I was the Queen of Persia

Page 26

Nakhshab City.

This city is also known as "Nasaf," "Nasab," and "Kalshi." Ancient Chinese texts refer to it as "Nasebo." During the Samanid dynasty, the city prospered thanks to the Silk Road and played a vital role in connecting Bukhara with the southern provinces.

The Samanid Iranian cavalry suddenly appeared near the city with the force of fire and thunder. The more than 3000 Karakhanid soldiers defending the city never dreamed that the enemy's advance would be so swift. Before they could establish defenses or obtain reinforcements, their morale was thrown into chaos.

What left Shahzani speechless was that when the Karakhan garrison commander saw the Saman army coming in a fierce manner, he actually ran away faster than Jafar Tür, abandoning his troops and the city.

"Well, I was hoping for a fierce battle, but it turns out this person is a cowardly rat, even more cowardly than a sheep," she muttered to herself, then ordered an attack without hesitation.

The Samanid light and heavy cavalry swept through the surrounding area like a sandstorm. They annihilated enemy routs, dealt with stubborn enemy officials, and dismantled the enemy's grassroots regimes in the towns and villages. Soon, all the towns and villages around Nakhshab that were not protected by city walls fell under Shahzani's control.

The countryside surrounded the city. With the powerful boosts granted by the system, Shahzani quickly mobilized a sufficient number of paramilitary militia from various villages and towns through the general mobilization system, and also accelerated the manufacture of rudimentary siege weapons. Naheshab City was already in her grasp.

The siege quickly began, and the leaderless and heavily damaged Karakhanid army was no match for the high-spirited Samanid army. After several hours of fighting, Nakhshab fell into the hands of Shahzani.

……

After recapturing Nakhshab and taking a short rest, Shahzani ordered an advance northward. However, she did not directly attack Bukhara, but instead chose to take a detour, first relieving the siege of her allies; then continuing to accumulate strength to encircle and annihilate the Karakhanid field forces; and finally advancing into Bukhara to reclaim this great capital of the Samanid dynasty.

At the same time, she also incorporated many of Montahir's scattered followers and integrated them through authority and system.

Under Shahzani's authoritative command, the Samanid Persian cavalry swept through the Karakhanid remnants along the way, annihilating their scattered resistance and disintegrating the local Karakhanid regime. The crimson elite army, a torrent of iron hooves, surged across the brownish-yellow land, like a wildfire raging across the desert.

But one day, a light cavalry scout on the front lines brought unexpected news:

The Oghuz and Kipchak tribes in the north sent troops to support the Karakhanid Dynasty, and the reinforcements have already arrived in the Transoxiana region.

Chapter 55 Heavy Cavalry Charge, Iron Torrent

Shahzani was slightly surprised to receive this news. But upon reflection, she realized it was merely a microcosm of the current complex political situation.

The Oghuz Yabghu and the Kimak-Kipchak confederation were both nomadic powers established by the Turks in the northern steppes of Central Asia. These Turkic nomadic regimes often chose to submit to the powerful settled dynasties in the south, but frequently chose to raid southwards and participate in political struggles when the latter declined and were embroiled in internal conflicts.

Like most nomadic khanates in Eurasia, they lacked a strict centralized system of government, and the power of their tribal leaders was often constrained, leaving them powerless to control the tribal warlords and nobles under their command. The numerous tribal leaders and nobles who controlled their own territories often bypassed the permission of the Great Khan and the Great Yabghu, and organized their own forces to plunder and fight abroad.

Some tribes would choose to fight for the Samanid army, while others would choose to fight for the Karakhanid army, and still others would fight for other regimes; there was no unified standard.

Clearly, the Karakhanid dynasty also sent envoys to persuade the Oghuz and Kipchaks, and convinced some of their nobles. As a result, many Oghuz and Kipchak people joined the Karakhanid army, the same 6 who had previously returned to Samarkand, bringing their total strength to 10.

Furthermore, having learned of the change of rulers in Samarkand, and after a series of hasty and inconsistent actions, they hastily turned their horses around to meet the cavalry corps personally led by Shahzani.

"Hmph, even with them included, they're nothing but a motley crew driven by greed," Shahzani sneered. She now possessed the military strength to rival them, and had also long ago devised an even more ingenious tactic.

