by Boris Zubry
We also have the siege machines. We were building them all winter. I have the Chinese craftsmen making it. Yet, it’s going to be hard to bring them close enough to be effective. We are better armed and trained in modern warfare. Russians are at least a century behind us. We have a few hundred of them, Chinese. They are good people, very learned, and very innovative. Why can’t I teach the Mongols to do that? To build… To invent… To be ahead of the others. Ogedei Khan and the other khanates use the Chinese everywhere they can. It looks like each nation is better in something specific that others can’t do as well. But, we learn. Well, we learn to use others and to treat them well. Chinese and the Khazars are good in almost everything, but we are better fighters. We are ruthless like no one else. It helps to lead the life we do.
People in Kiev are scared, but the Grand Duke wants to fight. I knew that he waited for the brothers and cousins from Suzdal, Yaroslavl, and Vladimir to join the fight. He even asked the Duke of Pskov and Novgorod for help. I knew that in time because we caught the messengers and they talked when the Tatars tortured them. They told us everything, even the things we did not ask. Everyone talks when the Tatars ask questions. Tatars always use very effective methods of torture. Pain, fire, scare, and dripping water. When water drips on your head, it drives you mad. You want it to stop so, you talk.
Bamboo growing through your guts is another thoughtful invention. I am not sure, but I think the Chinese invented that one. Bamboo grows fast, and through you, but you do not die. You experience a lot of pain, and you are scared, terrified, seeing all that. Tatars do not like to waste time just talking. They use a direct approach – torture. This time they poured the boiling oil into the throat of one of the messengers making the others watch it. Of course, they spoke. Who would not? Even the mute would start talking. They were talking so fast, even interrupting each other. We had to ask them to slow down and speak only one at the time. They did not speak any of our languages, and it was not easy to translate when they spoke too fast and all at the same time. They spoke Russian, after all, and we did not. They told us everything we wanted to know and more, much more. They would not shut up, but we did not kill them. Not right away. I know they died later. We were not set up for the prisoners. Not on the move. What do you need prisoners for? Either let them go or enslave them.
I like watching the Tatars at work, whatever they do. They take pleasure in torture, rape, murder, and other violent acts. But, they never build or grow anything. All they do is tending animals, hunting, fishing, and war. All that involves killing in the end. They are not even good at the trade. What can you do? They are what they are. They always devised violence in the most horrifying and prolonged way. Disgusting creatures those Tatars but we are closely related in many ways, and so we stay together. We do not love each other, but we co-exist and well. The ancestors did it for thousands of years. It is just right. I think the Chinese are the master torturers and then, the Koreans, Japanese, and the Tatars. Kalmyks are good at it as well.
Still, Tatars used only pain to get the answer. That’s the quickest and the straightest way to get the results. Humiliation and physical pain are the two most important keys to successful torture. I tend to agree with the Tatars on that subject. At war, you do not have time to be gentle and to follow agreements. What agreements you should follow when you are killing each other? Do you want to kill each other more gently? Is it even possible? Yes, in some cases, you can kill someone fast or prolong the agony. But, in the mortal fight, you try to kill quickly and not to be killed. You want to get out of one fight speedily and go to another. You have to move. Every single victory counts and adds to the total success. That’s what we want – a complete success. The brutal force was the only force noteworthy in war. During the torture, they break you down, tear you apart, destroy you without killing, and death often comes as a reward for your cooperation. The torturers are wise and experienced, and they get results. If they fail too many times. We torture them. That works as well so, they do not fail for too many times.
The Tatars never fail to extract the information because they do not respect your life, and they showed it openly. They do not pretend to be cultural and would not discuss the higher points of being with you even if they understood it. What for? They are what they are. The Chinese, Japanese, and the others would combine the physical torture with the mental torment as well. It takes longer, and the prisoners often stay in good health and the spirit. Sometimes it’s useful if you wanted to save the prisoner. Sometimes you want to use the prisoner for something else. Maybe the prisoner is going to work for you in one capacity or another. But, the result was the same. They get the answer, and we usually did not keep the prisoner but often promise so. We, Mongols, do not torture.
