Court of the Great Khan. Chair: Topher Fryzel

Transcription

1 Court of the Great Khan Chair: Topher Fryzel

2 Table of Contents: 1. Letter from the Chair 2. Members of Committee 3. Topic A: Expanding the Empire 4. Topic B: Unity in the Empire

3 Letter from the Chair Delegates, My name is Topher Fryzel and I will be your chair for the Court of Kublai Khan committee at LYMUN IV. I have participated in Model UN for 3 years and it is by far my favorite club. I am excited to see all the work that will be accomplished in committee, and I hope the conference will be engaging and interesting to you. The two topics that will be discussed in committee are extremely important to the survival and prosperity of the Empire of the Great Khan. The topic order is already set, so Topic A will be discussed first, but delegates should still prepare for Topic B as it is almost definite that it will be debated. Even though LYMUN IV is a training conference, it is essential that delegates who want to win awards or take something away from the conference speak well and often, intelligently craft detailed resolutions, act diplomatically, and have knowledge about the Empire of the Great Khan and the present situation in surrounding areas. Once again, LYMUN IV is a training conference, so if you have any question about the Court of the Great Khan, position paper writing, researching, or Parliamentary Procedure, please me at: fry504230@student.lths.net. Best wishes, Topher Fryzel

4 Members of the Committee: Ahmad Fanākatī: Finance minister of Kublai Khan, Ahmad is a Persian Muslim and one of the Great Khan s favorite ministers, Ahmad has full power over the Department of State Affairs, which is a financial department with equal status to the administrative department that is known as the Central Secretariat. He was successful in managing the financial affairs of Northern China and brought huge tax revenues to Kublai's new government. Drogön Chögyal Phagpa: The first Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan Dynasty, Phagpa holds great influence over the Buddhists of the empire and the Khan. Phagpa also serves as the director of the Bureau of Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs, giving him enormous political power in Tibet. He created the Phags-pa script, after Kublai commissioned him to design a new writing system to unify the empire, and Kublai instituted this as the official alphabet of the empire to attempt to unify multilingual China. Byamba: As a son of Kublai, Byamba always has the ear of the Khan of Khans. Byamba is a skilled wrestler, soldier, and tactician, and is well-educated in the way of war. He is one of Kublai s most trusted military advisors and also one of the most skilled combatants in the Yuan dynasty. Prince Jingim: Son and heir apparent (crown prince) to Kublai Khan, he is the head of the Central Secretariat. This puts Jingim in charge of the main policy

5 formulating agency and the drafting and proposition of imperial decrees. He was also known as a strong supporter of Confucianism. Antong: The grand chancellor of the Central Secretariat, and previously supreme leader of the imperial guards, Antong is a great-grandson of one of Genghis Khan s greatest generals, Muqali, and he has accompanied Kublai since he was still a boy. He is an educated Confucian and has become an influential administrator of the Yuan dynasty, and he supported Kublai s adopting of Confucianism and Chinese court rituals, and opposed the influence of Ahmad Fanakati in the Court. Empress Chabi: Favorite wife and trusted advisor of Kublai Khan, Chabi is a Khangarid empress consort of the Yuan dynasty, and the mother of the crown prince, Prince Jingim. As Kublai's wife and advisor, she was an important political and diplomatic influence, especially in pleasing the Chinese masses through reconciliation. Her influence has allowed Kublai to adopt some Chinese culture without being overwhelmed by it. Bayan of the Baarin: Known as Bayan Hundred Eyes to Marco Polo, Bayan is a great Mongolian general and the commander of the Yuan Army. He is leading the conquest of South China, including the Song dynasty, and so far has been extremely successful in doing so. He is a grandnephew of Nayagha, a general under Genghis Khan.

6 Zhong Yazhu: Chief advisor to the Navy of the Great Khan, Zhong Yazhu is an experienced tactician and strategist and well-versed in naval warfare of all varieties, as well as shipbuilding. He defected from the navy of the Song dynasty, and became an experienced sailor during his service under the Song, yet was displeased with their decline. Feng Chun: Feng is the Minister of Personnel, and as such he is responsible for the appointment of civil administrators, as well as merit ratings, promotions, demotions of officials, and granting of honorific titles. He is from the Lingbei region of China, and is a loyal official of the Khan. Jia Zhen: As the Minister of Rites, Jia is in charge of foreign relations and imperial ceremonies, as well as the administration of civil service examinations. Jia is from the Sichuan region of China and is pleased with the work of the Khan in attempting the reunification of China. Xia Fang: Xia is the Minister of Punishments, and he is in charge of judicial and penal processes, but he is unable to have authority over the Censorate or the Grand Court of Revision. Xia was raised in the Yunnan region, yet moved to Dadu (Khanbaliq) to fulfill a civil service posting. Yan Da: Minister of Works, responsible for transportation infrastructure, manufacturing of government equipment, and public exploitation of natural

