The 27th of October, 1203.
It has been a few days since the Pear furnace has been completed. Ever since lord Temuujin decreed to make our pear furnace a national secret, the security of my workshop has increased.The workshop is guarded 24 hour a day. Without my approval no one can get into it.
The 500 slaves which lord Temuujin has given me are working at thr mines to exploit iron ore and coal from the nearby hills. I have assigned 50 workers to make more gers for them because it has getting cold lately.
'The life is getting easy, if I just help lord Temuujin to become a great khan. I can live a leasure life' thought Dorj in his mind. Yesterday I heard that when Lord Temuujin and Minister Khoorchi was young, Khoorchi has bet that Temuujin will become the khan who will unite all Mongolian tribes. Temuujin gave his word if Minister Khoorchi wins the bet, then he will give Minister Khoorchi the right to select 30 beautiful wives.
'Perhaps I can ask something from Temuujin and bet with him that he will become the khan who united all the Mongolians. But different than minister Khoorchi, I will ask something else...' thought Dorj while sitting on the hill.
After looking at his workers for enough time, Dorj got up from from the soil and patted his dusty robe.
'Pat, Pat'
"My lord, are you planning to head back to your ger?" asked Jegei from Dorj.
"No, let's sightsee the surroundings a bit, I haven't gone away from lord Temuujin's settlement since I ever came here" said Dorj and started to walk around the hill.
"Jegei, by the way, is it common to have multiple wives?" asked Dorj pondering whether Minister Khoorchi's request is normal or not.
"My lord, nobles have the right to have two wives, a commoner can only have one wife, and a slave cannot marry anyone." replied Jegei.
"Oh, I see. Then Minister Khoorchi's request to have 30 wives are not usual even for nobles.." said Dorj while learning the ancient customs.
"My lord, do you have someone in your mind? Do you want to have multiple wives as well?" asked Jegei while smiling to Dorj.
'Cough, Cough' Dorj put his right hand on Jegei's shoulder while trying to catch his breath. Some of his saliva has gotten into his lung and he has coughed.
"Jegei.. No, I am barely an adult now! I have no one in my mind. Please don't say so." replied Dorj while blushing slightly.
Actually in the 13th century the standard of beauty is very low. Lord Temuujin's wife queen Burte, consort Yesugen and Yesui are beautiful in their own ways, but I believe that in modern era women have become more beautiful. Or perhaps it is the effect of better hygiene and make up...
Dorj was having an awkward conversation with Jegei talking on whom Dorj has a crush on, unfortunately whenever Jegei mentions some woman, Dorj feels cringy. Either the woman Jegei has mentioned is fat or ugly.
'To make the living standard more better, building houses with piping system is a must to do. Otherwise in the medieval era, the hygiene of people are awful' thought Dorj while looking at the distance.
Amidst the vast grand steppe and blue sky if you look carefully, there was a black smoke rising in the distance.
"Jegei, look. There seem to black smoke rising. Is there any of our troops?" asked Dorj with a confusion.
Jegei halted teasing his lord and stopped smiling. When Jegei turned his head to look at where minister Dorj the pointed his hand, he could see truly a black smoke rising.
"My lord, there should not be amy of our troops. I think it is best to notify General Subeedei about this matter" replied Dorj.
Dorj and Jegei has retreated to the settlement of Temuujin immiadetely. Just after around 20 minutes after spotting the black smoke, minister Dorj, General Subeedei, Jegei, and other 200 troops has been mobilized to check who are camping near the settlement.
Upon galloping to the black smoke, 5 people who were camping could be seen escaping. Unfortunately for the escapees they don't have any horses and they are escaping on their barefoots.
Subeedei and his troops has encircled the escapees and unsheated their sabers. Subeedei has unsheated his newly acquired longsword on his horse and pointed towards one escapee.
"State who you are!" said General Subeedei with a harsh tone and eyes with bloodlust.
Upon observing the escapees, you would find that they were people with ragged old clothes and messy hairs with leaves and dirt on top of it.
"Please pardon our lives. We are just passing by." said a young escapee begging for his life towards genaral Subeedei.
But instead oof replying the escapee, general Subeedei got near the escapee and observed his face for a bit.
"Tohui?" asked General Subeedei with a hesitant tone.
Upon hearing his name, the young escapee become confused and looked at the face of General Subeedei.
"General Subeedei!" replied the young escapee named Tohui.
"You are still alive? Where is your father lord Khasar?" asked General Subeedei in a hurry.
Tohui is the son of Temuujin's younger brother Khasar. They have been missing since Wan Khan's son Sengum has attacked them and took hostage their family at Khereit tribe. Since Mongolian steppe is grand and vast, once when you get lost from your settlement, it is highly difficult to find them back if you don't know where they are settled.
Temuujin has made his settlement's location at Buir lake a secret in order to win some time against Wan Khan' attack. Therefore, the missing Khasar could't find his brother and along with a mere 7 soldiers, they have been wandering in the grand vast steppe and forests
"General Subeedei, my father is nearby in the forest. We were barely surviving. I and 4 of my troops were searching for food and has found a rabbit. So we were roasting it. Hurry up, follow me I will lead you to father!" replied Tohui looking extremely happy and glad that he has met with General Subeedei.
In an hour, lord Temuujin's younger brother Khasar, his son Tohui, and other 7 soldiers are eating boiled meat in a hurrried manner as of they were starving.
Lord Temuujin, his mother Oelun, queen Burte, and other royal family members including Belgutei and other ministers have gathered at the main ger.
"Minister Dorj was the first person to locate you! Truly a blessing from the Tenger! " said General Subeedei to Temuujin' youngerr brother Lord Khasar.
Khasar with ragged clothes and full of meat in his mouth looked at Dorj and expressed his gratitude.
"Tha..n Y..u" replied Khasar with muffled voice.
"Ah, it's not a big matter. I was just sightseeing." replied Dorj while rubbing his head.
The royal family and the generals and ministers looked at Dorj as if they were seeing a deity. They have whispered to each other and gazed at at Dorj.
Khasar was missing for months and they couldn't find them. Temuujin has sent many scouts across the grand steppe but couldn't find his younger brother Khasar. But Dorj has found lord Khasar by sightseeing? It is difficult to believe Dorj's word that he has found Khasar by just sightseeing. There must be other hidden secret behind it. Assumed many people.
Chagatai khankhuu looked at minister Dorj with a hint of hate and jealousy. Due to the recent developments of Zuchi presenting beautiful longswords to generals, people's view towards Zuchi has slightly changed. And the reason? It is that Minister Dorj, proclaimed as the messenger of Tenger.
"Please, all be quiet. Thank you minister Dorj for finding my younger brother Khasar, we will discuss about your rewards later. Let Khasar and Tohui eat their meal at their convenience. Except the royal family, please leave the main ger." decreet Lord Temuujin.
"Yes my lord." bowed the generals and ministers to Lord Temuujin and headed out towards the ger.
When Dorj has got out of the ger, General Subeedei was waiting for Dorj and smiled seeing Dorj.
"Minister Dorj, would you mind if I invite you for a tea?" asked Subeedei.