We did the Middle Eastern Muslims favors, and they did us favors. And, we all protected the endless caravans as the most essential thing in our economies. The Silk Road was booming, better than ever, and that was the most excellent example of trust and complete cooperation. War or no war, the goods and the people had to move throughout the world. Money, the economy had to circulate to grow. Neither side ever violated the agreements and, if anything went wrong, both teams did everything possible fixing it. And, occasionally things did go wrong. Yes, the brigands were trying to make a living off raiding the caravans, but they never lasted for long. We dealt with them in the harshest possible way, making an example of the punishment, and we did it every time. Still, more would come thinking that they were smarter, luckier, better warriors. Neither us nor the Muslims would forgive them and lessen the sentence. That was the law. The Silk Road was too important to us, to them, to the whole world. It was like the most vital blood artery connecting the world of the East. West was not there yet, and I was destined to bring it in. The bloodline of the East was only trickling in the West, but I was about to change it and for good. Yes, the Silk Road was an unquestionable priority to everyone. No one in the East could survive without it.
The “free” Russians of Pskov and Novgorod had informed us of the plans of the Western European knights to start crusading against us. Our policies in that region worked already. We were cooperating with the Russians, and they saw the hope in it. We smiled and kept our options open. We rewarded the informants well and promised more if they keep cooperating. They assured us of that and kept the word. It was a beneficial arrangement for both sides. I did not like the information about the knights and of their plans, and Subutai was furious, demanding the invasion of the West right away. I did not think we were ready yet and told him to slow down and to start preparing for the big war. It could last for years. That would be a massive undertaking even for us, and it should be done on our terms.
This western land was far from our bases, and we needed almost everything. I could not categorically rely on feeding off the occupied territory. It sounded great, but it never indeed worked. You get some supplies and pay for it with spreading your forces out and even losing some people. Foraging was a hard and costly way to supply your people. I needed everything in one fist. I learned the lessons of my grandfather when he had time and was willing to teach us. Western Europe was in ruins due to constant skirmishes between the local barons, terrible famine, plague, and the crusades. They did it to themselves. Did they understand that? Crusades and the religious hysterics took away the able bodies leaving Western Europe quite open for anyone to invade it. If it were not us, it would be someone else. Who? Could the Russians do that? I think so, but they would have to come under one ruler first. It was hard even to imagine. They were not there yet and would not be there for a long while, especially when we were there.
We will do whatever it took to keep them divided. And, if the Russians moved, we would’ve come much earlier. I did not really worry about resistance. I knew that the Western countries could not gather a force capable of giving me any serious trouble, not with all the problems they had, and they had plenty. I worried about the supplies. That would take time and considerable resources. I had both, and we needed patience. My calculations showed that we needed at least 50,000 horses more, three new Tumens and then, two more in about six months after the invasion started. That is five Tumens altogether, and I had only two in training at the moment. They should be ready in about a month. The new Tumens would take at least three months of training plus the time to recruit good people. That could be six to eight months altogether. Also, they had to come over, and that takes time. There is another month, at least. Many people were coming to us asking to make them the Mongolian soldiers, but only a few would qualify. They had to be good soldiers already, but we would make them better. I rather wait and get the right people than to rush and lose the war. But, the most important thing is to move the bases closer to Western Europe. We also need to create a few jumping points.
Why did I need so many troops? Well, the territories were tremendously vast and heavily populated. And, I needed to leave the strong garrisons along the way to control the conquered countries and to protect the supply routes. Thus, I need a massive force. I could raise it, giving time and a lot of patience. Patience was a virtue, not all of us had. Actually, it was a very rare attribute. We were more of the spontaneous people. Subutai was like a very young groom on the wedding night. He could not wait for anything; he wanted it now. I love him, I trust him, but it should be the way my grandfather did it. It should be done right.
Patience is still a virtue, and impatience could cost you everything, lives for sure. No, impatience is something we can’t have at all. We cannot afford it at any cost. I have to control Subutai but gently. He is so fragile under that toughness of the fighting Mongol. All that, everything, was too important to overlook. A slight miscalculation in supplies could cost you the entire campaign and maybe thousands of lives. No, no, not the enemies but your people. And we often see it on the other side. Also, the emperor would not forget it quickly, and that will cost you personally. In Central Asia, one had to be cautious with the others, always. That could be your life. That could be your family. It was not a comfortable world to live in, even if you were a Khan. Enemies were so easy to make and so hard to get rid of. They would hide the feelings until it was time to strike, to poison, a knife in your back. I always try not to make enemies or, if you made one, don’t let him live long enough to hit back. Children of the dead enemy would always tend to pay back. Control those children in one way or another. Everything, every option, should be on the table. Listen to the eldest. You and your family come first. They and their families don’t count, not in the long run. You are important, and they are not. You represent the dynasty, and they pose a danger.
So, I gave an order to gather and to deliver to my camp 50,000 horses and another 50,000 in six months after that and at least two new Tumens (Tumen is a unit of ten thousand men) of soldiers. We also needed meat for a hundred thousand soldiers, clothes, weapons, and silk shirts. I have the campsites and the small hordes located within hours from the main group. That’s where the horses would stay, and the soldiers gathered and trained. The stores and especially food, are going to be mostly at the main camp. It would be safer here, with the most loyal Mongols and me. The Khazars will manage and multiply it as they had always done it.
Good people. It was a stroke of genius on my grandfather part to befriend them. It is still a very prosperous relation. Frankly, I am getting closer and closer to them. I like their company and everything about them. Good people. All Mongols loved them, and they never let us down. I wish we had more of them, but there are limits. Well, meat could walk by itself. So, hundreds of herds with horses, cattle, lamb, and the goats had to follow us managed by the Tartars and their families. The camp followers were mostly responsible for that. The Kazakhs were good with that task as well. They also were from the steppes and understood the way of life there. Many of them were nomads and knew the animals on the move. They were a great help when we moved, and they could fight. What else do I need from them? If the families of my soldiers (from any tribe) also wanted to follow us, they had to work as well. They operated the trains following us with the supplies, wounded, animals, and the members of the families. They would handle the animals and tend the wounded. It was very beneficial for all of us.