I was the Queen of Persia

Page 42

Having achieved the goal of repelling the enemy, Shahzani decisively ordered a halt to the pursuit and instead moved into Tashkent to take over local government.

She didn't expect to annihilate Nasser Khan's main army in one go.

Chapter 93 The Mordard Mutiny (1)

The Battle of Tashkent ended in defeat and retreat for Iraqi Nasser Khan.

Under Shahzani's orders, Saman soldiers cut off the heads of the Karakhanid soldiers who had died in battle and built several pyramids of human heads on the plains north of Tashkent as a show of force.

"Pass me the battle flag." On one of the mounds of Jingguan (a type of ancient Chinese mound), a Saman soldier, with the help of her comrades, carried the captured military flag to the top of the tower, her armor stained with blood.

"Hey! Alright. Hopefully these masterpieces will deter the Turans from raiding southwards." The Samanian soldier stepped on the heads of the people, planted the flag in the rammed earth at the top, and then climbed down on his hands and feet.

"Don't worry, we definitely will," her comrade replied without hesitation. "Thanks to Kadhuda's bravery and strategy, we have been invincible and have sent the heads of these enemies 'straight into the sky'."

"That's good. Let's go, the centurion has other tasks for us."

"Good idea, let's go."

Shahzani was riding his warhorse, surveying the ravaged battlefield.

"Kadehuda, everything is taken care of."

The military staff rode up and reported the situation: "The more than 3000 heads captured have all been sealed with clay and piled into pyramids of human heads. The captured enemy soldiers and the seized military equipment and supplies have also been counted."

"Yes, record the military merits according to the battle results and reward the officers and soldiers," Shahzani instructed as usual.

Based on a comprehensive assessment, Rustam Zaman's merits were the greatest and he should be credited with the primary achievement, followed by Hoslu. Both generals received generous rewards, and many of their officers were also promoted.

Tahmina, Nasita, and other generals also received rewards according to their military achievements.

The attendant, Sahini, fought bravely in battle, displaying commendable courage. Shahzani rewarded her accordingly, even selecting several handsome young male slaves for her.

After the Karakhanid army was defeated, Shahzani ordered the army to take a few days' rest in Tashkent to recuperate and prepare for the next battle.

The captured handsome young men of Karakhanid Khan became prey for the Samanid female warriors. They were forced to endure the exploitation of these powerful and mature women day and night as punishment.

Sahimian was even more so. This strong and brave mature woman had a particular fondness for young, innocent boys. Every night she would play with several male slaves, squeezing out their essence and leaving strong, pungent marks on their bodies.

Of course, she was still very gentle with her temporary husband, Zhu Jiande.

……

Several weeks after the battle ended.

A messenger carrying a secret official document traveled thousands of miles from the rear to the front lines in Tashkent.

After opening and reading the letter, Shahzani realized that it was of great importance.

The letter stated that a major upheaval was about to occur in the Bukhara court.

It turned out that since ascending the throne a year ago, Monarch Montahir's health had deteriorated due to the worsening of his injuries, and he soon began to live a secluded life, making it difficult for him to handle state affairs.

With their ambitions growing, the Arslan Yaru Group began plotting to seize power.

They first took control of the Ghulam guards surrounding the palace, but when they extended their reach beyond the capital, they were surprised to find that most of the troops outside the capital were under Shahzani's command and not under their control. Even Arslan Yaru's high position as commander-in-chief was of no use.

Shocked and enraged, Arslan Yaru decided to accelerate his power grab, first replacing the critically ill Montahir, then fabricating rumors of a "rebellion by Shahzani" to win over the hearts and minds of the military and the people, in order to eliminate political enemies and consolidate his power.

Recently, Montahir's injuries have continued to worsen, and he is expected to meet God soon. Arslan Yaru believes that the opportunity is once in a lifetime, so he has decided to launch the uprising ahead of schedule.

However, there are no walls in the world that are completely impenetrable.

Although Shahzani was not physically present in the court, it did not mean that she was unaware of the situation and developments in the central government. Through her spies planted in Bukhara, she kept a close eye on the power struggles among the various factions in the court.

She naturally learned in advance of the news that the Arslan Yaru Group was plotting a rebellion.

……

Arslan Yaru's secret estate on the outskirts of Bukhara.

The core officers of the rebel group are gathered together, under tight security, to discuss the steps and measures for an armed coup.

“Commander-in-Chief, Shahzani is nothing but a veiled woman. God has said that handing over the power of the state to a veiled woman will bring immeasurable disaster.”

“That’s right, just like the former queen Sudabe, who deceived King Caius and framed Prince Shavash.”

"Muslim women should maintain a holy chastity, just like the Prophet's daughter Fatima."

