Chapter 64 The clash of the two giants

The name of the country "Khwarazmo" is a literal translation from "Yuan Shi" today. The Mongolians call it "Saertaul", which means foreign businessmen. The reason is very simple. In the eyes of the Mongols, Khwarazmo They are all business experts.Whenever the people of Khwarazmo talked about the difficulties of their ancestors in founding the country, they would shed tears of excitement. Khwarazmo was originally an ancient country in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River in the Western Regions. Because it was small and weak, it only focused on commerce and not military power in troubled times, so it was often known as a slave of a powerful neighboring country.After being a slave of other countries for several centuries, when the Seljuk Empire ruled, even God couldn't stand it anymore, so Khwarazimo created a man named Nash Dejin.After being a slave of the king of the Seljuk Empire for more than ten years, he won the appreciation of his master with his military exploits, so he was named the highest military and political officer of Khwarazmo. He became the first genuine king of Khwarazmo, and also The founder of the Khwarazm Empire.

The future of Khwarazmi is bright, because the Seljuk Empire is declining and it is no longer possible to exercise effective control over him.But God played with him again, and the powerful Xiliao Kingdom began to rampage in the Western Regions, demanding Khwarazimo to surrender.The descendants of Nash Dijin were furious. In 1124, Khwarazmo fought against Xiliao, and the result was a disastrous defeat. They had to admit the fact that Xiliao was its master. At the end of the 11th century, Nasir Dijin’s fifth-generation grandson, Teqishi, showed great power, destroyed the Seljuk Empire, and expanded his territory to western Persia. In 1200, Teqishi’s son Mahama succeeded to the throne. The first and last hero in the history of Khwarazmo, his own brilliance is even more famous in history because he became an opponent with Genghis Khan.

Mahamo was a madman of expansion. In just a few years of his accession to the throne, he tripled the territory of the empire.At this time, he was so powerful that he was already qualified to discuss the issue of independence with Xi Liao. In 1209, the Western Liao Kingdom sent envoys to Khwarazmo to collect high tribute as usual. Mahamo warmly received the envoys and entertained his enemies with special foods from the countries he conquered.The envoy of Xiliao immediately discovered this blatant hint, so he took out the airs of the old imperial envoy and roared at Mahamo.This is what Mahamo was waiting for. He ordered the envoys to be killed and thrown into the Amu Darya River, and ordered to attack the border of Xiliao.

At that time, the Western Liao Kingdom was already dead, and Mahamo's attack immediately achieved results. In 1212, the Western Liao Kingdom was replaced by Qu Chulu, and Mahamo successfully completed the independence of the Khwarazmo Empire. He re-entered his empire on the battlefield, expanded the territory, and developed the Khwarazmo Empire within a few years. Into a powerful empire, in the whole of Central Asia and West Asia, it seems that there is no country that can compete with it.Satisfied with his ambitions, Mahamo suddenly turned his gaze to the far east. In the east, Genghis Khan, who performed miracles almost at the same time, had conquered the Kingdom of Jin.Before Genghis Khan conquered the Kingdom of Jin, Mahamo made an astonishing plan to conquer the Kingdom of Jin, but when his plan was only halfway drawn, news came that the Kingdom of Jin was conquered by a Mongol, which made him feel sad.He didn't believe that there was anyone stronger than him in the world. In order to find out the truth, in the spring of 1215, he sent a spy mission to the central capital of the Jin Kingdom that had just been occupied by Genghis Khan.

Genghis Khan's understanding of Khwarazmo is much deeper than Mahamo's understanding of the Mongolian Kingdom.Over the years, Genghis Khan has been inquiring about Western news through Western businessmen, and he was deeply impressed by the prosperity of Khwarazmo.In his opinion, if he can establish a friendly relationship with this business empire, his Great Mongol Kingdom will benefit a lot. So he warmly received the mission near Beijing. The head of the mission boasted to Genghis Khan for a while about their king Mahamo. Genghis Khan did not brag about himself, but let the mission visit the central capital.During this visit with several Mongolians acting as tour guides, the people of Khwarazm were strongly shocked.In their eyes, Zhongdu City has become a hell on earth. There are corpses and wheelbarrows transporting corpses everywhere. The fireworks that can be seen everywhere are burning this world-famous city.While visiting, the people of Khwarazm covered their nostrils with their hands to resist the stench all over the sky.

