1299: A Fateful Year: Part 11
1299: A Fateful Year: Part 11
Orghui felt that this was not the time to be choosing a new leader. The threat from the Mayans was strong and there were no allies to come to their rescue if needed. Chun Bo Fen seemed to be walking a path of his own and had apparently betrayed the Khan. The Ngöbe had abandoned the Khan and were taking a middle ground. It simply was not a good time for a Kurultai.
Nugün Ürije, on the other hand was pleased by the aspect of a change in leadership. He and Shīfù had concocted a plan to bring the remnants of the Khan’s army together and hopefully survive as a unified people. He relied on his knowledge of his own Ngöbe culture as well as his experience with the Mongols. He knew that the Mayans would not long tolerate an independent Asian presence nor the Ngöbe a dominant one. The King of Mayapan would probably view the natives as a source of goods and trade, to be allowed to continue their ways under the eyes and to the benefit of the Mayapan League. He would not accept a potential military challenge.
The Mayans in fact had their hand full integrating their conquest of Alagh into the League. What had been an interesting but minor trade area was now the source of technology, resources, wealth and power. There would be some culture shock as the Mayans learned new ways. They had to adjust to the reality of herding large animals in great numbers, learn how to exploit them, what they could provide, how they would enhance the life of the Mayan cities. For the first time, they had a potentially plentiful source of animal protein that they could control. Additionally, cattle provided them, for the first time, with a draft animal, one that could haul goods more efficiently than a human. There was also the concept of the wheel and it’s logical extensions, carts and wagons. Although they had used wheels for small things, such as toys, they had never made the leap to using it as a labor saving device. Here they had received it, fully developed and with many of it’s applications in use. They had not even begun to consider all the implications.
Horses had already made an impression, but now they had a substantial number and were learning to breed them. They also provided a multitude of possibilities, speed of communications and transport, speed and mobility on the battlefield, horses were going to have a huge impact.
Other technologies such as advanced looms, new agricultural techniques, medical knowledge, enhanced metallurgy, sailing, shipbuilding and other maritime knowledge would be greatly beneficial. The possession of gunpowder, however, and the ability to produce it had implications that Ahau Cuat Cocom was only now beginning to dream about.
As the Mayans tried to absorb the riches and knowledge that had fallen into their hands, they were less concerned with the immediate expulsion of the Asians. The Ngöbe had realized where their long term interests lie and would not support the invaders, so Asi Ügei could wait a bit.
The Kurultai was a hastily arranged affair under the circumstances, with minimum ceremony. It began two days after the confrontation between Nugün and Orghui and ended late that night. The general walked in believing that he would be proclaimed Khan easily. He was already the de-facto military leader, he had impeccable Mongol credentials and he had experience that the boy could not match. Nugün Ürije on the other hand was not a Mongol, although the Khan had adopted him, he was barely a man and he had little practical military experience. Orghui was surprised, therefore by the strength of the support for the Prince.
Many of the commanders there were backing Nugün for a number of different reasons. Some felt that Songghumal had designated the Prince by giving him crown while he was still alive. Others had gained respect for the Prince’s leadership skills as demonstrated by the utter loyalty of his command. Still more recognized the native intelligence and budding insight and wisdom possessed by the young man. In the few years he had been with the Mongols, the Ngöbe boy had become a promising Mongol leader. There were also those who simply didn’t like Orghui and thought he was overbearing and arrogant.
When the decision came, it was that Nugün would be Khan and Orghui his regent until the prince turned 20. Orghui was not happy, but at least it gave him three years to influence the Mongols path. Nugün surprised everyone, except Shīfù when he stated;
“I will have no regent. I am of age to fight in battle and to lead in battle. I will lead you if you wish, but I will not be directed.”
There was turmoil as the Prince resumed his seat. There was murmuring and swearing, prayers and denunciations, Praise and anger. The debate began anew and the opinion that the Princes act demonstrated the dignity of a Khan and the decisiveness of a Khan took hold. In the end, Nugün Ürije was declared Khan in his own right.
