Chapter 186
One Year After the Outbreak of War
The Euphrates River marked the front lines, divided into four main sectors. Among them, the northern front, commanded by Jebe, was where the fiercest battles with the Crusaders were taking place. The situation was a constant push and pull, with neither side able to deliver a decisive blow. This was precisely why Genghis Khan was particularly focused on this area.
“Great Khan, General Jebe has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
The central front, under Genghis Khan’s direct command, and the southernmost front, led by Subutai, had been relatively quiet recently. It was unusual for the Mongol army to be stalled like this, especially when it wasn’t a siege. Many hoped Jebe would break the deadlock with a significant victory.
“Great Khan, your presence here is an honor…”
“Let’s skip the formalities. Give me your report.”
The prolonged stalemate wasn’t due to incompetence among the southern commanders. The Mongol army’s usual swift maneuvers were hampered by the constant need to consider Marshal’s foresight. The Crusader-Islamic alliance avoided direct confrontation, opting instead for irritating skirmishes.
Genghis Khan encouraged his men, suggesting that Marshal’s reluctance to engage was because he foresaw only defeat. But as the war dragged on without results, frustration was mounting.
“To get to the point, we haven’t been able to push them back completely. Richard, leading the Crusaders here, isn’t just a formidable warrior; his tactical acumen and army management are impeccable. Rushing into a decisive battle could cost us dearly, so I’m trying to remain patient.”
“I heard you’ve faced him twice in single combat and still haven’t settled it. Is he truly that strong?”
“He’s exceptional. Though I can’t speak for their perspective.”
Genghis Khan was inwardly surprised to see his subordinate acknowledge an opponent so openly. Jebe had never met a rival he couldn’t best, making this admission all the more striking.
“Still, the frequent skirmishes here suggest they have a competitive spirit towards you, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps. Maybe they feel, as I do, that while we haven’t settled things in combat, I might outmaneuver him strategically.”
“But even in that, you haven’t managed to gain the upper hand…”
Technically, Jebe wasn’t handling the front alone. Genghis Khan had paired him with Tiraun, a strategist, to allow Jebe to focus on combat. Yet, the situation remained unchanged, indicating that the Lionheart was a far more formidable opponent than the rulers of Khwarezm or Baghdad.
Or perhaps it was Marshal’s prophetic support that made the difference. The unprecedented factors at play made it difficult to assess the situation, doubling the frustration.
“Just to be sure, Tiraun is pulling his weight, right?”
“Yes. Initially, he seemed overly cautious of Marshal, but since it’s clear Marshal isn’t here, he’s been his usual self.”
“Good. Sending him where Marshal isn’t was the right call. Yet, we still can’t break through.”
“This kind of warfare isn’t our army’s forte, so it’s understandable.”
“Subutai said the same. If only they’d engage in a large-scale battle, it would be easier for us. But they stubbornly avoid it.”
Mocking Marshal as a cowardly prophet was one thing, but failing to dislodge him made them the fools. It was time to take decisive action.
“Great Khan, if this war continues to drag on, perhaps we should consider Subutai’s suggestion to pull back and deal with the Jin and Southern Song first?”
“That’s not an option. Retreating would be akin to defeat. If we withdraw, the Crusaders will claim Marshal foresaw this all along, that he drove us out without significant losses.”
The best strategy would have been to avoid this region entirely, focusing on Europe instead of facing both the Islamic forces and the Crusaders. But hindsight is meaningless. Who could have predicted a seer like Marshal?
“I can’t shake the feeling we’re sinking into a quagmire, losing our essence.”
“I feel it too. Overthinking the enemy makes us lose our identity, falling into a trap.”
Marshal’s presence disrupted their strategy, causing the Mongol army to lose its character, perpetuating a vicious cycle. They needed to break this chain, but the opportunity hadn’t presented itself. Jebe hoped to create a breakthrough by defeating Richard, but so far, no such luck.
“What do you think? Are we too cautious, losing winnable battles?”
“It’s not that simple. It’s easy to criticize from the outside, but being in the thick of it is different. If you hadn’t been cautious, we might have been routed by now.”
