Chapter 1031: The Meeting of Two Kings

Chapter 1031 -252: The Meeting of Two Kings

Under the Golden Tent, Jochi Khan furrowed his brow slightly.

“These Sassanid people have changed their demeanor.”

The concept of demeanor, though seemingly vague, is something that can be discerned at a glance.

Are those standing on the city wall cowardly, fearful souls or upright, fierce warriors eager to exact revenge? The difference is vast.

“Fulin Khan indeed has a unique approach to training soldiers. But no matter how fierce a sheep may become, snarling its teeth, it can’t turn into a wolf. If mere blood and courage could surpass strong armor, countless battles honed martial arts, and orders that must be obeyed, wouldn’t it be a joke?”

Jochi was dismissive.

The Tatars have slaughtered countless enemies all the way during their westward expedition, and all hateful stares eventually turned into fear.

Beside him, Subutai showed a worried expression: “But in a siege, blood and courage are the greatest reliance for these Sassanids. As long as they do not fear death and throw tens of thousands of lives onto the city head, how much will we have to sacrifice, and how long will it take to conquer this fortress?”

“Jochi Noyan, please remember, under your command are nearly a hundred thousand troops, tens of thousands of livestock. You should know the amount of supplies needed every day.”

Although they’ve raided the villages surrounding Hawazin, the acquired supplies are like a drop in the bucket for an army of a hundred thousand.

Currently, the Tatar army’s main supplies are transported from Hamadan, and Jochi has stationed half of a thousand-officer team there to guard against the city’s people rebelling due to heavy taxes and labor.

Subutai noticed Jochi’s expression of impatience, yet continued as if unperturbed: “It’s not just about the supplies; Fulin Khan has arrived, and we are destined to become adversaries. Judging by Hawazin’s demeanor, the Sassanids seem willing to submit to him.”

“From this perspective, Mesopotamia may already be under his subjection, and no one can say when his army would come to support.”

“We’re fighting in Persia, but we’re essentially making wedding clothes for this Fulin Khan.”

Jochi sneered, unwilling to accept this; though Persia is vast and places like Fars and Khorasan are fertile lands vital to Sassan.

Yet Mesopotamia, only a fifth of the Persian Plateau in area, carries nearly half the population of the entire Sassanid Dynasty. Comparatively, the Persian Plateau is akin to the Anatolian Plateau occupied by Turkic people in the Empire.

Mesopotamia, with Constantinople as its core, includes the Balkans territory encompassing the west coast of Asia Minor.

Setting aside strategic significance, discussing solely economics and population, Persia cannot compare to Mesopotamia.

Subutai corrected: “That’s not Fulin Khan, it’s the Emperor of the Franks. They are more martial and harder to deal with. Jochi Noyan, even the Wusun Shaman treats him as a formidable adversary!”

Jochi raised his brow: “Are you scared?”

“Jochi Noyan, is it possible that the bustling cities have blinded you? For us prairie men, are the lush pastures of the Persian Plateau not enough for us to gallop upon? Even if you’re still unsatisfied, you can expand northwestward, where the fragmented Kuman people are easy to conquer and assimilate into our forces.”

Jochi gazed at Subutai, his top courageous general, for a long time before letting out a gentle sigh.

“You don’t understand.”

Despite Subutai’s exceptional tactical vision, he still cannot transcend the perspective of the nomads, failing to see the significance of wealth, population, and commercial hubs for an Empire.

If Mesopotamia is not taken, what would he rely on for his envisioned Eastern Expedition once the elites sent by his father are recalled? What would he use to bribe the numerous princes and noble lords of Khuriltai to switch support to him?

“I have reasons to take Mesopotamia, Subutai. You are an eagle on the prairie, my father’s most trusted arm, and I wish to treat you as my father does, but do not question my decisions again.”

Despite Subutai’s formidable accomplishments, ultimately, he’s just a subordinate of the Golden Family, and his repeated advice has rendered Jochi slightly impatient.

“Understood.”

Subutai sighed softly. He can vaguely grasp Jochi’s intentions, but precisely because of this, he does not wish to see such a scene occur. A Jochi who has taken both Mesopotamia and the Persian Plateau, would he be content to just be an external domain prince as the Great Khan wishes?

“Just watch the battle in peace, Subutai. Ivan’s contracted army has commendable prowess, but at critical moments, it’s us who have to hold the line.”

In the midst of resounding horn blasts, Ivan’s vanguard has already hefted the Cloud Ladder close to the gorge entrance.

They are brandishing leather-covered Shields to fend off the arrows shot by the defenders, occasionally having unlucky souls hit in the weak points of their armor, letting out muffled grunts, but due to the excellent Equipment, very few are killed on the spot.

At this moment, a figure riding a robust giant horse leapt down from the highest segment, eight meters high, of the middle of Hawazin, landing right in front of the contracted army carrying the Cloud Ladder toward the city walls.

“He’s coming again!”

“It truly is him, that Frankish demon!”

In an instant, the elite of Ivan’s vanguard unintentionally slowed their steps.

Jochi Khan’s expression shifted: “What a fierce warrior who guards a pass alone; is he Fulin Khan?”

This was the first time he faced this imagined adversary directly.

Subutai reminded him: “Most of Ivan’s men were defeated by this person and driven to the Central Asian steppes, so their fear of him is understandable.”

“No matter.”

Jochi waved his hand: “Even the Wusun Shaman feels this formidable enemy is challenging; he’s definitely not an ordinary person. You don’t need to worry about me acting recklessly. This person is cunning and probably intends to provoke a duel to strike our morale. I will not allow him to succeed.”

“Where is Jochi Khan? I have made a pact with your father. Both sides agreed to the Zagros Mountain Pass as the boundary and to mutual non-aggression. Why have you crossed the border and plundered my subjects? Do all Tatars have a tradition of defying their fathers?”

“It truly is him, that Frankish demon!”

In an instant, the elite of Ivan’s vanguard unintentionally slowed their steps.

Jochi Khan’s expression shifted: “What a fierce warrior who guards a pass alone; is he Fulin Khan?”

This was the first time he faced this imagined adversary directly.

Subutai reminded him: “Most of Ivan’s men were defeated by this person and driven to the Central Asian steppes, so their fear of him is understandable.”

“No matter.”

Jochi waved his hand: “Even the Wusun Shaman feels this formidable enemy is challenging; he’s definitely not an ordinary person. You don’t need to worry about me acting recklessly. This person is cunning and probably intends to provoke a duel to strike our morale. I will not allow him to succeed.”

“Where is Jochi Khan? I have made a pact with your father. Both sides agreed to the Zagros Mountain Pass as the boundary and to mutual non-aggression. Why have you crossed the border and plundered my subjects? Do all Tatars have a tradition of defying their fathers?”