I was the Queen of Persia

Page 171

First, the Dawn Crusade advanced steadily, recently recapturing the important city of Frankfurt, greatly increasing its strength. However, its fanaticism and xenophobia became increasingly apparent. Within its controlled territories, not only were Turkic-speaking Turanese herders massacred, but Armenians, Georgians, Sogdians, Qin people, Koreans, Khotanese, and other Eastern peoples were also executed in large numbers. The Crusaders attempted to "purify" races and faiths through these actions.

These messages were naturally compiled and relayed back by Nisa Sahinnian.

Second, internal rifts were reopening within the Tsarist Khanate. Chaglitzin and Qadir Tutush were increasingly at odds. Meanwhile, since the defeat of the Sudetenland forces, Chaglitzin had become increasingly arrogant and tyrannical, frequently whipping his personal guards, wives, concubines, and close advisors. Not long ago, a Naiman soldier named Tushihar was executed on the spot for whispering during his duty.

These messages were naturally compiled by Daharchi, a personal guard who was an undercover agent lurking in Xitulan.

Third, in the Syr Darya Frontier Province, the Samanid army recently amassed troops in Otrar and Xignahe to strike at the Turan border tribes who attempted to graze their horses southward. They captured over 1,500 heads, seized 10,000 cattle and sheep, won over two new Turan tribes, and cleared out the Turan people in the "Oto" (buffer zone) to ensure the security of the outpost.

These messages were naturally compiled and presented by Prince Consort Iraj.

Of course, this is also thanks to the efficient central Diwan agency, which relieved her of the pressure, allowing her to maintain enough energy to handle other national affairs.

Open the documents presented by the Syrian province.

“It seems the Blackblade Cult is no longer the fanatical but disorderly rabble it once was,” Shahzani said thoughtfully, looking at the official Persian document.

According to recent battle reports, Shahzani clearly observed a significant increase in the Black Blade Cult's combat capabilities. They were not only adept at disguise, assassination, and sabotage, but had also mastered numerous new warfare techniques. In the Kerman bombing, the Black Blade Cult even used explosive canisters, indicating they had mastered gunpowder preparation methods.

Although they still cannot engage the Saman army in direct, heavily armored combat, they should not be underestimated. At least in small-scale, lightly armed urban warfare, the Blackblade Cult is quite dangerous, and even elite Sand Bathers will suffer casualties when they clash with them.

“Reporting to Shahsha, new documents have arrived from the Syrian province.”

"Oh, bring it here."

Upon taking a look, it was written that it was a discovery made by the Sand Bathers officer, Basim, after destroying a certain stronghold.

According to the text, Basim discovers the Blackblade sect's fantasies of "conquering the Islamic world," thus completely exposing their evil ambitions. Although the terrain is severely distorted due to poor drawing techniques, Shahzani still manages to reconstruct it in her mind by relying on her extensive knowledge and memories of similar cases from her past life.

"Its 'territory' stretches from the Maghreb all the way to Kashgar and Khotan, from the Turan steppe all the way to Zanzibar... Haha, quite the 'rich' imagination, huh, pshaw."

Shahzani scoffed at this.

Meanwhile, in the Blackblade Cult's stronghold, Bassim also discovered an organization that was said to have existed since the time of the classical Roman Empire—the Blade Party.

Chapter 391 The Second Schism of West Turan

The Party of the Blades was a terrifying assassination organization from classical times, developed from the radical faction of the Zealots. It was composed of extreme Zionist activists and was said to be particularly active during Herod's rule over Palestine. They advocated resistance against Roman rule over the Jews and the expulsion of all non-Jewish peoples from Israel.

With the Roman Empire's suppression of the Jewish revolt and the dispersal of the Jewish people, coupled with the fact that the Possessed Party's doctrines were indeed too extreme and radical, this organization disappeared from history. However, it did not disappear completely and reappeared on the stage of history several centuries later.

According to some evidence gathered by the Sand Bathers, the Blade-Holders had already pledged allegiance to Empress Zoe of the Eastern Roman Empire. However, judging from their modus operandi, this "pleasure" was merely a temporary compromise based on mutual exploitation.