After the visit, Genghis Khan asked them: "How is my strength?" The head of the mission nodded in horror. Genghis Khan smiled and said to them softly: "Go back and tell your king that there is no direct conflict between the Mongolian Kingdom and the Khwarizm Kingdom, so they should coexist peacefully and protect each other's business exchanges." The envoys returned to Khwarazmo with lingering fear, and Mahamo immediately summoned them and asked, "What's going on in China?" The head of the envoy replied sadly: "It has been conquered by Genghis Khan, and the whole northern China has been ruled by the Mongols."

Mahamo shook his head and sighed, "Since I was born, how could Genghis Khan be born!" The head of the envoy said: "Genghis Khan hopes to establish business relations with us. In my opinion, he is sincere. According to my observation, there is a lack of commerce in Mongolia, and it depends on robbery. Genghis Khan is wise, and the money obtained from the robbery Lending usury to merchants everywhere is a clear proof that he hopes to revitalize the country with commerce." Mo Mo woke up from his contemplation, shook his head and said: "According to what you said, the Mongols are simple-minded and well-developed limbs. I'm afraid they themselves know that they are not suitable for business, so you haven't figured out what Genghis Khan's plan is. .”

Mahamo's analysis was very reasonable. In the hearts of the Khwarazmo people, the Mongols are a group of barbarians who can't use their brains. They can fight and fight, but it is too difficult for them to do business.The Khwarazm people also regard Mongolia as a remote and poor place, while the Mongols are country bumpkins who have never seen the world. The following incident is a testament to this stereotype.The three Khwarazim merchants wanted to cross Mongolia to the Kingdom of Jin, but the northern part of the Kingdom of Jin had become the territory of the Mongols, so they were not brought before the emperor of the Kingdom of Jin, but were taken to Genghis Khan's tent.

Genghis Khan warmly entertained them. When the banquet reached its climax, Genghis Khan asked them to take out the goods they were carrying. He said that if he liked something, the price was not a problem. The three merchants smiled contemptuously, and put the handicrafts such as strands of gold weaving silk they carried with them on the table. When Genghis Khan pointed to a jade bracelet to inquire about the price, one of the merchants called out a price that was ten times higher than the market price. Price. Genghis Khan was taken aback, and the businessman said arrogantly: "We only have these things in Khwarazmo, so the price is high." Genghis Khan sneered, and ordered people to take this man to his treasury to see his collection Those precious silk items, the arrogant businessman was immediately stunned by the mountains of goods in front of him.

When the businessman returned to the dinner, he could no longer speak, his face was as pale as paper, and his hands trembled as if he had epilepsy.The other two businessmen found that something was wrong, so when faced with Genghis Khan's inquiry, they refused to say the price, and said cunningly that they believed that Genghis Khan would generously give a reasonable price. Genghis Khan noticed the cunning of the merchants in Khwarazmo, but he did satisfy his self-esteem, so he gave a very high price and bought all the items of the three merchants. After the banquet, Genghis Khan brought three merchants to his storage room for precious items. There were silk fabrics like an ocean, ten thousand times stronger than what they brought, golden balls as big as baseballs, and crystal balls as big as basketballs. , The three businessmen were completely dumbfounded, and they did not recover their minds within a few months after returning to Khwarazmo.

