In the Southern Song Dynasty, I competed with Mongolia for the world

Chapter 477 Persuasion
In this way, Ogedai understood clearly that Batu did not want to come back to be a Khan, nor did he want to be Ogedai's subordinate. He just wanted to be on an equal footing with him and become the Great Khan together.

Several people walked all the way to discuss how to persuade Batu.

More than six hundred miles away from the Volga River, Yelu Chucai finally convinced everyone and gave several suggestions.

In the middle of the first month of the ninth year of Yuanzhen, Wokuotai entered 300 miles near Sarai City.

The city of Salai is located near Astrakhan. It was originally the capital of the Khazar Khanate of the Khazars (Western Turks). Around the beginning of the 11th century, the Byzantine and Russian armies united to defeat the last Khazars. As a result, it was occupied by the Russians.

After that, Batu led his army to the west, conquered the principalities such as Rus and Kiev, and occupied this area.

Because there were fertile water and grass on the banks of the Volga River, Batu rebuilt the city of Sarai on the original city foundation.

After returning from the Western Expedition, Batu mobilized all the manpower and material resources in the hundreds of miles around to do this.

So that after Wokuotai and the others entered Sarai City three hundred miles away, they could see horse teams and vehicle formations from all over the place, rushing towards Sarai City in a steady stream.

These people come from all nationalities, including Turks, Rus, Slavs, Turkmens, and even Persians.

Craftsmen from the entire Principality of Rus were recruited to help.

Wokuotai now wants to lead the Mongolian army to attack Batu, but he can't cross the Volga River. He has no navy. As long as Batu sends heavy troops to guard the bridge, he will not be able to cross the Volga River.

But these were built by dynasties and principalities of various dynasties over hundreds of thousands of years. Choermahan certainly doesn’t know how many there will be. He can’t possibly have been to all the places where the Volga River is more than 7,000 miles long. .

Wokuotai's face became more solemn when he heard this, which meant that it would be difficult for the army from the east to attack Sarai City.

Chagatai immediately looked at Choermahan behind him.

In late January, they entered the city of Sarai for a hundred miles along the Caspian Sea coast.

There were more than a hundred people accompanying him and the escort team. Now Batu asked him to take ten people into the city. Obviously, he was on guard against him. Moreover, Batu was a junior. They were Batu's uncles and grandfathers, but they didn't come in person. Then he sent his younger brother.

Choermahan urged his horse forward: "Bou Khan——"

I saw ships everywhere on the seashore, and countless ships brought various supplies and tributes to Sarai City from south to north.

Wokuotai couldn't believe it. It seemed that this was the center of Mongolia, and people from all directions surrendered and paid tribute to Batu.

After Wokuotai and everyone warned him, they went to the river bank of Sarai City.

Wokuotai thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "I have to tell Batu later that the Song Army's navy is very powerful. Once the Song Army takes over North Persia, the Song Army's navy can directly enter the city of Sarai from the Caspian Sea."

Either attack from the Caspian Sea or seize the bridge.

It’s no wonder that Bacchus can develop a self-reliant mind.

Ogedai did not hesitate and ordered Chagatai. Temuge Ochijin, Beligutai and Yeluchucai boarded the boat together with Subotai and Choermahan, while the others stayed on the east bank and did not enter the city. .

People from Batu were already waiting for them by the river.

When Wokuotai was originally in charge in Hebei, northern Persia still obeyed the orders of the Great Mongol Khan. Since Harahelin was destroyed by the Song army, Choermahan, who was stationed in Persia, led the main force to join Chagatai. The tribute no longer goes east, because the east is occupied by the Song army, so all the tribute comes to Batu, passes through the Caspian Sea, and is transported to the city of Sarai by ship.

Batu got the news and sent his younger brother Bielge to wait for them on the east bank.

The seven of them got on the boat and the boat immediately sailed to the other side.

Batu really chose a good place.

Among them, North Persia is still under the control of Mongolia, and tributes from there are now coming to Batu in a steady stream.

Wokuotai and the others were now on the east bank of the Volga River. He pointed to the Sarai City Road that was still under construction on the opposite side: "How many miles away is there a bridge that can pass through?"

No wonder Batu is so secure here and not afraid at all.

This city will become the capital of a huge khanate starting from the Shihe River (today's Irtysh River) in the east, to the Caspian Sea in the south, to the Russian principalities in the west, and to the upper reaches of the Volga River in the north. It is currently under construction.

If the Song army went west in the future and wanted to attack Sarai City, it would have to go around the river, which would be extremely difficult.

Originally, they did not need to pass by the Caspian Sea coast, but Chagatai took them to the beach to see it.

But there are only two bridges within five hundred miles from north to south.

In later generations, there were fifty or sixty bridges connecting both sides of the river.

