Episode 159
“What did you say? They’re gearing up to invade?”
Though Nasir spoke with boldness, it took only three days for his rationality to return.
No matter how divinely chosen the Caliph might be, hunger gnaws and wounds bleed.
As long as one is bound by the limitations of the human body, it’s wise to have a backup plan against barbarians like the Mongols.
Even with Saladin’s promise of support, the Mongols are a cavalry-dominated force. A moment’s lapse, and they’d be at Baghdad’s doorstep.
To prevent such a disaster, Nasir dedicated all resources to monitoring Mongol movements, ensuring they wouldn’t be caught off guard by a sudden attack.
He had even sent a mocking letter in response to their demands for surrender, so it was no surprise that the temperamental barbarians would retaliate.
Still, he hadn’t expected them to move so swiftly. Judging by the timeline, it seemed they had mobilized the moment they received his letter.
“Impatient barbarians, indeed. Do they have no patience at all? What do we know about their numbers?”
“Our scouts couldn’t get close enough for an exact count due to the risk, but estimates suggest anywhere from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand.”
“So, they’re not just poking around; they’re coming in full force. It’s a good thing we reached out to the Maghreb and Ayyubids. Once reinforcements arrive, we’ll strike the Mongols from both sides.”
As the Caliph of Islam, Nasir hadn’t been idle while the Mongols approached. He had strengthened Baghdad’s defenses, amassing over twenty thousand cavalry and fortifying the city’s walls.
He also welcomed refugees from the east, especially those with military experience, to gather intelligence on the Mongols.
“The Mongols’ victories have mostly been in open fields and small skirmishes, where they could maneuver freely. But when it comes to besieging large cities, they take much longer, indicating a weakness in siege warfare.”
“Exactly. Like Attila, who couldn’t breach Constantinople’s walls, the Mongols are formidable in direct combat but struggle with city sieges.”
The tale of Attila turning back from Constantinople’s triple walls is well-known in Islamic history. While they couldn’t breach those walls either, it was clear the Mongols wouldn’t easily take Baghdad.
So, how would they attempt to conquer it?
By process of elimination, their strategy became apparent. Nasir’s trusted advisor, Al Kasab, shared the same view.
“They’ll likely surround Baghdad with a large force, trying to starve us into submission. It’s a simple, time-consuming tactic, but effective. If we attack them from inside and out, as planned, we have a good chance.”
“Indeed, these overconfident barbarians think they’re the smartest. If we hold firm, they’ll sense something’s amiss.”
“However, while we can count on the Ayyubids, we can’t be sure the Almohads will send reinforcements. The distance from the Maghreb to Baghdad is considerable.”
“That’s a problem time will solve. As long as we hold out, public pressure will force them to act.”
Initially, both the Ayyubids and Almohads might hesitate to send troops. If Baghdad fell quickly, their efforts would be in vain. But if Baghdad held, Muslim sentiment would demand they send aid.
Nasir had dedicated his life to restoring Baghdad as the heart of Islam. He had met countless people, studied history, and learned from the rise and fall of nations.
Many historical figures, like the current Mongol Khan, had risen without knowing failure. Such people often faltered when things didn’t go their way.
“This Baghdad, under my watch, will be the first to halt the barbarian advance. It will be remembered as the turning point for Islam’s counterattack.”
Whether using Ayyubid or Almohad forces, it didn’t matter. In the end, the commander who led the charge would be remembered.
If they repelled the Mongols, the Caliph of Baghdad would regain an unassailable stature.
Nasir steeled himself with resolve, suppressing any lingering doubts with faith.
“Surely Allah wouldn’t let Baghdad fall to these rootless barbarians.”
Whatever happens, he trusted in divine guidance. Allah had remained silent during Muslim infighting, understandable given His love for all His children. But against infidels, it was different.
Hadn’t they reclaimed Jerusalem after losing it once? No matter how the Mongols raged, the outcome seemed predetermined.
Nasir wasn’t alone in this belief; all who followed him shared this conviction.
For now, at least.
“So, while I was in Damascus, our strategy was already decided?”
