I was the Queen of Persia

Page 32

Chapter 70 Undercurrent

Outside the city of Talas, the mobile palace of Ilik Naser Khan.

"Zhu Jiande, when your army was defeated at the front, you used a strategy to incite infighting among the Samans. Later, you stabilized the morale of the people and kept the cities in the rear in order. You people of Taohuashi are indeed resourceful, and I, the Khan, will reward you." The Khan looked at the handsome scholar kneeling before him, a look of approval flashing in his eyes.

"I will obey the Khan's orders," Zhu Jiande said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

“Hmm.” Ilik Naser Khan nodded. “I appoint you as the court strategist (Turkic: Oge). You are familiar with this position, right? In our Turkic country, this is a title given to people of commoner origin who are intelligent, and it is usually given to respected elders. This is the first time that someone as young and promising as you has received this honor.”

"Thank you for your great kindness, Khan," Zhu Jiande said.

Il-Khwariz then bestowed upon him a gold belt, a silk robe, ten slaves, and arranged a special residence for him in the city of Talas.

This is a tradition among the Turks, Iranians, and even the Islamic world: to select people of different ethnicities and religions to serve as officials in a slave-like manner, grant them certain powers, make them serve the imperial court, and allow them to check the deeply rooted local officials and nobles.

After all, these slaves often came from foreign lands, had no roots or background in their homeland, and could only rely on the protection of their masters to serve them.

Of course, if slaves frequently hold high positions and wield power, they are also prone to developing new military interest groups. For example, the Ghulam Turkic slave army group, which effectively sidelined the Samanid dynasty, is a typical example.

To put it bluntly, the relationship between masters and slave officials was essentially one of mutual exploitation.

Zhu Jiande was also fully aware of this fact; Ilik Naser Khan also saw through it but kept quiet.

……

Inside the city of Talas.

After receiving his reward, Zhu Jiande paced back and forth in his assigned residence.

On the one hand, he was delighted to have obtained an official position.

As a Confucian scholar of the Song Dynasty, he repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. In a fit of anger, he dreamed of abandoning his pen for the sword, emulating Ban Chao of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and making a name for himself in the Western Regions. The Song court was preoccupied with dealing with the southward incursions of the Khitans in the north and had no time to attend to the Western Regions. He prepared his own clothing and provisions and embarked on a journey westward to find Tang Dynasty remnants in the region. Unexpectedly, upon arriving in Kucha, he was attacked and annexed by the Karakhanid army. He became a slave, was captured from the Western Regions and taken to Central Asia, and became embroiled in the war between the Karakhanids and the Samanids. Now, unexpectedly, he has gained the favor of the Karakhanid Khan, a stroke of good fortune indeed.

On the other hand, he was also worried about his future and situation.

His promotion to court advisor would inevitably incur the jealousy of the local Yabghu and the Tegin nobles of the Karakhanid Khanate, which would be detrimental in the long run. Moreover, he sensed that Ilik Naser Khan was a suspicious and treacherous ruler who would not forget his own gains once he had them. This Khan could promote his servants exceptionally for their merits, but he might also decisively kill them if he sensed a threat.

As the old saying goes, "When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked."

"No, it's unwise to sit and wait for death. I must devise a plan to prevent it," Zhu Jiande thought to himself.

He happened to be an advisor to the Karakhanid court and held certain authority. He used this power to secretly recruit Han Chinese who had fled to the Western Regions and Central Asia, including Han Chinese from the Song and Liao dynasties, Han Chinese from the Guiyi Army, Han Chinese remnants from various towns in the Western Regions, and so on.

……

Inside the mobile palace tent of the Ordos outside the city.

“Your Majesty, promoting that foreigner from Taohuashi could pose a threat to the Khanate if he were to monopolize power in the future,” a Yabghu nobleman said with concern.