We have the Tatars and the Chinese to do that for us. So, we killed the Russian messengers in the end and sent the heads back to Kiev as a reply to the message. Yet, they did not surrender. What did they hope for? Stupid. They cannot fight us. We will take the city and get what we want. All this was a useless waste of lives. Did they care? I did. But, I cared for my people more. They either accept our rule unconditionally or die. Slavery is an option but not a great way to survive. Some slaves did better than the others, but you have to have something to offer. If you know something interesting or you are a good craftsman, or good looking, we may use you. It could be good for us. But you must have something to offer.
We keep some of the noblemen alive so, they could manage their own people. It saves us resources so, we can go farther West, North or South. We own the East already. Still, even our resources are limited. Well, Ogedei was talking about Japan. We may go there yet, but we needed the fleet. We were not the sea-going nation thus far, but we were learning. That would be an exciting campaign. I do not think Ogedei would wait for me. He may go there sooner than I can break myself loose from here. It may, no, it will take a while, and he is building ships already. I heard the Koreans were doing that. It could take a few years, though. This place, Russia, is really too large and has too many problems. Resources… We do not get a break over here, any of us. Still, I like it here. I may stay here afterward. I am not sure if I want to go back to Mongolia. I would probably go there for a little while and then, come back here and rule. This is my empire.
After a few months of the siege, Kiev was ready to fall. It could take one hard push and then, some cleaning up. Losses on both sides were not that great, but the walls could not hold much longer, and the city was running out of supplies. Actually, they ran out of supplies a while back. That was the harsh reality. The walls were of wood and dirt, and they did not get ready for the siege. It was not reinforced in time. They did not understand what the real siege was and how determent we were. We did not come all the way from Mongolia just for a brawl. We were prepared to wait for the right moment to strike, we were the hunters. They could not remain there for too long because of the supplies. They were cut off the provisions, and we were getting it instead of them. We were doing just fine, but the sickness was setting in the town. We encircled them so well that nothing could be brought in the city, but they were getting water, and we did not know how. Time was on our side, but I wanted it to move faster. We had so much land to cover, so much to manage. I wanted to go to the last sea, and that was far. We did not actually know how far it was and our collaborators from western Europe were somewhat vague on the subject. I do not think even they knew it for sure. It was either they did not know, or we did not have the right people advising us. Anyhow, it was a considerable distance to cover, no matter how you look at it. I was informed that the Duke was seen eating a roasted with apples swan while the town people just finished all rats and cats in the city. Dogs were gone a while back. Food was quite scarce over there, and it was getting worse by the minute. I had some pork last night. It was not bad. My cook made it the Chinese style – sweet and sour. I like it that way with rice. I love Chinese food. It is tasty and fun to eat. The Mongolian food is somewhat dull but filling. I think that’s t
he purpose of it: to fill you quickly so, you could go and do whatever you wanted to do. By the way, that was the Russian pork from the nearby town.
We did not have too many pigs in our caravans. There are reasons for that: some of our people were Muslims, and they were offended by pigs. Also, pigs were difficult to tend on the move. How do you handle the grown pig? So, we prefer goats, lamb, cattle and a lot of horses and camels. They are much easier on the move, and they move faster. They almost manage it by themselves. Good animals, friendly animals. Yet, we have a few pigs here and there that started when they were still just the babies and could be kept in the wagons. It takes time for them to grow, and by the time they are fully-fledged, we stop and build a camp. So, they can keep growing until they give us young ones and we eat the old ones. The young ones may start their lives in the caravans if we are moving again. That’s the pig cycle.
I always eat what my people eat. We are all the same and eat from the same Gazan (cooking pot). That is just right. I often eat sitting with the ordinary soldiers at the fire they built to cook whatever they had. I frequently bring kumis. We eat, drink, and talk. Well, they speak, and I listen. They are wise people, and I need to know what they think. Usually, I hear good advice. And we laugh. The soldier needs to laugh as often as he can. What’s life without laughing. Soldier’s life is not easy, and a good laugh helps. It always does. Any Mongol can come and talk to me at any time. I would always listen and consider their concerns. I never punish people for being honest and open. We punish people for being dishonest and covert. That’s where the evil is.
