Chapter 998 - 221: Three Years

Chapter 998: Chapter 221: Three Years

The Medieval World, three years later.

Ivan and Fulk were on a massive galley, sailing within the Red Sea.

Over the course of three years, the situation in Central Asia had undergone a drastic transformation.

Three years ago, the Qidan people, led by Kuchulug, halted the westward advance of the Tatars. Although it was a costly victory, it brought tremendous prestige to this exiled prince.

Even within the Qidan, many nobles were intimidated by the formidable power displayed by the Tatars, believing that only Kuchulug could lead the Qidan to defeat such a strong enemy.

Thereafter, leveraging the trust of Khan Zilu, Kuchulug seized power a year later, placing Khan Zilu under house arrest. Although Yelv Zilu was still nominally respected as Khan, the Naiman exiles brought from the East had become the new rulers of Western Liao.

Subsequently, Kuchulug fully committed to military preparations, allied with Khwarezmia in the west, waged war on the Gur Dynasty in the south, and forged an alliance with the King of Kings of Elanshahar, meticulously preparing for a new war against the Tatars.

Unfortunately, the new wave of the Tatar westward expedition was clearly no longer minor skirmishes but a massive army of 100,000 pushing to the borders.

Having completely conquered the Great Jin, integrated the newly conquered territories, and digested them thoroughly, the Tatars’ power had soared to a new height.

A full year of military preparations led by Kuchulug ended in less than a year and a half, with defeat and death for the Naiman forces and the Qidan.

Like a mantis waving its arms in front of an eagle, all their schemes and resistance were utterly crushed like a joke.

Fortunately, Ivan’s tribe was merely a servant tribe, never fully incorporated into the ruling class of Western Liao. By timely switching sides, Ivan’s tribe not only avoided considerable losses but also expanded greatly by taking over many of the pastures of the original Qidan people.

Subsequently, the Tatar western expedition army, under the leadership of Jochi the next year, broke through the allied forces of Elanshahar and Khwarezmia, and now have the entire River Region under their control, aggressively expanding in the Persian Region.

After capturing Elanshahar, Jochi heard of a great nation in the west known as the "Southern Frul Empire," which replaced the Green-robed Arabs, boasting an army of over a hundred thousand, vast territories, economic prosperity, and rumors of training giant dragons for battle.

Fearing that this nation might press on them before the Tatars firmly established themselves in Persia, Jochi sent Ivan and Fulk, who best understood this western great nation, as envoys to this country.

The two, with three hundred elite members, escorted by the Tatar delegation, sailed south from the Persian Gulf, around the Saracen Peninsula, and into the Red Sea.

Upon entering the Red Sea, the number of encountered ships sharply increased.

The deeper they went, the more frequently they saw merchant ships flying the Crusader Banners passing incessantly. These Frankish merchant ships coexisted peacefully with the Saracen merchant ships, not interfering with each other, remarkably harmonious.

Occasionally, there would also be huge warships flying the Crusader Banners. Equipped with gigantic crossbow cannons, these warships were distinctly different from the traditional galley ships, sailing at great speed, imposing tremendous psychological pressure on the visitors.

Their own massive galley seemed destined only to be beaten if facing these Frankish ships.

"I didn’t expect the Red Sea trading route to be so prosperous under the rule of the Franks."

Ivan, standing at the bow, sighed with some sentiment.

The Franks were known for their valor but lacked commercial acumen. He had thought that after the old master Ayyubid Dynasty was replaced by the Franks, the Red Sea trade route would thus decline.

Fulk’s expression was somewhat complicated. He had also once fought under the banner of the Crusaders, and the flags on those ships included not only the Cross Banner but also the crests of the families to which the ships belonged. There were many styles he was familiar with.

If he inquired further, perhaps they might even be related by blood.

The Persian captain explained helplessly: "Since these heretics occupied Egypt, they have organized several grand expeditions. Those Franks sailed out of the Red Sea, heading south, taking control of many trade posts and city-states along the coast of Africa. Today, the Indus Sea is no longer just the world of us Fire Worshipers."

In the evening.

Ivan and Fulk sat in the cabin, drinking fermented grape juice. Ivan held a string of prayer beads from a Qidan noble, somewhat worriedly saying: "We are about to reach the Frankish Eira Port, but I have an ominous premonition in my heart."

Fulk reassured him: "Don’t worry, His Majesty Losa is a benevolent monarch and will not trouble us envoys."

Ivan lowered his voice: "Fulk, do you remember how the Tatars initially turned against the Khwarezmian people?"

