To the Lower Country that year he removed one thousand families of the merchant class, and descendants of boyars. Seven thousand families of common people were moved to Moscow, and other towns and cities. In place of those he sent Moscow people to Novgorod. In the following years these transfers were continued. The houses and lands taken from Novgorod people were given to settlers from Moscow. By transfers of this kind the whole population was modified. The Novgorod people, when taken to the Lower Country and scattered, could not retain their old spirit and habits, and soon became merged with their neighbors. The numerous colonies in Novgorod introduced Moscow ideas and customs, and were points of support for the new order. Of course these changes brought loss with them, and the merging of Novgorod and Moscow was costly.
Thus ended the semi-separate existence of Great Novgorod, which had lasted in some form for more than five hundred years. The fall of the city increased immensely the power and prestige of Moscow. Ivan became an important personage, even among the crowned heads of Europe, and now thought himself strong enough to defy the Mongols, and break the humiliating yoke of servitude. It had been the custom, when an embassy arrived, bearing the Khan’s portrait, as proof that they were deputed by him, for the Grand Prince to march out to meet them, prostrate himself, offer a cup of kumis, and spread a sable skin under the feet of the person who read the Khan’s letter. This letter was listened to while kneeling. It is stated that Ivan now not only refused to prostrate himself when an embassy came from Ahmed, but he seized the [[477]]portrait, trampled it under foot, and had all the envoys killed except one, whom he bade return to his master and report what he had heard and seen, telling the Khan further that if he continued to trouble Russia, he would be served in the same way.
It is more probable, however, that King Kazimir, who feared this great accretion of power, roused Ahmed against Moscow, promising to render personal aid. But this time the allies let slip the right moment. The Novgorod rebellion and the quarrel of Ivan with his brothers gave them a favorable opportunity for an attack on Moscow, but Ivan’s statecraft and rich gifts given at the Horde by skilful envoys delayed the Khan’s action so that the Grand Prince was able to subdue Novgorod and settle home troubles, and then, when the moment came, to send strong forces to meet the advancing Mongols. There was firm friendship between Mengli Girei, Khan of the Crimea, and Ivan, but there was bitter enmity between Girei and Ahmed, the Golden Horde Khan. Of this enmity Ivan now took advantage, and concluded an alliance with Girei against Ahmed.
July, 1480, Ivan set out to join his troops in Kolomna, while his son, Ivan, with another army, was stationed at Serpukoff, and his brother, Andrei, in Tarua.
Ahmed advanced with a large army toward the Oká, but learning on the way that the chief crossings were defended by Moscow men, he moved westward, and after passing the Lithuanian boundary approached the Ugra River, which formed the boundary of Moscow. Ivan was informed of this movement in season, and his son and brother were able to reach the Ugra before the Mongols, and seize the main fords and crossings. Meanwhile the Grand Prince went from Kolomna to Moscow, which was prepared for a siege, should the Mongols cross the river and attack the city. At the head of the people was the strong-hearted mother of the Grand Prince. She had become a nun somewhat earlier, and taken the name of Martha, but now she desired to remain in the city to strengthen and animate others by her courage. Among distinguished men who remained were Prince Michael, Ivan’s great-uncle; the metropolitan Geronti; Ivan’s confessor, Vassian, and Prince Kaieff, Ivan’s own vicegerent. But Sophia, his wife, the Grand Prince sent with the treasury and many attendants to [[478]]Bailozersk, and commanded to take her still farther, even to the ocean, should Moscow be captured.
When the Grand Prince neared the capital, people of the villages moved to Moscow, and burned all the neighboring places, as was done usually to hamper besiegers. Many were greatly dissatisfied with Ivan’s return. They did not like to have him leave the main army. His confessor spoke boldly, accused him of fear and timidity, and used the word “fugitive.” He even sent a letter to the prince, in which he appealed to Ivan’s pride, his honor and his ambition: “It is our duty to speak the truth to kings, and what I have already declared to you, mightiest of sovereigns, I now write in the hope of strengthening your purpose. When you set out, moved by the entreaties of the metropolitan and the loftiest of your people, to battle with the enemy of the Christians, we implored God to grant you victory. Nevertheless we hear that on the approach of the ferocious Ahmed, who has killed so many Christians, you bowed down before him and begged for a peace, which he contemptuously refused. Oh, prince, to whose counsels do you listen? Surely they are not worthy of the name of Christian. From what heights of grandeur have you not descended? Would you surrender Russia to fire and sword, its churches to pillage, and your people to the Mongol’s sword? What heart would not be broken by such a disaster? Where can you expect to reign after sacrificing the people God has confided to you? Can you mount like an eagle and make your nest among the stars? The Lord will cast you down. But you will not desert us, and prove yourself a coward and a traitor. Be of good courage,—there is no God like our God. Life and death are in his hands. Remember the glories of your ancestors, Vladimir Monomach, the terror of the Polovtsi; and Dmitri, who conquered the Mongols on the Don. He boldly faced Mamai, notwithstanding his oath of allegiance. We will release you from an oath extorted by violence—a breach of faith which will save the Empire is preferable to a fidelity which will ruin it. God will grant you a glorious reign, you and your sons and your sons’ sons, from generation to generation. In the past you have defeated the infidel, but what says the Evangelist: ‘He that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.’ Do not blame my feeble words—for it is written: ‘Show the wise man knowledge, and he will be wiser.’ Thus may it be. Receive our blessing, [[479]]you and your sons; your boyars and your brave warriors, children of Jesus Christ. Amen!”
At this critical juncture, the indignation of the people was great against the Grand Prince for not showing more boldness, and was expressed with such emphasis that he finally withdrew to Krasni-Seltso. In later days it became evident that a deep and far-seeing policy and not fear had caused this seeming hesitancy. At that time, however, no man could understand it, for the Russian army numbered, it is said, one hundred and fifty thousand, was well organized, and had a powerful artillery.
In place of moving against the enemy, Ivan ordered his son to Moscow. But the son was eager for battle, and risked his father’s wrath by remaining with the army near the Ugra. He was under the direction of Prince Holmski, the experienced voevoda. The Grand Prince commanded Holmski to seize the young man and send him to Moscow by force. Holmski did no more than to advise the youth to go, and he received this answer: “I would rather die where I am than go to my father.”
Ivan at last yielded to public opinion and the words of the clergy. After remaining in Krasni-Seltso for a fortnight, he went to the army; but he halted before reaching the village of Kremenets, and sent gifts to Ahmed with a message requesting him to withdraw: “War not against thy own land,” said the Grand Prince.
The Khan, upon receiving the message, commanded Ivan to visit him, according to the custom of his fathers. When he refused to do so, Ahmed demanded that he send his son or brother. Again he was met by a stern refusal. The Khan then agreed to the sending of Basenkoff, a boyar, who had been at the Horde, had brought gifts and enjoyed the Khan’s friendship. But the Grand Prince would not send even Basenkoff. During this time Ivan was constantly urged by the people of Moscow and by his officers to advance on the enemy, but he remained deaf to all advice and avoided decisive engagements, showing no inclination whatever to imitate Dmitri, his great-grandfather. According to his calculation, an expectant attitude would break Ahmed’s forces at last. He was waiting also for news from Mengli Girei, his strong, resolute ally.