In Bianjing, Zhao Huan sat securely in the Dragon Pavilion. The harem was a scene of harmonious beauty, with all the concubines gathered together. Zhao Huan looked at his children and felt a surge of joy in his heart.
He was never a good emperor, nor did he do a good job as one. Although the road was full of ups and downs, the Song Dynasty today has destroyed the Jin Dynasty, recovered the Western Xia, and the Korean and Dali dynasties. Tubo dared not act recklessly, and Mongolia was reporting frequent victories.
The most powerful one was the Minister of Revenue Duan Rong. The national treasury was not depleted by years of war and could at least hold on.
The death of Hebule was a further blow to the already shaky Mongol Empire. Furthermore, Dalandai had completely annihilated the main force of the empire at Maoerpo, and now there were differences within the court.
According to the customs of the Mongol Empire, Kublai Khan was not buried after his death, but was dragged to the grassland to be eaten by wild wolves and vultures. It was believed that this way he could see immortality after his death.
Hebule did not want to be buried with the deceased. As it was a turbulent time, his funeral was hastily concluded. His funeral was arranged by Darantai.
Inside the Khan's tent, Dalan's face remained expressionless, while all the generals were immersed in grief. From Zheng's tent, the sobbing of Kubula's concubines could be heard. The already troubled Dalantai heard this, only to become even more enraged. "These women, their wailing is so annoying. Since they miss the Khan so much, let them be buried with us."
Not many people objected. It was an ancient practice for concubines to be buried with the emperor after his death, and Darantai himself did not think there was anything wrong with it.
So the soldiers did as they were told. Kublai had thirteen concubines. Except for three concubines who gave birth to seven sons for him and were exempted from being buried alive with him, the other ten concubines were captured by the soldiers.
The concubines, who were originally still in grief, immediately screamed like pigs being slaughtered when they heard that they were going to be buried alive.
While these concubines were genuinely sad, they didn't necessarily harbor feelings for Kublai Khan. Most of them simply thought that with the Khan's death, their days of wealth and glory were over. They would either be banished to the cold palace or become nuns, or, if they were lucky, marry a prince or a minister.
There are not so many rules in the Mongol Empire. Except for the Khan's wife, the Khan's women can freely choose to marry after his death.
But at this moment, Darantai actually ordered them to be buried alive with him, and they immediately screamed in fear.
Some people were buried alive, some were given a cup of poisoned wine, and some were simply buried alive, the tragic death was horrifying.
After Kublai's remains were sent to the grassland and returned to the earth, his bones still had to be collected and buried. So these unfortunate concubines were buried alive with him. Fortunately, those who had children were able to escape the disaster.
They were all scared to death because they were afraid that the concubines who followed the Khan would not leave any children.
Fortunately, someone stood up at this time, An Bahai.
As the designated successor to the Khan throne by Kublai Khan, he was escorted from his tribe to the Khan's tent.
Upon hearing the news that Hebule's concubines would be buried alive with him, Anbahai immediately objected: "Burying concubines alive with him is against ethics. Since the Great Khan has issued a will to keep things simple, I think it is better to forgo burials alive with the emperor."
Dalantai sneered: "It is a blessing for these people to let them be buried alive. They can continue to serve Kublai Khan in the afterlife. What's wrong with that?"
At that time, people paid the most attention to the afterlife, and many people believed that the afterlife was actually the same. This is why many emperors built tombs on a large scale. They just wanted to enjoy the same wealth and glory as the gods or the gods.
Anbahai sneered: "General Dalantai is right. If that's the case, and you are so loyal to Kublai Khan, everyone on the grassland knows it. Since you are also so loyal, why don't you go with me?"
Anbahai is ruthless enough, giving him a taste of his own medicine. Isn't it a good thing for you, Darantai, to have these concubines buried alive with him? You can go down to the underworld and serve the Khan. Your loyalty to the Khan is well known to all, so why not join him in the underworld?
Dalantai was furious: "Anbahai, who do you think you are? Where were you when I followed the Khan to conquer China? How can you, a son who has accomplished nothing, inherit the Khan's throne?"
"Dalandai, the Great Khan has already left a will that Ambaghai will inherit the throne. How dare you oppose it!" the leader of the Tau tribe said angrily.
Daranta realized that he had spoken out of turn, and stopped talking, but he was still filled with indignation and anger in his heart.
An Bahai looked at him and said, "Dalantai, you are Kubula Khan's trusted general. The Khan ordered you to assist me. There must be a reason for that. Right now, our Mongol Empire is on the verge of collapse. Our only way out is to seek peace with the Song Dynasty."
Upon hearing the request for peace, Darandai immediately flew into a rage: "What! Seeking peace with the Song people? That's a dream! As long as I, Darandai, am alive, I will be irreconcilable with the Song Dynasty!"
Everyone shook their heads in silence. Although Ambahai had been appointed Khan by will, the military command of the Mongol Empire still lay in the hands of Dalandai. The Song army had already crossed the Ula River, leaving less than a third of the Mongol Empire. If Dalandai continued to fight, he would risk the entire country.
Hebula's funeral was finally settled, and Ambaghai inherited the throne with the support of the leaders of various tribes.
The first thing Anbahai did when he came to power was to write a letter to the Song Dynasty, expressing his willingness to submit and become a vassal state of the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Huan of Bianjing received An Bahai's letter and hesitated for a moment. "My dear ministers, I have been buried in Hebule, and An Bahai has inherited the Khanship. An Bahai is devoted to establishing friendly relations with the Song Dynasty and hopes to stop the war. What are your opinions?"
The ministers were divided into two camps. Although the Mongol Empire was no longer a threat at the moment, they still continued to attack it like Emperor Wu of Han to prevent future troubles.
The other faction advocated for a pacification treaty, whereby the lands occupied by the Song Dynasty would not be returned to the Mongol Empire. At the same time, the Mongol Empire would be divided into territories, and the imperial court would not interfere with the Mongol tribal leaders who were willing to continue to submit to Anbahai.
If some tribes in the Mongol Empire were unwilling to rely on the Mongol Empire and were willing to surrender to the Song Dynasty, the Song court would give them generous care, such as supporting daily necessities and trade goods.
After careful consideration, Zhao Huan decided to implement the second plan and was willing to accept An Bahai's surrender, on the condition that the Song Dynasty would not return the lands of Western Xia, the Northeast, and the occupied grassland tribes.
In addition, if any tribe in the Mongols is willing to surrender to the Song Dynasty, Anbahai shall not stop it.
An Bahai remained silent after receiving the reply, but Dalantai jumped up and said, "Don't trust the Song people. The Song court rewards anyone who surrenders with one hundred thousand taels of silver. If that's the case, who on the entire grassland would be willing to submit to us? I'm afraid these tribal leaders would have already fled to the Song side."
Dalandai was right. After Kublai Khan's death, the Mongol Empire was only unified in form, with all the tribes jointly nominating Ambaghai to inherit the throne.
These tribes were already at odds with each other, and while Hebule was still around, they could still keep them in check. Now, they were already restless, and following Anbahai offered them no benefit. They could even receive 100,000 taels of silver by surrendering to the Song Dynasty, but that was a farce.
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