I was the Queen of Persia

Page 169

“To the great Khan of Khans, although Chaglitzin harbors ulterior motives, he is, after all, your own son. Moreover, now that we face the formidable enemy, the Saman Empire, openly fighting among ourselves would easily lead to chaos,” some of the Yuga advisors in the tent suggested.

"Do you have any good suggestions?"

“Qadir Tutush, a senior minister in the Chaglitzin camp and your nephew, is extremely loyal to you and quite dissatisfied with the Chaglitzin’s arrogance. You can win him over.”

"Hmm, that's a good idea."

Aknuar nodded in satisfaction. Kadir Tutush was not only intelligent and brave, and loyal, but more secretly, this nephew was also his secret lover.

Many years ago, Aknuar seduced the young Tutush into his camp, and since then, the two have maintained a secret illicit affair.

Taking all these factors into account, Aknuer decided to focus on winning over Tutush.

Chapter 386 Three pillars

In the spring of 1029 AD, the year 398 of the Persian calendar.

The Samanid Empire continued to recuperate and build up its strength, while the Turan Khanate suffered from internal divisions, leading to intensified conflicts within its ruling group.

Shahzani learned more through messages delivered via the Silk Road.

As for Chaglitzin himself, after the Sudetenland defeat and his retreat to the Pannonia steppe, his temperament became increasingly violent and arrogant. He not only frequently whipped his personal guards but also repeatedly rejected the advice of his subordinates.

The Tsagli Special Forces planned to demolish churches in Pannonia's cities, ban local church organizations at all levels, replace them with the Turan Mosque, and impose an additional "Gizya" tax on local non-Muslim farmers and herders, along with usurious loans, in order to rebuild the damaged military.

Qadir Tutush repeatedly advised against this, arguing that exploiting the infidels too severely would inevitably provoke strong resistance. Furthermore, the Turan people residing in the area, numbering only a few thousand households, were insufficient to suppress the recurring uprisings.

However, Chaglitzin was furious at the advice. He not only publicly berated Tutush at a banquet for his ministers, but also fabricated charges against him and executed several of Tutush's close guards and confidants. The brothers gradually turned against each other.

Meanwhile, Aknuar, after learning of the rumors that Chaglitchin was "about to surrender to the Saman Empire," sent a secret envoy westward to Pannonia to secretly contact Tutush.

……

However, while the various factions within the Turan Khanate were fighting amongst themselves, the external situation was still changing.

Nisa Sahini, the military envoy of the Saman Empire, coordinated the various Christian tribes and launched a major southward campaign along the Rhine River, successively conquering many towns occupied by the Turan army.

Thanks to the coordination and assistance of Nisa Sahimian.

The Dawn Crusade of Kalissus has grown in strength, with various armed groups flocking to its banner. The newly victorious Knights of the Iron Cross (which absorbed the remnants of the Battle Sisters) also intend to join them.

Even more remarkably, the Greenwood Hunters, a group of outlaws, bandits, and pagan natives entrenched in the dense forests of southern France, sent messengers to the Dawn Crusade.

Faced with shared interests, factors such as lineage, hierarchy, piety, and feudal system of Christian order traditions were temporarily set aside.

Of course, this is only "temporary".

This was naturally quite detrimental to the rule and wealth accumulation of the Zaghli Special Agents, and it further intensified his process of repression and plunder.

……

After learning about the situation, Shahzani continued to send spies to spread rumors on the Turan steppe and sow discord between them.

The fifth daughter of Shahizani—Bahman Zahra Shahizani—is currently stationed on the Alanistan steppe in the North Caucasus. Upon receiving Empress Shahzani's order, she immediately began preparations.

"Select five thousand elite knights, dress them in the uniforms of the Zaghli Special Forces, and under cover of night, cross the Don River to attack Aknuer's pastures," Bahman Zahra Shahini ordered.

This was a rather daring plan. The commander's authority, the soldiers' bravery, and the army's discipline were all indispensable. The powerful army of the Saman Empire possessed these advantages, and the generals of the Sahimian family were all bold and daring.

