There could be a multitude of reasons for that. Many believe that Europe was saved only because Mongols did not really know that there was more beyond the Mediterranean Sea. Batu’s advisors assumed that the European traders were referring to that sea, calling it “The Last Sea.” Did the traders know any better? One does not go beyond the last sea. Why would they? That was not smart and very dangerous. That was reserved for the gods and only gods. Batu was not a god but only a Khan, and he knew it. Mongols were not into the God thing that much. Batu was a man and a soldier, and he liked it that way. The brutal force at the base of his existence exited him more and more. That was him.
The power of life and death made him the god on earth, but he respected the gods in the sky, placing them above all his desires and understanding his own place. He was right where he was supposed to be. And, that suited him quite well. His soldiers should not die crossing the last sea. Why should they? What was there that important? That could be too dangerous even for them. They were his soldiers, his people, and he was responsible for them and their families. He knew his obligations. That what he learned well from his grandfather. They had to conquer the world, first, making the Mongol capital the capital of the world. He wanted to see it while he was still alive and in charge. He was not a god, but he was powerful enough to make it happen.
Subutai strongly advised Batu and Ogedei Khan to keep pushing forward. They had the momentum, and the horror of their approach and the ferociousness preceded them well in advance. That was the advantage they could not give up by stopping or even slowing down. Mongols were the most terrifying thing of the time, not mentioning the violent outbreaks of epidemics. The Black Death was popping up in many places, taking so many lives, destroying the entire towns. The crusades were terrifying as well but considered noble hence, supported. Thus, Subutai thought they were unstoppable, the wrath of Gods. They had to keep moving. He agreed that the sea could not be crossed and therefore, they could not go much forward, but what about the sideways.
He wanted to go up North and the South and see what was there. There should be people, countries, riches, and so ripe for the taking. They heard so many stories and saw the people from many places they had not found yet. All that should be out there, within reach. If they saw the people, there should be the places they came from. Subutai wanted to see the land where the Scandinavians (the Russians) came from and the lands of the European traders visiting the Silk Road. There were so many of them by now. Thus, it was not a fairytale. They did not lie or fantasized. They came from the countries they described. Venice and Florence, Italy — Mongols had not found it yet. They heard of Paris and Rome but where was it. They have not seen it yet, but they had seen the people and the goods from there. So, it should be out there. They could not find many places, but they knew that those places existed. Everything, every little piece of information they gathered supported that. Yes, they had to stay there much longer and go to the North and to the South. They had to see everything. There should be more, much more and then, even more than that.
Ogedei Khan promised to foreign visitors from Europe, time and time again, to visit the esteemed countries of the traders with the first opportunity. Was this the opportunity he mentioned? That was perfect for a visit and more. Mongols wanted to see with their own eyes the strange things the visitors described. The buildings, the ships, the strange foods, the art, and the crafts. They wanted to see the lifestyle of those people and their customs. Yes, they wanted gold, works, and the masterful slaves as well. They also wanted the blond, blue-eyed women and men. Venice and Florence and the other places like that did not have to be conquered and burnt down but befriended. Why kill and destroy something you may like? Capturing and burning was too fatal and reserved for the minor places and the lesser people. The Mongols knew that very well. Venice and Florence could be great allies and the partners in trade and ruling the world. They could be almost as useful as the Khazars were for Genghis Khan. Batu Khan used to dream of this cooperation, and the great empire resulting from it. He thought it could be done and be very beneficial for the Mongol Empire. He was sure the Great Khan would go along with this idea.
The Silk Road could be branched out to Venice and beyond. Why not? It would make a lot of sense. That should be the main rout of the world and the glory of the Mongols. This was the time to explore, and Subutai did not want to wait any longer. Life was too short for waiting. He was getting old and restless and time was not on his side. Still, Subutai had never seen Venice or Italy or the rest of Europe. It was not his destiny. He died (in 1248 at the age of 72) shortly after this campaign.
Batu Khan died (in 1255 at the age of 48) young while preparing additional campaigns to the North and to the South and strengthening his own domain. He wanted to follow Subutai’s advice and go there. On the Volga River shore right where the Bulgars used to live before the Mongols forced them out, he established the domain known as the Kipchak Khanate and the capital city was called Sarai. Some documents claim that, at the peak, at the Golden Age, it was about 600,000 people strong. In Russia, it came to be known as the Golden Horde due to the gorgeous golden color tents in which the Mongolian army camped. Or, was it the very center of the Empire, the center of the Mongolian universe, thus Golden? It was a site: thousands of Mongol and Khazar soldiers, strange appearing hairy small, but powerful horses, wild looking Tatars and the Kalmyks, exotic Chinese and the Kyrgyz, and the slaves from all over the world and beyond. It could be the center of the universe of the time. Was there a more prominent and more alive city at the time? Only the history could judge that, and the history had not offered any serious alternatives. The Golden Horde was probably the most significant force for a few hundred years.
Ulaanbaatar
The economic activities of Mongolia were traditionally based on agriculture, breeding and processing the livestock, and some crafts. It never was an industrial nation, but the Soviets tried to make it and hard. No matter how hard the Soviets tried, the Mongols could never adhere to the factory rules becoming one of the least productive members of the Soviet Bloc. Still, when it came to domesticated animals, Mongols were second to none. They knew it well. That was in their blood. That was the Mongol nature, the way of life. Mongolia also had extensive mineral deposits: copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold that accounted for a large part of industrial production. Interesting to know that almost one-third of the GDP disappeared practically overnight in 1990-91 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR and never came back. That was a sad state of affairs by any standards.