamo in Chinese and as the Gobi
in Mongol. The first success of the invaders was made
easier by a La kush Tejin of the Yangats, whose
duty it was to guard the Great Wall for the emperor,
but who favored the Mongols in no long time. Tai
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toong Fu called also see King an imperial court northwest
of Yen King or chong Tu. The pekin of the
present was invested the Chinese commander King Kien sent Mingen,
a trusted officer, to reconnoiter the Mongols. Mingen deserted and
gave all needed information about places to the enemy, who
attacked Kin Kien and routed his forces. Their mounted men
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trampled his infantry and cut it to pieces. The Mongols
pressed on toward the chief Chinese army, which did not
wait to engage them. The success of the invasion was enormous.
Expeditions were made to the walls of chong Tu, the
great northern capital. The terror stricken emperor prepared to flee southward,
but was stopped by his guards, who swore to fight
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to the death for their sovereign. During twelve twelve, the
Mongol succeeded at all points and cut up the Kin
armies wherever they met them. Still, Jinghis could not capture
Tai tong Fu, though in August twelve twelve he besieged
it in person, he was wounded in front of the
place by an arrow and withdrew to the north. For
a period. The Mongol invasion of China was aided now
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by an insurrection of Katans. At the outbreak of hostilities, Luko,
a prince of the dispossessed Kitten dynasty, an officer serving
in the Kin army, fled and levied men on his
own account. He was ready to add his strength to Jinghis,
when the latter sent Anchinnoyan to conclude an alliance against
the common enemy. The two men ascended Mount Yen to
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finish the compact. On the summit they slew a white
stallion and a black bull for their sacrifice. Turning then
to the north, they both held an arrow and broke it.
Loko pledged his faith to Jinghis and an Chin in
the name of his master, swore to uphold the kitten
prince against the kin sovereign. There was need of prompt help,
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since an army sixty thousand in number was marching to
annihilate Luko. Gold and high dignities were promised to him
who should bring the rebel's head to the Emperor. Jinghis
sent three thousand warriors. With these and his own troops,
Leko defeated the Emperor's army and took all its baggage,
which he sent to Jinghis and received. Then a new reinforcement,
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Cheat Noyan, was despatched to give aid in winning the
land of the Catans, and he gave it successfully. Master
now among the Catans, who rushed in great crowds to him, Luko,
with the consent of Jinghis, proclaimed himself King of Leao.
In twelve thirteen, Jinghis resumed his activity in China, and
again there was slaughter on all sides. The Mongol armies
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swept on till they almost touched the gates of chung Tu,
where bloody scenes were enacted. The year before, Hashaku, the
Kin commander, had been stripped of his office and exiled.
He was placed in command now in spite of protests
from the governor, Taktani and others, Hashaku took command north
of chung Tu, and though the Mongols were near him,
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he passed his time mainly in hunting. Enraged because the
emperor cast blame on this conduct, he took a revenge,
which he had planned since his own reinstatement. He spread
a report that Taktani was rousing rebellion and feigned that
he Hashaku, had been summoned to the city to repress it.
Fearing military opposition, he raised a false alarm to mask
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his real object. Horsemen rushed in hot haste to the city,
declaring that Mongols had come to the suburbs. Hashaku sent
for Taktani, the governor, as if to take counsel, and
then with his own hand he slew him. Next, he
replaced the guard of the emperor with his personal followers
and transferred to another edifice. The emperor, who was slain
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that same day by a eunuch, Kushaku, wished supreme power
for himself, but saw soon that his plans were impossible.
The throne fell to Yudabu, the late monarch's brother. Chief Noyan,
had returned from the Katans and was marching on the capital.
At that time. Hashaku had a wound in the foot,
so he sent Koki to meet the Mongols and threatened
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death should he come back. Defeated, Koki was forced to
retreat on chong Tu after desperate fighting. Fearing death from
his chief, he resolved to anticipate and rushed to seize
his superior and slay him. Hashaku tried to escape, but
fell from his own garden wall while climbing it. Koki's
people seized the man and then cut his head off.
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Koki grasped the head, bore it in hot haste to
the palace and asked for judgment. Immediately, the emperor not
only gave pardon but made Koki chief commander. While the
Mongols were attacking the Qin Empire in the north, Tangut
was attacking on the west, and in twelve thirteen took
king Chiu, a border city. Tangut and China had passed
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eighty years in mutual good feeling and friendship. When the
Tangut sovereign attacked by jinghis for the third time asked
aid from the Kin sovereign, but having failed to receive it,
made an agreement twelve ten with the Mongols and severed
relations with China. The empire was weakened by defections so
numerous that Jingis khanformed fifty six brigades of men with
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officers and generals who had passed from the Chinese to
his service. These were joined to his army and now
began an attack on all those lands bounded on the
west and south by the Hong Ho or Yellow River,
and on the east by the Hong High or Yellow Sea,
and forming the provinces of Shahnisai, Pi, Chi Li, and Shantung.
The Mongols sacked ninety flourishing cities, and in all that
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rich and great region there were only nine places which
through self defense escaped ruin. The booty was immense in
gold and silk stuffs, in captives male and female, and
in horses and cattle. This great raid took place in
the first months of twelve fourteen. All the Mongol armies
were assembled with their booty in April of that year
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at a place some leagues west of chung Tu. Jinghis
would permit no attack on that capital. To the emperor,
he sent two officers with the following message, All places
north of the hong Ho are mine, save chong Tu,
which is all that remains in thy service. Heaven has
brought thee down to this impotence. Were I to harass
thee still further, I should dread Heaven's anger. Wilt thou
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treat my army well and satisfy the generals. Kouki wished
to attack, but the counsels of other men triumphed. Envoys
were sent to the invader, and peace was concluded. Jinghis
received as wife the daughter of chung Hei, the late emperor,
with immense gifts in gold and precious objects. Five hundred youths,
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as many maidens, and three thousand horses went forth with
his bride to the conqueror. Peace now concluded with Jinghis,
Yutabu proclaimed complete amnesty to all, but not feeling safe,
he left his heir in chong Tu and set out
for Pien King the present kaifong Fu better known as Nanking,
on the southern bank of the hong Ho. On the way,
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he attempted to deprive the Karakatans in his escort of
the horses and arrows which had been given them. They
revolted immediately chose as leader Ie Coda, and turned then
toward chong Tu. Two leagues from the capital. Koda met
armed resistance, and though victorious, he sent envoys at once
to Jinghis These envoys tendered submission and asked for aid straightway.
