Episode 156
Even by medieval standards, he had lived a long life, and it was no exaggeration to call him the greatest ruler in Islamic history. Yet, it was hard to believe that such a man would lose his sharpness with age.
There is an old Eastern saying that even a giraffe is no match for an old horse when it ages, but that certainly didn’t apply to a ruler like Saladin.
Those who had watched him the longest, like his brother and other close aides, often remarked, “Our Sultan sees the world differently from others.”
While most Islamic conquerors wielded the sword of bravery and decisiveness like a lion, Saladin seemed to be clad in the armor of wisdom.
Yet, when the time came to fight, he never hesitated, and his victories were beyond reproach.
Anyone in Ayyubid who doubted the Sultan was the embodiment of ignorance.
Most people held him in high regard for a reason, and Saladin himself was well aware of this.
He knew he possessed a unique insight, and his confidence in seeing at least three steps ahead of the less wise remained unshaken.
That was precisely why he felt a refreshing sense of excitement after a long time.
“My prediction was wrong?”
“No, no, it’s not me saying that. It’s what Marshal said.”
“And you left him waiting just beyond that door.”
“Well, he insisted on speaking with Your Majesty…”
Though he feigned a stern expression, Saladin wasn’t truly upset.
“It’s been a long time since someone confidently told me, ‘You’re wrong.’ Do you remember the last time?”
“In my memory, it hasn’t happened in the past decade. But didn’t Your Majesty have a private meeting with Marshal last time?”
“Indeed. It was quite an intriguing encounter, and I’m curious to see how this one will unfold.”
Even though they were brothers, Al-Adil could never fully grasp his elder brother’s thoughts, even at this age.
It was less about a difference in ability and more about their inherently different natures.
“Shall I invite him in?”
“Yes, I should hear directly what I’ve supposedly overlooked.”
“Then I’ll stay and listen as well. I’m curious, and I haven’t heard the details.”
“Do as you wish.”
From the first time he met him, Saladin sensed potential in Marshal. In the years since, Marshal had become a figure even the Sultan of Ayyubid had to prepare to meet.
Reuniting with Marshal after several years, Saladin decided not to suppress the curiosity he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Philip II.
Henry VI.
Richard I.
I never thought I could control these formidable figures at will.
At least with Richard, I managed to build some personal rapport. Without the use of prophecy, the other two would still be questioning everything.
Even after predicting the devastation of Khwarezm and a threat greater than Attila, they still hesitated with, “Ah, but Islam is a bit…”
I understand their hesitations, both practically and emotionally.
But understanding doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
Honestly, the current Middle Eastern situation is so chaotic that even I struggle to predict it.
Historically, Genghis Khan should still be skirmishing with Jamukha at this point.
Yet, instead of unifying the Mongolian steppes, he’s already crushed Khwarezm, throwing the history I know into disarray.
With a 20-year discrepancy, how can I make accurate predictions?
Without knowing the exact situation in East Asia, I can’t accurately assess the current strength of the Mongol army.
I don’t know if the Mongols unified the steppes and attacked Western Xia before moving on to Khwarezm, or if they followed the original history by defeating the Western Xia and Jin Dynasty before heading west.
I hope it’s the former, but one must always consider the worst-case scenario, so let’s assume it’s the latter.
After much contemplation, it seems likely.
Genghis Khan always despised the Jin Dynasty, and the Jin were wary of any tribe unifying the steppes.
For Genghis Khan, the Jin were an enemy that had to be destroyed.
Expanding westward without dealing with the Jin would be like leaving his back exposed to his greatest enemy—a suicidal move.
So, logically, the Mongol army must have dealt with the Jin in some form before continuing their campaign.
If that’s true, then just how formidable is the Mongol force?
They unified the steppes, defeated Western Xia, crushed the Jin, and then moved west to destroy Khwarezm, all while Genghis Khan is still only around 40.
Moreover, Genghis Khan’s elite generals are also in their prime.
But… thinking about this any further will only give me a headache and dampen my resolve.
The key is to share the sense of impending doom that if these dangerous forces are left unchecked, both the Middle East and Europe could be devoured.
The challenge is how to make Europe and Islam share this sense of urgency… and the answer, upon reflection, is clear.
Once again, I must rely on the power of prophecy.
For that, I need the cooperation of Saladin, who is currently looking at me with an intrigued expression.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Yes, I’m truly glad to see Your Majesty still in good health.”
“Hahaha, glad, you say? Most of the Roman Christians are probably praying for my swift demise every day.”
