Under wings of the Zilant: a Golden horde timeline

[Ursogulos]

While it is posible, I think GH expansion nature toward Pacific will mostly done in a very chaotic and decentralized manner. There is no underlying push for rapid centralized expansion toward pacific since with Siberia already secured, all that matter for attention by the Khan already achieved (Secured silk road, communication with Mongolia, etc.).

That's true. But decentralised manner may also mean quicker and more extensive expansion.

GH also don't have any maritime tradition to begin it, so it will be sometime before they reach conclusion that Trade via Pacific route is profitable.

o I believe while they may reach the sea by 1550~ anything significant will only happen in 1600~.

While that's true I think it won't be Tatars but the Woku/Ainu( Both are muslims, though Tatars will be Hanafi and Ainu will be Shafi, that's another discussion) that will be the ones to make first contact as they will already be traversing Manchuria at various points and Liaodong peninsula. So yeah nothing significant from the Tatars will happen until 1600 or much later.

continues organically Tatar may reach americas via alaska ice bridge in early 1700

Well it will be dependent on how far Woku are sailing, even if no central authority I can see some tatar groups paying the Woku to ship them across to the new land, which might happen earlier.

While initially the Khan will not paid much attention, these settlements & tribes will recognized themselves as GH Khan subject (with obligation toward him another matter). The Khan will only try to assert his Authority when the development in the frontier already significant. Thus some tribes will move away further to avoid his authority and restarting this cycle of expansion

'The expansion paradox' how increased central authority causes dissatisfaction among groups who, in order to escape the long arm of authority help expand the state in the long run.

Pls just absorb Russia , I can't look to the border gore of ittl, also in the future if they form a federal empire they can add the rus as federal states like otl Russia.

One of my foremost aims while writing this was to achieve something different, Rus States that will stay independent. In a real sense the Khan never wanted to do anything as long as Tribute flowed fine. Also as I said earlier, I have wanked GH and Islam too much already, gonna have to avoid that.

Also hope you got your wish in North Africa 😉.

can't look to the border gore of

If you think volga border is gore,wait till you see what I do with Africa 😆

 

[akramos2012]

That's true. But decentralised manner may also mean quicker and more extensive expansion.



While that's true I think it won't be Tatars but the Woku/Ainu( Both are muslims, though Tatars will be Hanafi and Ainu will be Shafi, that's another discussion) that will be the ones to make first contact as they will already be traversing Manchuria at various points and Liaodong peninsula. So yeah nothing significant from the Tatars will happen until 1600 or much later.

Well it will be dependent on how far Woku are sailing, even if no central authority I can see some tatar groups paying the Woku to ship them across to the new land, which might happen earlier.

'The expansion paradox' how increased central authority causes dissatisfaction among groups who, in order to escape the long arm of authority help expand the state in the long run.

One of my foremost aims while writing this was to achieve something different, Rus States that will stay independent. In a real sense the Khan never wanted to do anything as long as Tribute flowed fine. Also as I said earlier, I have wanked GH and Islam too much already, gonna have to avoid that.

Also hope you got your wish in North Africa 😉.

If you think volga border is gore,wait till you see what I do with Africa 😆

My god protect our eyes 😎

 

[Ursogulos]

Central Asia and Persia at the end of medieval period​

After the somewhat uneventful Tatar conquest of Mwerunnahr, north part of the silk route was revived. The new Sanjakbeg Datu was credited with reopening of various Timurid era institutions. But he clamped down upon the various merchant cliques which dominated the cities. With the resurgence of silk route Merchant Capital was once again free-flowing. In this scenario a new trade route emerged, the rivers. Syr Darya was the prime route used to ferry goods between Aral and the new sanjak. The discovery of Qumir[1] deposits in Aral opened the possibility of an alternative fuel source in the relatively tree-less semidesert and steppe region. Here too, waterway was used as a quicker way of transportation and to ease up communication. Sanjakbeg of Aral Khublai began construction of a canal connecting Irgyz and Eshim river in 882(1477)

Image: rivers became an alternate route of trade in central Asia


The forceful break-up of trading cliques in Samarqand was not deliberate for Datu beg, for he became interested in the teachings of Musa Al Gharni, an insafiyya scholar in Gurigan madrasa. He was a student of Al Hazar Ziyadat ullah. He is known as the 'Theologian of insaf' and credited with the infusion of the ideology with Islamic theology without altering significant aspects of both. In his book 'Al Maqsad Fil Insan' ( destination of man) he argued that Islam, as with every book and messenger sent down by Allah was meant for insaf. Islam is the final solution of establishing Insaf regardless of any racial or language boundaries. He concluded that there were three steps, Insaniya( normal human decency), Insafiyya( balance) and finally Ahsanaiyya( benevolence).

Image: Musa Al Gharni


He concluded that apart from Prophets and close Walis, no human could achieve Ahsaniyya permanently in a lifetime. As such his entire book was filled with describing the attributes of the first two. He concluded by saying while insaniya and insafiyya were to be practised regardless of religion, Ahsaniyya was solely applicable for muslims and only those non believers who had a chance of converting. In his theology booklet 'Ikhtilaf wal Ru'ya' ( difference of opinion) he praised all madhabs and creeds but also said that Athari creed was unsuitable for dawah activities amongst pagans as 'a person hailing from an uncivilized, pagan lands would waste no time in finding similarities between Allah and their deities should they realize Allah has hands, however different His hand might be'. He also criticised the contemporary sufi orders overemphasizing of 'Tazqiya' standards, which according to him, were not achievable by any normal Muslim. However he praised their structuralism which he said 'was essential in spreading Islam in foreign regions'.


Meanwhile Chinese were slowly advancing towards Tarim as they conquered town after town, reversing Timur's conquest. After capturing Zhan Qi, Ming Emperor sent Wang Zhao to lead an army of 80,000. Up until now, local Hui lord from Xian Ha Yui was in charge of Ming troops in the west. But as the commande changed so did Ming fortune. In Saffar 882(May 1477), the Ming troops besieged Ganzhou but were unable to breach the walls. Despite being mostly Hui dominated, the town resisted Ming incursion. The siege went on for 4 months until Wang relented and lifted the siege.

Image: Ming troops in siege of Ganzhou.


Ming soldiers numbering 50,000 reached a relatively flat valley named Dayu after traversing the mountains. Here they were ambushed by a contingent of Uighur and Khalka mongols under Bayanji, a Kyrgyz from Turfan. The weary Ming troops were caught by surprise and despite the relatively low casualties of 3,000 the entire army was routed. Wang was injured and carried back to Xian. Historians debate over what transpired in Dayu valley but it is mostly agreed upon that Hui leader Ha Yui didn’t take kindly to Ming appointment of a different Viceroy of the west. He secretly allied with Turfan and the wandering remnants of Omur Mengu to thwart Ming advance into the area. This event also sheds light on the corruption of regional officials of the Ming empire. This was not the end of Ming advance. Ha put the entire blame on Wang's shoulder in a letter to the Emperor. Wang was recalled to Nanjing but died on the way under suspicious circumstances. Of course, Ha Yui would never suggest himself to the Emperor. His nephew Alauddin Muhammad Yusuf was put forward as a candidate for ruling the Tarim khanates and the few Chinese cities. His father Nafeez Sultan was practically a prisoner of his brother-in-law since his wife Khurram Jan escaped to Xian to her sister Albyrte following the chaos after Abu Qaisar's death.


In Persia the newly formed Black horde Khanate was moving to capture Azerbaijan from the Georgian vassaldom. The child Monarch Giorgi was sickly and instead Mariam, the elder daughter of deceased David X ruled alongside Levan Mouravi, the most powerful noble at that time. As Persian armies advanced the prince of Azerbaijan Ibrahim fled to Tiblisi. He was converted to christianity and Mariam married him to cement the alliance. Khaydar Makmut, the Karakhan conquered upto Quba. The Georgians decided to aid their vassal and marched east.


In the battle of Shushi, the Georgians fell for a trap. Khaydar camped in a plateau overlooking a ravine. In 29 Jumada Awwal, 884 ( 18 August 1479)Levan arrived with a force of 20,000 and after intercepting a scouting force, attacked the main Persian army. However a second scouting force struck the Georgians from the rear. In the heat of the battle, Levan with his 20 trusted knights charged headlong into the Persian core. Though all of them were annihilated, Khaydar sustained injury from being mortally wounded with a spear. The battle of Shushi was a clear Kara orda victory. But the Persians retreated due to the injury of the Khan. Khaydar died while in Tabriz, plunging his realm into another succession crisis. He had no son, so the throne naturally passed to his long time slave and son-in-law, Suleiman Gurju.

Image: heavy Turkmen Cavalry against Georgian knight,battle of Shushi


But he was opposed by Ak Balban, commander of the Gurgtug cavalry. He advanced west and captured Isfahan. Suleiman marched from his headquarters in Herat and captured Nishapur. In Shaban 884, the two opposing forces met in the modern day town of Meherjan. Suleiman, despite being outnumbered by the mostly cavalry army of Balban won the battle decisively . It was here that Suleiman's extensive usage of matchlock guns proved useful against a foe not accustomed to it. However Suleiman was unable to capitalize on his victory as news of rebellion from Sheberghan reached him. But even before Suleiman, his son Ahmed and the latter's step mother Gulhan marched from Herat to crush the rebellion most likely ignited by Shaybanids. It was here the tactical prowess of Gulhan, the daughter of Khaydar showed as she used smoke screen to mask troop movement. by the time Suleiman reached the city 2 weeks later, he was greeted by the sight of impaled heads of the rebellious nobles at the entrance.


The Gurgtug were not out of trouble either as a Shia sect named Mushashiya arose in Khuzestan under a warrior imam named Abdullah Nasr Bin Haris. In the volatile situation of Persia not helped by Khaydar's death, the shia order took Khurramabad. In Saffar 885( April 1480), the Gurgtug under Ak Balban were defeated by the stalwart 'Mutahaqi' ( abbreviation of 'Mutawallun Haqiqat' or 'custodians of truth') of Abdullah in the battle of Borujerd. Balban was killed and most of the Gurtug fled east to their previous enemy Suleiman. The Albino Georgian himself was struggling against the encroaching Shaybanids as the latter besieged Nishapur. After a month of siege Suleiman was forced to retreat from the iconic city. But the battle destroyed many structures in the city created during the reign of Ulug Beg including the giant Observatory. The Gurgtug met him in Mashhad, bolstering his forces to 50,000. With his newfound allies Suleiman decided to face off against Shaybanids again. In Dhul Hajj 885( February 1481), forces of Suleiman Gurju were defeated by Mahmud Shaybani in the battle of Beyhagh due to the latter's use of artillery. Now Suleiman was forced to retreat towards Herat. Persia seemed to be fractured beyond repair.


[1] Tatar word for coal

Nanyang region at the end of medieval period​

In Dhul Hajj 875( June 1471), Tum Ham[1] escaped his father, king Tilakraja[2] of Lan Na Kingdom to Ayutthaya. When the Ayutthaya refused the absconding prince's repatriation a war broke out between the long time rivals. Lan Na troops besieged Phitsanulok for three months until its fall. Ayutthaya King Ramthibodi II gathered 35,000 troops and quickly marched north to halt the advancing enemies. The two armies met in Phichit on Saffar 877( July 1472). The struggling Thai forces won a hard earned and costly victory against the Lan Na forces. However the attempt to recapture Phitsanulok ended in smoke as king Tilakraja was clearly the winner. Sensing his stay in Ayutthaya was short, Tum Ham managed to escape to Lan Xang and then reached the Khmer Kingdom.

Image: Ayutthaya forces preparing for war.


In 877(1472) a Dai viet invasion of Champa went wrong after Viet forces were ambushed in Binh Dinh Gia Lai region. An attempt at retreating through the captured port in Quy Nohn was moot as Omani junks blockaded the Viets. Apparently an Omani delegation to Nanjing was successful in achieving a 'tributary' status for the merchant state in Lonshe. Ming court saw potential in the naval expertise of the Omanis and sought to use them against the destructive Woku pirates. King Lam Dung was executed by his brother Nguyen Trang as the battered Viet army returned home. However this event caused Lan Xang to declare war upon Dai Viet as Lan Xang monarch Lan Kham Ngum was a close friend of the killed Lam Dung. At first Lan Xang armies steamrolled through Dai viet territories, conquering up to Thai Nguyen thus threatening capital Hanoi. Nguyen Trang gathered a ragtag force of 40,000 but was unable to stop the Lan Xang onslaught as his army was defeated in the battle of Vin Phuc. This resulted in Nguyen Trang being killed by a palace coup which placed a general named Tam Guang on the throne. With this regicide ended the reign of the Hao dynasty[3] and began the rise of the Kim dynasty.

Image: battle of Vin Phuc


Tam set a trap for the unsuspecting Lan Xang army in Hanoi. When the jubilant Lan Xang troops were engrossed in celebration over the easy capitulation of the enemy capital, Viet troops and agents inside Hanoi trapped them by closing all the gates and setting fire. This event is known as 'the great fire' in Viet chronicles and ended the golden age of Hanoi as the Capital and largest city of Viet Kingdom. However the fire served it’s purpose as the entire invasion force was killed in suffocation and by Viet archers when they tried to escape by scaling the walls. Also Viet troops controlled the road to Song Cai river so no Lan Xang troop could bring water to douse the fire. Prince Visoun Photisarath was amongst the high profile casualties on the Lan Xang side. But this was no joyous occasion for Dai viet too as they barely survived an invasion following a failed incursion into Champa Kim dynasty would begin its journey on the tumultuous road to recover the Viet Kingdom from the scars of this war.


As war raged on in mainland, Omani Arbai'ah reigned supreme on the nearby seas. In the Iravati region, a war had been raging for decades between the Ava and the Hanthawaddy Kingdom. In 878(1473) the Ava king Min Yazathu 'the great' defeated the Prome rebels and their Hanthawaddy backers in the battle of Pyay. The Hanthawaddy king Binnya Pakahtaw was killed which plunged the state into succession crisis. Oman supported one son Smim Yut against his Ayutthaya backed brother Takayutipi. Though Smim was able to capture Pegu from his brother, a renewed Ava invasion in 879(1474) captured much of the eastern Hanthawaddy including Pegu while territories east of the Thanlyin river were annexed by Ayutthaya. Smim died in 884(1479) and his son Mohin Kyawhtin would convert to Islam and take the name and title of Sultan Mahmud, thus beginning the Sultanate of Batin( Pathein)

Image: Sultan Mahmud Kyawhtin, the first Muslim monarch of Hanthawaddy


The war between Oman and Ava soon spread over the entire region. In 885(1480), a delegation of Bengali and Omani personnel was sent to Shan confederacy for an alliance against Ava. After reaching an agreement, the Shan chieftains sent a delegation to Bengal sultanate for meeting with Omani officials. But they were detained near Kangleipak Kingdom which was a vassal to Ava. To avenge this, an Omani official of Chinese descent named Zhong Wu gathered some 500 men and reached Jalalabad[4] where he linked up with governor Karim Shah and the 12,000 Bengal sultanate troops. They traversed difficult terrain and assaulted the capital of Imphal. The surprise attack caught king Changlei Yanthapa unprepared as he was killed during a cavalry charge at the Muslim lines. Prince Thawangthapa was captured. The rest of the royal family escaped to Moirang. After freeing the Shan delegation, Karim shah left 2000 troops and returned to Jalalabad with the captive prince and Shan delegation . Being complacent, the Omani let their guards down for a while. Princess Kanhai started gathering troops to reclaim the Capital. During Muharram of 886(1481), the Kangleipak soldiers attacked the Omani troops having their late night meal of suhoor in preparation for a fasting. Most of the invaders were killed and Zhong Wu was injured. The sole survivor of this raid was the disciple of Zhong named Hussein who was a little late in waking up for suhoor, thus he was captured alive. Losing his conquest and his disciple Zhong Wu retreated to Jalalabad where he died two months later. His burial place became known as 'Jongu tilla' ( Zhong Wu hill).

Image: Princess Kanhai


Despite his status as a prisoner, Kanhai became gradually charmed by Hussein and married him. Their wedding was a lavish affair which symbolised the subjugation of a conquered enemy and also indicated that the Kingdom was flourishing despite the brief but brutal war. Hussein would go on to father 4 children by Kanha including the heir Brahmyaraj Tapungsipa. But this would not be the end of the Omani-Ava conflict as Bengal sultanate would join in the fray.

[1] made up for TL
[2] only OTL person in this text
[3] as stated previously, new dynasties for ITTL Dai viet
[4] ITTL name for Sylhet( my city🥰)

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Jumada Sani 882( July 1477)
Xian, Ming empire

On the staircase of the lone watchtower near the restricted palace, a figure climbed up at a brisk pace. The eunuch guards acknowledged him, he's a guest and a prisoner at the same time. Climbing on top, the young man looked over the horizon encompassing the forbidden palace quarters of the women and further, the fortress which serves as the residence to his host.


"Fu Gou, please inform me when the lunch is ready" he told an eunuch who bowed and took his leave, leaving the man alone in the tower.


From his pocket, he brought out a thing resembling a barrel of a gun. From another pocket, he brought some round magnified glasses and some paper. He arranged 4 glasses within slits made in the barrel. Now he looked through the both end open barrel and focused it on the large arena right in front of the palace of ladies. The far away arena became visible to him as if it was only 3 hands apart. Still encased by a tall wall, the purpose of the young man became clear now as to why he climbed this watch tower.


"Too bad, no marking at the center of the field today, no wrestling this time then. But at least there are horses..." the man now spoke to himself in Chagtai.


Through his unconventional and alien apparatus he saw the horsewomen taking their positions as a game of polo began. Though not a feast for his eyes like wrestling was, he still enjoyed the buoyant feminine figures atop their graceful mounts as they galloped, made sharp turns and jostled with their long curved sticks to maintain the possession of the ball, which he still couldn’t see from this far. But he knew where the ball was from the scuffle. It is a wonder how these women maintained their balance in this tough game,surely horse riding is not easy-


Just as that stray thought entered his mind he heard commotion which was much louder than it would have been if a side scored. He turned and adjusted his visual aid and saw a woman lying on the ground, limbs spread apart but still alive. She was definitely thrown off by her horse. he could recognise his aunt, cousin and two other young women rushing to aid her. They were joined by eunuch servants as the injured lady was carried out of the arena. The rest of the women quickly rode out of the arena, ending the game for now.


"Aww damn, it was just getting better." Alauddin Muhammad Yusuf groaned and dislodged the glasses and put them inside a bag. He disassembled his apparatus and made his way down the stairs. The walk to his room was quick as he stumbled upon his eunuch attendant.


"Your excellency, You're back so soon?" he raised an eyebrow.


"The moon aligned with the rainbow patterns rather haphazardly today. I sense something wrong might happen."


Another eunuch entered the hall.


"Fu, can you show me the way to the infirmary? Lady Guan fell off her horse during a polo game and she's bleeding so much! We need more bandages!"


The bewildered Fu looked at Alauddin's face and then turned to the eunuch from the ladies' palace and gestured for him to follow. Alauddin shook his head and entered his room.


Ah, lady Guan, governor Wang's wife. That's why the women ended the game promptly as she was injured, Alauddin thought.


He usually spends this time watching the forbidden sights of ladies' activities in the arena. Despite being muslims, the Hui noblewomen dress more liberally than the average ming ones. Though he can't really blame them, no one knew there was a lecherous young man with a far sight device peeping upon them in their sanctum.


Hearing footsteps outside, Alauddin opened the door as he expected eunuch Fu to arrive with his lunch. Instead he found his mother, with two of her female attendants.


"Selam, mother. What brings you to father's door before Asr?"


"Lady Guan's injury has turned Taung's quarters into a hospital. So I decided to retire early."


"Everyone falls off their horses every now and then. But why is she in such a critical state?" Alauddin asked while eyeing the attendants.


"It is rumored that she was pregnant. Perhaps a few weeks along at that."


Alauddin shook his head,what kind of a crazy woman would endanger herself and her child by participating in polo,of all games. He felt there was some crucial information missing. His mother continued on her way while muttering about lowering gaze.


Alauddin was about to close the door when he heard a childish giggle and soon a boy ran past him.


"Hey it's Ali!" the boy of 6 years ran towards Alauddin as he took a sharp turn. He was about to fall but Alauddin caught him.


"Hey Jiao, it’s A-l-a-u-d-d-i-n not Ali." he ruffled the boy's hair.


"Alright Aludin, am I correct?" Alauddin smiled at the boy and ruffled his hair.


"What are you doing here by the way?"


"I was with my mother, she is around-" Jiao said


"There she is!" the boy excitedly pointed out to the young woman approaching the duo.


The young lady, whom Alauddin recognised as one of the riders coming forward to help lady Guan, took his breath away for different reasons. Her head and chest was covered by a semi transparent scarf that did little to hide her tantalizing youthful features.


"Thanks Your excellency. You know this man?" she asked the boy who promptly took refuge in her arms.


"Yeah! Aludin showed me the butterflies and lizards who turn red when angry."


"I'm Junan, from Shangdong. As you can see this is my son, Jiao." she said. To Alauddin it seemed like she was sputtering pearls from her tongue.


"So what's your hus-" but the duo was already gone as the enthusiastic child grabbed his mother and ran forward. Alauddin sighed.


"Ah, so you’ve met lady Junan. She's an estranged daughter of some noble from east. They say that child is a bastard of her affair." Eunuch Fu, who now arrived with lunch whispered the last part.


Alauddin made uo his mind there. Child or no child, he'd make this woman his.


After Zuhr prayer


Entering his father's room, Alauddin was entertained with a comical scene of his portly mother trying to 'undress' his father as two servant girls tried their best to pry her off. The smell in the room was intoxicating as Alauddin understood that his mother couldn’t hold her drink, again.


"Now stay there, I'll join you after Asr as usual. Now I need to spend time with our Boy." Nafeez said to the incoherent woman who was being pulled into another room by her attendants.


"Salam Aleykum father."


"Walikum Salam,everything well going on?" Nafeez Sultan asked in Persian as he put away a bottle of wine.


"Alhamdulillah,but all this chaos is getting to my head "


"Don't worry, I shall clear everything. What do you want to know?"


"Um, does that have anything to do with you being drunk?"


"What? No! As you can see son I'm as sober as I can be. You know I never drink. Your mother on the other hand..."


"So I'm really confused with everything going on."


"Well let's start with the beginning. You want to know why the accident happened?" Nafeez began chewing some herbal concoction from a jar.


"I want to know HOW it happened. No sane woman would go to play polo while being pregnant."


"She wasn’t playing, she just started the game as the wife of the senior-most official in this city. She decided to watch the game from horseback . That's still not strange as servant girls are naturally present as replacement players, ready with gear and mounted. The thing is, her stirrup was loose and it was intentional."


"Who is her enemy? And why try to harm her instead of her husband?"


"Spot on, son! So tell me who is her husband’s enemy?"


"Uncle Yui."


"Excellent! But lady Guan is not just important enough as lord Wang's wife to be of real concern to Yui. She has other works. For now I'll refer to her superior as the 'jealous consort' who doesn’t want any other concubine of the Jinyan Emperor to have the honour of birthing a son, since she lost her own in illness. So she employed eunuchs to kill them. But a dynasty can't survive on the feelings of a woman. So one son was secretly sent here, away from Nanjing. Somewhere in the halls, a boy having the blood of heavenly emperor is playing...."


The gears in Alauddin's head began turning. There weren’t too many kids in the Palace of Xian. That means....
"So since the Emperor's son is secretly in uncle's custody, the jealous consort has sent lady Guan to kill him? I think I know the child, goes by the name of Jiao."


"You are correct once again my son. Your uncle is a master politician. He wants to be the lord of entire Hui Hui. Otherwise why do you think towns and settlements which were surrendering easily suddenly put up resistance at the change of our command? That Wang is a fool, I bet your uncle has already sold him and his men to tatars. Don't be surprised if Yui receives lavish gifts from Samarqand."


"How do you know all of these? "


"Your mother, son."


"I thought you grew apart after coming here?"


"We are, still. But nothing loosens the lips of someone more than a nice wine. Your mother is specially fond of this one, made from cherry and my own recipe." Nafeez said while handling a bottle.


"Yeah, let's not forget it also loosens the dress of those involved." Alauddin quipped remembering the earlier incident.


"A man gotta have something to do while living in seclusion. Not a single person but Khurram tasted my wines."


"So what should I do regarding this 'revelation' of my uncle?"


"Just wait and watch. Don't overburden yourself with stray thoughts. Also you should try bedding a woman instead of trying to peep over them."


"Aww father that was two months away. I've changed now." Alauddin left the part where he conjured a 'far seeing' device to spy on the harem section of the palace, a far bolder move than watching servant girls toiling with chores.


"Remember son, no pressure. Don't bother returning to me if my predictions come true. And most of all, no one else needs to know." Nafeez said and went for the room where his wife was being kept.


'Seducing a woman with drinks, low move but I admire him. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.' he thought as he exited the room.


So many thoughts and two factions. But a smile crept on his face when he remembered that gorgeous woman named Junan. He was ready to take her with that child but now this hidden fact of her being 'unspoiled' made her an even more tempting of a target for Alauddin to conquer. No matter what, he'll see the end of this dangerous game everyone was playing around him, from a safe distance.

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Old horizon, new time

Rabiul Sani 885(June 1480)
Konstantiniyye, Ottoman empire


"Look at the jubilant people around, Murad . Never since the glory days of Abbasids in Baghdad has the aqiqa[1] of an heir to the caliph been celebrated with such grandeur." Shehzade Beyazid spoke to his attendant Murad.


"Of course my Shehzade . But we must remember that festivities are of secondary importance. This is an inauguration of Caliphate after the unbelievable deed last year. Who would think that a system is possible where the Caliph, patriarch and the chief Rabbi would be representative guardians over their faiths?"


"It was necessary after that revolt in Thessaly where that street thug Theodoris presented his whore Angelina as an incarnation of Mariam(as). Good thing Bosnian Ahmed pasha crushed it. No more heresies inside our empire. At least not ones that lead to rebellions." Murad nodded at this.


"Speaking of Bosnia, isn't your betrothed from there?"


"She's the daughter of Qadhi of Amasya who was born in Bosnia, Mahmud effendi. So not from Bosnia per se." Murad replied sheepishly.


"Ah I see. Is it true that a Bosnian woman can't be rejected? Cause if you do she'll strike you down with poisonous blades? Bet that's why you and Ahmed pasha agreed to it, eh?"


Murad looked at Beyazid with slightly widened eyes. Understanding the discomfort of his subordinate he tried to change the topic.


"Well, it’s still not as strange as the Caliph and patriarch declaring our Sultan as Kaiser I Rum. Europeans are gonna be livid. But who cares, we are the new Romans whether they like it or not."


Beyazid looked over the festive procession going Below. His brows furrowed. Now it was Murad who asked the Shehzade.


"Something bothering you, Shehzade? "


"I don’t understand, friend. Abdullah Pasha and I scoured the entire Eflak( wallachia) region. That stubborn Stefan cowered down to us and apologised grovelling on my feet. Still no sign of that Vlad Tepes." Beyazid said not making eye contact with him.


"Hmm strange that Stefan was defeated so easily with a smaller force this time."


"Well Murad, Stefan irked the nobility by his womanizing ways. There was this noble from, maybe Campulung who's mother was recently widowed when the previous Lord died when pacifying a bandit raid. The king was sleeping with her."


"Astagfirullah, at least Stefan didn’t cuck that guy." Murad muttered the last part.


"Yes Murad?"


"Nothing Shehzade, please continue."


"So as I was saying, he ordered all lords to send more of their taxes so that he could prepare for an upcoming attack from us. When lords who were angered at this tax hike gathered in Targoviste to protest, that lad was the most vocal. To silence him Stefan uttered the most despicable words."


"He reportedly said to the young noble that he shouldn’t consider his mother warming the King's bed as an alternative to tax raise." Beyazid continued.


"La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa billah. So I take it that the lad stormed out of the palace?" Murad grimaced as if he would vomit.


"Yes and his Uncle who had been helping him run things contacted Gajan Agha."


"So that's how he messed up."


But further war stories would have to wait as an eunuch entered the balcony.


"Shehzade, Murad Bey." he bowed.


"Anything of matter Asuf Agha?"


"My Shehzade , Sultan requires your presence immediately."


Beyazid and Murad looked at one another and started following the eunuch.
"Do you know what the summon is about?"Murad whispered.


" Ya Allah, please spare me. Sultan’s face is more neutral than a portrait."


The walk was grim as the three people moved quickly. Soon the tall door of the imperial Divan was seen.


Entering the room, both the prince and his attendant bowed. Apart from the usual pashas and viziers there were 2 people, probably nazarenes judging from their attire.


"Shehzade Beyazid, my deepest respect and gratitude to you. You saved my life.I'm Vilem Duba, from Kolin." one of the Europeans approached him and bowed.


"I'm not sure I follow. I don't remember seeing you, effendi." Beyazid raised his eyebrows.


"God's miracles work in strange ways. If it weren’t for your sword disabling his left hand I'd be dead right now." the man replied.


"So I take it that you’ve met the bloodsucker?"


"More than that actually." now both Europeans were smiling wide.


"Beyazid, son, do you recognise this?" Muhammad II's voice boomed from his throne as a bodyguard held up something from a chest.


The moment he locked his eyes with the soulless depths of the eyes, no orbs attached to the severed head hung by the agha, Beyazid's entire experience of his campaign into Wallachia and Moldavia flashed before his eyes.


But in the end, Vlad the impaler was dead after all.

[1] Islamic celebration following one week of childbirth

(From 'Kaiser I Rum' by Tariq Fakhruddin,translated by Wilhelm Jager)
************************************************************************

Salam everyone, how's all going?

Tatars are consolidating, Persia can't catch a break as Khaydar finally dies. Gulhan is being a bad girl again but what's up with China? Too many factions, plotting and conflict of interest may just be the opening our pervert protagonist Alauddin is looking for. Yes, he discovered a prototype telescope to spy on restricted palace of women😛, it may or may not be used for other purposes in the future.

I realised that I haven’t touched one region totally which is Nanyang aka South East Asia. I apologise for my divulging into imagination and avoiding OTL characters. So any prediction regarding this region?

Danubian principalities under the boot and Mehmed is finally the Kaiser, Millet system but with caliph as the head? Now that Ottomans have got things together where do you think they'll expand next?

Also open question for my readers, what will Europeans call the Tatars, something along the lines of 'Terrible Turks' and 'Mad moors'? Drop your suggestions!

 

[Aluma]

Tartarians

 

[Aghstadian]

Also open question for my readers, what will Europeans call the Tatars, something along the lines of 'Terrible Turks' and 'Mad moors'? Drop your suggestions!

Devils of Tartarus (hell)

 

[Ursogulos]

Tartarians

Devils of Tartarus (hell)

Hmm just looked up Tartarus, and how it's inhabitants are literally called Tartarians. I think with GH far from mainland Europe and except Poles and Rus not many will know clearly about them, so misconceptions run rife😁

Also any predictions on China? I'm on the path to create a Timurid empire by Alauddin but not sure which path to take. He either takes Tarim from Tatar orbit with help from his uncle and Ming empire, or he betrays them both and submits to sarai to oust Chinese from the region. Or he plays them both against each other.

Also any comments on South east Asia aka Nanyang? Considering I took the independent imaginative route there isn’t much but if there are any mistakes please point out. Apart from the Manipur section this part was hastily prepared.

 

[Aluma]

The loyalist in me doesnt want him to betray anyone but I would rather have him take territory in China rather than from the tatars since they're the protags so I dont want them to get screwed too much

 

[Ursogulos]

The loyalist in me doesnt want him to betray anyone but I would rather have him take territory in China rather than from the tatars since they're the protags so I dont want them to get screwed too much

Well apart from him being a pervert inventor I didn’t put much thought in Alauddin's character.

Tarim basin Isn't Tatar territory, two khanates of Kashgarh and Turfan are only vassals.

 

[Aluma]

Ah I see! You said orbit and I immediately assumed they were under their control

 

[Rizkyss]

Also any predictions on China

Islamic dynasty in China?

 

[Ursogulos]

Islamic dynasty in China?

Kinda, but not in entire China.

 

[Tosa Inu]

Kinda, but not in entire China.

Is that on the Western parts near Xinjiang?

 

[Ursogulos]

Is that on the Western parts near Xinjiang?

Yes, Gansu and Qinghai.

 

[Ursogulos]

Italian war and the Ottoman invasion​

The italian peninsula in the late 9th century was not much different from the previous century. Minor wars still happened and besides clashing of the blade the backdoor diplomatic dealing that was the characteristic of every italian conflict went in simultaneously. No big powers except the Aragon took an interest in meddling in its affair.


The Aragonese intervention was just a decade ago,in 865(1461) when John II of Aragon decided to conquer Naples from his bastard nephew Ferrante. He was invited to take the throne by a coalition of neapolitan nobles led by Marino Marzano. Despite the diplomatic overtures, both parties failed to reach a settlement over the dowry payment of recently deceased queen Maria. John II of Aragon wanted to take the money from Neapolitan treasury but Ferrante refused. There was no path left except war. But Aragonese forces were in no shape to execute war in a far away place like Naples . Despite that John II arrived with some 13,000 troops and landed in Cosenza in 867(1463). He was united with prince Mario and prince of Taranto Giovanni Orsini in Acetenza. The coalition defeated a loyalist force near Bari and advanced to Benevento. Alexander Borgia [1] was in charge of the loyalist forces. A man of exceptional cunning, he reached a secret deal with the usurper nobles under which John II faced no resistance when he entered Capua. Feeling that victory is all but sure, John stayed in the city for 2 weeks until advancing to besiege Naples. Ferrante's loyalists fiercely defended the city and the siege entered its 3rd week. Then as if a bolt from the blue, Borgia struck the rear of the usurper army. This attack is known as 'tradimento di Borgia' ( treachery of Borgia). Caught off guard, most of the forces of Aragon were in retreat to the coast while the neapolitan rebels were scattered. Prince Giovanni died in battle while Mario was captured.

Image: king Ferrante in the aftermath of the battle of Naples.


John II with his beleaguered army took shelter in Mondragone Castle near the coast as he awaited his evacuation from Sicily. But King Ferrante marched quickly to besiege it. Finally in the treaty of Capua John II relinquished his claim to Naples and took only a part of the original dowry from the treasury. The reason for the spectacular success of Ferrante was none other than Alexander Borgia who sent confusing letters to the rebellious nobility before and after the battle of Naples. As a reward Alexander was made the condestable of the army. Mario Marzano was imprisoned and would remain so until 879( 1475).


Meanwhile Alexander Borgia was a lecherous man who manipulated Eleanor, Mario's wife and allegedly forced her to be his mistress lest King Ferrante killed Mario in prison. This tryst resulted in Eleanor birthing a son named Giulio in 869(1465). After Mario was released she still visited Alexander, which meant that the initial 'blackmail' theory suggested by some previous historians was not correct, it was only added for dramatization. Modern historians agree that it was further impossible for Borgia to actually force Eleanor who was also the sister of King Ferrante. Mario took his wife's infidelity as a punishment from God for his revolt and decided to retire in Rome. On the way however he met Ippolita Maria Sforza, wife of Cosimo di Medici[2] Il Giovane( the younger) . A pious woman, she was harrowed at his account and notified her husband of the plight of Mario. Seeing an opportunity to extend his family's control, Cosimo wed his cousin Maria di medici to Mario Marzano. He obtained his divorce of his previous wife from the pope rather easily, owing to the influence of his new in laws in papal court. He was granted the city of Senigallia in duchy of Urbino by the Medici family.

Image:Cosimo di Medici il Giovane


Despite dynastic ties,there was tension between Florence and Milan owing to rivalry between the two on various aspects. In 881( 1477) a rebel named Rafaelo Nardini attacked a Florentine escort force near town of Volterra. There was already a dispute going on over alum mining which was made worse. A Florentine military assault was stalled as Ludvico Sforza offered mediation. However Cosimo di Medici, duke of Urbino arrived and sacked the city,subjecting the civilian population to various atrocities. The messenger was late and Lorenzo was not happy with his cousin which turned into a diplomatic embarrassment for him. Despite Florentine compensation to the victims Ludovico was furious and stalled all negotiations. Fearing that the Milanese might turn against them, Lorenzo Medici sent envoys to France asking for an alliance. Milan entered a pact with Venice, effectively shattering the italian league of 1454. Situation further deteriorated in 882( 1478) when the Borgia family revolted against the pope under Luis Julian Borgia, cousin of Alexander. Rebellion was pacified by a group of French mercenaries led by Francis, duke of Berry[3].


The tension lingered on until Giulio Borgia, bastard of Eleanor and Alexander was mysteriously found dead in a barn house. Not too long ago Giulio had been appointed as the duke of Abruzzo Ultra by Ferrante and was following his father's footsteps by fornicating with different women of nobility and peasantry alike. Alexander blamed Giulio's death on Mario who ruled his own territory adjacent to the dead duke's holding. Alexander wanted Cosimo to hand Mario Marzano over to Naples but was refused citing lack of evidence. This prompted Alexander coaxing Ferrante to declare war upon Urbino. Florence responded in accordance. Venice and Milan allied with Naples and declared war upon Urbino and Florence. This attracted Louis XI who declared war in support of Florence as there had been rivalry with Milan for sometime. His son Charles, the heir apparent marched out at the head of a 15,000 strong army. As this war erupted over a bastard's death it is sometimes known simply as 'the bastard's war'.

Image: prince Charles of France


But situation for Florentine alliance quickly reached a crisis point as Alexander Borgia defeated a joint Papal Urbino army in battle of Pelaro and marched into Urbino uncontested. But his further expansion was rebuffed when Vitelli family aided Cosimo. Alexander installed Guidobaldo Montefeltro, son of the previous duke Federico as the duke of Urbino. Meanwhile Charles was having trouble as his vanguard force which was supposed reach Florence via sea got embroiled in a storm and were forced to anchor near the Neutral Genoese port of Savona. Florence was having trouble fighting off forces of Milan and Venice as shown in the battle of Pietremala where Florentine forces and French mercenaries under Francis were defeated by a coalition of Milan,Venice and Modona-Ferrera in 883( 1479). Desperate, Lorenzo did the unthinkable and asked for help from a heathen, Sultan Muhammad who had just pacified the Danubian principalities and brutally crushed a Greek rebellion. He sent an envoy to the Sultan asking him to attack Venetian possessions in the aegean. But in that delegation was Mario Marzano who lost his holding and previous wife to Alexander Borgia, yet that man seemed to be still full of hatred towards him as he tried to frame him as a conspirator in Giulio's murder . He secretly arranged a meeting with grand vizier Shaheen Pasha and urged him to attack Naples. He supposedly handed over some documents and maps from his time as a Noble under Ferrante's service. The sultan would accept this offer with such glee that most historians now agree that even without Florentine invitation the Turks would inevitably have attacked Italy. On 7 Rajab 885( 12 September 1480), an Ottoman vanguard of 6,000 would make landfall in Otranto. As the Neapolitans rushed to defend their rear, another larger Ottoman force would land in Pedagne, near Brindisi. The Ottomans were now nearer to Rome than they ever had been. But this would not change the situation on the ground despite the shock. Time and again, Florence was being blamed for bringing the Turks who denied vehemently saying Naples was being 'punished' by God. Louis XI now claimed a crusade to oust the Ottomans from Italy and send letters to all dukes and monarchs across the peninsula to submit to French crown. The Italian ambitions of the French were reignited. This had mixed results. While Florence and Urbino and to some extent, papal states were in favour of Louis XI intervention, Milan, Genoa and Venice were aghast at the blatant aggression of French on 'Italian soil'.

Image: Ottomans landing in Otranto


( From 'Age of Chivalry' by Thomas Siegfried)


[1] OTL pope Alexander, becoming a condottiere ITTL

[2] Cosimo de Medici the younger, OTL died as a child, father is Giovanni Medici.

[3] Francis,duke of Berry died young OTL.

------------------------------------------




New conflicts and new paths​

The war of the three crowns was raging in 882(1478) when Queen Charlotte decided to go on the offensive against Charles I. Despite her marriage with Martinez, he didn’t lead the army or accompanied her in her tours across northern Espana. It seemed that She didn’t trust him enough yet. Martinez lounged in Leon with his family as a glorified hostage. Charlotte continued to score wins against her embattled rivals as she routed the Castilian forces in the battle of Avilla where the French made bombards weakened the loyalists as they routed under pressure from Charlotte's Cavalry charge. Of the 7,000 casualties on Charles's side half were Portuguese mercenaries. Charles was once again on the backfoot as his last hope was placed upon the 7,000 moors from the Hafsid realm.


Charles's condestable Hernan Rodriguez wanted to make a bitter stand near Madrid. But Hafsid General Abu Musa Al Zafar opted for tearing the city's defenses and retreat to the better fortified Guadalajara. In the end Charles I combined both of their strategies and arranged a trap for Charlotte's army in Madrid. As the siege of Madrid began in Jumada Awwal 883( August 1478), French made artillery did a number upon the defenders. In a superb tactic of sabotage, the gate to the city was opened and Charlotte's troops surged inside the city. But soon the gate was closed and Moorish troops ambushed the trapped Galician-Navarrese troops. With little room to maneuver, most of the troops were killed by Hafsid muskets and arrows. 6,000 of Queen Charlotte's troops were killed and 3,000 more captured. Meanwhile Charles I used his cavalry reserve and fresh recruits to storm the shocked enemy outside the city whose artillery were now unprotected.

Image: Hafsid troops ambush Navarrese in battle of Madrid


The result was a total rout of Queen Charlotte's army. Despite being a supportive force, moors were an instrumental part of Charles's trap and the battle of Madrid is known as 'triunfo de los moros' or 'triumph of the moors'.


Queen Charlotte now was in trouble as she lost almost her entire army. She would journey to France for the audience of her step brother Prince Charles with Martinez in tow. But as she reached Pamplona , a riding accident claimed her life. Used to sitting astride until then, her choice of sidesaddle for this trip in accordance with the French tradition happened to be a grave mistake. Charlotte's death would have great political and later, cultural consequences in both France and Espana. Her death while still childless meant Martinez was now free of a shackle binding him for quite some time. It also meant that any hope of a French allied Kingdom in north of Iberia was dashed. But Charles's worries were far from over.

Image: Charlotte falls from her horse


During her stay in Leon Negasi was in contact with Portugal over their tenuous alliance with Charles. They particularly detested how Charles used a large number of moors in his army and let them profess their faith freely. It was as if the nightmare of Andalus returned to haunt them yet again. But Charles had every right to be incensed with Portugal as aside from declaring war and sending mercenary troops from time to time, they did little to help him. In fact, Charles suspected that Charlotte's initial victories in North Iberia were assisted by Portugal. Further point of contention was the Altenjo region. While Moors of Grenada only demanded a couple cities, Portuguese demanded the entire region as a price for their alliance. This was rebuffed by Charles as he was already in trouble with various attributes to his character and he didn’t want to appear as a weak monarch who let everyone walk over him. So when Charles sent a letter to Martinez in 884( 1479) asking him to submit , it was rejected. Portugal now declared war against Castile as Martinez was proclaimed as Duke of Galicia Leon. This war would drag on and Portuguese betrayal pushed Charles further into alliance with Hafsids and their Nasrid vassals.


At this time Maghreb was its own civil war as the Marinid Sultanate remnant imploded into 3 seperate emirates of Marrakesh, Faz and Sijilmassa. While Marinid successors held the former two, the latter was occupied by a Zenata Berber tribe which had relations with Abu Bakar Dari, the de facto ruler of Sahel. In this background Abu Bakar persuaded Sultan Muhammad Gwafa to sent an army to Maghreb. The Sultan saw it as a nonviolent way of getting rid of his nephew Farema Khalid. In 885( 1480), Farema Khalid attacked Fas emirate with the help of Sijilmassa Berbers and occupied it. Now tributaries of the Kubri emirate reached near Iberia. A lot of Maghrebi sailors entered the service of Emir Abu Bakar. In 886( 1481), the construction of an inland harbor was completed in a place called Madinat Rimi[1]. It was guarded by coastal batteries so as to ward off Portuguese assaults.

Image: Madinat Rimi in 16th century


Portuguese meanwhile were no closer to their goal in finding Prester John or the route to the eastern markets. In 886 (1481) Tristao Gomez reached the southern tip of the continent but he lost his entire fleet save for 2 ships to storm near Namib coast during return. It will take a few more years for Portugal to sail around Southern Africa. With the continued conflict in Iberia and the Ottomans encroaching in Italy, the Portuguese decided to create allies in Africa by preaching Christianity. In short, if they couldn’t find prester John they might as well as create their own version. The back and forth envoys between Habsha and Castile proved that whatever that Christian Kingdom of Africa is, it's not Prester John's realm. Yet Portuguese still had another goal, to find the grand khan and convince him to accept Christ as lord or in the least, an alliance against heathen mahomedans. The recent Tatar raids in HRE were a reminder that Europe still wasn’t safe from the Mongol threat. Perhaps the Portuguese explorers thought if they could find the Khan they could convince him to attack the Muslim tatars from the east. And they planned to do it by trade as so far both savage pagans and muslims showed interest in buying their products. The superior quality of their products convinced Portugal of ease in alliance building through preaching and commerce. The first success of the Portuguese came in 887( 1482) when Kongola monarch Mbenzi Ikola[2] accepted Christianity. In the previous decade 6 Kongolese men were taken to Portugal by Diego Alvarez Pereira for studying Christianity. Now they proselytized amongst the local population. But it was not sheer curiosity or the doctrine of Christ which pushed the Kongolese to dedicate themselves to this new religion.

Image: Diego Alvarez Pereira meeting King Mbenzi


The two city States of Gebe and Jungo[3] which were ruled by muslim exiles from Jolof and Niumi were lucrative targets for Kongola expansion . As Gebe was sacked in 887( 1482) the plight of the muslims attracted attention of the Kubri emirate. Abu Bakar Dari sent a large fleet of 2 Karbal Kibar( big caravel) and a dozen Keils to rescue the remnants. Despite Portuguese naval superiority in the region this fleet under Farid Ul Radhi and Walid Bin Ayesha did their job. Next year they made a pact with Kingdom of Ngola, a Kongolese vassal to retrieve the muslims of Jungo. An army of 300 men and 5 bombards were sent from Kubri by ship but they were intercepted by Portuguese fleet and sunk. This left the duo of captains to carry out evacuation on their own. They were helped by the fact that Kongola and Ngola forces were locked in a war as the latter detested Kongolese aggression in what they considered to be an Ngola territory. Apart from losing a Karbal Kibar ship to storm, the evacuation fleet was largely intact and complemented by 5 dhows in this second expedition. They took to more open seas on their return journey to avoid Portuguese ships. But the fleet of 18 would be lost in 888(1483) while on the way to Sahel . The loss of expeditionary force as well as the loss of the rescue fleet put a dent upon Kubri emirate's maritime ambitions, but only for a year. In 18 Shaban 889(10 September 1484), people saw spectre of ships on the horizon. The lost fleet returned after a magnificent voyage that would change the course of history forever.


( From 'journey to the sunset lands' by T.S Lewis)


[1]OTL Missirah, Rimi is the local name of Kapok tree( Ceiba)


[2] alternate king of Kongola ITTL


[3] OTL point Noire and Malembo.

------------------------------------------​

Jumada Sani 888( July 1483)

Tarki, Shumkhal, Golden horde khanate

Ibrahim was annoyed. It was getting late yet there was still no sign of Mariam. He could take solace in the fact that back and forth messengers ensured that she was good and was on her way. But his hosts might not be so considerate. He could already see Sanjakbeg of Astrakhan Saif Amirshah scowling to the distance. Finally the horn blew and Ibrahim could see the caravan.


Mariam, a born queen in regal attire was slowly advancing on a brown horse. The reason for her tardiness became clear as everyone saw a woman on foot holding a sunshade over the 'King of Georgia'. She was followed by some riders on horses and mules packed with goods.


"Greetings to all of you. Sanjakbeg Saif Amirshah, I'm truly honored to be in your presence. Now can we proceed to open the gifts-" Mariam couldn’t finish her sentence.


"The gifts can wait, Wali Mariam Khatun. It is time for our Zuhr prayer." Amirshah cut her off mid sentence.


Mariam gritted her teeth. But she soon realised her anger was pointless as she made them wait for her and now they will be returning the favor. At least their prayer on the journey is halved.


Ibrahim was about to follow the people going inside the Sanjakbeg's tent until he remembered something and walked back to Mariam with a sigh. She was busy dismounting her horse as he faced her.


"What took you damn so long? I told you these guys get pissed when they can't say their prayer on time!" Ibrahim scolded her.


"These guys should get the idea that I'm the 'King'." at this brazen arrogance, Ibrahim felt like facepalming himself.


"That Amirshah doesn’t consider you to be his equal. To him you are just the regent attending this gathering in lieu of your brother."


"Hmm speaking of prayers, when are you gonna do it?" she asked in a whisper.


"Probably will have to sneak in our tent. I want you to cover for me. It won't take very long."


She watched her husband walk away. Though he was a crypto Muslim she still admired him due to his dedication to his faith. Perhaps he clings onto it as a respite, a relic from his past life. Anyway it won't matter.


As the sun plummeted to the west a bit the meeting was called after lunch and the opening of gifts.


In the center of the ceremonial tent with golden banner sat Saif Amirshah. He has been staring at Mariam since she entered. Ibrahim was uncomfortable but for different reasons. He often had to hold back the urge to gauge some lecherous men's eyeballs every now and then for looking at his queen . But Amirshah's gaze was different . It was like a warrior sizing up his enemy before battle.


"In the name of Allah,the most merciful. We can begin." Amirshah started.


"Under order from the honorable Sanjakbeg we begin our discussion. As of our previous proposals, there are things that can be negotiated and others whosr fate has already been decided." Darugachi of Shumkhal, Khayrbek spoke up. Mariam knew him very well.


'Looks like the old fellow still has some spark in him.'


"Georgians can vassalize Durdjuk lands while we shall vassalize Avar lands. But Simsir will be annexed in the name of the Khan in Sarai and will be under the jurisdiction of Shumkhal." he continued.


"I believe I have to interject here. What about Leki?" the representative from Avaristan spoke.


"Well Avars have to cease raids into Leki as Georgians demand." Khayrbek replied.


"Then tell them to trade with us. Why are they afraid of that?"


"Because we know what happened in Simsir. Your traders are followed by your priests, who in turn are followed by the army. We will not accept a muslim trader from anywhere in our lands" now the Lekian representative stood up and boldly stated his cause.


"It seems you forgot you must trade with muslims to survive."


"We will trade our goods with you, we will never trade our religion! You already have the lowlands, why don't you let us live in peace in the mountains?"


Amidst the outburst from the Lekian Amirshah raised his hand to calm the attenders.


"I believe I have a solution that will alter our previous plans, a bit." now all eyes were upon Ibrahim, the 'infidel' husband turned Vizier of Mariam.


"We are going to vassalize Lekia and Muslim traders will be allowed. Since Lekia is under our protection we won't let any proselytizing there."


"You can only vassalize Durdjukia, Emir Ibrahim." Khayrbek harshly replied. Mariam was really angry at this septuagenarian,how dare he insult her husband!


"My apologies, I wasn’t finished. In my new propsal the Jochid ulus shall annex both Simsir and Avaristan and amalgamate them in Shumkhal."


"You can't do that! " the Avar noble shouted and was almost standing up until the withering gaze from Amirshah and Khayrbek prompted him to sit down.


"Not essentially a bad idea." Khayrbek softly replied while running fingers through his white beard.


"And in turn, we annex Durdjuk lands and vassalize the Lekians." Ibrahim finished.


"A decent propsal. I'd already approve it if not for the fact that the Khan must acquiesce first." Amirshah spoke.


"But first, how do we know whether Georgia vassalizing Lekia would result in further ignition of the Kaytag revolt?" Amirshah further stated.


"I believe what this Cherkessian noble wants to say is relevant to this topic, Sanjakbeg."


"Honorable emirs and Sanjakbeg, you may know of this bandit leader named Udigu, who has become the self styled lord of Abkhazia and frequently raids our lands."


"Yes, lands that are in Cherkessia who are allies of Georgia. But the kaytag revolt is happening inside the ulus of Jochi, not inside any ally or vassal's land. Do you even know what you are trying to imply here, Emir Ibrahim? " Amirshah retorted.


Enough people insulted her husband today. Mariam got up like a bolt and spoke with grit and authority:
"It's not the time or place of action which justifies it but the nature of the action itself. We shouldn’t be hypocrites in dealing with our neighbours."


All eyes were on her. She felt gazes of admiration, admonishment and fear. As if she cared for them!


"Well you Georgians can sent a contingent to assist us in crushing the Kaytag rebellion and we can of course deal with this Udigu, right Sanjakbeg? " Khayrbek suddenly became the voice of reason. Amirshah nodded with approval.


After addressing the grievances the treaty was finalised and everyone went back to their tents for the evening..


"Good to see you holding on to Inal. I'm impressed that he didn’t soil your clothes." Mariam remarked as Ibrahim held their 3 year old boy.


"He's a good guy. I know when he is gonna need the pot. His signs are obvious."


"How come you are not afraid of Inal soiling your purity but are reluctant when I want to have a little 'fun', citing this reason? In both cases you have to bath,right?" Mariam narrowed her eyes.


"Uhh," Ibrahim found himself in a rather tight spot.


"You are losing debates today, better keep your mouth shut."


"Yeah I still managed. I broke the united front of the mongols with offers of land. Did you see how that Darugachi Khayrbek was eating from my palm?"


"Still I had to save you, right my emir?" She replied while drawing the word emir a bit longer.


"Yeah yeah whatever. But our Inal is a really good kid. He doesn’t give us pain like other kids. I know he'll make a great king one day." Ibrahim said while helping the baby take nimble steps on the bed.


"Um there is a bit of problem with that. The clergy doesn’t like him. One,he's a bastard. Two, you sired him when you were still an infidel. Well you still are. But you get the point."


"And surely they don't know apart from the first occasion how their virtuous princess was having her way with me on a regular basis?"


"Well I told them but most of my attendants think you, ahem raped me."


Ibrahim's face contorted into one of a grimace and let out a sigh of exasperation. He looked over to the baby which settled down in the Middle of their bedding.


"If the clergy doesn’t like him now, I guess they'll have to 'learn' to like him."


Then he looked at Mariam and said determinedly


"Because Inal might be a bastard, but he's OUR bastard."

************************************************************************

An update before I get very busy on some real life issues.

So Italian war backdrop is just as pain in the ass because of the complexity. Borgias are still being villains and finally Sultan Muhammad wants to take his 'Kaisar I Rum' title seriously. And the French have been given a rather excellent opportunity.

Iberia still fractured as Portugal now turn in their erstwhile ally while moors score big for their castilian patron. And maghreb is a vacuum Kubri emirate would gladly expand into. What happened to the lost fleet, can anyone guess?

And aah Georgia being Georgia stonk without destructive campaign of Timur so there are still more Christian holdouts in Caucasus at this point than OTL. Golden horde as usual expands but has to deal carefully with the complex mosaic of ethno- religious situation in the mountainous region, moreso that Persia is still in chaos. Also can anyone quote the OTL statement which Ibrahim's last statement is based upon?

Until next time! Salam!

​

 

[Ursogulos]

Also if anyone is confused about caucasus here is an OTL map for reference for the names of the petty kingdoms.

Chunsach is Avaristan
Durdsuken is Durdjuk

 

[Tosa Inu]

How in Jahannam an Italian state, who have seen Ottoman expansion in Central Europe, ended up agreeing to frickin INVITE them?

Bribery of some Turkish beys or Pashas to lend Mercenaries is possible, But inviting the Sultan? Suicide!

 

[Ursogulos]

How in Jahannam an Italian state, who have seen Ottoman expansion in Central Europe, ended up agreeing to frickin INVITE them?

Bribery of some Turkish beys or Pashas to lend Mercenaries is possible, But inviting the Sultan? Suicide!

Florence is very much out of reach of Ottomans and their main enemy is Naples and Borgia clique. They actually want these two to exhaust fighting between themselves until France arrives to the rescue.

It might seem biased but I wanted France to actually try steamroll over Italian peninsula for once with a legitimate cause and not some shady claims on Naples.

Also I didn’t elaborate but this could go many ways for the interaction, Sultan was already itching for an italian campaign before Danubian principalities revolted so he might have heard from Turkish corsairs or beys about the situation in Italy and thought of it as godsend. But the rest of Europe be like 'Florence invited Turks, how despicable! "

Desperate, Lorenzo did the unthinkable and asked for help from a heathen, Sultan Muhammad who had just pacified the Danubian principalities and brutally crushed a Greek rebellion. The sultan would accept this offer with such glee that most historians now agree that even without Florentine invitation the Turks would inevitably have attacked Italy

 

[generalurist]

A Christian-Muslim fight over the states of the Congo region is very cool! I don't think I've seen a religiously contested South Atlantic before- it's always either Christian steamroll or Muslim steamroll.

 

[Ursogulos]

A Christian-Muslim fight over the states of the Congo region is very cool! I don't think I've seen a religiously contested South Atlantic before- it's always either Christian steamroll or Muslim steamroll.

For now Kongola is the winner. But there might be repercussions once Kubri emirate gathers itself. Or a muslim Ngola vs christian Kongola will mark the history of this region for a couple centuries.

 

[Contrary]

Dun dun dun! So I'm guessing those Kubri ships made it to the New World? And what a creative way to get them there! I can't wait to see where this story goes from here. Will you cover the formerly lost crew's trip in your next post?