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The Mongol khan did not hesitate. He sent a division
of Mongols under Sumuka and a division of Jutchies under Mingen,
with orders to join the Karakatans and capture the capital. Mukulai,
the best Mongol leader in China, was sent at the
same time and to strengthen Loko, from whom a Kin
army had retaken the greater part of his kingdom. When
Yudiboo heard of this new Mongol inroad, he summoned his
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son to Nan King immediately. Chong Tu, the capital was
poorly provisioned, the Mongols were near it. Their ferocity was
famous the besieged were in terror. Yudibou hurried forward a
great transport of food under the Ayang with a numerous army.
The Mongols attacked this strong army. Lie Ayanji, who was
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drunk when they fell on him, was killed. The battle
was lost, and the transport was seized and swept off
by the victors. At news of this dreadful disaster, the
troops of two other Kin generals dispersed and the men
went home to their families. Connection with the city was broken.
The investment was merciless. Wont came and next famine, with
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hunger so cruel that the dead were devoured and then
living men killed to be eden. Fu singh the governor,
proposed to Chin Chong the commandant, to attack the Mongols
with every force in the city and die arms in hand,
or else conquer Chin Chung had not this view of duty.
Fu singh unwilling to witness the loss of the city
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in which he was governor, made ready to die with propriety.
He gave all he had to his servitors, took poison,
and ended his earthly existence. Chin Chung hastened then to
escape before the Mongols could enter the Imperial princesses implored
him to take them from the city and save them,
but not wishing to hamper his flight, Chin Chung asked
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some time to prepare for their journey. Once beyond the city, however,
he fled and left those poor princesses to the Mongols.
A great slaughter took place in the capital. The palace
was fired and burned, as is said, a whole month
and even longer. Jing has sent three officers to receive
imperial plunder and give due praise to Mingen for his
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siege work. Mingen had hardly captured Chong two when Jinghis
sent Sumuka with ten thousand men to fall on Nanking
and capture the emperor. Sumuka marched up so close to
the city that he was only two leagues from it,
but his troops being few, he was forced to retreat
empty handed. He made a second attempt the year following
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and was nearer success without reaching it. Meanwhile, the king
dynasty was approaching its doom and the day of extinction.
In the spring of twelve sixteen, Jinghis, from his home
on the Carolin again sent Sabatai against the brother and
three sons of Tuktabiji. The last Khan of the Merkits, Tugachur,
was to help should the need come. Sabatai met the
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Merkits near the Gem River in the Altai and defeated them.
Two sons of Tuktabiji and Kutu his brother, were slain
in the action. The third son, Koltak Khan, a great archer,
was captured and taken to Juchi, eldest son of Jinghis.
When Juchi asked for a proof of his skill, the
young man sent an arrow into a goal and then
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split that first arrow with a second one. Juchi begged
his father to spare this Koltuk too, but in vain,
this great archer, the last son of Tuktabiji, had to
die like the others. While the Mongol Khan was in
China by Tulu, who was chief of the Tumats, withdrew
from obedience at command of Jinghis. Borol marched in twelve
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seventeen against the Tumats and crushed them, but lost his
own life in the conflict, which was close and very bitter.
Jinghis had asked ad of the Kurgis, but they too
rose against him, and Juchi was sent to reduce this
racalcitron people. He did the work thoroughly before leaving the
upper waters of the Irtish and the Yennise. In twelve fourteen,
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Mukulai had been sent, as we remember, to the Catans,
whose country had been greatly overrun by Kin armies. During
the two years which followed this best of all Mongol
leaders won back that whole region by excellent strategy, finesse
and grand fighting. This work was indispensable in the conquest
of China. During twelve seventeen, this great general appeared before
(23:07):
jinghis encamp then on the Tula. Mukulai was rewarded beyond
all other generals up to that day, and after it.
Jinghis praised him in public, lauded his great mental gifts
and his services, called him Quiwuan or prince in the Empire,
and made this title hereditary. He created him lieutenant commanding
in China and gave him a seal made of gold
(23:29):
as a sign of authority. I have conquered the north,
said jinghis subdue, thou the south for me, and he
dismissed him with an army of Mongols and Catans, with
the Juchies or Manchus to help them. In twelve eighteen,
jinghis marched on Tangat for the fourth time and brought
it to obedience. During that year he received the submission
(23:51):
of Korea. Next his activity was turned to a new side,
and soon we shall see the opening scenes in that
mighty movement begun by Jinghis and continued by his descendants,
and still later resumed by his relative, the tremendous to Moore,
that world shaking limper and father of the Mongol rulers
of India. The first place which called the Grand Khan
was Karakathai on the west, then conterminous with his own
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growing empire. Karakatai had the following origin. When Kitten rule
in North China was overthrown by the Kins. Yelyyotashi, a
relative of the last Kitten emperor and also his leading commander,
took farewell of his sovereign in eleven twenty three, and
with two hundred men journeyed westward. Governors and chiefs of
tribes in those Chinese provinces through which he passed showed
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him homage as a descendant of Apaki, and gave armed
warriors to strengthen him. At the head of these and
his own men, he went farther Bilic prince of the Wigurs,
from whom he asked a passage, went out to receive
him at the boundary with a large gift of sheep,
horses and camels. Bilik gave also as hostages a number
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of his sons and grandsons, and recognized the renowned man
as overlord. Ylyyo conquered Koshgar, Yarkend, Khotan, and Turkestan. Turkestan
was at that time under Nahmud Khan, the twentieth prince
of his dynasty, a ruler claiming descent from Aphrasiab so
famous in Persian story. Nahmud was reduced to the possession
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of Transoxiana, and as this region too was attacked somewhat
later by Karakatans, he became Yelyyo's vassal. Querism met soon
the same fate as Transoxiana. Yelyyo's troops brought sword and
flame to it, and Atsis, the second prince of the
dynasty of the Kuersmian Shas, obtained peace by paying thirty
thousand gold coins for it. Yearly, when Yaleyo had brought
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under his dominion all regions between the Yaxarts and the
Gobi Desert and between the headwaters of the Irtish and
the Pemir Highlands. He took the title of Gurkin of
Karakatai and fixed his chief residence at Bella Sagan on
the next large stream east of the Yaxarts River. In
eleven thirty six, while prepared ring for war against the
Kin sovereigns to win back the empire which they had
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snatched from his family, he died, leaving only one son,
then a miner, till eleven forty two. This son was
under the tutelage of his mother. Dying in eleven fifty five.
