Yeah, I guess that is kind of how the Russians saw the Mongols. Dear Basils, the 15th century Muscovite Civil War was insanely complicated, but it culminated with you guys essentially blinding each other. First, Basil II, the eventual winner of the Civil War, had Basil the Cross-Eyed blinded – because being cross-eyed wasn't bad enough – and that was seen as the end of the political career of Basil the Cross-Eyed. But then Basil the Cross-Eyed's brother tracked down Basil II and he was like, I'm gonna blind you back! And of course, everybody thought that would end Basil II's political career, but they were wrong. It turns out you can rule Russia like a boss, even if you're blind. Best wishes, John Green.