The guy killed an estimated 40 million people—roughly 10% of the world's population. No amount of Silk Road trade or pony express innovation washes off that much blood.
Yeah that body count is wild, but turning fear into a weapon wrecked whole societies for centuries after.
True heroism is virtue and defense of human rights, not the massacre of millions; a tyrant who robs people of life and liberty cannot be a hero.
Unity born of blood is counterfeit. A real unifier moves liberty and justice for all, not murder and fear that mask tyranny.
As I see it, history runs on ruin and invention; a conqueror can force unity and spark progress even as lives are lost.
