The Moscow Tournament had concluded, and it was an event that left everyone satisfied.
The Moscow Prince gained glory, fame, and new warriors, while also acquiring a significant amount of gold and silver. The common people witnessed a grand spectacle, and many also earned a good deal of money at this bustling event.
Even after the tournament ended, its aftershocks did not immediately dissipate. After all, such a large crowd gathered in Moscow would naturally take some time to disperse.
Rostislav seized this opportunity, hiring a large number of strong men who had come to Moscow. The Prince's large-scale construction projects throughout his territory would still require them.
These strong men were also very willing to take on this work; since winter was approaching and there wasn't much else to do, working for the Prince and earning money was a better option.
Not only from Moscow, Rostislav had actually dispatched many envoys to various places, gathering farmers from all over, preparing for extensive construction.
Besides the originally planned city-building site, another key direction for the Moscow Prince's extensive construction was Bulgar.
The Moscow Prince had already decided internally that once the situation in Northeast Rus' stabilized and prospered, he would intervene in Volga Bulgaria. How could he not use the card of the legitimate Bulgar heir that he held?
Moreover, this Adam Dulü clearly showed a strong interest in Orthodox Christianity, with his desire for conversion evident on his face. The Prince understood that baptism was only a matter of time.
As for why he attached such importance to this legitimate Bulgar heir, it was because Rostislav knew that conquering Volga Bulgaria was an impossible task.
In the original history, 400 years later, Moscow's successive generations of monarchs built fortresses to shorten marching distances, then engaged in several years of warfare, followed by decades of peacekeeping and immigration, before finally taking control of this land.
Undoubtedly, Rostislav could not possibly dedicate that many resources, so conquest was absolutely out of the question.
Furthermore, in this era, Bulgar's cultural superiority over Rus' was higher than in later times (referring to Ivan the Terrible's conquest of Kazan). Rus' people were considered barbarians in their eyes, so how could they submit to Rus'? Rule would only be more difficult.
However, supporting a Bulgar monarch was another matter, especially when this person was the legitimate heir of Bulgar. The current occupant of the Bulgar throne was merely a usurper who had murdered his kin. While he could temporarily appease the people with gold and silver, it would certainly not last long.
If a pro-Rus' Christian monarch were to ascend to power, it would be greatly beneficial for the future of Rus'. At the very least, Rostislav's generation could achieve control and influence over that land.
Moreover, under the rule of a Christian monarch, Bulgar would inevitably convert. Conversion would inevitably lead to internal conflict, and this conflict could further deplete Bulgar's strength, making it unable to concern itself with Rus'.
As for future generations, that would depend on his descendants. Rostislav never had any thought of preparing things in advance for his children, because if his descendants were too incompetent, any arrangements would be in vain.
A Christian Bulgar would be advantageous for Rus', both now and in the future.
Therefore, building fortresses on the Bulgar front now was preparation for future wars. Rostislav directly built them in the disputed tribute areas between the two sides.
Facing the Rus' Prince's construction teams, most of the local Finn tribes directly chose to submit. Rostislav's renown for defeating ten thousand with four thousand men intimidated them, and these tribes dared not oppose such a powerful figure.
Only some large tribes remained neutral, but secretly they still softened their stance towards Rostislav. After all, the emergence of these large tribes was, in plain terms, due to the demise of the tribes that had previously followed the Bulgars in attacking Rus', allowing them to swallow the assets of the defeated.
Currently, their strength still allowed them to sit on the fence, but when the Rus' fortresses were built, they would also have to choose a side.
The Moscow Prince's choice to build in these areas had deep meaning, because tribute collection concerned the interests of the powerful families in various cities. And since the Moscow Prince intended to initiate a border war, everyone would naturally follow suit, providing resources and manpower.
Because they were all afraid of being preempted by their colleagues, which would mean no share for them in the future—a matter of lifeline for them.
And when these people invested resources on the border, it would inevitably lead to their opposition to Bulgar. Bulgar would not allow Rus' people to occupy these tribute areas, as this would undermine their interests.
And when they fought with the Bulgars, their people would inevitably participate, making it very difficult for these fellows to continue taking money from Bulgar or colluding with them. Furthermore, these interests would make them more devoted to Rostislav.
Under normal circumstances, such actions would inevitably lead to a border war, but Bulgar was still reeling from the impression of that great defeat. Moreover, to redeem nearly ten thousand captives, the Bulgar Khan's treasury was still empty, not to mention the loss of arms and armor.
Abdul had once told him that Akad had commissioned him to extensively purchase weapons and armor in the Caucasus and Persia. The blacksmith shops in various Bulgar cities were also working day and night, which showed the dire situation within Bulgar.
Akad also had to constantly raise money and equipment to satisfy the border cavalry who supported his ascension, which was another headache for him.
Another concern was guarding against the legitimists—this group supported the Dulü legitimate heir. For now, they were only temporarily appeased by gold and silver. Akad didn't dare to move against these people much and could only heighten his vigilance.
Speaking of Abdul, his business was truly booming. Bulgar's great defeat and the ransom money forced many Bulgar nobles to sell off many family assets at low prices. The bankruptcy of many merchants directly created a vacuum in the market, and this fellow took advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune.
Of course, he didn't dare to establish businesses in Bulgar. Although his informing the Rus' people hasn't been exposed yet, it's ultimately a major hidden danger, and heaven knows when it will explode.
His foundation was in Persia, not the North. Abdul was very clear about this.
So, facing the Rus' advance, the Bulgar Khan could only choose to retreat. Bulgar's strength was truly difficult to contend with Rus' at present.
But Rostislav knew that Akad could not just stand by. He had to fight for the interests of the powerful classes within his country, because everyone had witnessed his usurpation.
And Rostislav did not fear a border war, because once the fortresses were built, it would be very difficult for the Bulgars to drive the Rus' out of them. The Bulgars would only be able to clear out those Rus' fortresses by launching a major war, and this was what Rostislav feared the least.
Given Bulgar's current situation, what kind of army they would be able to field was naturally self-evident, not to mention whether they could even raise such an army was questionable.
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