I was the Queen of Persia

Page 9

Zanshahr Castle Prison, torture chamber.

Iranian prisons are typically semi-underground, meaning a large pit is dug in the ground, iron cages and torture instruments are placed inside, and then brick buildings are placed on top. These prisons are called Zindan.

Because it is partially underground and has poor lighting, the prison is usually lit by torches, which also produce an unpleasant smell.

This prison, controlled by successive Iranian military authorities, primarily holds three types of people:

First, they were political prisoners exiled to the army by the central government.

Second, enemy soldiers and officers captured during the war (Hassan Tutun and others who were captured not long ago belong to this category).

Thirdly, there were bandit gangs and nomadic tribes that committed murder and plunder along the Silk Road.

Several years ago, the Samanid army stationed at the castle was transferred to other areas due to the war, leaving only some military farmers behind, and the castle prison was thus idle for a period of time.

It was not until Shahzani led her troops to the castle, regrouped, and initially established a government structure that this state apparatus of violence was reactivated.

The captured bandits were hung from shackles, their hands bound with rough hemp ropes, their feet dangling in the air, and their ankles firmly chained. The jailers, wielding whips and canes, struck them heavily, but they only groaned in pain, remaining silent and offering no begging for mercy.

At this time.

"Lady Shahzani has arrived!" came the announcement from outside the door.

The jailers who were carrying out the execution stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.

"How did it go?" Shahzani asked, walking up to the warden. "Did they reveal any crucial information?"

"Not yet." The warden shook his head. "By God's grace, they are more difficult to deal with than ordinary bandits. Should we take some 'extraordinary measures'?"

The so-called "extraordinary measures" are nothing more than more cruel and painful punishments on top of ordinary beatings and whippings, and may even involve some particularly terrifying instruments of torture.

“No need for now,” Shahzani waved her hand, indicating that it was not necessary.

Then, she pulled the warden aside and whispered something to him. After listening, the warden looked enlightened.

Chapter 16 The Arrival of the Caravan

Shahzani's thinking is simple:

Since you refuse to confess, I'll try a different approach.

I won't hit you or scold you at first. I'll wait until you're tired of making a fuss and want to sleep, then I'll go up and "slap! slap!" a few times on your buttocks and penis to wake you up... and so on.

In short, it's about depriving them of sleep. This method is used to slowly erode the willpower of these madmen.

Such desperate criminals may not be afraid of being beaten or killed, but they may not be able to endure the mental torment of being deprived of sleep.

……

Step out of the dark and oppressive prison.

Shahzani followed the winding dirt road to the bazaar market inside the castle.

Shouts rang out and camel bells tinkled. Herds of camels and donkeys lay prostrate on the ground as merchants and caravan helpers busily unloaded sacks of goods from the pack animals' backs and carried them to the bazaar stalls.

Previously, due to the war, Zanshahr had not seen any caravans for several months. However, with Shahzani's efforts to stabilize and restore order, commerce is slowly regaining its vitality.

Just a few days ago, a weary caravan arrived within the castle's territory, followed by a second, a third... and so on. The merchants brought various essential goods, exchanging them for valuable local specialties, thus revitalizing the trade economy and paying Shahzani a transit duty. These trade exchanges would greatly enrich the castle's resources and finances.

The Iranian region has always valued agriculture and commerce, with trade playing a vital role in the Persian economy. Moreover, the city of Zanshahr was originally built as a fortress to protect trade routes, and it frequently needed goods and taxes from passing caravans.

Shahzani decided to go into the market and take a look around.

Inside the domed bazaar.

Many merchants were loudly hawking their wares. Some caravan leaders and general managers were exchanging information, discussing which trade routes were safe, what goods were urgently needed, and where to hire good guards, and so on.

"Hey! Come and see! These are high-quality polishing cloths, all top-grade products from Zandan and Darzanji! Come and buy them!"

"Top-quality mink pelts! Top-quality red fox pelts! Sold from Ross and Bulgaria, come and take a look!"

"Look! Look! High-quality raw silk and exquisite cloth from Qin (China)! And fragrant rhubarb and tea!"

"Look here! Here are Indian rubies and Roman gold!"

"Samarkand paper, Khwarezm bows, Nishapur glass—we have it all, and they're all top-quality goods!"

……

The sounds of enthusiastic hawking rose and fell, and amidst fierce bargaining, one transaction after another was completed. Taxes in the silver-made Dirhan currency flowed continuously into the castle's treasury, becoming a huge fortune that could be manipulated and controlled.

Looking at the thriving scene, Shahzani felt even more deeply that order and prosperity were hard-won and that efforts must be made to protect and consolidate these achievements, and to guard against attacks from bandits, hostile forces and extremist groups.

"Salam! God bless you! Beautiful and respectable lady!" At this moment, a familiar and practiced compliment came from the side.