Orghui accepted his loss with much disappointment and some anger, but he was wise enough and a good enough soldier to know when he was beaten and he reluctantly joined the others as they went before the new Khan and swore oaths of loyalty.
Nugün chose to be called Ghung-bey-e Khan, meaning solitary.
As Orghui completed his oath to the Khan, Ghung-bey-e paused the proceedings. He spoke privately to the General for a moment before addressing the gathering.
“Orghui Biskigür has been a loyal and trusted lieutenant for my father, achieving many honors and distinctions. He has sworn his loyalty and will serve me as Khan as he did my father. He is my advisor and my councilor, my servant and my friend.”
Approval of the new Khan’s first act swept like a wave over the commanders. It was hoped that this act would defuse any resentment or strife caused by Orghui’s defeat. All knew that they needed unity to survive.
A few days later, the Khan went with Shīfù to meet with Nu-gro Ti-roon and Mu-ri Ti-ed-eba at their camp on the shore. There were several thousand Ngöbe and other local villagers who had been drawn to protect the Shaman and the Headman. The four of them walked some distance down the beach before sitting down and discussing the issues before them as equals.
Shīfù simply recorded what was happening, occasionally making an observation to the Khan or proposing a question to be asked. The meeting lasted several hours, and a mid-day meal of fish, cooked Ngöbe style, was brought to sustain them.
In essence, the Ngöbe leaders told the Khan that the Mongols and their troops were no longer welcome. The natives wished them to leave. The Khan argued that he was one of them as well as a Mongol and that he would impose nothing on them. They responded that though they believed the Khan would be benevolent, the mere presence of the Asians would bring the wrath of the Mayas down upon them, meaning destruction and slavery. The three Ngöbe knew that this was not quite accurate, but the Khan understood their meaning and feelings and did not correct them. Shīfù, for his part, took them at their word.
It was decided that the Khan and his people would leave, but not immediately. They were given some time to decide their course of action and they would meet in a week to finalize the exodus.
Ghung-bey-e assembled his commanders, with Orghui by his side. Some wanted to fall upon the Ngöbe and subjugate them, but they were told there were too many Ngöbe and too few Asians. They were also reminded that their wives were largely Ngöbe and their children half Ngöbe. Options for a march to the west were discussed, but that would take them closer to the K’iche and the Pipil, who were far stronger than the local Ngöbe. To the east was a Jungle that seemed impenetrable and showed little promise until they neared Chimor, a very long march.
They discussed trying to ally with the Maya, but that got very little traction since the sacrifice of their countrymen to the Mayan gods had horrified them. Awful vengeance upon those who have wronged you was one thing, but sacrificing enemies to the gods was something else. The only reason for human sacrifice was to assist a great man in their journeys after death.
It was finally determined that the only viable solution was to take to their ships. Where would they go though? The great bays of Jibqulang toque and Hasighun mören to the east were heavily populated, as were the lands around them and farther east along the coast. The Dorunadu islanders, far to the east had been welcoming initially, but demonstrated limited patience before letting the explorers know they should leave. The Islands that stretched northward from there had been hostile and determined to chase the explorers away.
To the northwest along the coast was the land of the Maya, and they had a sense Of possession over the islands along that coast. But a few hundred li to the northeast of the Mayan country was a large island which had recently been discovered. The people were not as advanced as the Ngöbe and not as numerous as in the Dorunadu, nor were they as hostile as those in the chain of islands.
It was decided that they would make for this Island, called Cirtai Aral. There they would claim good land and if the natives did not accept their presence they would drive them out or eliminate them. They would be close enough to the Mayans to keep watch over them but farr enough away that they would have time to build their strength.
There was an island off the coast of Cirtai which the explorers had named Gacur-a Aral because of the pine trees there. It was large enough to support a good population and provide land for herds and farms, but it was far enough from the main island to limit incursions by the natives for some time. That is where they would go.
