I was the Queen of Persia

Page 117

“There are also many armed forces scattered in the coastal mountains. The Sham Assassins could very well recruit all sorts of vagrants and seize the opportunity to expand their power…” Shahzani pointed to the mountain map and drew a vertical line from north to south.

However, if the attackers are indeed the Sham Assassins, what are their motives and objectives? Are they seizing the opportunity to seize territory? Are they being instigated or provoked? Or do they have other interests at stake? ...

Shahzani is unaware of this yet, but her principle is very clear: anyone who dares to oppose the powerful Iranian Samanid Empire must be prepared to suffer heavy blows.

……

In the following period, as the number of small-scale skirmishes between the two armies increased, the Samanid army basically figured out the identity of the attackers.

As Shahzani had predicted, it was an armed force centered around the Sham Assassins.

This assassin army, based in the mountain fortresses of Masyaf and other coastal mountain ranges, has incorporated local Tanu Alliance, Ismaili sect and other factions into its armed forces. It is no longer just a simple assassin group, but more like a regional military regime.

"Haha, it's true."

Shahzani examined the captured Sham assassin banner in his hand. The white banner was decorated with a pattern that resembled both a mountain peak and an assassin's dagger, and it also contained Sham Arabic inscriptions.

It was exactly the same as the strange mark left by the mysterious assassin who broke into the military tent that night.

Snapped--!

Shahzani slammed the flag on the table: "A tiny assassin regime dares to provoke the mighty Samanid Empire. By Allah Hudda, they'll soon be licking their wounds! Shahini, gather the troops from all camps!"

"I will not attack unless attacked." Faced with this armed provocation, Shahzani decisively organized a counterattack. However, she could distinguish between the primary and secondary contradictions. The Fatimid Caliphate was the primary enemy, while the Sham Assassins were a secondary enemy; a few local battles would suffice to subdue them.

The Samanid Empire had already established a foothold in the region surrounding Homs.

Instead of causing widespread destruction to local agriculture and commerce, Shahzani vigorously protected existing industries and retained the previous officials. As a result, social order in Holmes was quickly restored.

Shahzani and Shahini joined forces and worked together to maintain normal order in the controlled area while continuing to hold their positions and consolidate their so-called gains.

A solid material and order foundation laid the groundwork for the battle.

In the oasis villages and towns of valleys, river valleys, and plains, the Saman Empire's army and the Sham assassins clashed in multiple rounds...

North of Holmes, near the Reistan oasis.

The Saman Empire's 1500 troops and the Sham Assassins' 1200 troops clashed here.

Using the cover of date palm groves, hilly sand dunes, and trench fortifications, the Sham assassins were the first to outflank the Saman Empire's army, suppressing them with volleys of crossbow fire.

However, the effect was not obvious.

The Sham assassins' crossbow bolts could hardly penetrate the iron and felt armor of Iranian warhorses, and the armor of the Sham soldiers was not as sturdy or sophisticated as that of the Iranian army. More importantly, their organization and battle formations were not as well-organized as those of the Saman army.

After a brief skirmish, the Sham assassins, who had maneuvered to the flank, were suppressed by the Samansel horse archers and then overwhelmed by a wave of Saman elite cavalry.

Seizing the opportunity, the Saman Empire army launched a counter-encirclement, with cavalry on both flanks rapidly maneuvering and the central army pressing forward in rapid succession. This three-pronged attack tightly gripped the passive Sham assassin army like a steel clamp.

"God above! Rustam's courage guides us! Warriors of Iran! Keep going and destroy these enemies!" the commander of the Saman army shouted.

But at that moment, a surprising scene suddenly appeared.

The Sham assassins did not linger in battle. Instead, they swiftly dispersed into numerous small squads, using the natural terrain and pre-dug tunnels to escape. Their movements were so agile that the Saman army's encirclement was not yet complete, and they could only watch helplessly as the assassins fled.

