Genghis Khan. Reproduction of Yuan Dynasty portrait / Wikimedia Commons
Is it conceivable to leave those people who raised their hand against their natural khan alive? And who needs the friendship of such people?
Since ancient times, the Tatars have been the murderers of our grandfathers and fathers.
In the space of seven years, I have succeeded in accomplishing a great work and uniting the whole world in one empire. I do not have distinguished qualities myself, but the Jin have an inconstant government; I received help from the Heavens and I have reached the throne. In the south, the Suns, in the north, the Hui He, in the east, the Xia, in the west, the barbarians, all have recognized my authority. Such a kingdom has not yet existed since our ancient times.
If, from jealousy, the toothed serpent of slander stirs us up against each other, let us not believe the slander. Let us believe what we hear only when we meet and explain ourselves. If the fanged serpent of malice stirs us up against each other, let us not be angry, but believe things only when we talk to each other.
O people, know that you have committed great sins, and that the great ones among you have committed these sins. If you ask me what proof I have for these words, I say them because I am the punishment of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent retribution like me upon you.
If the nobles, knights, and warlords in the service of the children of the khans who are my heirs do not firmly observe the Yasa, then the state’s cause will receive a blow and be interrupted. Once again, they will look for a Chinggis Khan, but they will not find him.
Genghis Khan and his army enter the fortress. Medieval miniature / Alamy
Be considerate of the long journey ahead; spare the warriors their horses while they are not yet exhausted. Spare your travel supplies before they come out. It is too late to spare the horses when they have become unusable. It is too late to spare supplies when they have run out. On your journey, you will meet a lot of beasts. In the future, do not drive service people onto animal raids. Let the game go only to increase and improve people’s food supplies. Do not hunt without measure and time. Other than for timely raids, do not force those from the military to put tail harnesses on their horses. Let them ride without bridling their horses. Otherwise, how will they be able to ride? Having given the necessary orders, punish transgressors with flogging. As for those who violate our commands, those who are known to us, send them to us, and those who are unknown to us, subject them to justice on the spot. Advance as if only the river separates us. But do not think differently and especially, as if you were separated by mountain ranges (as if you were far beyond). Ensure that you have all the same thoughts, avoiding conflicting perspectives.
Eradicate theft, destroy deception in all parts of the state. Execute those who have received a death sentence and administer punishment or fines to those who have been so sentenced.
I am afraid and ashamed of a mother's anger.
Mongols should not give their khans and nobility many exalted names or titles as other nations, especially those who follow Islam. To the name of the one who sits on the throne, they should add one name: khan or kaan. And his brothers, sisters, and relatives should call him by the name given at his birth.
There is equality. When each person works as much as the other, there is no difference. No attention is paid to wealth or importance.
Had you arrived opposing your Khan, Tarhutai Kiriltukh, you would have become servants who rebelled against their Khan. And I would order you and your whole family to be beheaded. You couldn't take your khan's life, and you did the right thing!
When suppressing the enemy, there is no time to stop for loot. When we exterminate [our enemies], then the loot will be ours too.
Any horse, being well fed and running well, can be called good if it runs in the same way while being half-weight and thin. But you can't call a horse that runs well in only one of these three states good.
Good husbands can be recognized by good wives. If the wife is foolish and stupid, without reason and order, her husband’s foolishness will be visible through her too.
The Heavens have rejected China for its excessive pride and luxury. I, on the other hand, living in the northern steppes, have no lecherous tendencies in me; I like simplicity and the purity of morals; I reject luxury and follow moderation; I have one dress, one food; I wear the same rags and eat the same things as the cows and horse shepherds; I look upon my people as children; I take care of the talented ones as brothers; we agree in our endeavors, we have had mutual love for a long time; in teaching about the tümens, I am ahead of others; in military battles, I don't think about the rear.
Genghis Khan. Sketch of a theatrical costume / Alamy
My title is great, the duties important, and I am afraid that something is missing in my rule. At the same time, my people are building a vessel and preparing oars so that we can cross the rivers; Similarly, wise men are being invited and helpers are being chosen to calm the universe. Since my succession to the throne, I have been diligently engaged in the affairs of government, but I have not yet seen worthy people to occupy the ranks of three huns and nine qings.
References
1. Rashid al-Din. Collection of Chronicles. History of the Mongols. Composition by Rashid al-Din. Ch. I–VI. SPb.: Type. IAN, 1858–1888.
2. Desert of Tartari / Compilation and preparation of the publication by A.I. Kurkchi – M.: DI-DIK, 1993. — S. 280—378. (Code of Bibliotheca Gumilevica. Series of almanacs II. ‘Arabesques of History’. Issue. 2.).
3. The Secret Legend. A Mongolian chronicle of 1240 called Mongrol-un Niruca tobciyan. Yuan Chao Bi Shi. Mongolian Ordinary Izbornik. M-L. 1941
4. Tarikh-i Jahangushay (History of the World Conqueror) by Ala-ad-Din Ata-Malik Juvaini (ca. 1252-1260), trans. J.A. Boyle, Cambridge, 1958.