Episode 110
Shortly after Philip II and Henry VI departed, I found myself sitting with Richard for the first time in a long while.
Having indulged in the finest delicacies of the Byzantine Empire, I found it hard to be satisfied with English cuisine anymore. Still, I suppose I should be grateful that at least the quality of the meat here is good enough to roast whole and eat.
In modern times, it’s hard to imagine a king tearing into meat with his hands, but in this era, that’s the norm. I really need to introduce forks and knives soon; my sense of hygiene can’t handle eating with my hands much longer.
“Are you alright?” Richard asked.
“Of course. The meat is quite good,” I replied.
“I’ve heard that Constantinople is culturally far ahead of us. Was the food there as impressive?”
“Yes, there were many intriguing dishes.”
“Then I have something to look forward to. I’ll get to taste them soon enough.”
Richard seemed in much better spirits than when I first arrived. This lively Richard was a sight I hadn’t seen since the days when he was fervently purging his court.
“Your Majesty seems quite excited about the upcoming Crusade,” I noted.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Anyone you ask would say you seem in high spirits.”
Indeed, Richard was the first to pledge his full support for the Crusade, rallying as much strength as possible. With Richard taking the lead, Henry VI had no choice but to declare the full might of the Holy Roman Empire as well. Philip II likely intended to exhaust their resources by goading Richard and Henry VI, but I had already taken measures to counter that.
“To be honest, I was fully committed to the last Crusade as well, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was disappointing,” Richard admitted.
“Because you lost the chance to prove your strength?”
“Perhaps. It’s not normal to want war for such reasons, but I can’t deny it played a part. However, when you delivered the message from Christ, I was convinced. The previous Crusade was canceled for this moment.”
If he wants to see it that way, I’m grateful. I hadn’t thought of it like that, but it gives me a good excuse.
“You’re exactly right. If Christianity had squandered its strength back then, we would have faced the worst outcome in the coming catastrophe.”
“Hahaha! So my thoughts were correct. But is the disaster truly as severe as you say?”
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
“Hmm… It’s hard to imagine, even coming from you.”
Even when I mentioned Attila, Richard seemed unconvinced. It’s a prophecy that overturns all known logic, so how could he accept it easily? If I were a typical noble of this era, I wouldn’t believe that horse-riding barbarians from the distant east would establish the largest land empire in history. I’d probably be the first to dismiss it as the ravings of a madman.
“Your Majesty is well aware of how formidable Attila’s Huns were,” I reminded him.
“Of course, I’ve heard it countless times since childhood and read about it in history books. But we must consider that the Western Roman Empire was already in decline. Its military strength was likely nothing compared to the current Holy Roman Empire.”
“That’s true. So you’re saying it’s hard to imagine an enemy that could unite the Holy Roman Empire, France, and the Angevin Empire?”
“And we must add the Byzantine Empire to that list. If we were the ones invading, I could understand. Long-distance campaigns always carry the risk of failure, no matter how high the soldiers’ morale or how strong the nation.”
A valid point. Even the mightiest empires like Persia and Rome suffered significant losses on long campaigns. The Crusades were no different. If Jerusalem had been as close as southern Italy, no matter how skilled the Muslims were, they couldn’t have stopped the Crusaders. But to say that some great disaster would suddenly come from a place we can’t even perceive yet, and that all of Europe must unite to stop it? Even I find it hard to believe, so how absurd must it sound to others?
Yet, surprise! It’s going to happen.
“On the other hand, it’s exciting. If God has sent such a warning, what kind of formidable foes are we facing? They must be far more dangerous and powerful than Attila,” Richard mused.
“You should be prepared for that.”
“Then it seems I’m the only one who can stop them… Henry VI has too much on his shoulders.”
As much as I hate to admit it, I agree. While Henry VI might be the nominal commander, the only person capable of actual leadership is Richard. The reason I can confidently plan for this battle is because we have the Lionheart, a near-superhuman tactical weapon, on our side.
“I’ll do my best to support you, Your Majesty. I have some experience from the last Crusade, after all.”
The Mongols are human too; they’ll tire from the long journey, and they can be killed with a sword. Richard nodded and turned his attention back to the deliciously roasting meat.
Yes, let’s eat first and then continue. After all, everything we do is ultimately for survival.
In the capital of the Western Xia, also known as the Great White High Kingdom, the city of Yinchuan stood tall. Founded by the Tangut people of Tibetan descent, this nation once held significant power in the northwest of China. Even as the mighty Liao Dynasty was pushed back by the Jin Dynasty, Western Xia managed to avoid disaster through careful diplomacy. They quickly recognized the strength of the Jin and maintained friendly relations, earning the title of vassal king from them.