The city of Sarai was once the capital of the Khazars. Although it was destroyed by the Byzantine and Russian armies, it still has its foundation. Batu was renovated and expanded along the original foundation. To the north and east of the castle is the Volga River, which stands directly on the By the river, the river is used as a moat, a natural barrier.

In early February of the ninth year of Yuanzhen, Wokuotai finally led his people to Salai City.

No matter what, there must be unity internally. He firmly remembered the advice of his father Khan and Yelu Chucai, took a deep breath, and calmed down his angry mood.

This river is the longest inland river with the widest drainage basin in the world, dividing the entire Ross area into two parts from south to north.

Brother Bie'er brought a boat over from Salai City. The boat was not big. When he saw Wokuotai, he said that there could only be ten more people on the boat.

Ogedei stood on the beach on horseback and watched a large number of ships carrying goods ashore and heading north instead of east. He knew that Batu was powerful here. If he continued to oppress in the name of the Great Khan, there would probably be an uprising. reaction.

The nearest one is two hundred miles to the north.

At present, Persia is basically still under the control of the Mongolian army. The Song army only occupies the Persian Gulf, and it is impossible for the Song army's navy to enter the Caspian Sea through waterways. Therefore, it is unknown whether Ogedai's words will be useful.

He explained to Ogedai that the Volga River was thousands of miles long (actually more than seven thousand miles), and the city of Salai in Batu was built downstream of the river, leading directly to the Caspian Sea.

A palace is being built on the other side of the river, and less than half of Batu's imperial city has been built. When you look up, you can see workers and craftsmen everywhere, from all nationalities.

Wokuotai and Chahetai looked at each other, and Wokuotai was still a little annoyed.

Batu was only a few years away from his dream of the Golden Horde.

If there was no one on the other side to meet them, they would have to go around more than two hundred miles to cross the river, or they would have to take a boat from the Caspian Sea to enter the city of Sarai.

"What is Batu doing?" At this time, Brother Temu, Orchijin, was a little unhappy and asked directly: "Why didn't he come out?"

After all, Temujin's brother Ochijin was Temujin's younger brother and Batu's grandfather. Ogodei could endure it, but he couldn't help it.

Brother Bie'er quickly explained with a smile that Batu was meeting with the special envoy of Grand Duke Vladimir Yaroslav I to discuss the management of the Rus' Principality.

The original history was exactly the next year. Grand Duke Yaroslav I of Vladimir came to meet Batu in person. Batu conferred a title on him and gave him the power to manage Eastern Russia. From then on, the entire Rus' Principality in the next one or two hundred years, This is the case. All grand dukes must be granted the title of the Golden Horde before they have the power to manage.

After Brother Bie'er finished speaking, he cautiously raised his head and glanced at them.

Although the Rus' Principality was conquered during Batu's Western Expedition, Batu represented Great Mongolia at that time.

Now Batu summoned him alone to discuss management matters, and his intention to become self-reliant was quite obvious. However, there was no angry expression on the face of Wo Kuotai opposite.

Wokuotai kept telling himself in his heart that there should be no civil strife, no civil strife, and that he was here to seek cooperation.

The Principality of Rus was captured by Batu in his Western Expedition. He could take it if he liked it. Wo Kuotai still had to fight back to the Jin Kingdom, the Song Dynasty, Guanshan, Datong, and Yanjing.

There was soon no sound on the boat, and no one seemed to want to talk.

Brother Biel didn't make a sound and stood quietly aside.

In the past, he was afraid of Chagatai, Ogedai, and even his grandfather Temu Ge Ochijin and the others, but since they established a foothold in Sarai City, their reputation has shocked the entire Rus and the nearby places thousands of miles away. Brother Er also became tough.

In this vast territory, his brother Batu currently has the final say, so what about the Great Khan?
Everyone had their own thoughts. When they reached the other side of the river, there was a wave of troops waiting for them on the other side, as well as a gorgeous carriage.

Wokuotai finally showed a smile, and Batu still gave him enough face and arranged a carriage to pick him up.

But Wokuotai did not get on the carriage, but still rode his horse and led everyone into the city.

The city of Sarai was built on a high ground, and the roads were dusty. The craftsmen and workers were busy.

Yelu Chucai frowned when he saw the construction of the castle.

Batu is quite crazy, so he didn't think much about defense when he built the city. Moreover, he was on the grassland for a long time, and during the Western Expedition, he fought against European countries that were easy to fight. His castles were larger than those in Europe, but their style Also like Europe.

There is no special moat, only the Volga River in the north and east as natural barriers.

As long as the enemy troops cross the Volga River, infantry and cavalry can easily reach the city.

Its city is not wide and has a European style, but at this time in Europe there was still slavery and no feudal system.

If the wall is not wide, it means that the defense is weak, and only infantry can be used. Artillery like the artillery built by Wokuotai in Hebei cannot be fired.

