I was the Queen of Persia

Page 138

Although Turan's army experienced chaos, it eventually regrouped, and its strength increased significantly due to the merging of its central and western armies.

Despite the Samanid army's successive victories, its forces were relatively smaller because Farukzad had previously dispatched some troops (Bahmanyar's forces) to make a flanking maneuver to the south.

At this critical juncture, should we advance or defend?

After a quick and careful discussion, Faluczad and Iraj jointly voted: "Continue the attack!"

The battlefield situation changes rapidly. Hesitation leads to defeat. Only by seizing fleeting opportunities and fully leveraging the qualities of courage, wisdom, and prudence can one win the war.

This is also one of Professor Shahzani's skills.

Chapter 321.5 Desert Transformation Project

Princess Farukzad launched her attack.

The powerful mobilization system of the Iranian Samanid Empire was also continuously supplying troops and supplies to the front lines.

The desert transport routes were not significantly affected by the harsh environment, nor were they interrupted by small groups of enemy cavalry. They remained effective throughout the war, with a constant stream of supply caravans traveling back and forth.

This is naturally thanks to Shahzani's years of governance and management.

In fact, as early as 376 AD (1007 AD), Shahzani had issued an "Administrative and Religious Order on Afforestation Activities in the Desert Areas of Transoxiana and Khwarazm Provinces".

The following year, the "Administrative and Religious Orders Concerning the Governance of the Kavir Salt Desert and the Lut Desert" were promulgated... Subsequently, the Central Diwan, in accordance with the Queen's decree, introduced a series of governance policies.

This is both an ideal blueprint containing knowledge of the past and the present, and a governing wisdom rooted in Iranian historical traditions.

In fact, throughout Iranian history, the Persian empires—Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanid, Safar, Samanid, Safavid, etc.—would vigorously develop water conservancy and greening facilities as long as they had sufficient financial budgets. This was the foundation for the survival of Iran's oasis irrigation civilization.

Iran's land—whether it's Fars and Isfahan in the west, or Transoxiana, Khorasan, and Sistan in the east; whether it's the Iranian Plateau or the Transoxiana Plain… the soil quality is actually quite good. In addition, it is located in the temperate-subtropical zone and has a relatively mild continental climate, which, theoretically, is quite conducive to the development of agriculture and animal husbandry.

However, Iranian civilization has always faced a huge problem—water scarcity.

Without the abundant waters of the Mesopotamian plain, without the natural bounty of the Nile River basin, and even looking across the entire country, it's hard to find many decent large rivers.

Due to its topography and location relative to the sea, almost all of Iran's natural rivers are inland rivers: they either flow into inland lakes such as the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea, Lake Hamon, and Lake Urmia, or disappear into the vast interior of the continent. This undoubtedly has a significant negative impact on Iran's agricultural production.

Therefore, the construction of irrigation wells and canals, the building of public water storage facilities, and the excavation of canals to provide sufficient water for agriculture and animal husbandry gradually developed into an important element of Iranian civilization.

However, the wells and canals need to be repaired, and the wind and sand need to be controlled.

Desertification control has always been of paramount importance in Iran's national development, and its historical significance is no less than that of the water management efforts of the great Eastern powers throughout history.

Shahzani perfectly inherited her mantle.

Funded by the imperial treasury, the project involved the large-scale planting of drought-resistant trees to create protective forests and prevent wind erosion and sandstorms. Backed by the nation's strong overall strength, the project was quickly implemented.

After decades of effort, the protective forest areas along the border of the Ha Trung, Khwarazm, and Taystan provinces have begun to take shape. Resilient tamarisk, tenacious saxaul, and tenacious camel thorn... various drought-resistant plants stand in orderly rows, blooming profusely, like sentinels guarding against the encroachment of wind and sand.

The reclamation of oases became easier, and the pace of expanding arable land and organizing migration accelerated, with lush oasis settlements replacing the shifting sand dunes.

On this basis, post stations were built and post roads were expanded. Through development and accumulation, a prosperous scene gradually emerged, with camel caravans coming and going on the desert roads, and the sound of camel bells echoing for a long time.

With such a material foundation, the Samanid Empire was able to supply Farukzad's troops relatively well.

Of course, in Shahzani's view, there is still a lot of room for improvement.

……

Jahanshahr, the Eightfold Heaven.

"Your Majesty, the 25,000 camel supplies needed for the battle, which departed from Nisa County in Khorasan Province and traveled through the Karakum Desert, have now all arrived in Koti County in Khwarazm Province. Furthermore, the camel mortality rate has decreased by 20%, and supply losses have decreased by 30%. The next batch of supplies will arrive..."

