The Duchy of Ksani (Duchy of Ksani / ქსნის საერისთავო), with its capital at Largvisi, had most of its ducal territory located in the South Ossetia region. As a northern Georgian feudal Principality, Ksani occupied a strategically important and easily defensible location.
The ruling family of the Duchy was the Kvenipneveli family, and the current Duke was Shalva I Kvenipneveli.
To solidify his control over Georgia, Manuel urgently needed to vassalize the Duchy of Ksani to maintain his grip on the northern Caucasus. Therefore, he needed to ensure that the Duchy of Ksani was at least outwardly subservient to him; if necessary, he would not hesitate to use force.
A few days later, in the morning, the envoy sent by Caesar Manuel to demand a clear stance returned to Tbilisi, bringing back a reply that did not entirely satisfy him.
"Duke Shalva is unwilling to become a vassal?" After hearing his subordinate's report, Manuel, who had been resting with his eyes closed in his palace room, opened his eyes, his expression somewhat cold, and gently tapped the armrest of his chair.
"Yes, Caesar. Although Lord Shalva's attitude was respectful, he showed no intention of submission and seemed to want to keep his distance from our Autocratic State..."
"Was he warned that this was the last chance given by Bosporus? Even so, he still wants to try to maintain the Duchy's independence?"
"Yes, Caesar. Even though we subtly issued warnings, the Duke of Ksani still showed no intention of changing his mind. Instead, he specifically invited us to inspect the Duchy's city defenses, and implicitly emphasized that the Tatars would not stand idly by..."
"He can't possibly think he can stop us with the natural defenses of the mountains, can he? And the Tatars? They're in such a state, how can they still manage Georgia?" Manuel was amused. With most other feudal lords having resigned themselves to submission, Shalva's apparent choice to rely on Ksani's rugged terrain and the protection of the Golden Horde to resist him seemed somewhat naive. He had already taken Gori, Mtskheta, and Tbilisi, which were even more fortified and strategic than Largvisi and Gudauri; why would he fear a duke's capital in a desolate land? As for the Tatar Tatars, the problem with the Volga Bulgarians should explode in a few months, and by then Sarai would be too busy defending itself to care about Ksani.
However, he did not underestimate the enemy he was about to face. After a moment of calm thought, he prepared to issue the order for military action against them: he would kill the chicken to scare the monkey once more.
After the envoy withdrew, Manuel immediately summoned his Pontus Army Commander Dungar, Commander of the Guard Badars, and King Vakhtang of Kartli, preparing to conquer the disobedient Ksani.
While Bosporus was formulating its plan for submission, in Largvisi, the capital of the Duchy of Ksani, a border fortress adjacent to the Kingdom of Kartli, Duke Shalva I of Ksani, now in his early forties, had just courteously seen off an envoy from north of the Caucasus and was eagerly awaiting the support Sarai had promised him.
It was evident that the Duchy of Ksani dared to defy the Bosphorus Despotate precisely because it believed it had aligned itself with the seemingly powerful Golden Horde, giving it the confidence to carve out its own territory. As for why the Golden Horde incited Ksani to independence, it was because Muhammad Khan, who had been in power for less than five years, was extremely dissatisfied with the expansion of his nominal vassal, Bosporus, into the Caucasus. Furthermore, in an attempt to restore the Khanate's prestige, he had a sudden idea to secretly provide aid to the Kingdom of Georgia, which was also a nominal tributary state. However, due to the overly swift actions of Bosporus, he ultimately only persuaded the more remote Duchy of Ksani to accept Sarai's proposal.
And just as Shalva was exulting and preparing to accept the Golden Horde's promised aid, his son, the Duchy's Crown Prince Virshel Kvenipneveli, who was under 20 years old, voiced his objection, "Father, but what if the Bosporus Caesar attacks before the Golden Horde sends troops?"
"It's alright, my child, you must believe in the strategic importance of our Duchy's capital. Besides, even if Largvisi falls, we can still flee into the mountains and wait for the Golden Horde's support."
"Trusting the Tatars feels somewhat off..." Young Virshel was skeptical about whether the Golden Horde, separated by the Circassian tribes, could truly provide aid. But seeing his father's confident demeanor, he knew he couldn't change his father's decision.
"For the survival of the Duchy, I should quickly find a fallback plan." With this thought, Virshel cautiously closed his mouth and secretly began to prepare something.
Less than five days later, Manuel dispatched his Pontus Army Commander Dungar to lead two thousand Grand Company peasant soldiers and three thousand Georgian vassal auxiliary troops to attack the disobedient Duchy of Ksani to control the entire South Ossetia.
Although the enemy's ducal capital, Largvisi, was located on the border, its castle was protected by steep mountain cliffs and the river Liakhvi, so Bosporus could not directly launch a full-scale assault with its large army.
However, having conducted relevant research with his Caesar before the war, Dungar had a general idea of how to deal with this situation.
"Then, let them think we are going to storm this castle," the Army Commander smiled, then made the pre-planned arrangements.
Soon, just one week later—
At dusk, Duke Shalva I of Ksani, in a panic, was escorted by trusted personal guards, pulling his son Virshel, preparing to flee Largvisi Castle, which had been captured by Bosporus. He had completely underestimated the Romans, whose frontal artillery assault on the castle was a feint. Their true main mountain forces almost entirely captured the lightly defended southern part of the Duchy, directly outflanking Largvisi from the rear. With a pincer attack, they took the capital, instantly turning him into a stray dog.
It's alright, even though the Duchy's capital has fallen, there are still people among the northern Caucasian mountain tribes who are willing to obey him. As long as he successfully escapes further north and organizes a force, and waits for the Golden Horde's army to march south, everything will be fine...
Just as Shalva was still fantasizing, his son behind him suddenly sighed, then lightly coughed. Several of the personal guards who had just been protecting him drew their swords and killed the other attendants on the spot, and the Duke himself was immediately restrained.
"Holy Father above, Virshel, you..."
"Father, there is no future in trusting the Golden Horde, whose central authority is in decline. Not to mention, there's a group of Circassians separating us from the Tatars.
"On the contrary, Caesar promised that if I could replace you in pledging loyalty to the Autocratic State after Largvisi fell, he would pardon the Duchy of Ksani's act of rebellion. And he also said, at the necessary moment—" Virshel sighed, as he recounted the promises Bosporus Caesar Manuel had made to him, he also smoothly drew the sword tucked at his waist.
"Wait, wait, my son, what did he say, and what are you going to do!?" Duke Shalva cried out in terror at the sight.
"Father, he said, 'You can proceed.'"