He left a son, Chiluku, for whom his aunt Pushuin
was regent till eleven sixty seven, when he came to majority.
When the son of the last name and ruler came
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in twelve o eight to seek an asylum in Karakathai,
Chiluku was still ruling. He showed the fleeing khan a
kind welcome and gave him his daughter in marriage. Chiluku
was occupied mainly in hunting wild beasts and in seeking
for pleasure. This weakness caused the defection of great vassals,
the Eaty Cut of the Wigurs, the Khan of Transoxiana,
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the Quersmian Shah, and now it led his perfidious new
son in law to dethrone him. The name in Khan
had attracted some of Chiluku's commanders, and on collecting the
wreck of his late father's army, he saw himself at
the head of considerable forces. To begin his plot easily,
he begged leave of the Gurkin to assemble the scattered
remnants of the name and army then wandering through northeastern
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lands of the Karakidan Empire. These men might be employed,
he said, in Chilucu's service. The weak and kindly old
sovereign consented, gave his daughter's husband rich presence, and confirmed
his title. Gutch Luk or the strong Man. The false
son in law went on his mission from iwill Kaylik
(27:29):
and Bishpulik. Crowds rushed to his standard. He was joined
by the chief of the Merkits, who had fled before
the Mongols. These men began to win wealth by incursions
in every direction. Further hope of booty caused other bands
to follow quickly. Still, gutch Luk could not seize the
empire without an ally, and the empire, or at least
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a large part of it, was his object. He turned
to Shah Mohammed, who had withdrawn from subjection to Chiluku
and had received even the homage of ours. The Khan
ruling then over Transoxiana and Samarkand. Gutchluk asked Shah Mohammed
to fall on the empire and seized the western part
For this service. The Shah gave a favorable answer. Meanwhile,
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a Kara Kitten army was despatched to Samarkand by Chiluku
to bring Osman back to obedience. Shah Mohammed hastened to
render aid to his vassal, but before his arrival, the
karak Catans were recalled to meet Gutchluk, who had now
opened war on his father in law, the Gurkhin. While
Chiluku's army was absent in Samarkand, Gutchluk seized in us
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Can the state treasures and hurried then by forced marches
to surprise Belisagin. Chiluku, though old, took the field promptly
in person and defeated his son in law, who retired
in despair after losing a large force of warriors who
were killed or taken captive. Meanwhile, Shah Mohammad had crossed
the western boundary accompanied by Osman, and met the Kara
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Kitten forces commanded by Tinigu. He attacked these and captured
the commander. The defeated troops, while marching home, robbed their
own fellow subjects and plundered without distinction. Belli Sagin, which
preferred Mohammed, would not open its gates to them. Besieged
by the troops of their own sovereign, they fought for
sixteen days, hoping daily to see the Shah's army. The
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city was taken by assault and the people were slaughtered.
Fifty seven thousand persons perished under the sword edge. As
Karakidden treasures had vanished, the state treasury was empty. Mahmoud,
by an immensely rich general who feared for his own
wealth and substance, advised the Gurkind to force a restoration
of all that had been seized by gutch Luck and
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his followers. The army chiefs, unwilling to yield up their plunder,
were furious on hearing this proposal. Gutch Luck appeared then
on a sudden and seized his father in law, the Gurkin.
Once master of the sovereign's person, he used sovereign authority
so Chiluku, without power himself, retained a vain title till
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death took him off. Two years later. In twelve eighteen,
the Mongol Khan marched westward, but sent Cheap Noian in
advance with an army twenty five thousand strong against the
Kara kidden usurper. His enemy, Gutchluk, fled from Koshgar with
a part of his forces. On entering the city, chief
proclaimed freedom of religion to all men. The inhabitants massacred
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gutch Luk's warriors, who had been quartered in their houses.
Chiep hurried off in pursuit of the fugitive and never
drew bridle till he had hunted him over the Pamir
and caught him in the Bedakian mountains, where he cut
his head off. When Jingius heard of this, he commanded
Cheap not to be proud of success, for pride had
undone Wang Khan of the Carates and the Taijang of
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the Naemans, as well as Gutchluk, and brought ruin to
every recent ruler. This victorious chief, some years later, carried
Mongol arms to Armenia. Across Georgia and a large part
of Russia. He was of the Yisits, a Mongol tribe
which had fought against Jinghis known at that time as
to Mudgen. On a day to Mudjen brought a crushing
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defeat on the Yissets. Cheep fled with some others to
the mountains and hid there from death, which he looked
on as certain in case he were captured. One day,
when Tumudgen was out hunting, his beaters enclosed and caught Cheap.
