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Post by blg on Aug 9, 2006 5:24:33 GMT 3
A new book "The Secret History of Mongols and its translation into foreign languages" has been published
HELLO, EVERYBODY! AT LAST I MANAGED TO POST THE PICTURE OF THAT BOOK. ANYWAY, I WON'T ANNOY YOU WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BOOK. 
YOU CAN JUST READ THE FOREWORD OF THAT BOOK. 
Foreword
We, Mongolians, are very proud of our philologists who have been translating not only from Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan languages but have also been translating their own intellectual cultural heritages into foreign languages.
On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongolian Empire, some famous Mongolian researchers have prepared the summary text of the “The Secret History of Mongols” placed in every Mongolian family and the Government building.
“The Secret History of Mongols” has magically been attracting an attention of researchers and scientists’ of all time since it was written. The research and translation works of “The Secret History of Mongols” from historic, ethnographic, philological aspects have been continuing and proved that “The Secret History of Mongols” is and inexhaustible intellectual source and heritage for research and it has been expanded into independent “The Secret History of Mongols” area of study. It is translated into more than 20 languages of the world such as Bulgarian, Buryat, Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Kalmuck, Kazakh, Korean, Magyar, Marati, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tuvinian, Turkish and Vietnamese languages.
It is good that Mongolians begged and accomplished difficult task to translate “The Secret History of Mongols” into foreign languages.
I hope that these collected articles will make its own contribution to the study of “The Secret History of Mongols”, the comparative study of its translations, and the activities of the International Congress of Mongolists to be held on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongolian Empire.
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Post by Bor Chono on Aug 14, 2006 13:22:15 GMT 3
Why it is called "A secret!?" (My opinion & things that I heard ;D) 1st : In Old time real story of famouse ppl(=in old time famouse/celebrity was like "Living God", fans=worshipers. Now besides worshiping, fans try to touch the celebrity -things has changed a lot! ) always been a secret. Big example is : Historians found old writing that claim Jesus had wife & kissed her a lot (-every adult Jew must have a wife it is a tradition) -God can`t marry & kiss a mortal women!. (However Cristian Church tryed to destroy all such documents.) So was, the real life of The Heavenly Khaan was a secret for non-ruling class=lower class ppl. For ruling class any information was useful -at least Manchu rules thought so (every detail of their privet life is recorded as history). I think SHoM made The Great Khaan more popular -without this old records Chinese could say/claim anything about The Great Khaan -I mean Chinese could keep this document/record="History of Mongols" as "Secret" document, it is better for Chinese that few stupid Mongols didn`t knew about their leader well(=This book could give them some "Pride") -I think there were many documents that started with word "Secret" in Chinese kings palace. Surely the story is told by a person who knows the way of life in steppes. -So U can understand SHoM as HoM. 2nd : Well...SHoM is a strange story! Strangest part is Temujin`s childhood. Some Mongol wiseness(=Historians) think that young children can`t remember their childhood so clearly like in SHoM -they must be too busy to find food. Ofcouse, children of Ulun or Ulun herself told about their childhood. But it seems like someone 3rd person saw these events & talking. Someone always had connection with her family & knew where they are living & warned about coming danger. Children & she would not speak about "Pulling out her brest & feeding her children"(=privet info) -it can be not true, maybe it is added later. If it is true! imagine who would see Queen feeding her children from it`s brest -some servent women or male Lover?. Ulun adopted many children during Temujin`s compaign to unite Mongols. Some think that she gave birth, not adopt them because traditionaly(Mongols were very sensitive with family & blood thing) it was hard to become member of SUCH Noble Family -they say ppl are forgeting about real life=human biology -Mongols not the type ppl who would end their life alone =be royal to one person forever. They say The Great Khaan knew this stepfather & allowed his mother to live with him.(The guy was the Secret!) 3rd : Any ideas!?  |
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blg
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Post by blg on Sept 8, 2006 7:14:45 GMT 3
HELLO, EVERYBODY! AT LAST I MANAGED TO POST THE PICTURE OF THAT BOOK. ANYWAY, I WON'T ANNOY YOU WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BOOK.