When the Khan told Nu-gro Ti-roon and Mu-ri Ti-ed-eba of their decision, the two were greatly satisfied. It was agreed that the Ngöbe would help them finish building their ships, which would take about a month, and that they would take cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and of course their horses. The refugees would consist of the Asians themselves and their native families. If some of the Asians wished to stay with the Ngöbe, and take on their lifestyle, they could do so, but would be dispersed among the native villages.
With this decided, instructions were given, work begun, supplies and provisions collected. Orghui was put in charge of the gathering and preparation of the livestock and the necessary feed for them. Ghung-bey-e took charge of the completion and outfitting of the fleet.
The Ngöbe headman, Mu-ri Ti-ed-eba let it be known that there was to be no interference with the preparations and if assistance was required, it should be given in order to hasten the departure of the Asians. Nu-gro Ti-roon supported the headman with prayers to the spirits who protected and provided for the Ngöbe and visions they sent him which showed their approval. The Mayans had allowed the Ngöbe to deal with the Asians themselves, but were keeping an eye on the events in Asi Ügei. They approved of the exile of the invaders as an economically reasonable solution to their presence.
Only a few of the Asians decided to stay and they were re-settled in the villages of their wives. Of them, little was recorded, and they vanished into the native population, leaving only their skills as metal workers, farmers, carpenters and herdsmen behind to mark their presence.
With a total of Thirteen ships, the Khan and his people departed Asi Ügei in early November. There were a bit more than a twelve hundred souls, several hundred cattle, sheep and swine, a similar number of chickens and ducks, three hundred horses, plants and seeds for the new farms.
They sailed north for some days in fine weather with fair winds, and eventually turned northwest toward Gacur-a Aral having stayed well out to sea and away from the Mayan coast. The weather started to deteriorate a few days after their change in heading. The winds grew and became fickle, seas began to mount and the sky grew dark clouds, particularly to the east-southeast. They were forced westward until the navigators were certain their destination was now behind them to the northeast.
The fleet attempted to claw their way back toward Gacur-a Aral b ut as they made slow progress eastward the sky grew darker the seas more confused and the winds grew angry. A late season storm, a huracan as the Mayans called it after their storm god, had fallen upon the fleet and was about to subject the exiles to the whims of the gods.
The conditions worsened through the night and the dim morning light showed exactly how sever the sea state was. Waves towered above the ships on all sides, lifting them singly and in groups to their crests and then pulling them down into the troughs, providing alternate views of a world seeming to tear itself apart and a world surrounded by walls of moving water that reached for an angry sky. Rain and spray blinded them. Wind tossed them and their ships and tore at the few remaining sails aloft. There were mariners among them who had experienced typhoons in the waters of the China Sea, and survived, and they shared their courage with the rest of the party as they fought the violence of the storm. Eventually there was nothing left for them but to run before the storm under bare poles.
When the Huracan had passed and the seas began to moderate, they had been blown far to the north and west, into a new sea. The ships had all survived the storm with varying degrees of damage. Only a few people had been lost, mostly washed from the decks and blown from the rigging. None of the ships were crippled and the vast majority of their animals were alive, though traumatized.
They continued to sail in a generally northerly direction, having no knowledge of how far or in which direction the storm had taken them. The voyage that was supposed to take about two weeks stretched into a month. They were struck by another, but less sever Huracan during the third week.
In mid December, they finally saw a low island ahead of them. It looked to be little more than a sand bar and they started to sound the water depths. Moving eastward along the island, they looked for an inlet that might lead to a calm anchorage. Eventually, they were able to discern trees on the coast and the sand bar turned into a forest and then to a mangrove as the continued their approach. Late in the day, the eastern end of the island came into view. As they neared the terminal cape, they saw land and trees, swamps and mangroves stretching northward into the distance. They had found a huge bay.
