Episode 153
Two months had passed since the city of Samarkand in Khwarezm fell to the Mongol forces. Meanwhile, Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and the heart of Islamic culture, was in turmoil.
“What are we doing just standing around? Khwarezm has fallen! Khwarezm! We should have already decided on a course of action and moved, yet here we are, wasting time. How many times have I said we need to speak frankly to the Caliph?”
“Who doesn’t know that? Of course, we all do. But how can we present a united front to the Caliph when we can’t even agree among ourselves?”
“Ah, such frustrating people.”
Al-Kasab, one of the Caliph’s trusted advisors, was deeply alarmed by the rapid advance of the Mongol army. When the Western Xia fell, it hadn’t seemed this dire. The history of nomadic tribes rising and falling on the steppes was a tale as old as time. Khwarezm was just another in that line, but the chain of events unfolding now was different.
The Mongols were unlike any nomads they had seen before—swift and relentless. It hadn’t been long since rumors of Khwarezm’s defeat spread, and already the Mongols had reached Samarkand and were pushing towards Isfahan. From Isfahan to Baghdad was a journey of a month on foot. For mounted nomads, it would be much quicker.
Yet, despite the wolves at the door, the people around him remained complacent.
“Everyone, we must act now. We need to unite and help the Caliph make a firm decision.”
“And do you know what the Caliph is thinking?”
“Of course not. That’s why it’s so frustrating.”
The Caliph’s inaction suggested he too was uncertain. Al-Kasab’s gaze shifted to Zahir, the heir apparent to the Caliphate.
“Zahir, please, speak to His Majesty. We must act immediately, whatever the course.”
“Even if you say that to me…”
“If the Mongols, having subdued Khwarezm, decide to target Baghdad next, how will we stop them? We must either send envoys to seek peace or strengthen our alliance with the Ayyubids to build a defense line!”
“Yes, we should start taking action…”
Yet here they were, idling away. Al-Kasab managed to suppress his anger, barely.
“His Majesty has summoned everyone inside.”
Perhaps it was the growing urgency in his voice, or maybe the Caliph had finally made a decision. After a long silence, the Caliph broke his quietude and opened the doors to the audience chamber.
The officials filed in to hear the Caliph’s decision. The current Caliph, Al-Nasir, was no inept ruler. He was a wise leader who had revitalized the declining Abbasid dynasty and earned the trust of his subordinates. Fortunately, his sharpness seemed intact as he addressed the gathered officials without delay.
“I trust you have all heard the news of Khwarezm’s fall to the eastern invaders.”
“Yes, we were just debating our next steps, but without knowing Your Majesty’s intentions…”
“Then let me hear your thoughts first. We have two main options: send envoys to the Mongols and bow to them, or stand and fight. If anyone believes we should submit, speak freely. I promise no harm will come to you.”
Despite the Caliph’s assurance, most remained silent, exchanging cautious glances. In such situations, someone had to break the ice.
With a sigh, Al-Kasab stepped forward and bowed his head.
“It may be seen as disloyal, but I must speak. I believe we should send substantial gifts to the Mongols immediately.”
“Do you understand the implications of your suggestion?”
“Yes. Though it may appear as if we are submitting, I believe we cannot confront them directly at this time.”
Al-Nasir showed no immediate reaction, as if weighing Al-Kasab’s words carefully. However, the majority present were not as restrained.
“Are you mad? Do you know what you’re saying?”
“Are you suggesting the Caliph, the supreme leader of Islam, bow to these barbaric nomads?”
“There are things that should never be said! Have you no shame?”
This was expected. If such words hadn’t been spoken, it would have been surprising. Calling it a gift or peace offering didn’t change the fact that they were frightened into submission by the barbarians at their doorstep. The Caliph’s hard-won prestige would crumble like a sandcastle, and the influential figures of Baghdad would react with near hysteria. The Caliph’s calmness in the face of such a proposal was almost abnormal.
“Al-Kasab, if our army were to face the Mongols, do we stand a chance?”
”…I’m sorry. Not even a slim one.”
“How dare you speak so before His Majesty! Of course, we have a chance. Do you think Allah would abandon His Majesty to such barbarians?”
“Your Majesty! There’s no need to listen further. Send messengers to all the Islamic rulers immediately. They won’t stand by and watch Baghdad, the pride of Islam, fall to the barbarians.”
