Usurping the Mongols: My Father-in-Law is Genghis Khan

"So, it's the swift-footed Altana! Good! Speak!" Temujin looked at Altana with a smile.

Temujin was very familiar with those at the rank of chiliarch.

Altana was a Tatar.

Back then, Temujin and Wang Han's allied forces, together with the Jin Dynasty, attacked the Tatars, the long-time enemies of the Mongols.

In that battle, Zhao Shuo, only eleven years old but with the physique of an adult, used a scimitar to behead the famous Tatar warrior, Khutughu.

Temujin was overjoyed and not only bestowed Khutughu's valuable gold-lacquered armor upon him but also appointed him as a decurion.

Zhao Shuo's subordinates were selected from the surrendered Tatars.

At that time, Altana, only thirteen years old, kowtowed repeatedly to Zhao Shuo, offering his allegiance.

Because there were also conflicts within the tribe!

Khutughu saw that Altana's mother was beautiful and a widow, so he forcibly took her.

In principle, this was not a deep-seated hatred; women were a valuable reproductive resource on the grasslands, and widows generally remarried. Moreover, Khutughu was a famous warrior among the Tatars.

However, this Khutughu was too tyrannical and, on a whim, strangled Altana's mother to death.

This completely forged an irreconcilable hatred with Altana.

Altana was truly talented, with excellent horsemanship, and quickly earned the reputation of "the swift-footed Altana."

Moreover, this person had considerable military talent, possessing both wisdom and courage, excelling in raids, ambushes, and concealment, capable of standing alone.

Initially, in the battle of Helan Zhensha Tuo, the Mongols were defeated.

After Zhao Shuo rescued Hasar in the Black Pine Forest, he still couldn't escape Wang Han's encirclement.

Therefore, he had Altana lead two hundred warriors, making a great show of escaping to the west.

Zhao Shuo himself led the main force to hide in the Ortu Gorge, three miles away.

Although Altana didn't make it to the subsequent battle of Zhe Zheyun Du, those two hundred men brought back more than one hundred and thirty people.

Temujin thought to himself that even if he were in the same situation, he might not be able to do it, and he became even more appreciative of Altana.

Altana said, "In my humble opinion, the reason we were able to win this battle is, first of all, of course, due to the Great Khan's good fortune, with the strength of the Eternal Sky assisting us. The Great Khan personally acting as the vanguard greatly boosted our army's morale. Secondly, it was unexpected, taking the initiative to attack the Naiman people, preventing Tayang Khan from gathering more troops. Then, there was Zhao Shuo's Black Cavalry, taking advantage of Tayang Khan's retreat and the wavering morale of the Naiman army, taking the initiative to attack, beheading Tayang Khan and capturing Jamukha, laying the foundation for victory in one fell swoop. Of course, the soldiers fighting desperately, Tayang Khan being an incompetent person, and Jamukha's verbal attacks were also factors in the victory of this battle."

Temujin nodded and said, "A very good summary, anything else?"

"Yes! I would also like to talk about the hidden worries of this battle. Tayang Khan set up a camp on the mountain and took the initiative to attack, which led to this decisive battle. What if Tayang Khan hadn't come down the mountain? It would probably not have been so easy for us to actively attack his stronghold."

"Actually, it's not that difficult." Bo'er Shu, who was beside him, took the initiative to speak, saying in a deep voice, "I've already asked, the Naiman people gathered in a hurry, and there wasn't much cattle, sheep, and grain stored in the mountain stronghold. If the Naiman people don't dare to fight, we can starve them to death."

Temujin shook his head slightly and said, "That's not how it should be said. This post-war summary should not be limited to the actual situation. What if the Naiman people hadn't taken the initiative to fight, and there were a lot of reserves in the mountain stronghold? What would we do? In the future, the enemies we encounter may not be as stupid as Tayang Khan. Sieges are ultimately our Mongolians' biggest weakness!"

Altana said, "Khan is wise, what I want to say is this. In the future, if we encounter enemies who have sufficient reserves and refuse to come out, what should we do?"

"What do you say?"

"I only have one solution for the time being. The Black Cavalry under the command of the consort has strong combat power and can draw heavy bows and fire heavy arrows. We can use the Black Cavalry's archery to suppress the defending soldiers, and the rest can take the opportunity to attack."

Temujin was not satisfied with this answer and shook his head, saying, "How many people are there in the Black Cavalry? Even if they are brave, can they suppress the defending soldiers? Zhao Shuo, what do you think?"

Zhao Shuo thought for a moment and said, "We can build siege equipment, and we can also take measures such as fire attacks, floods, digging tunnels, and setting up internal agents, adapting to the circumstances."

"Listen! Bo'ershu, you listen! I just said that Zhao Shuo is our number one Mongolian wise man, right? How about it? Am I right? No matter how difficult the problem is, it's not a difficult problem in Zhao Shuo's hands, ha ha!"

Temujin was very satisfied with Zhao Shuo's answer.

In fact, the methods Zhao Shuo just mentioned were only the beginning.

The current Mongolians are like a strong man with only brute force, and their minds are not yet open.

Later, the Mongolians conquered more places and became enlightened.

What persuading surrender, what inducing surrender, what driving civilians to attack cities, what throwing the clothes of smallpox patients into the city, what transporting the oriental divine arm crossbow to the west to break the strong cities of the west, what using the western trebuchet technology to break the strong cities of the east… They played all kinds of tricks.

Temujin was very happy and said, "In the future, if there are siege battles, let Zhao Shuo demonstrate a few battles first, and then make a summary of this battle and promote it to the entire army."

The newest and most complete novels are on Liu Jiu Shu Ba!

"Understood."

The opportunity for a siege battle soon arrived.

A month later, Temujin received news that Tuohei Tuo'a was leading the remnants of the Merkit clan and had set up a stronghold on Mount Taihe Le, five hundred miles away.

"Zhao Shuo, there is no one in the world worse than the Merkits. They are good at using large bows and long arrows, and they not only like to plunder people from other tribes as slaves, but also like to kill people from other tribes and then eat their flesh."

"My wife, Börte, was once taken away by them. My adoptive father, Wang Han, was also once taken as a slave to pound rice."

"You take your men and attack the stronghold on Mount Taihe Le. Remember, you must not only break through the stronghold, but also kill my enemies. If they escape, you will start chasing them. Tuohei Tuo'a and his four sons, Khudu, Chilaowen, Mazhar, and Khule Tugan Mer, none of them can live, you bring back their heads!"

Temujin ordered Zhao Shuo, his face gloomy, his eyes flashing with thorough hatred for the Merkits.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Shuo took the order and left.

Five thousand men marched quickly all the way, and after eight days, they had arrived at the foot of Mount Taihe Le.

… …

… …

At the top of Mount Taihe Le, in the Merkit camp.

"That hateful Zhao Shuo!"

Bang!

Tuohei Tuo'a roared and heavily punched the wooden table in front of him, saying, "Wang Han was killed by him, Tayang Khan was also killed by him, and he also captured Gur Khan Jamukha. Now Buyilu, that coward, is afraid and dares not take us in, letting us fend for ourselves. I didn't expect that he… he even came to our door!"