She turned a feint into a real attack, swiftly relieving Montahir's allies from their siege, and then, relying on her powerful long-range raiding capabilities, moved her troops eastward to meet the invading enemy.

The skilled messengers skillfully bypassed enemy assembly points, establishing an efficient intelligence network between Samarkand and the front lines to facilitate coordinated operations.

Shahzani and Bahraim devised a plan for a pincer attack. Bahraim then selected 3 elite troops to launch an offensive from the direction of Samarkand, coordinating with Shahzani's elite cavalry. The Samanid army was well-disciplined and disciplined, and did not harm the people in any way they passed.

The Karakhanid-Oghuz-Kipchak allied forces were different. They plundered civilians' wealth and property along the way, and allowed their horses and livestock to graze on crops, causing widespread resentment and loss of popular support.

Just as the balance of power in the war was beginning to shift, the two armies met on the Zarman Plain, 7.2 Farsakh (about 45 kilometers) west of Samarkand.

……

May 26, 1000 AD, the month of Khordad in the Persian calendar.

Shahzani Saman's army of 2.5 men clashed with the Karakhan-Oghuz-Kipchak allied forces of 10 men on the plains outside Zhalman.

Soldiers filled the plains and valleys, banners and spears fluttering in the wind, the howling sandstorm adding to the grim atmosphere of the battlefield.

Astride her heavily armored warhorse, Shahzani surveyed the distant enemy forces with a stern gaze and methodically deployed her troops.

"【Preparation Skill - Heavy Cavalry Charge】, Effect: Heavy cavalry's speed on flat ground increases by 30%, and their agility increases by 25%. Duration: The entire battle. Triggering conditions: The troops' morale is excellent, and they are equipped with strong and high-quality horses (which has been met)."

Heavy cavalry are powerful but lack agility, and this skill can slightly improve this, thus serving as an important auxiliary means in battle. Therefore, Shahzani chose this skill.

In the morning, the Karakhanid coalition launched the first attack.

The massive Karakhanid coalition forces quickly divided into several formations based on region and tribe. Karakhanid town infantry, Jihad Ghazi infantry, Iqta cavalry, the general's personal guard Ghulam army, vassal horse archers, Oghuz tribe cavalry, Kipchak tribe horsemen, and other troops all surged towards Shahzani's Saman army.

Shahzani discovered that although the enemy had come with great force, their command was chaotic and they were fighting independently, resulting in a disconnect between their formations and obvious gaps and gaps. Seeing this situation, she immediately ordered her cavalry corps to divide into four formations—front, left, center, and right—to systematically meet the enemy.

The vanguard light cavalry, relying on discipline and flexibility, formed a circular formation and unleashed a volley of arrows to kill the advancing enemy. Their movements, sometimes gathering and sometimes dispersing, made it difficult for the Karakhanid allied forces to launch a counterattack.

The heavy cavalry on the left and right flanks then flanked the Karakhanid coalition forces in large groups, launching repeated attacks. The system-activated combat skills greatly enhanced their agility and significantly increased their killing efficiency.

The massive cavalry charge, tens of thousands of iron hooves pounding the earth, produced an earthquake-like roar, as if the demon Ahriman or the dragon Ardahaka were howling in fury. A hail of arrows blanketed the sky, armored warhorses thundered and charged, the clang of metal clashing against metal filling the air, and the resounding clash of weapons echoed endlessly. This dense clash of armies caused the earth to tremble violently, sending sand and stones flying and dust obscuring the sun.

Under the tightly packed, concentrated offensive of the Samanid army, the Karakhanid coalition forces were overwhelmed and gradually showed signs of exhaustion. Many Karakhanid troops were thrown into disarray, and significant gaps appeared between their various units. A few Karakhanid soldiers even abandoned their armor and weapons, attempting to flee the battlefield.

The time has come to launch the final offensive.

"Central group, charge! Guided by the courage of hero Rustam, crush the enemy!" Shahzani decisively issued the order.

