by Boris Zubry
“Let’s start. Talk, people. Talk.” He was openly irritated. “If you don’t want to eat and drink, talk. I can’t sit here all day long. I have the country to run, and I am tired already. In case you do not know, I have some other pressing issues to attend.” He was thinking of going to bed and maybe grabbing on the way there that new chambermaid. She was great the other day. She had talent. This girl could go far in politics. He had to think it over. Did she say she was interested in education? Education was not that important when one had the assets she had. She would be much better elsewhere. In a year or so, he could transfer her to the Foreign Service. She would be great in the foreign relations capacity. With those assets… Mongolia needed some good negotiators to survive, and she was good. She could get better with proper training. They knew how to do that, the Russians taught them. The KGB girls were the best in the world. They trapped so many foreign dignitaries, anyone they wanted, anyone who was responding. One had to be dead and for a while not to respond to those girls. And, that included the Ministers, Secretaries, Senators, Congressmen, Members of the Parliaments, Generals, and the Presidents. How many spies were developed and how many patriots had betrayed their own countries, thanks to those girls. Yes, this girl had all makings of the KGB girls. The Russian dolls, is that what they called them? Why did they call them that? Oh, I remember, they had so many identities like the Russian nesting doll. That was good, smart. The KGB was the best there is. They really knew what they were doing and did not hesitate to do it. There was no false shyness in their approach. They were so natural. Show the power every time you can. Attack the friends so, the enemies would be afraid of you. Interestingly, they won a few battles, and they lost even more. Yet, every time they lost, they won only because someone else lost more. The world was afraid of them, and it still is. He needed to talk to someone from the former KGB. He thought that almost all the security and the intelligence personnel came from the KGB. Where else would they come from? Girls... Mongolian, Uzbek, Tajik, Kazakh, Chinese, Central Asian, exotic – that could be very attractive. That could be a great program for the Mongolian intelligence service. Train the girls for everyone and make some money for Mongolia. They could call it the “Charm School.” It sounds quite charming.
Did the Russians call it that already? OK. Let’s call it the “International Charm School.” It could be quickly done. We have many talents and just about everywhere. Yes, I like that. Everyone would like that. We need to push on every front just to get somewhere. Anything would help, but we need to train them well. Teach them to be anything the enemy may want them to be – a lady or a tramp. Mongolia needs help so, we must use whatever assets he could master to get it. These were difficult times, but they saw it before. Citizens should make great sacrifices for the country. More sacrifices. Good girl. Very bright. And, talented in all important departments.
“Mr. President. Mr. Vagabundi.” That was the Deputy Prime Minister Olaani. He was seated across, the table and slightly to the right. That was his regular place. In this room and at this table, everyone was seated following the rank, standing, importance, and anything else the President wanted to consider. This was the place where all of them could speak openly because they were responsible people, and the President was a reasonable man. Here they could discuss issues that were not discussed anywhere else, anywhere outside this room. There were many issues like that in any régime, and this one was not any different. It was just another government yet, it was their government. “Our archeologists just uncovered the burial chambers of Batu Khan, our great warrior and right next to him the burial chambers of Subutai Khan. To find that is like to find the burial chambers of Genghis Khan himself. Well, very close. The next best thing, I would say. This is a great discovery of our scientists. Great for the country, for the world. It was imperative from any point of view.” He started a cigarette and drank some strong herbal tea from a handless round blue and white porcelain cup called a Piyāla (piala) in all of Central Asia. This was the traditional tea service ware in Central Asia.
