"This man named Chen Rong is of great value to me. If he is allowed to fully display his abilities, he may make Mongolia stronger and more prosperous."
His voice was calm, but filled with certainty.
"I have rarely misjudged a person in my life. This man… is an extraordinary talent."
Genghis Khan had built the Great Mongol Empire from nothing.
He had defeated the powerful Wang Khan, destroyed his blood brother Jamukha, crushed the Jin Dynasty, subdued Western Xia, conquered the Western Liao, and even shattered the mighty Khwarezm Empire.
The reason for these victories was not merely strength in battle.
It was his ability to recognize and employ talent.
Before his rise, the Mongol tribes had been scattered like grains of sand across the steppe. Each tribe fought for survival, and unity seemed impossible. Yet after his emergence, the entire grassland gradually fell under his control.
He had accomplished what none before him had even dared to imagine.
Genghis Khan understood why.
From childhood, he had lived through hardship, betrayal, and struggle. He learned early to distinguish between those who truly possessed ability and those who merely boasted.
He knew the strengths and weaknesses of every general under his command.
Muqali, Jebe, Subutai, and Chilaun were among the greatest generals of their age. They were unmatched on the battlefield, capable of leading armies across vast distances and crushing powerful enemies.
But governing a nation was another matter.
Even Muqali, the most capable among them, struggled when administering the conquered territories of the Jin Dynasty.
In the end, he had to rely heavily on local Han officials to maintain order and stability.
This fact weighed heavily on Genghis Khan's mind.
The territory of the Great Mongol Empire had expanded beyond anything seen before. And the expansion was far from over.
The Jin Dynasty still stood in the north of China. The Western Xia remained unconquered. The Southern Song Dynasty lay to the south. To the west stretched vast lands yet to be brought under Mongol rule.
If Mongolia continued to expand, governing such enormous territory would become increasingly difficult.
For this reason, Genghis Khan urgently needed capable administrators—men who could govern, manage, and stabilize the empire.
"Father Khan," Tolui spoke carefully, "if you speak of governing talent, then Yelu Chucai has served you faithfully for years. You once praised him as a rare and extraordinary talent. Could it be that he is not equal to this Chen Rong?"
Yelu Chucai's reputation among the Mongol nobles was well known. He had already proven himself capable in matters of administration.
Genghis Khan nodded slowly.
"Yelu Chucai is indeed a capable minister. I have never denied his ability."
He paused, his gaze thoughtful.
"But he admires Confucian governance too much."
Ogedei and Tolui listened quietly.
Genghis Khan continued.
"I do not reject Confucian ideas entirely. Their philosophy emphasizes order, hierarchy, and ritual. Such principles can bring stability to a nation and make governance easier."
He leaned slightly forward.
"But Confucian governance also has its dangers."
"For thousands of years, the Central Plains dynasties relied on Confucianism combined with Legalist methods. This made their rule stable, but it also strengthened civil officials while weakening military commanders."
Genghis Khan's voice hardened.
"Mongolia is a nation built by force. Even after my death, you will not stop expanding. If you rely too heavily on Confucian governance, it will weaken Mongolia's military strength. That would be dangerous."
He had observed Yelu Chucai closely for years. Though talented, the man's thinking was deeply rooted in Confucian ideals.
That alone made Genghis Khan cautious.
In contrast, Chen Rong's ideas were different.
Over the past few days, through their conversations, Genghis Khan sensed that Chen Rong was not bound by Confucian doctrine. Some of Chen Rong's views even aligned with his own thinking.
This made him value Chen Rong even more.
"Father Khan, do you intend for Chen Rong to help govern Mongolia?" Tolui asked, slightly surprised.
"A Han man governing Mongolia?" The idea itself was unusual.
Genghis Khan shook his head.
"I intend to use his methods and ideas. But I do not intend to hand over Mongolia's fate to him."
His tone grew more serious.
"As ruler, you must understand balance."
"There will always be civil officials and military commanders. Each group has its own interests. They will form factions and compete with one another."
"This competition creates a subtle balance."
He gestured lightly.
"Just as the western Mongol princes, the eastern Mongol princes, the commanders of ten thousand households, and the Han officials all have different interests. They are not united as one."
"You must maintain this balance. Never allow one faction to dominate. That is the true art of employing people."
Ogedei and Tolui listened carefully.
Genghis Khan had ruled for decades. His understanding of power far surpassed theirs.
"You still have much to learn," he added calmly.
Both sons immediately knelt deeper.
"Your teachings are wise, Father Khan," they said respectfully.
Genghis Khan nodded slightly.
"Chen Rong is an interesting man."
"He appears polite and respectful. He treats others with courtesy, and he shows me proper respect."
Genghis Khan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"But when I look into his eyes… I see no fear."
"He respects me, yet he does not fear me. There is arrogance in him. A kind of pride."
Tolui frowned slightly.
"Father Khan, we did not notice this. He seemed gentle enough."
Ogedei also spoke.
"If he is as you say, Father Khan, then winning his loyalty may not be easy."
Genghis Khan gave a faint smile.
"Every lock requires a different key."
"There is no single key that opens every lock. The same applies to people."
"If he desires beautiful women, give him beautiful women. If he desires gold and silver, give him gold and silver. If he desires rank and wealth, grant him rank and wealth."
"Trust him. Reward him. In time, he will become loyal."
Genghis Khan believed firmly in this principle.
No one in the world was truly without desire.
If a person had no ambition, no needs, then he was not worth investing in.
But if a person had desires, then he could be influenced.
Among his sons, Genghis Khan had long favored both Ogedei and Tolui.
According to Mongol tradition, the youngest son usually inherited the homeland. That would have made Tolui the natural successor.
However, Genghis Khan ultimately chose Ogedei.
Tolui was superior in leading troops and battlefield command.
But in matters of governance and employing talent, Ogedei was more suitable.
This difference influenced Genghis Khan's decision.
"Father Khan, I will remember your teachings," Ogedei said solemnly. "I will find a way to win Chen Rong's loyalty."
Genghis Khan nodded.
"If Chen Rong truly possesses great talent, you may grant him high rank, wealth, gold, and even beautiful women."
"If necessary, you may even grant him a noble title."
His tone suddenly became firm.
"But never allow him to become a powerful minister."
"Never allow him to monopolize authority."
"Never allow him to dominate the court."
"You must never allow him to hold too much power. Remember this well."
Ogedei and Tolui immediately knelt.
"We understand, Father Khan."
Though they spoke respectfully, both understood clearly.
No matter how talented Chen Rong might be, he was still a Han outsider.
The power of Mongolia could never be entrusted to him.
Genghis Khan studied them carefully before nodding.
"There is one more matter."
His voice lowered.
"The conversation between the three of us tonight must remain secret."
"Do not tell anyone—not even your wives or sons."
Ogedei and Tolui bowed deeply.
"We understand, Father Khan."