Tokhtamysh II : Part 2
So far the fuss about the reabsorbtion of the Russian Khanate back into the area controlled from Astrakhan had more or less overshadowed the ascension of Tokhtamysh II. This wasn't due entirely to the importance of the events but also as much due to the rather unremarkable nature of the Khan himself.
Fortunately the army, much rehearsed in the art of cutting rebels to pieces, was soon able to deal with the upstarts of the newly reacquired lands. Though the brief existence of the rebels proved costly as they ravaged the Russian plains.
Short lived but much damaging. Damned rebels.
Tokhtamysh soon proved his superior administrative skills. For years the Golden Horde had been confused by many with the colour thieves of Spain due to their similar colours on maps. In an effort to stop this and claim gold once again as a mark of greatness the new Khan proclaimed that from now on Spain would be painted purple only.
Spain A.K.A colour thieves before Tokhtamysh's law
The much improved map after the law change
Though the colour change was welcomed by all with much relief, there was a matter considered more pressing by most. That was the need for war. For too long Christian Europe had felt secure against the threat of conquest. It was something that needed urgent attention. In particular Austria presented itself as a ripe and tempting target. This alone though no longer constituted a just cause for war (
why the heirs of Genghis should be bound by what was just remained beyond Tokhtamysh). Neither Austria nor her ally Spain were providing any reason at all for the Horde to rampage across their lands. It was frustrating for the Khan who longed to try out his armies.
Then at long last came news from the west.
This was something that could not be tolerated. The oppression of minor European nations was a matter dear to Tokhtamysh's heart. Dear whenever, such aggression provided a cause for war that is. So at last the appropriate messages were despatched for Madrid and the armies began to prepare for war.