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

Chapter 314 The Great Victory on the Eastern Front, The Headless King of France!

When Genghis Khan enfeoffed his sons, he only granted Chagatai eight hereditary chiliarchies.

Chagatai led an army of 60,000 to participate in this western expedition, bringing with him five Mongol commanders of 1,000 men, while the rest of the troops were recruited from the Chagatai Khanate.

The territory of the Chagatai Khanate encompassed the northern part of the former Khwarazmian Empire, including the world-famous cities of Samarkand and Urgench.

The best source of soldiers in this region was, of course, the Kangli, Oghuz, Kipchak, and other nomadic peoples.

In fact, the Khwarazmian Empire was mainly composed of Kangli, Oghuz, and Kipchak peoples, who drew troops from these nomadic groups to suppress the Persians.

Therefore, the Chagatai Khanate itself was a state mainly composed of nomadic cavalry.

This army of 50,000 was entirely composed of nomadic cavalry.

Their formation also adopted the most traditional method of the Mongol cavalry: advancing like a thicket of peach bark, arranging themselves like a lake, and attacking as if they were drilling through a hole.

On the vast Danube plain, they gathered together in groups of a dozen, a few dozen, or at most a few hundred.

Although the entire Chagatai Khanate army numbered only 50,000, it stretched as far as the eye could see, like a vast ocean.

The European army opposite them, though well-organized, was much "smaller."

The European army consisted of 40,000 men who were part of the Papacy's regular Crusade force. Among them were 4,000 heavy cavalry, 8,000 light cavalry, and 28,000 elite infantry.

The Knights Templar consisted of 3,000 men, including 1,000 Knights Templar and 2,000 squires (light cavalry).

The Knights Hospitaller consisted of 2,400 men, including 800 Hospitallers and 1,600 squires (light cavalry).

King Louis IX of France commanded an army of 40,000 men.

Among them were 3,000 heavy cavalry, 6,000 light cavalry, 24,000 elite infantry, and 7,000 Genoese crossbowmen mercenaries.

The army of the Kingdom of Hungary numbered 12,000, including 1,500 heavy cavalry, 3,000 light cavalry, and 7,500 elite infantry.

Now, in order to win this crucial battle, they are not arranged by country, but by branch of service.

At the very front was a heavy column of elite infantry, in the middle was the Pope's command center and heavy cavalry, and on the flanks and rear were guarded by light cavalry and elite infantry.

The massive wooden shield was driven straight into the ground, and the crossbow bolts peeking out from the gaps in the shield reflected a blinding light in the sunlight.

With their helmets gleaming and armor shining, the knights were eager to fight, and their warhorses occasionally let out excited neighs.

The entire army formation was a mix of long and short lines, with impeccable ranks and high morale. To the Europeans, it was virtually invincible.

But Chagatai doesn't see it that way.

Chagatai, who had been fighting the Europeans for two years, believed that with his current strength, it was impossible for him to defeat the elite European army of 100,000 in a head-on battle.

However, with his wisdom and a lifetime of combat experience, he was able to close the gap in combat strength between the two.

"Baidar!"

Chagatai did not ride a horse, but stood on a tall and magnificent chariot drawn by four white horses.

The north wind ruffled Chagatai's gray hair, and his majestic voice echoed across the wilderness: "You command your ten thousand men and let them test the mettle of the European coalition."

"Yes!"

Beneath the chariot, a short Mongolian man answered loudly.

He was Baidar, the sixth son of Chagatai.

This man was short and unattractive, and also had a henpecked nature. Chagatai did not value him and never considered him as a successor. Even other members of the Golden Family often jokingly referred to him as "the dwarf."

However, to be fair, this person's military capabilities are quite good.

According to historical records, Baidar participated in the second Mongol westward expedition, joined forces with Batu to attack Kiev, then marched north into Poland, plundered Sandomierz and Krakow, and annihilated the Polish-German allied forces at the Battle of Legnica, killing Henry II, Duke of Silesia. Afterward, he went south to join Batu's main force in Hungary.

It must be said that Baidar was one of the most capable and battle-hardened princes of the third generation of the Mongols.

At Baidar's command, a force of ten thousand men from the Chagatai Khanate moved.

They divided themselves into 1,000 teams of about ten people each. Then they formed groups of three, making 330 groups in total.

Boom~~
Dust billowed and the sound of horses' hooves thundered. In no time, 330 groups of Chagatai Khanate warriors had surrounded the 100,000-strong European coalition army.

"kill!"

Each group first sent out a squad to gallop towards the European army formation. When they reached a distance of 120 paces, they suddenly turned and galloped close to the European allied army formation.