The courtiers and officials of Diwan's department reported to Shahzani on the transportation of military supplies.

“Yes, very good,” Shahzani nodded in approval.

"Praise be to the King of Kings! It seems that the great Shah of Iran will surely triumph in the war against the Turan, just as the warrior Rustam defeated Afrasiyab," a high-ranking court official congratulated.

“Winning battles is one thing, but I have something else to say,” Shahzani said.

Her core idea is to further develop and manage the desert.

The strategic situation at this time was quite favorable to the Samanid Empire. Shahzani immediately decided to fight and build simultaneously, both to support Farukzad's campaign and to prepare for a longer-term war.

The key element of this is to continue to advance the "desert transformation project".

For thousands of years.

The Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts, like barriers between the Iranian world and the Turan region, while reducing the Turkic-speaking tribes' incursions into Iran to some extent (though the effect was not very significant), have also greatly hindered the further spread of Iranian influence.

As the war with Turan escalated, Shahzani's desire to annex Turan, like her insatiable sexual desire, grew ever stronger, like a raging fire.

To more secure control over Turan and extend Jahanshahr's military and political influence, a higher level of upgrading and transformation of transportation routes is needed to achieve a deeper integration between Iran and Turan.

Thus, a grand and long-term plan began to take shape in her mind and eventually came into practice.

To be precise, she had already started working on it a long time ago.

……

A powerful mobilization system, substantial financial resources, a wealth of brilliant scholars, and a massive construction force guided by the ideology of "Shubi" and the dogma of agricultural holy war...

All the essential factors of production, under the command of Empress Shahzani, together composed an epic that was no less magnificent than a war.

The shifting sand dunes have disappeared, replaced by orderly oasis military towns.

Earthen walls stretched across the landscape, arrow towers stood in rows, and domes dotted the ground. Persian arched gates, representing the imperial order, were also lined up one after another.

Reserve conscripts, adventurous Dehgan military landowners, resilient and hardworking farmers and herdsmen, merchants traversing trade routes, devout mendicant monks and pilgrims...

People of all kinds filled the place, and the vibrant atmosphere of prosperity grew stronger day by day.

While large-scale construction was underway, the supply of food, fodder, and military equipment to the front lines continued.

The Samanid army's supply lines were more secure, and a wide variety of supplies were safely transported to the front lines, rendering the Turan cavalry's raids and harassments less effective.

With such material resources, Farukzad seemed to have victory in his grasp.

Chapter 322 The Ebony Horse Makes a Difference

Yangkyi Gandhi, on the shore of the Khwarazm Sea (Aral Sea).

This was an important transit point for trade between the Turan region and the Iranian world. Controlling this area provided access to Khwarazm to the south and the Mahazar Sea (Caspian Sea) and the Aal River (Ad River, Volga River) to the west, making it of considerable strategic value.

The Turan Khanate had already amassed its troops and was on high alert. After a period of troop consolidation, replenishment, recruitment, and allocation, its 15 troops held a dominant position and controlled almost all water sources.

The 10-strong army of the Samanid Empire of Iran, under the command of Princess Faroukzadeh, has also been deployed and is ready for battle.

The princess and her husband stood on a high hill, holding observation glasses, observing the deployment of the Turan army from afar.

“The Turan army is well-prepared and has superior numbers. If our army launches a fierce attack and fights head-on, we can win, but that would result in many unnecessary sacrifices,” Farukzad said.

“That’s right. Blindly engaging in a direct confrontation is not a virtue of Iranian warriors. We should look for effective strategies to disrupt the enemy,” Iraj said, quite agreeing.

“Perhaps,” Farukzad turned back, his eyes filled with understanding, “the people around here could be our potential supporters.”

“That’s what I think too.” Iraj smiled confidently.

It turned out that he already had a brilliant plan in mind.

More than 20 years ago, Chinese craftsmen introduced the techniques of making paper kites and wooden kites to Iran, and Iranian craftsmen have now fully mastered this "mysterious oriental craft".

Iranian scholars and master craftsmen have continuously improved and innovated upon these techniques, successfully developing a unique Iranian product – the ebony horse.

It is the "Ebony Horse" mentioned in One Thousand and One Nights.

