The Horse and The Jaguar
- Thread starter phildup
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If you mean how far has he expanded; he is now moving into the Connecticut River valley which will finalize his control of all but a small part of OTL New England and eastern NY state. He controls the OTL Maritime provinces with the exception of Newfoundland where he is limited to coastal areas from the Strait of Belle Isle around the southern coast and then north to Trinity Bay and Cape Bonavista.
His fishing fleets are just now beginning to fish the Grand Banks.
Hope that answers your question.
I have a question: how do the great American civilizations in 1500 AD compare to the great Old World civilizations (Chinese, Dharmic, Muslim, Christian). Paul Kennedy, in The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, states that the four civilizations were all roughly equal in power potential at that time, with each one being slightly ahead in some areas and slightly behind in others.
With the knowledge, population and political/economic structures they currently have, would the New World powers be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Chinese or the Europeans? Or just be conquered more slowly than in OTL?
I suspect that your answer will be "wait and see".
With the knowledge, population and political/economic structures they currently have, would the New World powers be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Chinese or the Europeans? Or just be conquered more slowly than in OTL?
I suspect that your answer will be "wait and see".
I have a question: how do the great American civilizations in 1500 AD compare to the great Old World civilizations (Chinese, Dharmic, Muslim, Christian). Paul Kennedy, in The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, states that the four civilizations were all roughly equal in power potential at that time, with each one being slightly ahead in some areas and slightly behind in others.
With the knowledge, population and political/economic structures they currently have, would the New World powers be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Chinese or the Europeans? Or just be conquered more slowly than in OTL?
I suspect that your answer will be "wait and see".
Um...your right!
Thanks for an exellent time line...one that have served me very well as a distraction these last days when I've been forced to rest due to a flu turned into a pnuemonia. Never had that before. Not to be recommended. But good reading helps!
I'm glad to have provided some relief from your illness...I hope your health rebounds quickly.
Hope that answers your question.
It does, thanks. Waiting for more great updates like this
So will the empire (Inca) discover Australia, New Zeeland, Antarctica... before the Europeans?
Will they even begin to establish some Asian trade posts, like OTL UK Hong Kong etc?
Will the norther Khanate discover Greenland and find a northern route to Europe?
Resent research suggest the Norse Greenland colony didn't die due to starvation or war with the inuits, but that it could not be sustained due to lack of trade for iron, oil, wood etc. that they could not produce themselves, and that the young and able just left and returned to Norway/Iceland in a slow process during the 14th and 15th century.
I can imagine djonks reaching the southern tip of Greenland and there spotting the ruins of farms and churches at Herjolfsnes wondering what devastated this primitive village...but they spot smoke from one small house that still keep a roof. They land and encounter a very old man and his woman who offer them seal meat and goat milk, all they have, and by the usual signs and drawings in the sand tell their story:
Here lived thousands of farmers and proud wariors for 500 years, but they all died or left. Also their own children left many years ago, and returned to their ancestral homeland in the east, but they refused to leave.
The admiral decides that this must be this Spain or Portugal that his Khan sent him to look for. The old Norse man draw for him the coastlines of Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and England in the sand and the scribe copies them carefully. The admiral feels sorry for this lonely couple and offer them to travel with him to the land their children and grand-children travelled to, but the man and the woman both shake their heads.
When the party return to their boat, the admiral order that the water storages on the ships should be refilled from the glacier-river, and that two pigs and warm clothing should be sent to the old couple before they leave.
Just a thought...
Will they even begin to establish some Asian trade posts, like OTL UK Hong Kong etc?
Will the norther Khanate discover Greenland and find a northern route to Europe?
Resent research suggest the Norse Greenland colony didn't die due to starvation or war with the inuits, but that it could not be sustained due to lack of trade for iron, oil, wood etc. that they could not produce themselves, and that the young and able just left and returned to Norway/Iceland in a slow process during the 14th and 15th century.
I can imagine djonks reaching the southern tip of Greenland and there spotting the ruins of farms and churches at Herjolfsnes wondering what devastated this primitive village...but they spot smoke from one small house that still keep a roof. They land and encounter a very old man and his woman who offer them seal meat and goat milk, all they have, and by the usual signs and drawings in the sand tell their story:
Here lived thousands of farmers and proud wariors for 500 years, but they all died or left. Also their own children left many years ago, and returned to their ancestral homeland in the east, but they refused to leave.