However, one can only walk a tightrope for so long before falling. Western Xia, which had been quick to recognize the growing power of its neighbors, failed to notice the spark of destruction growing beside them. The Mongols expanded so rapidly that there was no time to react. Had they expelled the remnants of the Naiman tribe and sought peace with Genghis Khan, they might have survived. But unfortunately, the king of Western Xia was neither a reincarnator nor a transmigrator.
“Your Majesty, Genghis Khan, who claims the title of Emperor of the Mongol Empire, demands the return of the Naiman remnants,” an advisor reported.
“Genghis Khan? Now they’re adding all sorts of titles to their khans. Just ignore it. Why would we send back those who have become valuable assets to us?”
It might be harsh to label a king as incompetent for a single misjudgment, but Western Xia paid a heavy price for ignoring Genghis Khan’s ultimatum. The Mongol army swiftly invaded, crushing Western Xia and besieging its capital. Though inexperienced in siege warfare, the Mongols used this as a learning opportunity, experimenting with various tactics like flooding, fire, and cutting off supplies, treating Western Xia as a test subject.
Ultimately, Western Xia, realizing that even the Jin Dynasty couldn’t send reinforcements, offered immense tributes and a princess to Genghis Khan, kneeling before him. This was the moment the Mongol Empire truly realized its power.
Seated on the throne of Western Xia, the young Genghis Khan listened to his subordinates’ reports.
“So, Khwarezm is asking us to fulfill our promise?” he inquired.
“Yes.”
“But I’ve heard that Khwarezm is moving its troops north, away from the Western Liao border. What’s going on?”
“They claim it’s a ruse to deceive the Western Liao.”
“Oh, a ruse. Bo’orchu, what do you think?”
Bo’orchu, one of the founding members of the Mongol Empire and Genghis Khan’s most trusted subordinate, couldn’t help but chuckle.
“They must think we’re fools.”
Genghis Khan laughed heartily at his loyal follower’s candid words. “Hahaha! Indeed. But their attempt to deceive us is so transparent that it’s almost amusing. Am I the only one who finds this entertaining?”
“No, I feel the same way.”
“So, what should we do? Should we attack the Western Liao as promised?”
“Why should we honor a promise to those who are trying to deceive us? Besides, if we leave, who knows what the Jin Dynasty might do?”
Bo’orchu’s words were sound. Expanding the front to the Western Liao with the Jin Dynasty at their back was a risky move. Before subduing Western Xia, it might have been different, but now that Western Xia had surrendered, the Jin would surely want to curb the Mongols’ growth.
Sending more troops to the Western Xia than necessary could leave us vulnerable to an attack from the Jin Dynasty, Chinggis Khan mused, his gaze shifting to his advisors.
He knew that making decisions in isolation often led to mistakes. In times like these, it was crucial to listen to the insights of his most trusted men and broaden his perspective.
His eyes landed on Jelme, a formidable warrior who had distinguished himself in the battle against the Naiman.
“Jelme, what do you think? Do we have the capacity to attack the Western Xia while keeping the Jin Dynasty at bay?”
Jelme had been a loyal companion since Chinggis Khan’s most challenging days. He had once charged into enemy lines alone to bring fermented mare’s milk to the Khan when he lay unconscious from an arrow wound. From that moment, Chinggis Khan had regarded him as a brother.
“If you’re asking whether we have the capacity, I believe we do. The Jin Dynasty is indeed a formidable foe, but the Western Xia are a spent force, on the brink of collapse. If you entrust me with the troops, I will bring them to their knees before you.”
“I can’t spare many soldiers. Are you still confident?”
“I would rather lay down my life than betray your expectations, my Khan!”
There was no trace of arrogance or vanity in Jelme’s words. His loyalty was unwavering, and his spirit soared to meet the challenge. It was a leader’s duty to respond to such dedication.
The decision was made in an instant.
“Very well. I will entrust the Western Xia campaign to you and Jebe. Meanwhile, I will keep a close watch on the Jin Dynasty.”
“I will do everything in my power to meet your expectations, my Khan!”
As Chinggis Khan was about to conclude the meeting, a thought struck him, and he turned back to Jelme.
“By the way, Jelme, this time, take your younger brother with you as a commander of a thousand.”
“Isn’t he too inexperienced for such a responsibility?”
“That’s precisely why he needs the experience. We must nurture talent so it can flourish.”
A promising sprout shows its potential early on. Even at a young age, Jelme’s brother showed signs of surpassing him.
Chinggis Khan, always looking ten, twenty years ahead, recalled the face of Jelme’s brother from a recent encounter.
“Subutai. That boy will one day be a cornerstone of my army.”
This was not just a hunch; it was a certainty.