Without aiming, they fired upwards, each firing five arrows in succession before returning to their starting point.

The first team had barely turned back when the second team attacked. After the second team came the third, and after the third came the first again... and so on, endlessly!

A hail of arrows rained down on the European army's formation like locusts.

The main purpose of these arrows was not to strike, and even when they were launched, their power was pitifully weak at a distance of 120 paces.

Furthermore, the elite Europa infantry on the other side were also fully armored, making their strength even more pitiful.

The focus is on harassment and probing.

They wanted to unsettle the European coalition in order to find out its weaknesses.

Whoosh whoosh!
The crossbowmen of the European coalition continued to counterattack.

A century ago, Pope Innocent II did indeed issue a ban on the crossbow, but that ban only its use in wars within the Roman Catholic Church, not against non-believers. In fact, this ban was more symbolic than practical from the day it was issued, and essentially remained ineffective.

For example, forty-five years ago, Richard I, the Lionheart of England, was shot in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt during a war with France. When the bolt was being removed, the arrowhead broke off and entered his body, causing the wound to become gangrene, which was incurable at the time. He died from the illness.

Today, the crossbow has become the most commonly used crossbow equipment in Europe's elite troops. Well-trained crossbowmen are loading their bolts and retaliating against the Chagatai Khanate's raiding forces.

However, in order to achieve good armor-piercing effects, the crossbow bolts used by the European army were characterized by being heavy, short, and having large heads. The crossbow bolts required more than twice the draw weight of a bow for the same range, and the rate of fire was only one-third to one-fifth of that of a bow with the same power.

The Chagatai Khanate soldiers had perfect timing; at a distance of 120 paces, these crossbows posed little threat to them.

The crossbowmen's rate of fire was less than a third of theirs, further reducing the threat.

Therefore, if Chagatai were to try to break through the European army's formation, which was heavily equipped with crossbows, with his cavalry, he would be committing suicide. However, if he were to harass them with light cavalry, the crossbowmen would be of negligible counter-effect.

As the crossbowmen's stamina waned, their rate of fire slowed, and their counterattacks became less effective.

The Chagatai Khanate cavalry's volleys from a distance of 120 paces didn't inflict significant casualties on the armored soldiers of the European coalition. But the horses weren't armored!
Warhorses are far less tolerant of pain than humans.

The rain of arrows falling from the sky, some piercing the flesh of the warhorses, caused them immense suffering. They stirred restlessly, trying to break free from their riders' control and escape this terrifying battlefield.

Some unfortunate European soldiers were hit in the face, hands, and feet by the volley of arrows, and cried out in pain on the battlefield.

The Europeans finally couldn't hold back any longer. Three thousand light cavalry charged out from the left flank and charged straight at the Chagatai Khanate's light cavalry that had been harassing them.

The Chagatai Khanate's harassing light cavalry retreated decisively. At the same time, the banners on the Chagatai chariots swung, and five thousand-man squads came straight to meet them.

It must be noted that European cavalry was strictly divided into different ranks. The strongest fighting force consisted of heavy cavalry units, composed of the sons and nephews of nobles, and even the nobles themselves.

They had ample nutrition, plenty of free time for training, and enough wealth to afford warhorses and expensive armor.

Those light cavalrymen were far inferior to them. These men were commoners or sons and nephews of minor nobles. In terms of nutrition, training time, and even the quality of their warhorses and weapons, they were far inferior.

While the heavy cavalry of the Chagatai Khanate were of average quality above that of the light cavalry, the difference between the two was not that significant.

In addition, Chagatai's forces consisted entirely of cavalry, which outnumbered the cavalry of the European coalition, and he could naturally mobilize more light cavalry.

Before long, the light cavalry was defeated and retreated back to their own lines.

However, King Innocent IV, who was the commander-in-chief of the European coalition, was not surprised but rather pleased.

After nearly two years of fighting, he had come to realize that the Chagatai Khanate's army was the weakest part of the Mongol army.

Now, Chagatai's banner is right there, and the performance of those 5,000 light cavalrymen was rather mediocre, all of which proves that this is indeed the main force of the Chagatai Khanate.

With only 50,000 troops on the other side, the weakest force in the Mongol army, what are we waiting for?
"All troops attack!"

With Innocent IV's command, the sacred banner behind him, known as the "Key to Heaven," waved, and the European army moved!

Europa's elite infantry raised their giant shields, covering the entire army as they slowly advanced towards Chagatai's banner.

Chagatai seemed unwilling to engage in a direct confrontation with the European army, and ordered his troops to retreat slowly.

