Galdan's 1st Central army was marching through Anatolia. Small army was formed in Persia to conquer Kerman, after local population partly accepted oncoming Oirats. But Azerbaijani rebels were annihilated, they will think twice before rising again.
Captain "Young" Radi was riding beside Galdan. They will go through Mamluk controlled Van without stopping to deal with Mamluks garrisons there. It was matter of time before Mamluks will be considered as owners of Van. Even though it was agreed to focus on Castille, captain didn't like the notion of losing land, especially to Mamluks. As if Galdan liked it. He swore to enact vengeance on Mamluks after becoming a Khan. But Spaniards were far more dangerous.
- Forgive me for not keeping my mouth shut, my Khan, I know of our plan, but still I am clenching my teeth as we are getting near.
- As everyone else here, captain.
- Yes, my Khan, I know. Just thinking that they will laugh when they realize we simply rode past them, and I have to clench my teeth.
Somehow captain managed to look as if smiling even with clenching of angry teeth.
- In time, captain, in time. Let them laugh for now. Once we turn towards Egypt, I will not stop until they are crushed. Some traders from that travel through our realm still choose Samarkand and Alexandria, due to religion most likely. I will make sure there are no trade centers left other than Oirat's.
- Samarkand, my Khan?
-In time, captain. I told you I wish to elevate my title somehow. In any case, that means all other Mongol rulers or realms formed from Mongol empire need to accept it, Timurids included. I will not use diplomacy.
- So when you say other Mongol realms, you mean...
They were interrupted by shouts. One warrior rode close to them from behind and announced a messenger. Galdan replied to let the messenger ride close. He will listen to him without stopping the march. Messenger arrived soon and had some shocking news.
- Greetings, my Khan, I bring news from east. We are in war with Ming again as you know, and they sent two armies north-east to siege Hinggan and Haixi. But general Zaya of Eastern Army decided to abandon guarding Manchu and Korean lands, marched around Ming armies and went into Chinese lands. He sent messengers throughout the realm to inform everyone of his decision before entering Xilin Gol.
- What?! - "Young" Radi screamed out in surprise, while Galdan just kept half-opened mouth in disbelief. Messenger quickly proceeded with explanations.
- Spies, my Khan. Our spies informed us that Ming dynasty lost Mandate of Heaven! People are protesting and refusing to pay taxes. Nationalists are rallying up, and there are at least 2 open rebellions from peasants. We received same news from all over.
Galdan's face went from stupid surprise to focused with narrowed eyebrows.
- And he decided to simply move into their territory? Does he thinks he is Heraclius?
Both messenger and Radi looked confused. Radi gave Galdan confused look, but Galdan just waived his hand.
- Doesn't matter. I spent too much time with scholars as a child.
He then gave a sign with hand and rode outside of marching column, accompanied by dozen of guards, his blood-brother and captain Radi. Messenger followed and they formed a circle beside the moving column. Galdan motioned to wait. Soon, rest of sergeants broke of from their positions in column and hastened to the circle. Then Galdan spoke.
- I want you all to hear this. Messenger from east is informing us that Mings have lost Mandate of Heaven. And that general Zaya abandoned his defensive position. Where is our army now?
- I can only assume they already reached Beijing, my Khan.
Most of sergeants gave sounds of surprise and rejection.
- What is general Zaya's intention?
- To avoid any direct clash with their armies and not even go close to any city. Plan is to go through whole China, while our scouts monitor movement of their troops. As many provinces should be looted and as many villages should be deprived of food and any valuables that might be found. No unnecessary killings, preferably no killings at all, as long as villagers don't resist. General Zaya wants to reach south-west part of China and simply exit through Tibet.
- Bhutan. And our scouts are allowed to move through Bhutan?
- There are paths suitable for horses, my Khan. And guard-posts there do not reject coins.
Galdan nodded and started to think about it. Zaya, new general of Eastern Army, appointed by general Dayan himself as his successor. But this unwise bravery is not completely unwise. Even though his army is small to pose any direct danger to Ming, it will serve to further destabilize the lands. Take food without killing people, so Mings have more hungry rebellious peasants to worry about. General Zaya might prove to be smart instead of reckless. Galdan had no plans for the east, but there is too much friction going on there now. And he hated idea of having to accept defeats to gain few cease-fires with Mings like his father did. He hated idea of accepting defeat without the fight as much as every Mongol did. In any case, there is no hurry. Ming won't be able to deal with the situation soon, and Oirats are not capable of involving in China now.
While he was thinking, more and more sergeants were voicing dissatisfaction. Some of them were quiet, but those that spoke agreed that general Zaya will get all his men killed for no real gain. They were all fine and brave warriors, excellent at judging tides and opportunities during the battle. But on larger scale, they were as wise as their horses were. Perhaps his father was right after all to allow him to spend time with books and scholars in his youth.
Eventually, "Young" Radi spoke to Galdan.
- My Khan, should we proclaim general Zaya a traitor and send voice that he should be imprisoned and new general appointed to Eastern Army?
