I was the Queen of Persia

Page 174

With the loud voice of the chanting official, the identity of the delegation was revealed: they were an official delegation from the dynasties of South India.

Shahzani believed that if a large-scale military expedition were launched northward, the defenses on its southeastern border would inevitably be weakened, making it very easy for its rival, the Kanauj dynasty, to take advantage of the situation.

The Kanauj dynasty had conquered a vast territory from the Indus River to Bengal, extending its influence to the Deccan Plateau. It also harbored ambitions to "reclaim the former lands of Ghazni," posing a significant threat to the Samanid Empire.

One cannot tolerate another snoring beside one's bed.

In order to contain the Muslim dynasties in North India, Shahzani sent envoys south early on, setting off by sea from the Persian Gulf to establish contact with the Hindu dynasties in South India.

Despite their religious animosity, the two sides shared common interests in dealing with the Muslim power in North India, and thus formed an alliance to expand trade.

Befriend distant enemies while attacking nearby ones, thus containing the enemy at hand.

This is one of the essential qualities of a qualified strategic politician.

During the Hajj ceremony.

Shahzani displayed great power magnanimity and religious tolerance, allowing South Indian envoys to perform Hindu rituals, while specifically instructing at a court banquet: "No beef to be served."

Most sects of Hinduism abstain from beef. Although she was not an expert on Hindu doctrines, she still remembered these common-sense rules.

The Samanid empress's generosity quickly won over the South Indian envoys, and the alliance agreement was soon reached.

The worries about the rear when advancing into the Tulan grasslands have been temporarily relieved.

Shahzani then turned her gaze to the north.

Coincidentally, before she could formulate a specific strategic plan for marching north, the Ak-Turan Khanate, also known as the White Turan Khanate, located on the northern shore of the Caspian Sea and in the Volga River basin, was the first to send envoys to surrender.

Originally, among the Turan Khanates after their disintegration, the White Turan Khanate was the smallest and weakest in terms of territory, and its leader, Mansur Baisunkhur, had a feud with his brother, Chaglitchin.

At this time, the Chaglitzin had just experienced setbacks such as defeat in battle, loss of territory, and the defection of his cousin Tutush. They were looking for compensation from the eastern steppes, so they frequently attacked the White Turan Khanate, seized its pastures, and plundered its livestock and people.

Mansur Baisunkhur, with few soldiers and generals, suffered repeated defeats, and his capital, Adaldu, almost fell. He was powerless to resist his brother. He wanted to seek help from his brother, the Khanate of Khun Turan, to the east, but the Khanate of Khun Turan was also afraid of the power of Chaglitzin and dared not send troops to his aid.

When there is no other way out.

Samanid spies active in his territory took the opportunity to contact the dejected and helpless Khan, encouraging him to seek political asylum under the powerful Empress Shahzani.

“Very good, your Khan has chosen the right path. Go back and tell him! I accept his submission and loyalty, and grant him protection.”

Shahzani immediately agreed to the request of the Khanate of the White Turan and promptly dispatched a fleet of warships deployed in the Caspian Sea to deliver supplies and troops to the Khanate of the White Turan.

Saman's forces immediately marched to the northern shore of the Caspian Sea, regained control of Adal, and transformed the Caspian Sea back into an inland lake of the empire.

Meanwhile, Istakhli, stationed in Ross-Bulgar, also followed Shahzani's orders and sent troops south again, joining forces in the lower Volga River.

The arrival of reinforcements from the Samanid Empire instantly strengthened the defenses of the Khanate of Turlan. At the same time, the Tsagli Tegin forces—primarily Pechenegs—were launching a major invasion of the Volga River basin.

The Saman army was placed under the unified command of Istakhli and adopted a tactic of luring the Pechenegs into a dangerous area with numerous riverbeds and rapids.

The area is crisscrossed by rivers, making it impossible for the Pechenegs' warhorses to gallop freely.

The Pecheneg troops were divided, unable to support each other, and unable to find their enemy, so their morale began to waver. Suddenly, the sound of battle cries shook the heavens ahead, and countless dugout canoes surged forth down the river.

Rockets rained down from the sky.

