I was the Queen of Persia

Page 123

Sahimian coordinated the various forces, which advanced simultaneously from different directions.

Under this fierce attack, the largest number of Yemeni puppet troops quickly lost their will to resist and soon surrendered in battalions. The remaining Nej and Fatima's main forces were unable to withstand the attack and were quickly annihilated and disintegrated.

The Battle of Sana'a dealt a heavy blow to the rule of the pro-Fatima forces in the Yemeni inland mountains, with dozens of surrounding tribes and hundreds of villages vying to submit, and the Zayd faction's strength increased dramatically.

The Fatima military commanders stationed along the Yemeni coast, including Zabid, Hodeidah, and Aden, were deeply worried. Given this trend, if the Zaid faction continued its expansion, coastal Yemen would inevitably fall sooner or later. At that point, the strategic chokepoint controlling the Red Sea would be cut off, resulting not only in the loss of key fortresses and towns, but also putting the fleets deployed to the Persian Gulf in a precarious situation.

The governors and garrison commanders of Fatima dared not delay and quickly wrote a report on the battle situation, which was then sent to the court in Cairo.

……

Northern battlefield.

Shahzani's army has broken through the Golan Heights barrier and advanced into the low-lying valleys of the West Bank, which is broadly considered the "Palestinian region." The Fatima forces and Druze militias are fighting and retreating, continuing to tighten their lines, attempting to use the diverse Palestinian population to contain the Iranian Saman forces there.

However, Shahzani's offensive was extremely fierce. The Fatima troops at the front line were scattered and stationed in various cities, making it difficult for them to form a strong force. They were quickly defeated one by one by the advancing Iranian army.

The holy city of Jerusalem quickly became Shahzani's target.

The flames of war quickly engulfed the ancient city, and the Samanid army's terrifying war machine—gravity catapults, Naftan incendiary bomb launchers, rocket vehicles, suicide drones, and more—all made their appearance and displayed their power before this ancient city.

Ra'ahdi's Sham assassins skillfully infiltrated the Fatima army's defenses, destroying armories, outposts, stables, and other facilities, and assassinating Fatima's military, political, and religious officials, paving the way for the subsequent offensive by the Iranian Samanid Empire's army.

Most of the pagans in Jerusalem—mainly Jews and Christians—who could not tolerate the religious discrimination policies of the Fatima ruler Hakim, also acted as "guides" and "fence-sitters" during the critical moment of the fierce battle, delivering supplies and directing the Samanid army.

Under this fierce offensive launched from both inside and outside, the garrison in Jerusalem could not hold out for long and was forced to abandon its fortified camps and continue its westward retreat, gathering scattered troops along the way and rebuilding its defenses.

In the struggle for control of Palestine, the Fatimid Caliphate lost more than 2 troops, including its own regular army, militia, and vassal auxiliary forces. The fall of the holy city of Jerusalem shocked the Egyptian government and public.

The defeated governors and officers of Fatima were disheartened and wrote reports on the battle, which they sent to the court in Cairo.

……

Cairo, the Fatima court.

The monarch Hakim knelt before the niche of the palace mosque, his simple cloth robe highlighting his piety. He faced the wall symbolizing the manifestation of God, his face filled with sorrow.

The continuous stream of news of defeats from various regions dealt a heavy blow to this arrogant and domineering monarch.

"Almighty God! The Persians are coming! After years of fighting, our royal army has suffered defeat after defeat, the holy city has fallen, and the people are filled with fear and panic!..."

“Our soldiers on the front lines have lost the vigor they once had when they raised the banner of the Prophet and expanded their territory from Ifrikiyah; and among our generals, there are no longer any outstanding commanders like Khalid and Waqas from four hundred years ago…”

"How can I stop the Persian army's advance? Almighty... God!"

Amid the mournful recitation, Hakim couldn't help but shed tears.

Dumiyat, who was attending to him, was also feeling heavy-hearted at this moment.

He entered officialdom from humble beginnings, and after years of scheming, finally gained the monarch's favor. He then assisted the monarch in establishing a new army, eliminating the old tribal warlords, and ultimately achieving a position of honor and power second only to the emperor. Now, with the monarch in trouble, as a loyal and devoted advisor, he decided to share the monarch's burdens.

“Great incarnation of Allah, I think I have a solution,” Dumiyat said, kneeling down.

“Speak, Dumiyat, I will take any of your suggestions seriously,” Hakim said.

“Your Majesty, please consider this. Why were the Persians able to advance so rapidly? It was because our country’s territory is vast and long, leaving little room for our troops to maneuver over a wide area. As a result, the cities along the way could only fight passively on their own, and were eventually defeated one by one by the Persians.”

