Genghis Khan

Almost 800 years ago,

a militarygenius came out ofMongolia to conquer halfa world.

He was the son of Yesugei, leader ofa small nomad tribe.

This man of destiny, riding beside me as a young boy,

was called Temujin,

born to rule as the prince of conquerors, Genghis Khan.

Temujin! Temujin!

I wanted you alive, Yesugei.

I wanted the chieftains of the other tribes to learn how Jamuga of the Merkits

punishes those who trespass on his grazing lands.

Harness the horses!

Stay your hand!

Hear my words, Lord Jamuga.

It has been written in the stars

that the man who takes the life of Yesugei's son shall die,

and die quickly, and by his own sword.

See for yourself, mighty lord.

'Tis the mark of blood.

What is he called?

Temujin.

"Man of iron."

Then I shall spare him,

so that he may witness the death I give his father now.

Temujin!

From this day on, you will wear a collar.

I will have a chang made to put around your neck.

Oh! Oh, no! Oh, get my ball, please. My ball! Oh!

Come away from him, sister.

What harm has the young man done

that he should have to wear a chang?

You've heard Jamuga's orders, so leave him.

Besides, his father was an enemy of our tribe, also.

Now come away.

What are you called?

Temujin.

Why have they put that cruel yoke around your neck?

What are you called?

Bortei.

You will return to the camp, Princess. Go with your brothers.

I take no orders from you, Jamuga.

As you say, Bortei, not yet.

Dogs must be taught to stay in place.

Sengal.

Give me that.

Now then, man of iron.

Down! Down!

Down! Down!

The Lord Jamuga's brave when a man is yoked.

Kuchluk.

After him, after him!

Temujin!

Temujin!

Geen!

Father Geen!

How did you find me?

I consulted the stars and my...

Hmm?

Besides, Sengal showed me.

Sengal?

If he was able to talk,

he'd tell you that he will be with us from now on.

You may be chieftain of the smallest tribe of the Mongols,

but at least it's a start.

It's a good start.

This could house an army. How safe are we?

The Merkits think that only spirits and ghosts could live up this high.

As long as they continue to believe that, we are safe.

When they discover the truth, where do we go?

East or west?

When that time does come, you will decide.

But this may help you.

Our world is like three great circles.

Here, to the west,

Samarkand and Bukhara, the lands of the Persians.

Rich nations who trade with the white-skinned Christians

from beyond the desert.

And here, to the East?

I have not traveled east of the mountains,

but I have talked with merchants from the caravans,

and they have told me of the great walls,

and beyond them, of the kingdom of China.

A land of great cities, where people dress in silks.

Even the men.

And where the merchants go in search of spices and rare woods

from the nations beyond the Eastern seas.

And here, in the center?

A barren, empty circle where only Mongols live.

Why should it be barren and empty when it lies in the heartland,

between the rich west and the richer east?

Because the tribes like the Merkits, the Salkits, the Tanguts and others

are too busy fighting amongst themselves, that's why.

But if they joined together?

The only time that Mongols are joined together is in death.

You know what you said about this being the smallest tribe in existence.

It would be difficult for it to be much smaller.

Then we must make it larger.

Merkits.

What tribe are you?

Salkits.

Now shall we see if the spirits of the wind are for us or against us.

These men, they look like Salkits!

Perhaps because they are Salkits.

Salkits? Riding with you?

Yes, the Salkits and the Yesugei, together.

Over there, Lord Temujin,

is the caravan road to Tashkent.

In the old days, many battles were fought over it.

But so many of the slaves were killed, there was so little profit.

So, the Treaty of the Slave Trail was signed.

A treaty?

The Shah of Khwarezm imposed a truce.

All have sworn to it. All observe it.

No warrior is permitted to carry arms here.

Good! Then we can take our pick without fighting.

Hmm?

You do not understand, Temujin. A truce was signed.

I did not sign it.

The slaves did not sign it. But...

Will there be women among the slaves?

Yes, Lord. Good.

My men have horses and weapons, but no women.

How long do you think they will stay without women?

How long will you?

What is the meaning of this?

The slave caravan is under the protection of the Shah of Khwarezm himself.

Convey the thanks of Lord Temujin to the Shah.

Temujin?

Temujin!

Katke!

My lord! I thank the four winds you found me.

Jamuga was selling me for a slave.

Somehow I don't see you as a slave.

In any case, you're free now. You're all free.

Free?

I said you are all free, my sisters,

to continue with this caravan,

or to ride with my men back to our camp.

You give them a choice? Women?

Sengal, strike the fetters off these slaves.

This truce has lasted 100 years, barbarian!

The Shah will have your head spiked on the city walls.

Once you're dead, do you really think it matters?

Safe journey to Tashkent, and give our thanks to the Shah!

A miracle! A miracle!

Oh, thank you.

But if you want to prove your gratitude, give me this woman, huh?

- But she's my wife! - Oh, take another!

Go on and take another woman! I give you a horse.

I give you two horses.

No, friend Shan, no woman will be taken against her will.

But, Lord, that's what women are for.

And besides, the best have already been taken.

A wise man does not judge a horse by its saddle markings.

Come, I will choose for you.

Come.

Hey, do you want a husband, Katke?

That?

That's settled, then. May you have many sons.

It's about time you, too, my lord, had thoughts of sons.

The thoughts I've had in my mind are not for a holy man as you.

Give me time.

Take this and be careful.

Temujin!

Katke!

Bring food and clothes to the Princess.

Prepare another tent for me while I wash.

Wash?

The Lord Temujin, my lady.

Stay, woman. I did not tell you to go.

That was stupid of you.

You do not seem like a stupid woman.

I am not a stupid woman.

And what did I do that you thought stupid?

You gave an order that was bound to be overruled.

The master who feeds his dog

does not expect him to answer to the whistle of any stranger.

I might have thought it of you.

You treat those who serve you as dogs.

Not Katke. She brought me up as a child.

She did not boast about that, I promise you.

My lady, anyone else listening to us now

would imagine that you were trying to provoke a fight.

But it always needs two to make a quarrel.

Not with me it doesn't!

I like a horse with spirit.

Horses, dogs, animals, all you ever think of?

I can see that was a stupid question.

But if it please you, now that you are here,

say what it is you came to say.

I have said what I came to say, but for this.

Deep in my heart if I search for the truth,

I must also say that what drove me most to do what I did

was the thought of the rage and anger I have brought to Jamuga.

To steal in the night the woman he had chosen to marry.

Outcast! Slave!

Soon you'll be back in a wooden yoke.

For, born a slave, you'll die a slave!

Born a slave I never was!

Born to rule the Yesugei was always in my stars.

And not only one tribe, but people of many tribes were destined to follow me,