The battle plan was then quickly put into action.

In the late spring of 1029 AD, one night...

The Samanid army, disguised in disguise, unexpectedly crossed the river near Sakir, the former capital of the Khazars Khanate, and then swiftly marched towards the Turan tribe's pastures on the east bank of the Don River.

The Turans did not deploy sufficient military force in this area, nor did they build dense fortified settlements. Faced with the sudden and fierce attack, they were caught off guard, and their people and livestock scattered and fled.

In the dim light, some people could see that it was “the people of the Chaglitt tribe” who came to plunder!

The Samanid army that launched the attack was incredibly well-disguised and imitative. They not only shouted Turan war slogans like "Alash!" in fluent Turanese, but also followed the Turan army's custom of looting and burning all valuables they saw.

The leader of the army, Bahman Zahra Shahini, gave a particularly lifelike performance. She wore a Kipchak-style mask and helmet, with dozens of braids flying in the wind. She wielded a steppe scimitar and slashed and hacked at will, leaving corpses strewn all over the field and rivers of blood in an instant.

The vast grasslands and pastures on the east bank of the Don River quickly descended into chaos. Before the surrounding tribesmen could even understand what was happening, they saw the refugees and their livestock fleeing in droves.

Bahman Zahra Shahinian, having determined that he had acted long enough, took advantage of the lull in the Turan army's encirclement and retreat, leading the Saman army to safety and disappearing from sight.

Because the battle situation was already very chaotic, the Turans did not find any flaws and assumed that these raiders were sent by Chaglitzin. They hurriedly sent messengers to report this bad news to Aknuar.

……

As for Aknuer, although she was convinced that Chaglitqin harbored ulterior motives, she also suspected that the Samanid Empire's counter-espionage plot was involved. Therefore, she did not initially intend to immediately engage in armed conflict.

However, when she heard the devastating news of the attack on the pastures on the east bank of the Don River, she could no longer contain her anger.

Combining the rampant rumors circulating domestically, the vivid description of the attack given by the informant, and Chagli's character, she was convinced that this rebellious son had "knelt before the power of the Saman Empire." So, with a sudden "smack!" she stood up and shouted:

"Pass on my orders!..."

She ordered the mobilization of troops to plunder several pastures under the control of the Zaghlitts. All the tribespeople were burned, killed, and slaughtered; all the felt tents were burned to ashes; all the livestock were seized; and all the prisoners were taken as slaves.

When the news reached Pannonia, Zagret was furious. He already had a strained relationship with his mother. Now that war had broken out, the conflict and discord had only intensified. In his rage, he ordered a counterattack against Aknuar.

Aknuer and Chaglitqin had a complete falling out.

The two forces engaged in numerous large and small battles along the Don River, which lasted for months, causing widespread devastation and forcing the various ethnic groups and tribes in the Don River basin to scatter and migrate.

After a brief conflict, the two sides finally agreed to demarcate their spheres of influence along the Don River, mediated by their respective tribal elders. Although the conflict ceased, the underlying tensions were deeply entrenched. Subsequently, both sides expelled tribes loyal to the other and blocked nomadic migrations between them.

The Turan Khanate, which stretched across Eurasia, thus split into the Eastern Turan Khanate under Aknuar and the Western Turan Khanate under Chaglitzin. The disintegration of the former Turkic Khanates and the former Karakhanid Dynasty was once again playing out on the Inner Asian steppes.

The Eastern Turan Khanate, the Western Turan Khanate, and the Samanid Empire of Iran formed a tripartite balance of power.

This is exactly the result Shahzani wanted.

Chapter 387 Resurrection

On the post road from Kerman Province to Khorasan Province.

"Giddy up! Giddy up! Get out of the way! Urgent military situation!"

Nassak, dressed in red and wearing a black hat, was riding a swift horse, raising clouds of dust as he carried the messenger.

This indicates that it was a rather urgent military situation.

Thanks to the well-developed post road system, they arrived at the capital, Jahanshahr, in less than a day.

"Thump—thump—thump—!"

