Travels Of Marco Polo: Twenty Three

I will hereafter mention about a council of twelve persons, having power to exercise the will of lands, governments, and all things related to the state. A member of the council, a Saracen named Achmac, had acquired extraordinary influence with Kublai Khan. Indeed his majesty was so infatuated with him that he allowed him the most uncontrolled licence.  It was even discovered after his death that he had employed spells to fascinate Khan, and compel him to give full credit to what was told him by his favourite, and thus the favourite conducted public affairs according to his pleasure.  He disposed of all the commands and public offices; passed sentence upon offenders, and when desired to inflict injury on on anyone he hated, needed only to go to the emperor, and say, "such a man had been guilty of an offence against the majesty, and deserve death", the monarch usually 

replied, "do as you judge best" and Achmac then ordered him to be immediately executed.  So manifest were the proof of his influence, and the Sovereign's implicit reliance on his statements, that no one cared to contradict him on any occasion; even the highest in office stood in awe of him.  Any one charged by him with capital offence, was not able to defend himself and refute the allegations, and seek the help of an advocate in his favour; for none dated to oppose the purpose of Achmac.  Thus, he unjustly caused the death of many.  Achmac was able to indulge in his unlawful propensities.  Whenever he saw a woman who pleased him, he contrived to either add her to his wives or if the woman resisted allege criminal charges against her or her kins.  On receiving information of any man having beautiful daughter, he despatched emissaries with instructions to say to him, "what are your views with regard to this handsome girl: the best thing you can do is to give her to the lord-vicegerent"; for so they termed Achmac, implying that he was his majesty's representative. "We will induce him to appoint you to a certain government or office for three years."  The father was thus tempted to give away his child; and soon as the affair was arranged, the other went and informed the emperor that a government post was vacant, or would become so on a particular day, and recommended the parent as well qualified to discharge its duties. His Majesty consented; the appointment was immediately made. Thus, either through ambition to hold a high post, or dread of his power he obtained possession of the fairest females, under the denomination of wife or concubine. Besides he had twenty sons who held the highest office of the state, and availing themselves his authority were guilty of similar violent and licentious proceedings. He has likewise accumulated great wealth, since everyone who obtained an appointment found it requisite to make him a liberal present.  

During a period of twenty two years, he exercised this absolute authority.  At length the people, natives of Cathay, unable to endure this multiplied acts and violation of domestic rights, began to devise means of bringing about his death and overthrow of the government.  Among the leading persons in the plot was Chenku, a commander of six thousand men, in whose family his dissolute conduct had spread dishonour.  He proposed to one of his men named Vanku, who had a command of ten thousand men to execute the plan.  Kublai Khan and his royal teams departure from  Kambalu was found suitable opportunity to strike. The conspirators decided to kill all persons wearing beards, because it characterised Tartars, Saracens and Christians.  There was no sympathy among the natives towards these people. Almost all high officials of the government were bearded and there was no love of them by the natives.  The natives felt that they were treated as slaves by the foreign rulers.

Vanku and Chenku were succeeded in entering the palace.  Vanku placed himself on the royal throne.  Made the apartment to be lighted up and send a messenger to Achmac, then residing in the old city.  The messenger professed that he was coming from Genhis, the emperor's son who had unexpectedly arrived and required Achmac's immediate presence.  Achmac was surprised, but he stood in awe of the prince, and obeyed. On passing the gate of new city, he met Tartar Officer, named Kogatai, who commanded twelve thousand men, and who asked Achmac, to where he was going.  He stated his intention.  Kogatai thought, "how he should have come so secretly, that I was not apprised, so as to send a party of guards to attend him." Vanku and Chenku confidently waited for the arrival of Achmac. Seeing Vanku on the throne in the blazing light Achmac mistook him for the prince and prostrated before him, when Chenku, with a sword in hand, severed the head of Achmac from his body.  Kogatai, now standing on the door step, witnessed the scene, and exclaimed that treason was at work, discharged an arrow, which killed Vanku immediately.  He then caused men to seize the other. The other members of the conspiracy, seeing Vanku killed and Chenku imprisoned, remained underground.  On receiving the intelligence of this conspiracy Kublai Khan had instituted a probe into the conspiracy.  All the ring leaders were punished.

When his Majesty returned to Kambalu, he inquired the cause of the disturbance, he found that Achmac and his sons were infamous because of their cruel ways.  The wealth acquired by Achmac and his sons were confiscated.  He summoned all the Tartars and fobade them from continuing the old practices, and that "marriages should be arranged according to Tartar customs." [1]

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[1]. The Song societies were more civilized than the Mongols. Raid and plunder was the way of the cattle and sheep rearing nomadic tribes of Mongols. What Kublai Khan must have told his community may be to follow the Song culture.

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1. Saracen: A Greek and Latin term to denote people of Arabian deserts and Levant