This was precisely the ambush set up by the Saman army. By taking them by surprise and catching them off guard, the Chenegg people were caught off guard and fled in disarray, abandoning the people and property they had plundered.

The Volga region eventually fell to the Samanid Empire.

Chapter 398 Conquering the Aral Sea Grasslands

Just as the Samanid Empire once again raised its scarlet battle flag in Adal.

Late April, 1030 AD, the month of Ordibehsht in the Persian calendar.

Shahzani assembled an army of 55 in the Transoxiana-Khorasan-Khwarazm-Syr Darya province, officially launching the war to advance into the Turanstan steppe.

According to her plan, the military operation was carried out in three directions:

The Western Army Group, commanded by Farukzad and Iraj, set out from Khwarazm Province to attack the northern steppes of the Aral Sea.

The Eastern Army Group, commanded by Bahramu and Bahramanyar, launched an offensive from Shash Province (Tashkent) into the Seven Rivers region.

The central army group, personally led by Shahzani, was stationed in key fortresses along the Syr Darya River to support attacks from all directions.

A massive armed force has been deployed.

but.

Shahzani decided to "appease them first, then use force." Before launching her offensive, she sent envoys to the Khun Turan Khanate and the Ulan Turan Khanate to persuade them to lay down their arms and submit to the rule of the central high-ranking Samanid government.

The wording used to persuade them to surrender was also very deliberate: first, it was stated that "Turan initiated the war"; then, it was emphasized that "Iran's actions were entirely in self-defense"; then, it was lamented that "this has brought heavy disaster to the people of both countries"; and finally, it was called for "turning hostility into friendship".

"Iranians and Turanians are both descendants of the ancient sage Faridon, why must they fight each other?"

"If you surrender with courtesy and lay down your arms, the Iranians will live and work in peace in Zamin, Iran, and the Turans will thrive in Turanstan. Wouldn't it be wonderful to restore peace between the two sides and let the glory of Hu Da spread across these two lands?"

Shahzani spoke fluently, using over a hundred Persian words in one go. Persian is, after all, the common language of eastern Islam. Although Turan is politically hostile to Iran, it is highly Persianized, and its high-ranking officials are generally fluent in Persian.

Subsequently, they dispatched messengers familiar with the route to deliver the letter to the Turans.

A week later, the messenger returned with a message.

None of them succeeded.

However, the two Turan leaders had different attitudes.

Khan Musa Ogurchak of Khwarazm frankly stated: "We are willing to submit to the Empress. After all, Her Majesty's magnanimity, justice, and majesty have deeply penetrated the hearts of the Turan people. However, as valiant warriors of Turan, we have no reason to surrender. If the Empress's army can defeat us, we are willing to submit."

The Khan of Huang Tulan—Arslan Qadir Hassan—was quite arrogant. He tore the Empress's letter to shreds, ordered his servants to put a saddle on the back of the Saman envoy, whipped him dozens of times, and drove him out of the territory.

This means that the two will face different commands.

"The Turanians still cling to unrealistic hopes; it's time to shatter their delusions. Issue my order: the entire army march!" Shahzani's deep, powerful voice echoed in the minds of the Saman soldiers.

Crimson battle flags covered the earth and obscured the sky;

Iron soldiers and steel armor covered the plains, gleaming brightly.

Knowing your enemy and yourself, you will never be defeated. Just as the Samanid army was stepping up its preparations, caravan spies active on the Silk Road were also frequently sending back reports on the political and military developments of the Turan steppe.

According to intelligence, both the Khun Turan and the Og Turan Khanates had limited military strength, with each Khanate having no more than 100,000 tents.

The Khun Turan Khanate, having lost traditional Oghuz Yabghu settlements such as Zan and Yangjigan, lost important sources of revenue, artisans, and weapons and armor, making it even weaker.

“Then let’s first defeat these Red Banner Turans and bring the grasslands north of the Khwarazmian Sea under the rule of the Samanid Empire,” Shahzani said.

……

Farukzad and Iraj, leading 20 troops of the Western Army Group, marched straight towards the Khanate of Khun Turan. Thanks to the military supply system built by the postal roads, the army's food and supplies were fully guaranteed.