Rounding the eastern end of the island the fleet sailed into the bay, found a safe anchorage and dropped anchor for the first time since leaving Asi Ügei. None had the energy or interest that night to think about naming this place. All slept with the exception of small watch crews who were happy to stay awake and smell land and trees.
The next morning, one of the night watch on the Khans ship said he had spent the night savoring the odor of good earth, and the bay was named Toque Darim köser, Bay of Good Earth.
Boats were sent out to explore the bay. They discovered there was very little solid ground anywhere near where they ha anchored, so the fleet moved farther into the bay to a place that was protected by good islands with tall trees. There was still no place for a general landing, but at least the people could walk on real ground.
They did learn that there were people here; living in small villages amongst the mangroves and marshes, but few had been seen. The villages appeared to be incredibly poor judging by the sad quality and materials of their huts. The natives seemed to be terrified of the Asians, for when they were seen, they quickly melted into the swamps.
It was discovered that the bay was at the mouth of a great, brown river, many li wide. Soon other outlets of this river were found and some of the men had compared it to the Yangtze or the Hatan Gol. The opinion was that this river, as large as it was, carrying as much soil as it did, had to flow through a vast country. Within a few days, the fleet was again under sail, this time, sailing up the river.
Much of the riverbank was swamp and there was very little real land bordering the main channel. For several days, the Asian fleet made slow progress against the flow thanks to favorable southwesterly winds. Eventually, the banks began to solidify in larger and larger stretches of hard ground. They stopped several times, hoping to find a place to make camp, but there was never enough open ground to accommodate the livestock. Finally, after a week and a half, they came across a major tributary which flowed in from the northwest. A little way up from the juncture of the two rivers they found a clearing of elevated ground that appeared to have good grazing for the animals as well as enough room for the people. Water was plentiful and trees readily available. The ships pulled to the shore and the Khan ordered the construction of a camp and the unloading of the remaining livestock.
This would be a place of rest. It was now mid December, the weather was sometimes quite cool. They would winter in this place.
1299: A Fateful Year: Part 11
Orghui felt that this was not the time to be choosing a new leader. The threat from the Mayans was strong and there were no allies to come to their rescue if needed. Chun Bo Fen seemed to be walking a path of his own and had apparently betrayed the Khan. The Ngöbe had abandoned the Khan and were taking a middle ground. It simply was not a good time for a Kurultai.
Nugün Ürije, on the other hand was pleased by the aspect of a change in leadership. He and Shīfù had concocted a plan to bring the remnants of the Khan’s army together and hopefully survive as a unified people. He relied on his knowledge of his own Ngöbe culture as well as his experience with the Mongols. He knew that the Mayans would not long tolerate an independent Asian presence nor the Ngöbe a dominant one. The King of Mayapan would probably view the natives as a source of goods and trade, to be allowed to continue their ways under the eyes and to the benefit of the Mayapan League. He would not accept a potential military challenge.
The Mayans in fact had their hand full integrating their conquest of Alagh into the League. What had been an interesting but minor trade area was now the source of technology, resources, wealth and power. There would be some culture shock as the Mayans learned new ways. They had to adjust to the reality of herding large animals in great numbers, learn how to exploit them, what they could provide, how they would enhance the life of the Mayan cities. For the first time, they had a potentially plentiful source of animal protein that they could control. Additionally, cattle provided them, for the first time, with a draft animal, one that could haul goods more efficiently than a human. There was also the concept of the wheel and it’s logical extensions, carts and wagons. Although they had used wheels for small things, such as toys, they had never made the leap to using it as a labor saving device. Here they had received it, fully developed and with many of it’s applications in use. They had not even begun to consider all the implications.
Horses had already made an impression, but now they had a substantial number and were learning to breed them. They also provided a multitude of possibilities, speed of communications and transport, speed and mobility on the battlefield, horses were going to have a huge impact.
