I was the Queen of Persia

Page 4

When the arrow was less than a meter away, Shahzani swung her warhammer and easily knocked it down.

Immediately afterward, Shahzani spurred her horse, causing it to surge forward with even greater speed. With this seamless and exquisite coordination between rider and horse, she instantly galloped to the enemy general's side.

The bull-headed warhammer, gleaming with metallic luster in mid-air, was poised to fall.

Hassan Tutun panicked and frantically raised a small iron shield, trying to block the attack. But with a loud clang, the shield instantly dented.

"what!"

Hassan Tutun screamed as he felt a tremendous force slam into him. He lost his balance completely and fell heavily from his horse. The fierce force and the intense pain in his arm almost suffocated him.

"Ah! For God's sake! I surrender! I surrender! Tell your henchmen to stop!"

Hassan Tutun was horrified when he saw Shahzani so close to him, and he shouted in Haqaniyya Turkic.

To many other Persian soldiers, it was nothing more than a bunch of shouting and yelling, except for a few Persian loanwords that could be understood.

But Shahzani was different; she could understand many Turkic languages ​​and naturally knew that the enemy general in front of her was surrendering and begging for mercy.

"Hmph, tie him up and take him away!"

Shahzani, with a stern expression, gave orders to the soldiers beside her.

She did not execute the surrendered general. After all, not killing those who surrender is a common rule on the battlefield. More importantly, this Karakhanid general might be able to provide a lot of useful information, especially since she had just arrived in this world and was not yet very familiar with the situation.

at this time.

The defeated Karakhanid soldiers scattered across the plains, fleeing the battlefield in panic.

Chapter 6: Abundant Loot

When the battle is over.

"Lady Shahzani! You are truly valiant! Even if Guldaffarid were alive today, he would surely be humbled!"

"Yes, Lady Shahzani! You are the daughter of the warrior Rustam, the embodiment of wisdom, beauty and strength!"

All the court ladies and guards gathered around, bowing to Shahzani and showering her with compliments.

The enthusiastic atmosphere even attracted the large number of female militia members on the periphery, who cheered and applauded in unison, making Shahzani feel somewhat flattered.

She vaguely sensed that their gazes had changed: they no longer looked like subordinates looking at their superiors, but rather like fangirls looking at mature women.

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly waved her hand, saying, "Uh, I mean, warriors... no, sisters. These are all the fruits of our labor! Without your valiant fighting, how could we have achieved such a glorious victory?"

Everyone cheered again.

"Lady Shahzani, we are willing to follow you forever!" a young female soldier boldly expressed her feelings.

“That’s right! I’m willing to serve you and be at your service!” another young female soldier said loudly.

The atmosphere was extremely lively.

Shahzani knew that they were female soldiers, but also women. On the battlefield, they were armed and charged into battle, but once they took off their uniforms and armor, they were no different from girls of the same age.

Girls idolize their idols, and female soldiers revere their commanders.

In short, thanks to this victory in the desperate counterattack, her prestige in the army has been fully established.

……

After the battle, the natural next step is to clean up the battlefield, take stock of casualties, and collect the spoils of war.

"In this battle, our army suffered 159 casualties, including 5 palace guards and 154 militiamen. Another 300 were wounded, and the wounded have all been transported back to the city for treatment."

A tall female officer, exuding the fragrance of rose perfume, was reporting the situation to Shahzani.

After several days of conversation, Shahzani learned that the female officer's name was Farzana, and that she had reportedly attended a civil service literacy school (Persian: Dabiristan, meaning "the place where civil scribes are trained"), making her the most educated among the court's female military officers.

"What about enemy casualties?"

"After clearing the battlefield, we found more than 2000 enemy soldiers' corpses, plus more than 500 prisoners," Farzana replied quickly.

Shahzani nodded approvingly, deeply impressed by the fact that the other party had learned a great deal in "Dabilistan".

Influenced by traditional ideas, these Persian-style government schools were theoretically predominantly for male students. However, some far-sighted families would also send their daughters to school.