YOU CAN JUST READ THE FOREWORD OF THAT BOOK.
Foreword
We, Mongolians, are very proud of our philologists who have been translating not only from Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan languages but have also been translating their own intellectual cultural heritages into foreign languages.
On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongolian Empire, some famous Mongolian researchers have prepared the summary text of the “The Secret History of Mongols” placed in every Mongolian family and the Government building.
“The Secret History of Mongols” has magically been attracting an attention of researchers and scientists’ of all time since it was written. The research and translation works of “The Secret History of Mongols” from historic, ethnographic, philological aspects have been continuing and proved that “The Secret History of Mongols” is and inexhaustible intellectual source and heritage for research and it has been expanded into independent “The Secret History of Mongols” area of study. It is translated into more than 20 languages of the world such as Bulgarian, Buryat, Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Kalmuck, Kazakh, Korean, Magyar, Marati, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tuvinian, Turkish and Vietnamese languages.
It is good that Mongolians begged and accomplished difficult task to translate “The Secret History of Mongols” into foreign languages.
I hope that these collected articles will make its own contribution to the study of “The Secret History of Mongols”, the comparative study of its translations, and the activities of the International Congress of Mongolists to be held on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongolian Empire.
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Post by Saran on Nov 22, 2006 15:03:56 GMT 3
Here's a simplified brief translation of the Secret History of the Mongols. It's done not nicely, very brief, but still OK ;D.
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1. Borte Chono¹ is the ancestor of the Great Chinggis Khaan and the Mongolian people. Borte Chono's wife was Gua Maral¹. They lived beside the Onon river by the Burkhan Khaldun mountain. Twenty two generations from Borte Chono, Chinggis Khaan was born.
2. One of the Chinggis Khaan's ancestors, Alun Gua (Beautiful Alun), was a clever woman. She had five children, but they used to fight among them-selves. One day Alun Gua sat them down and gave each one an arrow. She told them to break the arrows. They snapped them easily. But when she gave them five arrows in a bundle, not one of them could break them. Their mother said: If you each stand alone, you will be easily overcome, just like the single arrows. But if you stand together and are friends you will be able to overcome.
3. One of Alun Gua's son was Bodonchar. One day Bodonchar said to his brothers, "There is aimag where people are unfriendly and do not respect their elders; let's invade it!" Thereupon they captured this aimag.
4. Chinggis Khaan's father was Yesukhei Baatar (Hero Yesukhei); his mother Oelun Ekh (Mother Oelun). The boy Temujin, born to Oelun Ekh at Deluun Boldog on the Onon river (1162), was much later to become famous as the great Chinggis Khaan². Temujin was born clutching in his right hand a blood clot as big as an anklebone. Temujin had three younger brothers called Khasar, Khachiun and Temuge Otchigin and a younger sister called Temulen.
5. When Temujin was nine years old Yesukhei Baatar arranged his betrothal³ to the daughter of Dei Setsen (Wise Dei) of Olkhunud aimag. This girl was called Borte. At that time she was ten years old.
6. As he was travelling home from arranging the betrothal, Yesukhei came upon a wedding feast in Tataar aimag. Because he was thirsty, he stopped at the feast. However, the people of Tataar, having a long-standing feud with his people, put poison in his food. After three days journey he reached his home and died.
7. Because of Yesukhei's death, the people of Taichuud aimag and Oelun's friends and brothers, moved away, leaving Oelun along with her children. Oelun, left along, managed to bring up her children, feeding them on fish and wild vegetables. When the children grew up, they loved and cared for their mother.
8. And so Oelun's children grew up. However, the people of Taichuud aimag who had deserted Oelun kidnapped Temujin. Temujin escaped and came to the home of a man called Sorkhon Shar. Sorkhon Shar helped Temujin, hiding him for one night before giving him home the next day.
9. After a long journey, Temujin was reunited with his mother, brothers and sister. One day bandits stole eight bay horses from them. Temujin pursuing the bandits by following their tracks, came upon a young man called Boorchi. Boorchi, saying that it was too difficult for Temujin to go alone, left his work and went with him. The two of them, having found the bandits, snatched back the horses and returned. From this time on, Temujin and Boorchi became inseparable friends.