Other technologies such as advanced looms, new agricultural techniques, medical knowledge, enhanced metallurgy, sailing, shipbuilding and other maritime knowledge would be greatly beneficial. The possession of gunpowder, however, and the ability to produce it had implications that Ahau Cuat Cocom was only now beginning to dream about.
As the Mayans tried to absorb the riches and knowledge that had fallen into their hands, they were less concerned with the immediate expulsion of the Asians. The Ngöbe had realized where their long term interests lie and would not support the invaders, so Asi Ügei could wait a bit.
The Kurultai was a hastily arranged affair under the circumstances, with minimum ceremony. It began two days after the confrontation between Nugün and Orghui and ended late that night. The general walked in believing that he would be proclaimed Khan easily. He was already the de-facto military leader, he had impeccable Mongol credentials and he had experience that the boy could not match. Nugün Ürije on the other hand was not a Mongol, although the Khan had adopted him, he was barely a man and he had little practical military experience. Orghui was surprised, therefore by the strength of the support for the Prince.
Many of the commanders there were backing Nugün for a number of different reasons. Some felt that Songghumal had designated the Prince by giving him crown while he was still alive. Others had gained respect for the Prince’s leadership skills as demonstrated by the utter loyalty of his command. Still more recognized the native intelligence and budding insight and wisdom possessed by the young man. In the few years he had been with the Mongols, the Ngöbe boy had become a promising Mongol leader. There were also those who simply didn’t like Orghui and thought he was overbearing and arrogant.
When the decision came, it was that Nugün would be Khan and Orghui his regent until the prince turned 20. Orghui was not happy, but at least it gave him three years to influence the Mongols path. Nugün surprised everyone, except Shīfù when he stated;
“I will have no regent. I am of age to fight in battle and to lead in battle. I will lead you if you wish, but I will not be directed.”
There was turmoil as the Prince resumed his seat. There was murmuring and swearing, prayers and denunciations, Praise and anger. The debate began anew and the opinion that the Princes act demonstrated the dignity of a Khan and the decisiveness of a Khan took hold. In the end, Nugün Ürije was declared Khan in his own right.
Orghui accepted his loss with much disappointment and some anger, but he was wise enough and a good enough soldier to know when he was beaten and he reluctantly joined the others as they went before the new Khan and swore oaths of loyalty.
Nugün chose to be called Ghung-bey-e Khan, meaning solitary.
As Orghui completed his oath to the Khan, Ghung-bey-e paused the proceedings. He spoke privately to the General for a moment before addressing the gathering.
“Orghui Biskigür has been a loyal and trusted lieutenant for my father, achieving many honors and distinctions. He has sworn his loyalty and will serve me as Khan as he did my father. He is my advisor and my councilor, my servant and my friend.”
Approval of the new Khan’s first act swept like a wave over the commanders. It was hoped that this act would defuse any resentment or strife caused by Orghui’s defeat. All knew that they needed unity to survive.
A few days later, the Khan went with Shīfù to meet with Nu-gro Ti-roon and Mu-ri Ti-ed-eba at their camp on the shore. There were several thousand Ngöbe and other local villagers who had been drawn to protect the Shaman and the Headman. The four of them walked some distance down the beach before sitting down and discussing the issues before them as equals.
Shīfù simply recorded what was happening, occasionally making an observation to the Khan or proposing a question to be asked. The meeting lasted several hours, and a mid-day meal of fish, cooked Ngöbe style, was brought to sustain them.
In essence, the Ngöbe leaders told the Khan that the Mongols and their troops were no longer welcome. The natives wished them to leave. The Khan argued that he was one of them as well as a Mongol and that he would impose nothing on them. They responded that though they believed the Khan would be benevolent, the mere presence of the Asians would bring the wrath of the Mayas down upon them, meaning destruction and slavery. The three Ngöbe knew that this was not quite accurate, but the Khan understood their meaning and feelings and did not correct them. Shīfù, for his part, took them at their word.
