Usurping the Mongols: My Father-in-Law is Genghis Khan

Zhao Shuo's ancestors were Han Chinese who fled from the Jin Dynasty to the grasslands, married women from the Mongolian Qiyan tribe, and settled down on the grasslands.

For over a century, this family's descendants have consistently married Mongolian women and lived dependent on the Mongolian Qiyan tribe. Although they still maintained some Han Chinese customs, they could be considered half members of the Mongolian Qiyan tribe.

With the rise of Temujin, the people of the Qiyan tribe flocked to him.

Before Zhao Shuo was even born, his father was already a 'Quiver Bearer' by Temujin's side. Quiver Bearers were Temujin's personal guards, the direct force in Temujin's hands.

Zhao Shuo was born in the year Temujin was elected as the Mongol Khan, making him a second-generation member of the Mongol tribe very close to the core.

When Zhao Shuo was seven years old, it was during the Battle of the Thirteen Wings between Temujin and Jamukha. Temujin was defeated and retreated to the Zhelie Mountain Valley.

In that critical moment, the elderly and children of the Qiyan tribe went to the battlefield.

Zhao Shuo, holding his small bow, shot an arrow through the throat of a Jadaran man.

Instantly, the morale of the Qiyan tribe soared, and cheers thundered. Little Zhao Shuo also gained considerable fame within the Qiyan tribe.

At the age of eleven, Zhao Shuo, nearly the size of an adult, followed Temujin in the campaign against the Tatar tribe, the Qiyan tribe's long-time enemy, and beheaded Huduwen, a famous warrior of the Tatar tribe, with a ring-pommel saber.

Temujin was very pleased and not only made him a commander of ten men but also bestowed upon him Huduwen's valuable gold-lacquered iron armor.

However, it was precisely during Temujin's campaign against the Tatars that the Chuerqin tribe among the Mongols rebelled and attacked Temujin's old camp. Not only did Temujin's old camp suffer heavy losses, but Zhao Shuo's father, Zhao Yong, also died on the spot protecting the families within the old camp.

At the age of twelve, Zhao Shuo participated in the Chuerqin tribe's revenge war. He led his unit as a dagger in the dark, wiping out the important outposts of the Chuerqin tribe.

Temujin besieged the Chuerqin tribe's old camp without bloodshed, killed all the nobles of the Chuerqin tribe to avenge the fallen soldiers of the old camp, and captured the warriors and people of the Chuerqin tribe.

For this achievement, Zhao Shuo was promoted to commander of a hundred men.

Five years later, Zhao Shuo was seventeen years old.

The allied forces of Temujin and Wang Han fought a decisive battle at Kuo Yi Tian against the twelve-tribe alliance led by Jamukha.

At a critical moment in the battle, Temujin personally led his troops in a charge, became surrounded, and was shot in the chest by Jebe, the sharpshooter of the twelve-tribe alliance, who is now known as Jebe, causing blood to flow profusely.

In that precarious situation, Zhao Shuo led his troops into the encirclement, suffered eight wounds, and desperately rescued Temujin from the encirclement back to his own lines.

After this battle, Zhao Shuo's reputation for loyalty and bravery resounded throughout Mongolia. He not only became the youngest chiliarch of the Qiyan tribe but also became an Anda (sworn brother) with Jochi.

Two years later, during the Battle of Helan Zhensha Tuo, Zhao Shuo was already a prominent general in the Mongol tribe, commanding three chiliarchies, nearly four thousand warriors.

The Battle of Helan Zhensha Tuo seemed to be Zhao Shuo's last moment of glory.

Jochi's voice was somewhat choked as he said, 'Five days ago, in the Battle of Helan Zhensha Tuo, our army was unable to hold on and prepared to retreat. Anda Zhao Shuo took the initiative to volunteer, leading his four thousand troops to rescue the Great Sister and Fourth Brother, who were trapped in the encirclement of the Kereit tribe. I'm afraid… I'm afraid he won't be able to meet us at Banjuni Lake as agreed.'

'Yes! Zhao Shuo seemingly went to rescue Khutulun and Tolui, but in reality, it was a desperate counterattack to cover our retreat. Now, I'm afraid that both Zhao Shuo and Khutulun and Tolui are in grave danger.'

After a pause, Temujin bit his lip slightly and said, 'I only hate that I didn't listen to Zhao Shuo's words and guarded against Wang Han's betrayal. Otherwise, the one drinking this muddy water today would probably be my benevolent adoptive father! And I wouldn't have lost Zhao Shuo, such a right-hand man!'

Initially, Zhao Shuo reminded Temujin to be careful of Wang Han's betrayal, but Temujin didn't pay attention. It wasn't until two horse-herding slaves from Wang Han's side came to inform him that Temujin hurriedly mustered his troops for battle.

However, Temujin was unable to gather enough troops in time, leading to such a crushing defeat.

Speaking of this, Temujin's tone was filled with regret.

Fierce as a tiger!

Ruthless as a wolf!

Cunning as a fox!

Usually, he was as cunning as a fox, anticipating problems and preparing for them. Those who were two-faced and harbored ill intentions towards him would only be schemed against by him, and there was no way they could scheme against him!

During battle, he was as cunning and patient as a wolf, searching for the enemy's weaknesses and never easily deploying the main force.

But when it truly came to the decisive battle, he was unwavering, as fierce and unstoppable as a tiger descending the mountain!

In addition to Zhao Shuo's bravery in breaking through the encirclement to rescue him during the Battle of Kuo Yi Tian, and the loyalty he displayed in his desperate counterattack five days ago, how much Temujin wished that Zhao Shuo could live!

Of course, Temujin was, after all, a hero who shook the world in historical records, and he quickly banished the useless emotion of 'regret' from his mind.

He sighed and said, 'In any case, I hope the Eternal Heaven will protect Zhao Shuo and keep him safe! If something untoward happens to Zhao Shuo... one day, I will make the entire Kereit tribe pay the price!'

'May the Eternal Heaven protect Zhao Shuo and keep him safe! If something untoward happens to Zhao Shuo, let the entire Kereit tribe pay the price!'

Jochi, Taichu, Subutai, and Jebe sincerely prayed for Zhao Shuo and swore an oath of revenge!

After all, just for the fact that Zhao Shuo took the initiative to cover the retreat five days ago, giving everyone a chance to escape, everyone had to acknowledge his favor, and it could even be said that he had saved their lives!