Fair enough, Muslim history is mixed. However, each generation attempts to practice Islam based on the Prophet Muhammad (saaw)'s model, not on the preceding generation's example.
As well, Muslims have addressed 'polytheists' living ad dhimmi (protected) communities differently from region to region, and era to era. After liberating the Holyland, Salahudin (rha) was very lenient with the remaining Christian princes and fortresses. However, when the crusading momentum returned and they began attacking Muslim seaports along the Holyand, the Salahudeen dynasty (his brother) was overthrown and the Mamluki (slave warriors) dynasty began which had no tolerance for Christian fortresses and stripped all Christian communities of military autonomy. So the strategic politics of the era certainly impacts the nature of relations.
Nonetheless, it is historical knowledge that the Islamic caliphate (Ummaya or Abbasi) sent an army of 4000 to China upon the request of the Chinese emperor who was loosing his war against the Mongols. This army of Muslims helped the emperor achieve victory and most of the 4000 remained in China. In fact, Muslims have lived and been a major part of China's history for over 1000 years. There were even Muslims who staged the Boxer Rebellion to kick out the British, Muslims who fought with Chang Gi Chek against the Japanese, and along with Mao, the latter building a mosque as a reward. Today, there are somewhere between 100 and 200 million Muslims in China today.
Not to mention the role of Muslims as rulers of India for centuries.
The point being, relations between polytheists and Muslims is not monolithic nor removed from reality, good and bad..