An hour later, Chagatai's army had retreated seven miles, yet showed no signs of collapse. Meanwhile, the infantrymen carrying shields at the front of the European coalition had already rotated nine times.

"These despicable and shameless Tatars are like rats in the gutter, like filthy cockroaches! They dare not confront us head-on, they only want to slow us down and exhaust our strength! We cannot continue fighting like this!"

King Louis IX of France made a suggestion to Innocent IV.

Louis IX was undoubtedly a hero of Europe, a man of great talent and ambition. However, in terms of military ability alone, he was somewhat lacking.

Historical records indicate that he launched the Seventh Crusade, leading his troops to land in Egypt. Although he achieved a series of victories, he suffered a crushing defeat when marching on Alexandria. He was captured by Queen Pearl of Egypt and released after a ransom was paid.

Innocent IV said, "You mean, to deploy our cavalry?"

Louis IX said, "Yes! Order the heavy cavalry to move out and attack directly in the direction of Chagatai's battle flag. The light cavalry will cover the flanks of the heavy cavalry, and the infantry will follow up. If Chagatai wants to fight, we will fight him head-on, and victory will surely be ours."

"If Chagatai retreats, will he have time to take his battle flag with him when our cavalry charges? Our cavalry will hold him off and cut down his battle flag, crushing the morale of his army. Victory will still belong to us! Even capturing Chagatai is not impossible."

"For the glory of God, I am willing to personally lead the cavalry into battle!"

King Innocent IV pondered for a moment before nodding and saying, "You can lead the main force of my cavalry into battle. However, the other cavalry can be given to you, but the Knights Templar must remain with me to protect my central army."

Innocent IV was one of the most politically astute figures of his time. However, his military abilities were relatively average.

However, he was shrewd and habitually kept a backup plan.

"can."

The Knights Templar only had three thousand men in total, which was insignificant to the overall situation, and Louis IX nodded in agreement.

Boom~~
The main cavalry force of the European coalition has finally moved!
"As God desires, slaughter all the heretics!"

"For the glory of God!"

"Conquest with blood and iron!"

……

With resounding shouts, 9,300 heavy cavalry and 18,500 light cavalry, totaling more than 27,000 Europa cavalry, charged straight toward the Chagatai Khan's banner.

The remaining 70,000 infantrymen then pressed forward!
"Protect the Khan!"

"Stop them!"

"White monkey, prepare to die!"

……

Squads of Chagatai Khanate cavalry tried to intercept them, but were quickly routed by the main European cavalry force.

Even a 3,000-strong heavy cavalry force from the Chagatai Khanate attempted to cut the cavalry in half from the flank, but failed.

As the European cavalry drew ever closer, Chagatai was forced to abandon his magnificent carriage and retreat eastward, led by his numerous guards. The Chagatai Khanate's cavalry, seemingly realizing their defeat, scattered and fled. *Click!*
click!
click!
Louis IX swung his sword three times, and Chagatai's banner fell to the ground!
Chagatai's magnificent chariot, pulled by four white horses, also became a spoil of war for Louis IX!

"The Tatars have been defeated! The Tatars have been defeated! Even the descendants of Genghis Khan cannot stand before the bravest knight of the gods!"

Louis IX stood atop Chagatai's imposing carriage and loudly issued the order: "Change armor! Heavy cavalry, all of you, change armor! Follow me and pursue Chagatai, kill this eldest prince of the Tatars!"

"kill!"

It was impossible to expect heavy cavalry to catch up with Chagatai. Moreover, Chagatai had a large number of men with him, so a small force would be useless in the pursuit.

Before long, the heavy cavalry had all switched to light armor, and 27,000 Europa cavalrymen were in hot pursuit of Chagatai's escape route.

"Damn it!"

Alexander Nevsky, a rising star of European generals during these years of conquest, later hailed as "the greatest Rus' man," cursed inwardly upon seeing this and hurried to see the Pope.

Although his status rose rapidly, Europe was a hierarchical society, and he was not qualified to command cavalry; instead, he commanded elite infantry.

“Great Christ’s Agent, although Chagatai’s army has been defeated, its main force is intact. It is too dangerous for us to separate our cavalry and infantry now. Please issue an order for our cavalry to return immediately.”

Alexander knelt on one knee and solemnly offered his suggestion.

Innocent IV frowned slightly and said, "Danger? What danger could there be? The surrounding area is mostly plains. What decent ambush could Chagatai possibly set up?"

"Even if the battle is going badly, don't these cavalrymen even have a chance to retreat?"

