This episode is sponsored by the Women's History Initiative at the Utah Historical Society,

seeking to amplify women's stories and deepen our collective understanding of the many roles

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Hi, Olivia. Hi, Katie. Today, our tale begins 820 years ago, exactly.

Ooh. Somewhere in the east of Mongolia.

Ho-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo. Timujan, the man who would be, Genghis Khan, is at his lowest point. After fighting for

nearly a quarter century, his sworn friend

has betrayed him, many of his relatives have deserted him, and then he and his ever-shinking

army had to go on the run. So we find them in 1203, wandering a part of Mongolia that they

called Baljuna Waters. And with no food left, they've eaten their last horse, and they only have one muddy lake to keep them alive.

Wow.

This is not the story of Genghis Khan that I've heard.

It is not.

And I had actually never heard it before.

This is, it looks to be the end before he has any chance to become Genghis Khan.

But what's that?

On the horizon, at first it almost looks like just a mirage.

But is it a camel?

It's, no, it's a whole caravan of camels laden with goods.

Hassan, a merchant from the Angud people from way across the Gobi Desert, has just met his destiny.

He's traveling to trade his goods.

...