The admiral decides that this must be this Spain or Portugal that his Khan sent him to look for. The old Norse man draw for him the coastlines of Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and England in the sand and the scribe copies them carefully. The admiral feels sorry for this lonely couple and offer them to travel with him to the land their children and grand-children travelled to, but the man and the woman both shake their heads.
When the party return to their boat, the admiral order that the water storages on the ships should be refilled from the glacier-river, and that two pigs and warm clothing should be sent to the old couple before they leave.
Just a thought...
The Colombian Exchange being a two-way affair is certainly going to make things extremely interesting. As it stands it's only a matter of time before fleets from the Northern Khanate encounter some flavor of European fishermen following the cod. It'll be interesting to see if the Maya or Xarmag hit Europe first.
With the way Paititi is increasing their maritime prowess I think there will be an opening for Inca colonies in Southern Africa. It will also be extremely interesting to see how the contact with Inca trading fleets will affect Polynesia. I'm also harboring the hope that one of said fleets will get caught in a Cyclone near Fiji or Vanuatu and get wrecked along the coast of Australia/New Zealand (though I get the feeling they might encounter the latter during their own explorations based on Polynesian legend of a Land of a Long White Cloud) because I would love to see the Maori or an Aborigine tribe have a similar arc to the Osage.
Things get so much more interesting when you introduce technology to areas at an earlier time than OTL.
With the way Paititi is increasing their maritime prowess I think there will be an opening for Inca colonies in Southern Africa. It will also be extremely interesting to see how the contact with Inca trading fleets will affect Polynesia. I'm also harboring the hope that one of said fleets will get caught in a Cyclone near Fiji or Vanuatu and get wrecked along the coast of Australia/New Zealand (though I get the feeling they might encounter the latter during their own explorations based on Polynesian legend of a Land of a Long White Cloud) because I would love to see the Maori or an Aborigine tribe have a similar arc to the Osage.
Things get so much more interesting when you introduce technology to areas at an earlier time than OTL.
So many ideas! Frost had only two roads diverging in his yellow wood and I find myself at a bloody interchange.
A sign of good writing, surely - that so many people are speculating about how it's going to go and getting psyched for the next update
I loled a great deal when you had Columbus tell the Incas not to trust the Portuguese... The involvement of England is very interesting. Given their location at the edge of Europe, they could quickly come to dominate European trade with North (and possibly South) America...and a growth in wealth resulting from that could lead to England becoming more powerful quicker than OTL. Maybe not the same Imperial growth, but wealth translates quickly into military power at this time
A sign of good writing, surely - that so many people are speculating about how it's going to go and getting psyched for the next update
I loled a great deal when you had Columbus tell the Incas not to trust the Portuguese... The involvement of England is very interesting. Given their location at the edge of Europe, they could quickly come to dominate European trade with North (and possibly South) America...and a growth in wealth resulting from that could lead to England becoming more powerful quicker than OTL. Maybe not the same Imperial growth, but wealth translates quickly into military power at this time
Anglicanism would probably be butterflied away if they were to become involved in the trade with the Khanates, as Henry VII's grand strategy would be significantly changed, and that of his heirs. England would remain Catholic, and therefore Scotland most likely would, as well. Actually, come to think of it, Protestantism in general would probably see reverses -- if there would even be any Protestantism at all. There may well be some heretical movement, sure, but the Habsburgs would likely be able to silence it without their OTL distractions.
Denying the European's the vast majority of the wealth that could be extracted from the Americas is gonna cause an absurd amount of butterflies. It's definitely gonna change how powerful Spain gets and prevent the OTL events which eventually wrecked the economy.
How does Spain stack up against Portugal economically? I know they have the bigger army, but how is their economy stackup? I read that while the expulsion of 1492 was terrible for the jews, the rumor that the Spanish economy tanked was really a gross exaggeration and that most stayed and converted, or were offered the chance to buy back their properties if they would convert, assuming that they had left before and were willing to return.
Chapter 68 The King’s Annoyance
William Weston’s small fleet enjoyed uncharacteristically benevolent weather for most of their voyage, encountering only one moderate storm which did little more than slow their generally westward progress. His ships carried supplies enough to last for two to three months and he anticipated that his crew would be able to re-provision upon landfall, so he was surprised when, early in the evening of May 11, while he was dining on a light meal in his cabin, he was interrupted by an excited bos,n bearing the news that land had been sighted.