Meanwhile, the Blade Party is a covert supporter of the Blackblade sect. Blade Party members are involved in the operation of Blackblade secret strongholds in the coastal cities of Syria province. Although the two organizations are doctrinal enemies, it does not prevent them from temporarily sharing the same trousers.

The size, headquarters, and organizational structure of the Blade Party are currently unknown. However, based on the initial explorations of the Sand Bathers, the Blade Party's headquarters is likely not in the Holy City of Jerusalem, but in some unknown location outside the Empire.

Shahzani doesn't want to pay too much attention to this force for the time being. Her current strategic focus is still on dismantling the rule of the Turan Khanate. In Syria, the Sandstorm troops, skilled in eliminating traitors, are sufficient to deal with the situation.

Nisa Sahinian sent another secret messenger back with a report, bringing yet another piece of very good news:

Internal conflicts within the ruling group of the Tsar Turan Khanate intensified, with the positions of Tsagli Tegin and Qadir Tutush on the verge of turning against each other.

Through spies in caravans throughout the Silk Road, Shahzani knew that Aknuer had long been secretly colluding with Tutush, and recently, due to their shared interests in "overthrowing the Cha," they had been interacting more frequently.

The Chaglitzin had recently noticed something amiss, so they intensified their vigilance against Tutush, even issuing orders to restrict the activities of Tutush's confiscation of his horses along the Danube. When Tutush sent envoys to reclaim his horses, they were whipped by the arrogant steppe Khan.

The conflict between the two brothers was already escalating, and this move undoubtedly accelerated their growing estrangement.

Put down the Samarkand paper and secretly play a musical instrument.

Shahzani estimated that another split was imminent within the Tsarist Khanate.

……

Pannonia steppe, Turan's tent.

Two nobility warriors from the steppe, clad in lamellar armor and iron helmets, rode side by side on their tall horses among the overlapping white felt tents. Wherever they passed, Turan soldiers and civilians bowed and knelt, shouting praises to God and Afrashyab.

It was Chaglitchin and Tutush who, facing escalating hostility, decided to settle things once and for all. This day was a festival for the Turkic tribes to hunt with falcons, and the people of all tribes gathered, so the two decided to meet.

“Ever since you conquered Christian lands, you have been challenging every decision I make. Hah, it seems you are trying to rule Western Turan independently,” Zaghlit said coldly from the outset.

“How dare I oppose the authority of my brother Khan? It is just that the people of Xitulan live far in this western region, surrounded by many enemies. Out of concern for the safety of the tribe, I have had to offer my advice many times.” Tutush did not choose to confront them directly.

“Hehe, very good. It is said that there is a ferocious and brutal ‘monster’ in this area (a medieval misconception, probably a large beast like a bear). We will each lead our mounted archers, and whoever hunts it first will become the leader of Situran.” Zaghlit said, then spurred his horse and led his personal guard away.

"Tutu-shh, the road is this way, follow me!" The loud command echoed for a long time.

Tutu Shi gazed at the receding dust, then at the dense forest in the distance where danger lurked, and fell into deep thought.

"drive--!"

His personal guard stepped forward and warned, "The tyranny and arrogance of the Chaglitt will only lead the Turan people to their demise. No one knows what lies hidden behind this 'hunt'."

"Hmm..." Tutu nodded slightly.

He was well aware that his elder brother harbored ill intentions. Based on the information he had gathered beforehand, he also suspected that his brother had already used the pretext of a hunt to ambush a large number of soldiers around the area, waiting for him to fall into a trap.

“Let’s go! Lord Yabghu, my tribe and I are willing to be loyal to you. You are our new Khan!” some tribal elders stepped forward and said.

“That’s right! We will follow you. Let us take our families and livestock and leave Pannonia to find a new home!” the others echoed.

Tutush had long wanted to break with Chaglitqin, but now that so many of his followers supported him, how could he refuse? Without hesitation, he ordered his trusted followers to break away from Chaglitqin and migrate westward.

At this time, it was the time of a massive hunt, with thousands of horses galloping and the scene was lively. Few people noticed that Tutush was leading his troops to escape.

By the time the Zagli Special Agents realized something was wrong, it was too late. Tutush had already crossed the Danube River and escaped their pursuit.