10. From this time Temujin began to unite his father's country. He fetched Borte, to whom he had been betrothed. Then he sent a messenger to call his friend Boorchi. After this day they all met with the Khan of Khereid aimag, Tooril, an old friend of Yesukhei. Tooril Khan promised to help unite the country.
11. One day an invasion force came from Three Mergids Aimag. While they were still a long way off, Khuagchin emgen (Granny Huagchin), the servant of Oelun Ekh, heard them coming and told the people. Everyone escaped, except Borte who was captured. Temujin was not captured because he hid in the muddy, dense forest.
12. Temujin, Khasar and Belgutei went to Tooril Khan and said, "Three Mergids have kidnapped my wife. Please, help us!" Tooril, remembering his promise, decided to help them. Then he sent a message to Temujin's old friend Jamukha. After this day all invaded Three Mergids together, found Borte and brought her back.
13. Because Temujin was so grateful for Jamuha's help, they become sworn friends, exchanging horses and belts. They had already performed this ceremony twice before because they had been friends from childhood. On those occasions they had exchanged first anklebones, then bows and arrow. However, Jamukha dreamt that he alone was Khaan, and so he parted from Temujin.
14. After this many aimags, clans and soldiers were united with Temujin, because he led his soldiers well and was an astute commander. At this time a man called Khorchi foretold that Temujin would become a Khaan in the future. Not only this, but also even the followers of the powerful commander Jamukha began to follow Temujin.
15. Among the aimag chiefs who followed Temujin, Altan, Khuchar and Sasha Bekhi were relatively powerful and influential. After discussion with others, they elevated Temujin to the position of Khaan, naming him Chinggis Khaan. Having become Khaan, Temujin appointed generals, herders, cooks, guides etc. When Tooril Khan heard that Temujin had become Khaan, he agreed that it was the right decision.
16. When he heard that Temujin had become Chinggis Khaan, Jamukha became angry. Just at that time Jamukha's younger brother Taichar was killed trying to steal horses of one of Chinggis' warrior. Jamukha then became more and more angry and attacked Chinggis Khaan to avenge his brother. Chinggis Khaan met and fought with him, but was beaten. Zeeren Gorge on the Onon river. When Jamukha returned from there, he boiled many people from Chinggis Khaan's side in a cauldron.
17. Although Jamukha had won this battle, many clans and aimags left him and and were united to Chinggis Khaan. Chinggis Khaan was pleased at this and held a Naadam (Celebration) with Jurkhin aimag, which was led by Sasha Bekhi. In this Naadam the leaders were Buribokh (Wrestler Buri), a powerful wrestler, from the Jurkhin side, and Belgutei from Chinggis Khaan's side. But the two of them fell out and Buribokh cut Belgutei's shoulder with his sword. When Chinggis Khaan heard of this he was angry and beat the Jurkhin.
18. At that time the Chinese Altan Khan was at war with the Tataar. Because Chinggis Khaan's father was poisened by the Tataar, he thought that it was right to unite with Altan Khan to exterminate them. Therefore he sent a message to Tooril Khan and Sasha Bekhi: "Let's fight them together". Tooril Khan came with his army but Sasha Bekhi did not. Chinggis Khaan and Tooril Khan fought against the Tataar together and overcame them.
19. Altan Khan was so grateful that they had overcome his enemy that he bestowed on Chinggis Khaan the title of Powerful King and on Tooril the title of Wan Khan. from that time Tooril was known as Wan Khan. in the place where Tataar were hiding Chinggis Khaan found a small boy who had been left behind and brought him to Oelun Ekh. Oelun Ekh had five children and took him as her sixth. She named him Shikhikhutag and took care of him.
20. While Chinggis Khaan was fighting the Tataar. Jurkhin Aimag attacked and raided his family, killing ten people. When Chinggis Khaan learned of this he was extremely angry and fought and beat the Jurkhin at Deluun Boldog. Their leader Sasha Bekhi ran away but was captured and killed. In this way the very powerful aimag of Jurkhin came under the power of Chinggis Khaan.