A tall headland had been sighted and as the English ships closed on it they discovered a rocky and wave tossed coast, too dangerous to approach in the deepening night, and hove to. In the morning, having drifted somewhat north, Walton saw that the shoreline led west, past several deep bays before turning north. South of the cape the coast looked more promising and the fleet sailed in that direction, soon finding refuge in a large and sheltered bay.
While the ships boats were prepared to go ashore people appeared along the narrow beach along the western shore of the bay. Soon, several small boats were approaching Weston’s fleet. They came alongside and seemed surprised by Weston and his crew, as if they had expected someone else. Weston was able to quickly identify the head man of the group and he and his crew were escorted aboard.
In the captain’s cabin, through signs and drawings, he was able to learn that he was not the first to come to these lands with a large sailing ship. The others had come from the south where he had come from the north in ships of similar size. They had been sent by a king who reigned far to the south west and had visited the small village several times.
The natives were short, but well built and obviously well fed. They wore breeches of soft animal hide and fur lined cloaks to ward off the still chill air. When they were presented with trade the trade goods brought from Bristol; glass beads, woolen cloaks, tin pots etc, they were not impressed. What they did respond to was iron weapons, particularly swords and crossbows, although they had arrived unarmed aside from unusually shaped knives which were tucked into their belts.
The chief left unsatisfied, for Weston was unwilling to give the locals weaponry, but he did allow Walton’s crew to come ashore to hunt game and take trees for firewood. Within a few days Weston’s crew had bagged several very large deer which the natives called mos’wa, along with birds and even a few seals, which were numerous. His ships had filled their water butts, stored fuel for the cooking fires and restocked their larders with fresh and smoked meat and fish. His explorations ashore had revealed that the land was sparsely settled but the nearby village was well situated and the people tended small farms where they grew vegetables and maintained small flocks of chickens and ducks as well as a few cattle and pigs. Their primary occupations seemed to be fishing and hunting and there was evidence of warfare as each man possessed a few weapons suited to killing men as opposed to game; short swords of reasonable quality, daggers, clubs and such. The village chief even had a strange looking gun, although he had no powder or shot.
Weston departed after spending a week in the bay which he had christened Port Elizabeth in honor of King Henry VII's Queen. He sailed south along the coast hoping to find the towns and cities of this mysterious kingdom of which the chief had spoken and encountered other settlements where he learned that there were towns farther south which had been established by this king. This information drove him further south until he finally reached a newly established settlement of this king. It was a small town with only a few permanent buildings, although the waterfront had a substantial quay. It was called Amaseg Ge’g by the people who lived there, meaning Far House.
Amaseg Ge’g was located on a magnificent harbor whose entry was marked by a tall wooden watchtower situated atop the southern headland. Once past the entrance the bay turned south and was well protected from the sea by hills on the eastern shore. The western shore was a slowly rising woodland. The town itself sat at the southern end of the bay. There were numerous small vessels drawn up on the shore and a few larger ones tied to the quay and floating at anchor, but none were as large as the English ships and none appeared to be armed.
As soon as Weston had made the southerly turn into the harbor a small vessel was seen rowing in his direction. When the boat came along side it became quickly apparent that his ships were to follow it to an appropriate anchorage. His ships anchored where the pilot indicated and soon several boats were seen moving towards them from the small town. The occupants of these boats motioned for the English to come down from their ships, something they were reluctant to do, but with their seeming insistence, apparent lack of hostility and clear absence of weapons, Weston eventually ordered the ship’s boat over the side and he followed the local craft to the town.
On shore he and his men, ten in all, were escorted to a well constructed wooden hall where they were presented to a tall man wearing a fur trimmed woolen coat and finely tanned leather breeches. Under his coat was a black breastplate which was polished to a high sheen and on his head he wore a fur trimmed helmet of the same material. This was Munokhoi, the newly arrived Tomi, or chief of Amaseg Ge’g.
There was much about this town that was familiar. This was no native village but an outpost of a well developed, if unfamiliar, culture. There were chairs with cushions, carpets, chests and lamps. Windows, though small, were glazed and the woodwork was finely crafted.
Weston noted that the man in front of him was not only well dressed but well groomed save for a thin beard. From his belt, a sword hung to his left and what appeared to be a gun like the one he had seen in the dwelling of the chief in Port Elizabeth was tucked into a pocket on his right leg. The other locals in the hall were dressed in similar fashion though not armed.
