Kúblái

Abaka Khan is identified in the character list as Kúblái’s grandson; this relationship is not narrated in these chapters.

Kúblái descends from Chinghiz Khan and inherits the Mongol imperial lineage. A note reports that Chinghiz recognized the young Kúblái’s promise and urged his followers to heed him.

Arghún was Kúblái’s great-nephew and ruler of Persia.

Arikbuga is Kúblái’s brother and rival for the throne; the notes say Kúblái defeated him early in his reign.

Burté Fujin is identified as Kúblái’s mother.

Kúblái belongs to the line of Chinghis Khan; the chapter attributes to Chinghis the grant of the Horiad tribe’s special privilege to drink the imperial mares’ milk.

Chingkim is Kúblái’s eldest son by his lawful wives and was expected to succeed him, but died before his father.

Jamúi is identified in the commentary as Kúblái’s beloved wife and one of his empresses; she bore him four sons and five daughters.

Mangku Kaan is Kúblái’s brother and predecessor. Kúblái’s accession follows Mangku’s death, after which the imperial succession is contested by Kúblái’s brothers and other kin.

The chapter’s succession account names Mongou Kaan before Kúblái Kaan, who is described as the reigning sovereign. The commentary clarifies that Mongou, rather than Batu or Hulaku, preceded Kúblái in the actual succession.

Kúblái is named as one of the sons of Serḳuḳteni Bigi and Tului.

Teimur is Kúblái’s grandson and designated heir. Kúblái sends him against the princes who continue the rebellion after Nayan’s capture.

Kúblái is the fourth son of Tului, the youngest of Chinghiz Khan’s four sons by Burté Fujin.

The text says rulers of Prester John’s lineage customarily married daughters of the Great Kaan or other princesses of his family; this is presented as a dynastic custom, not as a specifically documented marriage for King George.

Temur is Kúblái’s grandson and heir through Kúblái’s eldest son, Chingkim.

In the account quoted in the notes, Kúblái explains his religious policy to Maffeo and Nicolo Polo and recalls their earlier discussions about Christianity. He says he had asked them to seek missionaries capable of challenging religious wonder-workers.

Marco writes as a close observer of the emperor’s court and describes its seasonal routines, feasts, and hunting in admiring terms.

Kúblái recalls speaking with Nicolo and Maffeo Polo about Christianity and having sent them as envoys to the Pope. He describes a proposed mission of Christian teachers as a condition for his conversion.

Ahmad served as Kúblái’s Mahomedan minister; the account describes his oppressive conduct and the Cathayan uprising that ended in his murder.

Before the battle, Kúblái orders his astrologers to determine the likely outcome. They urge him to proceed, predicting victory.

Kúblái selects Cocachin from Bolgana’s family and entrusts her to the Polo envoys for the journey to Argun.

The Corean king sends goods and attendants to Kúblái, including animal skins and ritual specialists, in response to imperial requests.

The commentary compares Kúblái’s seasonal hunting journey with a later hunting tour made by Kangxi in the same broad region.

Ko Show-king served as chief astronomer under Kúblái and is credited with constructing the Mongol-era observatory instruments.

Hui-Heng, together with Ko Show-king, composed the Shou-shi-li calendar system by Kúblái’s order.

Mingan serves Kúblái as one of the two barons in charge of the emperor’s mastiff keepers and the supply of game.

Shah Rukh’s later ambassadors provide a comparison for imperial New Year ceremony and court custom.

The equerry is an imperial court attendant within the hierarchy surrounding Kúblái; no specific personal interaction is described here.

Zurficar served the Great Kaan for three years in the region of Chingintalas, procuring the material used to make fire-resistant cloth.

Baian serves Kúblái as one of the two barons in charge of the emperor’s mastiff keepers and the supply of game.

The Georgian king is described as subject to the Tartar ruler.

Kúblái maintains the inherited privilege that allows the Horiad to drink the milk of his white mares, a reward for their assistance in a victory by Chinghis Khan.

The commentary identifies Yun-Hien as a Buddhist ecclesiastic and abbot whose memorial was erected by Kúblái near the summer palace.

After Nayan is captured, Kúblái orders his secret execution by suffocation within a carpet, avoiding the spilling of imperial blood.

Caidu agrees to Nayan’s plan to attack Kúblái from another direction. After Nayan’s defeat and death, Caidu remains troubled and prepares for war, fearing the same fate.