Genghis was hungry. He was also alarmed. If there was one thing he really didn't like it was being hungry. And being alarmed too, well that was sheer un-living hell. His courtier were all keeping eyes firmly downcast lest they attract the Khan's foul mood in their direction. The last servant to bring out a serving of livers too cold for Genghis' taste had found himself brought out as the next dish.
Lack of brains was of course the reason for the Khan's hunger. But that should come as no surprise to any of you and instead let us look into the cause of his alarm.
Ninety one thousand angry soldiers appearing out of the unknown and rampaging over a neighbour, even a hated one, is enough to send shivers down even the most dilapidated of spines. For one it presented a huge future threat to the Horde, secondly it limited the possible directions of brain acquisition expeditions. Only south to Astrakhan remained a viable direction to go.
Upon declaration of war Genghis tried what was an unconventional tactic for warfare. He did nothing (
today we might refer to it as the French Strategy). Unlike modern applications of the method it was devastating. The Astrakhani's, eager for blood rushed into the Horde. And straight into winter. Sure enough in a few months the enemy's army was devastated and the Horde moved in to clean up. Genghis was sure to leave his generals detailed instructions on how to deal with the bodies they would come across and no doubt add to.
How Genghis wished the bodies to be prepared - into handy snacks
The rest of the war went like sundialwork
(clocks of course not yet being invented). And soon all that remained was for Genghis to select what he wished to take from the war. Although the option for him to take the entire nation was open to him he decided he must remain conscious of his weight and opted instead for a smaller portion.
Astrakhan surrenders half its lands