7 resources. He is also responsible for the hiring of artisans and laborers for temporary services. Yan is from the Central Region, which includes Dadu. Chakhurkhan: Ambassador to the other Mongol Khanates, including the Ilkhanate, the Golden Horde, and the Chagatai Khanate. Chakhurkhan has more progressive cultural views than most Mongolians, as he embraces the Chinese culture and believes that doing so is essential to unifying and ruling China. Guo Shoujing: The top engineer of the Yuan Dynasty, Guo is a trusted advisor to Kublai in the construction of buildings and defense mechanisms. Guo is from the Gansu administrative division of the Yuan dynasty. Ulug Noyan: Ulug is the Grand Official of the Keshig, which serves as a group of administrators and lawyers in the Yuan Empire. He is the grandson of one of Genghis's greatest companions, Bo orchu, and is a trusted and loyal advisor to the Khan. Bai Zhen: As the Minister of the Censorate, Bai oversees the Censorate and ensures that censors are in fact preventing corruption and malfeasance by administrators at every level. His service is especially treasured by the Khan as the Censorate acts as the eyes and ears of the Khan, and keeps the Yuan dynasty running smoothly.

8 Background of the Committee: I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback. This sage piece of advice was given to Kublai Khan by one of his finest Chinese advisors. The empire that Kublai now rules over is no longer the same one that Genghis Khan built. It is officially larger in size, but it is much more fragmented among the higher ranking officials of the empire, especially the family of the Khan. Now, in 1274 in Khanbaliq, the fate of the empire must be decided. Advisors and officials of varying positions--including Kublai s ministers of China, military officials, and family of the Great Khan--are convening to decide this fate in the Court of Kublai Khan, the Khan of Khans. Should the Yuan Dynasty be expanded to conquer all of China? Or should it turn towards the conquest of Japan, solidify control in the Korean peninsula, or gain a foothold in Southeast Asia in order to conquer the Spice Islands? There is also the issue of disarray and disobedience in the other portions of the empire, including the Ilkhanate, the Chagatai Khanate, and the Golden Horde. Should the Khan of Khans have more direct control over these Khanates, and if so what powers should the Great Khan have?

9 Topic A: Expanding the Empire Overview Since its dawn, the Mongol Empire has sought expansion and little else. Countless opportunities lie before the court to ensure that this tradition started by the great Genghis Khan China In the Chinese realm of the Mongol Empire, the Yuan Dynasty is dominating force, yet the Song dynasty continues to put up a notable resistance against it. They have managed to avoid defeat for decades, and still hold significant and strategically important areas of southeast China and in the Yangtze and Huang He River valleys. The elimination of the Song dynasty is essential to the expansion of the Yuan Dynasty in any way, and it is necessary to unify all of China under the great Kublai Khan, the Khan of Khans. Japan

10 Japan has disrespected the Khan and neglected the Mongol Empire since Kublai s ascension to the throne. The Japanese have always been allied with Korea, and sometimes China too, and they have never sent an ambassador to the Great Khan in order enter into friendly relations, as all countries should. We have demanded that Japan becomes a vassal state of the Mongol Empire, and that they pay tribute to the Empire. Spice Islands The Singhasari people who rule the Spice Islands are allied with the rogue state of Champa, and considering these unwise actions, they must be punished. The Great Khan would like to see these cowards submit to the Khan of Khans and pay tribute to the great Yuan Dynasty, or be incorporated totally into the Empire. Korea Currently, Korea, or Goryeo, is a vassal state of the Mongol Empire, but is yet to be incorporated completely in the Empire. It still has an independent military force. The strategic location of Goryeo will be essential for an invasion of Japan, and a secure Goryeo is equally as necessary for a successful assault. Đại Việt This country has previously paid tribute to the Great Khan Every three years, but they have recently halted this process. They have also refused to open their land and let the Yuan army pass through to invade the kingdom of Champa, and the king also later refused to surrender his land and kingship. This insubordination must not be tolerated, and the Yuan Dynasty must conquer this strategic piece of land from these unworthy and disrespectful cowards, who are trying to avoid the might of the Khan. Southeast Asia

11 Southeast Asia is currently dominated by the mighty Khmer Empire, who rule over a million square kilometers of land and millions of people. It may not be wise to wage war with these worthy and powerful opponents, yet it may be wise to increase trade with this region and to order tribute from all powers in the area. Burma is also a key area of interest in Southeast Asia, with vast natural resources, including precious metals and minerals, and access to the Andaman Sea. Tribute from this area would also be very profitable. The Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Chiang Mai are also key areas of strategic and commercial interest that could be reigned in by the Khan. Bloc Positions: The major bloc positions are as follows: those who wish to establish a base in southeast Asia and the Spice Islands, those who wish to conquest China, and those who wish to attack Japan. The main supporters of the conquest of southeast Asia and the Spice Islands are those involved in finances and trade, such as Ahmad Fanakati. These people see the vast resources in these areas as being extremely important in securing the future of the Yuan Dynasty and to establish more trade with East Asia and beyond. The proponents of the conquest of China include some family members of Kublai and some Chinese ministers, including Empress Chabi and Jia Zhen. These people support the reunification of China under one powerful emperor: Kublai Khan. Those in favor of invading and conquering Japan include military officials, such as Zhong Yazhu, and family members, such as Prince Jingim. Questions to Consider:

12 1. Which territories could the Yuan Empire annex/conquest to best advance itself? 2. How should the Yuan Empire address possible financial difficulties in future conquests? 3. What actions should the Yuan Empire take if it wishes to expedite the conquest of China? 4. What territories should be the first priority for the Yuan Dynasty to assault? Additional Resources:

13 Topic B: Unity in the Empire Overview It is not easy for one man to rule over one-fifth of the world s inhabited land area. Not all of the other kingdoms of the Mongol Empire recognize or support the ascension to the throne or the rule of Kublai Khan, the Khan of Khans. Kublai has minimal influence over some regions of the kingdom, and absolute power in others. Chagatai Khanate The Chagatai Khanate used to be full of loyal Chagatayids, yet Kaidu invaded the Chagatai Khanate and made it a vassal state. Kaidu is currently the de facto Khan of the Chagatai Khanate, and he has fostered a hatred for Kublai Khan ever since his ascension to the throne was

14 declared, after the death of Ögodei, at a kurultai. Kaidu has been continuous waging war against Kublai since 1268, and shows no signs of stopping. Golden Horde Kublai exerts a minimal amount of influence over the Golden Horde, yet is at peace with this region of the Empire. This region is currently autonomous, yet it does not conflict with the Yuan Dynasty or other loyal regions of the Empire. It may be necessary to ensure that this khanate is loyal by encouraging them to announce the supremacy of Kublai Khan, the Khan of Khans, over the Golden Horde. Ilkhanate As the term il-khan means subordinate khan, this Khanate is the one that is the most greatly influenced by the Khan of Khans, save for the Yuan Dynasty. The rulers of the Ilkhanate have always been very even-handed in treating all the competing religions in the region with great respect, which Kublai Khan has also demonstrated in his ruling and appreciates greatly. The Ilkhanate also supported Kublai in the Toluid Civil War, which resulted in an even closer bond between Kublai s Yuan Dynasty and the mighty Ilkhanate. The Ilkhanate was also similar to the Yuan Dynasty culturally. The dragon clothing of Imperial China was used by the Ilkhanids, and the Chinese Huangdi title was used by the Ilkhanids due to heavy clout upon the Mongols of the Chinese system of politics. Seals with Chinese characters were created by the Ilkhanids themselves, which demonstrate deep cultural ties between the countries. Yuan Dynasty The Yuan Dynasty is under absolute and direct control of Kublai Khan. Kublai controls the Yuan Dynasty without question and without opposition. Although, some in Karakorum, the former Mongol capital, are unhappy that the capital was moved to Khanbaliq, and these restless

15 peoples have instilled revolts from time to time. Rebellions have also been instigated in China by Mongol rule, which has disappointed some Chinese that are fiercely loyal to the Song Dynasty. These rebellions must be crushed and unity must be induced to secure the Yuan Dynasty and insure the longevity of the Mongol Empire as a whole. Bloc Positions: The main positions on this issue include assaulting and annexing the Chagatai Khanate, bettering relations with the Golden Horde, and peacefully resolving the conflict with the Chagatai Khanate. Those in favor of continuously assaulting the Chagatai Khanate include military leaders such as Bayan and Khan family members such as Byamba. These people fiercely loathe Kaidu and wish to conquer his khanate and annihilate his traitorous soul. Those who wish to establish better relations with the Golden Horde include those in the finance and trade sector, and those in the infrastructure sector, including Guo Shoujing and Yan Da. These individuals believe that this relationship would be extremely fruitful for both parties, and also believe that it is unnecessary for the relationship with the Chagatai Khanate to change. The people who wish to establish peaceful relations with the Chagatai Khanate include religious men such as Phagpa and a peace-minded ambassador in Chakhurkhan. These men and others like them wish to foster an environment of order in the empire to encourage great prosperity in the future. Questions to Consider: 1. What course of action--regarding relations with the other khanates-- will most likely result in the advancement of the Yuan Dynasty? 2. What actions can secure the continual dominance of the Mongol Empire in Asia? 3. How should the rebellious Chagatai Khanate be dealt with, if it should be dealt with at all?

16 4. What actions can the Yuan Dynasty undertake to ensure continued close political and economic relations with the Ilkhanate? Additional Resources:

17 Bibliography Asteriaa. The Mongol Empire: Kublai Khan's Impact on China. Owlcation, Owlcation, 1 Nov. 2017, Kublai Khan ( ) Biography - Life of Mongol Emperor of China. Totally History, 22 Apr. 2013, Kublai Khan. Then Again, The Mongol Dynasty. Asia Society,