Upon hearing the news, Musa Ogurchak immediately deployed 7 troops on the Usthurst steppe northwest of the Aral Sea, attempting to use traditional steppe nomadic tactics to lure the enemy deep into his territory, fight and retreat, and ultimately wear down the Samanid army.

The Samanid scouts patrolling the front lines quickly discovered the enemy's movements.

“The Turans are trying to lure us into a trap, so we’ll play along,” Farukzad and Iraji thought to themselves.

He then ordered Kyzylhan Beg to command an "Uzbek" cavalry division as the vanguard to engage Turan's army first, but not to win. He was to wait for a crucial moment and then feign defeat and retreat.

Meanwhile, Iraj set up an encirclement behind the hills of the Usthurst Plateau. When the feint troops retreated, the enemy was lured in, and then attacked from both sides, annihilating the enemy.

Most importantly, in this battle, Iraq deployed the Samanid Empire's latest "secret weapon".

The vanguard's "Uzbek" cavalry division has already set off. Utilizing its superior mobility and familiarity with the terrain and paths of the Inner Asian steppes, the vanguard rapidly advanced and engaged the Turan army.

Kyzylhan Beg commanded his troops, weaving in and out of enemy lines, moving left and right.

In an instant, arrows rained down like locusts, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens. Soldiers from both sides embraced the brave warriors who had killed the enemy and made meritorious contributions, and fought a bloody battle with their opponents.

The battle had reached a fever pitch. Kyzylhan Beg, following his commander's orders, immediately regrouped his troops and feigned defeat to flee. Musa Ogurchak, unaware of the trap, assumed the Saman army was already overwhelmed and excitedly concentrated his forces in pursuit.

The Samanid army, feigning defeat, calmly lured the Turan pursuers into an ambush zone—a treacherous and dangerous area, flanked by towering hills that guarded the valley between the mountains.

Musa Ogurchak realized something was wrong, but it was too late. He heard Persian battle cries and shouts from both sides, and in an instant, bright red flags covered the sky, blinding the Turan soldiers.

While they were still in shock and confusion, another Turan soldier looked on with terror as he saw, in the Saman army's ranks high above, rows of thick "black iron pipes" lined up. They didn't know what they were, but they were awe-inspiring to behold.

Boom——! Boom——! Boom——!

The deafening explosions, one after another, completely shattered the Turan soldiers' confusion. Brilliant sparks burst forth in clusters within the Turan ranks, sending the Turan men flying and falling.

Warhorses neighed mournfully, and soldiers howled in despair.

This "unheard-of" "new type of gunpowder weapon," with the power of God's thunderous wrath, almost instantly shattered the morale of Turan's army.

Faced with such a powerful weapon, even the rocket chariots of the Turan headquarters paled in comparison, let alone the bows and spears of the Red Turan warriors.

Farukzad and Iraj led their armies in a counter-offensive, annihilating the remaining forces of Khun Turan in one battle, capturing Musa Ogurchak alive, and destroying the Khun Turan Khanate.

Chapter 399 The Female Hero Refuses to Grow Old

Meanwhile, Shahzani stationed troops in Xigna Black City as a support force. At present, the red flags of the camp fluttered and the armor of the soldiers gleamed in the sun. The Queen's personal guard, the Shahri Guard, was even more well-equipped and imposing.

Nasak, who was serving the emperor, rode up to report that Princess Rukhzad was advancing with unstoppable momentum, and that the Khanate of Khun Turan had already surrendered. Musa Ogurchak had sent more than ten envoys to present a tattered Khan's flag as a sign of submission to the Samanid Empire.

In an instant, shouts of "Long live Shah Shah!" and "Immortal Iran!" resounded and exploded.

Shahzani accepted the kneeling homage of the surrendered subjects in the main tent and bestowed upon the Khun Turan chiefs fine clothes, a gold belt, a flag, salt, and other items to demonstrate his rule over the Khun Turan tribes.

She then resorted to her usual political rhetoric for educating the people, delivering a sermon to the surrendered Turan officials. Her words were nothing more than, "Iranians and Turans are of the same origin," "Both races are descendants of the Farids," "Both races should live in peace and prosperity," and "The Imperial Court guarantees the rights of the Turan people," and so on.