There were a few pialas in front of everyone present. One for tea, one for coffee and one for Kumis. Glasses were for water and the soft drinks. Also, there was plain and sparkling Russian and Italian water in bottles, the soft drinks from America, carafes with local tea and coffee, and some Kumis from the steppes. The beautiful old silver serving plates containing some sandwiches and fruits were placed on the side-table together with flowers. Flowers were so lovely and added something extra to this somewhat cold room. The President loved flowers, and they were always present but not on the conference table. The leaders being tough men liked to look into each other’s eyes and no obstruction, even the flowers, was tolerated. Still, flowers were a great touch. Why not? Were not they as civilized as the rest of the world? Possibly more…
The conference room was an excellent continuation of the luxury display throughout the Presidential palace but somewhat on the modern side. They were modern people, after all. The tables, couches and the chairs were of the contemporary style but with a Mongolian twist and exceptionally well made. Everything was so the top of the line, and it looked beautiful and impressive. Then, there were the national musical instruments so loved by the Mongols, mirrors in huge golden frames and a few paintings by the well-known Russian and Asian painters. A few ancient pikes, swords and shields attractively filled the emptiness between the mirrors and the paintings. That kind of authenticity had brought everything together and with the sense of purpose.
The room became less official but more meaningful, more threatening. In the corner, opposite of the main door was the flag of the republic on the sizeable golden staff with an eagle on top. The flag was made of silk, the best silk one could find. The modern Mongolian flag was adopted in 1992 while the basic flag was designed in 1940. Mongolia was part of China until it received its independence after a bloody uprising in 1921. Then, there was a very long period of heavy Soviet influence, and that dictated everything, even the colors of the flag. The younger Mongolian brothers had to respect and obey the older Soviet brothers and that included just about everything – the culture, the lifestyle, the thought, and the action. Still, the flag had two main colors where sky-blue was the country's national color, and it did not change. The Soviets did not mind it, and the Mongols could keep that. And, the red color used in the flag once represented communism but today was representing progress. Times had changed, and even Mongolia was moving forward, and it had a long way to go. The Soviets had slowed it down so much, almost to a halt. Mongolia had to join the rest of the world, and it wanted it so much. And, there was no hidden motive. They really wanted to be friends with everyone. Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way. It was a slow process, but nevertheless, that was progress, and the Mongols worked very hard to achieve it. They gained only inches, but it was a forward movement.
The flag was guarded by two old-fashion mannequins dressed in full Mongol armor suits with all weaponry attributed to the Medieval times and so favored by the Mongols. They looked very alive and so fierce. If one did not know, one would take them for the real warriors that came through the time to protect new Mongolia and maybe they did. Was that Genghis Khan himself? Also, the flag was framed by the Tughs (banners) of the original Mongol clans: Karaites, Tatar confederation, Merkit confederation, Naimans, Ongud (White Tatars), Dughlat and the other smaller groups mentioned in Secret History of the Mongols. And, that was even more important than anything else. It was as the ancients were present listening to the conversation and approving your decisions. Was there a real link? Was that even possible? The Mongols believed it was. They could be right for all we know. All in all, that was an interesting nation.
The war Tughs (banners)
“Is that right? This is good. Great news. Where did they find it? I thought no one knew where neither Genghis Khan nor Batu Khan was buried. Even the grave of Subutai was a mystery. All graves of big people were hidden well. They wanted to preserve it, and they did. We could not find even
the slightest hint where it could be. I wish we could keep secrets like that now. So, where was it, and how did you find it?” That was exciting. Why did he have the feeling that there was more, and it was not good? “Did they find the treasure? What exactly did they find? Do we know for sure that it was THEM? How do we know that? Very interesting. Please, go on. Do you have any pictures?”