Weston presented Munokhoi with a small chest which contained a few gold coins, a small wrought silver bowl and a finely engraved dagger, which had been brought for just this sort of occasion. He was convinced that the man in front of him was an official of the king of Cipangu and hoped to make a favorable impression. The Tomi briefly examined the contents of the chest and then gave it to one of the other men with a comment that, while completely unintelligible, carried the tone of complete indifference.
The remainder of the audience lasted for hours as the English and the Mongol Tomi struggled to establish an effective means of communication. Signs and drawings combined with pantomimes that bordered on the ridiculous had eventually succeeded in telling Munokhoi that Weston sailed for a great king far to the east over the ocean and that they were searching for a land full of valuable things and wonders. Weston, for his part learned little more than that he had found a country called Xarmag Ordu and that he had not impressed the representative of its Khan. This last bit, that the king of this land was titled Khan proved to be the final proof Weston needed to confirm his belief that he had indeed arrived at the farthest reaches of the fabulously rich lands of the east.
At long last, Munokhoi ended the audience and sent Weston and his men back to their ship. The English were in a state of excitement that was completely baffling to their Mongol escorts, and began to make plans to continue their journey to the Khan’s seat at Kébec, if they could only get some indication from the Tomi of where it lay.
One of the Mongols who had been present at the audience the previous day was rowed out to Weston’s ship at first light. He signaled that he meant to board the vessel and Weston allowed it. The man was accompanied by several well armed men and one of the larger boats in the harbor was now under sail nearby, tacking back and forth as if providing protection to the Mongol representative. Weston met the man on the deck where they would be in clear view of the patrolling vessel. It was made clear to the English that the Mongol Tomi was not well disposed to them and that their goods were of little value. They were ordered to weigh anchor and leave the lands of the Khan and return to their king empty handed.
Weston was understandably surprised and angered by this sudden turn of events. His efforts had been made in good faith and his presentations polite and earnest. He said that he would return home as soon as he had rested his crews for a few more days, for the voyage was long and hard, and the Mongol reluctantly and begrudgingly agreed.
The moon was hidden by an overcast sky that night and in the total dark Weston ordered his boats over the side. With muffled oars they were able to avoid notice by the nearby Mongol boats and he shortly landed in the town. With their swords drawn, Weston and his men made their way quietly to the hall where they had met with the Tomi. The guards, few in number, were warming themselves by a fire when Weston and his men surprised them. Two of the guards were killed in the fray and the remaining three bound and gagged. They had not been able to raise the alarm.
The English broke into the hall and went in search of the Tomi. They encountered a servant who ran from them screaming in her indecipherable language. The English gave chase and she led them to the chamber where Munokhoi was rousing himself from a deep sleep. In the ensuing scuffle, the servant escaped but the Tomi did not. He was gagged and tied and they dragged him off toward the waiting boats.
The servant had been able to raise the alarm but with thirty men, Weston was able to fend off all attempts to stop his retreat. Once back in the boats, rowing furiously for his ships and being pursued by several of the Mongol boats, Weston drew his gun and fired into the air. The cannon on his ships responded sending great geysers of water into the air, causing the pursuing Mongol boats to halt their chase.
Weston’s purpose in kidnapping the Tomi was leverage. Since his trade goods were of little value he needed some sort of advantage. Additionally, it satisfied his anger at the insult of being ordered to leave Amaseg Ge’g. What he didn’t realize was that he was the dominant military force there at the moment. There were only a handful of Mongol soldiers in the town and no cannon.
As Weston awaited the first hint of dawn to escape the harbor he did not see that one of the Mongol boats had slipped its anchor and sailed away. Nor could he be aware of the rider who had been sent south along the still rough cut road towards Xura-sön, the large settlement on the south coast where a true garrison was posted.
As the grey sky began to brighten, Weston gave the order to weigh anchor. His ships left the harbor without incident, but they were followed at some distance by several of the Mongol boats. While Weston was kidnapping the Tomi, another party had captured one of the pilots, who was forced to guide them past the dangers of the strange shore. Their course lay to the south.
Near midday a sail was sighted on the horizon, soon joined by three others, all closing on the south bound English. The boat which had escaped in the night had reached Xura-sön, which was less than a day south along the coast, and rallied the Khans junks anchored in its harbor. These vessels were easily as large as Weston’s ships and armed. Weston held his course for a period of time until one of the vessels, now clearly visible, tested the range by firing one of its guns.