Shahzani turned her head and saw a middle-aged man wearing a gold-embroidered headscarf and a silk robe bowing to her.

This is the leader of a caravan named Ahmad Bazargan Sabzewari, a native of Khorasan Province, who led his caravan into the castle yesterday.

“Salam, Mr. Bazargan,” Shahzani smiled and nodded in return, “Are you comfortable staying here?”

Bazargan stepped forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Thanks to your protection, everything is fine. I have some fine goods here; would you be interested in taking a look?"

As he spoke, he ordered his assistant to bring several bundles, displaying a dazzling array of fine silks and satins, gold-inlaid swords, precious utensils, and various exquisite gold and silver ornaments, a feast for the eyes.

Normally, these things would be very attractive to a young woman in her early twenties like her.

However, in the current wartime context, her rationality told her that these were not the "treasures." The real "treasures" were the important military supplies such as food, salt, fresh water, cloth, iron ore, coal, and fuel oil.

Shahzani then smiled and said, "These valuable goods are very exquisite, but I don't need them for the time being."

She then added that if Bazargan brought the aforementioned military supplies, she would be very interested in purchasing them.

“Madam, you want all these things? We have everything you could possibly need.” Bazargan stroked his mustache and then had his helper unload several more bags from the camel’s back.

Upon opening them, they were indeed filled with bags and bags of grain.

“These are all top-quality wheat from the Bukhara oasis. If you want them, I’ll sell them to you for 18 dirhams per 'jerib' (unit of measurement)!” Bazargan said with a shrewd smile.

Upon hearing the offer, Shahzani sneered inwardly, "No merchant is honest!"

As a history expert, having read ancient books such as "Daoli Bangguo Zhi" and "Guda Ma Shui Ce", he had some knowledge of the prices of goods in the 9th and 10th centuries AD.

Although prices fluctuate depending on the year and supply and demand, they are never as outrageous as the one reported by Bazargan.

Thinking of this, she smiled and said, "Mr. Bazargan, you are a smart man. You should know that every Muslim and Iranian should possess the excellent quality of 'honesty'."

As she spoke, a sharp light flashed in her beautiful eyes, as if she could instantly pierce through the other person's psychological defenses.

“I… uh, I don’t understand what you mean.” Although Bazargan did not admit it, his tone was obviously evasive, and his eyes began to wander.

"Stop pretending." Shahzani's face instantly turned serious. "The Samanid court once decreed that each jerib of wheat was worth 5 dirhams, yet you are here inflating prices. Do you know that this is punishable by caning?"

When Bazargan saw that the woman was angry, his face turned deathly pale. He immediately bowed and kowtowed, saying, "I am guilty! I was greedy and presumptuous, and I have deceived you! Please forgive my shameful greed for the sake of Allah!"

He was inwardly groaning. He had thought that Shahzani was naive and easily fooled, but he never expected that this female city lord possessed wisdom and experience beyond her years.

“Fine.” Seeing that he was genuinely begging for mercy, Shahzani conceded a step. “Six dirhams for every jerib, and I’ll buy all 200 jeribs of wheat you brought. It’s a mutually beneficial price; think it over.”

She understood that such shrewd businessmen needed to be given a warning, but they couldn't be pushed too far, so she decided to make some concessions as well.

"By the Great Hu! Thank you for your kindness and generosity!" Bazargan had no courage to bargain anymore. Seeing that the city lord's offer could still make him a little profit, he readily agreed.

Shahzani nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Oh, by the way, I produce excellent weapons and armor here. You can purchase some and trade them elsewhere."

With business now picking up, it's the perfect opportunity to promote the "Zanshahr Brand." After all, with the "Blacksmith Kavi's Encouragement" bonus, Shahzani is quite confident in the quality of the weapons products from her territory.

“You’re right!” Bazargan exclaimed, gesturing wildly, clearly having already witnessed its quality. “The swords and armor you produce here are indeed sturdy, durable, and of superior quality. I’ve already tested them and am preparing to spend a fortune to buy a batch to sell in Khorasan and Gorgan provinces. Ah, praise be to God! I’m going to make a fortune on this trip!”

Overjoyed, he struck a pose as if praying to Allah Huda.

Shahzani was naturally pleased, as this mutually beneficial trade arrangement was clearly advantageous to both sides.

then.

Shahzani used the same method to purchase military supplies such as provisions from several other caravans. In this way, the material reserves of her territory were further guaranteed.

She then seized the opportunity to set basic prices, especially for food, to prevent cutthroat competition within the bazaar.

This is also preparation for a potential war that could break out at any time. The current situation is complex and multifaceted; the threat from the Karakhanids has not yet dissipated, and attacks from mysterious armed groups could occur at any moment. Only by preparing early can we increase our chances of victory.

