I was the Queen of Persia

Page 163

To conquer the northern seas, he conscripted more than 10 slaves of various ethnic groups to build numerous arsenals and shipyards along the Elbe River and coastline, where they worked day and night to build warships.

The nomadic peoples who once herded sheep inland have also built up a massive navy, ready to test their skills on the vast ocean.

Looking at the endless factories and workshops, and the countless furnaces with plumes of smoke rising from them, Zaghli Special Agent revealed a confident and smug expression.

"Your Majesty, the coastal cities of Norway have all been looted by our army, and the remaining enemy navy is retreating towards the British Isles!" reported a Turanian officer wearing a Kipchak mask helmet.

"Good! Pass on my order: the navy assembles! Head to Britain and annihilate all the remaining enemy forces!" Chagley Special Agent gave the order with delight.

“Great Khan, this matter may not be appropriate,” Qadir Tutush advised.

“Oh? What’s wrong with it? Tell me.” Chaglitzin looked at his cousin.

"Britain is far away, and according to the captured Viking fishermen, the North Sea is extremely dangerous with huge waves. Our army will be exhausted after a long march, and we will probably not achieve any results."

"In my opinion, it would be better to first wipe out the Flanders militia in the lower Rhine, or at least drive them all out to sea. This way, we will have more ships, capture a large number of slaves with seafaring experience, and be closer to them, so our chances of victory should be greater."

Kadir Tutush suggested.

“This plan is good, but that’s not the most important thing!” Chagli Special Agent denied.

"Those remnants of the Vikings lurk in the fjords and mountains of Norway, inaccessible to my ships, while they frequently raid the coastal fishing villages under my rule in their despicable pirate ships! Only by destroying their lair—the island of Britain—and tearing their leader—Knut—to pieces can they be forced to surrender."

"Therefore, the most important thing is to conquer Britain! Then, the entire icy northern sea will grovel at the feet of the Turan warriors!"

A glint of ambition flashed in Chagli's eyes.

He then ordered all the Turan navy to assemble, cross the North Sea, and pursue the fleeing Viking pirate fleet.

Chapter 374 The Expedition to Britain

February 1028 AD.

The Turan Khanate assembled its navy and launched a three-pronged invasion of the British Isles.

One group, consisting of 500 ships and 4 soldiers, departed from Norway, crossed the North Sea, and headed straight for the east coast of Britain; another group, consisting of 400 ships and 3.5 soldiers, departed from Denmark and North Germania, crossed the North Sea, and headed straight for the southeast coast of Britain; and yet another group, consisting of 300 ships and 2.5 soldiers, departed from Normandy, crossed the English Channel, and headed straight for the south coast of Britain.

Viking scouts patrolling the ocean quickly discovered the movements of Turan's army and reported it to the military envoy of the Samanid Empire.

"The enemy forces were divided into three routes. Although they came with great force, the fleets were far apart and their movements were not coordinated."

The Chinese Confucian scholar in the Samanid Empire's envoy team quickly discovered the enemy's weakness.

“That’s right. So concentrating superior forces to defeat them one by one is the best strategy,” Nisa Sahinnian said.

It is clear.

The Turan fleet, which set sail from Normandy, could theoretically arrive the fastest. However, after landing, it would fight alone, and the Turan soldiers would be unaccustomed to battlefield environments such as the sea and islands, which would inevitably greatly reduce its combat effectiveness.

Think of this.

Nisa Sahinien told Karithus, "Turan's army is about to arrive and will inevitably pass through your territory. This is a good opportunity to wash away the shame, and I hope you can seize it."

"In the name of God! I will teach these evil heretics a lesson!" Karithus swore, sword in hand.

……

a few days later.

The Turan Squadron appeared in the southern waters of Britain.

Ships of all sizes almost covered the sea as far as the eye could see.

The forward-deployed Viking ships, following the advice of the Samanid military envoy, fought and retreated, skillfully maneuvering to lure the Turan fleet to a bay near the Isle of Wight, a place with a narrow bay, a winding coastline, and rugged terrain.

"Damn it! Where did those heretical pirates escape to?"

The commander of the Turan squadron was quite annoyed, but seeing land ahead, he ordered the entire force to anchor and land, set up camp and plunder, and wait for friendly forces to provide support.

"Run! The Turans are coming!"

Smoke plumes rose into the sky from the coastal villages as panicked villagers ran and shouted, trying to escape the Turan army's pursuit. They were terrified by the Turan people's fearsome reputation.

The Turan army looted, burned, and killed along the coastline, turning villages into seas of fire.

The narrow, long coastal lowlands have been turned into a burning inferno.

at this time.