Of course, when Batu built the city, he never thought that the enemy would attack. Batu thought that if he was so powerful, if he didn't attack others, others would be Amitabha. Who else would dare to attack him?

In fact, when Batu was here, no one dared to mess with the Golden Horde.

Therefore, in the eyes of Wo Kuotai, Yelu Chucai and others, although Sarai City is majestic, its defense is quite poor.

If the Song army comes, it will probably be quite easy to attack Sarai City.

The only difficulty is to get around the Volga River.

Of course, if you don’t want to go around the Fuerjia River, it’s okay. If the Song army can occupy Persia and come from north Persia along the west of the Caspian Sea, there is no need to go around the Fuerjia River.

"Would you like to pay your respects to the Persian city of Rai (Tehran) now?" Choermahan seemed to have thought of something and asked Bierge.

The city of Rai was previously guarded by Baizhu, Cho'ermahan's deputy. When Cho'ermahan led his army back east, he rendezvoused with Chagatai. It was not known whether Baizhu was still in Lai.

Brother Bie'er immediately said: "Better stop."

Chuo'ermahan immediately said: "Lai City should be heavily stationed. If the Song army is allowed to enter North Persia, they can march from Rai City to Sarai."

The Song army did not want to go around the Volga River, so it was still a good route to take Lai City.

Brother Bie'er disagreed and said with a smile: "Persia is still in our hands now. The Song army only occupied the Persian Gulf."

He believed that the Song army only had a few thousand naval troops occupying the Persian Gulf. With its strong ships and powerful artillery, the Mongolian army could not do anything to them. However, on land, the Mongolian army was still powerful and the Song army could not come over.

Cho'er Mahan wanted to persuade him again, but Wo Kuotai pointed out with his eyes that it would be useless to say more.

Batu was invincible throughout his life, never lost a battle, and did not take the Song army into consideration at all.

In addition, the Song Army did not have many troops in Persia, only a few thousand people, and they were naval forces. Obviously, they did not think that the Song Army would come from Rai City.

When Choermahan was in Persia, he was stationed in Tabriz. (That is, north of Rye City, on the west coast of the Caspian Sea), roughly located right in the middle of Salai City and Rye City.

His base camp is bordered by the Black Sea to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east. There is a grassland in the middle, and the rich terrain nearby makes it a good place to garrison.

At that moment, he whispered to Ogedei: "Lai City and Tabriz can be focused on management in the future. If we guard these two places, it will be difficult for armies coming from the east and south (that is, the Song Army) to enter."

Choermahan did not calculate victory, but wanted to lose first. He thought that if he lost the decisive battle to the Song army, the Mongolian army would retreat to Salai City and must defend Rai and Tabriz, but there was a grassland in Tabriz. , it’s not easy to defend, the only way is to move forward and defend Rai.

Wokuotai shook his head again, signaling him not to say such disheartening words, and the main force of the Song army was still thousands of miles away, so whether they would march westward was also a question.

Not long after, everyone came to Batu's palace.

The palace was only half-finished, and Batu welcomed them in a completed hall.

"Greetings to He Khan." Batu did not kneel down, but just said to pay homage to He Khan. He was surrounded by armored soldiers, all of whom were Batu's elite confidants and generals.

Everyone also looked at Wokuotai and his party quietly.

Mongolians have always respected the strong.

As a hehan, Wo Kuotai was indeed like a bereaved dog. He was driven from Hebei to the grasslands by the Song army and then to the Volga River. At this time, all the Mongolian nobles in Sarai City looked down upon Wo Kuotai. And strongly supported Batu.

Wokuotai was not in the mood to care about these etiquettes, and he knew it would be useless to care.

Several people greeted each other. Batu took his brothers and children to see the elders, and then sat down separately.

Wokuotai's seat was arranged next to Batu, and the two sat on the same table.

Wokuotai had no objections, and it was difficult for others to speak out.

Chagatai was the only one who looked unhappy, but before coming, everyone agreed on the same message, not to anger Batu, but to win Batu's support.

The 700,000 to 800,000 people in New Belia need to eat and drink, and people die every day. Batu must be taken over as soon as possible.

After Wokuotai sat down, he immediately looked around and said, "The Song army is powerful and they are attacking with millions of troops."

There was an uproar all around, probably because Wo Kuotai was exaggerating. There were millions of troops there.

But no one said anything and could only continue to listen.

"The Song army marched very carefully, advancing layer by layer, attacking cities and plundering territory one by one. Every time they captured a city, they must leave troops to garrison."

"They have sharp firearms. After occupying the city, it will be difficult for us to fight back with their firearms to defend the city -"

Wokuotai didn't talk nonsense and explained the situation simply and clearly.

(End of this chapter)