“I know.” Ilik Nasser Khan nodded. “I will not give a foreign slave a special position, nor will I trust him too much. As a check on him, I have also secretly promoted remnants of the Jihadi sect.”

"You mean..." Yehu nobleman's eyes widened.

“That’s right. When the Jihadi sect was wiped out by Shahzani, a group of assassins remained. Not long ago, I sent someone to contact these stray dogs and recruited them.” A calculating glint flashed in Ilik Nasser Khan’s eyes. “I have already sent assassins to secretly monitor that Peach Blossom Stone Man.”

"Your subordinate admires you," the noble Yehu hurriedly bowed and said.

After the Yabghu nobles withdrew, Ilik Naser Khan reflected on the current situation, a smug look creeping onto his lips.

"The assassins we sent to Khwarazm have probably already made their move. Once we eliminate the monarch of the Mahmun Dynasty and support the forces allied with us, Khwarazm will become a powerful ally," he thought smugly.

Indeed, he had long planned to use assassination to bring about the change of regime in Khwarazm, and then use pressure to force Khwarazm to join the war against the Samanid dynasty.

……

Khwarazm, Kath.

This ancient city on the banks of the Amu Darya River is the second largest city in Khwarazm and the former capital of the Afrika Khwarazmian Empire. The surrounding land is fertile and rich in resources.

As night falls, the city is ablaze with lights, and in the heart of the city, in a palace-style mansion...

Warm yellow light enveloped the intricately decorated room, while the exotic scents from Nisa and Shiraz were captivating. A huge, magnificent Persian rug stretched across the center of the room.

On the bed covered with layers of silk brocade, a beautiful, muscular body with bronze skin lay naked on the soft brocade mattress. Long, smooth, black hair hung down beside the pillow. Between her wide-open legs, the pink and fertile forest valley was overflowing with moisture, and springs gushed out from the valley from time to time.

"Oh! This is truly a gift from God, a paradise in heaven!"

The woman's strong thighs gripped the man's muscular waist tightly, and her two powerful, delicate hands plunged into the two equally full and moist valleys, letting the wet mud flow down her palms.

Just as the atmosphere was about to reach its peak, a rapid knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door.

"General Nasita! An emergency has come from Gurganji City!"

The lady-in-waiting's voice interrupted Nasita's interest, and she couldn't help but stretch her body, releasing the giant dragon that she had tightly wrapped and swallowed and could not escape.

"Is it urgent?" Nasita's voice was somewhat displeased.

"It's extremely urgent, it concerns the very survival of the imperial court!" The female attendant spoke quickly, her voice trembling slightly.

Upon hearing this, Naxida's originally charming and alluring eyes immediately turned stern. "I understand. Go to the study and wait for me." With that, she picked up the triangular panties from beside her pillow, put them on, and then draped a gauze skirt over her shoulders before leaving.

The male and female servants immediately breathed a sigh of relief, especially the male slave from Circassia. He knew that Nasita was extremely lustful and had drained many handsome male lovers. If it weren't for the incident just now, he would probably have been completely drained by the lustful female general.

Fortunately, although this brave female general was fond of beautiful women, she also knew how to prioritize and act prudently when it came to matters of national importance.

In the study, Nasita frowned as she looked at the letter that had arrived from Gurganji.

"His Ma'mun has been assassinated, and Muzaffar Khan, the commander of the Ghulam Guard, has taken control of the court..." she murmured, her face grim.

Chapter 71 The Change of Government in Khwarazm

The capital of Khwarazm, Gurganj, the palace.

Muzaffar Khan, the former commander of the royal guard, held the scepter symbolizing the king's power, sat majestically on the throne, glanced at the civil and military officials below the throne, and gave a magnanimous speech.

"In the name of Allah! Generals and ministers, His Majesty Ma'mun has tragically perished in a vicious and vile assassination attempt and gone to Allah's Kingdom. His noble character will be forever remembered by Khwarazm; and his martyrdom is an indelible disgrace for Khwarazm!..."