21. One day Chinggis Khaan said that Buribokh and Bilgutei should wrestle. Buribokh was very powerful, and could beat Bilgutei even with one hand. But because he was afraid of Chinggis Khaan he deliberately lost. Bilgutei seizing the moment, and having Buribokh in hand snapped his spine. This is how the powerful wrestler Buribokh lost his life.
22. After this, in the year of Rooster (1201) the Tataar, Saljiud, Mergid and Taichuud aimags united, and elevated Jamukha to be Gur Khaan 5 . Then they moved to attack Chinggis Khaan. When Chinggis Khaan learned of this he told Wan Khan and they prepared their armies. In this way a very great war broke out. At last Chinggis Khaan won and Jamukha to Ergune Khun, and Chinggis Khaan pursued the Taichuud to the Onon River.
23. When Chinggis Khaan came to the Onon River the Taichuud were waiting to fight. The battle went on all day until night. In the fighting Chinggis Khaan's neck was wounded and he was stranded on the other side of enemy. Only Zelme was with him. Zelme sucked out the clotted blood with his mouth and Chinggis Khaan recovered consciousness. Because he had lost a lot of blood, Chinggis Khaan was thirsty. Zelme took off his clothes and went naked through the enemy to get yogurt. At daybreak Chinggis Khaan revived.
24. The next day the Taichuud soldiers fled, but the civilians remained. Sorkhon Shar, who had helped Chinggis Khaan was also there. Chinggis Khaan asked the Taichuud "Who shot my horse in the neck7 yesterday?". One man bravely said: "I shot it. Kill me if you want to". Chinggis Khaan said: "You are my enemy but you are an honest man. You shot my horse in the neck with an arrowhead, so I will call you Zev (arrowhead)". And he made him a commander.
25. The slave Shireet, together with his two sons, Alag and Naia, captured Targudai, the Taichuud chief to him they belonged and took him to Chinggis Khaan. But on the way, Alag and Naia said: "Maybe it is wrong to hand over our own chief. Chinggis Khaan will not believe that poor citizens have attacked their Khaan," and let him go. When they told Chinggis Khaan the truth he said "Targudai is my enemy but what you did was good. You must be loyal to your lord".
26. In the year of the Dog (1202) Chinggis Khaan made a law before one battle: "After victory looting is forbidden". But in that battle Altan, Khuchar and Daridai broke the law and snatched many things. Chinggis Khaan confiscated all their loot.
27. After this Chinggis Khaan and Wan Khan invaded Mergid Aimag. Then they went to do battle with Naiman. One night, while they were preparing for the next day's battle, Wan Khan took his soldiers and went his own way, without telling Chinggis Khaan. When he learned of this the next morning Chinggis Khaan also, instead of fighting, went in another direction. The Naiman ambushed Wan Khan from the rear, capturing all his people and possessions.
28. Then Wan Khan sent a messenger to Chinggis Khan to say "The Naiman has captured all my people and possessions. Please get them back for me". Chinggis Khan sent soldiers to that place. Wan Khan's son Sengum's horse was struck by an arrow. Just as he was about to be captured, Chinggis Khaan's four Khuleg Warriors8 Zev, Subedei, Zelme and Khubilai came to the rescue. Then, having defeated the Naiman, they handed over Wan Khan's people and possessions to him.
29. Wan Khan was very grateful for Chinggis Khaan's help, and they went through the ceremony of "Sworn father and son5". He called Chinggis Khaan his second son, an older brother of his only son Sengum. In order to cement the relationship, Chinggis Khaan thought he would marry his son Zuchi to Sengum's sister, and Sengum's son to his daughter. But Sengum was a proud man refused to allow his sister's marriage. because of this Chinggis Khaan and Sengum no longer liked each other.
30. When Jamukha learned of their for their dislike for each other, he said to Altan, Khuchir and Sengum "Let's capture Chinggis". Sengum agreed and told his father, Wan Khan. But wan Khan said: "Temujin is a good man. Don't believe Jamukha's lie". Sengum was angry and went away.