Before the three merchants returned to China, Genghis Khan said to them earnestly: "Don't look at my treasures piled up like mountains, but they are all collections rather than circulation goods. We Mongolians are nomads and lack too many commodities, so I hope your precious goods If the people of the country can establish business relations with us, you can rest assured that I will give you great benefits." After the three businessmen left, Genghis Khan thought it would be indecent to come and not to go, and Mahamo had sent a mission, so he should return the courtesy.So, at the end of 1217, he sent a mission to Khwarazmo with a large number of treasures and a letter from him to Mahamo. The three leaders of the mission are all from Khwarazmo, who have served Genghis Khan for decades. Genghis Khan sent them to Khwarazmo, probably to use their native places to draw closer to him and the people of Khwarazmo, especially It is the distance of Mahamo. In the spring of 1218, the mission arrived in Samarkand, the capital of Khwarizm.The gifts they carried were carried by a hundred camels and a brightly painted cart driving two yaks, which are unique to Tibet, from their temporary residence in Samarkand to Mahama's palace.These gifts are all that Mahamo cares about very much. Several tons of gold, gold bars, jade, ivory, especially silk fabrics that are as light as cicada's wings really opened Mohamo's horizons. But after all, he is the monarch of a powerful empire, so he can't dance around the mountain of treasure like a child.He told himself that he should show the temperament of a powerful imperial monarch, with a cold attitude, sitting in a tall chair thoughtfully, half-closed his eyes. A man named Mahamu from the envoys of Genghis Khan stood up, bowed to Mahamo, and then said loudly: "The great Genghis Khan, the monarch of the Great Mongolian Kingdom, sent our special mission here to establish diplomatic relations and establish friendly and peaceful relations. Genghis Khan Prepare some gifts for King Khwarazmo to express your heart, and ask us to convey his wishes." Mahamo's half-closed eyelids jumped, indicating that the envoys could start. Mahamu unfolded a scroll of parchment and read: "According to reports from various parties, I know that you have a high holy position, a powerful country, and ruled the land of most countries in the world. Therefore, I feel that I am in harmony with you, Mahammad." It is my duty to have diplomatic relations. Because I love you as I love my youngest son..." "What?!" Mohamo's half-closed eyes snapped open, twice as big as usual, his beard trembled, his face was covered with a pot of dog's blood, glowing purple, "Fuck, I'm his son?" He leaned his upper body from the chair, as if he was about to stand up, but he didn't stand up after all, this is the demeanor of a great country's monarch. Mahamu was not frightened by Mahamo's expression, and continued to read: "Of course, you should also know that I have conquered China and become a neighbor with you. You should understand better than anyone else that I have a vast land and abundant resources. There is no need to invade anyone's land again. Great Mahammad, if you agree to allow our two countries to open a free passage for each other's merchants in our respective territories, then I believe it will be beneficial to both parties. In this regard, both of us will be satisfied." Maha couldn't sit still at the end, not because he was out of breath, but because he still didn't know what Genghis Khan was planning.His anger is completely understandable.In the Mongolian context, the word "son" does not mean to curse people, but to hope that the two sides will establish friendly relations.But in other people's world, including Mahamo's world of course, this is a curse word.However, Mahamo was able to hold back and did not pull out these messengers and behead them, which proved that he was not an ordinary person. When he sat still, his counselor reminded him in time.He regained his composure immediately, and waved his hand lazily as if trying to drive away the flies in front of him.Immediately someone raised his voice and shouted: "The audience is over, the envoys withdrew and waited for the order—" In the evening of the same day, Mahamo's order quietly came to the temporary residence of the mission: order Mahamu to meet late at night. In the middle of the night, Mahamu followed a close aide of Mahamo through the sleepy Samarkand Street and entered a thick wall with iron gates.Mahamu knew that this was a secret place outside the palace of Mahamo, and he was a little nervous, not knowing why there was such a mysterious meeting. Entering a bright room full of candles, Mahamu saw Maha Duan sitting on a satin cushion with his eyes slightly closed.Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes, pointed to a satin cushion in front of him, and ordered Mahamu: "Sit!" Mahamu sat down involuntarily, and Mahamo stared at him, his tone was very low, but the words caught his ear: "I have checked your details, you were born in this city, and you are a devout Muslim. You are very When I was young, I avoided the war to do business, and later I followed Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan thinks highly of you." Mahamu nodded repeatedly. Mahamo suddenly raised his voice: "As a Muslim, you should tell me which side your soul, wisdom and career are on, the side of the Islamic world, or the side of the enemy of Islam?" Using the Islamic tradition, Mahamu stroked his beard and said, "I swear to my beard, I will serve the rulers of the Islamic land with my whole life, and