"What a pity!" The Samanian commander pounded his knee in regret. "Send three light cavalry companies in pursuit immediately! Don't let these Ismailis escape right under our noses!"

……

Such encounters were a recurring occurrence along the long front between Holmes and Hama.

Both sides in the conflict have their own strengths.

The Saman Empire's army was heavily armored, well-trained, and had formidable cavalry, making them more adept at large-scale frontal battles; the Sham assassins were agile, swift, and had a distinguished record, making them more skilled at smaller-scale maneuvering battles.

In frontal battles involving more than a thousand men, the Saman Empire's army always managed to defeat the Sham Assassin Army by virtue of its superior armor and strength.

In battles involving fewer than a thousand men, the Saman army and the Sham assassins each had their share of victories and defeats, but the Saman army generally won more battles than it lost.

In small-scale battles involving fewer than a hundred soldiers, the Sham assassins repeatedly managed to put small Saman forces on the defensive and defeat them, thanks to their agility, sharpness, and superior individual combat skills.

Meanwhile, whenever the Sham assassins suffered setbacks, they were able to quickly disperse and retreat unscathed through various means, withdrawing to the mountains to wage guerrilla warfare. Once in the mountains, the Sham assassins' advantage rapidly increased, usually leaving the Saman army helpless.

So after more than a month of sporadic skirmishes, the two sides remained deadlocked: the Saman army controlled most of the plains and oases; the Sham assassins controlled most of the mountains and hills.

……

Various battle reports piled up on Shahzani's desk.

"It's definitely a tough nut to crack!" Shahzani frowned slightly as she looked at the standoff between the two sides on the map.

The course of the war had exceeded her expectations: she had thought that although the Sham assassins were highly skilled, they would not be able to hold out for long under the attack of the Saman army, but now it seemed that this view should be revised to some extent.

As it turns out, the Sham Assassins are not the Blackblade Cult. Although both are armed forces centered around assassins, their resilience differs.

Chapter 274 Lure the snake out of its hole (1)

Looking at the topographical map drawn by Billuney, at the plains at the foot of the coastal mountains and the continuous urban and rural oases, he pondered the current situation and strength of the various participating forces.

suddenly.

“I’ve got it!” Shahzani’s inspiration was unleashed.

“Sahini,” she summoned her beloved general and whispered a few words in her ear, “you need to take the troops with you…”

She spoke in a low voice, but with great determination and resolve. Because it was a secret plan, she wanted to ensure that no one else knew about it except the two of them, so that it could have an unexpected effect.

"Very well! I will obey your command!" Sahinien smiled knowingly upon hearing this.

……

Masyaf Fortress stands amidst the towering mountains of the coastal range.

"Master Almuravi! Great news!"

The young assassin leader, Atari Ibn al-Ahadi, dressed in white robes, strode into the master assassin's secluded bedroom to report that the master was ill.

“Cough…cough, Rahadi, how is the situation at the front?” Master Almuravi sat up with difficulty, his wrinkled face trembling slightly.

Time is eroding the body of this former master assassin. Now he is old and frail and can no longer fulfill the duties of the leader of the assassin group. He can only entrust his confidant and beloved disciple, Ra Ahadi, to act in his stead.

Rahadi quickly helped his mentor lie down.

"The Persian army deployed in Homs has gradually withdrawn! Currently, only one general and 1000 troops remain stationed in the city. God bless us! Homs is within our grasp!" He reported this good news to his mentor.

This ambitious young assassin had long wanted to expand his sphere of influence to the plains beyond the coastal mountains in order to strengthen his prestige within the assassin group. Holmes was one of the treasures he coveted, but he had long been unable to find the opportunity.

Now that the Samanid Empire has seized the land from the Fatimid Caliphate and is gradually withdrawing its troops from the area, Homs is currently in a period of power vacuum. If not now, when?