“Shahzani’s blatant support for the Khorami sect, her open corruption of doctrine, and her defilement of scriptures and hadiths are unforgivable sins!”

"Therefore, as God's most obedient servants, we are willing to help you eliminate this femme fatale!"

Diehard military and political figures, extreme conservative clergy, and conservative nobles who were hostile to Shahzani all sided with Arslan Yaru and expressed their opinions.

"Yes, of course I know that."

Arslan Yaru looked at the assembled dignitaries with a smug expression: "However, Shahzani now controls most of the army. I wonder if any of you have any good ideas on how to deal with her?"

“Commander-in-Chief,” an old mullah with a white turban on his head stepped forward, “I do have a solution.”

“Tell me about it,” Arslan Yaru gestured.

Mullah said, “Although Shahzani commands troops, we are the most obedient servants of God and possess the most unparalleled piety. I believe that the vast majority of Muslims, after heeding our call, will stand on our side and oppose Shahzani.”

His intention was clear: to rely on the enormous influence of Islamic clerics in society to incite uninformed believers to create large-scale incidents, thereby indirectly achieving the goal of a power transition.

“I think we should start by mobilizing the devout followers of Naheshab,” another mullah suggested, standing up at this point.

“Samarkand is a magnificent metropolis, and Bukhara is a temple of sacred doctrine. Why not start an uprising in these great cities, but instead choose the insignificant little town of Nakhshab?” Arslan Yaru asked.

“Although Nakhshab is small, it is located in a key area of ​​Transoxiana. Controlling it allows us to threaten Samarkand, Kheshig, and Shihanna; or to defend Bukhara, Baikand, and Kerminay,” Mullah replied.

“Moreover, Shahzani’s previous blasphemy against the Pope in Naheshab has already ignited the anger of the devout believers. This anger, if stirred up even slightly, could spread wildly and burn Shahzani to death!” Mullah’s accomplice added.

“Hmm, that’s a good plan.” Arslan Yaru chuckled coldly.

After discussion, the Arslan Yaru group finalized their plan: in the next few days, they would prepare markers, codes, inside agents, and troop deployments, and launch a rebellion during the month of Mordard (July 23 to August 22) to seize power.

Chapter 94 The Mordard Mutiny (2)

Shahzani had received concrete information that Arslan Yaru was plotting a rebellion, and she dared not delay, immediately deploying countermeasures.

She ordered Bahraim and Farzana to lead the main force and remain in Tashkent, while she herself prepared a small number of elite troops and quietly returned home.

On the one hand, it could deter the Karakhanid army that was trying to take the opportunity to move south; on the other hand, it could create the illusion that the main force was still on campaign abroad, thus deceiving Arslan Yaru's spies.

The Persian land between the months of Tyre and Mordad is experiencing its hottest and driest time of the year.

An orderly caravan was traveling on the trade route from Samarkand to Nakhshab. Camel drivers led the first camel, wagon drivers propelled wagons loaded with supplies, and caravan guards accompanied them on both sides, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

"Kadhuda, General Horshid sent a message from Naheshab that the shelters for the soldiers to hide and rest are ready."

"In addition, news has come from the officials of cities and counties such as Debussy, Kerminer, Zalman, Baikand, Termez, and Shihanna that they have already deployed forces to deal with the rebellion."

Sahini rode up to Shahzani's side and said in a low voice.

“Yes, well done. We also need to speed things up and get there before the enemy makes a move,” Shahzani said.

"As you command!" Sahinnian replied loudly, then spurred her horse and rode away.

There is a Persian proverb: War is not always a direct and open attack; sometimes it is a covert and silent struggle.

In this game of wits and psychology, the side that is more composed and calm, and the side that is better at grasping the right measure and timing, will be the ultimate winner.

……

In Naheshab, the hidden gathering place of Arslan Yaru's followers, a group of mullahs wearing turbans and robes are discussing countermeasures against an armed rebellion.

“My most devout Haji, I know perfectly well how we can overthrow the rule of those women (referring to Shahzani’s female army) when we have no army of our own,” asked a hook-nosed, hardened cleric.

“In the name of God, Haji, power does not necessarily have to be seized by the army. We only need to mobilize the most devout believers and create an unstoppable momentum, which will be enough to shake the rule of any enemy,” another diehard cleric explained.

"Besides, we have the Commander-in-Chief in the court as our backer. With Arslan Yaru's power and prestige, we can definitely drive away these 'veiled men'!" his accomplice added.

"Yes, well said!"

The most dignified of the believers, a religious leader named Mullah Muhammad Nadan, slowly concluded:

"We still have several advantages."

“First, Nakhshab has not received a drop of rain for months, and there are many complaints. We can say that this is because the ‘veiled one’ has taken power and angered God, which has led to the drought.”