"Furthermore, although our army has won a great victory, we have not captured many enemy troops. If we do not quickly pursue the enemy and expand our gains, wouldn't we be wasting our military opportunity? Are we going to wait for Chagatai to gather his remaining troops and continue to make things difficult for us?"

Alexander took a deep breath and said, "I haven't thought through the specific dangers yet. However, Chagatai's defeat was too decisive, and I still feel uneasy."

King Innocent IV shook his head and said, "I cannot make such a major decision based on your baseless speculation."

Alexander said helplessly, "If all else fails, please issue an order for the infantry to march eastward and join the cavalry."

"This is fine."

At Innocent IV's command, more than 70,000 infantrymen marched eastward.

They traveled six miles in half an hour, when another large contingent of Tatar cavalry arrived from all directions. These Tatar cavalry, numbering around ten thousand, continued to harass them.

Alexander grew even more uneasy upon seeing this: it was clear that the Tatar cavalry was slowing them down. He wondered what tricks the Chagatai Khanate had up its sleeve for the main European cavalry force.

However, at this time Louis IX was feeling quite good about himself.

He recognized Chagatai.

As he pursued Chagatai at breakneck speed for half an hour, the number of cavalrymen around him continued to flee, dwindling in number.

He even saw Chagatai's figure with his own eyes several times!
All right!

Chagatai is definitely not going to escape this time!
This is Chagatai! Among the second-generation Khans of Mongolia, only Chagatai and Zhao Shuo are still alive.

What kind of shock would it have caused in Europe if Louis IX had captured Chagatai alive?
What title should Louis IX be given?
In fact, the population of France has now surpassed that of the Holy Roman Empire, but Frederick II's possession of the Kingdom of Sicily has allowed him to maintain a slight advantage.

If Louis IX had truly captured Chagatai alive, wouldn't it have been easy for the Pope to crown him emperor?
At the very least, calling him "Louis IX, the Sun King" isn't too much of an exaggeration, is it?
Haha!

Louis IX's lips curled slightly as he unknowingly led the European cavalry into a basin.

Calling it a basin isn't entirely accurate.

The Danube Plain is low and flat, with no particularly treacherous terrain. The slopes on both sides of this "basin" are extremely gentle, and the difference between the highest point of the slope and the lowest point of the basin is only a dozen meters, allowing cavalry to easily ride up and down.

Such a basin posed no threat whatsoever to the European coalition.

However, it was precisely at this moment—

woohoo~~
Three deep, resonant horn calls echoed across the plains.

With a series of loud hoofbeats, a large contingent of Mongol cavalry appeared on the earthen slopes on both sides.

They could swoop down at any moment and threaten the flanks of the Europa cavalry.

Behind the European coalition, the rumble of horses and billowing dust suggested that a large contingent of Chagatai cavalry was approaching.

Most deadly was what lay ahead: a dark shadow slowly approached from afar, growing ever closer—it was ten thousand heavily armored cavalry.

As the heavily armored cavalry drew closer, Louis IX even discovered that the leader of the army was none other than Chagatai!

"No! This is a trap! Put on your armor! Put on your armor now!"

Louis IX's expression changed drastically, his heart turned cold, and he frantically issued orders.

His heavy cavalry armor had been handed over to his knightly squires, who were the light cavalrymen.

We must don our armor immediately, or the consequences of facing the enemy's heavy cavalry attack will be unimaginable.

"Too late to don armor now! Besides, the difference between the two sides now goes far beyond just armor."

Upon seeing this, Chagatai wore a mocking smile.

He was well aware of the fighting strength of the European cavalry. Those European light cavalry were not much weaker than his regular cavalry.

The combat power of those heavy cavalry was in no way inferior to that of the Mongol heavy cavalry!

In a fair fight, Chagatai wouldn't have any advantage. With the addition of Europa infantry, Chagatai was destined to lose.

But what about that?
Chagatai, drawing on nearly fifty years of war experience, orchestrated this deadly trap.

First, this time he mobilized a total force of 60,000, not 50,000.

Initially, the Mongols divided their forces into three groups. Möngke Khan led 80,000 Mongol troops in a joint attack on Brandenburg. Kublai Khan led 21,000 Mongol troops and 28,000 vassal troops, totaling 49,000 men, threatening the Sudetenland Mountains. Chagatai Khan led his main force of 51,000 men in Hungary, confronting Pope Innocent IV on the banks of the Danube. Another 20,000 Mongol troops were stationed in major cities in Poland and Hungary to suppress local rebellions.

To prepare for this decisive victory, Chagatai transferred all 10,000 Mongol troops from within Hungary.

This force of 10,000 pure Mongol soldiers had been conserving their strength and waiting here.