31. Sengum discussed it with the others. They agreed that they would pretend to give Sengum’s sister to Zuchi to make Chinggis Khaan come, and then capture him. He then invited Chinggis Khaan to his home. On the way to Sengum’s home Chinggis Khaan spent a night with Menlig Etseg9. He advised him: “ Before, he refused to give his sister in marriage. It is very suspicious that he now invites you himself. Don’t go!” Chinggis Khaan accepted his word and did not go. Because Chinggis did not come, Sengum and the others decided to go and catch him early the next day. Two horsemen heard this and sent word to Chinggis Khaan.
32. That evening, Chinggis went away, leaving his things behind, Jamukha and Wan Khan pursued him to attack. Wan Khan said that he would hot command his troops himself, putting Jamukha in charge. From this Jamukha realized that Wan Khan was not a good commander. Then there was a great battle. Chinggis had very few soldiers in this battle. The two sides were engaged until evening and spent the night there. The next day Chinggis waited for his enemies, but they had gone.
33. Chinggis Khaan went in pursuit of his enemies. On he way he invaded Khongirad Aimag; meeting no opposition, he did not lay a hand on anyone. Then he sent messengers from there to Wan Khan. “My father! Why did you attack me? First my father saved your life, then I saved it twice and we became as father and son. Please give me the reason for your attacking me!” When Wan Khan heard this he felt very guilty. Cutting his little finger, he sent some of his blood to Chinggis.
34. Chinggis Khaan also sent messengers to Jamukha, Altan, and Khuchar to ask why they had changed sides. After this Chinggis Khaan heard that the Khereid, who were led by Wan Khan, were engrossed in a feast. Going by night, he surrounded and attacked him. After fighting for three days and three nights the Khereid surrendered. But Wan Khan and Sengum were not there. Khadag Baatar had let them escape, doing battle himself. Because he had defended his Khan well, Chinggis Khaan spared Khadag Baatar’s life.
35. While Wan Khan and Sengum were fleeing they met a watchman from Naiman. He said “I am Wan Khan” but the watchman did not believe him and killed him. Sengum’s slave Khukhuchu, leaving his master in the uninhabited desert, went to join Chinggis Khaan. Because he had abandoned his master, Chinggis thought him untrustworthy and executed him.
36. At that time (1204) Tayan Khaan of Naiman was preparing to attack the Mongols. When Chinggis Khaan heard of this he did not wait but decided to attack first. But the Mongols were fewer than the Naiman; moreover, many Mongol aimags, led by Jamukha, sided with the Naiman. Therefore, on the night of the attack, Chinggis Khaan, ordered each soldier to light five fires. Tayan Khaan, seeing the fires from a far, thought they were many and took fright.
37. The next day there was a great battle at the place called Nakhu Gun. The Mongols were the fewer, but they won, thanks to Chinggis Khaan’s fine leadership. Also Chinggis’s four Khuleg wariors, Zev, Khubilai, Zelme and Subedei and his brothers Khasar and Temuge Otchigin fought bravely and cleverly. In this way, Tayan Khan and the Naiman having been overcome, Jamukha separated himself from them.
38. After this Chinggis Khaan fought and beat Togtoa Bekhi of Three Mergids Aimag. When he captured the whole of Mergids in this way, one of the leaders, Dair Usun, surrendered without a fight. He gave his daughter Khulan to Chinggis Khaan. Chinggis Khaan took her to be queen. Earlier, when Chinggis Khaan had invaded the Tataar, he had taken their leaders’ two daughters, Yesui and Yesugen as queens. You already know that Borte Ujin was his main queen.
39. After Naiman and Mergid Aimags had been captured, the soldiers who had fled joined Jamukha. Chiinggis Khaan sent his most trustworthy commander, Subedei, after them. Subedei reduced the Naiman and Mergid to ashes. But Jamukha’s companions seized him and brought him to Chinggis Khaan. Because Chinggis Khaan hated dishonest and untrustworthy people, he executed those men who had brought Jamukha to him.
