I was the Queen of Persia

Page 94

"Your Majesty, the governments of several countries, including the Eastern Roman Empire, Fatima, Armenia, Georgia, the Kingdom of Alan, Mecca Sharif, the Papacy of Oman, and Bulgaria, all wish to send envoys to our country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital has already received the relevant letters," the official reported.

"So many countries have sent envoys to visit?" Shahzani's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this news.

It seems that many neighboring countries have already heard the news of his coronation as Shahsha and the establishment of the Iranian Samanid Empire. The fact that these countries sent envoys at this time is less about congratulations and celebrations and more about testing the waters.

“Yes,” the official continued, “to be precise, not only the nation, but also sects and tribal forces such as the Tanu Alliance, the Jalakh, the Kalmat, and the Zaid have sent envoys. They have all come to pay homage to you—the Great King of Kings.”

“Well, in that case, send troops to escort the envoys. Make sure they are well taken care of on the journey, so that the guests can feel the strength and stability of the Saman Empire. Also, have all the envoys wait for an audience at Jahan Shahr.” Shahzani nodded slightly and gave the instructions.

In any case, all visitors are guests, and dealing with foreign envoys is a kind of political game of wits and courage. Shahzani was invincible on the battlefield, and naturally she was fearless in the diplomatic arena as well.

Rai, Tehran, and Waramin.

Autumn is quite beautiful and pleasant in all three cities. The irrigation canals flow gently, and the oasis orchards are filled with the fragrance of fruits. Under a stable and peaceful order, the harvest is plentiful and abundant.

He shared joy with the local people, then took the opportunity to inspect the local military and political administration, resolved several somewhat thorny cases and disputes, and then visited the construction of the local Horami mosque and monastery, where he preached and delivered sermons to the clergy and believers.

When they left Rai, the Saman soldiers felt they had gained a lot of weight, and even the Saman army's warhorses were well-fed and strong thanks to the tall and lush pastures of the area.

Of course, what pleased Shahzani the most was that Princess Farukzad was growing healthier and stronger, and the Empress discovered that although the little princess was not yet a year old, she could still vaguely sense a hidden strength in her, and estimated that she would grow into a female warrior like Bahram in the future.

……

October 26, 1005 AD, the 4th of the month of Aban in the Persian calendar.

Shahzani's returning army reached the heart of the imperial capital—Khorasan Province.

The towns and cities, large and small, are thriving, the oases and orchards are full of life, and merchants and travelers come and go in an endless stream. It is evident that Farzana has put a lot of effort into governance to promote the greater prosperity of this national treasure of Iran.

But what shocked Shahzani even more was yet to come.

A magnificent city came into view. In the distance, the exquisite domes shone brightly, the huge arches were spectacular, the city walls were tall and sturdy, and the towers stood one after another. On the roads connecting the city, merchants, pilgrims, and farmers who came to the city to buy and sell from all directions flowed into the city like countless rivers.

It was Jahan Shahhar, the new capital personally designed and planned by Shahzani.

"I have witnessed the glory of Bukhara, the splendor of Samarkand, and the magnificence of Nishapur and Isfahan, but all the famous cities of the past pale in comparison to this great city."

The court poet who accompanied the army, upon witnessing the breathtaking scene, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Chapter 219 Returning to Jahanshahr, Visiting the New Capital

Farzanna and the officials of the Diwan organization welcomed the returning army on the city walls, while the people along the way presented flowers, salt, and naan bread to welcome the Queen's triumphant army.

Upon entering Jahanshahr, an even more magnificent scene unfolds before your eyes.

The magnificent, towering archways, the intricate and ornate Persian patterns, the wide and flat Registan Square, the rows of houses, streets, workshops, bazaars, temple domes, and the orderly arrangement of barracks, stables, palaces, and government offices create a spectacular picture of the imperial capital.

