Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 294 Guyuk is furious, and the entire Mongol army is mobilized to launch a westward expedition to Europe!
Europa, the Polish region, the city of Rignic.

"Great Khan, we can't continue fighting! We should retreat now; it's not too late!"

Subutai's voice was somewhat hoarse, and his tone was full of fatigue.

He came back from Hungary.

Three years ago, Guyuk, acting unilaterally, continued fighting the European coalition after conquering Poland. Consequently, Guyuk's army engaged in fierce battles with the army led by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the Sudetenland Mountains, on the border between Poland and Bohemia.

Although the Mongols primarily used Polish conscripts in these siege battles, they inevitably participated in some key engagements.

After a long campaign, the Mongol army lost four or five thousand men, but still could not break through the series of fortresses built by the Europeans in the Sudetenland Mountains.

The Teutonic Knights in the European coalition became increasingly formidable in battle.

Hermann von Salza, the "Grand Commander" of this regiment, was not only a man of outstanding military talent, but also one of Frederick II's best friends.

Frederick II was already a formidable figure, and with the assistance of Hermann von Salza, he was even more powerful, making the Sudetenland defenses virtually impregnable.

Guyuk decided to change his offensive strategy, leading a portion of the Mongol army as a feigned main force to confront Frederick II in the Sudetenland Mountains.

Subutai led 30,000 Mongol troops in a fierce attack on the Kingdom of Hungary.

If Pope Innocent IV had been an easy target, Subutai could have marched straight into Europe, forcing Frederick II's army to return to defend the country.

Then, taking advantage of the opportunity, they annihilated Frederick II's army in open battle, achieving a glorious victory.

As for the fact that the Hungarian princess became Zhao Shuo's concubine, Zhao Shuo already considered Hungary as his own, so he couldn't care less at this point.

The plan was only half successful.

Subutai's army launched a surprise attack and captured the Totrenczán fortress on the Hungarian border in one fell swoop, causing a major defeat for the European coalition led by Pope Innocent IV.

However, during the two years of the Mongol army's offensive in the Sudetenland Mountains, the entire territory of Hungary was mobilized. With the help of the European coalition, many of the original wooden fortresses within the country were transformed into stone fortresses.

The stone fortresses of Hungary, like hard tortoise shells, provided support for the retreat of the European coalition forces and delayed Subutai's offensive.

Ultimately, the two sides confronted each other on the Saijo River within Hungary.

Subutai also attempted another feint, crossing the lower reaches of the Sayo River on rafts to launch a surprise attack from the flank and rear.

However, it was unsuccessful.

After all, Pope Innocent IV was not a pushover, but a formidable figure. Historical records show that Innocent IV, despite being at a severe disadvantage, outmaneuvered Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and ultimately emerged victorious.

At this time, a rising star was even emerging in the Pope's "Standing Crusade".

Alexander Nevsky.

This man was a Rus', and if history had unfolded normally, he would have become the Rus' Grand Prince of Novgorod.

He was known as Nevsky (Hero of the Neva) for defeating the Swedish army that had invaded Rus' on the Neva River.

He left a significant mark on 13th-century history by repelling a series of European invaders. He adopted a policy of appeasement towards the Mongol conquerors, successfully maintaining the unity of the Rus' people.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Rus' people held a poll to select the "greatest Russian," and Alexander Nevsky came in first place.

Zhao Shuo changed history, and together with Jochi, conquered Rus' and almost wiped out the Rus' nobles.

Young Alexander, protected by several loyal guards, escaped Rus' and came to Europe.

When he grew up, he joined the Standing Crusade, which was organized by the Papacy.

In the Battle of the Saiyo, Alexander not only demonstrated his exceptional personal martial prowess but also his outstanding military talent, skillfully maneuvering to exploit the weaknesses of the Mongol army and inflicting several minor losses.

The Neva River hero of history has become the Saiyo River hero.

Seeing that he could not break through the Saiyo River defenses, Subutai simply left the front lines and personally went to Legnica to see Guyuk, requesting a withdrawal of his troops.

"No, we must not retreat."

Guyuk shook his head resolutely and said, "You know that if we retreat, we will have to give up the whole of Poland. And in this war, roughly speaking, our steppe warriors have suffered more than seven thousand casualties. What will the world think of me, the Great Khan?"