“La Ahadi…cough…your talent and courage are commendable, but…cough cough…your teacher still has a few words of advice.”

"Please go ahead, Professor."

"Our Ismaili assassin group has always accomplished our goals through wisdom and patience... cough cough... In the past, when our prophet came to these mountains, the locals scoffed at our teachings... cough cough... The prophet spent over twenty years diligently preaching in the surrounding villages before converting them to our faith, allowing us to gain a foothold in these mountains. Therefore, to achieve great things, one must never be hasty... cough cough!"

"Please rest assured, the current situation is very clear, and I will take care of everything!"

Rahadi confidently pledged his commitment to Al-Murawi, then rose to take his leave. Seeing this, Al-Murawi sighed helplessly and closed his eyes slightly.

……

La Ahadi is currently very confident that he can bring Holmes into the fold.

According to reports from spies in various locations, Shahzani has led the main force away from Homs, leaving only a portion of the second-line troops for temporary defense. He himself saw this clearly, and the intelligence has been repeatedly verified and is undoubtedly accurate.

In order to seize this wealthy city on the Silk Road, he devised a meticulous plan:

First, they dispatched elite assassin units in small teams to infiltrate various communities and villages in Homs, posing a threat to the small number of Saman Empire troops stationed there.

Secondly, relying on his superb stealth skills, he secretly infiltrated the relatively heavily fortified city, waiting for an opportunity to assassinate the generals and other commanders of the Saman garrison.

After the target was assassinated and the city was thrown into chaos, the various infiltrated units used this as a signal to immediately mobilize all their forces, calling on fellow Shia Ismaili Muslims to launch a full-scale attack on the leaderless Saman garrison, defeat them in one fell swoop, and take control of Homs.

……

Soon, the date for the operation would arrive.

The bright moonlight spilled across the earthen-yellow walls of Holmes.

After deploying his troops, Ra'ahadi scaled the high city walls alone and infiltrated the city. According to intelligence from his inside man, the female general of the Samanid army was going to bathe in Abu Ali's bathhouse that night, accompanied only by a small number of guards—the perfect opportunity to strike.

Using their superb stealth skills, they bypassed the few sentries and patrols and quickly reached the designated location. At that moment, another group of people approached from the opposite direction. Upon closer inspection, they recognized General Saman and her guards.

General Saman dismissed everyone at the bathroom entrance and entered the bathhouse alone, without carrying any weapons, as if he were completely unaware of the danger that was about to occur.

"God is with me!"

Rahadi was overjoyed; this meant the assassination would be much easier. After a brief moment's thought, he nimbly leaped over the obstacle, making almost no sound, like a swift and venomous snake. He bypassed the sentry and found an opening in the bathroom ceiling to enter.

Syrian bathhouses differ from Iranian bathhouses. While retaining the rustic charm of Middle Eastern bathhouses, they also incorporate the elegance of ancient Roman bathhouses, with beautiful stone architecture showcasing classical beauty.

However, the cold-eyed assassin had no interest in appreciating the decorations. He crouched low, crawled forward quickly, bypassed the dim lights, and finally crept to the large bath in the center.

Looking out over the beautiful scenery, even his cold and ruthless heart was somewhat intoxicated:

In the shimmering bath, a stunningly beautiful figure was gracefully stroking and dancing, her black hair cascading down her back, her skin as smooth as honey, and water droplets splashing onto her strong, muscular legs, giving them an irresistible sheen.

This is a typical robust and voluptuous Persian beauty. She bends slightly over and slowly pulls down the red triangular panties between her waist and hips. Her large, plump buttocks are like a giant peach or a ripe watermelon.

"Gulp..." Even Rahadi, who was known for his coldness and aloofness, couldn't help but swallow.

“By God I swear! She’s a truly exquisite Persian woman! But…”

Rahadi steeled his resolve, letting his ruthless assassin mindset reclaim control: "Since they are our enemies, they must die by my blade!"