Grand Vizier Farzana and many Diwan officials hurried through the palace and soon arrived at the royal study where Shahzani was. After being informed by the royal attendants, they were finally allowed to enter.

"Your Excellency Shahsha! Tragic news! A horrific act of violence has occurred in Kerman City, the capital of Kerman Province!" Farzana presented the official document.

Upon hearing this, Shahzani's brows furrowed suddenly, and she asked seriously, "What exactly happened?"

"Yesterday was the anniversary of the warriors' memorial in Kerman, when the evil enemy planted explosive pottery jars on the road leading to the Warriors' Tomb in the suburbs, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of devout pilgrims."

"At the same time, rioters stirred up trouble in the Sassanid community of Bam, Kerman province. They were masked, dressed in black, and armed with knives and swords. They attacked bazaars and bathhouses, indiscriminately killing innocent people and causing a large number of casualties."

"A total of 210 enemies were involved in the incident. Apart from 49 who resisted and were killed on the spot, the rest of the villains have all been arrested by the local government and are currently being interrogated."

Farzana replied.

Listen.

Shahzani's face darkened, her majestic eyes becoming exceptionally sharp: "I know who's behind this."

The Blackblade Cult.

This extremist religious militant group, which had suffered repeated defeats and was almost fading from view, suddenly flashed into Shahzani's mind.

Since the victory in the war against Fatima more than a decade ago, the Blackblade sect's stronghold was destroyed and its main force was defeated. The remaining members had to scatter and flee, some to the Sahel region south of North Africa, some to Zanzibar, and some to the islands of the East Indies...

Shahzani launched another nationwide manhunt, and all extremist groups associated with the Blackblade Cult were suppressed and eliminated by her with harsh and ruthless methods. The high-ranking priests and leaders of these factions were either hanged or turned into part of the pyramid of skulls in the desert.

I thought the violent and extreme internet had been destroyed, but I never expected it to rise again after decades.

Although these petty villains were powerless to overthrow the Samanid Empire, the violence and murder they perpetrated caused significant damage to the empire's subjects. As the proverb says, even small flies can be nauseating.

It seems that combating the spread of terrorism was a long and arduous task, even in ancient times.

boom--!

Shahzani slammed the document on the table, her imposing eyes almost blazing with fury: "If a dead villain can rise from his grave, the best course of action is to tear him to pieces!"

"Falzana! Holshid!"

"Chen is here!"

"Immediately draft an edict to assemble the government forces of Kerman, Sistan, and Balochistan provinces to severely suppress any enemy who commits wrongdoing! Order the Southeast Military District of Sistan Province to also send troops to cooperate!"

"I obey your command!"

Shahzani knew that although the incident was not large in scale, its impact was significant.

Warriors' Day was an important holiday she personally decreed for Kerman Province, commemorating the fallen soldiers. The fact that they dared to openly stir up trouble on such a sacred day shows that these hidden enemies were prepared to provoke them.

Bam, an ancient city steeped in history, is considered one of the holy sites of the Iranian nation. To dare to commit violence with weapons in such a sacred city is a desecration of the dignity of the Iranian people.

If this is not dealt with severely, the authority of the central high-ranking officials of the Saman Empire will be ridiculed and challenged by petty villains.

It was precisely for this reason that the local government quickly submitted a document to the central government after bringing the situation under control. Otherwise, the local government could have easily dealt with these lawbreakers on its own, and there would have been no need for the central government to intervene.

Shahzani was furious, and the incident in Kerman Province quickly spread throughout the city of Jahanshahr. After all, upon hearing that an enemy had openly provoked the nation and its faith, all the passionate and patriotic young people of the capital were filled with righteous indignation.

In front of the government offices and mosques in various communities, crowds of angry young men and women gathered, shouting sacred slogans, strongly denouncing the enemy's despicable acts, and volunteering to join the holy war volunteer army to help the government eliminate the evil enemy.

Thanks to its efficient system and the Empress's personal decrees, the Samanid bureaucracy demonstrated unprecedented efficiency. Shahzani determined that the enemy had arrived by sea, landing at the coastal ports of Balochistan, a region characterized by its mountainous terrain and complex environment. Local officials responded swiftly, rapidly deploying manpower throughout Balochistan.