The Khan wished to slay him, but Bourchu, his earliest
comrade and one of his four chosen leaders, begged for
a combat with Cheap. To Mudgen agreed and gave him
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a white muzzled horse for the trial. Bourchu shot an
arrow which failed to reach Cheap. Cheap, more adroit than
his enemy, sent a shaft which brought down the horse
under him, and the next instant he rushed away with
lightning speed, reduced to want. Some time later, Chief offered
his service to Tumudgen, the strong victor. To Mudgen knew
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the man's worth and accepted his offer. The Khan made
Cheap a chief of ten men to begin with, then
of a hundred, later on of a thousand and at
last of ten thousand warriors. When Chief brought back Gutch
Lucks had he wished to give a recompense for the
white muzzled horse which he killed when Burchu attacked him.
So in Koshgar he collected a thousand white muzzled horses
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and brought them to jinghis as a present
Chapter five, Jinghis Khan's triumphant advance beyond the Great Wall
of China. Many provinces of China had been subject to
foreign rule for three centuries. After the fall of the
Tang dynasty, which had ruled the whole country from six
hundred eighteen to nine hundred seven, this immense empire fell
to commanders of provinces and was cut up into ten states,
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coexistent and separate in Testin wars. The result of this
parceling favored the rise of a new power in Northern Asia.
The Khitans, who formed a part of the Manchu stock,
held that country from the Sungare southward as far as
the present shan Hai Kwan, and from the Shing'an range
on the west to Korea. These people had for a
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long time been vassals of Tartar khans and next of
Chinese emperors. They were divided into eight tribes, each with
its own chif for Manager. Abaki, the head of the
Shiliu tribe which owned the district known at the present
as Perrin, gained supreme power in nine o seven and
used the whole full strength of the Catans to subdue
Northern Asia. In nine sixteen, he proclaimed himself sovereign, and
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when he died ten years later, his dominion extended eastward
to the Ocean and westward to the Golden Mountains or
to the Altai. Tikoen, the son of this first Kitten ruler,
by giving the aid of his arms to a rebel
chieftain in China, secured victory and a throne for him.
In return for such service, the newly made emperor, who
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fixed his residence or capital at the present chaifong Fu
on the south bank of the hong Ho or Yellow River,
ceedd sixteen districts to Tiko and in peich Lie Shahan,
a Sai, and Liaotang, engaging also to furnish three hundred
thousand pieces of silk as his annual tribute. The new
Chinese emperor took the position of vassal to the Kitten
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and termed himself his grandson in subject. The successor to
this Chinese ruler sought to modify these conditions, Tikoen made
war on him, conquered all the provinces north of the
hong Ho, seized Pien chifong Fu, captured the emperor, and
sent him to regions north of China. Following Chinese usage
the Kitten took a new name for his dynasty, calling
(02:09):
at Liao, that is Iron. After the fall of the
Tang dynasty, five petty lines followed one another on the
throne of chaifong Fu in the course of five decades.
On the ruins of these dynasties, in nine hundred and sixty,
the House of Sung united nearly all China. This house
made war on the Ktans, but failed to win back
the districts previously ceded to them, and in one thousand four,
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because of hostile action by the Catans, the Sung Emperor,
to gain peace, engaged to pay an annual tribute, both
in silk and silver. The Kitten Empire lasted two centuries
and assumed in its functions Chinese forms, at least externally,
but Chinese methods made it feeble. After strong and warlike
chiefs came weak in timid emperors. At last, a great
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man named the Guta rose among the Juchies, a nomad
people living in the lands between the Amor, the Eastern Ocean,
and the Sungai River. These formed part of the same
Tungus stock as did the Ktans, but they were untouched
as yet by luxury. In eleven fourteen, a Guta gained
a victory over the Katans, and the following year proclaimed
himself Emperor of the Juchies. The new state he called
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Aejin Kuran kin Qui in Chinese that is, Golden Kingdom.
He would not act, he said, like the Katans, who
had taken the name of a metal that is eaten
by rust very easily and ruined. A Guta subdued the
whole Kitten Empire and died in eleven twenty three. Two
years later, his successor seized ye Yo yen Hi, the
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ninth and last emperor of the Kitten dynasty, which had
endured nine years and two centuries. The Sung Emperor had
abetted a Guta and even urged him towards victory, hoping
thus to regain the lands lying between the Yellow Sea
and the Yellow River. The Ktans were crushed in the conflict,
but the new power, the Kin Dynasty, was more dangerous
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for him than the old, as he learned to his
cost very quickly. In eleven twenty five, the Kin Emperor
invaded North China. The year following, he reached the hong
Ho or Yellow River and besieged kaifong Fu, which lies
south of it. The Sun Emperor, who visited the camp
of the invader to find peace there if possible, was
seized and sent to Manchuria with his family. One of
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his brothers, living then in the south, was made sovereign
by the Chinese. The Kins advanced farther, reached the yang
Sei and took lin Nan in the che Kiang province.
They forced the emperor to acknowledge their conquest and promise
a yearly payment of twenty five thousand pieces of silk
with two hundred and fifty thousand ounces of silver, and
to avow himself a vassal. In addition, the rivers Ha'i
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and Han formed the boundary between the two empires, and
now the Qin Empire reached a line almost half way
between the great rivers hong Ho and Yangsei. The Sung
Emperor moved his capital to lin Nan, known as han Chou.
Somewhat later, the Kins took up arms to extend their
new empire still farther southward, but were confronted by failure.
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The war ended in eleven sixty five by a treaty
which retained former boundaries but decreased the Sun tribute the
Southern emperor. Moreover, instead of being a vassal to him
of the North acquired the relation of a nephew to
an uncle. But in twelve o six the Sun Emperor
began a new war, which brought defeat to him. To
restore peace, he was forced now to pay the original tribute.
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About the middle of the twelfth century, the Kins had
chosen the present Peakan as their residents. They called it
chong Tu or the Middle Capital. Lords over one third
of China. They had adopted the customs and laws of
that country. Their dominion extended on the north beyond China
proper to Lake Baikal and the Great Amoor River. The Ktans,
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once masters, had now become subjects to the Kin dynasty.