“Not decided, more like we’re seeking your input. Among ourselves, we couldn’t think of a better plan.”
“Watch Islam crumble, then intervene… That’s the plan.”
Richard and the other kings crushed my hopes upon my return to camp.
Their lack of urgency was astounding. But then, Saladin in Damascus wasn’t much different, so I couldn’t blame them entirely.
“Waiting for the Ayyubids to fall and then swooping in to reclaim Jerusalem sounds plausible, except for one thing.”
“One thing? What’s that?”
“If the Ayyubids are pushed back to Jerusalem, it means their forces are decimated. How can we be sure we can defeat the Mongols alone?”
“Isn’t that to our advantage? Saladin’s Ayyubids aren’t easy prey, so the Mongols will suffer losses. We can strike then.”
I sighed. The gap between those who knew history and those who didn’t was vast. If I could show them a map of the Mongol Empire’s historical expanse, they’d understand my urgency.
Maybe I should just draw it and claim it’s a prophecy?
“King Philip II’s proposal is rejected for now. As I’ve said, we can’t face them alone. If Jerusalem falls, we’ll have to retreat to Greece.”
“Abandon Anatolia? The Byzantines will protest.”
“Let them fight alone, then. But for now, forget Philip II’s plan. Though the idea of reclaiming Jerusalem is appealing.”
“I don’t see how else we can take Jerusalem unless the Ayyubids fall.”
If we’re talking about ‘us’ as in the Christians, then no, there’s no other way. But if it’s just me, it’s possible.
I’ve been so focused on stopping the Mongols that I overlooked this. Thanks to Philip II, I’ve had a revelation.
Perhaps I should show some gratitude to the French pilgrims?
“Just wait a bit. You’ll see. I’ve given Saladin a prophecy from God.”
“Will he believe you?”
“He’ll have no choice. You’ve experienced it yourself, haven’t you?”
“True… It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been through it. You’re planning to perform another miracle here.”
Exactly. I thought the power of prophecy had run its course, but here I am, about to use it again.
The butterfly effect had already spiraled out of control, making it impossible to predict the exact course of future events.
However, by combining my knowledge with the current situation and Mongolian customs, I could predict with 99.99% certainty what was likely to happen next.
“Your Majesty, please summon Emperor Heinrich VI and King Philip II. They need to be briefed as well.”
“They’re probably in their tents by now. Should I send someone to fetch them?”
“No, let’s go together. It’ll be quicker that way.”
The saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” but that only applies when the enemy is human. If aliens suddenly invaded while people were fighting, the situation would change entirely.
The key was to make the Christian side perceive the Mongols, who had invaded the Middle East, as fundamentally different, like aliens.
Fortunately, I had gathered enough material for this kind of persuasion. Now, all that was left was to ignite the spark.
With a slight smile, I began walking slowly alongside Richard.
“Did you say Baghdad has requested reinforcements immediately?”
Saladin instinctively rubbed the wrinkles around his eyes.
He had anticipated this might happen, but the speed of it was alarming.
The warning Marshall had left before departing Damascus matched this situation precisely, heightening his unease.
“How many troops can we send to Baghdad?”
“Since the fall of Jerusalem, we’ve had no major conflicts, so our forces are relatively intact. We could send about 20,000 without straining our resources.”
“20,000, huh…”
It’s enough to engage in battle, but not sufficient to sustain a prolonged war.
However, it was enough to gauge the enemy’s strength.
“Alright, prepare a cavalry-heavy force to head to Baghdad, ensuring they can retreat if necessary. Avoid direct confrontation with the main enemy force. If the enemy proves too formidable, preserve our troops.”
“But what about Baghdad’s defense…?”
“We can send the main force once we’ve assessed the enemy’s strength.”
“Understood!”
Even considering Marshall’s prophecy, Saladin knew he couldn’t completely ignore Baghdad. He would first gauge the Mongols’ hidden strength and then decide on the next steps.
It was time for the Sultan, hailed as the greatest leader in Islamic history, and the Great Khan, who had unified the steppes, to measure each other’s capabilities.