I will die!" Satisfied, Mahamo took a big pearl from the gold bracelet on his wrist and handed it to Mahamu: "If you answer all the questions I asked, this pearl will be yours." Mahamo took the pearl, and the pearl immediately shone brightly, and Mahamo's voice sounded again: "If you dare to lie to me, I will prevent you from seeing the sun tomorrow." Mahamu respectfully put the pearls in front of his knees: "Ask, I will never keep anything I know." Mahamo asked, "What kind of person is Genghis Khan?" Mahamu replied: "He is not tall, with a high forehead, a long and narrow beard, and yellow eyes that do not move. When he is excited or angry, his eyes will emit a dazzling red light. He is now sixty. Many years old, his steps are heavy and slow, like a bear. But he is as cunning as a fox, vicious as a cobra in the desert, and as tireless as a camel. All the generals and soldiers fear him more than fire and thunder .If he ordered a warrior to attack a hundred enemies, that one warrior would draw his sword without hesitation..." "Aren't his soldiers afraid of death?" Mahamo interrupted Mahamu. "They are afraid of death, but they all believe that they will win battles, because Genghis Khan always wins battles." Mahamo smiled dubiously: "I have also experienced many battles, and I have never met a person who is invincible in every battle. You should tell me how he made his fortune!" Mahamu added fuel and vinegar, first described Genghis Khan's teenage years as extremely miserable, then described the history of Genghis Khan's prosperity as if the gods descended from the world, and finally said that Genghis Khan's success and fame were the destiny of destiny.The more Mahamo listened, the more impatient he became, he stopped Mahamu from spitting, and asked: "Genghis Khan said that he is now the master of a powerful China and has occupied the capital of China. Is this true or just bragging?" Mahamu replied excitedly: "This is absolutely true, how can such an important matter be hidden!" "Even so!" Mahamo said casually, "But do you know how vast my country is, and my army is more than the water drops in the sea, how dare he call me his son? Tell me honestly, how many troops does he have?" Seeing the murderous look in Mahamo's eyes, Mahamu hastily replied respectfully and docilely: "If your army is the sun, then Genghis Khan's army is just a moon." Mohamed stared at Mahamu's eyes for a few minutes, and finally he was convinced that Mahamu was not lying, and then he showed a proud and satisfied smile.Mahathir had always believed that his army was the most powerful army in the world at that time, which was supported by continuous victories.There are mainly two types of soldiers in Khwarazmo, one is the Turkmen of mixed Turkic and Persian blood, and the other is the Turkic in Kangli.In particular, the Kangli Corps was brave and good at fighting. It was able to defeat ten enemies with one, which made all the small countries in the Western Regions frightened.As long as he gave a random order, he could quickly gather 400,000 elite soldiers. In his opinion, these 400,000 elite soldiers could sweep the world as he knew it at that time.Wind dust finishing and production. His tense nerves finally relaxed at this time, and his mood improved a lot, and his tone became much better. He told Mahamu to put away the pearl: "You have to do something for your motherland, and you will be my mother when you go back." A spy, report to me every move of Genghis Khan at any time." Mahamu nodded again and again, walked out of Mahamo's secret room, and came to the street. He took out the pearl from his arms, held it up to the dark night, and sneered: "This shit, the one Genghis Khan gave me is ten times bigger than this." Times, you still want to buy me, I am! Lao Tzu's country is the Great Mongolia, not some Huarazimo." On the second day, Mahamo gave an ambiguous reply to the envoys: "Genghis Khan's proposal is good, you go back to your country!" Mahamu miscalculated Mahamo's sincerity. He thought that Mahamo agreed to Genghis Khan's request for trade, so he returned to the Mongolian Kingdom excitedly.Naturally, Genghis Khan asked him to report on this harvest. Mahamu told Genghis Khan that Mahamo wanted to buy him in advance, and then made a statement on the national conditions of Khwarazimo.Genghis Khan is different from Mahamo, he doesn't like to listen to long speeches, he likes to listen to the main points, but some people often fail to get to the main points when they state things, so they have to wait for others to ask questions. Genghis Khan asked Mahamu: "According to your observation, how is the Khwarazmo army?" Mahamu answered sharply: "Khwarazmo was able to quickly gather at least half a million troops. The elite troops all came from Kangli, but the Kangli corps is proud of its credit and its discipline is corrupt. I am afraid it will not succeed." Genghis Khan nodded slightly, and Mahamu suddenly thought of another major problem: "Mahamo's mother doesn't live in Samarkand. Obviously, the mother and son have conflicts. It is said that this old woman has a tough wrist and a pungent personality. A fatal flaw of Razm." Genghis Khan greatly appreciated it and said, "Your information is very good." Then he asked, "How about Mahamo himself?" Mahamu replied: "Capable but not courageous, not at the same level as Da Khan." Genghis Khan smiled: "Everyone has courage, but being entangled in some chores makes people feel that they have no courage." Mahamu frowned and thought about it, and suddenly exclaimed: "Mahamo really has miscellaneous matters, and it's not easy to deal with!"