But in eleven sixty two they revolted. After that they
were by force brought down to obedience. Some years before,
the Kins had had a struggle with the Mongols, which
for the Kins proved disastrous. They ended it by making concessions.
The Mongol chieftain then took the title of Khan, which
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he kept ever after Jing His in beginning a war
against China was really attacking the Northern or Kin dynasty,
which had driven out that of the Katans. Hence, very
naturally he turned for co operation to the Katans. Medaku,
the Kin Emperor, died in November twelve O nine, and
in twelve ten an envoy informed jingh His Khan that
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chong Hai, the eighth of the dynasty, had succeeded Medaku.
The envoy demanded that the vassal as he claimed to
consider Jinghis, should receive the announcement while kneeling in accordance
with the etiquette of China. Who is this new emperor,
asked Jinghis of the envoy. Prince chong Hei. On hearing
the name jing His, spat toward the south, and then added,
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I thought that the son of Heaven must be lofty
and uncommon. But how is this idiot chung Hay to
sit on a throne? And why should I lower myself
in his presence? Then he mounted his steed and rode
away without further word or explanation. He summoned his leaders
at once and said to them, my forefathers suffered very greatly,
as ye know, from Chinese monarchs, and still those same
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monarchs failed to conquer this land of ours. After centuries
of effort, Heaven has granted me victory over every opponent,
and permitted me to mount the highest round of fortune.
If ye act with me faithfully, that same Heaven will
grant a glorious triumph over China. Through this triumph, the
Mongols will win the greatest wealth and magnificence. Their fame
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will never cease among nations. All were delighted, all praised
their conquering ruler. They agreed with him then to send
an envoy to the Altin Khan, Golden Khan, one with
the following message. Of course, it has come to thy
knowledge that we, by heaven favor, have been chosen from
among all the Mongols to hold the reins of empire
and of guidance. The fame of our conquering host has
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gone forth and is spreading. We are planting our banners
over all the Earth's surface, and soon every people and
all nations will submit without delay or hesitation to our
prosperous direction and share in its many benefactions. But should
any rise and resist, their houses, goods, property, and dependence
will be ruined without mercy, praise, and honor to high Heaven.
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Our dominion is so well ordered that we can visit China.
With us will go instruments of every sort and crushing weapons.
With us will march an army which is like a
roaring ocean. We can meet enmity or friendship with the
same tranquil feeling. If the Golden Khan in wisdom selects
the way of friendship and concord and meets us in congress,
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we will secure to him the management of China in
proper form and strong possession. If he cannot come himself,
let him send his honored sons to us as hostages
with treasures. But should he resist, which Heaven forbid, we
must wait for warfare and for slaughter, which will last
till Heaven puts the diadem of victory and power on
the head of him whom it chooses, and puts the
(09:13):
rags of misery and want on him whom it desires
to wear them. On receiving these words such as no
man had ever sent a sovereign in China, Chunghi burst
into a blazing rage and dismissed the envoy with contempt
and with injury. If jinghis has planned war and slaughter
against us, replied he who can prevent him from tempting fortune.
(09:34):
The last word had been uttered, and both sides made
ready now for warfare, directing tigature to guard home lands
from every possible disorder. Jing has moved from the Caroline
in March twelve eleven to subdue the Chinese Empire. But
before he left his native place, he visited a lofty mountain.
On the summit, he loosed his caftain, put his girdle
(09:55):
round his neck, and called high Heaven to help him.
Boundless Heaven said he, I am going to to avenge
the blood of Berkai and Amegay, my uncles, whom the
Altan Khans put to death with infamy and torture. If
thou favor me, send aid from out the lofty places,
but on earth send men to help me. Send also
spirits good and evil. His four sons, Juchi, Jagatai, Ogtai,
(10:18):
and Tului, accompanied the Mongol sovereign. This army of invasion
was held together by the sternest discipline and made up
of mounted men only. The units of this force were
ten one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand warriors. The
orders of the sovereign were given to the chiefs of
ten thousand, and by them to subordinates. Each man had
(10:40):
a strong rawhide armor and helmet. He carried a lance
and a saber, with an axe, a bow, and a quiver.
He was followed by a number of horses which had
no food saved, at which they found as they traveled.
Immense herds of cattle were driven in the rear of
the army. In time of forced marches, each man carried
with him some milk and a small portion of flesh food.
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To reach the Great Wall, the Mongols crossed a space
of about twelve hundred miles, consisting in part of the
desert known as Chaiamo in Chinese and as the Gobi
in Mongol. The first success of the invaders was made
easier by a La kush Tejin of the Yangats, whose
duty it was to guard the Great Wall for the emperor,
but who favored the Mongols in no long time. Tai
(11:22):
toong Fu called also see King an imperial court northwest
of Yen King or chong Tu. The pekin of the
present was invested the Chinese commander King Kien sent Mingen,
a trusted officer, to reconnoiter the Mongols. Mingen deserted and
gave all needed information about places to the enemy, who
attacked Kin Kien and routed his forces. Their mounted men
(11:45):
trampled his infantry and cut it to pieces. The Mongols
pressed on toward the chief Chinese army, which did not
wait to engage them. The success of the invasion was enormous.
Expeditions were made to the walls of chong Tu, the
great northern capital. The terror stricken emperor prepared to flee southward,
but was stopped by his guards, who swore to fight
(12:07):
to the death for their sovereign. During twelve twelve, the
Mongol succeeded at all points and cut up the Kin
armies wherever they met them. Still, Jinghis could not capture
Tai tong Fu, though in August twelve twelve he besieged
it in person, he was wounded in front of the
place by an arrow and withdrew to the north. For
a period. The Mongol invasion of China was aided now
(12:31):
by an insurrection of Katans. At the outbreak of hostilities, Luko,
a prince of the dispossessed Kitten dynasty, an officer serving
in the Kin army, fled and levied men on his
own account. He was ready to add his strength to Jinghis,
when the latter sent Anchinnoyan to conclude an alliance against
the common enemy. The two men ascended Mount Yen to
(12:53):
finish the compact. On the summit they slew a white
stallion and a black bull for their sacrifice. Turning then
to the north, they both held an arrow and broke it.