His impassioned speech easily stirred up people's desire for revenge.

"Your Majesty Muzaffar Khan, the new ruler of Khwarazm! We are willing to follow you and avenge the despicable murderers!"

"In the name of God! The murderer was sent by the Samanid court; he is a lackey of the powerful Samanid minister Shahzani!"

"Attack the Samanid dynasty! Kill Shahzani! Avenge His Majesty Mahmun!"

The trusted officials in the court immediately began to create momentum and guide the court to follow the new emperor.

At this time, Muzaffar Khan, with the help of pro-Khara-Khanid elements within the country, had already controlled most of the army in Khwarazm. Military force equals power, and most courtiers, intimidated by his military might, had no choice but to pledge allegiance to him; even members of the Mahmun royal family had to submit.

Thus, with the support of his ministers, Muzaffar Khan formally ascended the throne. His first decree upon coronation was to assemble an army and attack the Samanid dynasty.

"Wait!"

Just then, a loud female voice broke the silence of the court.

Nasita stepped out from the ranks of ministers and said solemnly, "War brings disaster and death; it is a matter of national importance. How can it be launched so casually as if it were child's play? Furthermore, is it certain that the murderer was sent by the Samanid dynasty? Why were the officials and nobles not given any prior notice?"

“Nashida! Watch your tone! You are speaking to the new ruler of Khwarazm! Do you want to challenge the new ruler’s authority?!” Muzaffar Khan shouted sternly.

"Not really."

Nasita said solemnly and calmly, “Your Majesty’s orders are obeyed. If the Samanids were indeed the masterminds behind this conspiracy, I am willing to lead the army to punish the culprits. However, I also have a word of advice: ‘Blindly and rashly using force is not the act of a wise man.’”

Muzaffar Khan was very displeased with these words, but after thinking it over, he suppressed his anger.

He was well aware of the current situation: although he controlled the majority of the army, Nasita also held some military power. More importantly, the Khwarazmian elite armored cavalry obeyed her orders.

At present, we can only appease and utilize this female general from the Afriji family.

……

From the end of 1000 AD to the beginning of 1001 AD.

Muzaffar Khan usurped power from the Mamun dynasty and then massively conscripted and expanded his army, attempting to coordinate with the Karakhanid dynasty's offensive in the spring to launch a pincer attack on the Samanid dynasty from the west.

To raise funds for military expenses and supplies, taxes in Khwarazm rose rapidly. Farmers and herders had to pay more grain, cloth and livestock, and transit taxes for caravans also increased by several times. The heavy pressure caused widespread discontent among the people.

The Samanid spies, who had infiltrated Khwarazm, quickly ascertained the country's recent developments and immediately relayed the information back to the Bukhara court and the governor's office of Shahzani.

……

The study in the Governor's Palace of Samarkand.

Shahzani flipped through the official reports submitted from various regions, her face grave.

"I told you long ago that the Khwarazmians are unreliable; they're a bunch of hypocrites who try to please everyone! We should lead the mighty Iranian cavalry to punish them severely!" Bahram clenched his fists angrily.

“As I said, ‘the position of small countries is often fragile.’” Shahzani nodded slightly. “Moreover, their country has been mobilizing recently, and their monarch has been assassinated. I estimate that things are far more complicated than they appear on the surface.”

“I also believe that the turmoil in Khwarazm is related to the covert manipulation of a certain external power, most likely the Karakhanid Dynasty.” Farzana looked at Guan Wen thoughtfully.

"Sisters..."

Shahzani put down the documents in her hand, looked at the two of them, and a hint of reluctance appeared in her almond-shaped eyes: "For the next period of time, we will have to be separated again..."

She told the two of them her initial plans.

The plan is to divide the battlefront into three parts.

Farzana continued to garrison Samarkand, forming the eastern front to defend against the invasion of the Karakhanid army from the east.

Bahramu went to Zanshahr to defend the western front against the offensive of the Khwarazmian army from the west.

