Chapter 223: The Opening Move

The campaign map at the center of the table had a rough sketch of the western steppes, the Rus territories and further into the continent. Batu kept his attention on the princes as he spoke, watching for reactions reactions the way he had since entering the room.

He started with a stern tone, "The campaign will move west without a break, and without stopping until it becomes impossible to keep forward.

Batu set both hands on the table, "First the Rus. Ryazan, Vladimir, Chernigov, Kiev and the principalities between them. Once the Rus is dealt with, the army crosses the forest and mountains onto the Majar plain. After Majar, the Lach territory to the north. Beyond that, the campaign goes as far as its momentum allows."

The objective was clear. "We’ve named the Western Ocean as the limit."

The territories lay between them on the map, rough charcoal boundaries standing in for distances every man at the table had already studied. The Majar plain, beyond the mountains, stretched far from their current position. No one remarked on the scale of it. Each prince was weighing the distance against what he already knew of the campaign purpose.

Subutai spoke next, addressing the princes directly because the problem belonged to every part of the army.

His tone was neutral, of an experienced commander, "A force this size strips everything behind it within days. If we stop, the army will consume itself, for logistics decides that quickly if commanders do not. Keep advancing, and the army feeds from the country ahead. Stop in front of a target, and daily consumption starts draining reserves that cannot be replaced in the field. Every week spent stationary may cost ground the campaign never recovers. Speed is above everything else here."

Toqa-Timur studied the western half of the map, looking beyond the Rus markings toward the land past the mountain passes.

"The Majar plain is the right terrain for this army, flat and open."

From the Ogedeid table, Qadan traced the campaign’s path from south to north, considering any weak points.

"Ryazan is the first city we strike?"

"Yes." Batu replied.

Baidar, behind Büri in the Chagataid section, looked toward the routes linking Rus territory to the Majar plain.

"The mountain trails into Majar. Have we confirmed which routes are actually usable?"

"We have men sent to the location. We’ll cover them when we reach the post-Rus phase."

Batu shifted his hand toward the Oka River marked on the map.

"The opening move comes first."

He rested his hand on the Oka’s position. "The Jochid army will cross the river in spring and advance on Ryazan from the south. The Ogedeid and Chagataid tumens take position along the roads north toward Vladimir-Suzdal. Their goal is to intercept any reinforcement force the Grand Prince might send."

His hand moved across the map. "The Toluid force covers the region south toward Chernigov. Their goal is the same. Then, Ryazan stands isolated when we arrive."

The table absorbed the explanation. The princes fit their roles into the plan. In the brief silence that followed, Batu could already read the Ogedeid section.

Güyük spoke first.

His voice remained composed, practical. "The Ogedeid section has four thousand Jin specialists who’ve taken fortified cities before. Posting them on a road to watch a Rus prince who likely won’t march south wastes the one capability in this army the Rus fortifications may actually require. Those men belong at Ryazan."

The argument landed on the table and stayed there. The tactical point was real. Used purely as siege assets, the specialists were more valuable at a city than on a blocking contingent. Everyone present understood that.

Then Büri spoke from the Chagataid section. "The Chagataid cavalry is built for maneuver in open ground. A static blocking deployment on a road doesn’t use our strengths. Give us a second route of advance and we force the Rus to split their attention. On one road, we’re an obstacle. On a separate assault, we’re a threat they can’t ignore."

Both faction wanted a city to attack instead of a road to hold. The reasoning behind both arguments was solid enough that Batu could not dismiss them out of hand.

Möngke spoke before he answered.

There was no anger in his tone. "The kurultai appointed a campaign commander. To be against his commands is to be against the ancestral tradition of our people."

He stopped there. He laid out the situation the way a man confirmed weather or distance.

Güyük lowered his eyes to the campaign map.

Büri flicked a glance toward Baidar, then returned his attention to the map. His acceptance came cleaner. He had made his point. The point had been answered. The discussion moved on.

"Remember momentum is the key for this campaign."

Batu said, addressing both factions alike. "If Ryazan is taken before the princes can even amass a relief force, they are caught off-guard without a discernment of the invasion. Every principality will act conservatively, searching for news before acting recklessly. That will be the window of opportunity to split the army in and sweep through every city that resists."

He let that sit a moment before continuing. "The Ogedeid siege specialists will have work in the next cities. The Rus isn’t made of only Ryazan. And the Chagataid cavalry will have its opportunity to assault any relief force caught in between their home city and a razed Ryazan."

The room found its rhythm again. The objection had been addressed. The assignments remained fixed.

Orda studied the map, "Then Ryazan is razed and the Ogedeid, Chagataid and Toluid tumens are free from their deployments. How will we proceed thereafter?"

Batu looked around the table. "By sweeping every principality into the steppe momentum. From the opening move, the entire army will split into left wing, center and right wing to push and take every city on their paths until they regroup at Kiev."

He looked back to the map.

"Let me walk you through the sequence."