Loko pledged his faith to Jinghis and an Chin in
the name of his master, swore to uphold the kitten
prince against the kin sovereign. There was need of prompt help,
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since an army sixty thousand in number was marching to
annihilate Luko. Gold and high dignities were promised to him
who should bring the rebel's head to the Emperor. Jinghis
sent three thousand warriors. With these and his own troops,
Leko defeated the Emperor's army and took all its baggage,
which he sent to Jinghis and received. Then a new reinforcement,
(13:37):
Cheat Noyan, was despatched to give aid in winning the
land of the Catans, and he gave it successfully. Master
now among the Catans, who rushed in great crowds to him, Luko,
with the consent of Jinghis, proclaimed himself King of Leao.
In twelve thirteen, Jinghis resumed his activity in China, and
again there was slaughter on all sides. The Mongol armies
(13:59):
swept on till they almost touched the gates of chung Tu,
where bloody scenes were enacted. The year before, Hashaku, the
Kin commander, had been stripped of his office and exiled.
He was placed in command now in spite of protests
from the governor, Taktani and others, Hashaku took command north
of chung Tu, and though the Mongols were near him,
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he passed his time mainly in hunting. Enraged because the
emperor cast blame on this conduct, he took a revenge,
which he had planned since his own reinstatement. He spread
a report that Taktani was rousing rebellion and feigned that
he Hashaku, had been summoned to the city to repress it.
Fearing military opposition, he raised a false alarm to mask
(14:44):
his real object. Horsemen rushed in hot haste to the city,
declaring that Mongols had come to the suburbs. Hashaku sent
for Taktani, the governor, as if to take counsel, and
then with his own hand he slew him. Next, he
replaced the guard of the emperor with his personal followers
and transferred to another edifice. The emperor, who was slain
(15:04):
that same day by a eunuch, Kushaku, wished supreme power
for himself, but saw soon that his plans were impossible.
The throne fell to Yudabu, the late monarch's brother. Chief Noyan,
had returned from the Katans and was marching on the capital.
At that time. Hashaku had a wound in the foot,
so he sent Koki to meet the Mongols and threatened
(15:26):
death should he come back. Defeated, Koki was forced to
retreat on chong Tu after desperate fighting. Fearing death from
his chief, he resolved to anticipate and rushed to seize
his superior and slay him. Hashaku tried to escape, but
fell from his own garden wall while climbing it. Koki's
people seized the man and then cut his head off.
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Koki grasped the head, bore it in hot haste to
the palace and asked for judgment. Immediately, the emperor not
only gave pardon but made Koki chief commander. While the
Mongols were attacking the Qin Empire in the north, Tangut
was attacking on the west, and in twelve thirteen took
king Chiu, a border city. Tangut and China had passed
(16:11):
eighty years in mutual good feeling and friendship. When the
Tangut sovereign attacked by jinghis for the third time asked
aid from the Kin sovereign, but having failed to receive it,
made an agreement twelve ten with the Mongols and severed
relations with China. The empire was weakened by defections so
numerous that Jingis khanformed fifty six brigades of men with
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officers and generals who had passed from the Chinese to
his service. These were joined to his army and now
began an attack on all those lands bounded on the
west and south by the Hong Ho or Yellow River,
and on the east by the Hong High or Yellow Sea,
and forming the provinces of Shahnisai, Pi, Chi Li, and Shantung.
The Mongols sacked ninety flourishing cities, and in all that
(16:54):
rich and great region there were only nine places which
through self defense escaped ruin. The booty was immense in
gold and silk stuffs, in captives male and female, and
in horses and cattle. This great raid took place in
the first months of twelve fourteen. All the Mongol armies
were assembled with their booty in April of that year
(17:15):
at a place some leagues west of chung Tu. Jinghis
would permit no attack on that capital. To the emperor,
he sent two officers with the following message, All places
north of the hong Ho are mine, save chong Tu,
which is all that remains in thy service. Heaven has
brought thee down to this impotence. Were I to harass
thee still further, I should dread Heaven's anger. Wilt thou
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treat my army well and satisfy the generals. Kouki wished
to attack, but the counsels of other men triumphed. Envoys
were sent to the invader, and peace was concluded. Jinghis
received as wife the daughter of chung Hei, the late emperor,
with immense gifts in gold and precious objects. Five hundred youths,
(18:00):
as many maidens, and three thousand horses went forth with
his bride to the conqueror. Peace now concluded with Jinghis,
Yutabu proclaimed complete amnesty to all, but not feeling safe,
he left his heir in chong Tu and set out
for Pien King the present kaifong Fu better known as Nanking,
on the southern bank of the hong Ho. On the way,
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he attempted to deprive the Karakatans in his escort of
the horses and arrows which had been given them. They
revolted immediately chose as leader Ie Coda, and turned then
toward chong Tu. Two leagues from the capital. Koda met
armed resistance, and though victorious, he sent envoys at once
to Jinghis These envoys tendered submission and asked for aid straightway.
(18:45):
The Mongol khan did not hesitate. He sent a division
of Mongols under Sumuka and a division of Jutchies under Mingen,
with orders to join the Karakatans and capture the capital. Mukulai,
the best Mongol leader in China, was sent at the
same time and to strengthen Loko, from whom a Kin
army had retaken the greater part of his kingdom. When
Yudiboo heard of this new Mongol inroad, he summoned his
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son to Nan King immediately. Chong Tu, the capital was
poorly provisioned, the Mongols were near it. Their ferocity was
famous the besieged were in terror. Yudibou hurried forward a
great transport of food under the Ayang with a numerous army.