"Secondly, several weeks ago, an earthquake struck villages and counties in the south, leaving many people homeless. We can continue to use this as an excuse to create momentum, so that those 'veiled people' will succumb to the wrath of Allah."

Everyone agreed with him after hearing his words.

"Lord Arslan Yaru has sent a letter, planning to launch an uprising in the month of Mordad. We must control Naheshab before then and remove his worries!" Mullah Muhammad Nadan emphasized in the end.

……

The two factions are engaged in a struggle, both overt and covert, and the intensity of the struggle is increasing.

Shahzani's elite troops, under the cover of a caravan, had quietly entered Naheshab City and settled in pre-arranged accommodations.

“Greetings, Kadhuda.” Holshid met with Shahzani in secret and bowed respectfully. “Your loyal general has already deployed forces in the region to deal with the rebellion and awaits your orders.”

“Well done.” Shahzani helped her up. “The treacherous snakes are still lurking in the shadows. Now we just need to lure them out and catch them all in one fell swoop.”

“Frankly speaking, Nakhshab has indeed recently suffered natural disasters and misfortunes, but honest Iranians and Muslims are actively providing relief and assistance.” Khorshid looked somewhat ashamed, feeling that he had not done enough.

Your talent is evident to all.

Shahzani held her hand and comforted her, "In short, misfortune and disaster are absolutely no excuse for these filthy hypocrites to do evil. If there is any unrest, I will do my best to suppress it. Hu Da's justice is on our side!"

……

On the eve of Mordard's month, in the final days of Tyr's month, an undercurrent was surging within the city of Naheshab.

First, there were some priests of unknown origin who roamed the streets and alleys, spreading extremely radical doctrines.

Many people, unaware of the truth and easily swayed by hearsay, were also influenced by the pessimism brought about by the disaster. As a result, they were gradually swept up by fanatical emotions and joined the riots.

As the subversive energy grew, the behavior of the rioters became increasingly outrageous. From reciting scriptures to insulting Shahzani and Khorshid, to looting and rioting, it eventually escalated to the point of supplying the guards and security forces and the garrison.

The riots escalated into a full-blown uprising.

"Those despicable Christians, those Mazdaq worshippers, actually support Shahzani! They are enemies who should be eliminated! Go! Smash their temple!" someone shouted from the commotion.

The frenzied destructive sentiment intensified.

The extreme and die-hard mullahs led the crowds, blinded by hatred and hostility, into Christian churches and Zoroastrian shrines, burning and destroying them on a large scale.

Christians and Zoroastrians were forced to flee into government offices and military camps to escape the impending doom.

"The time has come. Hear my command: the entire army march out and annihilate these vile hypocrites!"

Shahzani had been waiting for the right opportunity. She estimated that all the hidden enemies had been mobilized, so she decisively issued the order to wipe them out.

The Samanid soldiers, who were on high alert, launched a swift attack, catching the arsonist and looting enemy completely off guard. They then advanced in formation, clearing out the rioters street by street and alley by alley.

At the same time, Shahzani mobilized the city’s network of mosques and called on Khorami clerics to take to the streets and warn the people not to be deceived by hypocrites and false gentlemen and to follow the right path.

The rioters were nothing more than a mob stirred up by fanaticism; how could they be compared to the well-trained and heavily armed Shahzani group? Under the iron-fisted attack of the Saman army and the sermons of the Khorami clerics, they quickly scattered and fled in disarray.

The remaining stubborn priests who led the unrest were easy to deal with. Each team of Saman warriors advanced resolutely, killing any who resisted.

Under Shahzani's combined military and religious pressure, the riots in Nakhshab were quelled in less than a day.

All the die-hard clerics were either publicly executed, imprisoned, or stripped of their clerics, according to their crimes. Their leader, Mullah Muhammad Nadan, was beheaded, and his head was displayed as a warning before the city gates.

Meanwhile, cities such as Debussy, Kerminie, Zalman, Baikand, Termez, and Shihanna also successively suppressed the unrest within their jurisdictions.

“Arslan Yaru’s followers have all been eliminated. The next step is to march on Bukhara and completely crush this group plotting a rebellion.” Shahzani looked at the city after the storm had subsided, her expression solemn.

Leave request form, with a joke attached.

Due to other commitments, I was unable to update in time today. As compensation, here's a joke as a bonus.

A drunkard, who disregarded religious law, was openly drunk in the street and was escorted by constables to the religious judge.

Judge: Do you know your crime?

Drunkard: I don't know. Your Honor (Judge), I have a few questions.

Judge: Speak.

Drunkard: I took a sip of water. Does that count as violating religious rules?

Judge: No.

Drunkard: I ate some fruit, does that count as a crime?