In the year 1162, an infant came to the world in a storm-blown Mongol ger located in a famous place called Tieliwenletahei by the Wonan river in Mongolia. The male infant held a blood clot in its right hand, "its eyesight piercing , its face radiant", which, by a Mongol's proverb at the time, was an auspicious sign. No one however ever expected that this infant later turned out to be a world conqueror in the Middle Ages under the deterring name Genhis Khan. What was divine was unpredictable. Out of somewhere in the forlorn north Asia rose the hero who shocked the whole world and altered historical course.
Genhis Khan, by the name of Tiemuzhen, was born into a declining aristocratic family in the Mongolian grasslands during the mid 12th century. His father passed away when he was very young. He lived together with his mother and siblings in utter penury and was brought up and educated by her mother Ms. Heelun, an able, virtuous and brave woman.
At that time, the Mongol tribes were waging ceaseless wars with one another. People living in the war-torn grasslands longed for peace. The times produce their heroes. Tiemuzhen emerged out of such a family background and social milieu. He was bent on transforming such a situation. With a strong will, he cracked down and unified the warring tribes and led people back to the restored peace. By his decree, the Mongol script was created, the culture was further developed, and the Law Dazhasa was issued. Genhis Khan was experienced and sophisticated in mobilizing "human resources". A capable man was used and entrusted regardless of his humble origins or his former enmity with the Khan. During his reign, skilled craftsmen were specially valued and various religions were paid equal respect.
Admittedly, a historically prominent figure is inevitably confined within a particular historical stage and class group and thus has both merits and faults. A careful and critical assessment, therefore, is supposed to be desired.
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