“It was found under the Mamai Kurgan, Sir, on the River Don bank. You know, the place of the last big battle between the Russians and the Mongol Horde. The burial chambers were actually a few feet below the Kurgan, predating the Kurgan. Why? We don’t know that yet. Why they buried Batu Khan and Subutai on the Don River bank instead of the Volga River bank where the Golden Horde was is still a big mystery. But, we are working on it, Mr. President. There could be some magical or religious attraction to that site. After all, it was almost a thousand years ago, and they kept burying more Mongols on the same site. You know, the huge burial mount left after the last big battle between the Russians and the Mongols. There were thousands buried there, layer after layer. Did they plan to protect Batu Khan, and Subutai after death? Was there a threat? You know, Tsar Dimitry, the son of the Russian Tsar Ivan I, the Kalita (the bag), refused to pay the tribute and raised the army to fight Khan Mamai. Mamai was one of our last great Khans if you remember your history. That was the beginning of our downfall. Dimitry’s father, Tsar Ivan I, the Kalita, was cheating the Tatars for a while collecting all taxes, if not more but keeping some of the tributes for himself. He was the official tribute collector, but the Tatars were too far to oversee that and too careless to check it. They had plenty and thought it was enough. Tatars were too busy fighting each other, and whoever else was in the middle of their fights. In short, they let the guard down, and the Russians used it and quite well. They united some tribes and assembled the impressive army. The Russian army happened to be well trained, big, and strong. They knew all our tactics by then and used it against us. Strange times, won’t you say so. Tsar Ivan the Kalita took chances, but he also pocketed the rewards. Smart. He was one of the smartest Russian Tsars, and there were not too many of them as history tells us. Tsar Ivan I, the Kalita, became the richest Russian Tsar of the middle ages. He’s done it well. Later, his son Dmitry had weaponized the money using it to build the Kremlin castles throughout the country and to train the regular military. They called it “DRUZHINA,” and it actually had thousands in the service by the time of the battle with Khan Mamai and then, the volunteers. Mamai missed the entire thing and then, lost the empire.
Druzhina was well paid, exceptionally well trained, and armed to the teeth. Entirely possible that it was the beginning of the regular military in Russia managed by, the Tsar. They had it ever since. Also, Dimitry did not employ the Boyars neither to train not to lead the troops. And, that was smart. He preferred the commoners that advanced through bravery and experience. He had some good people there, many good people. Also, loyalty was important on every level. Dimitry saw the positive results just about everywhere, and he built on it. That is how the Tatars and Mongols of Khan Mamai lost control over Russia. We were, still raiding Russia for another two hundred years more, but it was not the same. Then, after Ivan IV, the Terrible, we were pushed back to Crimea, and even that was over in the 18th century.
Good old times. How did we do it? It was not too many of us in the first place, but we had Genghis Khan. Was any other conqueror bigger than he was? Conquering so much and controlling it for so long. No, Alexander the Great and the Romans were not even in the same league. It was the most fascinating story. Let me tell you more.”
That was one of the Cabinet Ministers who used to be the university history professor. He was probably one of the most educated Cabinet Ministers but not so strong in politics or real life. He also was liberal, and that did not fit well with the conservative administration. There was strong government control, but not in a liberal way. So, he oversaw education and anything scientific. He did that well considering the budget or the lack of it. He often complained but so what. Who did not complain about everything? Was that even possible?
“There were two huge armies, thousands of people and the Tatars were almost twice more than the Russians. Mamai Khan had brought over a half of the Horde, and the Russians had almost every one they had. There was not too many of them, but they were impressive. Dimitry had done a great job choosing, training, and arming them. Most of them were huge. But, was that the point of the display? Maybe. Did they have any secret weapons? No, that was the secret weapon, and they had funds. They were good and trained in somewhat modern techniques. And, the Russians somehow won. They say, and I confirm that Tsar Dimitry later called Donskoi for the battle, was very smart.” He was getting ready to deliver a lecture on the subject, but the Prime Minister interrupted him in time.
“Well, after the battle, they buried all the dead, the Russians, and the Tatars alike, in the great mount called the Mamai Kurgan, on the bank of River Don. This is really huge, and many people were buried there. Maybe it was the largest burial mount of this type. I am not certain for one hundred percent, but it looks that way. What do you think, professor? Many people tried to dig the Mamai Kurgan, but it was so huge, a mountain and the Soviet government did not like the idea. They were not sure what was there and did not want to take a chance on history. Soviet history was so unpredictable at times. That could’ve been a huge chance, and the Soviets did not like chances. Chances could be costly, financially, and politically. So, no chances for the Soviets.”