"Then you mean..."

Dumiyat respectfully kowtowed: "Your subject is willing to lead the entire army of the nation in a decisive battle against the Persian army! If successful, I will annihilate them in one fell swoop; if unsuccessful, may I be condemned to eternal damnation in hell!"

Chapter 289 The Eve of the Decisive Battle

What Dumiyat could think of, Shahzani could think of as well.

In the marching tent of the Iranian Samanid army, Shahzani repeatedly gestured on Biruni's map, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the Fatimid Caliphate's territorial shape. Although its accuracy was not as high as that of modern high-precision maps, the basic coastline, mountain range distribution, and territorial outline were already quite close to reality.

The Fatimid Caliphate's territory can be summarized in one word: "elongated": influenced by geographical environment and military conquest, its core territory was distributed along the Nile River basin, forming an elongated shape; its western territory was distributed along the Mediterranean coast, forming an elongated shape; and its eastern territory was also distributed along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, also forming an elongated shape.

The advantages of this geographical shape are its concentrated population, dense oases, and numerous ports, which allow for the full exploitation of the agricultural potential of the Nile oasis lands and maximizes the commercial potential of Mediterranean-Red Sea coastal trade.

However, its first drawback is that the distribution of population, military and economic resources is extremely uneven. The density of cities and villages in the Nile Delta is astonishing, but just a few Farsachs away, there is only endless yellow sand with few people.

Its second drawback, as Dumiat pointed out, is the lack of room for maneuver for large-scale troop movements and the lack of strategic depth. When faced with a large Iranian army advancing rapidly, it often finds itself in a passive position.

Unless the Fatima army can launch several large-scale decisive battles to defeat the invading opponents, but that would undoubtedly be a risky move with a gamble.

Just then, a scout outside the tent came to report:

"The Fatima army intends to concentrate 20 troops, under the command of Dumiat, to set up camp and defenses on the Sinai Peninsula, intending to engage in a decisive battle with our army!"

"Let them come! In that case, let the iron spears of the Iranian warriors meet them head-on!" Shahzani stood up abruptly, her eyes sharp, and looked at her staff and advisors beside her. "Order the entire army to break camp and advance!"

The crimson battle flags fluttered wildly in the sandstorm, obscuring the sky, as the Samanid army marched in a mighty force toward the Sinai Peninsula. Soon, they reached a point about 20 farsahs (approximately 120 kilometers) from the main force of Fatima, where the two armies assembled and faced each other.

However, the battle did not begin immediately. The Fatima army was still gathering its scattered troops and waiting for reinforcements, and did not launch a large-scale attack for the time being; the Saman army, on the other hand, had marched a long distance and wanted to wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. Thus, both armies remained inactive, and the stalemate lasted for several months.

During this lull, Shahzani observed the enemy's movements, searching for weaknesses and vulnerabilities, while simultaneously issuing orders to the domestic military districts to send reinforcements and alter the balance of power.

Relying on a more extensive postal and supply system and a more powerful mobilization mechanism, the Samanid army was more efficient in mobilizing manpower and supplies than the Fatima.

In just a few months, 5 elite troops drawn from the Fars, Azerbaijan, and Khorasan military districts have arrived under Shahzani's command, bringing her forces to over 10.

Meanwhile, the various forces in Fatima had not yet been fully assembled, and the follow-up troops transferred from western fortresses such as Kairouan were still en route.

This resulted in the Fatima army, which initially held the upper hand, being unable to launch a large-scale offensive for a long time.

……

The Fatima military camp, atop a high slope.

Dumiyat led his deputy general and personal guards to inspect the battle situation. Looking at the distant, raging red flames, his heart couldn't help but feel heavy.

"The Persian Queen's majesty remains undiminished!" Dumiyat said earnestly to his subordinates.

As a Fatima official who had visited the Samanid Empire, he was well aware of the formidable strength of the Samanid army. Compared to other Fatima generals, he had a more objective view.

Because of his profound understanding of the Samanid Empire's terrifying war prowess, he was one of the few anti-war figures in the Fatimid court, and he repeatedly advised the monarch to delay the war and stop fighting.

However, he was also loyal to the monarch and the court, so when the Samanid army was sweeping across the territory of Fatima, he stepped forward and took on the heavy responsibility of leading the army to fight the decisive battle without hesitation.

This is the true character of this minister who revitalized Fatima.

“Commander, I have a plan. We are currently outnumbered and outgunned. We can send our swift Berber cavalry to launch a surprise attack on their camp and supplies,” said the “defeated general” Fila Sedin beside him.

