Travels Of Marco Polo: Sixteen

When the monarch had achieved his triumph, the Sarecens, Pagans, Jews, and other generations of men, who believe not in God, expressed wonder at the cross which the vanquished leader had carried on his standard, and said in derision of christians, "see how the cross of your God has aided Nayan and his people." They made such a noise on this subject, that it came to the ears of the prince, who was much displeased, and sending for the Christians, said to them, "if your God did not assist Nayan, he acted with great justice, because he is a good and righteous God. Nayan was a traitor and rebel against his lord, and therefore God did well in not assisting him." Then the Christians replied, "O great sire! thou has spoken the truth, for the cross will aid nothing unjust, and he met only what he well deserved." Having gained this victory, the Great Khan returned to his capital, Kambalu, with much festival and rejoicing. When the other king Kaidu heard of how his ally had been worsted, he was struck with fear and did not attempt to lead his army against the monarch. Now you have seen that how the prince went to battle and for what cause, while on all other occasions he sent his son and his barons; but this war was of such magnitude, that it seemed to deserve his own immediate presence.

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1. Standard: Here means the flag of the Nayan, the Mongolian chief whom Kublai Khan had vanquished. Nayan's flag bore the cross of Nestorian Christians. The king and religion always worked in tandem. Both were always interdependent.

2. Kambalu: Dadu aka Khanbaliq or modern day Beijing

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