“Regardless of them, I’m genuinely pleased to see you well, Your Majesty.”
“You could have been a great actor. How do you manage to speak so sincerely? Even if it’s just flattery, I’m touched.”
This is pure sincerity. Saladin probably doesn’t realize how much comfort I take in the fact that he’s lived over a decade longer than in the original history.
The failure of the Third Crusade seems to have extended Saladin’s life significantly, but that’s beside the point.
The mere existence of a capable and communicative ruler on the Islamic side is invaluable.
“I hear from your brother that you’ve made some intriguing remarks.”
“Do you mean the part about Islam and Christianity needing to unite? Or the part about Your Majesty overlooking something?”
“Both.”
He claims he doesn’t want to force an alliance against opposition, yet he’s interested in hearing more.
This isn’t a bad reaction.
It means there’s room for reconsideration, depending on our conversation.
“If I offended you, I apologize. I didn’t mean to question Your Majesty’s judgment.”
“Feel free to speak. I’m not so petty as to be offended by such things. Of course, if it’s baseless nonsense, that’s another story.”
“Then I’ll speak as you wish. There’s no need to explain those two points separately. They’re interconnected.”
“I see. Are you saying my refusal to ally is short-sighted? I’m confident I made the best decision.”
He’s not wrong.
Saladin is undoubtedly one of the greatest leaders in Islam, and his decision was sound by conventional standards.
Who in their right mind would think of charging across hundreds of kilometers without rest to seize more land?
Moreover, the first likely target for the Mongols would be Baghdad, where the Caliph, the supreme leader of Islam, resides.
Even enemies show some respect when dealing with a king or supreme leader.
Both Christianity and Islam have often followed this protocol, at least formally.
Most nomadic tribes Islam has encountered have done the same.
Even Khwarezm and Western Xia, despite their nomadic roots, adhered to this to some extent.
So it’s natural to assume that even the Mongols would have some basic decency.
The Sultan of Khwarezm died in battle, but his body wasn’t desecrated afterward.
This is why Saladin isn’t rushing to ally with us to fight the Mongols.
For the record, the Mongols do show respect to the rulers of the countries they conquer.
The problem is that their version of respect doesn’t look like respect at all.
“First, Your Majesty doesn’t know what the Mongols are truly like. How can you make a sound judgment without knowing your enemy?”
“That’s a valid point, but it sounds like you’re saying you know the Mongols well. Aren’t we both in the dark? In fact, I’ve heard rumors about them for some time, so I might know them better than you.”
“You’ve heard rumors? Then you have some idea of their strength?”
“To be honest, yes. It’s unfortunate, but Khwarezm was like a dog that bit its owner. Khwarezm’s original plan was to raise the Mongols to destroy Western Xia together.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
I’ve never read such records in the original history.
”…Then why have the Mongols advanced beyond Khwarezm to Isfahan?”
“You must have mistaken a wolf for a dog, and that’s how it all happened. I had no idea they possessed such power.”
Finally, the last piece of the puzzle clicks into place.
So, the Khwarazmians, in their foolishness, tried to manipulate the Mongol tribes for their own ends, inadvertently turning Temujin into Genghis Khan twenty years ahead of time.
I couldn’t fathom how such an absurd situation came to be, but it seems everything in this world happens for a reason.
At the same time, I could guess the parts Saladin had conveniently left out.
Sure, the Khwarazmians tried to use the Mongols, but how did Saladin know the details of these events so well?
It’s likely because he was the one who facilitated it all.
Considering that merchants from the Western Xia often passed through Ayyubid territory on their pilgrimages to Mecca, it would have been easy for him to gather information about the Mongol tribes.
So, the reason I’m now enduring this unexpected hardship is entirely because of them. When you think about it, it’s their own doing, isn’t it?
Honestly, I wouldn’t feel guilty just letting the Mongols have their way with them.
“If I may speak frankly, the people we are facing are far stronger, more ruthless, and more unstoppable than Your Majesty imagines.”
“You speak as if you’ve seen them yourself. But you must know that unless you can convince me, I cannot take your word for it.”
“Of course. In truth, I have no intention of convincing Your Majesty here and now. I lack the means to do so.”
“Isn’t that different from what you said earlier? I thought you were going to tell me what I’ve overlooked.”
“What I can share with you now is a glimpse of the future. Your Majesty will have to witness it firsthand and decide for yourself.”
It may be the worst prophecy the Muslims have ever heard, but they’ll have to swallow it.
After all, they made this mess, so they should be the ones to clean it up or face the consequences.