There is light in his eyes and fire in his face
- The Secret History of the Mongols
Around 1177, Temuujin was captured and held prisoner by his father's former allies, the Tayichiud. He spent most of his days in a cangue. He was able to escape with the help of a sympathetic guard, the father of one of his future generals, Chuluun. Through this incident, Temuujin further learnt that kinship and his father's past allies were not to be trusted. He also joined forces with Jelme and Boorchi - two of his future generals - around this time.
Marriage
When he was around 16, Temuujin married the woman his father had arranged for him to marry, Borte. She would become his only empress.
Lessons
During this time, Temuujin learnt about the political climate of the steppe tribes. Forces from the south, such as the Chinese dynasties, often helped the steppe tribes to fight each other so that they would not become a threat. There was constant raiding, acts of revenge, and fights between the steppe tribes. Each raid served as the pretext for the next. He also learnt that the south had more riches than the steppe tribes of the north. He wanted to end the fighting and unite the steppe tribes of Mongolia.
Chapter 2: The Birth
Early life
Legend has it that young Temuujin was born grasping a blood clot in his hand. This was taken as a sign that he was born to be a great leader. He was born in either 1162 or 1155. His name, Temuujin, was given to him by his father who chose to name him after a Tatar chieftain he had captured, called Temuujin-Uge. His father was a chieftain of the Borjigin clan, and thus, Temuujin was of noble standing. This made it easier for him to gain the support of, and later on, unite, the other steppe tribes.
Temuujin's father arranged a marriage for him, and thus, at nine years of age, he met his future wife, Borte. He was supposed to live at her father's house until he was 12, which was the age at which one could get married at the time. Unfortunately, on the return trip from delivering Temuujin to his new home, his father ran into the Tatars. They were having a feast, and he decided to join them without revealing his identity. One of the Tatars recognized who he was and gave him poisoned food. Upon hearing the news, Temuujin returned home to become the chieftain of his tribe.
Struggles
However, no such thing would happen. The Borjigin tribe refused to defer to young Temuujin. Given the harsh climate and scarcity of food, the tribe left Temuujin and his family to die. Temuujin learnt that blood ties were not to be trusted. This lesson would play a big part in his military tactics, and government.
Following their abandonment, Temuujin's family lived in poverty for the next several years. They survived on wild fruits and other small game hunted by him and his brothers. It was also during this time that Temuujin shot his older half-brother with an arrow during a fight, further cementing his position as the leader of the family. His older half-brother had stolen the game that Temuujin had hunted. After this, Temuujin conspired with his younger brother to kill him. His younger brother shot him with an arrow from the front, while Temuujin shot him from the back. Temuujin's mother rebuked him for his actions.
A cangue