40. Chinggis Khaan said “We were good friends. You helped me a great deal. Now let’s make it up”. Jamukha replied, “Yes, we were good friends, but because of my ill-will I as not able to be a good friend to you. God bless you. Now please kill me, but let not my blood flow10” . Chinggis Khaan carried out his wish, killing him bloodlessly and burying him.
41. Thus in the year of the Tiger (1206) the unification of the Mongolian Nation was completed. Raising up the white nine-legged standard11 , Chinggis Khaan was proclaimed Supreme Khaan. When Chinggis Khaan had united Mongolia, he organized the country, appointing chiefs of thousands and of aimags, He was a man who never forgot those who had helped him, and he conferred awards and titles on Boorchi, Zelme, Mukhulai 12 , Menlig Etseg, Shikhikhutag, Khorchi and Jorchidai who had been good friends during the difficult times.
42. In this way Chinggis Khaan rewarded all his friends, Sorkhon Shar, Borokhul13 , Naia and the others, with titles, not forgetting anyone. After appointing leaders of all the essential civil service offices, he organized the army in minute detail. He classified the military units, “Khishigten, Khevtuul, Torgud, and Khorchin14” each with its own special function. Because Chinggis Khaan did all this with a clear mind the country became powerful and tightly-knit.
43. Menlig Etseg of Khonkhotan Aimag had seven sons. The middle son was called Tev Tenger. He and his brothers beat Chinggis Khaan’s younger brother, Khasar. Khasar told Chinggis Khaan about this but, he busy with weighty matters, paid no attention. Upset by this, Khasar went away and did not return for three days.
44. At this time Tev Tenger came to Chinggis Khaan and convinced him of the lie that Khasar planned to seize the kingdom. In a rage, Chinggis Khaan went to catch Khasar. When Oelun Ekh heard of this she mounted a camel and rode through the night to find that Chinggis Khaan had tied up Khasar’s hands and was interrogating him. Angrily Oelun Ekh showed them her breast, scolding them “You both suckled at this breast, didn’t you? How can you now become enemies?”. Chinggis Khaan, afraid of his mother, became friends with Khasar again.
45. Tev Tenger took citizens belonging to Chinggis Khaan’s brother Otchigin, beating his messenger and making Otchigin kneel before him. Otchigin went to Chinggis Khaan’s ger and told him about this, weeping. When Borte Ujin heard this she said, “Before they beat Khasar, now they have made Otchigin kneel before them. If they treat your brothers like this while you are alive, what will happen when you are dead?” And so Chinggis Khaan condemned Tev Tenger and subdued the Khonkhotan.
46. In the year of the Sheep (1211) Chinggis Khaan began to invade China. Having taken several nearby cities, he sent Zev there. When Zev came to attack the port of Tsavchaal the enemy were defending it from inside the fortifications. It was difficult to fight there. Mongolians excelled in fighting on the plain, Zev pulled back his soldiers as if in retreat, and when the Chinese came out of their stronghold to pursue them, suddenly turned in attack and annihilated them.
47. Later Zev attacked the town of Dun Chan. He was again unable to invade directly. Zev’s soldiers went back to a place six days’ march away, then returned at a gallop with pairs of horses. The people of Dun Chan were off their guard, thinking that the Mongolians were far away. However, with the horses’ speed, they covered the six days’ march in one night and overcame the unprepared citizens of Dun Chan.
48. At this time Chinggis Khaan had overpowered the Chinese and besieged the capital. The Chinese Altan Khan, knowing that he was beaten, gave his daughter to Chinggis Khaan and money and goods to the soldiers’ chiefs and surrendered. Having agreed to friendly relations, Chinggis Khaan left for Tangud. The Tangud’s Khan Burkhan, also gave his daughter as a princess and surrendered to Chinggis Khaan, promising to help him in the event of war.
49. In the year of the Dog (1214) Altan Khan executed many of Chinggis Khaan’s messengers, and so he went to war with the Chinese again. When he came to the port of Dun Chan, the mountains were covered with Chinese soldiers. But with Chinggis Khaan’s soldiers attacking from the south and Tului Chigu’s from the other two sides, they smashed the Chinese. Going on from here, he captured most of the cities of China.
