These nomadic peoples had perfected the arts of swordplay, archery, and the horsemanship. They were tireless in the saddle and could survive on morsels of food and sheer drops of water while on the move. They knew how to kill and how to avoid death from the hand of the enemy. Living at the expense of the others and often serving as mercenaries for anyone who could pay was the preferred way of life for the Mongolian tribes. Martial arts became the most significant part of their existence. They also proved to be innovative managers that thought to improve the “status quo” through better management and economic reforms. That is hard to believe, but it was a fact. With an eye on expanding their sphere of influence, in 1206, they elected a leader, the Great Khan, for the combined forces. His name was Temujin — the Genghis Khan (the Universe ruler). Under the leadership of Genghis Khan, Mongols rapidly proceeded to conquer large regions of Asia and later, Europe. The Empire they carved out enveloped the whole of Central Asia from China to Persia and stretched as far west as the Mediterranean and India. We can find traces of the Mongol warriors and the Mongol Empire almost throughout the entire world known at the time. This Mongol Empire was maintained after the death of Genghis with the western section of the empire divided into three chief lordships falling to various of his descendants as lesser Khans. The eastern part of the Empire was remaining under the rule of the Great Khan, a title which was inherited by Ogedei Khan. Ogedei completed the conquest of China subduing the Song Dynasty in the South of the country and established the Yuan Dynasty.
Ogedei Khan was the third son of Genghis Khan, and he was perfect for maintaining the bloodline of the Great Khan. He was the ruthless Mongolian leader destined to conquer China, making it the most important and one of the largest parts of the Mongolian Empire. And, at the same time, he was the Chinese Emperor caring about China and its interests, and that is where the Mongolian bloodline stopped. Chinese Empire was not the part of the Mongolian Empire any longer, but the Mongolian Empire became a part of the Chinese Empire, and Ogedei Khan ruled it all. He was the Emperor of both empires. It was a controversial situation where Mongols had the upper hand but could not play it because of the Great Khan. The Great Khan wanted to play it differently and who could argue with him but only his own blood. Like always, that’s where the danger lied. Being blood-related was not always good. It could be dangerous if not fatal. Relatives were powerful, and the close relatives could be outright hazardous. All close relations Ogedei Khan removed from himself and the court as far as possible giving them some districts to manage on the semi-autonomous basis. For as long as the close relatives could maintain peace in the kingdom and paid taxes, they were left alone. Some of them even were celebrated as trusted friends. Some were even moved up and rewarded. Peace was promoted and celebrated, but the disobedience or suspicion in plotting a revolt could quickly end up in punishment, death and not only of the violator of the rules but his entire family, friends, and even the slaves. That was quite customary at the time and the place. Well, that was quite customary just about everywhere. A well devised and spread out gossip placed in the right ear could end the lives of dozens of people, maybe solving some problems of the gossiper. That could be the idea. There could be many ideas rolled into one gossip. Many called it diplomacy. Some called it lies. The goal was to start something that should benefit you but stay away from the consequences so, no one would figure out that it was you who started it. You did not want that to come back to you and to hunt you. The longer Emperor lived, the thinner and thinner Genghis’s bloodline was becoming. Fewer and fewer people could claim the direct descend from the Great Khan, and that was the link to the throne. It was not safe. Now, Ogedei Khan could rule safely and forever without possible claims and challenges from the closest relatives. His, Ogedei’s, descendants were destined to rule the greatest empire of the time, the Chinese Empire. In Ogedei’s mind, nothing could change that, not even death. But, it did not last for long. After Ogedei’s death, the blood relatives killed each other faster than ever in the “sharing of inheritance” spree. The Genghis blood rapidly became the deadly curse, the poison. And it worked fast. The Chinese had waited the killing spree out for as long as it was necessary and took the throne over. The throne was safely back. After all, China was for the Chinese, and the Chinese liked it that way. The new dynasty was in the making, but the Mongols had no part in it any longer. They were the outsiders now and had to stay out. Still, they were the most formidable power in the region, and that had to be considered. The Chinese had to be conscious not to provoke the Mongols, and that did not take much, just a little spark could become a tornado of fire. They knew what the Mongols could do if anyone crossed them. They had seen it. So, the vision of loyal friendship was officially maintained until China was strong enough or the Mongols were sufficiently weak to play it differently. That could take time but the time they had.
Out of all Ogedei’s close and far relatives and friends of the Mongolian descent, Batu Khan was the most important one. Well, he definitely became one. He unquestionably stood out in a crowd of shallow but ruthless and ambitious people surrounding the Emperor. Being Genghis Khan’s grandson and Ogedei’s nephew, Batu was one of very few showing the strength of the Great Khan while not being threatening to the others. It was like he gave one hundred percent to anyone he met, and then, you start losing the points. And, so many did, but some managed to stay true. He was friendly to anyone but the ones that went against the Empire. The small squabbles did not trouble him at all. Everyone knew that Batu would rather kill the plotters regardless of who they were than to join the plot. He seemed to be that loyal and not too many questioned that. Was it the loyalty to Ogedei Khan?
Maybe, but everyone was convinced that Batu believed in the Empire and was dedicated to keeping it secure. He thought that the Empire was the most important things for the Mongols and was ready to do whatever it took to upkeep it. That was the survival of the nation and the prosperous future for them all. Batu thought that the revolts and the plots could not accomplish more than a direct discussion among the cousins and uncles would and they always weakened the powers in charge. This was not acceptable by any standard and, therefore, Batu Khan was continually on the side of Ogedei. The power in charge should stay in charge or be removed if there was a cause superior to the Empire. Although he was never hesitant of discussing the issues in question with the court yet, when the decision was reached and finalized, he would support it for one hundred percent. He thought it was only right. Thus, it was his obligation. That’s what the true Mongol should do, and especially, if you were of the royal blood. Small in stature but very strong-willed, he always commanded respect not too many did. Many thought that, if Ogedei Khan died, Batu would become the next Great Khan. That was his destiny. Maybe it was written in the skies, and the holy people supported that notion. They knew he would keep the Empire together, making it even more powerful. Everyone wanted that. That was the Great Khan’s way. The old-timers, the ones that knew and fought with the Great Khan, often joked that, if Genghis Khan lived, he would choose Batu to be the Khan. Some said it was the Kumis talking, but some believed it wholeheartedly. They liked the young man that reminded the old Khan so much but seemed to be more tolerant and more thoughtful somehow. Maybe he was better educated. Genghis was not educated at all and mostly relied on his experiences and natural brightness. Batu had all that and more. He was educated.