Of course, it wasn't as fantastical as vividly described in "One Thousand and One Nights." Its essence remained that of a war consumable, albeit one that could briefly fly at high altitudes using ingenious mechanical principles. Furthermore, compared to the wooden kite, the ebony horse was larger, allowing it to carry more items within its "belly."

Based on this characteristic, Iraqi commanders ordered their engineering corps to build dozens of ebony horses and print hundreds of notices urging surrender, which were then hidden inside the horses' bellies and released into enemy-controlled areas to disrupt the morale of the enemy forces and civilians.

After all, with the enemy under martial law, sending spies deep behind enemy lines to spread rumors would risk capture, but this special method greatly reduces that risk.

After discussing it, the two generals realized that this was indeed a good strategy, so they began to implement it.

The "Ebony Horse" was launched into the sky using a special launching device.

……

Inside Yangjigan City.

The alleyways were shrouded in yellow sand, and the ancient city walls revealed clumps of green grass, showcasing a weathered and ancient charm.

Beneath the earthen wall, along both sides of the road, a row of ragged people sat or stood listlessly, some carrying copper begging bowls, some leaning on worn-out canes, and some kneeling on tattered carpets.

Turan's patrol cavalry would occasionally whistle past, kicking up clouds of dust that obscured the view.

At this time.

"Look! What is that?"

Some people noticed patches of black dots flying across the sky, which seemed to be migratory birds, but then realized that something was amiss.

Before long, snowflake-like pieces of paper began to flutter down.

"What's up here?"

"This is Persian, the common script of the Samanid Empire."

"Alas, it's a pity I'm illiterate."

“I used to do business in Khorasan Province of the Samanid Empire, and I know a little Persian. I’ve come to take a look.”

"Quick, read it to us!"

At the crowd's insistence, a few literate people, unable to refuse their earnest request, cautiously glanced around before lowering their voices and carefully reading aloud the contents of the paper:

"In the name of Allah, the most just and righteous God."

"A letter from the Samanid army of Iran to the people of Yangjigan."

"The Turan Khanate exploits you severely, not only imposing exorbitant taxes, seizing your farmland, and plundering your wealth, but also contemptuously calling you 'Yatak' and 'Sartak.' By the just God, this is an intolerable humiliation."

"Our righteous Iranian army is now marching north and has reached the city gates. We hope you will take the initiative to rise up, surrender to our army, and join us in resisting the oppressive rule of the Turan Khanate."

……

All of these were pre-battle rhetoric used to persuade people to surrender. Although the wording and sentence structure were somewhat immature and not as sophisticated as Empress Shahzani's, the logic and reasoning were quite powerful.

If those being persuaded to surrender were direct descendants of the Turan Khanate, such words would naturally have little effect, but for the permanent inhabitants of Yangjigan, such persuasion was enough to shake their resolve.

Because these settled residents lived in a political system dominated by nomadic military aristocrats, their status was low;

Because this group of permanent residents is caught between the two major powers of Iran and Turan, their loyalty to Turan is quite limited.

Because this group of settled people had experienced the revolving rule of various regimes, such as Oghuz and Turan, their sense of identification with the Lord had become weak.

This is because the local inhabitants had all their wealth drained by Turan Khan's aggressive military campaigns, leaving them penniless.

……

Economic factors, identity, status, and sense of belonging—all these factors have prompted this special group of permanent residents to change their stance.

"Well said! I've had enough of these mounted Turan warriors! But I'll take them on now!"

"But...they have a large and powerful army, and we don't even have weapons. How can we fight them?"

"Hey, I have a good idea..."

A member of the public gathered the crowd together and whispered his "plan".

at this time.

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached.

"Scatter! Scatter! The Turan soldiers' patrol is back!"

"Alright! Let's pretend nothing happened for now, and then proceed according to plan when the time is right!"

The crowd dispersed as if nothing had happened.

The Turan cavalry arrived, led by Angbash (a head of ten households), who was dressed in brown-black Turan lamellar armor and rode a steppe warhorse covered with felt robes. Black plumes hung from the top of his helmet, and a cold and murderous aura emanated from him.

Most chillingly, five bloody heads were hanging from the saddle straps on the horse's chest.

"drive--!"

Onbash spurred his horse forward, raised his whip, and pointed at the people who had been secretly plotting: "You bunch of 'toothy bastards,' what did you just see?!"

Everyone was as silent as a cicada.

“Your Excellency Gazi,” the man who had just read the document bowed and kowtowed, “as you can see, we, the lowly Yatak, are sitting here waiting for the charity of a benevolent person, and we have seen nothing.”

"snort--!"