50. Chinggis Khaan had four sons: Zuchi, Tsagaadai, Ogodei, and Tului. Before one battle, Queen Yesui said, “If you die, which of your four sons will be your successor?” Chinggis Khaan replied “None of my brothers, sons or friends has ever said that. What Queen Yesui has reminded me of is very important.” Because he was the eldest, he asked Zuchi to tell him what he thought. But his second son Tsagaadai grew and angry and argued that Zuchi would not become Khaan. At this time Khukhuchos advised them that they should not be against one another. Thus the two of them bestowed the title of Khaan on their third brother Ogodei and agreed to help him.
51. Mongolia became such a big empire that its border reached Sartuul (Turkestan) in Central Asia. Intending to establish friendly relations with Sartuul, Chinggis Khaan sent a hundred messengers. But the Sartuul’s reckless Khaan killed all the messengers. To kill messengers is barbaric. Chinggis Khaan flew into a rage at this and decided to go to war with Sartuul.
52. Before Chinggis Khaan went to war he sent messengers to Burkhan Khan of the Tangud saying “Be my right-hand man”. But, forgetting his previous promise, he did not join Chinggis Khaan. In the year of the Rabbit (1219) the Mongolians attacked Sartuul. He sent Zev in the front rank with Subedei behind. Chinggis Khaan finished the capture of Sartuul after seven years of fighting. In these seven years Chinggis Khaan’s sons and generals captured Baghdad, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Volga, the Urals and Bukhar.
53. In the year of the Dog (1226) Chinggis Khaan went to war with Tangud. Hunting wild khulan on the way, he fell from his horse and was seriously injured. All of his chiefs and generals discussed it, and having come to agreement, said to Chinggis Khaan, “Let’s go back now, and do battle when the Khaan has recovered”. But he replied, “The Tangud will think we are going back because we are afraid,” and although he was feverish he attacked Tangud.
54. In this way he reduced the Tangud nation to ashes and executed Burkhan Khan, who had not kept his promise. He gave the Tangud citizens to Boorchi and Mukhulai. After this, in the Year of the Pig (1227), Chinggis Khaan passed away.
55. In the year of the Rat (1228) Chinggis Khaan’s sons and the chiefs of the Myangan and Tumen15 met at Kherlen Khuduu Aral and raised Ogodei to the rank of Khaan. When Ogodei had become Khaan, first of all he finished the invasion of the countries that Chinggis Khaan had not managed to occupy. At that time Subedei was waging war in the West. Because there was much resistance in the countries of that region, they decided to send the oldest grandchildren of Chinggis Khaan to help him in the rear. And so Zuchi’s oldest son Bat, Tsagaadai’s oldest son Buri, Ogodei’s son Guyug, and Tului’s son Monkh went to the West with soldiers.
56. In the year of the Rabbit (1231) Ogodei Khaan went to finish the invasion of China, which his Father had not succeeded in occupying. Before Chinggis Khaan died he said, “Make Ogodei Khaan. Tului, stay close your brother and remind him in case he forgets.” Accordingly, Tului stayed with Ogodei and during the war with China he gave up his own life for him.
57. Bat was Zuchi’s oldest son. Zuchi was Chinggis Khaan’s oldest son. Therefore the sons of Tsagaadai, Ogodei and Tului sould have respected him, but Guyug and Buri would not be subject to him and insulted him. When Ogodei Khaan learned of this he became very angry and scolded Guyug although he was his own son. If they were not united, the Mongolian nation would easily be scattered.
58. After Ogodei had become Khaan he considered the things he had done and decided that four of them were good and four bad. The four good ones were:
1. He had occupied China.
2. He had created a staging post system to send messengers and mail around the country.
3. He had dug wells where there was no water.
4. He had placed a governor over each city.
59. Ogodei’s four bad things were:
1. He had drunk heavily.
2. He had brought back women from among his uncle Otchigin’s citizens.
3. He had killed Dogolkhu because he had believed one man’s lie.
4. He had hurt his brothers’ feelings by building walls and fences to stop the animals in his counry from straying into their countries.
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