It was decided that the Khan and his people would leave, but not immediately. They were given some time to decide their course of action and they would meet in a week to finalize the exodus.
Ghung-bey-e assembled his commanders, with Orghui by his side. Some wanted to fall upon the Ngöbe and subjugate them, but they were told there were too many Ngöbe and too few Asians. They were also reminded that their wives were largely Ngöbe and their children half Ngöbe. Options for a march to the west were discussed, but that would take them closer to the K’iche and the Pipil, who were far stronger than the local Ngöbe. To the east was a Jungle that seemed impenetrable and showed little promise until they neared Chimor, a very long march.
They discussed trying to ally with the Maya, but that got very little traction since the sacrifice of their countrymen to the Mayan gods had horrified them. Awful vengeance upon those who have wronged you was one thing, but sacrificing enemies to the gods was something else. The only reason for human sacrifice was to assist a great man in their journeys after death.
It was finally determined that the only viable solution was to take to their ships. Where would they go though? The great bays of Jibqulang toque and Hasighun mören to the east were heavily populated, as were the lands around them and farther east along the coast. The Dorunadu islanders, far to the east had been welcoming initially, but demonstrated limited patience before letting the explorers know they should leave. The Islands that stretched northward from there had been hostile and determined to chase the explorers away.
To the northwest along the coast was the land of the Maya, and they had a sense Of possession over the islands along that coast. But a few hundred li to the northeast of the Mayan country was a large island which had recently been discovered. The people were not as advanced as the Ngöbe and not as numerous as in the Dorunadu, nor were they as hostile as those in the chain of islands.
It was decided that they would make for this Island, called Cirtai Aral. There they would claim good land and if the natives did not accept their presence they would drive them out or eliminate them. They would be close enough to the Mayans to keep watch over them but farr enough away that they would have time to build their strength.
There was an island off the coast of Cirtai which the explorers had named Gacur-a Aral because of the pine trees there. It was large enough to support a good population and provide land for herds and farms, but it was far enough from the main island to limit incursions by the natives for some time. That is where they would go.
When the Khan told Nu-gro Ti-roon and Mu-ri Ti-ed-eba of their decision, the two were greatly satisfied. It was agreed that the Ngöbe would help them finish building their ships, which would take about a month, and that they would take cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and of course their horses. The refugees would consist of the Asians themselves and their native families. If some of the Asians wished to stay with the Ngöbe, and take on their lifestyle, they could do so, but would be dispersed among the native villages.
With this decided, instructions were given, work begun, supplies and provisions collected. Orghui was put in charge of the gathering and preparation of the livestock and the necessary feed for them. Ghung-bey-e took charge of the completion and outfitting of the fleet.
The Ngöbe headman, Mu-ri Ti-ed-eba let it be known that there was to be no interference with the preparations and if assistance was required, it should be given in order to hasten the departure of the Asians. Nu-gro Ti-roon supported the headman with prayers to the spirits who protected and provided for the Ngöbe and visions they sent him which showed their approval. The Mayans had allowed the Ngöbe to deal with the Asians themselves, but were keeping an eye on the events in Asi Ügei. They approved of the exile of the invaders as an economically reasonable solution to their presence.
Only a few of the Asians decided to stay and they were re-settled in the villages of their wives. Of them, little was recorded, and they vanished into the native population, leaving only their skills as metal workers, farmers, carpenters and herdsmen behind to mark their presence.
With a total of Thirteen ships, the Khan and his people departed Asi Ügei in early November. There were a bit more than a twelve hundred souls, several hundred cattle, sheep and swine, a similar number of chickens and ducks, three hundred horses, plants and seeds for the new farms.
They sailed north for some days in fine weather with fair winds, and eventually turned northwest toward Gacur-a Aral having stayed well out to sea and away from the Mayan coast. The weather started to deteriorate a few days after their change in heading. The winds grew and became fickle, seas began to mount and the sky grew dark clouds, particularly to the east-southeast. They were forced westward until the navigators were certain their destination was now behind them to the northeast.