The Mongols attacked this strong army. Lie Ayanji, who was
(19:30):
drunk when they fell on him, was killed. The battle
was lost, and the transport was seized and swept off
by the victors. At news of this dreadful disaster, the
troops of two other Kin generals dispersed and the men
went home to their families. Connection with the city was broken.
The investment was merciless. Wont came and next famine, with
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hunger so cruel that the dead were devoured and then
living men killed to be eden. Fu singh the governor,
proposed to Chin Chong the commandant, to attack the Mongols
with every force in the city and die arms in hand,
or else conquer Chin Chung had not this view of duty.
Fu singh unwilling to witness the loss of the city
(20:13):
in which he was governor, made ready to die with propriety.
He gave all he had to his servitors, took poison,
and ended his earthly existence. Chin Chung hastened then to
escape before the Mongols could enter the Imperial princesses implored
him to take them from the city and save them,
but not wishing to hamper his flight, Chin Chung asked
(20:35):
some time to prepare for their journey. Once beyond the city, however,
he fled and left those poor princesses to the Mongols.
A great slaughter took place in the capital. The palace
was fired and burned, as is said, a whole month
and even longer. Jing has sent three officers to receive
imperial plunder and give due praise to Mingen for his
(20:57):
siege work. Mingen had hardly captured Chong two when Jinghis
sent Sumuka with ten thousand men to fall on Nanking
and capture the emperor. Sumuka marched up so close to
the city that he was only two leagues from it,
but his troops being few, he was forced to retreat
empty handed. He made a second attempt the year following
(21:17):
and was nearer success without reaching it. Meanwhile, the king
dynasty was approaching its doom and the day of extinction.
In the spring of twelve sixteen, Jinghis, from his home
on the Carolin again sent Sabatai against the brother and
three sons of Tuktabiji. The last Khan of the Merkits, Tugachur,
was to help should the need come. Sabatai met the
(21:39):
Merkits near the Gem River in the Altai and defeated them.
Two sons of Tuktabiji and Kutu his brother, were slain
in the action. The third son, Koltak Khan, a great archer,
was captured and taken to Juchi, eldest son of Jinghis.
When Juchi asked for a proof of his skill, the
young man sent an arrow into a goal and then
(22:00):
split that first arrow with a second one. Juchi begged
his father to spare this Koltuk too, but in vain,
this great archer, the last son of Tuktabiji, had to
die like the others. While the Mongol Khan was in
China by Tulu, who was chief of the Tumats, withdrew
from obedience at command of Jinghis. Borol marched in twelve
(22:23):
seventeen against the Tumats and crushed them, but lost his
own life in the conflict, which was close and very bitter.
Jinghis had asked ad of the Kurgis, but they too
rose against him, and Juchi was sent to reduce this
racalcitron people. He did the work thoroughly before leaving the
upper waters of the Irtish and the Yennise. In twelve fourteen,
(22:44):
Mukulai had been sent, as we remember, to the Catans,
whose country had been greatly overrun by Kin armies. During
the two years which followed this best of all Mongol
leaders won back that whole region by excellent strategy, finesse
and grand fighting. This work was indispensable in the conquest
of China. During twelve seventeen, this great general appeared before
(23:07):
jinghis encamp then on the Tula. Mukulai was rewarded beyond
all other generals up to that day, and after it.
Jinghis praised him in public, lauded his great mental gifts
and his services, called him Quiwuan or prince in the Empire,
and made this title hereditary. He created him lieutenant commanding
in China and gave him a seal made of gold
(23:29):
as a sign of authority. I have conquered the north,
said jinghis subdue, thou the south for me, and he
dismissed him with an army of Mongols and Catans, with
the Juchies or Manchus to help them. In twelve eighteen,
jinghis marched on Tangat for the fourth time and brought
it to obedience. During that year he received the submission
(23:51):
of Korea. Next his activity was turned to a new side,
and soon we shall see the opening scenes in that
mighty movement begun by Jinghis and continued by his descendants,
and still later resumed by his relative, the tremendous to Moore,
that world shaking limper and father of the Mongol rulers
of India. The first place which called the Grand Khan
was Karakathai on the west, then conterminous with his own
(24:14):
growing empire. Karakatai had the following origin. When Kitten rule
in North China was overthrown by the Kins. Yelyyotashi, a
relative of the last Kitten emperor and also his leading commander,
took farewell of his sovereign in eleven twenty three, and
with two hundred men journeyed westward. Governors and chiefs of
tribes in those Chinese provinces through which he passed showed
(24:37):
him homage as a descendant of Apaki, and gave armed
warriors to strengthen him. At the head of these and
his own men, he went farther Bilic prince of the Wigurs,
from whom he asked a passage, went out to receive
him at the boundary with a large gift of sheep,
horses and camels. Bilik gave also as hostages a number
(24:58):
of his sons and grandsons, and recognized the renowned man
as overlord. Ylyyo conquered Koshgar, Yarkend, Khotan, and Turkestan. Turkestan
was at that time under Nahmud Khan, the twentieth prince
of his dynasty, a ruler claiming descent from Aphrasiab so
famous in Persian story. Nahmud was reduced to the possession
(25:19):
of Transoxiana, and as this region too was attacked somewhat
later by Karakatans, he became Yelyyo's vassal. Querism met soon
the same fate as Transoxiana. Yelyyo's troops brought sword and
flame to it, and Atsis, the second prince of the
dynasty of the Kuersmian Shas, obtained peace by paying thirty
thousand gold coins for it. Yearly, when Yaleyo had brought
(25:42):
under his dominion all regions between the Yaxarts and the
Gobi Desert and between the headwaters of the Irtish and
the Pemir Highlands. He took the title of Gurkin of
Karakatai and fixed his chief residence at Bella Sagan on
the next large stream east of the Yaxarts River. In
eleven thirty six, while prepared ring for war against the
Kin sovereigns to win back the empire which they had
(26:03):
snatched from his family, he died, leaving only one son,
then a miner, till eleven forty two. This son was
under the tutelage of his mother. Dying in eleven fifty five.
