Episode 161
The Ayyubid army, led by Usman and Ahwad, was slowly advancing towards Baghdad, which was under siege by the Mongol forces.
They were cautious, not wanting to engage in battle before fully assessing the enemy’s strength, so their progress was deliberately slow.
“Don’t act recklessly! If we go too deep, we might not be able to retreat even if we want to!”
Honestly, there was no need to fight the Mongols unless absolutely necessary. The Sultan’s orders were clear: assess the enemy’s strength.
Yet, when they finally encountered the enemy scouts, an uneasy feeling began to creep in.
‘What if they’re all bark and no bite?’
No, that wasn’t the real issue. Even if the Mongols were truly formidable, would retreating without a fight be seen as a failure?
Initially, Usman thought it would be acceptable, but his cousin Ahwad had a different perspective.
“Being cautious is a virtue, but retreating without a fight could be seen as cowardice, regardless of the reason.”
“Especially Afdal’s supporters. They won’t care if the Mongols are strong or weak; they’ll seize any opportunity to criticize.”
“Even the scouts’ reports could be used against us. People might say we retreated because we were intimidated by ragged soldiers wrapped in tattered cloth.”
At first, Usman dismissed such concerns, but after pondering it, he realized it wasn’t entirely impossible.
If the roles were reversed and his elder brother had retreated for such reasons, what would he have done?
There was no need to ask. He would have rallied his faction to tear his brother apart.
‘But it’s too early to jump to conclusions. Those were just scouts. The Mongols who crushed Khwarezm wouldn’t be so poorly equipped.’
After all, even the Crusaders had many poorly equipped infantrymen who looked like they were hastily gathered from farms. Yet, their heavy cavalry was feared even in the Islamic world.
In the Battle of Hattin, Saladin’s key strategy was to prevent the Crusader knights from unleashing their full power.
The Mongols likely had elite units like the Crusaders. Otherwise, how could they have defeated Khwarezm and the Western Xia so easily?
“But what if they’re really just a bunch of weaklings?”
What choice would he make then?
It was a difficult question to answer immediately, but Usman found his answer just a few days later.
“Urgent report from the scouts! They’ve spotted a large enemy force moving towards us! They’re returning immediately!”
“A large force? How many?”
“They estimate it’s about the same size as ours, maybe two-thirds.”
“So, it’s not the forces besieging Baghdad.”
The report didn’t come from the direction of Baghdad. Judging by the direction, it seemed the force was near the Euphrates River, northwest of Baghdad.
It was likely a detachment sent to intercept them.
This was a dilemma, but it was also an opportunity from the heavens, or perhaps a gift from God.
“If their numbers are similar or slightly less, we can engage without suffering heavy losses, right?”
“Yes, it seems so. They’re likely light cavalry, as are we, so it’s unlikely either side will be annihilated.”
“Hmm… Shall we test the waters here?”
Usman thought that if they played their cards right, they could fulfill all of his father’s orders with this battle.
If the enemy proved strong, they could retreat. If weak, they could press the advantage.
In the latter case, they might even impact the siege of Baghdad.
If they returned with such achievements, even his brother’s faction couldn’t deny his success.
Ahwad reached the same conclusion.
“If similar numbers of light cavalry clash, it’s nearly impossible to annihilate the other side unless one fights to the death. Unless the god of war intervenes.”
“Exactly.”
“Yes. Let’s gauge the enemy’s strength here.”
Once a decision was made, hesitation was not an option. Usman turned his forces towards the approaching Mongols, remaining vigilant for any nearby enemy reinforcements.
Luring them into a trap was a basic strategy, after all.
If Saladin’s son fell for such a simple trick, it would disgrace not only him but also his father.
“Alright, let’s see what these arrogant barbarians are made of!”
The enemy might be riding high on their recent victories, but Usman’s forces were no less confident.
They were the chosen sword of Islam, the heroes who reclaimed the holy lands.
With such pride, how could their morale be low?
And the sight of the enemy only fueled their confidence.
“What is that?”
“Are they joking?”
“Are they really here to fight us?”
The tension evaporated as they took in the enemy’s ragged appearance.
“Ha! Who said we should avoid battle and test their strength?”
