What do we learn from "Mas Al ha'Aretz v'Iyei ha'Yam"?
Malbim: Mordechai succeeded in conducting the kingdom. He conquered many lands 1 with the king's army, to the point that the king put a tax on all lands close to his kingdom, and also on far islands. This was attributed to the king for his honor; really, Mordechai did so.
This seems unlike Megilah 11a-b, which learns from "me'Hodu v'Ad Kush" (1:1) that Achashverosh already ruled over the entire world! Do not say that it says so even though there was a small remnant. Sancheriv was not listed [among those who ruled b'Kipah] because he did not conquer Yerushalayim, and Daryavesh was not because he ruled only over 120, and lacked seven! Perhaps initially all lands accepted his rule, but some did not pay taxes. After Mordechai conquered them by force, all paid taxes. (PF)