Clearly, Falzana was born into a family environment with a strong intellectual atmosphere.

Shahzani felt a sense of kinship with the female officer.

After all, she was a highly educated woman from the 21st century. Coming to a world a thousand years ago, she naturally had more to talk about with women who could also copy and write.

Moreover, Falzana is indeed shrewd and capable. She can not only quickly organize the city defense maps and archives of Zanshahr, but she is also good at calculating a lot of necessary data.

“Let the fallen warriors be buried in peace,” Shahzani sighed, then looked up again. “And how much spoils were captured?”

The sacrifice of many of her comrades-in-arms saddened her, but she knew very well that there would be casualties on the battlefield, and those who survived could only make the martyrdom of the fallen more meaningful by fighting and living even harder.

When the Karakhanid army fled, it abandoned a large amount of weapons, flags, food, cattle, sheep and other supplies. For the isolated Zanshahr Castle, these were timely supplies that could allow the isolated army to hold out for a longer period of time.

Farzana paused, opened the document she was holding written on Samarkand paper, and continued:

"According to the summary, the grain captured this time can supply the entire city for three months. Combined with the existing grain reserves in the city, it can supply the entire army for six months..."

"Yes, that's great. We have enough food for another six months." Shahzani smacked her lips in response.

Food is of paramount importance to both the military and the people. Shahzani is now paying close attention to the issue of food for the castle garrison. After all, if the soldiers are hungry, even the highest morale will be slowly worn down by hunger.

Currently, there seems to be some room for easing the food problem.

According to Persian agricultural tradition, wheat is usually sown after Mehrgan (October each year), cultivated diligently after Nowruz (March 21 each year), and harvested in Khordad (late May to late June each year).

According to the Gregorian calendar, it is now around the beginning of November. If the stored grain can last for six months, it can barely last until the wheat harvest next year.

Apart from the grain, all other spoils were also tallied up and listed by Farzana.

"There are more than 500 prisoners captured this time, all of whom are artisans who accompanied the Karakhanid army," Farzana said, revealing a key piece of information at the end.

"Oh, is there such a good thing?" Shahzani couldn't help but beam with joy. "Come, let's go and see."

“Yes, sir.” Falzana immediately obeyed and followed.

For an army, the artisans accompanying the troops are undoubtedly a very valuable auxiliary force. Skilled craftsmen who follow the main force into battle can forge weapons, repair armor, strengthen city defenses, and manufacture war machines, among other things.

Compared to the valiant warriors, Shahzani's forces are currently far less skilled in craftsmanship.

The two female officers walked side by side and soon arrived at a field where prisoners were being held.

The traces of the battle had not yet been completely erased; broken spears and swords, blood-stained and torn armor were piled up haphazardly on the sand, telling the story of the brutality of the fierce fight.

Hundreds of prisoners were bound hand and foot. Among them were Persians, Sogdians, Turgesh, Karluks, and others. They all knelt there, heads bowed, utterly dejected.

Female militia members, armed with spears, surrounded the group, watching them warily.

Five fully armored palace guards stood in the middle, conducting the interrogation in Persian and Turkic respectively.

"What do you do?!"

"blacksmith……"

"And you?!"

"Armor maker..."

"And you!"

"Bricklayer..."

……

In addition, there are various other trades such as carpentry, furnace making, and leatherwork, making it a complete range of professions.

After listening for a while, Shahzani also concluded that these prisoners were indeed valuable skilled personnel.

“You may all step back,” she said, stepping forward to the five female soldiers who were interrogating them. “Let me ask them.”

Several female soldiers left, and Shahzani found a slightly higher mound to stand on, facing the prisoners.

"You may have done it willingly, or you may have been forced. But! You all followed the wrong master, which is why you have ultimately become prisoners of the army of justice!"

Her voice was loud and clear, and her expression was stern. The prisoners trembled slightly, and they buried their heads even deeper, not daring to look directly at this imposing female general.

“However,” Shahzani said, softening her tone slightly as she saw that the intimidation had been effective, “there is now a way out for you.”

