45 45 Benefits

(Stanisław Koniecpolski / Samuel Łaszcz POV)

"How is it po-possible, in th-th-three hundr-dr-dred pe-people, to overc-come ten th-thousand Tata-rs?" (Stanisław Koniecpolski)

"Hetman, there is no mistake. We also checked the place where he sent the Tatars, the whole earth was covered with blood, we also found several bodies nearby ... and there were also sacks with cut off hands and information from rescued people." (Samuel Łaszcz)

"I didn't ask th-that, I ask-ed how it was po-possible. If I ha-d known th-that Tatars could be defeate-ted in th-th-three hundr-dr-dred people, I wo-uld not ha-ve wa-ited for reinforcements, but would have attac-ked th-th-them with 1,400 pe-people." (Stanisław Koniecpolski)

"What I knew, I passed on, they sneaked into the camp, caused a commotion and captured Khan Temir ... What to do with the rest of the Tatars? We treat them like soldiers or robbers?" (Samuel Łaszcz)

"Like ro-robbe-rs, impa-pale th-em. I must wr-ite to the King and the Ro-royal C-c-council ... and ex-explain it so-somehow. Th-that some youngst-er was vi-ctori-rious, and the ar-my did not ev-even see the battlefi-field." (Stanisław Koniecpolski)

"We can always diminish the merits of Prince Jazłowiecki a little, or present these events a little differently." (Samuel Łaszcz)

"Too ma-ny witness-sses, I don't wa-nt the nobility to ta-tarni-sh my na-me afterw-rwards." (Stanisław Koniecpolski)

"Please trust me, I know how to do it." (Samuel Łaszcz)

(End POV)

It took us two weeks to return to Jazłowiec, and I was very pleased with how it all turned out, not only did I gain a bit of fame, I managed to recruit 600 Tatars which meant that I had a total of eight light cavalry companies, I also kept Khan Temir's tent for myself, though I'll have to clean it, blood stains spoiled its charm.

However, my biggest profit and my biggest pain were the horses, we managed to get 12,000 horses, at a price of 15 ducats per horse, I got 180,000 ducats, in theory. Because keeping them will not be cheap either, the only option will be to sell them or turn them into food. In Volhynia, I already had a large breeding farm, which I inherited after my grandfather's death, but these were horses mainly intended for hussars and for armored cavalry, Tatar horses were suitable only for light cavalry... but even the approach to the horse showed the beginning of the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ... forty or even thirty years ago, when someone was caught selling hussar horses abroad, he was sentenced to death and lost his property ... now he faced only a small fine.

I was sitting in my office as always, going through last month's reports provided by Secretary Kowalski ... everything looked normal. I contacted Jankiel and Aram with a proposal to sell 6,000 horses and a new order for gunpowder and raw materials for its production, I also did not forget about the production of Greek fire ... next year there will be another war with the Swedes and there will be a Cossack uprising led by Marek Żmajła... I wanted to be well prepared. I also had to decide which fight to get involved in ... but it was rather obvious that the war with the Swedes was much more important.

I called Secretary Kowalski and Saddata ... an hour later they were both sitting in my office.

"Saddat first I want to talk to you, you are responsible for the recruited Tatars. Tell them that I have designated a land where they can settle and start a family. I will also send builders from Jazłowiec so that the settlement will be built sooner, if they want to raise sheep, goats or horses, pastures will be provided at the beginning and funds for the purchase of animals. They can also build a mosque ... " (MC)

"Mosque? Jesus Christ ... devil's sons ... It's good that the old Lord didn't live to see it." (Secretary Kowalski)

I looked at my secretary ... I guess he realized I wasn't happy that he interrupted me.

"... that's what I give them, but now what I demand in return. Obedience and loyalty, obligatory military service when needed. Children of Tatars who settle down must attend school in Jazłowiec in the future, where they will learn to read and write... You can leave." (MC)

Saddat left my office, now it's just me and Secretary Kowalski. I tried to keep my tone calm and not show my emotions. I have known Kowalski all my life, I have seen him more than my father, but he had to understand that his gray beard did not give him the right to question my decisions.

"First thing, I don't like interruptions. You don't have to be happy with the fact that I settle in my lands, non-Christians, but that's my will and that should be the most important thing. You don't have to understand my decisions, you have to follow them. Of course, I will be happy to listen to any advice, which does not mean that I will follow it ... but changing the subject, from what you said, Khan Temir's skull will be ready for picking in a few days in Lviv. You will go there and pick it up personally, also listen to what people are talking about in the taverns." (MC)

"Yes Lord, sorry for ..." (Secretary Kowalski)

"I don't expect an apology, just don't do that anymore. Another thing is the settlers. I read from reports that a dozen or so Protestant families from Bohemia have been recruited ... similar to the Tatars. We will help them settle and develop workshops and farms. Their children will be able to goes to school ... and I demand loyalty." (MC)

"Lord, a new school will probably have to be opened, the old one will not accommodate new students." (Secretary Kowalski)

"So please do it, the cost will not be high ... I have a few more topics to discuss with you, but for now they may wait." (MC)

I said goodbye to Kowalski, sat back in my armchair and wondered what to do next ... there is still almost a year to the war, maybe it's a good time to spoil the Emperor's blood a little, anonymously.