Her relocation to Nakhshab was for the central front. Nakhshab's central location within the country allowed for better coordination of troops on both the eastern and western fronts, enabling her to oversee the overall situation.

This undoubtedly means the three sisters are separated again, but only in this way can the ability to defend against the enemy on each front be balanced, and avoid being unable to attend to one side due to the imbalance of forces.

When he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Three beautiful pairs of eyes gazed at each other tenderly, revealing their reluctance to part.

"Sisters." Finally, Shahzani broke the silence.

She took their hands, and the three strong, beautiful hands were gently placed together, a look of determination and solemnity deep in her beautiful eyes.

“We are all important figures in our country, and living in times of war and chaos, it’s inevitable that we’ll be separated more often than together. But our sisterly friendship will never change.” She smiled and said, “God above all! I believe we will be reunited soon!”

The three of them hugged each other tightly.

The plan has been finalized.

Shahzani summoned the core group of decision-making officers and announced the strategy she was about to implement.

Bahraim and Farzana sat on either side of her.

The core group of generals, including Hoslu, Firuz, Avshin, Tahmina, Khorshid, Rustam Zaman, and Ikhshid, all attended the meeting.

Shahzani, taking into account the military strengths of each general, made the following allocations:

Generals Hoslu and Firuz were appointed as generals under Farzana to assist in the defense of Samarkand and were organized into the Eastern Army Group.

Generals Afshin and Tahmina were appointed as commanders under Bahraim to assist in the defense of Zanshahr and were organized into the Western Army Group.

He appointed three generals, Khorshid, Rustam Zaman, and Ikhshid, to assist him in moving to Nakhshab and reorganizing them into the Central Army Group.

After a period of expansion, streamlining, and reorganization, the size of the military has now greatly increased:

萨曼宫廷女卫兵1500人；领薪常备军为3万人；德赫甘地主武装5万人；总动员军巴斯基民兵10万人；粟特、塞尔柱等族提供的特殊辅助武装3万人。

The army's staff and clerks also expanded, and each general had a relatively complete staff unit, which enabled them to handle military affairs more efficiently.

Other military roles, such as military clerics and doctors, also increased significantly. The medical corps, with Ibn Sina at its core, became an important source of medical support for the army's operations.

Shahzani believes that even if troops are divided to defend the borders, they can still keep the enemy out of the country.

Chapter 72 The Karakhanid Offensive

January 22, 1001 AD, the second day of the month of Bahman in the Persian calendar.

Shahzani is preparing to move to Nakhshab.

Half an hour before sunrise, she led her female guards to the military camp outside the 9th Farsah, and the other designated troops set off in turn at the appointed time. Within a single day, multiple garrisons from nearby counties were mobilized, thanks to their rigorous daily training, resulting in a high level of mobilization efficiency.

The executive officers, known as "Nassachs," were responsible for relaying messages, maintaining order, and clearing the way for the army.

This position was established by Shahzani based on modern Iranian military experience (especially that of the Nadir Shah and Qajar dynasties). It was mainly filled by junior female officers who were known for their strict discipline. Their duties included intelligence transmission, torture, and military discipline supervision. They were essentially a combination of military police, messengers, and executioners.

The large caravan inns along the way now serve as military outposts. Their spacious, rectangular courtyards are just the right size for setting up camps, while the sturdy brick walls provide a degree of defense.

After becoming governor, Shahzani ordered a major overhaul of the postal system in Transoxiana, ensuring that each post station had provisions for food and hay, spare horses, and attached messenger stations and couriers.

This system facilitated rest for traveling caravans, provided a convenient stop for officials on their travels, facilitated the transmission of administrative information, and also made it convenient for troop rest and resupply during wartime.

As a result, all major events occurring within a radius of 50 farsachs (over 300 kilometers) can be known within a single day. Officials responsible for handling these matters can then make judgments based on this accurate information.