"For Jesus! For honor!"

Suddenly, a deafening battle cry rang out from behind the pine forests and mountains to the side.

A silver-white cross banner was prominently displayed, and swordsmen, spearmen, archers, light cavalry, knights, and crusaders in silver armor charged forward in formation.

It was a 6000-strong Dawn Crusader force that had been lying in ambush there for some time.

A fierce battle is about to break out.

Arrows rained down like locusts, and the ranks charged forward in a sudden attack.

The Turan soldiers were caught off guard. This amphibious landing operation involved a small number of cavalry, which prevented them from fully utilizing the strengths of a cavalry-based nation. At the same time, the narrow, coastal terrain of the battlefield further hampered their ability to leverage their advantages.

More importantly, a large number of North German puppet soldiers in the Turan army (accounting for more than half of the landing Turan army) were already feigning cooperation. Seeing the unfavorable situation, they defected one after another and joined the Dawn Crusaders.

The situation on the battlefield suddenly changed.

The remaining Turan soldiers fought desperately but were unable to hold out and retreated in disarray, hastily fleeing towards the ships anchored on the shore.

Unexpectedly, during the fierce battle, the Viking navy, which had been patrolling the surrounding area, launched a surprise attack. With their nimble dragon-headed warships, they defeated the Turan warships, which were crowded in the narrow bay and unable to turn around, and burned most of the ships.

The battle is over.

The remnants of the Turan army were completely annihilated by the attack from both sides. The Turan general in charge of the army, a Tumanbashi (a commander of ten thousand), was killed by Kalisus in the chaos, and all the Turan soldiers were wiped out.

……

Just as the Battle of Wight began.

The treacherous waters of the North Sea.

The Turan Squadron, consisting of 500 ships, struggled to move forward on the turbulent sea.

Following the advice of the Samanid military envoy, the Viking fleet, taking advantage of its light and sturdy ships, familiarity with sea routes, and expertise in naval warfare, employed tactics of exhausting the enemy, fighting and retreating while luring them into pursuit.

Finally, they lured the Turan navy into the deep sea where the winds were strong and the waves were high.

The Turan soldiers, having lived on land for a long time, were already poor swimmers. Now, facing such a harsh marine environment, they were unable to adapt and their combat effectiveness was greatly reduced.

Seeing that the time was ripe, the Viking ships, which had been feigning defeat, immediately changed course. The dragon-headed warships were quite agile in their turning, and in an instant, they changed the direction of their formation and charged straight toward the cumbersome Turan fleet.

"Board the ship! Board! Charge!"

Wielding convex round shields and battle axes, and wearing Nordic helmets, the Viking berserkers devoured "Berserker Mushrooms," instantly unleashing a surge of wild power throughout their bodies as they roared and boarded the Turan ship.

The boarding action and hand-to-hand combat began. This was essentially an extension of land warfare, but it was also the most common way to win in ancient naval battles.

Hand-to-hand combat on a rocking, swaying ocean-going ship was precisely what the Turan soldiers lacked and what the Viking soldiers excelled at.

So after a fierce battle, the Turan squadron was decimated, with soldiers being killed and thrown into the sea, and most of the ships falling into Viking control.

The battlefield was a scene of utter devastation, with wreckage of warships and drowned soldiers scattered across the sea.

The remaining Turan ships dared not rescue the officers and soldiers who had fallen into the water. Instead, they turned their ships around and fled the battlefield, heading towards the North German coast under the control of the Turan Khanate.

……

at the same time.

The last Turan squadron, a 400-ship squadron that departed from Denmark, was also attacked by the Free Citizens' Army fleet in the waters north of Flanders.

This was naturally part of the pre-arranged plan by the military envoys of the Samanid Empire.

The civilian free army consisted mostly of timid merchants and craftsmen who were afraid of close-quarters combat with the enemy, but were happy to build and modify warships and armaments to fight against the enemy.

They cleverly mounted lightweight ballistae and catapults on their ships, while also making the masts stronger and the sails more robust. These warships were superior to traditional warships in both speed and firepower.

Meanwhile, firearms manufacturing technology, spread through war and trade, had also developed in this area.

This greatly enhanced combat effectiveness.

Thanks to technological advancements, the Flanders warships demonstrated formidable strength in naval battles, sinking and damaging numerous Turan ships and halting the Turan navy's offensive.

Meanwhile, the Viking fleet, which had just won a major battle, circled back from the flank and provided strong support to the Flanders fleet.

Ultimately, this Turan squadron was also utterly defeated.

Chapter 375 Succubus Elixir

This occurred during the Turan Khanate's expedition to Britain.

