In China, the Mongols became the Yuan -- a legitimate Chinese dynasty that governed the empire directly through Chinese institutions. In essence, they became China.
In Iran, the Mongols became the Ilkhanate. Although the Ilkhan retained his nomadic armies in the pastures of Iran, the country itself was directly governed for the most part and there were garrisons throughout Iranian towns. Likewise, the Ilkhan became Iran.
In Russia, the Mongols became the Golden Horde -- a political entity that kept to the steppe, was always very distinct from its unwilling Slavic vassals, and ultimately chose not to remove the local Russian princes and replace them with the Horde's own governors.
What if the Mongols of Saray had also implemented direct administration in Russia and settled down in the sedentary zone?
In Iran, the Mongols became the Ilkhanate. Although the Ilkhan retained his nomadic armies in the pastures of Iran, the country itself was directly governed for the most part and there were garrisons throughout Iranian towns. Likewise, the Ilkhan became Iran.
In Russia, the Mongols became the Golden Horde -- a political entity that kept to the steppe, was always very distinct from its unwilling Slavic vassals, and ultimately chose not to remove the local Russian princes and replace them with the Horde's own governors.
What if the Mongols of Saray had also implemented direct administration in Russia and settled down in the sedentary zone?