Letter from Mengu Qaghan to the Póp
We, by the Power and Grace of the Eternal God Blue Sky Father, the Universal Ocean Ghan of the Great No'Am and all the Nations, Our Command: We decree to the Great Póp, and to all peoples before whom these words appear, who have made their submission to us, and offered their subordination, let them bow in awe of it. And the Great Póp, to whom this command is directed, may he take note and understand what has been written. Pay heed, his petition of surrender has been accepted from the hands of his emissaries.
In response, we decree that if the bearer of this Command reached you with his report, you, who are the Great Póp, and all of your Kings and Princes, shall come in your proper persons, all together without exception, to render us service and pay us homage. Then and only then, shall we acknowledge your submission, and make known to you all of the commands of the Law of No'Am.
Furthermore, you tell us that we have invaded many countries and murdered the people of God. These, your words, we do not comprehend. My grandfather, the Great Khamgiin, and my father, Kültömör Qaghan, revealed to the people the Command of Heaven. But those whom you claim I oppress would not accept the Command of Heaven. They of whom you speak were arrogant and slew our emissaries. Therefore, in accordance with the will of the Eternal God, they were slain and annihilated. Thus the Eternal God himself punished those countries. If not by the will of the Eternal God, no king can conquer and plunder by his own strength.
And you claim to know the will of your God. This again we do not comprehend. How do you know who is pleasing to God and worthy of His Grace? How do you dare to speak such words? Thanks to the power of the Eternal God, all lands have been given to us, from the mountains of dawn to the ocean of sunset, and we own them. How could anyone act against the Command of Heaven?
Now, knowing this, you must change your heart and tell us, “We will be your subjects, we will not contest you, our power is your power.” And this you must come and say before us, and all of you with no exception, must come to offer service to us and pay us homage. Only then will we recognize your submission.
Fail not the Command of Heaven, lest we know you are our enemy. That we say to you. For how can we know what will befall you if you act against our edict? That knowledge rests with Heaven alone.
In response, we decree that if the bearer of this Command reached you with his report, you, who are the Great Póp, and all of your Kings and Princes, shall come in your proper persons, all together without exception, to render us service and pay us homage. Then and only then, shall we acknowledge your submission, and make known to you all of the commands of the Law of No'Am.
Furthermore, you tell us that we have invaded many countries and murdered the people of God. These, your words, we do not comprehend. My grandfather, the Great Khamgiin, and my father, Kültömör Qaghan, revealed to the people the Command of Heaven. But those whom you claim I oppress would not accept the Command of Heaven. They of whom you speak were arrogant and slew our emissaries. Therefore, in accordance with the will of the Eternal God, they were slain and annihilated. Thus the Eternal God himself punished those countries. If not by the will of the Eternal God, no king can conquer and plunder by his own strength.
And you claim to know the will of your God. This again we do not comprehend. How do you know who is pleasing to God and worthy of His Grace? How do you dare to speak such words? Thanks to the power of the Eternal God, all lands have been given to us, from the mountains of dawn to the ocean of sunset, and we own them. How could anyone act against the Command of Heaven?
Now, knowing this, you must change your heart and tell us, “We will be your subjects, we will not contest you, our power is your power.” And this you must come and say before us, and all of you with no exception, must come to offer service to us and pay us homage. Only then will we recognize your submission.
Fail not the Command of Heaven, lest we know you are our enemy. That we say to you. For how can we know what will befall you if you act against our edict? That knowledge rests with Heaven alone.
Mengu
Comments