This move proved remarkably effective. The Balochistan provincial authorities discovered numerous suspicious outposts in the coastal caves. After careful observation and deliberation, they launched a decisive attack, successfully arresting a large number of criminals and seizing a large quantity of swords, crossbows, explosive canisters, and other items.

After being tortured by the Nassak interrogators of the province, the captured outlaws revealed their identities—they were indeed assassins secretly sent by the Blackblade Cult.

Disguised as legitimate merchants, they carried large quantities of trade goods such as sandalwood, pepper, and sappanwood, and traveled along the Maritime Silk Road, first landing at ports on the southern coast of the Samanid Empire. They then dispersed, awaiting signals, and secretly lay in wait, finally retrieving the murder weapon hidden among the goods to create trouble.

Following the trail, the officials of Balochistan province destroyed even more "secret strongholds" in various cities throughout the province.

The local Baloch tribesmen also cooperated with the government to apprehend the criminals, because they were grateful for Queen Shahzani's justice and generosity, knowing that the stable days they had now were a gift from Her Majesty the Queen.

Progress in Kerman province was equally rapid.

This inland province is mostly inhabited by Persian speakers, while the Black Blade members, who come from overseas ethnic groups, often have language barriers and poor pronunciation. Some even speak a dialect of Arabic, which is easy to identify.

Sistan Province goes without saying.

This is the location of the Southeast Military Region of the Saman Empire. The garrison in the province has requested permission to go north to attack the Turan Khanate several times, but it has not been approved. At this moment, the officers and soldiers are all feeling frustrated and are looking for a place to vent their anger. Now that they have received such a sacred decree, how can they easily slack off?

The brave female warriors charged forward fiercely, scattering the Black Blade cultists to pieces.

Chapter 388 The Mastermind Behind the Kerman Incident

Bam, Kerman Province.

The fortresses from the Sasanian dynasty still showcase the power and grandeur of the Iranian Shahs.

The Caviani military flag, symbolizing the Empress and the center, fluttered in the wind.

After the disaster and misfortune struck the province, Shahzani set off from the capital Jahan Shahr to come here.

The Samanid Empress's authority naturally intimidated the arrogant saboteurs. Many previously unrepentant prisoners quickly confessed under her intimidation, without even the need for torture.

boom--!

A disheveled prisoner, seemingly a leader, was thrown before the Queen, prostrating himself before her supreme authority, not daring to even breathe loudly. On either side, Nassak executioners, wielding batons and clubs, glared menacingly at him.

Under such overwhelming pressure, the Black Blade Cult member trembled, his earlier arrogance completely gone.

"You had better answer my questions truthfully, otherwise your path to hell will not be so 'smooth'."

Shahzani's words, like the majestic Mount Damawand, weighed heavily on the fragile will of the Blackblade Party members, forcing the prisoner to obey and repeatedly kowtow, kissing the ground in front of the Queen's boots.

“Very well, then, what is your purpose in coming here? Who is the mastermind behind this? And who are your accomplices?” Shahzani’s beautiful eyes once again burned with a majestic rage.

How could the Blackblade leader, with his dark brown skin and Sahel appearance, dare to disobey?

He quickly answered truthfully:

“My name is Muhammad Aziz Mambabi, the president of the Black Blade sect, the ‘Jihadist Association of Khorasan Province,’ and the spokesperson of Allah… Ah! No, no! It was the Black Blade sect’s ‘Caliph’—the Hejaz Haqawi—who ordered us to infiltrate your country.”

"The Hejaz Haqawi has already established a pseudo-theocratic kingdom in the Sahel region and recruited a large number of spies to infiltrate every corner of the Muslim world. He hates you and your empire to the core, so he sent us here."

"We, the Khorasan Jihadist Association, have been ordered to infiltrate here and are responsible for carrying out assassinations and sabotage when the opportunity arises. Ideally, we would launch a 'jihadist cause' in the East, conquer the Muslim world east of Baghdad, and wreak havoc on your country."