Galdan looked at him in disbelief. He was great influence on men, but no too much of adviser for strategy. However, he will prove more than useful afterwards when men start to have similar reactions.
- A traitor?! For what? For bravery? I have not punished men for bravery before, I do not plan to start now either. He is young and hungry for victories. General Dayan brought down two realms and kept them at bay, an accomplished leader we can all agree. But general Zaya got already broken realms to guard. Staying idle is rotting on the edge of the world for him. As far as we know, Manchurians and Koreans won't think of attempting new rebellion soon, and if what spies have told him is true...
During his speech, there were many eyes glanced toward sergeant Qayshan, who remained unblinking.
Tough old wolf. But he didn't blink on much harder occasions.
- Is our Mongolian Army still playing hide-and-seek with Punjab?
Somebody confirmed. Galdan turned to messenger.
- Organize with scouts in Mongolia to move to Ming south-west border. Eastern army must not leave China through Bhutan, but move more south towards Buddhist lands. I wanna know what is going on there. I hear Assam and Nepal consider to be in war with Oirats, so there must be some garrisons there still loyal to Oirats. Also, on your way back, pass my instructions to garrisons around Turkestan to raise more cavalry that is to join Mongolian Army. We will need this army at full
tumen strength soon.
Galdan dismissed him and messenger rode away.
- Men, I do not think general Zaya is completely reckless. If he gathered words of China first, he knows what he is doing. His army can't be destroyed unless he ends up cornered, and he will surely find many ways to leave Ming lands evading the enemy. If he succeeds in his intentions, there will be more peasants rebelling and I like that possibility. Think about that, and let's continue our march.
He rode away without waiting for any reply. There was no advice to be heard from them anyway. His party followed him and they rejoined the marching column. Galdan was still turning around the situation on the east in his mind, when "Young" Radi interrupted him.
- My Khan...
Something in captain's voice sounded like uncertainty, which made Galdan stop thinking of China and focus his full attention on his words. He just looked at captain.
- I am not sure how to say this. That night, dinner at Bersh. I though a lot about your decision to spare sergeant Qayshan. I was very surprised, everyone was. I think every soldier in army was in disbelief and I'm sure same must have happened throughout the realm. People were almost willing to call you weak, except that you executed everyone else involved. Naturally, I manage to handle men wherever I was present. But it went on for a while.
- And then?
- And then you made sure that everyone knows about Qayshan's bravery against Azerbaijani rebels. They were numerous, and he and his
mingghan charged and broke their ranks. We used that moment to press and route their entire army. Now it seems that he is hero of the battle, even though he was against you.
- And result is?
- It seems that this increased your authority. Old and respected sergeant accused you of wrong ways, but fighting your battles with you now proves that he was wrong. As you may guess, I pushed men on many occasions towards that conclusion. It removes any shadow on your prestige and boosts their morale to fight for powerful Khan.
- And all this was already clear. So why talking about it?
- Well, it was a risky move, my Khan. Men could have gone over the edge of deeming you a coward. And armies would rebel.
- Which is why it was important for all sergeants to be present when the plot unraveled. So they can see my determination when dealing with Tsewang and hear my reasoning for Qayshan. Men are less willing to go "over the edge" as you said it, if their direct leaders are against it. Chain of events, captain. Sergeants and advisers keep my army from rebelling, other armies see that Central Army doesn't rebel. And there you have it. It is enough if men are undecided for a while, and when I am proved right they are back on my side with bigger determination. Like with every battle.
- I see. You are very clever, my Khan. Far more than Khan Esen was. Still, your father wouldn't risk that much.
- I know. And he managed to create huge empire that way. But I want to conquer the whole world. Can I do it without risky moves, captain?
Captain's smile went a bit wider.
- Surely not, my Khan. Surely not.
- And I feel same about general Zaya. It is risky move, might cost us one
tumen and provinces on far east that we fought so long to gain and contain. But in the end, it is just one
tumen. And we will regain Manchu and Korea if we lose them, I have not a single worry about that. But if he succeeds to add to Ming's destabilization, they may be crippled for decades. Which opens many possibilities, one at least being that we won't have to struggle against them like my father did. It is risky, surely, but risky doesn't have to be reckless. And it sounded like he has a good plan. Avoiding any direct conflict should be doable, and we will know much more of situation in China when looting is over.
Captain just nodded and kept riding. He was very good at judging the man and somehow managed to guess whatever man was thinking of or was worried about. Not so good with strategy, but then again no other warrior was. After he is explained the strategy, he does great job at keeping people's opinion controlled. And always keeping at least a short smile on his face.
- Captain...
- My Khan?
It was Galdan's turn to have uncertainty in his voice, which didn't pass unnoticed.
- I wanted to ask you. That night during the dinner. I had to keep my focus on Tsewang and Qayshan. I couldn't spare to look at you. I wonder... the only time I saw you with serious face was when my father died. Was that night the second time?
Captain burst into laughter without providing an answer.