"And most importantly, what have the grassland warriors gained after fighting alongside me for three or four years? Not only have they not received the glory of victory, but even the spoils of war have been almost entirely consumed in these years of war."

"And look at the steppe warriors under Uncle Zhao Shuo's command. Every steppe warrior they conquered in Japan received two hundred taels of silver worth of valuables! If my steppe warriors return to the steppe with nothing, how will they face their wives and children? How will these people view me, the Great Khan?"

News of Zhao Shuo's eastern expedition to Japan has now reached Europe.

Guyuk's soldiers conquered Poland and certainly gained a great deal. However, as was customary on the steppes, the Mongol army did not receive pay.

During these three years of war, armor was torn and needed repair, weapons were worn out and needed to be replaced, and even many warhorses were lost and needed to be bought new ones. There was also the need for food and drink.

Which one doesn't cost money?

Such a long campaign had taken a heavy toll, and the steppe warriors had little left of their gains from conquering Poland.

Compared to Zhao Shuo's gains in conquering Fusang, not only were the grassland warriors extremely frustrated, but even Guiyou's face was burning with embarrassment.

Continuing the fight doesn't necessarily mean losing; there's always the potential for huge future gains.

Retreating now would be a complete surrender, turning the three years of fighting into a joke.

Subutai said in a deep voice, "However, if we don't retreat now, the soldiers' gains will continue to be depleted. Europe will continue to send large armies up from the rear. They will build even more stone fortresses there! The longer this goes on, the more humiliation we will suffer! Great Khan, please think it over!"

Guyuk shook his head again, saying, "In short, retreating is absolutely not an option."

He paused, then stood up, patted Subutai on the shoulder, and said, "Subutai, of Genghis Khan's four mastiffs and four heroes, you are now the only one left. I, Güyük, can only rely on you now. You must help me think of a way to break through the Europeans' defenses and achieve an unprecedented victory!"

"Since the Great Khan values ​​it so much, I... I'll think about it some more."

Subutai frowned, deep in thought.

Actually, the best solution now would be to have all five Mongol factions send troops together. But isn't it because Guyuk is worried about Zhao Shuo's growing power and doesn't want to do that?
Since that's the case, we have to start from other aspects.

Subutai said, "If all else fails, please have the Great Khan issue an edict requesting the Chagatai Khan to send reinforcements. The Chagatai Khanate should be able to send 60,000 troops, right?"

"In addition, there are the steppe warriors. The original soldiers who went on the westward expedition have rested for three or four years, and they've had enough rest. Let them go on another westward expedition!"

Güyük nodded slightly and said, "Alright. My reason for vying for the position of Great Khan is precisely to rightfully command all the steppe warriors. Now that the situation is as it is, I'm willing to share some of the credit with Tolui's faction. However..."

He was still somewhat worried, saying, "Europeans are really not easy to deal with! Even if reinforcements from the East arrive, how confident are you?"

"There's always a 60-70% chance of success."

"It's still too few. Can we think of some other ways to increase our chances of success? If we, the entire Mongol Empire, still fail to conquer Europe after mobilizing all our forces, the consequences will be unimaginable." Subutai pondered for a moment and then said, "There are two more methods. First, conscript all men over the age of twelve from the grasslands into the army."

Guiyou hesitated for a moment and said, "Twelve years old? Isn't that a bit too young?"

Subutai said, "Twelve years old is certainly a bit low. Originally, soldiers were conscripted on the grasslands at the age of fourteen or older. Both Jochi Khan and Tolui Khan went to the battlefield at the age of fourteen. Later, as our Mongols grew stronger, the age for conscription on the grasslands was raised to sixteen."

"However, the twelve-year-olds recruited this time will not be going to the battlefield immediately. It will take the army more than a year to travel from the Mongolian steppe to Poland. By then, they will be nearly fourteen years old."

"Initially, these people can be given some simple tasks. This will allow them to gain some practical experience while also freeing up some adult soldiers from these simple tasks."

"When they turn fifteen, they can be used as adult soldiers."

Guiyou asked, "What is the second method?"

"The second method is to ask the Jochi Khanate and the Zhao Shuo Khanate for logistical support. Especially gunpowder weapons, the more the better. Of course, we can't just provide support for free, we can buy them with money."

The western border of the Zhao Shuo Khanate had reached West Rus', Byzantium, and Georgia.

Originally, much of the armor, warhorses, and even food needed by the soldiers of the Guiyu westward expedition were purchased from Siros.

Now, Subutai is preparing to ask Zhao Shuo for more support.

Especially gunpowder weapons; for reasons of technological secrecy, Zhao Shuo did not produce them at all in these three regions.

Guyuk only had a few gunpowder workshops on the steppes and in the Ögedei Khanate. Not to mention that the output was not high, even if the output was high, long-distance transportation was not easy, and Zhao Shuo's navy would still be needed to support him.

In fact, the gunpowder weapons that Guyuk brought with him on this western expedition had long been used up.

Besides, the largest producer of saltpeter is now the Jiangnan region, and the largest producer of sulfur is Japan. It doesn't matter who Zhao Shuo asks for it from.

Guyuk nodded slightly. He said, "Alright, that's settled then. The money for these gunpowder weapons will come from my private treasury. In short, we must annihilate Europe at all costs!"

……

……

One month later, in Samarkand, the capital of the Chagatai Khanate.

"Father Khan, are we really going to send 60,000 troops to help Guyuk fight in Europe?"

Yesu asked Chagatai.

Chagatai did not answer directly, but asked, "What? Aren't you on good terms with Guyuk? You seem very unwilling?"

"But this is still an army of 60,000!"

Mu'atugan is dead, and Chagatai is very old. The Chagatai Khanate is most likely to fall into the hands of Yesu.

Sixty thousand troops represented half the strength of the weakest Chagatai Khanate. Yesu was truly reluctant to lose them in the west.

His relationship with Guyuk could not possibly extend to an army of 60,000.

Chagatai shook his head slightly and said, "The Ögedei line and our line have long been in the same boat. Now that Güyük's situation is not good, if we don't support him, who will? Besides, once the Ögedei line declines, we will probably be next. Therefore, we must send these 60,000 troops."

"Can we win?"

“Why not?” Chagatai said confidently, “All men over the age of twelve on the steppe will be mobilized. I really can’t think of anyone in the world, besides the Zhao Shuo Khanate, who could withstand this attack! Besides…”

"what?"

Chagatai's eyes gleamed as he said, "I have made my decision. I will personally lead this army of 60,000!"

"No! Father, you are too old..."

"No need to say anything more, my mind is made up."

Yesu wanted to persuade him further, but Chagatai refused to listen.

Chagatai said, “I am old and in poor health. I am afraid I will not live for many more years. Rather than dying in the embrace of the Eternal Heaven amidst wine and women, it is better to die on horseback in battle. This is the most glorious way for a warrior of the grasslands to die.”

"If I can return victorious from this trip to Europe, all the better. But if I do not return alive, the Chagatai Khanate will be yours to inherit!"

In the original history, Chagatai intended for Mu'atugan's eldest son to succeed him as Khan.

However, Mu'a Tugan's eldest son is too young now.

Chagatai still regarded Yesu as his successor.

……

……

One month later, in Huining City, Northeast China.

"Brothers, Guiyou is going to mobilize all the warriors on the grasslands for the third western expedition. What do you think?"

Möngke's gaze was fixed intently on his three brothers, Kublai Khan, Bocho, and Moge.

Now, Sorghaghtani Beki is old, and the Tolui line is now under the control of Möngke.

Hulagu and Ariq Böke went to Iraq to manage their fiefdoms. Now, only the four brothers remained in Huining City.

"What else can we do? After all, Güyük is the Great Khan. He has issued an order, so we have no choice but to go."

"Yes! Otherwise, if Guiyu loses in Europe, he might blame us."

“He is the Great Khan of the Mongols. He can mobilize all the warriors on the steppe, and no one can stop him. We can only obey his orders. However, our Jurchen soldiers in the Northeast and the troops in Iraq cannot obey him.”

"Once we get there, we still have to be wary of him. What happened to Father Khan must never happen again!"

……

Kublai Khan, Bochuo, and Moge all spoke.

After all, Guyuk was the Great Khan of the Mongols, and once he issued an edict, the steppe warriors had no reason not to obey.

"Let's do it that way then."

Möngke said, “My brother, you and Mother will stay in the East. Kublai Khan, Bochuo, and I will lead the steppe warriors on a westward expedition. This time, we will not only destroy Europe, but also prove that my Tolui lineage is stronger than Ögedei's lineage!”

(End of this chapter)