Upon hearing this, the prisoners all looked up at the female general, their eyes gleaming.

Chapter 7 unlocks powerful production talents.

Shahzani glanced at them and shouted, "Join my ranks and fight alongside me!"

The prisoners were overwhelmed by this powerful momentum.

Most of them were conscripted by the Karakhanid army and were unwilling to serve these "uncivilized Turans".

Furthermore, Shahzani had won a victory against overwhelming odds, and his army was very powerful. He thought that if he did not surrender now, he might be in danger of losing his life.

Even if they were not executed by Shahzani, they might be intercepted and killed by rebel troops or bandits on their way back, or they might be imprisoned and executed by the Karakhanids as "spies".

They had nowhere to retreat, so in an instant, they all knelt down to show their submission.

“It’s a success.” Shahzani smiled with satisfaction. “Zanshahr City is currently in dire need of skilled artisans. Their arrival will definitely turn the tide.”

At this moment, a long-term plan had already begun to take shape in her mind.

……

As the crimson sunset sank below the western horizon, the cleanup of the battlefield was drawing to a close.

Silver moonlight spilled onto the brownish-yellow earth, and the oasis was utterly silent, save for the occasional sound of the wind rustling through the sand dunes, creating an atmosphere of extraordinary tranquility and peace.

Inside Zanshahr Castle, lights were lit throughout the domed barracks and houses. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, and the aroma of roasted naan and lamb filled the entire castle. Victory had brought temporary relief from the crisis, and every soldier and civilian here was filled with immense excitement and joy.

"To Lady Shahzani's victory, please enjoy!"

"May Lady Shahzani lead us to even greater victories, God bless us!"

The soldiers sat in small groups, chewing on fragrant naan bread and roasted meat, and sipping sweet fermented fruit juice.

In their exuberance, many soldiers spontaneously recited hymns to ancient Iranian heroes to celebrate what they considered an unparalleled victory.

at the same time.

At the highest point of the commander's residence, golden copper lamps illuminated the meeting hall, making the interior brightly lit. The colorful carpets hanging throughout the room were even more dazzling under the bright light.

Shahzani sat cross-legged on the main seat covered with a rug, presiding over a meeting of officers and handling the remaining post-war work.

The soldiers celebrated, but the officers who held the power of decision-making still had duties to perform and had to do all of this properly before they could relax for a while.

Shahzani understood that although they had won the first battle, enemy attacks could occur at any time, so while celebrating, she also strengthened the fortress's defenses and vigilance.

The role you play dictates the tasks you perform. As the highest-ranking military officer, she must play a coordinating role in the overall situation. She has now successfully transformed her identity and mindset.

One after another, draft documents written on Samarkand paper were presented, mainly concerning issues such as the burial of the dead, treatment of the wounded, resettlement of prisoners of war, storage of spoils of war, and prevention of enemy attacks.

After all, they were regular military personnel from the government, and their efficiency was evident to all, so the meeting proceeded quite smoothly.

At last.

"Everyone."

Shahzani stood up, looked at her subordinates, and smiled faintly: "These past few days of training and fighting have been very tiring. Rest well tonight and have sweet dreams. May Hu Da protect us!"

"Lady Sheshahezani, we're off then," the others replied.

“By the way, Bahramu, remind me to go on night patrol when the water clock has gone past three marks,” Shahzani called to her adjutant and gave her some more instructions.

"As you wish," the dashing adjutant replied.

As the highest-ranking military officer, one should set a good example when necessary.

The officers returned to their quarters, and Shahzani also went back to her bedroom, which was hers alone. As the leader of the female guards and the highest military and political officer of Shahzani Castle, her greatest advantage was that she could have an empty room all to herself.

I closed the door, removed my armor, and finished showering.

"Phew, finally I can relax for a while."

Shahzani threw herself onto the blanketed bed and let out a long sigh of relief.

The intense preparations of the past few days had kept her on edge, but today, after defeating the Karakhanids' initial attack, she was enjoying a rare moment of peace in this world for the first time.