Ch.221Island Conquest (2)

# The Kurultai Declares War on the Islands

The kurultai hosted by Gurkhan declared a campaign against the islands.

All soldiers prepared to take up arms and enter battle under the orders of the Khagan, who was also Emperor, Basileus, and Shahanshah.

“To participate in the Khagan’s great expedition… what an honor!”

“Right. If we join this campaign, we can finally enter the mainstream of the Ulus!”

Soldiers from Iran, the Middle East, and Anatolia spoke excitedly, burning with fighting spirit.

As people from conquered territories, they faced many restrictions in advancing their careers, whether they realized it or not.

The biggest restriction was that they couldn’t join arbans led by Mongols, Western Liao people, or Goryeo people.

Arban was a term for a basic military unit consisting of 10 men.

These men were essentially brothers, and unless one joined an arban led by Mongols, who were the ruling class of the Ulus, it was difficult to participate in proper battles.

By “proper battles,” they meant combat where one could achieve military merit, not just being used as arrow fodder in expendable warfare.

Soldiers from conquered territories were mostly assigned to kerik or qarauna units.

In the case of kerik, which consisted mostly of agricultural peoples like those from Western Xia or Han Chinese, there was severe discrimination.

As for the qaraunas, they were specialized looting units, so while one could obtain many treasures, it was extremely difficult to achieve military merit and advance in rank.

In ordinary countries, one might use looted treasures to bribe high officials and advance in position.

However, in the Ulus, offering or accepting bribes resulted in having one’s wrists cut off and the extermination of three generations of one’s family, so those in power refused bribes.

In conclusion, for foreigners from conquered territories to succeed, they had to achieve military merit.

And to achieve that merit, they absolutely had to join arbans led by Mongols, Western Liao people, or Goryeo people.

For this Japanese expedition, the allied nation of Goryeo was expected to provide transport ships and warships.

As a result, many Goryeo-born commanders of ten were set to participate. These foreigners had no intention of missing this opportunity for social advancement.

“I want to join an arban led by someone from Western Liao. We might not speak the same language, but at least we’re the same ethnicity.”

“This battle will focus on naval warfare. Wouldn’t it be better to join a unit with a Goryeo commander who’s skilled in naval combat?”

“You guys don’t get it. The ruling class of the Ulus is Mongol, right? So obviously, it’s best to join a unit with a Mongol commander.”

The three soldiers gathered their weapons while talking.

While the Ulus warriors received weapons from the state, they also tended to bring personal weapons.

This was due to a superstition that weapons gifted by family would protect them.

Because of this, some soldiers even brought extra arrows besides those supplied by the state.

“Arrows decorated with quail feathers are more visible, which is good.”

“This friend doesn’t know anything. For arrows, stability is key—those made with duck feathers are the most stable.”

The soldiers shared their experiences with each other.

Though these were small actions, such behaviors were making the Ulus soldiers even stronger.

Anyway, just as the soldiers finished preparing for war, a recruitment officer stood before them.

He shouted in a loud voice:

“The ruler of the steppes, who is Emperor, Basileus, and Shahanshah, Gurkhan, has declared a campaign against the villainous islanders. I encourage all men of the Ulus who can bear arms to respond to this great expedition.”

Uniquely, this expedition didn’t involve forced conscription.

They would first accept volunteers and then draft additional troops if needed.

The reason for this cumbersome method was largely to respond quickly to any sudden actions from the Song Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty had sworn not to intervene in the conflict between the Ulus and Japan.

However, they might suddenly deploy troops to hinder the Ulus when Japan was about to fall.

To prepare for this, the Ulus decided not to commit all its forces to the Japanese expedition.

This might seem reckless, but it was possible because of support from their allies, Goryeo and Liaodong.

While Goryeo and Liaodong weren’t providing ground troops, they were essentially supporting most of the forces needed for naval warfare.

The key to conquering the islands was obviously naval warfare.

Once troops landed after this naval battle, it would be fair to say that half the conquest of the islands was complete.

That’s how much support Goryeo and Liaodong were providing.

Additionally, there was potential support from the Mongol Pirates if necessary, so from the Ulus’s perspective, there was no reason to implement forced conscription now.

“I will respond!”

“I will obey the divine mandate!”

“Give me a chance to achieve military merit!”

Despite this, many soldiers wanted to participate in battle.

