Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights:#1 In 1222, Chinggis Khan sent for the most respected Taoist leader of northern China, Qiu Chuji. The old monk provided the backing the Mongols wanted, and his followers took control of temples and summoned the Buddhist and Taoist clergy to submit to the Mongol Empire.#2 The Mongols had a unique political economy based on long-distance trade, circulation rather than accumulation of goods, sharing across social strata, and systems of hierarchy derived from the deep well of steppe history.#3 The steppe was a continent of diversities, geographically and culturally. The Mongols were not the only nomads in the steppe region, but they were the most prominent. The Felt-Walled Tents shared a common political culture, and they were divided not only into nobles and commoners but also between longtime members of high-status uruqs and newcomers.#4 The Mongol oboqs were divided between Niru’un and D ü rl ü kin. The Niru’un were the leaders of the Mongol leadership class, while the D ü rl ü kin were commoners who were denied any official political role. But they were economically independent.