……

The next few days.

Shahzani continued to implement various measures in an orderly manner: repairing wells and canals, expanding the city, fortifying the city walls, strengthening patrols, protecting caravans, and so on.

During this period, several more attacks by bandits and thugs occurred along the border, including brutal acts such as throat-slitting. Fortunately, thanks to the powerful counterattack capabilities of the mobilized forces, these attacks were all thwarted.

Shahzani was furious and vowed to send those damned villains to the fire after finding out the whole story.

Chapter 17 Zoroastrian Refugees

According to the confessions of the captured criminals.

They were originally just a group of ordinary bandits who engaged in robbery and theft along the Silk Road.

But two years ago, a Najd cleric named Sheikh Omar al-Jhadi, who claimed to be a devout servant of the "Jhadi sect," came to preach there.

After a fierce battle, Priest Omar seized control of the bandit gang and reorganized it into a branch of the "Jhadi" faction.

Within two years, Omar Jihadi had incorporated several local militia groups and developed a considerable number of followers.

Today, this armed group is entrenched in Bab Ala al-Jhadi Castle, 7 Farsah (approximately 43.7 kilometers) to the northwest. They are eager to expand their influence and are eyeing the surrounding unclaimed villages, fortresses, and cities.

……

Shahzani found out the background of the other organization.

It now appears that these bandits who launched the attack were indeed not ordinary thieves, but fanatical followers incited by heretical doctrines. Although they are not powerful, they will still cause a lot of trouble and must be eliminated.

Just then, news came from the border outpost that a large number of Zoroastrian refugees were coming from the northwest, trying to escape into the country for refuge.

"Zoroastrians?"

Upon hearing this news, Shahzani immediately stood up.

As Iranians with a strong sense of historical pride, how could we not know the name of this religion?

Zoroastrianism, also known as the fire-worshipping religion, was once the most important religion in ancient Iran, reaching its peak during the Sasanian dynasty, but gradually declined after the spread of Islam.

Even so, the Zoroastrian Church still held a certain degree of political power.

During the Samanid dynasty, they were widely distributed throughout Persia in a "large-scale diaspora and small-scale clusters" manner. They had communities and villages in cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Nishapur, and Yazd, and were also responsible for "managing the city's lead pipes".

Even in an era when Islam was the dominant faith, it was not surprising to find a small number of soldiers and lower-ranking officials who adhered to Zoroastrianism.

Her adjutant, Bahram, was an Iranian who retained the Zoroastrian faith.

Let's get back to the topic.

These people are all Iranian citizens. Their flight may be directly related to the brutal expansion of the Jihadi sect.

Shahzani could not stand idly by, nor could she distance herself from the situation.

She immediately issued two orders: first, to accept these Zoroastrian refugees; and second, to strengthen security and guard against attacks by Jihadi militants.

Her orders, transmitted quickly through Zanshahr's administrative system, reached all the border outposts. Zoroastrians stranded on the border were then allowed to enter the territory.

Shahzani also ordered the establishment of a temporary Zoroastrian community in a newly cleared area on the outskirts of the city for Zoroastrians with their families to live in temporarily, and to send servants to provide them with food and clothing.

……

On the outskirts of the city, in the Jabari Mahara community, a temporary refuge for Zoroastrians.

The housing in this area was built and opened up not long ago by the general mobilization army and militia. The houses were made of adobe and sun-dried clay bricks. Although they were somewhat simple, they were already an excellent place of refuge for the persecuted refugees.

The Zoroastrians who had escaped death sat around a simple stove, sharing the rations of hot porridge and lavash. In the cold winter, the scalding hot food was the greatest warmth.

In the center of the community, there is a large adobe temple, which was originally intended to be used as a mosque. However, Shahzani saw that the Zoroastrian priests had nowhere to live, so he designated it as a Zoroastrian shrine and allowed Zoroastrians to enshrine the sacred fire inside.

At this time.

"Lady Shahzani is here!" someone shouted.

The Zoroastrians looked in the direction of the sound and indeed saw a beautiful and dignified lady riding an elegant horse, slowly approaching, surrounded by guards.

Shahzani wore a Persian-style tunic embroidered with beaded patterns, and out of religious respect for Zoroastrians, she also wore a headscarf in the style of Zoroastrian women. Of course, she had also prepared many Zoroastrian greetings and phrases in advance, and even repeatedly reviewed the Pahlavi and Avestan languages ​​used by Zoroastrian priests in their prayers.

These measures are naturally intended to reduce the sense of division between different religions.

When she arrived on horseback, all the Zoroastrians bowed respectfully to show their gratitude to the female city lord.

"Lady Shahzani, your protection has allowed us to survive. In the name of Holmozd (Ahula Mazda), we offer you our highest praise!"