Something out of the ordinary must mean trouble, and though Said had only been Khan for less than a year, years of experience with the Golden Horde's internal strife told him this was not simple.
"I want to see what these Goths want from me," Said thought, then pretended as if nothing had happened, and shouted to the assembled ministers and envoys at the banquet: "Khan has received all your good wishes and is deeply pleased. Guards, resume the music and dancing!"
Once the banquet ended, and everyone had finished feasting, they returned to their respective quarters, and the Golden Horde Khan also returned to his sleeping chambers. Just as he had suspected, as night approached, his attendant ran to him and reported: "Khan, the envoy from Theodoro requests an audience."
The Khan, recalling the gold coins, which were more than previous years, waved his hand and ordered his attendants to let Theodoro's envoy in.
There were not many envoys who came to see him, only three, and the leader was Manuel Gavras.
"Goth envoy, I want to ask, what do you want?"
Manuel was now respectful and humble, and after bowing thrice, he stated Theodoro's request in Tatar: "Your humble servants request Khan's protection for our state from the harm of Genoa."
The Khan looked at the handsome and charming young man before him, remembering that the Darhkan's list seemed to indicate this was Theodoro's Crown Prince, named Manuel in Greek and Olubey in Turkic, and thought:
"I have to say, these infidel youths are all quite good-looking."
Seeing the Khan in deep thought, Manuel continued to state, without raising his voice: "Your humble servants have heard intelligence from Genoa that they plan to launch a special military operation against us next year."
"Khan, you must uphold justice for us!"
Said Ahmed had already received the extra gold coins from Theodoro and was planning to act depending on the situation. Furthermore, Manuel's appearance and demeanor were excellent, and he was inherently a person of mediocre ability—historically, the Golden Horde fragmented under his rule. Thus, in a fit of passion, he slammed his hand on the table and declared: "Genoa's ambitions have reached Khan's vassals! How preposterous?! Guards, summon the Beylerbey!"
The attendant dared not delay and immediately rushed out, dispatching someone to find the Golden Horde's Beylerbey.
Approximately half an hour later, the Golden Horde's Beylerbey, Tekne Emir, arrived unhurriedly. As soon as he entered the room, he bowed to the Golden Horde Khan and Said: "Khan, I have heard the details of the matter, but I must remind Khan that Little Muhammad (Kichi-Muhammad) ① is still alive."
The Golden Horde Khan, recovering from his momentary impulsiveness, repeatedly agreed.
Manuel had anticipated this and proposed: "Khan, such a small matter should not trouble Khan. We only hope that when Genoa plots against your humble servants, Khan will cut off their trade routes, forbid their armies from passing, and prevent their fleets from entering the Khanate's waters."
The Khan and Tekne Emir exchanged glances upon hearing this. After a long pause, Tekne Emir Said with some difficulty: "Khan, although Genoese merchants are utterly unscrupulous, the trade taxes they provide are not insignificant. This matter requires further careful consideration."
"Beylerbey, your words are inappropriate. How much of the trade tax they pay actually enters the treasury? Where does all that money go?"
"Khan, sometimes seemingly useless measures are necessary to maintain local morale."
Manuel knew it was his turn to speak, so he took a deep breath and interjected into their conversation: "Khan, if Genoa indeed attacks this time and pays reparations to your humble servants, then your humble servants are willing to offer Khan double the tribute next year.
"Moreover, Genoa has enslaved believers for many years, and removing this thorn in our side will bring more benefits than harm to the Khanate. And such an attempt to annex a Khanate vassal greatly harms Khan's prestige. These cannot be offset by mere trade taxes."
Tekne Emir listened, wanting to refute something, but he couldn't find a good angle to interject. The Golden Horde Khan, on the other side, nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Olubey speaks well. Even the Goths are so clear-headed. Beylerbey, Khan believes their words are true. What do you think?"
Tekne Emir knew that his Khan's words meant his decision was made, so he could only agree: "Khan's words are very true. Your humble servant will immediately assist Khan in drafting the document."
Thus, Theodoro received a formal secret agreement in black and white from the Golden Horde. The secret agreement stipulated that if the Republic of Genoa launched an offensive war against the Principality of Theodoro, then the Golden Horde, as suzerain, was obligated to provide military support to Theodoro, expel all Genoese merchants within its territory, strictly prohibit Genoese naval and land forces from passing through the Golden Horde's territory and controlled areas. In return, Theodoro would pay double the tribute next year.
After Theodoro's envoys departed, Tekne Emir sighed and Said to his Khan: "Khan, you must know that the Khanate is not as strong as it appears: Little Ahmed is still in Astrakhan, taking orders but not obeying decrees; the Giray line has deep roots in Crimea and clearly desires to split off territory, and he is about to make a comeback; Ulugh Muhammad, though he fled east, if he reunites with the Volga Bulgars and rises again, he will surely become an unmanageable problem; we cannot effectively manage the Uzbek region; and there are the Nogai tribes loosely associated with Sarai, the treacherous Rus', and Lithuania with strong eastward ambitions. We truly do not have the energy to divide our forces to help this small Goth city-state."
"Khan understands what you have Said. Rest assured, if they truly fight, Khan will not waste troops on them. After all, no matter what, this is just a matter between infidels.
"However, cutting off Genoa's trade routes must still be done, for Khan is still nominally their protector."
"Khan is wise."
Meanwhile, in the embassy where Theodoro's envoys were temporarily staying, the other envoys, after learning the contents of the secret agreement, looked at each other in confusion. After a long time, they pushed Mana forward and had him ask Manuel, "Your Highness, the Golden Horde Khan is now on the verge of fragmentation. Can they really send troops to help us?"
"You don't actually think they will send troops to help us, do you?" Manuel laughed.
"Then why did we go through all this and pay more tribute?"
"We just need to ensure that when we fight Genoa, the Golden Horde will side with us," Manuel Said as he took off his outer garment. "Go to bed early. These next few days will be very busy. We still have to go talk to the Rus' tomorrow."
① Kichi-Muhammad (К и ч и - М у х а м м е д): Also translated as Qichik-Mahama, he was the son of Timur Khan. Historically, he contended for the Khanate for many years with the youngest son of Tokhtamysh, who is Said Ahmed in the text, and captured Sarai in 1435. Whether he was a formal Golden Horde Khan is still debated in historical scholarship.