"Tutush, you cowardly bastard! Get out! The rich Pannonia will no longer be your pastureland!"

Chaglitz led his cavalry in a swift pursuit, but still failed to catch up with Tutush's troops. Watching the dust disappear at the edge of the field, he cursed loudly.

For him, although Tutush had been squeezed out of the power center of the Tsarist Khanate, this political enemy had not been eliminated and there was a great possibility that he would start a new regime in the border areas, which was undoubtedly a major concern.

Things did indeed turn out as he had expected.

After leaving Panoria, the Tutush troops marched westward through Austria, Bavaria, Swabia, and Lorraine. Although these areas had already been occupied by the Dawn Crusaders, the Turan cavalry continued to rampage through the countryside thanks to their superior mobility, and the Dawn Crusaders' attempts to encircle and intercept them had little effect.

By the summer of 1029 AD.

Tutush conquered the rich plains between Paris and Aachen, declared himself Khan, and established his own Ulugh regime centered on this location, breaking away from the rule of the Western Turan Khanate.

Subsequently, from Lower Lorraine to Burgundy, from the west bank of the Rhine to the coast, most of France became the territory of the Tutush nomadic military regime.

Nisa Sahini and other Samanian military envoys quickly learned of this important news and named this emerging nomadic regime "Paris Khanate," "Aachen Khanate," or "Tutushuluk," compiling the information into a book and sending it back to Jahanshahr, the capital of the Samanid Empire.

Chapter 392 The New Pope of Europe

Shahzani continued reading the reports from Europe:

The current situation has become more complex and delicate.

The Zagreb Special Forces dominated the Pannonia steppe; the Tuttush enclosed Paris as a horse ranch; and the Dawn Crusaders, sandwiched in the Rhine River basin, maintained unstable and loose control over Franconia and other areas.

The spheres of influence of each faction are scattered in a jagged pattern, intertwined and interdependent.

The powerful and complex external pressures forced the Dawn Crusade to strengthen its religious identity and purity, and to suppress non-Christian "orthodox" peoples, especially the various Eastern peoples brought by Turan's army.

Many new ethnic groups from Asia have migrated to Europe.

The Turan army's campaigns, in effect, facilitated communication between East and West.

Large numbers of Eastern peoples—Turkic peoples, Sogdians, Armenians, Georgians, Khotanese, Tanguts, Khitans, Qin people, Mohe people, Goguryeo people, etc.—came to various parts of Europe as conquerors, merchants, slaves, military staff, and military craftsmen.

Of course, there were also Iranian-Persians from the Samanid Empire, who were tasked with the mission of Empress Shahzani.

The influx of Asian peoples brought with them advanced technologies and experiences from the East. Eastern technologies such as papermaking, printing, and gunpowder manufacturing had already seen some development in Europe.

However, to those devout Christian lords, all of the above was undoubtedly "the devil's strange and wicked tricks." The Dawn Crusades, already quite conservative, were wounded by the Turan invasion and harbored hatred for foreign peoples and religions.

In Frankfurt, the Dawn Crusaders demolished Nestorian churches and executed the bishop and archdeacon—a Uyghur from Gaochang who had converted to Christianity and a Khitan who had converted to Christianity. The remaining Nestorian believers were forced to convert, and those who disobeyed were also executed.

In Kassel, the Dawn Crusaders demolished Sogdian Zoroastrian temples, extinguished the sacred fires, and framed the Sogdian zabo (chieftain) of the community, sentencing him to death on fabricated charges.

Jews scattered throughout the cities were particularly hated because of their opportunistic nature. The religious inquisitions of the Dawn Crusades often arrested Jews without cause and sentenced them to be burned at the stake on charges of being "devils" or "heretics."

……

Through various purges and suppressions, the Dawn Crusades consolidated their power somewhat. As Grand Marshal, Karithus was no longer satisfied with his current position. At this time, due to Turan's invasion, the Catholic Church system in Europe was on the verge of collapse. He wanted to use his private army to establish a new religious order.

On August 28, 1029, Callisius proclaimed himself "Pope" and held a coronation ceremony in Frankfurt, announcing the restoration of the ordinances and order of the Roman Catholic Church.

