Dalandai fled back to Hebula's camp with the remaining three or four thousand people. At this time, Hebula's condition seemed to have improved.
Hebule was still very weak, but he was able to sit up today. However, his face was so pale that he didn't look like a living person.
Hebula sat in the Khan's tent with the support of his two concubines, and below him were the leaders of nearby tribes and some of his own ministers.
The Mongol Empire did not have the common etiquette of the Song Dynasty, and no one thought there was anything wrong with Kublai Khan's concubines sitting in the Khan's tent.
The Song people's strict rules of etiquette and gender distinctions simply didn't exist in Mongolia. This wasn't just the case in Mongolia; the same was true in Western Xia and Tubo. Even in Dali, there weren't so many rules of etiquette regarding gender distinctions.
Zhao Huan was very disgusted with these things in the court, and he tried to change them, but his ministers regarded them as a scourge. Zhao Huan once wanted to order the demolition of chastity arches in various places, allow widows to remarry, and even allow women to divorce.
Who knew that as soon as the proposal was brought up during the morning court session, an uproar ensued. Some ministers even beat their chests and stamped their feet, declaring that ethics and moral principles were no longer a thing. Even the likes of Li Gang, Meng Gu and Rao were vehemently opposed.
Because no one in the court supported him, Zhao Huan had to give up in the end. Although Zhao Huan took a series of measures to centralize imperial power, there were still some things that the emperor could not decide.
Moreover, even if Zhao Huan issued an order, no one would dare to obey it. If a widow really remarried among the people, even if the court issued an order to allow it, the people would drown you in spit.
All kinds of dirty words will be sprayed at you, such as shameless, bitch, slut, and there will even be fierce women who will pounce on you and bite you.
As the saying goes, dying of starvation is a bigger crime than losing one's chastity. Feudal patriarchal thinking cannot be changed overnight.
In the Mongol Empire, however, there were no such rules. The two concubines supported Hebule, who seemed to know his time was running out. He coughed softly a few times and said, "Changsheng has been waving to me lately. It seems his time is running out. I have sent Darantai to negotiate with the Song army. I hope he will live up to my high expectations. As for the throne after me, what are your thoughts?"
The tribal leaders heard this and whispered to each other. The ministers also discussed it with each other. Someone stood up and said, "May Changsheng bless the Khan with good health. The Khan will recover."
Hebule didn't want to listen to this nonsense anymore. He waved his hand and said, "That's not the point. I'm talking about the succession to the Khanate. Do you have any good suggestions?"
So everyone began to offer their suggestions. Some advocated that Hebula's eldest son should inherit, some advocated that the second prince, the third prince, the fourth prince, and so on.
Everyone was wondering which of Hebula's sons would be qualified for the position, but after much debate, no one could come to a conclusion.
Hebule started coughing heavily again. When the coughing gradually subsided, he said in a deep voice: "Everyone, there is no need to argue anymore. My country, Menggu, does not choose the Khan based on who is my son. Menggu selects people with both virtue and ability, who can manage Menggu well. They can make the tribes live in harmony and can be selfless and fair among all tribes. None of my seven sons is suitable for this Khan position. There is no need to discuss this matter anymore. I want you to choose people who are calm and wise, who can shoulder the burden of Menggu."
Everyone looked at each other, undecided. Someone tentatively asked, "Does the Khan have a suitable candidate in mind?"
"My cousin Ambahai from the Taichiwu tribe is a humble and steady person. I think he is a suitable candidate." Hebule said lightly.
Everyone was even more surprised. The leader of the Tau tribe stepped forward and asked, "Respected Khan, An Bahai is indeed good, but he is from the Taichiwu tribe after all. Would you consider choosing someone from your own tribe?"
"That's right, Khan. Dalandai has followed you for many years. He is deeply trusted by you and is good at fighting. Dalandai is more suitable." Someone suggested.
But someone immediately objected: "Dalantai is a general of our Mongol Empire, but he is narrow-minded and only favors his own tribe. He doesn't take people from other tribes seriously at all."
As soon as this statement was made, it was immediately agreed by people from other tribes. They all had the same idea that Dalandai would definitely not look down on their own tribe after he came to power.
Hebule nodded and said, "Dalantai can't make decisions on major issues. He is not suitable."
In fact, Kublai Khan had a far-sighted vision. He also thought that after his death, he would find someone who could be close to the Song Dynasty to succeed him. Chang Dalantai and the Song Dynasty were irreconcilable. After his death, he would definitely fight a decisive battle with the Song Dynasty, and then the Mongolian Kingdom would definitely be annexed by the Song Dynasty.
Anbahai opposed the enmity with the Song people from the very beginning. He advocated peaceful coexistence with the Song and vigorously opening up the trading post to save the two countries from the suffering of war.
At first, Hebula was also very angry, but now he thought that Ambaghai's policy was correct, so he became more determined to make Ambaghai the Khan of the Mongol Empire.
"There is no need to discuss this matter anymore. I have decided to appoint Ambaghai as the heir to the throne. After I go to see Changsheng, you all need to assist Ambaghai so that the people of our Menggu Kingdom can enjoy peace." Hebule stood up with the help of two concubines.
After a while of discussion, most of the tribal leaders agreed that Anbahai should succeed him. Firstly, Anbahai was a humble and honest person, and at least he wouldn't pose a threat to his tribes after ascending the throne. Secondly, the Great Khan had already made up his mind, so they took this opportunity to quickly support him. Once Anbahai ascended the throne, they would also be credited with supporting him.
Everyone was basically certain and was waiting for Hebule to issue an edict to the grassland. Unexpectedly, there was a commotion outside the tent, and a man shouted sadly: "Khan, I am back!"
Everyone heard the voice and it was Darantai. They saw Darantai stumbling into the sweat tent covered in blood.
Everyone was shocked, and Hebule's eyes widened in astonishment. Dalantai fell to his knees and cried, "Great Khan, we were ambushed by the Song army at Maoerpo. Only about 3,000 of our army escaped today. The rest of the soldiers died in the battle at Maoerpo."
"What!" Everyone was shocked, and the tribal leaders were all stunned. They looked at the blood-soaked Dalanta in horror. Everyone had the same thought in their mind: the Mongol Empire was over.
Hebule's eyes widened and widened, staring at Darantai, shaking all over and unable to utter a word.
Darantai burst into tears: "I deserve to die. I regret not listening to the Khan's advice. I thought I had discovered the Song army's vital food and fodder area, but I didn't know it was an ambush set by the cunning Song Rao. I led my men to fight desperately to break out, but the army, the army is only left with more than 3,000 people."
With a "Puff!" sound, Hebule spurted out a mouthful of blood and could no longer hold on. Although supported by two concubines, his body still slumped over.
"Great Khan!" Everyone rushed forward in shock.
That night, Great Khan Kublai died in his tent on the grassland.
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