Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 49: Subuchi's Triumph, Mutton Hotpot

Temujin, Zhao Shuo and Hu Nan discussed the target of the next foreign expedition.

"Now that the grasslands are pacified, our Mongolian military targets are nothing more than four places: the Jin Kingdom, the Xia Kingdom, the Liao Kingdom, and the people living in the forests on the edge of the grasslands."

At this point, Temujin paused, chuckled, and said, "I heard that the Naiman prince, Qu Chulug, was lucky enough to escape to the Liao Kingdom. He was favored by the Liao queen and was taken in as her son-in-law."

Zhao Shuo certainly knew what Qu Chuli did after he fled to Western Liao. This guy later usurped the throne of Western Liao and angered his good father-in-law to death.

Zhao Shuo asked, "Father Khan's intention is to attack the Liao Kingdom first and eradicate it completely?"

"That's not the case," Genghis Khan said. "According to Shijihutuhu's intelligence, the Liao Kingdom was once quite powerful. However, the current Liao Khan, Zhilugu, is a foolish and incompetent man who can no longer control the situation.

The three vassal states of the Liao Dynasty—the Karakhanid Empire in the east, the Samarkand Empire in the west, and the Khwarezmian Empire—are all ready to make a move. I'm afraid the Liao Dynasty won't last much longer even if we don't attack it, so it's completely unnecessary to worry about.

So, I want to discuss with you, Ah Shuo, which one should we attack first, the people in the forest, the Xia Kingdom, or the Jin Kingdom? "

Zhao Shuo thought for a moment and said, "The language and customs of the people in the forest and grasslands are quite similar, so they are the easiest to deal with. Father Khan can send a general to conquer them now."

Temujin said, "Then let's send Jochi! He's my eldest son, and it's time for him to try leading an independent army. What happens next?"

"Xia Country." Zhao Shuo said lightly.

"why?"

Zhao Shuo said, "Xia State said that they hope we will use military force against Jin State, but who knows if it is true or not?
Moreover, the Xia Kingdom had already submitted to the Jin Kingdom. What if, when we attacked the Jin Kingdom, the Xia Kingdom took advantage of the opportunity to attack us? Our population is small, so it is difficult to fight on two fronts.

Therefore, we can only feel at ease if we first defeat the Western Xia and scare them completely so that they dare not make any small moves when the Mongols invade the Jin Dynasty.

"Also, the Xia Kingdom is much weaker than the Jin Kingdom. By attacking the Xia Kingdom, we can not only plunder gold, silver, treasures, cattle, sheep, and slaves to strengthen our own strength, but also gain some siege experience to prepare for future attacks on the Jin Kingdom. It can be said to be the best of both worlds."

"Okay, let's do it!" Temujin agreed with Zhao Shuo's opinion without hesitation.

Hu Nan had no objection to this. Zhao Shuo's analysis had taken all angles into consideration and was indeed the most appropriate strategic policy for the Mongol Empire at present. He agreed with it from the bottom of his heart.

Temujin patted the golden throne, his narrow eyes gleaming with light, and he said majestically and heroically, "Then send Jochi to conquer the people in the forest first. After pacifying the people in the forest, we will then attack the Xia Kingdom!"

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

"Ashuo!"

A large group of Mongolian cavalry gathered on the grassland like a dark cloud.

A tall general with a broad face and long eyebrows, wearing maroon iron armor, rode a group of maroon horses, leading the way and galloping towards them with the whip in his hand.

This person was none other than Temujin's eldest son, Zhao Shuo's sworn brother, Jochi.

When Subutai returned from the expedition to subjugate the people in the forest, he immediately gave Zhao Shuo a big hug when he saw the couple Zhao Shuo and Hua Zheng.

As always, Zhao Shuo was the person Jochi felt closest to in this world. After returning victorious from his expedition against the forest people, he didn't head straight for the royal court, but took a short detour to the Hulunbuir grasslands. His affection for Zhao Shuo was so intense that even Hua Zheng felt a bit jealous.

"What's wrong? Subuchi, you only miss your good Anda, but not your own sister?" Hua Zheng joked.

"How can that be possible? I want it so much!" Subutai, who was as cold as ice on the battlefield, could only scratch his head with a wry smile when faced with his own sister's teasing.

Zhao Shuo smiled and said, "Come with us to my camp. I'll treat you to a fresh meal today to celebrate your triumphant return."

"Okay!" What Zhao Shuo invited Subuchi to eat was actually hot pot.

In China, hot pot has already had its prototype.

During the Warring States Period, people used large cauldrons to cook food. People would gather around the cauldron, adding beef, mutton, and other foods to the cauldron until cooked and shared. The "gulp" sound made when the ingredients were added to the boiling water led to the name "gulp soup."

In the Han Dynasty, a frying and shabu-shabu method similar to hot pot appeared.

It became even more amazing in the Tang Dynasty, when hot pot became popular. The "small red clay stove" was a vivid portrayal of people eating hot pot around the stove at that time.

Hot pot developed further in the Song Dynasty, and spicy hot pot began to appear. However, there was no chili pepper at that time, but ginger, pepper, mustard or spicy vegetables were used to extract the spiciness.

But in Mongolia, hot pot is a very novel way of eating.

"How do you eat hot pot?" Subuchi asked curiously.

“Put the ingredients in, boil the water and you’re ready to eat.”

As she spoke, Hua Zheng had already thrown a large plate of sliced ​​mutton into the hot pot.

Then, he put three plates of sauce on them and placed them in front of Subuchi.

One dish was made of wild leek flowers, one was made of dogwood, and the other was made of a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and garlic.

"Mm, delicious, really delicious."

The mutton is most delicious when eaten right after it is cooked, and the rich aroma of the sauce creates the most perfect taste.

Shuchi dipped the food in leek flowers, cornus officinalis, and mixed oil, and was very busy.

After a long while, he burped and said, "How can such delicious food be served without wine?"

"Isn't it right next to you?" Hua Zheng poured a cup for Shuchi herself and said, "We have a lot of good wines in our winery now. Big brother, try this Shaodaozi!"

"Mm! That's really exciting!"

Subutai loves excitement the most, and this Shaodaozi is really to his taste.

He drank three cups in a row, and drank too quickly. He soon felt a little drunk and dizzy. He put his arms around Zhao Shuo's neck and said, "Ashuo Anda, I, Jochi, have never been submissive to anyone in my life, but I am submissive to you!
Not only because you're a grassland warrior, but also because you've invented so many new things. So, what do you think? In the past six months, you've invented more than just hot pot, right? What other good things do you have? Hurry and show them to me."

Zhao Shuo drank a glass of kumis and said, "There is indeed a good thing, but it was not invented by me, but by a craftsman named Sun Wei under my command."

"Are the things invented by your men yours? Show them to me."

"Alright."

Zhao Shuo ordered, "Come here! Bring the tendon and feather armor from my tent and show it to Subuchi Anda."

"Yes!" The little maid serving in the tent agreed softly.

Shuchi was a little worried and said, "Let's change someone else. Can you lift such a beautiful little girl?"

"Don't worry, this tendon and feather armor is very light."

Sure enough, when Subutai took this strange armor in his hand, he found that it was very light, weighing only about eight or nine pounds.

(End of this chapter)