“No. The Seljuk cavalry of the Saman army are equally fierce and skilled on horseback. If the Berbers attack directly, they are probably no match for them.” Dumiyat shook his head.

Fila Sedin was speechless.

“I believe we should build more ships. Fatima warriors are known for their skill in naval warfare, and the northern end of the battlefield is the vast sea. Using ships to transport soldiers and quickly outflank the Saman army to their sides and rear would be a great strategy,” Dumiat said.

"A good plan!" Philasedin agreed.

……

Saman's military camp.

“Oh? The enemy is building a shipyard on the side of the camp?” Shahzani asked.

“Exactly. It seems they are planning a flanking amphibious landing.” The Samanian military advisor replied.

"Well, let them be! Our army has only one objective—to launch a fierce attack and disintegrate this enemy force!" Shahzani ignored the enemy's deployment.

No matter how many routes you take, I will only go one way. The Sinai Peninsula is not a very wide and vast battlefield. Passively following the enemy's steps will only lead to being led by the nose.

Of course, Shahzani did not completely ignore this; she made minor adjustments to the northern flank of the army to allow the Fatima to better counterattack when they bypassed the enemy by sea.

During the stalemate phase of the war, another important measure was to win over the local people and secure supplies. There were originally many villages in the middle of the standoff between the two armies, but as the war approached, these people were forced to leave their homes and flee the flames of war.

Both Shahzani and Dumiat are taking conciliatory measures to appease the public.

Dumiat was originally a Coptic Christian, but after entering politics, he was subtly influenced and converted to Shia Islam, which is the religion of the Fatima people. Therefore, he had great sympathy for his Coptic compatriots in the Sinai Peninsula, and not only opened his granaries to provide relief, but also settled them in safe places.

Shahzani was a master of political maneuvering. She continued to adopt a relatively tolerant approach to religion, allowing Christians and Shiites to maintain their original beliefs, and mobilized her Basij militia to carry out relief and reconstruction work, helping a large number of displaced people build houses and distributing food and unclaimed land to them.

The two armies are engaged in a war preparation race, and a major battle is about to break out.

Chapter 290 Bloodbath in Sinai (1)

On October 14, 1013 AD, shortly after the Persian festival of Mehrgan, the armies of Saman and Fatima, after a long standoff in the Sinai Peninsula, were finally ready to fight.

The Samanid army filled the plains, red flags blotting out the sun, and spears and lances standing tall.

According to the overall plan, Nasita commanded the vanguard, Hoslu commanded the left wing, Tahmina commanded the right wing, and the most crucial central force was entrusted to Bahram for overall command.

To better prepare for the decisive battle, Shahzani spent several months not only drawing elite troops from various military regions to increase troop strength, but also transferring most of her capable generals. Shahzani was determined to win this battle.

The strategic command of the sister generals boosted the morale of the entire army and made the formations more orderly. In the current ranks of soldiers, the red flags representing the elite troops from each military region and theater command were equally imposing and eye-catching.

The Phoenix (Simog) flag represents the Fars Military District; the Lion Sun flag represents the Azerbaijan Military District; the Faravah flag represents the Yazd Military District; the Shahnameh inscription flag represents the Khorasan Military District; and the "Akhtar" flag represents the Sistan Military District.

(Akhtar: A symbol of the Sistan region that resembles the Khavi battle flag, dating back to the Safar dynasty.)

Her Majesty the Queen's most elite Shahr Guard was deployed in a key central position. Their red sacred banner, representing their branch of the army, fluttered in the sandstorm, bearing in Persian script the names of ancient Iranian female warriors. All the female soldiers, fully armored and ready for battle, stood at attention.

Apart from the heavily armored guards, there were heavy cavalry from Fars and Transoxiana-Khorasan; Khwarazmian armored cavalry; Seljuk cavalry; Dahlaman heavy infantry; Kurdish infantry and cavalry; Sogdian heavy infantry and cavalry from Transoxiana; Karluk-Chachi Turkic cavalry (Shahzani customarily referred to these mixed Turkic-Iranian groups as "Uzbeks"); standing corps from various provinces; Basij militia... all branches of the military were arrayed, their steel reflecting a dazzling light, inspiring a sense of awe in the onlookers.

Shahzani rode up a high slope, surrounded by his staff and advisors, with two squads of Shahzani's guard protecting the battlefield command post.

Observe the opponent's troop deployment through the Bulley Observation Mirror.

On the opposite plain, green flags fluttered everywhere, bearing various Arabic war slogans, but the most prominent were holy flags expressing the cult of personality surrounding Hakim and promoting his holy deeds. Hakimiyah's guards, Berber camel cavalry, Arab cavalry, Egyptian infantry militias, and tribal soldiers recruited by the Sultan-Sahel… all sorts of Fatimid troops were on display.