Although they were all old-fashioned political rhetoric, her powerful and resonant sermons had a strong brainwashing effect. Moreover, the outcome of the battle had already been decided, and the people of Khun Turan were completely convinced and utterly convinced.

Several more days passed.

The Western Route Army, having achieved a great victory in defeating the Khun Turan Khanate, returned in triumph under the command of Farukzad.

Shahzani rewarded the soldiers who had performed meritorious service.

Princess Farukzad, with her outstanding military achievements, not only officially regained her original position but was also promoted two ranks, gaining greater military and political authority; her husband, Iraj, assisted her effectively and also received generous rewards.

The officers and soldiers of the "Uzbek" Legion have been awarded many honors for their meritorious service, especially rising stars such as Kyzylhan Beg and Seljuk leader Togrir Beg.

The soldiers cheered and shouted again.

……

At the same time that the Khun Turan Khanate submitted, the Huang Turan Khanate, which occupied the Seven Rivers region, also suffered repeated defeats under the attacks of Bahram and Bahmanyar.

The city of Talas had long been manipulated by Samanid spies and agents, so when the Samanid army approached the city, the people, led by their Islamic chieftains, immediately launched an uprising and opened the heavy, sturdy city gates.

Bahraim seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, inflicting a crushing defeat on the Turans and winning a resounding victory.

The defending troops under Huang Tulan were attacked from both sides and were unable to defend themselves. In order to preserve their fighting strength, they were forced to withdraw their troops and retreat to Balasagun.

The crimson Samanid banners fluttered over the walls of Talas.

Bahram was filled with boundless enthusiasm.

Despite being over fifty, thanks to years of persistent exercise and the use of Shahzani's "succubus potion," she remains beautiful and vigorous, displaying a spirit that refuses to grow old.

She volunteered to lead the expedition to the Seven Rivers region.

In those days, she commanded her iron cavalry, utterly defeating the remnants of the Karakhanid army, crushing the felt tents and fortifications of the Seven Rivers Turkic tribes, conquering the city of Balasagun, and capturing the Karakhanid leader Ahmad Togan Khan. The grasslands from Baishuihu City to Lake Issyk-Kul thus submitted to the authority of the Samanid dynasty, and the illustrious name of this Zoroastrian Iranian female general spread far and wide.

Unfortunately, the Samanid Empire was not as powerful as it is today, making it difficult to maintain stable control over the outer steppes. Furthermore, the Turan Khanate grew stronger over the years, and many Turkic-speaking tribes once again submitted to Turan Khan, so this land was quickly lost again.

Today, the Samanid Empire is far more powerful than it once was. Its abundant wealth and powerful projection of influence are enough to spread the authority of Empress Shahzani throughout the steppe.

Commanding the now even more powerful Samanian army, she vowed to achieve glory once again.

Just as we were making plans, a scout reported: 3 Turan cavalry have been spotted nearby, attempting to outflank our army from the rear!

"Outrageous! Assemble two cavalry divisions and follow me into battle!..." Bahramu drew his armor-piercing saddle axe with a clang, about to command the Saman cavalry to block their advance.

“Commander-in-Chief, why do you need to personally intervene? Don’t worry! I already have a plan.” Bahmanyar rode up at this moment.

"Oh? In the name of Holmozd, what is the countermeasure?" Bahraim looked at the young junior with some skepticism.

"Please wait a moment, the results will be presented shortly," Bahmanyar said confidently.

Not long after.

Sure enough, several Saman officers reported: "The Turan cavalry, who attempted to outflank us, have been defeated by our army and are fleeing into the depths of the steppe." The hundreds of Saman cavalrymen following them were also carrying the heads of Turan fallen soldiers on their spears, their saddle straps also covered with heads.

It is evident that they achieved considerable success.

At this point, Bahmanyar revealed his tactics to his senior.

It turned out that through her long-term confrontation with the Turan army in the border region, she had already gained a deep understanding of the enemy's nomadic raiding tactics. Therefore, for this campaign, she specifically deployed highly mobile "Uzbek" troops on both sides of the main army to guard against enemy surprise attacks.

As expected, with their superior horsemanship and tactics, they defeated the attacking Turans and won a great victory.