As mentioned earlier, the fastest way for foreigners like them to advance was to achieve military merit.

The Ulus was more generous than other countries regarding foreigners entering politics.

Even those from conquered territories could become high officials if they had ability.

With such paths to success open, it was inevitable that many would volunteer.

“Those who wish to join the expedition, line up in front.”

At the recruitment officer’s words, young men eager to join the war formed a line.

At the very front were the soldiers from Iran, the Middle East, and Anatolia who had been chatting earlier.

“First, I want to thank you for responding to Gurkhan’s call.”

The recruitment officer said this while handing out papers.

Seeing this, the soldier tilted his head and looked at the recruitment officer.

“What is this?”

“It’s a contract. If you participate in this expedition, you’ll receive pay. You can choose to receive a base salary or share in the spoils of war from Japan based on your military achievements.”

“Is… is that possible?”

“Of course it’s possible. Additionally, if you die, whatever wages you’ve earned will go to your family. So it’s best to write your home address accurately here at the bottom.”

“Even if I die… the spoils will go to my family…”

The Iranian soldier blinked at these incredible benefits.

Unlike him, who was moved by this, the Anatolian soldier was calmly signing the document.

This was because such practices were already common in the Anatolian peninsula.

More precisely, since this system had existed since Roman times, it wasn’t unusual to him.

Anyway, the moved Iranian soldier signed the document.

Seeing this, the recruitment officer gave him a copy of the document and was about to hand him another form.

“Can I keep this?”

“Yes. This is a copy that you should keep.”

“Just giving away paper… I guess the Ulus produces a lot of paper?”

“That’s right. We import it from the Song Dynasty and also bring it from Iran.”

Usually, people would refer to it as Persia rather than Iran, unless they were from Iran.

So the Iranian soldier couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Iran… are you also from Iran?”

The Iranian soldier blinked.

At his words, the recruitment officer smiled as if to say “now you get it.”

“Yes. I’m also from Iran.”

“Being from Iran, how did you become a recruitment officer, which only Mongols do…”

“Haha. I was able to become a recruitment officer thanks to achieving military merit in an arban led by a Goryeo commander of ten. He became my anda, essentially family.”

As mentioned earlier, the decimal organization system encompassed the entire social and military structure of the Ulus.

As a result, those belonging to arbans lived like brothers or family regardless of origin, region, or age.

“Anyway, please look at this document carefully.”

The Iranian soldier nodded as he looked at the document handed by the recruitment officer.

This document allowed him to choose which arban he wanted to join.

“You won’t necessarily join the arban you choose, but most people end up in their first choice.”

“I see. Then…”

The Iranian soldier fell into thought for a moment.

And soon made his decision.

“An arban led by Kim Atkabuka… you’ve chosen well. There will be many naval battles in this campaign, so if you survive, you’ll become someone who can lead an independent arban.”

The recruitment officer said this as he returned the document.

The Iranian soldier nodded as he received it.

And following the recruitment officer’s guidance, he made his way to the training ground behind.

* * *

“There are more people applying to enlist than expected, brother.”

“Indeed.”

I nodded at Munglig’s words.

Since this was the medieval period, forced conscription was common.

The reason for such forced conscription was simply that there weren’t many people who wanted to join the army.

Even in modern times, those who voluntarily enlisted could be counted on one hand.

So naturally, medieval armies with worse conditions had almost no one wanting to enlist.

This was the general belief.

“I think it’s because as conquered territories have increased, more people have been incorporated as subjects, and they have strong desires to make names for themselves.”

Though I explained at length, the summary was simple.

People from newly incorporated regions had a desire to succeed.

And they were choosing the army—dangerous but the fastest path to success—even if it meant risking their lives.

“Brother, you don’t need to explain it so elaborately.”

“Do you have to criticize me like that?”

“Haha. I’m just joking. Just a joke.”

I sighed at Munglig’s teasing.

Anyway, what was important now wasn’t this.

What mattered was that all resources needed for the Japanese expedition had been gathered.

All that remained was to conquer the islands.

“Can we depart tomorrow?”

At this, Munglig changed his expression and showed proper respect.

“Of course, Lord of the Four Seas.”

I nodded.

And rising to my feet, I shouted loudly:

“Inform all troops. We head for the Japanese islands tomorrow!”