As soon as the words were spoken, the 2500 heavily armored cavalrymen deployed in the center of the army immediately formed a wedge-shaped charge formation towards the enemy. They were all elite heavy cavalrymen, including not only the Samanid court guards but also outstanding warriors from the Transoxiana heavy cavalry, the Khorasan heavy cavalry, and the Dehgan landowners' heavy cavalry. Each was highly trained, well-equipped, and coordinated perfectly.

The Samanid army's central heavy cavalry formation rapidly converged into a torrent of crimson steel, accompanied by the deafening sound of iron hooves trampling and sweeping up clouds of dust, like the raging fury of the Iranian war god Bahram, crushing towards the Karakhanid army's ranks.

The sturdy Iranian heavy armor gleamed with a dazzling iron light under the sun; the heavy lances of the cavalry, like a forest, tore through the enemy lines with overwhelming force; the Persian warhorses, clad in horse armor, resembled raging lions; and the red battle banners, painted with ancient Iranian epic texts, were made even more crimson by the blood and sunlight.

The offensive of the Samanian heavy cavalry group greatly intimidated the Karakhanid army on the opposite side.

The Karakhanid army was not lacking in heavy cavalry. Their troops, including the Ghulam Guards, the heavy Ikta cavalry, and the Guihua Dehgan heavy cavalry, were well-armored. However, due to poor command and chaotic discipline, their heavy cavalry failed to utilize their advantages and were now huddled together, stuck in a quagmire.

Shahzani's heavy cavalry swept through the Karakhanid coalition in an instant, breaking them into small, mutually dependent units. Then, using tactics of encirclement and defeating them one by one, they were annihilated.

The steel torrent continued its relentless rampage, and the outcome was already decided.

At this moment, hundreds of red battle flags of the Samanid army suddenly appeared on the eastern horizon of the battlefield. It was Bahram's 3-strong reserve force that had arrived on the battlefield in time. The combined forces of Shahzani and Bahram formed a powerful army of 5.5, which further accelerated the collapse and disintegration of the Karakhanid coalition.

Ultimately, the 10-strong Karakhanid coalition army was annihilated by the overwhelming force of their heavy cavalry. At the end of the battle, rivers of blood stained the desert red, and countless vultures and crows nearly obscured the blood-red sunset. Post-battle statistics showed that the Karakhanid coalition suffered 1 dead, 4 captured, and the rest scattered; while the Samanid army lost fewer than 4000 men.

Chapter 56

After annihilating the Karakhanid coalition forces on the Zhalman Plain, Shahzani immediately moved to the city of Debussy to investigate the situation of Montahir and his followers.

Montahir's own situation is not optimistic.

As soon as he stepped into the general's tent, he saw his attendants, slaves, and guards weeping uncontrollably. Several loyal servants repeatedly raised their hands, murmuring phrases like "God protect us." Montahir himself lay unconscious on his couch, pale and lifeless. Beside him stood a group of mullahs and imams, reciting the Quran in turn.

“What’s going on?” Shahzani asked one of the Bandagang servants.

She had been too busy defeating the Karakhanid army to meet with Muntashir, never expecting that the poet-warrior would be so badly wounded.

“God is my witness, Chief Shahzani. Our master was pierced by several spears by the Karakhanids (those damned creatures!) at the foot of Bukhara. Thanks to the efforts of the army doctors, he survived, but remains unconscious.” The slave of Bandagang wiped away his tears and answered, sobbing.

"Did the military doctor estimate when he would recover and wake up?"

"Reporting to Chief Shahzani, no. My master's injuries are too severe, and even the most skilled physician in the army is helpless. It can only be said that it is 'all thanks to God's protection'."

After listening to what the Bandagan slave had to say, Shahzani seemed to be deep in thought.

She believed that Montahir was the spiritual leader of the Saman army and could not fall yet. Because the current political and military situation was unstable, her own authority was not yet sufficient to control the arrogant "remnants of the previous dynasty." If Montahir were to die at this time, it would inevitably cause a serious split within the Saman leadership.

Considering this factor, she called her female palace soldiers aside.

“You shall immediately set out for Samarkand and summon Ibn Sina, and have him treat Montahir’s wounds,” Shahzani instructed.

"Understood." Upon receiving the order, the female palace guards immediately mounted their horses and galloped along the post road towards the city of Samarkand.

