The Successors of Genghis Khan - Robert Bedrosian's Armenian ...

HISTORY OF GHAGHATAI KHAN
That Khitayan, who was his herdsman, was listening outside the house
and demonstrating the truth or falsehood of the various statements in
such a manner that it was clear to them all, and they all agreed with
what he said. Qushuq called him in and asked him from whence he
had acquired this knowledge. He produced a book in which he had
recorded day by day all the past events and histories that were now
required. Qushuq was pleased and took him to Chaghatai together
with the book. Being extremely fond of biligs and aphorisms, Chaghatai
approved of those words. He asked Qushuq for that Khitayan and
made him one of his attendants. Within a short time [the Khitayan]
acquired absolute freedom of speech in Chaghatai's service and became
honored and famous. Qa'an recognized and approved of his
intelligence and, seeing him to be Chaghatai's favorite, gave him the
name of Vazir.44 He was short of stature and of mean appearance, but
extremely brave, quick-witted, intelligent, and eloquent, and also a
great eater and drinker. His status became such that he sat above most
of the emirs and enjoyed greater freedom of speech than anyone in
Chaghatai's service, to such an extent that one day, when Chaghatai's
wife interrupted him Vazir shouted out: "Thou art a woman and hast
no say in this matter." Again, one of Chaghatai's daughters-in-law
was accused [of adultery] with a certain person. [Vazir] put her to
death without consulting Chaghatai. When [Chaghatai] learnt of this
Vazir said: "How is it fitting that a daughter-in-law of thine should
commit a blameworthy act and blacken the names of thy other
womenfolk?" Chaghatai approved of his action. Now it was the
custom in those days to write down day be day every word that the
ruler uttered; and for the most part they would make use of rhythmical
and obscure language. Everone had appointed one of his courtiers to
write down his words. The aforesaid Vazir did this for Chaghatai.
Now Qa'an had an Uighur minister called Chingqai, and one day he
asked Chaghatai: "Which is better, thy vizier or mine?" "Certainly,
Chingqai is better," said Chaghatai. One day, at a feast, they were
both reciting biligs. Having memorized these, Vazir went outside to
write them down. Chaghatai and Qa'an had themselves memorized
the biligs and had recited them as a test to see whether or not Vazir
could write them down exactly [as he had heard them]. Vazir was
44 See above, p. 154,1101643.