Shahzani is engaged in large-scale steel production and military buildup, continuing to strengthen the Samanid army's weaponry and equipment in order to find a suitable opportunity to launch an unprecedented counter-offensive against the Turan Khanate.

In the various provinces and cities of the Samanid Empire.

The clanging of anvils echoed incessantly, furnaces roared and steam rose, and armorers toiled tirelessly, drenched in sweat. After being hammered and forged in the heat of fire, steel armor, gleaming with iron light, was finally crafted by the skilled hands of the armorers.

Immediately afterwards, these imposing and sturdy armors and weapons were bundled and packaged in heaps through the empire's transport departments and sent to the government armories in various cities of the empire. From there, they were distributed to the soldiers of the Saman Empire's various armies through the local Diwan military departments.

Shahzani inspected the Imperial Armory forge to encourage the artisans for their hard work.

“Representing God’s projection on earth.”

At this moment, Nassak came from outside the door with a secret envoy, handing over a sealed memorial. The accompanying ministers took it and then passed it on to Shahzani herself.

Upon opening it, one finds a account of the Turan Khanate's conquest of Britain, including its eventual defeat. The signature is that of Nisa Sahini.

“This is a good thing!” Bahram, who was accompanying them, said happily. “The failure of the westward expedition across the sea can be a good way to dampen the morale of the Turan army.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Shahzani nodded. “But for the Turan Khanate, it is still a negligible loss. In other words, it’s like a beard being cut off; it will grow back quickly.”

“Yes,” Bahraim agreed. “Therefore, we must continue to strengthen our defenses so that we can be assured of victory when we fight the Turan army! At that time, I will personally lead an army and achieve further glory!”

Despite being nearly fifty, Bahram remains strong, powerful, and incredibly brave, possessing the courage to defeat ten thousand men, and seemingly brimming with inexhaustible youthful vitality.

This is both the result of years of consistent martial arts training and the magic of Shahzani's "succubus potion".

Indeed, with the powerful support of the system, coupled with the superb medical skills of Physician Ibn Sina's team, the Saman Empire's royal medical institution has concocted a potion that can provide enhancements to anti-aging techniques, maintain physical strength, strengthen libido, and preserve youth forever.

Based on its properties, Shahzani named it "Succubus Elixir".

They were mass-produced and supplied to female generals and soldiers of the Samanid Empire.

Therefore, during this period, the founding sisters group led by Shahzani, although most of them were nearly fifty years old, all had wrinkle-free faces, black hair, and smooth, firm skin, exuding a charming and alluring mature woman's allure, just like mature and beautiful young women.

Of course, more importantly, taking this medicine will preserve the martial arts skills and knowledge you have already acquired, so you don't have to worry about your strength declining or developing "Alzheimer's disease".

Just like the president of a certain "beacon country" in my previous life.

However, despite its mass production, it is not available to everyone. Currently, only the Empress herself, as well as the official bureaucrats, generals, and soldiers of the Saman Empire, possess this item.

“Good!” Shahzani admired her sister’s spirit. “When that time comes, we will hold a celebration for your triumphant return, and recite poems in the name of the war god Bahram!”

"it is good!"

"it is good!"

"very good!"

The courtiers echoed this sentiment.

“Padisha,” Halshead said at that moment, “another batch of ‘Succubus Elixir’ has arrived. Two officials from the Diwan Agency have applied to use it. Should we approve it?”

“Approved.” Shahzani nodded. “Perfect for testing the improved performance of the new drug.”

He then led his officials away from the Imperial Armory and headed to the Imperial Hospital in the capital.

……

Imperial Hospital of the Capital.

The enormous cobalt blue tile dome gleamed, and the exquisite earthen yellow bricks were stacked into a regular and orderly octagonal building. The Persian arch patterns stood symmetrically all around, reflecting the order and authority of the empire.

This is the best medical institution in the empire, and many officials and dignitaries in the capital come here for treatment and recuperation.

"Homage to the great King of Kings!"

Shahzani entered a sanatorium, where two alluring officials, nearing fifty but still possessing striking beauty, bowed and paid their respects. One was a civil official, the other a military official, both dressed in long, double-breasted robes and wearing Namadi felt hats, their distinction being made by the patterns on their official robes.

"Shirin Narsahi. An official of the Diwan Treasury, she has overseen the construction of irrigation canals north of Sarahashi City for the past three years, resulting in a bumper harvest..."

"Fatme Buzug Shahriari, an official of the Diwan Military Department, has recommended many young and promising officers to the Khorasan theater over the past three years, promoting the improvement of the combat effectiveness of the frontline troops..."

Shahzani reviewed their achievements by comparing them with the official documents from the Ministry of Personnel.