The journey from Debussy to Samarkand was short, facilitated by the post stations and government roads along the way. The court lady quickly reached her destination, retrieved Ibn Sina from the Samarkand garrison, and returned to the Montahir camp in Debussy.

Time is of the essence. Ibn Sina, upon hearing the news, was also extremely anxious. Having received favors from the Samanid royal family, he was naturally willing to serve the descendants of the Samanid dynasty. Therefore, upon receiving the order, he immediately took his tools and medicines, along with several capable assistants, and set off for Debussy.

Guided by Saman's female guards, and following the relatively good road, Ibn Sina quickly arrived at Montahir's tent. After a brief but thorough examination, he immediately began treatment. Everyone present held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound, for fear of disturbing the operation.

The doctor's knowledge and abilities are truly outstanding.

A moment later, Montahir, who had been in a coma for several days, coughed a few times, then slightly opened his heavy eyelids and took a few even breaths.

"Praise be to God! The master has awakened!"

Montahir's servants and attendants were all extremely excited.

Under Ibn Sina's miraculous healing touch, Montahir gradually awoke from his deep coma, but his face was pale and haggard, and he was barely breathing, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness and was completely devoid of his former literary and martial prowess.

"How is it? Will you recover?" Shahzani pulled the doctor aside and asked quietly.

“By Allah…” Ibn Sina sighed a few times and quietly reported the truth to Shahzani, “The injuries have severely damaged the body and are irreversible. Even the most skilled physician can only prolong his life temporarily, but cannot prevent his death.”

"How much time does God have left for him?" Shahzani pressed.

"At most a year, at least... four months," Ibn Sina said, twirling the rosary in his hand before giving his prediction.

Montahir had no children, which meant that after his sudden death, ambitious figures within the military were highly likely to vie for power and infighting, while external hostile forces would seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack and resurgence. At that point, the situation would not be optimistic.

Shahzani was not an ambitious usurper, but objective reality left her with no other choice. For the sake of the restoration of Persia and Iran, she had to quickly grow into a leader capable of overseeing the entire situation, even if it meant seizing supreme power.

Making more military achievements, accumulating more prestige, and building up more troops are undoubtedly the fastest ways to achieve this goal.

Thinking of this, Shahzani nodded slightly, signaling Ibn Sina to leave. She then dismissed all her personal guards and servants, leaving only herself and Montahir. There were some things she needed to tell Montahir privately.

"Your Highness, the Karakhanid army suffered another crushing defeat on the Zharman Plain, and its troops were completely routed. The last obstacle to the recapture of Bukhara has been cleared and eliminated." Shahzani first released this good news to alleviate the physical and mental suffering of the wounded.

“God…cough cough…bless you. Shahzani, you are indeed a…cough…a heroine who is skilled in battle,” Montahir said with difficulty.

"You've just recovered from your serious injuries, so rest and don't worry too much. Once you're fully recovered, I'll help you conquer Bukhara." Shahzani probed her with feigned indifference before getting up and leaving.

"Wait a minute... cough cough!" Sure enough, Montahir's voice came from behind her, trying to persuade her to stay. Shahzani smiled to herself and then returned to the bedside.

“I’m afraid I’m no longer up to the task. Don’t wait for me… cough… the mission of reclaiming Bukhara will be yours. Make sure the flag of the Samanid army… cough… flies over Bukhara again,” Montahir said urgently.

He was, after all, a descendant of royalty with ideals and romanticism. In his heart, the restoration of the nation was of paramount importance, and his personal honor paled in comparison.

However, this did not mean that Shahzani was completely trusted. Perhaps to balance the interests between factions, or perhaps to prevent Shahzani's power from growing too large, Montahir placed his followers under the command of three generals: Arslan Yaru, Hassan ibn Tak, and Parviz, and instructed them to "assist" Shahzani.

"Politicians are all like this, they want to use me, but they're always on guard against me." Shahzani sneered inwardly, but didn't show it on her face.

Throughout her long military and political career, she gradually learned how to feign in officialdom and how to seize benefits without making a sound.

Chapter 57 The Enemy Approaches Bukhara

In short, Montahir's resurrection boosted the morale of all Saman's soldiers once again.

