I'm surprised earlier posts did not start a discussion on Parker-Chan's Historical Note and it's so fascinating to see how the author summarises a large period, basically the Yuan period with primary focus on Kublai Khan, within two pages. And the Mongol empire is presented as an oppressive force that had treated the Chinese people as non-citizens in their own country (with non-Chinese given the superior status).

I only know the bare bones of the Mongol empire that the armies led by the Khan tribe reached from Eastern Europe to the Eastern borders of China. Despite being a history nerd, I always mix up Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan until a Google search just a couple of minutes ago (Ghengis Khan created the empire internationally, Kublai Khan was his grandson and primarily focused on China). What I got from my history scrap collection from videos and essays here and there is that the Mongol empire i.e. Ghengis Khan (perhaps even to an extent Kublai Khan) is... complicated.

While not remembering being told specifics, I'm aware of the horrifying massacres committed by the Mongols. Heck, I watched an animated European history show aimed at kids (German translation Es war einmal... der Mensch, made in the 80s/90s) that held a strong bias against the Mongols and portraying them as barbaric while withholding any gruesome details. And iirc, the Mongols contributed to the spread of the Black plague with biological warfare? Also, dont forget that lowkey funny letter Ghengis khan (?) sent to the Pope, proclaiming himself more powerful than Christianity, like a video game villain. At the same time, years later I've consumed content that intended to question my understanding on the Mongol empire:

• its religious egalitarian system towards all religions from conquered regions
• genuine support and aid given to territories who acknowledged the Khan legacy, whereas the opposite being met with wrath
• egalitarian treatment of (Mongol) women i.e. divorce settlements and independence
• technical advancements and its rich literature
• family loyalty (to an extent) in the ruling Khan tribe

I usually hate to do historical comparisons because it takes away so much historical context, but... my complex thought process on Ghengis Khan/Kublai Khan/Mongol empire reflects my thought process on Julius Caesar/ the Roman empire. The technical advancements, its cultural richness, and successful trades until its decline are astounding. BUT I cannot overlook the brutal conquests of other tribes, the rising economic benefit of slavery, and its imperial whitewashing of conquered cultures (cough the Greek pantheon cough). So both empires mirror each other -> my impression of the Roman empire turned from positive to negatively neutral and my impression on the Mongol empire turned from negative to positively neutral.

Iirc, the Mongol empire's loudest critics were Ming historians after China fought for its independence (I use China instead of Chinese territories because of the unity to rebel) with the assumption that certain critiques were overexaggerated to promote Han/Chinese nationalism. I know this underlying despise of the Mongols, or the Mongolian appearance, would be translated as a trope (?) in C-Dramas. From the few I watched, it fascinates me how characters with braids are treated as foreigners who are a) the oppressive enemy, b) stupid barbarians who can't speak Chinese, or c) darker-skinned invaders from "the North" -> a reimagining of the feared Mongol warrior. From this I gathered that a critical outlook on a specific regime led by a group of people, even with the most objective motive, can be misused as a tool of prejudice and colourism.

Nevertheless, I'm really happy that Parker-Chan provided a quick overview of the discrimination the Chinese experienced in the Yuan dynasty. The urge to research the Yuan dynasty has gotten stronger - I wanted to read as many diverse sources as possible (Mongolian, Chinese, Catholic, Turkish, Jewish, etc. resources) and recognize literature allusions to the Mongols. I really need to know Ghengis Khan and Kublai Khan separately.

BTW: The Great Chinggis Khan by The Hu is epic! Highly recommend to listen! I think it might fit the book's vibe, but like in the opposite direction... hehe... I'll see myself out

Edit: correcting spelling mistakes and clarifying "Khan tribe" as not the surname, but as a title (as was corrected by a comment).