Alarmed at the thought of four armed vessels engaging his small fleet, Weston ordered his ships to bear of to the east to gain sea room. The Mongols turned to give pursuit, but the wind favored Weston initially and he put distance between his ships and their pursuers. The chase continued through the day and into the night until the English saw lights glowing in the seas to the east. They continued their course and as dawn broke they found themselves in the middle of the Mongol fishing fleet.
The Mongol warships had not given up the chase so Weston continued on his course under full sail. The picket boats which had been ordered to accompany the fishermen on the off chance that foreigners might approach from the south were roused from their boredom and joined the pursuit, cutting off Weston’s smallest ship. The last Weston saw of it was as it was being boarded by the Mongols.
Weston continued his journey eastward, having determined that Henry should send a royal fleet with appropriate troops to establish relations with the Mongols, and instill in them a healthy respect of the English.
The remaining two ships arrived at Bristol on July tenth, 1501. Their welcome was tempered by their lack of cargo, but the presence of the Tomi and the pilot was proof enough of their discovery of an eastward route to the Indies. Weston and his captives were quickly brought to London where they were he presented the Tomi of Amaseg Ge’g to King Henry. On hearing of the poor welcome extended to his merchants and by extension, himself, Henry was greatly annoyed. This insult and those who delivered it would be taught a lesson.
Chapter 68
The King’s Annoyance
The King’s Annoyance
A tall headland had been sighted and as the English ships closed on it they discovered a rocky and wave tossed coast, too dangerous to approach in the deepening night, and hove to. In the morning, having drifted somewhat north, Walton saw that the shoreline led west, past several deep bays before turning north. South of the cape the coast looked more promising and the fleet sailed in that direction, soon finding refuge in a large and sheltered bay.
While the ships boats were prepared to go ashore people appeared along the narrow beach along the western shore of the bay. Soon, several small boats were approaching Weston’s fleet. They came alongside and seemed surprised by Weston and his crew, as if they had expected someone else. Weston was able to quickly identify the head man of the group and he and his crew were escorted aboard.
In the captain’s cabin, through signs and drawings, he was able to learn that he was not the first to come to these lands with a large sailing ship. The others had come from the south where he had come from the north in ships of similar size. They had been sent by a king who reigned far to the south west and had visited the small village several times.
The natives were short, but well built and obviously well fed. They wore breeches of soft animal hide and fur lined cloaks to ward off the still chill air. When they were presented with trade the trade goods brought from Bristol; glass beads, woolen cloaks, tin pots etc, they were not impressed. What they did respond to was iron weapons, particularly swords and crossbows, although they had arrived unarmed aside from unusually shaped knives which were tucked into their belts.
The chief left unsatisfied, for Weston was unwilling to give the locals weaponry, but he did allow Walton’s crew to come ashore to hunt game and take trees for firewood. Within a few days Weston’s crew had bagged several very large deer which the natives called mos’wa, along with birds and even a few seals, which were numerous. His ships had filled their water butts, stored fuel for the cooking fires and restocked their larders with fresh and smoked meat and fish. His explorations ashore had revealed that the land was sparsely settled but the nearby village was well situated and the people tended small farms where they grew vegetables and maintained small flocks of chickens and ducks as well as a few cattle and pigs. Their primary occupations seemed to be fishing and hunting and there was evidence of warfare as each man possessed a few weapons suited to killing men as opposed to game; short swords of reasonable quality, daggers, clubs and such. The village chief even had a strange looking gun, although he had no powder or shot.
Weston departed after spending a week in the bay which he had christened Port Elizabeth in honor of King Henry VII's Queen. He sailed south along the coast hoping to find the towns and cities of this mysterious kingdom of which the chief had spoken and encountered other settlements where he learned that there were towns farther south which had been established by this king. This information drove him further south until he finally reached a newly established settlement of this king. It was a small town with only a few permanent buildings, although the waterfront had a substantial quay. It was called Amaseg Ge’g by the people who lived there, meaning Far House.
Amaseg Ge’g was located on a magnificent harbor whose entry was marked by a tall wooden watchtower situated atop the southern headland. Once past the entrance the bay turned south and was well protected from the sea by hills on the eastern shore. The western shore was a slowly rising woodland. The town itself sat at the southern end of the bay. There were numerous small vessels drawn up on the shore and a few larger ones tied to the quay and floating at anchor, but none were as large as the English ships and none appeared to be armed.
