Upon hearing Muhammad Khan's question, Serenus couldn't help but sneer inwardly, "You're a bit too impatient."
Despite this, he suppressed the urge to mock him and answered his question earnestly, "We in Bosporus are willing to restore our former ties with the Golden Horde."
Is that true? Are these Goths going to yield to them? Muhammad Khan was astonished, then curbed his excitement and asked, "Former ties? From when? What kind of ties?"
Serenus had long prepared for these three questions. Before his mission, Caesar Manuel and others had thoroughly tutored him on the history of the pre-Theodoro period, and he considered himself knowledgeable about these old matters.
Therefore, he immediately spoke with confidence, "Naturally, it's the ties we had before our two nations engaged in those pointless disputes. Although we had some minor unpleasantness before, Manuel is sagacious and understands that this kind of implicit standoff is not good for either of us. For this, we have decided to make concessions with full sincerity."
"For example, the box of ducats presented today is a small token from Bosporus. If our two nations reconcile, we can reliably provide such tributes annually."
This almost made Muhammad Khan laugh. In his stereotype, if Bosporus occupied such a large piece of land but couldn't even afford this small amount of money, that would be truly incredible.
Although he thought so, he still had someone count the ducats in the box. At the same time, he continued to question the Bosporus envoy in front of him with a teasing tone, as there were only a handful of essential people in the room, "Besides that? You don't think this small amount of money can buy me, do you? I am the Khan who presides over the entire Eastern European Great Plains."
"This is not a bribe. We have no need for, nor have we ever considered, such a foolish act. This is a diplomatic negotiation, Khan," Serenus answered him seriously, "We came here with the goal of establishing lasting harmony."
Noticing the unusual expression on the Bosporus envoy's face, Muhammad Khan finally straightened up and took the meeting seriously, "Since that's the case, let's continue talking. By the way, you still haven't answered two of my questions."
Serenus smiled slightly, "For such questions, our side will propose solutions that meet new eras, new methods, and new policies, based on principles of high standards, high awareness, and high levels of conduct…"
These bizarre words were eventually swallowed back by Serenus. Although he wanted to speak in circles like Manuel, it was ultimately inappropriate to speak that way in this setting.
Facing Muhammad Khan's almost aggressive tone, he still maintained a polite smile, "Naturally. Let me be direct: we in Bosporus are willing to once again become a tributary state of the Golden Horde, paying annual tribute to show respect for the Khan's prestige."
Become a tributary of the Golden Horde again? Really? As soon as these words came from Serenus's mouth, Muhammad Khan dropped his indifferent attitude and treated the matter seriously. After all, if this matter could be settled smoothly, his prestige in the Khanate should no longer be so precarious.
However, after a brief moment of joy, Muhammad Khan became alert, "To what extent will Bosporus commit?"
"The annual tribute will be as much as what was submitted this time; and if the Khanate agrees, Bosporus will also undertake some of the southern defenses for the Khanate, helping to suppress rebels; furthermore, our country will not deploy troops on the border beyond necessary forces…" Serenus spoke voluminously and eloquently, almost making Muhammad Khan ecstatic.
"Then what does Bosporus want?" Finally, he asked cautiously.
"Has he finally relented? Now it's my turn to take the initiative, it seems these Tatars are not as tough as they appear," Serenus thought. He immediately put forward some of the demands Manuel had entrusted to him, "To restore good relations, reopen trade routes, restrain horse bandits, formally recognize our current borders on paper, officially acknowledge Manuel's legitimate status, and stop persecuting Eastern Orthodox Christians from our country…"
"Why so many?" Muhammad frowned slightly, "Does your Manuel still need the Khanate's recognition? Hasn't he already cleared out the rebels in his country? Also, the Khanate has never officially persecuted Christians. In fact, aren't you forcing the Tatars within your borders to convert under the pretext of clearing out rebels? And one more thing, can you cut off diplomatic relations with Lithuania?"
Serenus's mouth twitched slightly, "Hmm, to be fair, indeed. However, having the Khan's recognition is better than nothing. As for the Tatars within our borders, since the Khan has spoken, I will inform my lord upon my return and advise him to accept the Khanate's demand to stop forced conversions." Anyway, diplomatic relations between the two countries would likely be re-established by the end of the year, by which time the "Tauris Re-Baptism Movement" should also be over. "As for severing ties with the Kingdom of Lithuania, I'm sorry, but that cannot be done. Our lord once made a knight's pact with Švitrigaila of Lithuania, agreeing that the two nations would maintain friendly relations from that time forward. So, I am very sorry, Khan."
A knight's pact, what a clumsy excuse, Muhammad chuckled inwardly. However, he didn't expect to achieve his goals completely through this secret diplomacy. "Let's just reintegrate Bosporus into the Khanate system for now; there's plenty of time anyway." As for the fate of the Tatars under Bosporus's rule, as long as it didn't become widely known and affect his prestige, who would care?
Thinking this, he finally adopted a magnanimous demeanor, stating that as Khan, he would pardon their previous dealings with Lithuania and agreed to the request for re-establishing diplomatic relations.
In response to Muhammad Khan's words and actions, Serenus assumed a deferential posture, indicating his acceptance.
But taking one step back was for two steps forward, and he soon smiled as he brought up the matter of Adyghe, "May I ask, Khan, what are your thoughts on the Circassians of Adyghe?"
"Does what I think matter?" Muhammad Khan immediately understood the purpose of his words. Unable to directly influence the situation, he pondered for a moment before deciding to strategically abandon that unremarkable little tributary state. After all, it didn't pay much money, couldn't provide manpower to the Khanate, and its presence was negligibly low. "Do as you please. Whatever Adyghe's future holds, it will no longer have much to do with the Golden Horde."
"Thank you for your generosity and benevolence, Khan," Serenus replied, bowing deeply. As he bowed, the expression on his face was coincidentally hidden by the shadows in the room, leaving his slightly changing smile unnoticed.