Chapter 86 : The Counterattack of the Nomadic Empire

Once upon a time,in East Asia on Earth during the era when Joseon and Ming China still thrived, there was a saying:

“If ten thousand Jurchen soldiers gather, there is no one in the world who can stand against them.”

Everyone knows who the Jurchens were.

A nomadic people who lived long ago in the land of Manchuria.

They were the very force that attacked the weakened Central Plains after the Imjin War and established the Qing dynasty.

This saying clearly expresses their innate combat power and potential.

“How many peoples can stand against a nation with just a single division worth of manpower?”

Around them, great powers have mobilized armies of hundreds of thousands for centuries.

There are forces that wage total war with tens of thousands of cavalry and hundreds of thousands of infantry.

Yet, the fact that just gathering 10,000 can match them means they are born warriors and human weapons.

“But the problem is that it’s hard for them to unite to that extent.”

At the same time, this saying reveals the inherent limitation of nomadic peoples.

They are strong when united, but it is difficult to unite.

Technically and politically.

“If it were easy, civilization wouldn’t have developed. Everything would have been crushed under hooves and burned down.”

After the fall of the Jin dynasty, the Jurchens were unable to rise for hundreds of years.

At best, a few small tribes rampaged without much awareness.

Even considering their harsh defeat by the Yuan dynasty that shattered their civilization, and constant checks from neighboring countries,they lived suppressed for an excessively long time.

That’s how difficult it is for nomads to unite.

Living by herding in harsh lands, they only form loose alliances,and it’s nearly impossible to pursue anything beyond that.

“This is no different in another world.”

Here too, it’s not much different.

There are hundreds of tribes on the Great Steppe, but times when they united as one could be counted on one hand.

Whenever they succeeded, it was always the era when a nomadic empire rose to power.

Yes, that must have been the case.

“Welcome, Kalia! You’ve gotten quite alluring in just a few months.”

“Ah, hyung-nim, seriously… saying that so openly to your youngest sister is too perverted.”

“It’s the truth, what can I say.”

The vast group that arrived with the three of us, including the saintess, easily numbered over a hundred thousand.

It wasn’t just the Mahdi Ulus.

The group we saw last time was less than half this size.

In other words, even the tribes who had pledged allegiance to my father-in-law were gathered here.

My goodness.

I’d heard he made good use of Juche ideology.

He really hit the jackpot.

As I was stunned, a strange conversation was happening nearby.

“Brother, have you been well all this time?”

“I’m always healthy. More importantly, how is family planning going? I saw you holding hands with Ishmael.”

“…We’re still holding back. It wouldn’t be good to get pregnant before the grand plan.”

“That can’t be helped.”

Uh, Kalia?

Are you really restraining yourself from double-digit conceptions per day?

Your husband’s stamina must be drained.

“Who’s that woman looking around? I don’t recognize her.”

“That’s the saintess. The one I reported about before.”

“A precious guest has arrived.”

Anyway, enough small talk.

After a brief greeting, we were immediately led to the center of the group —to the largest ger, where the Mahdi stayed.

*****

“Long time no see, son-in-law. You’ve… gotten quite big, huh? Started strength training or something?”

“Yes. If I don’t, I feel like I can’t even hold up in bed at night.”

“…That must be tough. I have some herbs that are good for replenishing energy. Want me to share some?”

“I’d be grateful if you did.”

We exchanged comfort only those with very passionate wives could understand.

Then we got straight to the point.

We had spent a lot of time getting here, but we couldn’t waste days with feasts and rest.

“I heard the story on the way. Why are you aiming to attack Artium?”

“I’m going to execute the strategy you proposed. Those guys are the right target.”

Before, the Mahdi had asked me to establish a plan for the organization and the tribes’ future direction.

So… I made this suggestion:

“According to the flow of future situations, strike at weakened neighboring countries. Target their military weaknesses or gaps in their defense lines, gain the maximum results, and expand territory.”

In other words, watch the others fight among themselves, and beat up the easy prey.

Avoid direct confrontations with powerful enemies that bring unnecessary losses.

In Mahdi’s view, that powerful enemy was the Artium Empire.

“Have you set your tactics?”

“Roughly, yes. I marked it on the map over there.”

I looked at the map hanging on the ger’s wall.

It was crude compared to modern maps, but still quite detailed for military use, showing various units and advance routes.

“While the third, Daishan, and the fourth, Nurhaci, infiltrate with special forces from the east, Attila and I will lure the enemy from the front. And Timur’s—”

I only pretended to listen to the explanation.

Even if I heard it, I wouldn’t understand the meaning.

Seeing that it was complex and included contingency plans, it seemed they had prepared thoroughly.

“Have you thought about attacking Navre? A large-scale rebellion broke out, so their border defenses must be weak.”

“If we poke there, we’d be the only ones suffering. When they fight among themselves, if outsiders interfere, the hatred turns towards the outsiders.”