The coronation ceremony was quite grand, with the entire city newly decorated. Nobles and lords from all over came to offer their congratulations, bringing a dazzling array of gifts and treasures. The Grand Marshal himself wore a golden crown and magnificent robes, highlighting a strong sense of luxury.

Nisa Sahini, looking at this "arrogant and self-important" warlord who was "obsessed with petty gains," decided to obey Queen Shahzani's order to leave his territory immediately and find another base.

……

Several days later, one night.

Inside the magnificent stone cathedral.

"What? That Persian woman is leaving?" Karithus looked surprised upon hearing the report from his knight captain.

“It’s absolutely true. I’ve heard they’re preparing food and supplies, and they’re planning to leave soon,” the knight captain said.

"In the name of God! This Persian witch possesses unknown 'sorcery.' If we cannot use her for our own purposes, she will sooner or later wreak havoc on our land! Moreover, they are Eastern heretics and should not appear on the holy Christian land!"

"Understood, sir. I'll organize the men right away and execute them!"

"They must all be wiped out, leaving no survivors!"

The knight captain accepted the order and left. He then gathered a dozen or so knights, fully armed, and under the cover of night, quietly surrounded the residence of Nissa Sahinnian and the others.

Cha——!

A faint sound of metal rubbing together could be heard.

"Kill!" the knight captain roared, bursting through the door.

A dozen longswords gleamed coldly in the night, hacking and slashing at the bed, leaving it in a bloody mess amidst the clanging of the swords. But amidst the fighting, the captain sensed something amiss.

"Stop! Bring me a torch!"

Taking the torch from his knight, the captain looked up and was immediately dumbfounded: all the beds and bedding were empty; there was no one in sight. He searched all the cupboards and cabinets, but they were also empty.

It turned out that Nissa Sahinnian had already sensed something was amiss, so she used a "golden cicada shedding its shell" trick to deceive the Dawn Crusaders and had already secretly moved away before they could react.

"Damn Persian witches!" Karithus was furious upon hearing the news. "Send out troops immediately for a thorough search. Don't let them escape!"

However, Nisa Sahini had already escaped the pursuit.

During the journey, the members of the mission each displayed their unique abilities.

The prostitute Atumai, with her superb disguise skills, infiltrated various towns along the way in advance to gather information on the garrisons, generals, and transportation in each place, so as to plan the route ahead of time.

Hunter Valera scouted ahead, using her extensive experience to hunt food and replenish the team's supplies;

The assassin Hydia stayed behind to cover the rear, responsible for eliminating all sorts of pursuers;

Turan's Bald Horseman was not only skilled at riding and maneuvering horses, but also adept at finding his way in the wilderness. He led his troops onto sparsely populated trails, bypassing enemy surveillance.

Chinese Confucian scholars were not only proficient in poetry and literature, but also skilled at using simple materials to build mechanisms. He set up these mechanisms at the rear of the army to slow down the pursuers.

When encountering small groups of enemy soldiers, Nisa Sahini personally took action, relying on the formidable strength of the female soldiers of the Saman Empire, along with exquisite coordination and cooperation, to repeatedly annihilate the enemy and leave no survivors.

Thus, the southward marching force cut through thorns and brambles, and not only did the pursuing Dawn Crusaders fail to catch up with them, but the Turan cavalry, who were clearing out the grasslands, also failed to stop their advance.

After weeks of trekking.

Arrived in the Alps.

The verdant mountains stretch endlessly.

From a distance, a stone castle is nestled among the dense pine forest.

“Yes, very good. This is our new base.” Nisa Sahini’s lips curled into a smile. “Let’s use this as a base to continue spreading Queen Shahzani’s influence!”

This is a small, unnamed noble territory in the Alps, land they had previously subjugated. It is secluded and remote, yet relatively close to the main trade routes.

She decided to use this place as a temporary base to continue spreading the influence of the Samanid Empire.

Chapter 393 Finding Equipment in the Desert

The situation in continental Europe is even more complex, with various forces intertwined and mutually restraining each other.

This is precisely where Shahzani's interests lie.

She, or rather the central court of the Saman Empire, is now adept at maneuvering on both fronts.

Within European territory, Nisa Sahinien, through a strategy of "forming alliances and counter-alliances," greatly weakened the power of the Western Turan.