The Russian Duke and his family, the boyars (the Russian noblemen) and some of the regular soldiers had almost all the supplies they wanted, but people had nothing. They were starving, and that was not right. The sickness was creeping in already, and that was the worst of it all. Children would die first. And that would be the most painful death. People saw families dying and could not help. That was very hard on people, harder than on the nobility. That breaks your heart and the will to fight. I knew that people had to hate the Duke by now and, if we get rid of him, people will not resist any longer. Then, they did not have to die. They would enjoy life and pay us tribute. That’s the ideal situation. I wish the Russians would get smarter and did that faster. No one has to die on either side. Yet, one must be smart first. We were not the peaceful people, but the useless death was useless even to us.
To protect the rear and the flanks, I dispatched three newly arrived Tumens in the direction of Suzdal, Vladimir, Rostov, and Yaroslavl. They had orders to take these cities and to continue to Pskov and Novgorod. That was the extreme west and north of the Kievan Russ, the limits of Russia. One more Tumen went to the farthest North. We could not fight there effectively due to the thick forest along the way. My soldiers were from the steppes and perfect fighting in the open. Our famous horses feared the trees. They had never seen so many trees before. How do you maneuver horses in the thick forest, the foliage, the undergrowth? The soldiers would go in the woods and never come back, but some horses would run out covered with blood, telling us the horror story of the trees. The northern Russians living there were the pure Vikings (called the Varyag in Russia). Hard people and so set in their ways. Some of them maybe were harder than us. They were decent enemies and even better friends. They were the same type of people with us, and we have to fight them differently. The heavily wooded North was a natural habitat for them, and they hunted us like the bears killing with pikes, knives and the bare hands. Those Vikings were huge and much stronger than our people. One-on-one, hand-to-hand combat with them was quite challenging, and only my best soldiers could win there. That was a massive problem for us, and we needed to solve it. The good thing was that they never joint the fight with the Russians in Central Russia. They just wanted to be left alone by both sides. They hated the other Russians as much as they hated us, if not more. So, we stopped harassing them and offered peace. They kept it, and we did. That is why I had only one incomplete Tumen there, kind of guarding our northern borders. We rarely had any serious problems there. It was a labored peace but still peace. The Viking Russians would not attack, but they did not want to be attacked either. So, it worked quite well. I also had one Tumen in the South. We did not want any surprises from the Slavs in the Balkans. These Slavs were weak, the dying breed, but they were still there. I never believed that the Slavs could mount any organized defense or an attack, but I could not take any chances there. I had plenty of soldiers, Tartars, and slaves. They created a human shield between the horde and the Balkans. One day, when I finish in Central Europe, I’ll turn my Tumens to the Balkans, and we will end the Slavs. I am not sure if I want to get involved there. We’ll see. Who knows, if we had nothing else to do, we could do that. But that could wait. Slavs were not important. I had to conquer all of Europe yet. That would take maybe two-three more years or maybe less. If they keep the crusades up leaving their strongholds, towns and the villages without the able men, I may do it in a year. It was somewhat easy, so far. After my trip to the capital and the election of the Grand Khan, when all formalities are over, I’ll send all ten regular Tumens to Europe. In combination with the Tartars, they would bring me the victory I desire. Who could really resist us?