Should they avoid a hopeless battle by conceding now, or uphold the pride of Islam and rally the secular rulers to fight the invaders? Both sides had their arguments, leaving the decision to the one in power.
After a long silence, the Caliph finally spoke.
“Very well. Islam will henceforth…”
The supreme leader of the Islamic world made a momentous decision that would shape the course of history.
Thanks to the Mongols stirring up trouble in the north and east, the Crusaders found themselves in a peculiar position. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. By this logic, the Mongols, who were fighting the Muslims, should be allies to the Crusaders.
Yet, no matter how much I tried to emphasize the gravity of the situation, the kings wouldn’t listen.
“Marshal, I understand your point, but wouldn’t it be wiser to wait and see?”
“Your Majesty, I declared it in the name of God. Do you think I spoke lightly?”
“No, no, of course not. I too feel that God has brought us together because of them. But to ally with the Muslims… you understand the difficulty?”
Indeed, that was the crux of the issue. As Emperor Heinrich VI pointed out, there were no Crusaders who harbored goodwill towards Islam. In fact, many joined the Crusades precisely to fight against Islam. Suddenly asking them to join forces with the Muslims was unlikely to be met with enthusiasm. If anyone agreed too readily, they might be suspected of being a spy.
Invoking God’s name had made them cautious in their objections; otherwise, there might have been an uproar.
“Do King Philip II and King Richard share your view?”
“It’s not easy. After all, who have we been fighting like rats? Khwarezm, who claimed to be the protector of Islam. And now you suggest we ally with Islam… If it weren’t you suggesting it, I’d think the person was out of their mind.”
“I trust your words completely, but I’m not sure about the morale of our knights. Some are already whispering that this isn’t right…”
With both kings in agreement, the general sentiment was clear. This was not unexpected. Ideally, they would grasp the seriousness of the situation and follow my advice, but I estimated the chances of that at about ten percent.
“What about the Muslims? Surely my proposal reached Saladin.”
“Al-Adil sent a reply. He passed your proposal to Saladin, but the other emirs are strongly opposed, so he can’t give a definite answer yet.”
I had hoped the Muslims, with the fire at their feet, might respond differently, but it seemed they were in the same predicament.
“Is there any indication that the Muslims might seek peace with the Mongols? Given Saladin’s disposition, it’s a possibility.”
“I’ve looked into that.”
King Philip II, with a sly smile, placed a piece of parchment on the table. It seemed he had been waiting for the right moment to reveal this juicy tidbit.
“In my view, the person who can decide the relationship between the Mongols and Islam isn’t Saladin, but the Caliph lounging in Baghdad.”
“King Philip II is right. Geographically, the Mongols can’t just bypass Baghdad and directly engage with the Ayyubids.”
“That’s why I subtly inquired about Baghdad’s intentions from Al-Adil. I’m personally curious about what choice the Caliph will make.”
In the original history, Al-Nasir welcomed Genghis Khan with open arms after he crushed Khwarezm, showering him with lavish gifts.
Initially, I thought this time would be similar, but now my perspective has shifted.
“What did they say? I have a feeling it’s the kind of answer I’m expecting…”
“This time, I suspect our predictions might align.”
Philip II removed his hand from the parchment on the table and began to read its contents slowly.
“The envoy from Baghdad reports that the Caliph is willing to embrace peace with the Mongols, but he has declared he will not entertain any unreasonable demands. The Sultan advises keeping all options open and remaining vigilant at all times. Quite resolute, isn’t it? They’re saying if the other side wants to fight, they’re ready to oblige.”
“Hmm… I see.”
Though he sighed outwardly, he didn’t find this development entirely unfavorable.
It seems that Khwarezm’s previous battering wasn’t enough to drive the point home.
So perhaps this time, if they get thoroughly beaten, they’ll learn, whether they like it or not.
After all, nothing works quite like a shock to bring someone to their senses.
When the city burns and heads roll, they’ll understand… or maybe not, if their heads are gone.
But it doesn’t matter.
It’s not my head on the line, after all.
Come to think of it, even if it comes to that, I wouldn’t feel particularly wronged.
No one forced them at swordpoint to fight the Mongols alone, did they?