“The Mishir are more numerous, but they are not as brave as our army,” Saman’s advisor advised Shahzani.

“That’s right, but the enemy currently has the advantage of terrain and is on high alert. We must find their weakness and then crush them with a fierce offensive,” Shahzani said.

……

The great battle was about to begin. The two armies stood in a tense standoff, each soldier focused with utmost concentration, waiting for the other side to make a clear opening before launching a fierce, all-out attack.

War clouds loomed, and a chilling atmosphere filled the air.

The battlefield was eerily silent. The soldiers on both sides were on edge, their hearts pounding so hard they could hear each other's. An invisible pressure hung in the air. The warriors gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes fixed intently on the opposite side of the battlefield. Even the warhorses and camels seemed to sense the unease, breathing heavily and neighing restlessly.

"May God bless you...May the spirit of Rustam protect you..." A young and brave Samanian female soldier, who had never actually been on the battlefield, was murmuring prayers, her crotch wet.

"Keep your breath steady, Savaran (Persian: heavily armored knight)!" the experienced veteran beside him whispered encouragingly. "Grip your weapon firmly, and don't think of anything else. Death fears your warhammer and armor!"

"Yes, you're right, senior!" The young female warrior's face regained its resolve. She tightened her grip on the reins and steered her armored warhorse straight into the enemy ranks.

Amidst the Samanid army, encouraging shouts gradually spread.

At first, the shouts were scattered, then gradually echoed, and finally coalesced into a thunderous roar that shook the battlefield. In an instant, various slogans such as "God is the greatest," "May the courage of Rustam be with you," and "Shahr of Iran is immortal" rose and fell, like thunderbolts from God, rolling across the vast sky and making the entire battlefield boil with excitement.

The opposing Fatima forces were not to be outdone.

The resounding Arabic chants of "God is great" and "His Majesty Hakim is great" echoed through the air, their momentum no less than that of the Iranian army. Even their own army was stirred up by the chants, a signal that an attack was about to begin!

Keng——!

The soldiers of the Samanid Empire took their weapons into position and held their breath in concentration.

Shahzani, perched high above, gripped the reins tightly, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed.

at this time.

The Fatima army on the opposite side truly began to move. Their vanguard Bedouin light cavalry began to assemble and move, then surged towards the flank of the Samanid army like a tide.

"Frontline attack! Flanking units counterattack!" Shahzani immediately ordered.

The flag bearer swiftly relayed the Queen's decree, and the various military units were immediately mobilized.

The Seljuk cavalry deployed on the flanks immediately assembled and charged straight at the onrushing Bedouin light cavalry. In terms of tactics, archery, and armor, the Seljuk cavalry were superior to their opponents. After several rounds of exchange of fire, the Bedouin light cavalry were defeated and forced to retreat.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the Fatima army immediately dispatched their powerful horse archers, the Hakimiye Imperial Guard Horse Archers, who were also deployed on the flank.

This was a special unit within the Hakimiyya Imperial Guard, composed mostly of pagan slaves such as Magyars and Vardars purchased from the Balkan Mountains. They were equipped with fine Egyptian chainmail and composite bows, and rode tall, spirited horses. Despite their small size, they were remarkably tenacious.

The deployment of these Balkan naturalized slave soldiers did indeed give the Fatima a partial advantage. After several rounds of archery exchanges, they inflicted heavy casualties on the Seljuks thanks to their equally superb mounted archery skills.

However, due to the lack of a tradition of cavalrymen in Egypt wearing armor on their horses, many of the horses of the Hakimiyya archers were killed in the hail of arrows.

The Seljuk cavalry, however, were different. Under Shahzani's management and construction, the Seljuks were even more heavily armored. About 20% of their warhorses were covered in light cotton horsecoats, about 20% in felt horsecoats, about 20% in tanned leather armor, and a further 5% were equipped with iron armor. They had both light and heavy armor, greatly increasing their ability to withstand arrow damage.

The superior defenses enhanced their ability to sustain combat. Thus, although they were initially suppressed by the Hakimiye horse archers in the first few rounds of archery exchanges, the Seljuks gradually regained the upper hand as the battle continued and their opponents suffered increasing losses of horses.

Chapter 291 Bloodbath in Sinai (2)

War clouds hung over the Sinai Peninsula, and the sandstorm howled, adding to the oppressive atmosphere of the battlefield.

Fatima's Hakimiyeh archers fought tenaciously. These Balkan slave soldiers relentlessly charged and fired, inflicting heavy losses on the Samanid Seljuk cavalry.