The fleet attempted to claw their way back toward Gacur-a Aral b ut as they made slow progress eastward the sky grew darker the seas more confused and the winds grew angry. A late season storm, a huracan as the Mayans called it after their storm god, had fallen upon the fleet and was about to subject the exiles to the whims of the gods.
The conditions worsened through the night and the dim morning light showed exactly how sever the sea state was. Waves towered above the ships on all sides, lifting them singly and in groups to their crests and then pulling them down into the troughs, providing alternate views of a world seeming to tear itself apart and a world surrounded by walls of moving water that reached for an angry sky. Rain and spray blinded them. Wind tossed them and their ships and tore at the few remaining sails aloft. There were mariners among them who had experienced typhoons in the waters of the China Sea, and survived, and they shared their courage with the rest of the party as they fought the violence of the storm. Eventually there was nothing left for them but to run before the storm under bare poles.
When the Huracan had passed and the seas began to moderate, they had been blown far to the north and west, into a new sea. The ships had all survived the storm with varying degrees of damage. Only a few people had been lost, mostly washed from the decks and blown from the rigging. None of the ships were crippled and the vast majority of their animals were alive, though traumatized.
They continued to sail in a generally northerly direction, having no knowledge of how far or in which direction the storm had taken them. The voyage that was supposed to take about two weeks stretched into a month. They were struck by another, but less sever Huracan during the third week.
In mid December, they finally saw a low island ahead of them. It looked to be little more than a sand bar and they started to sound the water depths. Moving eastward along the island, they looked for an inlet that might lead to a calm anchorage. Eventually, they were able to discern trees on the coast and the sand bar turned into a forest and then to a mangrove as the continued their approach. Late in the day, the eastern end of the island came into view. As they neared the terminal cape, they saw land and trees, swamps and mangroves stretching northward into the distance. They had found a huge bay.
Rounding the eastern end of the island the fleet sailed into the bay, found a safe anchorage and dropped anchor for the first time since leaving Asi Ügei. None had the energy or interest that night to think about naming this place. All slept with the exception of small watch crews who were happy to stay awake and smell land and trees.
The next morning, one of the night watch on the Khans ship said he had spent the night savoring the odor of good earth, and the bay was named Toque Darim köser, Bay of Good Earth.
Boats were sent out to explore the bay. They discovered there was very little solid ground anywhere near where they ha anchored, so the fleet moved farther into the bay to a place that was protected by good islands with tall trees. There was still no place for a general landing, but at least the people could walk on real ground.
They did learn that there were people here; living in small villages amongst the mangroves and marshes, but few had been seen. The villages appeared to be incredibly poor judging by the sad quality and materials of their huts. The natives seemed to be terrified of the Asians, for when they were seen, they quickly melted into the swamps.
It was discovered that the bay was at the mouth of a great, brown river, many li wide. Soon other outlets of this river were found and some of the men had compared it to the Yangtze or the Hatan Gol. The opinion was that this river, as large as it was, carrying as much soil as it did, had to flow through a vast country. Within a few days, the fleet was again under sail, this time, sailing up the river.
Much of the riverbank was swamp and there was very little real land bordering the main channel. For several days, the Asian fleet made slow progress against the flow thanks to favorable southwesterly winds. Eventually, the banks began to solidify in larger and larger stretches of hard ground. They stopped several times, hoping to find a place to make camp, but there was never enough open ground to accommodate the livestock. Finally, after a week and a half, they came across a major tributary which flowed in from the northwest. A little way up from the juncture of the two rivers they found a clearing of elevated ground that appeared to have good grazing for the animals as well as enough room for the people. Water was plentiful and trees readily available. The ships pulled to the shore and the Khan ordered the construction of a camp and the unloading of the remaining livestock.
This would be a place of rest. It was now mid December, the weather was sometimes quite cool. They would winter in this place.
