“If we let those people remain in one land,” declared Temudjin, “they
will rise again, surely.” And he had them conducted in small bands to
various new places. That same year Temudjin made an iron kibitka for
Subotai, and sent him to hunt down and seize all the other sons of
Tukta Bijhi. “Those men,” said Temudjin, “though defeated in battle,
tore away recently, like wounded wild deer, or like wanton young
stallions; and now thou must find them. If they fly on wings to the
sky, become thou a falcon and catch them; if like mice they bore into
the earth, be a strong iron spade and dig them out of it; if they hide
as fish in the sea, be a net and enclose them. To cross deep ravines
and high mountains choose the time when thy horses are not weary. Spare
thy warriors on the road, and hunt not at all save when need comes.
When thou must hunt, hunt very carefully. Let not thy warriors use
croupers, or breast straps, lest their horses rush feebly. Should any
man refuse thee obedience bring him hither, if I know him, if not do
thou kill him on the place of refusal. If with Heaven’s aid and
protection thou seize Tukta Bijhi’s sons, slay them straightway.” Then
he added: “When I was young three bands of Merkits pursued me, and
thrice did they ride round Mount Burhan. These men have fled now with
loud insolent speeches, but do thou hunt them down to the uttermost
limits if need be. I have made a kibitka of iron to convey and protect
thee. Though far away thou wilt ever be near me. Heaven will keep thee
most surely while traveling, and will give thee assistance.”
When the Naimans and Merkits were captured by Temudjin, Jamuka had lost
all his people, and was left in the land of the Naimans deprived of
property, and attended by only five servitors. He went then to the
mountain Tanlu and lived there by robbery and hunting. One day those
five servitors seized him and took him to his enemy. Jamuka sent these
words then to Temudjin. “Slaves had the insolence to seize their own
master, and betray him. Mistake not, O Khan, my friend, these words
which I send thee.”
“Is it possible to leave men unpunished who betray?” asked Temudjin.
“Give them to death with their children and grandchildren!” Then he
commanded to slay those five traitors before the eyes of Jamuka to whom
he sent at the same time this message: “Once I made thee a shaft of my
kibitka, but thou didst desert me. Thou hast joined me again, so now be
my comrade. Should one of us forget, the other will remind him. If one
falls asleep the other will rouse him. Though thou didst leave me, thou
wert still in reality my assistant. Though thou didst oppose I got no
harm in the end from that action. When thou and I had a battle thy
heart was regretful, apparently. When I warred with Wang Khan thou
didst send me his discourses. That was the earliest service. When I was
battling with the Naimans thy words made their hearts shake; that was
another good service.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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