I always kept at least a dozen scouts, well in advance, in every direction. They even scouted our rear. In the modern world of the thirteenth century, one has to protect the back even more than any other side. That’s where the unforeseen comes from, and the unexpected may hurt you. You never know what was approaching from the behind. Betrayal was so common no matter where you turn. I think it was fashionable to some degree. I think it was in any country with every people. Brothers betrayed brothers and sons betrayed parents. I never betrayed anyone, but many have, or at least tried to betray me. I had to deal with them swiftly and decisively, leaving the reputation of the bloodthirsty despot. I had to do that. But I love flowers and animals. I adore children of Mongols. I have created a small horde for orphans we pick along the way. It is close to a thousand children already. There are so many of them and just about everywhere. We do not kill children without reason, and the reasons for that are very rare. They would probably die without help, and we help them. I oversee them personally. This is important. They are part of my family now. They would grow up as soldiers, best I ever had. Their loyalty would lie only to the khan. I am not a despot. I am a ruler charged with tremendous responsibility. I am responsible for my people, the conquered people, the Western Empire. One day, I may become the Grand Khan of all Mongols. I am ready for it now, but I am still too young. Maybe after I conquer the whole of Europe, I’ll become qualified regardless of my age. Subutai offered to “influence” the elections now, before the votes, but I would not agree to that. After all, all Mongolian khans were my close relatives, and one should not spill his own blood. I am just fine where I am and even better than I could be. I have my own Horde, and my movements are only slightly limited. I am my own man. What do they have I don’t? What do I have they would want? Would I refuse if they ask for something? Have I ever refused anything even to a simple soldier? All my relatives are welcome to everything I have. Everything, short of betrayal… Just ask. Why would I need more? More of what? More problems?
Several of my scout patrols reported that some units of the Russian regulars (druzhina) were moving toward Kiev. It was the druzhina of five thousand strong from Suzdal, and the Duke (brother of the Grand Duke of Kiev) was leading it personally. Possibly some messenger got through. How many and to where? Even we could miss a good scout. They were split into three columns but moved in the same direction of Kiev. Some noblemen (the boyars) accompanied the Duke to this venture. It was clear that they wanted to be the heroes who saved Kiev and the Grand Duke. It was the relief and resupply column Kiev was hoping for. It was a nice gesture, but a little too late.
Knowing that the Russians had mainly infantry and the cavalry was too heavy and not very well trained, I sent over a Kalmyck Tumen – the lightest horsem
en I had. They used the smallest horses, almost no armor and mostly bows and arrows. No doubt, they were the best bowmen I saw on horses. They rarely missed if at all. The Kalmyks and Tatars ran circles over the Russians, creating the chaos and afflicting great damages expertly using arrows, lances, and spears. The battle lasted almost a day. Attacks and counterattacks continued for hours, for as long as the sun was up. My commanders were not in a hurry. They had no other plans for that day. The Kalmyks were attacking in waves constantly reinforcing and replacing the units and resting after each attack. The Russians, in turn, were caught in the middle of the vast field with nowhere to hide. The day was hot, and the heat added to the exhaustion and the general misery of the heavy dressed Russians. Water was some distance away and was running short while we had plenty of it. We chose the place of the battle so, we controlled the water and that what we wanted. The Russians encircled the wagons from the wagon train losing supplies in the process. There were water and food that could help. The peasants running the wagon train and the horses were gone as well. My archers went for the water supplies, first destroying it with weapons and fire. By the middle of the day, the Russians were utterly exhausted ready to collapse while the Kalmyks were rested, fresh, confident, and well supplied. By the end of the day, the Kalmycks lost six hundred horses and about four hundred soldiers. Also, we lost about a hundred Tatars. The Russians lost more than two thousand soldiers and all horses (maybe a thousand). When we offered them the surrender, they accepted it gladly. They could not fight any longer anyway. They were dead on their feet. When we saw that the Russians were collapsing, we split the Tumen. About three thousand stayed to finish the job, but the rest of the Tumen went to Suzdal. We just destroyed the Suzdal military so, the city was ripe for picking. Five days later, almost without losses, we had Suzdal – one of the largest cities of Russia at the time. They thought of it highly. People of Suzdal tried to fight, but what could they do. The best soldiers, the druzhina, were gone and we had the heads to prove it. They had no chance and, as always, we offered them to surrender. They were too proud to accept it. A big, costly mistake. So, we were not to blame for what happened to the city and its citizens. We were not to blame for anything, but the Kalmyks and the Tatars sometimes went over the top. After all, that was their nature.