Secondly, warhorses.

The Mongols were experts with horses, often riding three or even four horses a single person. The European armies, on the other hand, were accustomed to riding one horse a single person.

Now, the European cavalry have been chasing for forty miles, their warhorses are exhausted and their strength is greatly depleted.

Chagatai's cavalry on the flanks and rear, which he used to encircle the enemy, had already changed horses and were now at their most powerful.

For cavalry, speed is paramount, and the horsepower of their warhorses plays a crucial role.

With the Mongol army's superior armor and numerical advantage, how could they not be victorious?

"Hmph, Europeans see us Mongols as barbarians who only know how to destroy. But I see them as nothing more than a bunch of wild beasts who don't know their own limitations. A good hunter doesn't compete with wild beasts in terms of the sharpness of their claws and teeth, but only uses his wisdom to set traps to capture them and obtain their flesh and fur."

Chagatai was in high spirits. After whispering something, he shouted, "Qie de Buhua!"

"exist!"

"Lead your men and charge into battle immediately! Slaughter all these white monkeys!"

"Yes!"

Kitbuqa was a Naiman, belonging to the lineage of Tolui. However, at this crucial moment in the decisive battle between the Mongol army and the European coalition, he resolutely carried out Chagatai's orders.

Boom~~
The timid army was still, and ten thousand pure Mongol heavy cavalry charged toward the panicked, armored European coalition.

The Chagatai Khanate cavalry, numbering 20,000 on each flank, also moved!

Behind them, 15,000 Chagatai cavalrymen also joined the battle!

45,000 vs. 27,000!

Nearly twice the number of people!

In an instant, the battle intensified, with the neighing of warhorses, the clash of weapons, the cries of the wounded, and the roars of warriors all intertwined.

"kill!"

Louis IX, protected by his bodyguards, donned heavy armor and led his men in several more charges.

His personal guards dwindled, and his warhorse stumbled and fell forward, plunging him off his back.

Louis IX felt dizzy and his left arm throbbed with pain. His lance was flung from his hand and landed somewhere unknown. He rolled to his feet, and a Tatar cavalryman rushed forward and swung his sword at him.

Louis IX drew his short sword from his waist, parried the broadsword, stepped forward, and stabbed the Tatar cavalryman to death.

Another Tatar cavalryman thrust his spear. Louis IX dodged the attack, then grabbed the shaft and tried to seize it.

Unexpectedly, the cavalryman was quite strong, and Louis IX couldn't break free at all. Just then, another Tatar cavalryman charged out, his lance aimed straight for his neck!

"Don't kill me! I am the King of France!"

Louis IX rolled and dodged, shouting, "I surrender! I'm willing to pay a hefty reward!"

Whether it was Louis IX's good fortune or not, the Tatar cavalry, who had fought in Europe for many years, actually understood his language.

The Tatar cavalrymen cheered, "We've captured the King of France alive! We've captured Louis IX!"

……

……

Two hours later, the war in the basin was completely over, and all 27,000 Europa knights were annihilated there.

There was nothing they could do; their warhorses were too exhausted to run.

“Louis IX, we meet again.” Chagatai’s spirits were even higher, and his hawk-like eyes looked at Louis IX. They had known each other since they had led their armies into battle many times during the past two years of fighting.

"Please, Your Majesty, have mercy! France is the richest country in Europe. I am willing to exchange my life for gold that weighs ten times, no, a hundred times, of my own body!"

At this moment, Louis IX was no longer thinking about capturing Chagatai alive or becoming the second emperor of Europe. He just wanted to live.

He was filled with regret, wondering why he had personally led the troops into this mess.

He realized that he had seriously underestimated this Mongol prince who had fought his way from the far east to the banks of the Danube.

Even if Chagatai's forces were weak, it was pure wishful thinking for Louis IX to gain the upper hand in open battle!
Of course, what Louis IX thought at this point was irrelevant.

"Don't waste your energy, you won't survive."

Chagatai drew his sword, stepped forward, grabbed Louis IX by the hair, and with a flash of light, blood spurted out.

Louis IX's bloody head has been held high by Chagatai!

Just kidding, what would Chagatai do with Louis IX's gold?
He was old, and fond of wine and women; he wouldn't live much longer anyway. Chagatai had personally lured the enemy into this deadly trap, squandering too much of his life's potential.

Chagatai felt no fatigue at all, but he understood even more clearly that this was a sign of excessive excitement, indicating that his days were numbered.

What is the meaning of gold to a dying person?
Killing Louis IX with a single blow, thus securing Chagatai's posthumous reputation, was of utmost importance to him!
(End of this chapter)