“Look over there. Is that supposed to be their heavy cavalry?”
“Surely not. They might have some scraps of armor, but they can’t be serious.”
The commanders and soldiers alike couldn’t help but laugh.
Usman and Ahwad felt the same.
“Still… we mustn’t let our guard down.”
“There must be a reason they defeated Khwarezm and the Western Xia.”
“Maybe they left their elite forces at the Baghdad siege and sent us the rabble?”
“Could be. If they’re underestimating us.”
Despite the absurdity, they had to be prepared for any surprises.
“Charge!”
“Crush these ignorant barbarians!”
The army’s roar of confidence thundered louder than any storm.
Usman remained vigilant, but the battle was shockingly one-sided.
“The left flank! They’re retreating!”
“We’ve broken through the center! Push forward!”
“Maintain formation on the left! Advance with the right!”
“Keep firing! They’re nothing!”
Whether it was morale, equipment, tactics, or all of the above, Usman’s forces overwhelmed the Mongols.
Ahwad, proving his experience, expertly commanded the troops, driving the enemy back.
“Retreat!”
“Chase them! We must break their spirit here!”
As the enemy fell into disarray and retreated, Usman couldn’t help but smirk.
“So, this is all they amounted to.”
Who had they been so wary of?
‘Father must be getting old.’
Seeing the enemy flee so pathetically, Usman felt a sense of injustice for having worried so much.
“Usman! The enemy is in full retreat! Shall we pursue?”
“Of course. They’ll be cornered against the Euphrates. There’s no better opportunity.”
“I’ll inform Ahwad!”
“Time is of the essence. Tell Ahwad he can act on his own judgment. I’ll lead the pursuit myself.”
The best time to inflict damage is during a retreat, especially when the enemy is in chaos.
Like the Mongol remnants fleeing mindlessly, forgetting the river behind them.
“Follow me! As Saladin’s son, I will crush them and march on Baghdad!”
“Yeah!”
“Follow the general!”
The victorious cries echoed, filling Usman with the thrill of triumph.
As he pursued the fleeing Mongols, visions of a glorious future unfolded in his mind.
Beyond merely assessing the enemy, he would crush them and liberate Baghdad, becoming a hero of Islam.
The father, Saladin, faced with the stark contrast between his eldest son, who had no particular talents, and the impressive achievements of his second son, found himself at a crossroads, forced to make a significant decision.
Following this, the Caliph formally recognized him, declaring Saladin the true Sultan of Islam and expressing his gratitude with utmost respect.
Lost in his daydreams, Saladin charged forward, eyes fixed on the horizon, until the majestic flow of the Euphrates River came into view.
All that remained was to annihilate those who were now trapped, and it would be over…
“Usman, sir! The retreating Mongol forces have stopped!”
“Of course they stopped. Unless they want to dive into the river, they have no choice.”
“No, sir, they’re turning back and charging at us again.”
“They’d rather die fighting us than drown in the river. Don’t panic. Push them back just like before!”
Cursing the enemy’s stubbornness under his breath, Usman was interrupted by the urgent shouts of his men.
“Urgent news from the rear! A cavalry unit, presumed to be the enemy, is attacking us from behind!”
“What? How could you not notice an enemy approaching from the rear? Where was your attention?”
“It seems they were hiding along the riverbank and circled around us. We were so focused on pursuing the fleeing enemy that we missed them…”
“You fools! Assemble a detachment immediately and counterattack!”
“Understood!”
Could it be that their initial pathetic display was merely a ruse to lure us here?
No, there was no hint of deception… Could those barbarians really possess such advanced tactical skills?
If their retreat towards the river was a ploy to feign confusion and conceal their forces along the bank…
“Damn it! Even so, if we repel them here, it won’t matter! Regroup and fight with all your might! They’re just remnants who fled from us once already!”
The thought of being caught in a trap was unsettling, but their ragged cloths wouldn’t magically turn into chainmail.
Our forces still held the upper hand.
If we defeat them here, it will be as if none of this ever happened.
However…
“Usman, sir! Their momentum is unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
“What the hell? These bastards are completely different from before… Aaargh!”
At the forefront of the battle, the situation had shifted dramatically from what it was just moments ago.