Chapter 25: The War of Public Opinion

Compared to the era of the Golden Horde, the Purple Horde Khanate exercised tighter control over the Rus principalities. This was because the Purple Horde held the various regions along the Black Sea coast as well as the lower reaches of the Don and Volga rivers, effectively mastering the latter half of the "Amber Road."

Goods from the East traveled across the Central Asian steppes to the Volga basin, where they merged with Persian commodities arriving from the Caucasus. Following the crisscrossing river networks of the Southern Russian regions, part of these goods headed west into the Black Sea, passing through the Great Metropolis to enter the Mediterranean world. Another portion traveled north into the heartland of the Rus principalities, or ventured further into the Baltic Sea, eventually flowing to the nations of the North Sea. Meanwhile, local specialties from the North Sea coast—stretching from London to Finland—along with furs, beeswax, and other resources provided by the Rus, also moved along this trade route, nourishing the cities along the way.

As long as Moscow played the role of a loyal lackey, it could reap exorbitant profits from the trade network spanning the entire Rus region. This was precisely why they remained so proactive, terrified that the Khan might deem them insufficiently loyal and bestow their privileges upon another city.

"In the eyes of other Rus people, Moscow’s reputation is abysmal," Li Xuanying said, pulling a small booklet from his sleeve. "Look at this. I obtained this script from their theater troupe. It is said to have been written by a Rus person. They felt this represented a current trend among the educated Rus, so they presented it to me immediately."

Guo Kang doubted whether it was appropriate to read such things inside the conference hall, but looking at Li Xuanying and the others, it did not seem to be a major issue. He turned his head toward his foster father, curious to see what he would say.

At that moment, Jón Ólafsson, the captain of the Kheshig quiver-bearers, walked in and greeted his foster father.

The quiver-bearers were guards of the Khan’s court, named for their privilege of carrying arrows in the presence of the Great Khan, and were theoretically responsible for daytime security. However, the quiver-bearers of the Purple Horde were not so formal; they were simply a palace guard unit with a grand-sounding title. Jón himself was not particularly skilled with a bow; he had been recruited for his mastery of the sword.

The two were quite familiar with each other and began chatting as soon as they met. Guo Kang tried to signal his foster father, but the latter did not notice at all—he invited Jón to sit opposite him, and the two began an arm-wrestling match right there in the conference hall.

"Never mind," Guo Kang said, turning to Li Xuanying, speechless. "Let me see the script."

He took the crudely bound booklet and saw that the cover was printed in Greek: *The Story of Saint Olga’s Resistance.*

Over the years, Guo Kang had learned Greek, so reading it was not too difficult. It was just that the title felt rather strange.

"What kind of story is this?" he asked.

"A script printed by the Rus, telling the story of a fictional Grand Duchess of Vladimir resisting the Khan’s rule," Li Xuanying explained. "Olga is a common female name among them, and there is indeed an Orthodox female saint by that name."

Guo Kang nodded. Fearing the meeting would start soon and he wouldn't have time to examine it thoroughly, he flipped to the end to see what kind of ending they had concocted. It contained rough dialogue and some annotations, likely added by others in the troupe. The final scene read:

"(Olga and Ivan walk out from a Persian trading post.)"
"Ivan: It’s so quiet. There are no Mongols on the street either; it’s a world of difference from Sarai."
"Grand Duchess Olga: Indeed. They have likely transferred the combat power of the Great Orda to Tsargrad."
"Ivan: But those things no longer matter."
"Grand Duchess Olga: Look at how happy you are."
"Ivan: Naturally. Everyone is saved, and Yegor has worked so hard. I, too, am a 'try-hard' knight!" (Referring to secretly joining the Teutonic Order.)
"Grand Duchess Olga: Yes, that is true. Everything we have done so far has not been in vain."

"(Walking out of the trading post, a carriage is parked at the entrance.)"
"Grand Duchess Olga: From here on out, as long as we do not stop our steps, the path will continue to stretch forward..." (Referring to the path of resisting the Great Orda.)
"(Sound of horse hooves. Olga turns back.)"
"(A high-end black carriage abruptly drives up. Three Mongol assassins jump out and fire arrows at the trio.)"
"(Nikolai is hit in the shoulder and falls. Olga shields Ivan with her own body.)"
"Ivan: Grand Duchess, what are you doing, Grand Duchess!"
"Grand Duchess Olga: Hmph, urgh, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"(Olga picks up a crossbow and returns fire, downing one assassin. The others, seeing the situation take a turn, drive off in a hurry.)"
"Grand Duchess Olga: (Panting) See? My aim is still quite accurate."
"Ivan: Gr... Grand Duchess... ah..."
"Grand Duchess Olga: Ivan, why are you making that sound?"
"(Orchestra plays.)"
"Ivan: But, but..."
"Grand Duchess Olga: I am Olga Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Vladimir. A few arrows are of no consequence."
"Ivan: Why... why would you protect someone like me..."
"Grand Duchess Olga: Protecting my vassals is my job."
"(Nikolai weeps.)"
"Ivan: But—"
"Grand Duchess Olga: Enough... you must go. Everyone is... waiting for you."
"Grand Duchess Olga: Also... Anastasia, I finally understand. We don't need a final destination; we just need to keep moving forward. As long as we don't stop, the path will continue to stretch..."
"(Olga stands up, clutching the crossbow, and takes a step.)"

"(Flashback: Olga’s memory.)"
"Anastasia: If it’s an apology, I won't forgive you."
"Grand Duchess Olga: Yes, I understand."
"(The two shake hands.)"
"(Hymns sound in the church, signifying the saint’s ascension.)"
"Grand Duchess Olga: Because I will not stop. As long as you do not stop, I will surely be there ahead of you!" (Referring to the saint leading the believers.)
"(Olga, heavily wounded, stumbles a few steps before collapsing into a pool of blood.)"
"So... don't you stop!" (Referring to continuing the uprising and resisting the Khanate’s rule.)
"(Olga points her finger forward.)"
"(Choir boys sing; the woman dies.)"
"(Scene change.)"
"Grand Duke of Moscow (Busy loading tribute for the Khan onto a carriage): Olga? (Indifferently)"

"..." Guo Kang did not know what to say for a moment.

"It is quite clear that a faction of the Rus is preparing to use this method to incite the masses against the Romans," Li Xuanying said. "I know theater well. The barrier to entry for this kind of thing is very low; even ordinary, barely literate citizens with a bit of spare change can go watch it. The content is very easy to spread and create an impact. We must be wary of this new trend."

"Can such an abrupt piece of trash really move the Rus people?" Guo Kang was deeply skeptical.

"This..." Li Xuanying scratched his head. "In any case, we must be cautious about this trend."