After thinking it over, he slowly raised his right arm, and with a "whoosh," the sharp hidden weapon shot out at high speed.

This is a concealed weapon commonly used by assassins in the Sham region. It is usually strapped to a wrist guard and can be fired directly when needed. However, due to its complexity, high cost, and difficulty of use, only a small number of high-ranking assassins are qualified to wield it.

The deadly weapon shot out swiftly, and Rahadi's lips curled into a smug smile, but in the next second, his smile froze completely.

*Smack! Smack!*

In the bath, the Persian female general moved with lightning speed, grabbing her personal clothing and waving it at the hidden weapons. Several crisp sounds rang out as the convenient and swift deadly weapons were all knocked down.

"It's been a long time since I last visited the military camp with my friend from back then."

The Persian naked woman in the bath slowly turned her face, and Rahadi, whose gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, was instantly petrified.

It was Shahzani herself.

Chapter 275 Lure the snake out of its hole (2)

"God above! This...this is impossible!"

Rahadi, who is usually known for his composure, showed an unusual panic and embarrassment.

He recognized Shahzani's face. When he broke into the military tent at night years ago, he had observed this Persian female ruler up close and clearly, and vaguely sensed the beautiful yet majestic aura emanating from her.

He simply couldn't understand how Shahzani could reappear in the city's bathhouse without warning, given that she had already led the main force away and only a small number of troops remained in the city.

Without a second thought, he suddenly raised his right arm and swiftly launched a series of hidden weapons, taking advantage of the moment when Shahzani was defending herself to make his escape.

But Shahzani will not give him a chance to escape.

Shahzani knocked down the hidden weapon, then swiftly tore off the gauze curtain beside her, twisted it into a ball, and lashed it at Rahadi.

With immense force, it struck Rahadi, causing him to stumble. Rahadi quickly regained his balance and barely managed to stand. At that moment, Shahzani charged forward again with the force of thunder.

Seeing that escape was impossible, Rahadi decided to fight. He exerted a little force in his arms, and the hidden blades in his wrist guards were instantly revealed. He swung them left and right, launching a fierce attack on Shahzani.

Shahzani resolutely fought back. Despite being naked, it did not affect her formidable fighting power. She used her personal clothing to deliver heavy blows and engaged in fierce combat with Rahadi.

In just a few seconds, the two sides were evenly matched, with neither gaining the upper hand.

Rahadi was astonished: "God above! The Persian Queen was naked, yet he was still such a strong and fierce opponent!" Shahzani was also amazed: "Indeed, he is the ace assassin of the Sham region, able to deflect and resist such a heavy blow."

Just then, hurried footsteps approached from afar, undoubtedly the gatekeepers had heard the commotion and were coming to protect you!

Rahadi dared not linger in battle. Taking advantage of Shahzani's momentary lapse in attention, he swiftly somersaulted and vanished into the darkness of the night. At the same time, the Samanian warriors protecting him broke through the gates and stormed in.

“Great King of Kings, we arrived too late to capture the assassin. Please punish us!” the leading female officer, a Saman, apologized. The other Saman female soldiers quickly draped a cloth over Shahzani.

“It’s not your fault.” Shahzani gestured for them to stand up. “Continue with the plan. The enemy won’t escape our encirclement.”

at the same time.

Suddenly, flames erupted everywhere in the city, and shouts of battle filled the air.

Rahadi, who had escaped, was overjoyed: his troops had launched the attack as planned, and the Persian army in the city was outnumbered and unable to resist. Wouldn't the Persian queen then have to beg for peace and surrender?

With this in mind, the assassin leader swiftly scaled walls and rooftops to rejoin his troops. However, when he scaled the overlapping earthen walls and sped into the street, the sight before him left him speechless.

Where is their own Sham assassin army? What stands before them is a dense array of Saman troops, the soldiers holding torches as numerous as the stars, and a majestic female general sits atop a warhorse at the front.