Two years ago, Kuchulug attempted to forge an alliance with Khwarezmia to resist the Tatar army together.

Khwarezmia appeared to agree on the surface but actually took advantage during the start of the war, seizing territories like Khorasan under Western Liao.

Thus, the Tatars and Khwarezm initially maintained peace, not disturbing each other, while feasting on the carcass of Western Liao.

"It seems the Great Khan of the Tatars wished to recognize the Khwarezmian people as sons."

Ivan spread his hands: "Right, I’m worried that our Great Khan might want to do the same. Even if His Majesty Losa, your Frankish Emperor, is benevolent, how could such a person tolerate such humiliation?"

Fulk was also shaken.

Although he had pledged allegiance to a new master, what impressed Fulk was only the Tatars’ formidable power and sharp blades.

Fulk could hardly hold any expectations for the Tatars’ cultural level and language.

"How about we dismantle the national letter and take a look? The craftsmen in Jerusalem are pretty skilled; maybe they can open the letter without damaging the wax seal."

Ivan shook his head: "You’re crazy. The national letter is sealed with the Tatar Shaman’s magic. Anyone who opens the letter can be seen by the Tatar Shaman. And what can you do after opening the letter? Rewrite it or flee with the tribe overseas?"

He sighed and said, "Right now, all we can do is pray that these Tatars will learn from the last lesson."

...

Early the next morning.

Ivan and Fulk were awakened by the surprised shouts of Persian sailors.

They came onto the deck and found that the opposite shore was a lush forest, the air filled with a faint sweet fragrance. Amidst the cries of seagulls, hundreds of merchant ships with various sails were orderly entering the port under the guidance of pilots.

Eastern Fuchuan, Saracen lateen sailboats, Latin merchants’ Kirk ships, and a variety of vessels, with merchants of diverse appearances and clothing, were haggling with customers at the port.

Tax collectors, accompanied by guards, were visiting ship by ship.

They were collecting entry tariffs, regardless of whether the vessels unloaded cargo or not at Eira Port; as long as they docked, they had to pay taxes.

"Where have we arrived?"

"If this is Eira Port, then the opposite shore must be the Sinai Peninsula?"

The two rubbed their eyes, the dizziness from days of sea travel making them feel as if they were in a dream.

"No mistake, that is the Sinai Peninsula. Legend has it that the Frankish Emperor planted a Divine Wood in both Transjordan and the Sinai Peninsula, from which desolation was driven away and endless fertile lands emerged."

The Persian captain murmured, "I didn’t expect the legend to be true. Wouldn’t that make the Frankish Emperor a figure akin to a Prophet, a Saint?"

On the ship, the members of Ivan’s tribe and the Tatars of the Qesem Army were also shocked, their mouths left gaping.

They had never seen the Sinai Peninsula before, and they were amazed by the riches of Eira Port. There were many good ports in the Persian Gulf, but none could compare to Eira Port.

A Qieshi quietly muttered, "Is this where the Royal Tent of Southern Fulin is located? If we take this place, how many cattle and sheep, and women could we loot?"

As for men, he didn’t mention them at all.

According to Tatar tradition, all on wheels should be killed.

Another Qieshi laughed: "If it were me, I wouldn’t plunder the city; I would incorporate it into my rule. All the city’s craftsmen, chefs, and beauties must serve me, and I want to live in that high tower."

He pointed at the "Siegfried High Tower," eyes full of longing: "That should be the place closest to Longevity Heaven in this world."

Fulk couldn’t help but cough and said, "Gentlemen, this is just a port city of Southern Fulin. Alexandria Port is even more magnificent. Our journey is to establish diplomatic relations with Southern Fulin, not to provoke. Please, if you enter the city, make sure to restrain yourselves."

"Bah, a bold mongrel dares to lecture me!"

"It’s just a port city; no matter how rich it is, it is still a nation of shepherds, known to be wealthy but weak, meant to be plundered by Tatar warriors!"

The two were strutting arrogantly, but soon they were harshly reprimanded by the Qieshi leader in charge.

Unlike those from small tribes, this leader came from the main lineage of the Golden Family. Though he was just the deputy envoy, everyone with vision knew he was the true messenger in the mind of the Great Khan, a replacement to visit this supposedly strong Southern Fulin Country and discern the truth.

If Southern Fulin’s strength was not weak, for now, they would maintain good relations.

If Southern Fulin was rich but its military weak, they would wait until Persia was conquered, then lead an army directly to this nation.

If Southern Fulin was poor and desolate, they would change course, advancing northward to conquer the broader western steppes.