“So? You could have told me all that during the regular briefing. Why are we here, people?” The President was interested in the story, but clearly, he was still very agitated after the night events. That happened just a few hours ago, and the Kulikovo Battle with the Mamai Kurgan occurred almost seven hundred years ago. So, the last night was largely more vital to him than the Mamai Kurgan, Khan Mamai, Batu Khan and everyone else. All that could wait for a little longer. It was there for seven hundred years already and did not go anywhere. It would be there for a while longer. Afterward, after that dog bit him, he did not sleep all night long, but the dog did and quite well. What a creature. That dog reminded him of his wife and, the snakes also did.
“Well, there is more, Mr. President.” Slowly stated the Prime Minister Albagdrorj. “We found the memoirs of Batu Khan recorded by a servant. Who knew that Batu kept the memoirs? This document was badly damaged, but there is still enough to follow his train of thoughts. This is a shocking document, and we are not certain what to do with it. It could change our history considerably. It could change world history for all we know. Many things described there are not what we thought happened. We should do something. Maybe we should hide it and not publish. What do you think? For sure, we should study it carefully. Every single word… This is the biggest find ever. This is entirely too much. What do you think? Mr. President?” The Prime Minister was clearly sincere in the thoughts and full of confusion, and uncertainty.
“What could be there that we did not know? We know they were the butchers and we know how they killed and how many. We know of the slaves and the rapes, pillaging, and everything else. We even know of the mounts of cut-off heads Batu and Subutai used to pile up after the battles. So many harrow stories… So much horrifying truth in it. We know all that, and the world knows all that. We do not have to be ashamed of anything. We did not do that, they did. The Germans topped it off during the last war. The Crusaders, for god’s sake, did all that. The Muslims still do it all the time, and with a lot of pride. They attribute it to God's will. So, why are you getting so shy and girlish all of a sudden?” The President was smiling, gesticulating the question with his hands and the eyes. The palms of his hands were open, facing up and stretched out. That was somewhat universal, meaning peace, no harm meant, calm down, and let’s keep talking. He could never understand those politicians, who had no honor by definition but suddenly was getting so honorable on him. That was something. What the world was getting to? What the politicians
were getting to? Honorable politicians? How is that? What a pile of crock that was. That truly was the contradiction of terms as far as it goes. He knew it; he was the leading politician who led them.
“Now, tell me what bothers you and the others, Prime Minister. Talk; don’t dance around. Time is critical, and I do not have much.”
“Well, I have a copy of the report here. It sounds that Batu Khan, Subutai and almost all his court were converted to Judaism at one point. Yes, Judaism and not Islam or any other religion. They liked it and promoted it openly rewarding people for converting and never punishing anyone for not converting. You remember, Timur the Lame did almost the same thing. There was no forced conversion, and Jews were promoted. Batu, Subutai and Tamerlane were running a society very tolerant of religion and all customs building on that instead of destroying anything. That seems to be the reason why they were so successful and in such a short time. They offered people friendship first, no matter what you were and if you refused it, only then, they conquered you. They said the Jews, the Khazars, taught them that. They were Jews, Mr. President and Batu kept talking about. Also, it reveals the plan to convert the entire nation of Mongols and as many associate clans as possible into Judaism, and many were converted. We don’t know how many though, but it sounds like a lot. That part of the text is missing, but it could be a lot, and there was no pressure of any type. People liked it somehow. We may find it yet. I mean the numbers. We have not checked everything yet. There is more and could be even more than that. But, it looks like almost all Mongols were converted, and some of the Tatars were not. First, Subutai and then, Batu Khan died. We do not know how far they went converting the Horde. You see, Mr. President, we are Jews, and we did not know that. We had no idea, and now we do. How did we lose all that information? Where? What else we do not know? What a mess. Did you ever hear anything like that? What a mess, what a mess. Is that a joke? Wake me up; it could be a bad dream.”