The previously scattered Montahir army returned to cities like Debussy to regroup and reorganize. The Seljuk and Turkmen warriors, who had retreated to their own tribes, also regrouped under the banner of the Samanid army.

Many soldiers who had previously served under Montahir, drawn by Shahzani's reputation, flocked to her ranks. Shahzani, not wanting to flaunt her power too soon, politely declined most offers, selecting only a small number of elite and robust men to train. She replaced her original officers, replacing them with loyal female officers.

The siege of Bukhara was quickly put on the agenda by Shahzani.

Montahir's days are numbered, and his power is being usurped. Various factions within the Samanid army are secretly maneuvering, each attempting to enhance their own strength, prestige, and influence. His eventual demise will undoubtedly cause turmoil within the ruling group. As one of these factions within the Samanid army, she too must join this struggle.

The campaign to recapture Bukhara would play a crucial role in increasing her own power and prestige. Whoever conquered the city first would seize the initiative in this political game. Although she had become the most powerful faction through her brilliant military achievements, she still could not be careless and had to make thorough preparations.

……

June 5, 1000 AD, was also the month of Khordad in the Persian calendar.

Bukhara Oasis.

This fertile oasis is protected by an outer wall that stretches for hundreds of miles. It contains many towns and villages, such as Zandanah, which is famous for producing "Zandanab". The core city surrounded by the citadels is Bukhara, which is known as the "Pearl of the River".

The Karakhan garrison stationed in the area was stretched thin and simply unable to defend the long oasis wall. Under the orders of the Karakhan commander, all soldiers were withdrawn to Bukhara to build fortifications and reinforce the city's defenses, attempting a desperate last stand.

Shahzani led her army here and, without much effort, successfully broke through several checkpoints and outposts of the city walls. With her knowledge of the history and geography of Transoxiana, the Samanid elite army advanced rapidly and quickly established a base within the oasis, gaining a firm foothold.

However, the city's defenders were determined to fight to the death and refused to surrender.

Shahzani sent a messenger with a letter of surrender, but Shahzani tore it to shreds on the spot. He also tied a saddle to the messenger's back, whipped him, and forced him to crawl through the streets as a form of humiliation.

This commander seemed to have an inexplicable confidence, perhaps because his previous victory against Montahir at the city gates had convinced him he could withstand the invading enemy. Furthermore, the Samanian traitor Elias had supplied him with a large number of troops, further fueling his confidence.

Moreover, Bukhara's walls were high and sturdy, with well-developed defensive facilities. The defenders inside the city could often inflict heavy casualties on attackers with only a limited force. This meant that a direct assault would inevitably involve a fierce and protracted battle. The defensive advantage of being easy to defend and difficult to attack made the defending general feel that victory was assured.

Shahzani was furious: I kindly tried to persuade you to surrender, but you openly humiliated my envoy and showed me no respect. Fine, then let's settle this with force, and before annihilating you, I'll give you a good thrashing.

Thus, a tactic to outmaneuver the enemy forces defending the city took shape in her mind.

……

Bukhara Oasis, on the banks of the Muryan River, Saman's military camp.

In the height of summer in Persia, the scorching sun beat down on the earth, the sky was sparse with white clouds, even the wind carried a burning heat, and it seemed as if flames were erupting from the ground, constantly leaping towards the surface.

Unable to bear the heat, the Samanid Persian female warriors removed their heavy armor and uniforms, stripping naked except for their briefs, to cool off in the tributaries of the Muryan Canal, where they also washed their warhorses and weapons. Everywhere one looked, there were bright red briefs and glossy, light brown bodies. Many female soldiers even ripped off their bras and briefs, revealing their full, rounded buttocks tanned with inverted triangles, adding a touch of sensuality to the grim battlefield.

The Samanian soldiers were already used to this; they only watched for a while before averting their gaze and returning to vigilance. Of course, many of them couldn't stand the heat and removed their armor and underpants to cool off in the river. Unlike Iranian women's briefs, Iranian men wore knee-length trousers, often embroidered with symmetrical plants and geometric patterns.

On the riverbank, a military watchtower built of fired bricks.

Shahzani observed the situation of Bukhara in the distance through the arched window.