“True. It’s easy to talk about results after the fact. We need to focus on what to do next. I have a proposal—would you like to hear it?”
“Of course. Anything to break this stalemate.”
“Borokhul and Kublai suggested something practical. We send a detachment south to raid and pillage indiscriminately. What do you think?”
Raiding and pillaging were second nature to the Mongol army, a skill they prided themselves on. Luring the enemy into battle through such tactics was a common Mongol strategy.
“With respect, Great Khan, isn’t that what we’ve been unable to do because of Marshal?”
With a seer like Marshal, any attempt at raiding could be anticipated and countered, leaving them vulnerable. That’s why they hadn’t tried it yet.
“That’s why I propose sending a detachment far south. There are many people living in Ayyubid territory. The Crusaders can’t send their forces that far. Even if Marshal predicts it, our forces can reach there faster.”
“Ah… so you mean to cause chaos in the far south, away from Marshal.”
“Exactly. If they still don’t react, we can target Mecca, a place they hold dear. Even if we don’t capture it, damaging its walls would provoke them.”
“Understood. Or we could move our entire force south, shifting the front line to pressure them.”
The distance from the current front to Mecca was vast, taking days on horseback. But many people lived in between. Even the threat to holy sites like Mecca or Medina would be significant for the Islamic forces. The Crusaders might not care, but it could incite internal conflict among the enemy.
“The plan to draw out the enemy is sound. But if we delay, Marshal might foresee and counter it. He might have already done so…”
“That’s why I’ve already ordered Kublai to head south. By now, he’s likely causing havoc among the Muslims. It’s unfortunate, but they started this, so we must respond in kind.”
Though it seemed like he was seeking input, Genghis Khan had already made his decision. Jebe couldn’t fault the approach. In a situation where speed was crucial, it was the best course of action. If Marshal had foreseen and prepared for this, perhaps Genghis Khan would consider retreating. If someone could predict and manipulate every move, the initial decision to engage was flawed.
“Then I’ll stay here and keep playing this game of nerves with Richard. If there’s any reaction, it’ll come from the south, so when the time comes, give me the signal, Great Khan.”
“Alright. The Crusaders might not react, but the Muslims won’t be able to ignore this kind of provocation. I’ll keep pushing them with brutal massacres to provoke them. Once we unite our forces and draw them out, they won’t be able to resist.”
And if they still don’t come out, we’ll have no choice but to march the entire army straight to Mecca or Medina.
We’ll see if they can keep their cool when we turn their sacred sites to dust.
Even the great Genghis Khan must be feeling the heat by now.
Every night, as he tries to sleep, that sticky, unpleasant feeling must gnaw at him like he’s sinking into a swamp.
The Euphrates battlefield is no exaggeration—it’s vast and sprawling.
If the Mongol army could move freely, it would be one thing, but they’re forced to stay in large groups, constantly worrying about supply lines, making a satisfying battle nearly impossible.
So if we keep getting under their skin, they’ll be cursing us over meals, in the bathroom, everywhere.
It’s no wonder they’d feel an overwhelming urge to crush anything in sight with maximum brutality.
Actually, it’s more accurate to say they’re on the brink of losing it, given they’re already killing machines who don’t hold back their destructive impulses.
“Messenger, they say everything’s ready.”
“Good, good. Are you sure it’ll work?”
“Yes, just as you said, it’s truly remarkable. After the war, this will be remembered as a great achievement that saved countless lives. You, the great messenger of the divine, endowed with infinite wisdom…”
“I’ll listen to the praises once this is all over. For now, let’s focus on the task. I’m counting on you, so don’t make any mistakes.”
If you think about it calmly, even in the medieval era, you might wonder if such a strategy would work, but against the Mongols, there’s no hesitation.
They’ve already crossed the line, and they will again, so who could criticize us for being ethically bankrupt?
In fact, it would be seen as self-defense, and people would say the Mongols had it coming.
So, dear Mongol soldiers, please, play to your strengths.
Let our fury burn even brighter.