Sarai, meaning "palace," was the capital of the Golden Horde.
However, the Golden Horde had two capitals in its history, two "Sarais": the first Sarai was Batu Sarai, which in another timeline later became Aktobe, a famous city in Kazakhstan; the second Sarai was New Sarai, which is the current capital of the Golden Horde, and in another timeline, it was later conquered by Tsarist Russia, renamed Tsaritsyn, and during the Red period, it had an even more famous name, and in that period, this great city became the turning point of that horrific war.
But these matters have little to do with the 15th century.
Currently, Sarai, as the Golden Horde's capital, is still the place where the Khan of the Golden Horde receives tributes from various vassal states.
These vassal states include the Rus' principalities, led by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which would later break the Tatar yoke; the Circassian, Alan, Avar, and other Caucasian chieftaincies, who were frequently enslaved; and the small coastal Principality of Theodoro in the southwest of the Black Sea.
Yes, since its establishment, the Principality of Theodoro has long relied on the protection of the Golden Horde to resist the expansionist ambitions of the Empire of Trebizond across the Black Sea and the neighboring Republic of Genoa.
For this, annual tribute to the Khan of the Golden Horde is a fundamental duty of Theodoro.
And now, the envoys sent by Theodoro this time to offer tribute, led by Manuel, were curiously surveying the city.
Although Sarai had declined after being plundered by Timur the Lame, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
No matter how much the capital of the Golden Horde had fallen, it was not comparable to a small city-state like Theodoro.
On the streets in the city center, merchants of different ethnic groups were selling their goods: Tatars, Rus', Circassians, Cumans, Alans, Latins who had traveled from afar, and also Romans.
Everything was so peaceful; if someone were to say that the Khanate would soon fall apart in a few years, they would likely be laughed at by these merchants.
But Manuel knew that while the Golden Horde still appeared vast, it was actually incredibly weak.
As soon as the final straw broke the camel's back, the Khanate would collapse and disintegrate just as it did in official history.
Honestly, he still hoped the Golden Horde could hold on for a few more years, at least until they won against Genoa before exploding.
He didn't want to switch his suzerain to a difficult entity like the Crimean Khanate without any capital.
While he was pondering these matters, the delegation had already passed thirteen mosques and arrived at the palace of the Golden Horde.
The Golden Horde palace was quite massive, with a huge golden crescent at its peak.
The palace's outer walls were made of sturdy granite, and the inner walls were inlaid with exquisite tiles.
Around the palace were several sizable towers and beautiful houses, which, according to locals, housed the Emirs of the Golden Horde.
Most notably, these buildings were all constructed of stone.
If there was any discord, it was the unsightly burn marks on a small part of these buildings, which seemed to be the remnants of Timur's sacking of Sarai back then.
"It seems the Golden Horde's economy also has considerable problems," Manuel thought.
And a young Goth civil official he had just personally promoted, Georgia Mana, who came from a minor noble family, shared his thoughts.
He whispered to his superior and benefactor, "Your Highness, we must find an opportunity to change suzerains.
The Golden Horde, who knows how long it can last."
"Don't speak carelessly, there are too many eyes and ears here," Manuel softly reprimanded.
Just then, they arrived at the palace gate and waited there for the summons from the Khan of the Golden Horde.
After they were summoned and finally entered the palace, they were able to glimpse the full interior of the imperial palace: the palace was exquisitely designed and magnificent, with vast space.
The officials sat in front of the hall, the already arrived envoys sat in the hall, and the guards were uniformly positioned at both ends of the palace, vigilantly performing their guard duties.
Those serving everyone were beautiful eunuchs and concubines, as well as court musicians skilled in playing and singing.
And the owner of the palace, Said Ahmad, the Khan of the Golden Horde, who was nearing middle age, sat relaxed on his tall throne, scrutinizing his subjects.
The Theodoro delegation was not the first to arrive, but neither was it the last.
After the arrival of delegations from some other small countries, the Khan of the Golden Horde nodded and asked Darhkan, who was in charge of foreign affairs, "Where are the Rus' envoys?"
The newly enthroned Khan of the Golden Horde tapped his throne with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Khan, the Rus' envoys should arrive shortly..."
"These Slavic barbarians are becoming increasingly disobedient.
If they go too far again, Khan will have to consider taking a few Emirs to Moscow for a visit."
As soon as he finished speaking, an attendant summoned the Rus' envoys into the hall.
The Khan waved his hand, "Let's pretend nothing happened for now."
The banquet began after the arrival of the envoys from the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
Everything was as it had been in the past; everyone enjoyed delicious food and music, then offered tribute to the Khan in turn.
The Khan smiled and nodded, saying a few words about how protecting vassal states was the Khanate's duty and so on.
But, this time was a little different.
Crown Prince Manuel of Theodoro, representing his country, bowed and declared himself a subject to the Khan while presenting this year's tribute to him—750 ducats of excellent quality, along with the local specialties that Theodoro offered every year.
Khan Said was a little curious, thinking: Why is Theodoro's tribute this time more than in previous years?