He left a son, Chiluku, for whom his aunt Pushuin
was regent till eleven sixty seven, when he came to majority.
When the son of the last name and ruler came
(26:24):
in twelve o eight to seek an asylum in Karakathai,
Chiluku was still ruling. He showed the fleeing khan a
kind welcome and gave him his daughter in marriage. Chiluku
was occupied mainly in hunting wild beasts and in seeking
for pleasure. This weakness caused the defection of great vassals,
the Eaty Cut of the Wigurs, the Khan of Transoxiana,
(26:47):
the Quersmian Shah, and now it led his perfidious new
son in law to dethrone him. The name in Khan
had attracted some of Chiluku's commanders, and on collecting the
wreck of his late father's army, he saw himself at
the head of considerable forces. To begin his plot easily,
he begged leave of the Gurkin to assemble the scattered
remnants of the name and army then wandering through northeastern
(27:08):
lands of the Karakidan Empire. These men might be employed,
he said, in Chilucu's service. The weak and kindly old
sovereign consented, gave his daughter's husband rich presence, and confirmed
his title. Gutch Luk or the strong Man. The false
son in law went on his mission from iwill Kaylik
(27:29):
and Bishpulik. Crowds rushed to his standard. He was joined
by the chief of the Merkits, who had fled before
the Mongols. These men began to win wealth by incursions
in every direction. Further hope of booty caused other bands
to follow quickly. Still, gutch Luk could not seize the
empire without an ally, and the empire, or at least
(27:51):
a large part of it, was his object. He turned
to Shah Mohammed, who had withdrawn from subjection to Chiluku
and had received even the homage of ours. The Khan
ruling then over Transoxiana and Samarkand. Gutchluk asked Shah Mohammed
to fall on the empire and seized the western part
For this service. The Shah gave a favorable answer. Meanwhile,
(28:14):
a Kara Kitten army was despatched to Samarkand by Chiluku
to bring Osman back to obedience. Shah Mohammed hastened to
render aid to his vassal, but before his arrival, the
karak Catans were recalled to meet Gutchluk, who had now
opened war on his father in law, the Gurkhin. While
Chiluku's army was absent in Samarkand, Gutchluk seized in us
(28:34):
Can the state treasures and hurried then by forced marches
to surprise Belisagin. Chiluku, though old, took the field promptly
in person and defeated his son in law, who retired
in despair after losing a large force of warriors who
were killed or taken captive. Meanwhile, Shah Mohammad had crossed
the western boundary accompanied by Osman, and met the Kara
(28:56):
Kitten forces commanded by Tinigu. He attacked these and captured
the commander. The defeated troops, while marching home, robbed their
own fellow subjects and plundered without distinction. Belli Sagin, which
preferred Mohammed, would not open its gates to them. Besieged
by the troops of their own sovereign, they fought for
sixteen days, hoping daily to see the Shah's army. The
(29:19):
city was taken by assault and the people were slaughtered.
Fifty seven thousand persons perished under the sword edge. As
Karakidden treasures had vanished, the state treasury was empty. Mahmoud,
by an immensely rich general who feared for his own
wealth and substance, advised the Gurkind to force a restoration
of all that had been seized by gutch Luck and
(29:41):
his followers. The army chiefs, unwilling to yield up their plunder,
were furious on hearing this proposal. Gutch Luck appeared then
on a sudden and seized his father in law, the Gurkin.
Once master of the sovereign's person, he used sovereign authority
so Chiluku, without power himself, retained a vain title till
(30:01):
death took him off. Two years later. In twelve eighteen,
the Mongol Khan marched westward, but sent Cheap Noian in
advance with an army twenty five thousand strong against the
Kara kidden usurper. His enemy, Gutchluk, fled from Koshgar with
a part of his forces. On entering the city, chief
proclaimed freedom of religion to all men. The inhabitants massacred
(30:24):
gutch Luk's warriors, who had been quartered in their houses.
Chiep hurried off in pursuit of the fugitive and never
drew bridle till he had hunted him over the Pamir
and caught him in the Bedakian mountains, where he cut
his head off. When Jingius heard of this, he commanded
Cheap not to be proud of success, for pride had
undone Wang Khan of the Carates and the Taijang of
(30:44):
the Naemans, as well as Gutchluk, and brought ruin to
every recent ruler. This victorious chief, some years later, carried
Mongol arms to Armenia. Across Georgia and a large part
of Russia. He was of the Yisits, a Mongol tribe
which had fought against Jinghis known at that time as
to Mudgen. On a day to Mudjen brought a crushing
(31:05):
defeat on the Yissets. Cheep fled with some others to
the mountains and hid there from death, which he looked
on as certain in case he were captured. One day,
when Tumudgen was out hunting, his beaters enclosed and caught Cheap.
The Khan wished to slay him, but Bourchu, his earliest
comrade and one of his four chosen leaders, begged for
a combat with Cheap. To Mudgen agreed and gave him
(31:28):
a white muzzled horse for the trial. Bourchu shot an
arrow which failed to reach Cheap. Cheap, more adroit than
his enemy, sent a shaft which brought down the horse
under him, and the next instant he rushed away with
lightning speed, reduced to want. Some time later, Chief offered
his service to Tumudgen, the strong victor. To Mudgen knew
(31:49):
the man's worth and accepted his offer. The Khan made
Cheap a chief of ten men to begin with, then
of a hundred, later on of a thousand and at
last of ten thousand warriors. When Chief brought back Gutch
Lucks had he wished to give a recompense for the
white muzzled horse which he killed when Burchu attacked him.
So in Koshgar he collected a thousand white muzzled horses
(32:10):
and brought them to jinghis as a present
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