Who Was the Real Genghis Khan
Who Was the Real Genghis KhanThe name Genghis Khan probably makes many people think of conquering warriors on horseback leaving burning cities and piles of dead bodies behind them. While there is no doubt that Genghis Khan was the leader of a highly efficient killing machine, there was much more to him than military skill. He was also a talented politician with excellent diplomatic abilities.
In the 1160s, the tribes of the Central Asian steppes were almost constantly at war with one another. In the middle of the chaos, one of the tribal leaders had a son named Temujin. When the boy was nine years old, his father was poisoned by enemies. The tribe then abandoned the family, leaving them to survive by eating rats and insects.
Despite his difficult childhood, Temujin grew up strong enough to claim his hereditary position as tribal leader. He became adept at forming alliances, as well as fighting battles. By 1206, all the Mongol tribes were ready to recognize him as supreme leader. They gave him the title Genghis Khan, which means \"emperor of all emperors.\"
Having united the tribes of Central Asia, Genghis Khan turned his attention elsewhere. His ambition was world conquest, and he advanced at an astonishing rate. He invaded northern China and captured Peking, but was unable to subdue the whole country. Instead, he turned westwards. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created an empire that stretched from the Pacific coast to the Caspian Sea.
The Mongols were superb horsemen who won their victories with a technique of pretending to retreat, then launching a surprise attack. Their discipline and organization made them extremely effective fighters. They were expert archers and could maintain total control of their horses while keeping both hands free for fighting.
Genghis Khan's armies were divided into tightly organized units which were directed by an efficient signaling system using black flags. Their favorite tactic in open battle involved provoking an attack, and scattering as the enemy came forward. The Mongols would harass the enemy from the sides until the latter were exhausted, then close in for the kill.
After capturing a city, Mongol armies would test the sincerity of the inhabitants' surrender. They would pretend to go away, leaving behind a small number of representatives. If these were killed, the Mongols would return to murder the entire population. They seldom took prisoners.
Despite his ruthless methods, Genghis Khan was not an impulsive killer. He avoided battle if diplomacy would work, and he was skilled at using spies to help achieve his aims. He also maintained the tradition of choosing leaders in a mass meeting, and people under his rule were able to advance by ability rather than noble birth.
For the citizens of modern-day Mongolia, Genghis Khan is a folk hero and a symbol of their emerging democracy. A main street in the capital of Ulan Bator has been named after him, and his image is on a banknote. He even has a brand of vodka named after him, not an unusual memorial for one of history's greatest conquerors. Perhaps Genghis Khan would appreciate this more than his traditional reputation as a ruthless killer.
大漠英豪─成吉思汗
成吉思汗之名可能会使许多人想起征伐骁勇策马远离，在他身后只留下焚毁的城市与遍野堆积的尸骸。无疑，成吉思汗率领着一支高效率杀戮机器般的军队，除了军事才能，他还有更多值得注目的地方。他也是位杰出外交能力的优秀政治家。
12世纪60年代，中亚大草原的部落长年征战不休。在混乱之中，其中一个部落的首领有个儿子名叫铁木真。在他九岁时，父亲被敌人毒害。于是该部落抛弃了这家人，他们只好靠吃老鼠与虫子才勉强度日。
尽管童年生活很艰苦，长大后的铁木真却英勇威武，并成功夺回部落首领的世袭地位。他擅长与其它部落结盟，并精通打仗。到1206年，蒙古各部落都愿意认定他为最高统领。他们赋予他成吉思汗的称号，意即\"王中王\"。
一统中亚各部落后，成吉思汗将注意力转移它处。他的雄心壮志是征服全世界，而他也以惊人的速度向目标挺进。他入侵中国北方并一举攻占北京，但无法征服整个中国。于是他改向西进。成吉思汗于1227年逝世，到那时他已经建立了一个东起太平洋海岸西至里海的帝国。
蒙古人骑术精湛，往往欲擒故纵，然后再出奇制胜。他们的纪律和组织使他们成为精锐无比的战士。他们箭术高明，在两手战斗的同时，还能自如驾驭自己的坐骑。
成吉思汗的军队是分成组织严密的小队，用一种高效率的黑旗信号系统指挥。他们在广漠战场上最喜欢使用的策略包括激怒敌方出击，和在敌军向前冲锋时四处散开。蒙古军会从四面八方不断侵扰敌人，直到敌人筋疲力尽，再包围并一举歼灭。
蒙古军攻下一座城后，会考验城里居民的诚信。他们会佯装离开，只留下少数代表。如果代表被杀，蒙古军会回来将居民杀个片甲不留。他们很少拘捕战俘。
尽管成吉思汗的手段残忍，他却不是个逞一时之快的杀手。如果外交手段奏效，他会避免发动战争，而且他擅长利用间谍帮助他达到目标。他也保持群众大会选举首领的传统，在他统治下的子民均可凭其能力获得晋升，而不是凭其高贵的出身。
对今天的蒙古人民来说，成吉思汗是位民族英雄，也是他们新兴民主的象征。首都乌兰巴托有一条主要街道是以成吉思汗命名的，钞票上也印有他的肖像。一种伏特加酒甚至以他命名，对历史上伟大的一名征服者而言，这不能算是了不起的纪念。和传说中 \"无情杀手\"的威名相比，成吉思汗也许更欣赏这种纪念方式。
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