Chapter 208: The Khan: A Tiger Father, No Dog Son!

Inside the golden tent of the Northern Yuan royal court, amid everyone's congratulatory cheers, they raised cups to drink together, a scene of jubilant revelry.

Northern Yuan's ten‑thousand‑household chief and deputy secret envoy Huo Shi suddenly poured a bowl of wine, his face flushed, grinning as he shouted at Ba Tu Mengke:

"This time Tuo Tuo Bu Hua has hit a great stroke of luck, capturing the Han Dynasty's strategic stronghold Yu Lin Cheng, seizing such sky‑splitting battle honors and countless riches; I am truly envious!"

"Khan! You must not favor one side over the other; I request permission to lead thirty thousand elite tribesmen south from Yu Lin Cheng straight to assault the Han Dynasty's capital Shenjing!"

"I hear the Da Han Empire's capital Shenjing holds inexhaustible gold and silver, and its emperor is a consummate hedonist, with the harem full of delicate beautiful concubines."

"Once the Khan gives the order, I swear to die conquering Han lands, riding my horse across the Central Plains, and breaching their capital Shenjing."

"On the way, we will storm the Han imperial palace, seize their treasures and women for the Khan; I also want to see whether the fierce women of my steppe or the delicate Han concubines are superior!"

After speaking, Huo Shi bowed to Ba Tu Mengke, his expression full of longing for the Da Han Empire's riches and beauties.

Ba Tu Mengke smiled at the words, unconcerned by Huo Shi's brashness; men of the steppe are all straightforward like that.

Huo Shi has followed him for years, both as a trusted aide and a fierce commander, rescuing him many times; though somewhat reckless, he is exceedingly loyal.

Ba Tu Mengke waved his hand, signaling Huo Shi to stay calm.

Beside them, Left Chancellor Tuo Huan, Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's father, also rejoiced at his son's achievements, stroking his beard and joking to Huo Shi:

"Huo Shi, you really dare to think you can lead thirty thousand men and hope to breach the Han Dynasty's capital Shenjing."

"The Han Dynasty fields a million troops; if you dare strike their Shenjing, the Han will go mad and mobilize forces to encircle you."

"I'm afraid of them!" Huo Shi slammed the table, shouting loudly:

"We Great Yuan are the wolves of the steppe, the true rulers of the earth; no matter how many Han there are, they can only crawl beneath our feet like dogs!"

"My Golden family's ancestors are calling us; their descendants should revive the might of the Great Yuan iron cavalry that once swept the world!"

The Northern Yuan great general Yi Bu Ci, chomping on meat, laughed in agreement:

"Huo Shi is right! The Han are merely two‑legged sheep we keep penned in the Central Plains; they have always been weak and easy to bully, unfit to be our opponents!"

"This time, why not gather our forces south from Yu Lin Cheng, overthrow their court, and shatter their capital Shenjing?"

"Seize their treasures, take their women, and make the Han once again serve us as third‑rank serfs!"

Yi Bu Ci and Huo Shi volleyed remarks back and forth, already daydreaming about how to divide territories and pastures after defeating the Da Han Empire.

Ba Tu Mengke sat on a tiger‑skin chair, twirling his mustache with a smile, offering no objection to their drunken boasts.

He knew that frontline victories gave his troops confidence, rekindling their fighting spirit; hearing of battle made them glad, which was a good thing.

Thus, it seemed Great Yuan's agreement to join Manchuria in sending forces against the Da Han Empire was indeed a wise decision.

After Huo Shi and the others finished speaking their minds, Ba Tu Mengke restrained his smile and said seriously:

"You all stop daydreaming! This Khan has no intention of a prolonged war with the Han Dynasty."

"After Tuo Tuo Bu Hua and Ba Ya'er lead their troops to loot the Han's Guanzhong region, they will withdraw back to the royal court."

"The Han are indeed not worth fearing, but the Manchu and the Huns are not easy opponents! The Manchu's Kangxi is especially brilliant and cannot be underestimated."

"We cannot fight the Han ourselves at the front, draining our strength, only to let the Manchu and the Huns reap the benefits later."

"Achieving such results already meets our expectations; this Khan's aim is to wound the Han, forcing them to send envoys to negotiate surrender and peace."

"Then we will make the Han cede territory, pay reparations, tribute as subjects; they must supply at least three million taels of silver annually and reopen trade."

"Although you have no chance to fight this time, the Khan can send you as envoys to the Han to demand more spoils!"

"If we cannot obtain those Han concubines, a few princesses should be no problem! Let the Han send several princesses for marriage alliances; then each of you will have a share."

When Ba Tu Mengke said that, Huo Shi and Yi Bu Ci, though somewhat unwilling, dared not object.

Ba Tu Mengke has been Khan for over forty years, and his personal prestige in the Northern Yuan is very high.

Yi Bu Ci could only smile and say:

"Then I shall first ask the Khan for a Han princess! I've always liked the delicate Han women, they are more obedient than our Great Yuan women!"

Ba Tu Mengke waved his hand grandly and said:

"When the Han come to negotiate peace, I will personally demand one for you! If they dare refuse, you will lead troops to seize it yourself!"

At once, the laughter inside the golden tent grew louder.

Beside them, Right Chancellor A Lu Tai seemed to calm himself a bit and said:

"The crown prince's participation in this campaign has earned considerable merit! Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's recent letter also contained much praise."

"It says the crown prince is calm‑tempered, never shirks labor, sits at the central command daily, manages well, and is deeply loved by the soldiers!"

"A Khan whose father was a tiger and not a dog—what a joyous occasion!"

A Lu Tai's words struck a chord with Ba Tu Mengke.

Ba Tu Mengke couldn't help but nod with a pleased expression; now that he is old, his greatest concern is the succession of the Khanate.

The Northern Yuan's succession differs from the Da Han Empire; a Khan's will or the appointment of Ba Ya'er as crown prince does not guarantee Ba Ya'er will smoothly inherit the throne.

The Northern Yuan royal court's succession is a complex process blending wills, power, tribal election, and political maneuvering, centered on the final confirmation by the "Huli Tai Assembly".

The Huli Tai Assembly, held after a Khan's death, is chaired by the royal court's queen or regent, with Golden family members and senior ministers deciding together.

The assembly will elect and confirm who will be the "co‑conspirator" to crown the new Khan.

Although the heir is often pre‑designated by the previous Khan or a powerful clan, the collective election by the assembly is required for legitimacy.

The new Khan is installed with support from the royal princes, receives the kneeling of ministers, and a shaman conducts sun‑worship and heavenly proclamation ceremonies, reading Genghis Khan's "Great Zasat" edict.

Simultaneously, the new Khan grants lands, subjects, and generous rewards to the attending nobles to secure their loyalty.

The previous Khan's "will" and the appointment of a crown prince carry weight, but are not absolute.

The amount of power and supporters often outweigh pure bloodline or testament.

Thus, although Ba Tu Mengke has already appointed Ba Ya'er as crown prince, he worries Ba Ya'er lacks sufficient strength and prestige to sit securely on the throne.