Chaghan Temur (simplified: 察罕特穆尔, traditional: 察罕特穆爾, pinyin: Cháhǎn Tèmù’ěr, jyutping: caat3 hon2 dak6 mou6 ji5), also known as the Prince of Ruyang (汝阳王, Rǔyáng Wáng), was a Yuan official who held the office of Grand Commander (太尉) and commanded the empire’s military forces. He was the father of Zhao Min and Wang Baobao.
Biography
Military role
Chaghan Temur was the first capable commander in the Yuan court. He held authority over the empire’s armed forces, and rebel uprisings along the Huai and Si rivers were repeatedly suppressed by troops he deployed. Rebel forces rose and fell repeatedly, largely because of Chaghan Temur’s effective military command.
Suppression of rebels
Rebel armies in the Jianghuai region had been repeatedly defeated by Chaghan Temur’s campaigns. His talent for organization and command made him a formidable opponent of the rebel cause. Although he was skilled in statecraft and warfare, court politics were controlled by corrupt ministers, and the emperor was incompetent. Natural disasters and popular unrest left the realm in turmoil. Chaghan Temur campaigned continuously against rebels, but they arose again as soon as one force was crushed, leaving him little time to deal with martial arts sects and societies.
Family
Chaghan Temur had one son and one daughter. His son, Wang Baobao (库库特穆尔, Kùkù Tèmù’ěr), was his heir. His daughter, Zhao Min (敏敏特穆尔, Mǐnmǐn Tèmù’ěr), held the title of Shaomin Commandery Princess (绍敏郡主). Both children were fond of martial arts and adopted Han Chinese dress and names.
Dragon-Slaying Dao plot
On Cheng Kun’s advice, Chaghan Temur used the Dragon-Slaying Dao as bait to provoke conflict in the jianghu and turn martial artists against each other.
Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji
When Zhao Min chose to leave with Zhang Wuji, Chaghan Temur was torn between loyalty to the throne and love for his daughter. Zhao Min threatened to take her own life if he did not let her go. Eventually he relented, telling her to take care and asking if she had enough money. He ordered his men to give her two horses before leaving.
Personality and traits
Chaghan Temur was a capable administrator and military commander. He loved his daughter deeply and, despite his official duties, ultimately respected her choice to follow Zhang Wuji.
Behind the scenes
Historical basis
The character is loosely based on the historical Chaghan Temür (察罕帖木儿), a Yuan general. According to the New Yuan History, his ancestors included Kököchi (great-great-grandfather of Temüjin) and his family had adopted the Han surname Li (李) in Henan.
See also
- Zhao Min — Daughter
- Wang Baobao — Son
- Zhang Wuji — Son-in-law
- Cheng Kun — Adviser
- Dragon-Slaying Dao
- The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre