I was the Queen of Persia

Page 170

"Many powerful rulers, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have established secret alliances with us and provided us with secret assistance, including the Great Khan of the Turan Khanate, the Maharaja of Hindustan, some lords and warlords of the Western Christian world, and... uh... and mysterious forces unknown to this humble one."

Blackblade Prisoner spilled everything he knew, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube.

He was truly terrified by Shahzani's imposing presence. In his eyes, this beautiful queen was more terrifying than the demon king of hell.

“Hmm…” Shahzani pondered for a moment, “What are the characteristics of the ‘mysterious force’ you mentioned?”

"They liked to speak in a ritualistic, incantation-like language, and wore wide cloaks, their faces hidden beneath the hoods. But the little man noticed that they wore blue six-pointed star necklaces..."

Blue? A six-pointed star? Could it be...?

Shahzani stopped thinking about it; with these elements combined, the identity of the mysterious organization was becoming increasingly clear.

“Your Majesty…is there anything else you wish to know? I swear by Almighty God, I will tell you everything without reservation!” The Blackblade Prisoner humbly prostrated himself before Shahzani’s boots like a tamed dog.

"Do you know of any other hidden accomplices?" Shahzani's tone was soft, but her voice was as heavy as a mountain.

“Ah! I know! I know! There’s the ‘Nedjah Jihad’ in Nedjah province… there’s the ‘Sham-Mishir Jihad’ in Sham-Syria and Mishir provinces… there’s the ‘Maghreb Jihad’ in the Maghreb…”

"However... I only know that these branches exist, and I don't know the specifics. Great King of Kings, please be aware! The Black Blade Cult's internal organizational structure is highly secretive, and the leaders of different branches don't even know each other..."

This is true. The Blackblade Cult is like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, usually disguising themselves as ordinary merchants and pilgrims, but waiting for the right moment to strike and harm others.

The Samanid Empire was located on the Silk Road, and it could not prevent the influx of foreign merchants and travelers, because commercial trade, taxes levied on transit merchants, and the protection and services provided by caravan stations along the way were all important sources of revenue for the country.

The only thing we can do is strengthen our defenses.

“You did well!” Shahzani was quite satisfied with the information. She smiled and leaned down to pat the Blackblade prisoner’s face with satisfaction. “I will give you a complete corpse, but before that, you need to reflect on your crimes in prison.”

“Give him a more spacious cage, and reduce the number of times he gets whipped. Execute him at a later date,” Shahzani gestured to Nassak, the executioner.

……

The last remnants of the Black Blade Cult in Khorasan Province were completely annihilated during the encirclement and suppression campaign in the Sistan Desert.

In this overwhelmingly advantageous annihilation campaign, the local Ayar Party members and Saghez soldiers also rallied to the cause, carrying on the tradition of the warrior Rustam, and slaughtered the Blackblade Party members until they were powerless to fight back.

The Blackblade sect members in Iranian provinces have been almost completely killed because these extremist fanatics could not remain hidden for long in the Persian-speaking, Khorami-affiliated Iranian society.

But Shahzani instructed his officials not to let their guard down.

Because this is only a temporary victory, and perhaps at some point in the future, similar extremist fanatics will infiltrate again, lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to stir up trouble.

not to mention.

In non-Iranian provinces—Syria, Najd, Meshrep, Maghreb, and other provinces where Arabs and Berbers are concentrated—Blackblade gang members still lurk in the shadows. These provinces are far from the capital, and the ethnic, tribal, and sectarian situations are more complex. Moreover, the local Arabs and the Persians who ruled the empire were already at odds.

Therefore, the crackdown in these provinces must follow the principle of gradual implementation.

However, Shahzani was considering another issue.

"A blue six-pointed star? Heh, what form will these 'old acquaintances' take?"

But now is not the time to consider this matter in depth. Based on the confession of the Blackblade Prisoner, since many monarchs of enemy countries are involved, especially Turan Khan Aknuar, who is also secretly colluding with them, Shahzani decided to accelerate the progress of the war against Turan.

On the western front, Nisa Shahinian took overall command and dismantled the Chaglitzin Khanate of Tsar Turan.

On the eastern front, she personally oversaw the destruction of Aknuar's Eastern Turan Khanate.

Chapter 389 Shifting Interests

A manor in the Franconia region of Europe.

The tattered Turan Nine Trees banner fell to the ground, while the silver-white Dawn Cross banner slowly rose.

Nisa Sahini continued to fulfill her duties as military envoy of the Samanid Empire, coordinating the various Christian armed groups in their counterattack against Turan.

Thanks to their extensive prior communication and reconnaissance of the local population, and taking advantage of the favorable gap left by Turan's defeat, the Dawn Crusaders decisively launched a counter-offensive. The local lords and manor militias responded one after another, and a large number of German puppet troops defected and abandoned their ranks.

Without encountering particularly fierce resistance, the Dawn Crusaders recaptured considerable lost territory and received enthusiastic support from the local Christians. At this moment, nobles, priests, and peasants alike offered tributes and lined the streets to welcome the Dawn Crusaders.

But what followed was a rather cruel trial.

First to suffer were the Turanian herders who roamed the area. They were quickly captured by the Crusaders, and all of them, regardless of age or gender, were killed. Their bodies were displayed in cages along the roadside.

Although some of them were just ordinary herders, and had never even participated in the Turan army, they were unable to escape the fervent emotions of ethnic hatred during the war years, and thus all of them ultimately suffered.

Nisa Sahinian declined to comment, noting that such a phenomenon was common during wartime, and that her mother had also killed many Bedouin-Arabs during her westward expedition to the Arab world.

But the Dawn Crusaders' next move made even this Samanian female general, who had killed countless enemies, feel "ashamed of herself".

On a Christian Sunday.

Rows of horrifying execution stakes stood menacingly, their bases piled high with firewood and hay. The executioners at dawn wore hoods and carried instruments of torture, only their cold, ruthless eyes visible.

A priest wearing a cross pendant stepped forward, holding a Bible in his hands. He walked onto the platform and addressed the crowd, saying loudly:

"In the name of Almighty God! My Lord—the great Marshal Carithos—may the corrupted, sinful souls be purified by fire!..."

He spoke a series of obscure religious phrases, and after he finished, he ordered the soldiers to take the "prisoner" with them.

The so-called "prisoners" were just a dozen or so peasant women and girls. They all looked dazed, dressed in rags, and barefoot on the muddy, rotten ground.

The religious inquisition of the Dawn Crusade accused these women of committing adultery with the evil and filthy Turanian heretics, defiling the holy teachings of their Lord Jesus, an unforgivable crime. To purify the evil, they were sentenced to be burned at the stake.

Despite the neighbors' pleas to the court, saying that their male relatives had been killed by the Turan army and that they themselves had been taken and defiled by the Turan soldiers, and were not wicked witches, they begged the noble Crusader lord to spare their lives.

However, the Dawn Crusade's court ignored this and continued to fabricate charges of "witchcraft," "heresy," and "selling one's body to the devil," upholding the original sentence of burning at the stake. Anyone who pleaded for leniency was considered an accomplice.

A plume of smoke billowed into the sky, and amidst the priests' rousing chants, the "witches" screamed and vanished into the scorching flames. They were merely victims of war, yet they still died at the hands of their own people.

"Followers of God! In the name of my Lord Jesus! Holy faith needs constant purification!"

Father Dawn raised his arms and shouted, sweeping his gaze across the crowd, signaling them to join in the shouting, his eyes stern.

The villagers looked at each other, terrified. Although they didn't want to get involved in this excessive fanaticism, they had no choice but to submit under the intimidation of the Dawn Crusade.

Gradually, scattered voices of agreement emerged from the crowd, then grew louder and louder, merging and eventually resounding through the sky, lingering there for a long time.

"Destroy the Turan heretics!"

"Destroy the Turan heretics!"

"Exterminate the greedy Jews!"

"Exterminate the greedy Jews!"

"Exterminate all Muslims!"

"Exterminate all Muslims!"

"Destroy all Eastern heretics!"

"Destroy all Eastern heretics!"

……

Hatred and fanaticism spread suddenly, overwhelming all reason.

On the distant hills.

"Hehe, it seems that these Christians have revealed their fanatical nature. We really shouldn't get too close to them."

Nisa Sahinien gazed at the raging flames and said thoughtfully.

She had seen this frenzied scene many times before in the Dawn Crusaders' controlled areas, but she couldn't intervene because of her mission.

But she was certain that the Dawn Crusade would not be grateful for Iran's help, and that this fanatical Christian force would sooner or later become an enemy of the Samanid Empire.

“Sadar, I think so too. They claim to be holy, yet they are hostile to anyone who does not believe in the Lord.”

The Chinese Confucian scholar next to him nodded in agreement.

……

Now let's talk about the Samanid Empire.

During his stay in Kerman province, good news kept coming from all fronts.

Firstly, on the Turan steppe, Prince Consort Iraj promoted some rising talents and launched targeted subversion and attacks against various tribes on the border of the Eastern Turan Khanate, achieving effective results. A large number of Turkic-speaking tribes also broke away from Turan and migrated south to the border of Iran.

Secondly, on the European continent, Nisa Sahinnian led the Dawn Crusade in an offensive, recovering large tracts of lost territory and causing the Western Turan Khanate to almost lose effective control over the area west of the Elbe River.

But Nissa Sahinnian also mentioned Karithus's arrogance, pride, extremism and greed, and asked Shahzani: Should it be time to withdraw completely and give up helping the Dawn Crusade?

Shahzani gave an affirmative answer.

Based on the detailed reports and memorials, she understood the true nature of the Dawn Crusaders.

This armed group is extremely fanatical about "religious sanctity" and is also very hostile to other ethnic groups and religions. As soon as the Turan Khanate collapses, they will immediately turn their hatred towards Iran.

However, she also believed that if the Dawn Crusade continued to implement this strategy, it would certainly not last long.

Therefore, in the reply, Nisa Sahinnian was instructed to weigh the situation and decide for herself when to withdraw completely.

After processing the memorials related to the Turan War, Divan officials presented another batch of documents.

This message came from the Imperial Commissioner stationed in Azerbaijan Province, Old Sahini.

On the one hand, Shahini expressed his condolences for the events in Kerman province, and on the other hand, he stated that he had ordered the government forces in Sham-Syria province to organize and crack down on the Blackblade gang members hiding in the area.

Meanwhile, the Sand Bathers, a key local force in Syria province, also announced that they would obey the orders of the central court of the Saman Empire and cooperate in the fight against the Blackblade rebels.

As an assassin unit skilled in stealth, assassination, intelligence gathering, and small-team combat, the addition of the Sand Bathers will undoubtedly be more beneficial in combating the Blackblade Cult.

Chapter 390 The Black Blade Cult's Daydreams

Antalsus, Sharm-Syria province.

As night falls, the bright moonlight shines on the dome of the Levant-Eastern Mediterranean-style mosque. The bustling market and harbor of the daytime fall silent, with only the date palms in the seaside oasis rustling in the wind.

In a winding alley in the suburbs, several furtive shadowy figures moved stealthily. They evaded the night patrol and sneaked into a secluded mud house.

This is a secret stronghold of the Blackblade Cult.

There were many such secret strongholds in the provinces of Meshrep and Syria. The Blackblade gang attempted to use these strongholds as a base to create trouble in the Arab provinces of the empire, assassinate Alawites and Ismaili Shia believers, and thus undermine the rule of the Persian Samanid Empire.

Little did they know, a vigilant hunter was already watching them from behind.

"The enemy has taken the bait! Stay alert and prepare to act."

The masked commander of the Sand Bathers immediately made a gesture to his assassin squad.

boom--!

The door was violently flung open, and the Sand Bathers soldiers, clad in fine leather armor, swiftly unleashed spears and crossbow bolts at the Blackblade Gang members inside.

These elite special light infantrymen advanced in small squads, providing alternating cover, and fired their arrows without waiting for a moment, instantly killing several enemies.

The Blackblade gang members were caught off guard, but they were not pushovers. After a brief moment of stunned silence, they immediately grabbed their weapons and fought back.

In an instant, crossbow bolts whistled and iron darts flew.

Two units specializing in stealth and assassination are locked in a fierce battle in a confined space.

Although the Blackblade Cult was ferocious, the Sand Bathers, having received training and equipment support from the Saman Empire, were superior in combat. After a brief but intense battle, the Blackblade Cult was outnumbered and fled through a window, leaving behind several corpses. The Sand Bathers immediately gave chase.

In the Middle East, under the bright moonlight, the shadows of date palms sway gently.

The Blackblade gang members leaped back and forth across the rooftops, trying to shake off the Sand Bathers' pursuit. However, the agile assassins were not so easily outmaneuvered. The leading Sand Bather officer leaped into the air, and hidden arrows from his sleeve whizzed out, instantly striking two men. He then swiftly moved in front of them, his movements as nimble as a cheetah, and in the blink of an eye, he had subdued the remaining three.

"Captain Bassim Hussein."

The Sand Bathers soldiers followed: "The remnants of the Black Blade have been completely annihilated, and nine prisoners have been captured."

“Hmm, very good.” Bassim put away his sleeve dart gauntlet. “Hand them over to the authorities for interrogation, then write a battle report for headquarters. Then order the squad to assemble; we also need to search for and destroy the next stronghold.”

The subordinate accepted the order and withdrew.

Bassim Hussein is a renowned assassin within the Sandstorm Force. Legend has it that his ancestor was a master assassin who rose to fame in Baghdad 150 years ago. Inspired by his ancestor's exploits, he underwent years of arduous training, mastering assassination, stealth, reconnaissance, tracking, and raiding skills. His abilities and qualities are in no way inferior to those of the assassins of the Altai Ra'ahadi family.

"Captain Bassim."

At this moment, another Sand Bather assassin stepped forward, leaned close to Bassim's ear, and whispered a few words.

“Oh, that’s an important discovery.” Bassim looked surprised. “Take me there, I want to see it for myself.”

……

Battle reports from the Syrian province's counterattack against the Blackblade faction were continuously compiled and transmitted along the Khorasan Road, which runs through the empire, to the imperial capital, Jahanshahr.

The desk in the Imperial Study was already piled high with books.

After processing the secret report from Nisa Sahini in Europe and the battle report from Prince Consort Iraj on the Syr Darya frontier, Shahzani gained a deeper understanding of the latest situation in the Turan War: