1797
Empire of Tatarstan - Yediublugh - Imperial Palace
Khan Boroghul
Khan of Tatarstan
The Empire of Tatarstan always held an unique position in Europe. It was ruled by 'Orientals' - as Westerners called the descendants of the Mongol horsemen who swept the steppes of Eastern Europe. It was an Islamic Empire in a Christian continent. The Mongols, once the Scourge of Islam, had converted to that faith. The skylines of Eastern European cities were dominated by Mosques, whose Imams loudly called for prayer. A Grand Mufti in the capital of Yediublugh ensured that the Empire enforced Islamic Law.
The Empire was far more totalitarian than even the most absolute monarchy of Europe. Everything in Tatarstan centered around the person of the Khan. His Imperial Court was perhaps the most exquisite and decadent in Europe. Eunuchs - slaves from the Caucasus - served the Khan and enforced strict protocol. Those who entered the Throne Chamber were expected to fall on their knees and remained bowed before the Khan for as long as they remained in the room. The Khan had a harem of hundreds of beautiful - but veiled - women. This harem long dazzled and intrigued Western Europeans.
The Khan wasn't simply a terrestrial overlord. He claimed Caliphal authority. As Lord of the largest Islamic Empire, he claimed leadership of the House of Islam. The Khan was, thus, the defender of Islam and Muslims everywhere. He was also responsible for expanding Islam by waging war against the House of War, the land of the infidels. In practice, though, the Khans of Tatarstan used this ideology of Jihad only when it suited their interests. When it didn't, the Tatars were more than happy to make deals with the infidels and live at peace with them.
The Empire, though, wasn't a purely Mongol enterprise. It could not, as the majority of the population belonged to various Slavic ethnic groups. Over the centuries, the Slavs of the Empire had converted to Islam. The Orthodox religion had become marginalized and was followed by a small minority. The Slavs of Tatarstan were not fully accepted as Europeans either by most in the West. Even though their appearance was European, the fact that they followed the Muslim faith made them appear 'alien' to Westerners. While only Mongols could become Viziers, the rest of public offices had become open to Slavs.
Iskander Suvorov
Generalissimo of Tatarstan
As a result, much of the mid and lower administration - as well as much of the military - was dominated by Slavs. The military leadership of Tatarstan - staffed mostly by Slavs - had undergone reforms to become more 'Europeanized' and modern. Even though Tatarstan was still not as modernized as the rest of Europe, it was trying its best to catch up. Military officers were no longer wearing traditional war-armors but rather officers' uniforms copied from the West.
"Generalissimo Suvorov has arrived!" an young eunuch announced in his high-pitched voice.
Generalissimo Iskander Suvorov walked inside the Imperial Chamber. As protocol demanded, he fell on his knees and bowed deeply before the Khan. This scene captured the synthesis of Tatarstan; a Slav dressed in a Europeanized officers' uniform bowing before a Mongol Khan wearing a traditional black robe embroidered with a golden Dragon.
The Grand Mufti of the Empire, Torgaljin, was standing beside the Khan. The Grand Mufti wasn't simply a spiritual adviser but also one of the highest officials in the Imperial Court. He was thus consulted on domestic and foreign affairs too and his opinion was highly valued by the Khan.
The Khan with a motion of his hand called the eunuch beside him and whispered something into his ear. "You may rise!" the eunuch announced. Suvorov was nearing his seventies and the Khan was willing to be lenient towards him, allowing him to stand up.
"Thank you," Suvorov said, "your Imperial Majesty."
"Troubling news come from the West," Khan Boroghul said. "The radicals in France have managed so far to retain their hold on power and to repel the coalition arrayed against them. You are my most trusted military adviser. I grant you the permission to speak freely and outside standard protocol."
Torgaljin
Grand Mufti of Tatarstan
The Generalissimo nodded. "Your Imperial Majesty, we cannot let those radicals undermine proper order lest their anarchic ideas spread further to the East. At the same time, though, I am not sure the Christians would accept our help against France. They've always been suspicious of our Empire. My proposal is that for the time being we let the French and the Christians fight amongst themselves. If the Christians defeat France, then it is good for our Empire as proper order will have been restored and radicalism will have been defeated. If the French keep defeating the Christians, then that too would be good for our Empire for our neighbors will have been weakened and forced to accept us as a leading power in the West in exchange for our help. Then we can crush the French. In both cases, the Empire will be victorious."
The Grand Mufti lowered his head before the Khan. "Your Imperial Majesty, permission to speak?"
"You have it," the Khan nodded.
"I concur with the Generalissimo that we must remain neutral for now," Torgaljin said. "However, I disagree with the esteemed Generalissimo in that I am against the Empire involving itself in the war against France eventually. I agree that the radicals are a demonic force that must be opposed, but I do not believe we should be making agreements with the infidels. Instead, when the infidels have been weakened by the war against France, I believe we should use the chance to expand the House of Islam."
"With all due respect your Eminence," Suvorov spoke, "I believe that the Empire has more to gain by acting as the defender of proper order instead of grabbing some more land. We could impose ourselves as the grand power in Europe that defends order against anarchy and chaos. That's why I believe that sooner or later we should wage war against France."
The Khan with a motion of his hand ordered both men to remain silent. "Since both of you agree that we should remain neutral for the time being, that is what we shall do. We shall not involve ourselves in the affairs of the West yet. When the time comes, we will decide if we shall wage Jihad against the Christians or war against the radicals of France. But for the time being we shall be lurking and waiting for the opportune moment."