That’s true.

Even when people fight among themselves, if an external force interferes, humans naturally unite.

“And there’s also the problem of epidemics.”

“Epidemics?”

“If we go to a densely populated country like Navre, all our warriors will end up infected.”

There’s also the headache of plagues here.

Chronol and Horde still haven’t lost momentum and keep increasing infections everywhere.

Most nomads on the Great Steppe have no immunity to it.

Since their usual lifestyle isn’t very hygienic, if one catches it, it will spread rapidly in all directions.

Especially in densely populated Navre, the risk skyrockets like crazy.

If we’re not careful, the forces we painstakingly gathered could be wiped out in one blow.

“In contrast, Artium has vast land. Even if they roam freely, the chance of catching disease is low.”

What about Artium?

It’s a country with huge land but few people.

Transport is inconvenient, so there’s little exchange between regions; even if a rebellion breaks out, it’s hard to find those who flee to the countryside.

Thanks to this, Artium suffered the least from epidemics among countries.

There’s no environment for the disease to spread.

Instead, it’s a problem that they get crushed badly in wars and destroy themselves through political fights.

So even if they wreck stuff and their cavalry rampages around, there’s little risk of being wiped out by disease.

“I understand.”

I nodded.

The reason for targeting and the implementation plan were reasonable enough.

Except for the part where I didn’t see why we needed to be involved.

“Then what should Kalia and I do? We don’t really have any troops under our command.”

“I called you here to ask for advice. We’re good at fighting, but not confident in civil affairs or governance.”

The Mahdi shrugged his shoulders and made a slightly disappointed face, as if lamenting, while offering a cup of sour traditional liquor.

“I’ve never ruled over people who farm the fields and build cities. Even if we conquer them, I don’t know how to manage them.”

“True, we haven’t expanded beyond the Great Steppe in recent times.”

“If we leave it to the underlings, they’ll only massacre and loot… you know that too, right?”

“I understand.”

For forces that suddenly expand, that’s always how it goes.

Because they didn’t know efficient governance, they blindly exploited the people, which led to rebellions, and then tried to suppress those rebellions with violence — only to fail.

Endlessly repeating this vicious cycle, once their power is drained, collapse is inevitable.

“Leave it to me. This is my area of expertise.”

But I am different.

I know the examples of countless conquered empires.

I have the ability to take only the strengths from their records and legacies.

‘I didn’t become a professor for show.’

I even wrote a thesis on the social structure and systemic stability of the Yuan and Qing dynasties.

Even if I haven’t directly governed, creating policies and establishing administrative systems is nothing to me.

If managed properly, I can build a system that lasts for centuries.

“Oh, and—”

“??”

“When you conquer, you will surely encounter demon tribes. Kalia and you should recruit them. Arm them and make them our allies. That would be helpful.”

“I’ll do my best on that as well.”

Our grand strategy includes uniting the demon tribes to establish an independent nation and turn them into friendly forces.

Fortunately, many demon tribes live in the Artium Empire, so using them as a foundation should be good.

“Probably if Kalia leads them, they’ll cooperate actively… no, I’ll confirm that later.”

I don’t know why he stopped mid-sentence, but since I’ve been given the mission, I’ll do my best.

“When is the departure?”

“The day after tomorrow morning. Rest well until then. We’ll have to run hard for a while.”

*****

The day the glorious expedition begins.

Click.

Mahdi Lisan stood on a platform made of stacked firewood.

Before tens of thousands of tribesmen, allied forces, and loyal subjects swearing allegiance.

“Fellow countrymen! The time has finally come! The day to repay the long and bitter suffering we have endured!”

Since the death of the great Jaqatai Khan and the fall of the first nomadic empire, nomads have always been the weak.

They suffered endlessly, harassed by neighbors, attacked, or plundered.

Occasionally, outstanding leaders tried to change the situation, but their efforts always ended in miserable failure.

“The great warriors of the steppe have gathered here with one mind.

This army, greater than anyone before me—even the great Jaqatai—stands here now!

The united power of the steppe is overwhelming, and there is no one in the world who can stop this force!!”

But now, it’s different.

Under Mahdi Lisan and his Ulus, most of the nomadic forces have united.

In sheer size, this is the greatest force ever assembled in history.

From now on, this power will be projected outward—against the oppressors who have tormented and strangled the steppe.

“I won’t speak long. Warriors! Mount your saddles! Strap your swords at your hips and hold rockets in your hands! We will seize the world through fire and gunpowder!!”

“Waaaaah!!”

“For the glory of the Great Steppe! Long live Mahdi!”

With a pleased expression, Mahdi looked over his people, then pointed with his finger and gave orders.

“My eldest son, Attila! You will lead the vanguard! Take my second son, Subutai, as your deputy!”

“Yes! I will never disappoint you, Father!”

Immediately after, the great nomadic army of 170,000 began their advance in unison toward the mountain ranges beyond the north.