As soon as Weston had made the southerly turn into the harbor a small vessel was seen rowing in his direction. When the boat came along side it became quickly apparent that his ships were to follow it to an appropriate anchorage. His ships anchored where the pilot indicated and soon several boats were seen moving towards them from the small town. The occupants of these boats motioned for the English to come down from their ships, something they were reluctant to do, but with their seeming insistence, apparent lack of hostility and clear absence of weapons, Weston eventually ordered the ship’s boat over the side and he followed the local craft to the town.
On shore he and his men, ten in all, were escorted to a well constructed wooden hall where they were presented to a tall man wearing a fur trimmed woolen coat and finely tanned leather breeches. Under his coat was a black breastplate which was polished to a high sheen and on his head he wore a fur trimmed helmet of the same material. This was Munokhoi, the newly arrived Tomi, or chief of Amaseg Ge’g.
There was much about this town that was familiar. This was no native village but an outpost of a well developed, if unfamiliar, culture. There were chairs with cushions, carpets, chests and lamps. Windows, though small, were glazed and the woodwork was finely crafted.
Weston noted that the man in front of him was not only well dressed but well groomed save for a thin beard. From his belt, a sword hung to his left and what appeared to be a gun like the one he had seen in the dwelling of the chief in Port Elizabeth was tucked into a pocket on his right leg. The other locals in the hall were dressed in similar fashion though not armed.
Weston presented Munokhoi with a small chest which contained a few gold coins, a small wrought silver bowl and a finely engraved dagger, which had been brought for just this sort of occasion. He was convinced that the man in front of him was an official of the king of Cipangu and hoped to make a favorable impression. The Tomi briefly examined the contents of the chest and then gave it to one of the other men with a comment that, while completely unintelligible, carried the tone of complete indifference.
The remainder of the audience lasted for hours as the English and the Mongol Tomi struggled to establish an effective means of communication. Signs and drawings combined with pantomimes that bordered on the ridiculous had eventually succeeded in telling Munokhoi that Weston sailed for a great king far to the east over the ocean and that they were searching for a land full of valuable things and wonders. Weston, for his part learned little more than that he had found a country called Xarmag Ordu and that he had not impressed the representative of its Khan. This last bit, that the king of this land was titled Khan proved to be the final proof Weston needed to confirm his belief that he had indeed arrived at the farthest reaches of the fabulously rich lands of the east.
At long last, Munokhoi ended the audience and sent Weston and his men back to their ship. The English were in a state of excitement that was completely baffling to their Mongol escorts, and began to make plans to continue their journey to the Khan’s seat at Kébec, if they could only get some indication from the Tomi of where it lay.
One of the Mongols who had been present at the audience the previous day was rowed out to Weston’s ship at first light. He signaled that he meant to board the vessel and Weston allowed it. The man was accompanied by several well armed men and one of the larger boats in the harbor was now under sail nearby, tacking back and forth as if providing protection to the Mongol representative. Weston met the man on the deck where they would be in clear view of the patrolling vessel. It was made clear to the English that the Mongol Tomi was not well disposed to them and that their goods were of little value. They were ordered to weigh anchor and leave the lands of the Khan and return to their king empty handed.
Weston was understandably surprised and angered by this sudden turn of events. His efforts had been made in good faith and his presentations polite and earnest. He said that he would return home as soon as he had rested his crews for a few more days, for the voyage was long and hard, and the Mongol reluctantly and begrudgingly agreed.
The moon was hidden by an overcast sky that night and in the total dark Weston ordered his boats over the side. With muffled oars they were able to avoid notice by the nearby Mongol boats and he shortly landed in the town. With their swords drawn, Weston and his men made their way quietly to the hall where they had met with the Tomi. The guards, few in number, were warming themselves by a fire when Weston and his men surprised them. Two of the guards were killed in the fray and the remaining three bound and gagged. They had not been able to raise the alarm.
The English broke into the hall and went in search of the Tomi. They encountered a servant who ran from them screaming in her indecipherable language. The English gave chase and she led them to the chamber where Munokhoi was rousing himself from a deep sleep. In the ensuing scuffle, the servant escaped but the Tomi did not. He was gagged and tied and they dragged him off toward the waiting boats.
