The Reckep : Part 3
The Reckep's first year in power had been a brilliant success. At least thats what the headline in The Tatar Times™ read and none dared contradict it after the editor of The Horde Herald™ suffered an unfortunate accident.
In truth even Qutlugh realised the future was not rosy. But as the old Golden Horde saying goes 'You can't win an arguement without cutting off a head.' The Reckep had expected a mess but now it was time to clean up.
Burilgi ordered the a Horde army outmaneuver the Swedes by making use of access through Muscowy to strike at the occupied territories.
The offensive was a success (to the dismay of Berke who hadn't liked the plan from the start). Two Swedish armies were beaten and Karelia was laid siege.
In the far south clearly the people felt that the Reckep's attention was diverted.
The people of the Horde do what they do best
But they were mistaken. The scattered Uzbek and Sibir armies were gathered and the rebellious army smashed easily on the shores of the Aral Sea.
As a preventative measure against further rebellions a program of propaganda was begun.
Some of the Reckep's efforts at pacifying the population
In Bukhara the program was a success as no more revolts began there for some months. But the same could not be said of the Ukraine. For there thousands including the local garrison went into open revolt after Boke publically called all Ukrainians 'a bunch of lying cheating varmints, no better than the Uzbeks'. This was the result of an incident in which a Ukrainian born magician 'pulled' a ducat from behind Boke's ear. The general was delighted to discover such an easy source of wealth but when he could find no more gold there he was outraged and concluded he had been robbed.
A similar incident is believed to have sparked the war between England and Spain that lasted from 1739 until 1748.
More positive news arrived in late 1557. It appeared Sweden had overextended herself and underestimated winter. Her forces were now reported to be stalled around Arkhangelsk unwilling or unable to go further.
Though the Reckep were not particularly religious they decided it wise to thank Allah for the small favour, just in case. It was decided Poltava should be converted. But being military men they decided the sword was mightier than the pen and over one thousand people were slaughtered until Islam became the majority religion in the province.
Apparently the Reckep had learned from their first year. Things were looking up, they were cleaning up the mess well. But rebellions were still common and the threat of invasion had not dissipated.