Travels Of Marco Polo: Eleven: Kublai Khan

Now I am to give you a wonderful account of the greatest king of the Tartars, still reigning: Kublai Khan. The name is well merited, because he is more powerful in people, land and treasure, since the creation of Adam to the present day. He is the grandson of Genghis Khan. He began his rule in 1256 and maintained the dominion by his valour and wisdom. His brothers opposed his accession to the throne, but it was not affective. Today he is in the forty second year on the throne. He is eighty five now. Before the accession he commanded many armies, and proved his mettle at weapons. After that he joined army only once, in 1296. I will tell you the circumstances that led him to take the bridle of army.

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Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan. He completed the conquest of China started by Genghis Khan. He was the Overlord of all other Mongol dominions, including parts of southern Russia, parts of Iran and the steppe or grasslands extending from Hungary, through Ukraine, Central Asia, and Manchuria.  The physical features and the lay of land and sparse rain helped the growth of grassland or steppe and paved the way to nomadic life of cattle and sheep rearing. They left very little to the historians, except myriad of tombs.

Historians say that Kublai Khan could not read or write. But, I think he must have excellent speaking skill, both public and private.