The servant had been able to raise the alarm but with thirty men, Weston was able to fend off all attempts to stop his retreat. Once back in the boats, rowing furiously for his ships and being pursued by several of the Mongol boats, Weston drew his gun and fired into the air. The cannon on his ships responded sending great geysers of water into the air, causing the pursuing Mongol boats to halt their chase.
Weston’s purpose in kidnapping the Tomi was leverage. Since his trade goods were of little value he needed some sort of advantage. Additionally, it satisfied his anger at the insult of being ordered to leave Amaseg Ge’g. What he didn’t realize was that he was the dominant military force there at the moment. There were only a handful of Mongol soldiers in the town and no cannon.
As Weston awaited the first hint of dawn to escape the harbor he did not see that one of the Mongol boats had slipped its anchor and sailed away. Nor could he be aware of the rider who had been sent south along the still rough cut road towards Xura-sön, the large settlement on the south coast where a true garrison was posted.
As the grey sky began to brighten, Weston gave the order to weigh anchor. His ships left the harbor without incident, but they were followed at some distance by several of the Mongol boats. While Weston was kidnapping the Tomi, another party had captured one of the pilots, who was forced to guide them past the dangers of the strange shore. Their course lay to the south.
Near midday a sail was sighted on the horizon, soon joined by three others, all closing on the south bound English. The boat which had escaped in the night had reached Xura-sön, which was less than a day south along the coast, and rallied the Khans junks anchored in its harbor. These vessels were easily as large as Weston’s ships and armed. Weston held his course for a period of time until one of the vessels, now clearly visible, tested the range by firing one of its guns.
Alarmed at the thought of four armed vessels engaging his small fleet, Weston ordered his ships to bear of to the east to gain sea room. The Mongols turned to give pursuit, but the wind favored Weston initially and he put distance between his ships and their pursuers. The chase continued through the day and into the night until the English saw lights glowing in the seas to the east. They continued their course and as dawn broke they found themselves in the middle of the Mongol fishing fleet.
The Mongol warships had not given up the chase so Weston continued on his course under full sail. The picket boats which had been ordered to accompany the fishermen on the off chance that foreigners might approach from the south were roused from their boredom and joined the pursuit, cutting off Weston’s smallest ship. The last Weston saw of it was as it was being boarded by the Mongols.
Weston continued his journey eastward, having determined that Henry should send a royal fleet with appropriate troops to establish relations with the Mongols, and instill in them a healthy respect of the English.
The remaining two ships arrived at Bristol on July tenth, 1501. Their welcome was tempered by their lack of cargo, but the presence of the Tomi and the pilot was proof enough of their discovery of an eastward route to the Indies. Weston and his captives were quickly brought to London where they were he presented the Tomi of Amaseg Ge’g to King Henry. On hearing of the poor welcome extended to his merchants and by extension, himself, Henry was greatly annoyed. This insult and those who delivered it would be taught a lesson.
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Geographically, even if there is a power differential (current depictions indicate: fairly even parity with at least the Europeans), the geographic limitations of power projection from either Asia or Europe means that they have plenty of time to develop anyways.I have a question: how do the great American civilizations in 1500 AD compare to the great Old World civilizations (Chinese, Dharmic, Muslim, Christian). Paul Kennedy, in The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, states that the four civilizations were all roughly equal in power potential at that time, with each one being slightly ahead in some areas and slightly behind in others.
With the knowledge, population and political/economic structures they currently have, would the New World powers be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Chinese or the Europeans? Or just be conquered more slowly than in OTL?
I suspect that your answer will be "wait and see".
Interestingly enough, I'm awaiting the African butterflies, since the lack of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade has a tremendous impact on African societies.
...good heavens.
So, rather than bankrupting England fighting wars with France and Scotland as OTL...Henry's going to spend even more money trying to fight Mongolicised Native Americans on the far side of the world?
I think the most worrying thing about this scenario is...that's exactly what Henry VIII would have done. Heck, he'd probably sail there himself and then try to defeat the Khan in a wrestling match.
So, rather than bankrupting England fighting wars with France and Scotland as OTL...Henry's going to spend even more money trying to fight Mongolicised Native Americans on the far side of the world?
I think the most worrying thing about this scenario is...that's exactly what Henry VIII would have done. Heck, he'd probably sail there himself and then try to defeat the Khan in a wrestling match.
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