But what inspired the soldiers even more was the enthusiastic encouragement from the local people, who chanted Khorami scriptures, hadiths, and ancient Iranian epics, their praises echoing throughout the city.

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers and applause, Shahzani led her troops back to the palace, dismissed her generals and soldiers, and entered the palace with only a few ministers, guards, and attendants.

The new palace is naturally magnificent and imposing, with various intricate and gorgeous Persian decorations forming a simple yet exquisite scene that surpasses the old capital Bukhara, surpasses any palace in the Iranian region, and of course, surpasses Baghdad, which is known as the "City of Peace".

"Ha! This is a residence reserved only for great rulers. After so long of marching and fighting, I also want to rest for a while." Shahzani was overjoyed as she stepped onto the throne, which was covered with a carpet, and even comfortably leaned back.

“Of course.” One of the accompanying ministers smiled slightly. “As the King of Kings of Iran, a wise ruler with brilliant military achievements, and the Supreme Leader who leads Iran toward revival, everything here belongs to you.”

“Haha, praise God Hudah!” Shahzani readily accepted the praise, but did not put on any arrogant or domineering air. “My achievements are also inseparable from the hard work of all my generals and ministers. You have all made outstanding contributions and are the pillars of the Iranian Saman Empire!”

"Long live our Lord! May Allah bless your achievements!" The ministers thanked him profusely.

after that.

The Queen, along with her courtiers and all the high-ranking officials and generals who had participated in the war and returned victorious, solemnly attended the welcoming banquet hosted by Farzanna to wash away the dust of their journey.

For some time afterward, Shahzani settled comfortably in Jahanshahr's magnificent palace. She held morning court sessions to discuss important military and political matters; in the afternoons she inspected the troops and patrolled the barracks and city defenses; and in her leisure time, she spent time with Princess Farukzad.

Of course, if she had more time, she would change into casual clothes and, accompanied by a few trusted guards and close advisors, stroll around the vast city of Jahanshahr.

Such days were quite pleasant.

……

As autumn fades into winter, even the pleasant climate of Khorasan Province gradually turns cold.

The envoys from various countries who had come to the Samanid Empire of Iran had all arrived in Jahanshahr. Upon their arrival, seeing the enormous arches and magnificent buildings, they all couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, for they had never seen such a splendid and glorious capital.

Cairo, the capital of the Fatimid Caliphate, was already quite large and magnificent, but it paled in comparison to Jahan Shah. Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, was even more imposing and majestic, but it still paled in comparison to Jahan Shah, not to mention the envoys sent by those smaller countries.

Officials from the Iranian Diwan institution personally received them and arranged for them to stay in various inns throughout the city. The vast capital city was well-equipped and could accommodate envoys from all countries.

According to the established procedure, the next step would be for envoys from various countries to meet with Padisha in batches: offering words of praise and gifts of their own country's treasures; then exchanging routine information about recent national affairs; receiving gifts in return from Padisha; those with the intention of establishing alliances; staying for a period of time to observe Iranian customs and culture; writing some accounts and reports; and then setting off to return home to report back, thus completing the diplomatic mission.

Thanks to Shahzani's formidable military prowess over the years, rulers of most countries, through passing caravans and travelers, had more or less ascertained the strength of the Iranian Samanid Empire's military power, and thus paid close attention to the protocol and etiquette of their visits. For example:

The envoys of the Fatima dynasty, in the name of their monarch Hakim, presented gold ornaments from Fustat, linen turbans from Iskandariya (Alexandria), and Sanji (black) slaves from the Sahel region.

The envoys of the Eastern Roman Empire, in the name of Emperor Basil the Great of Basil, presented glass from Constantinople, expensive crimson silk, and elaborate gilded lamps.

The envoys of Kievan Rus', in the name of Grand Prince Vladimir, presented precious sable furs, poplar bark, Novgorod walrus tusks, and 100 handsome and strong Slavic boy slaves.

The envoys of the Volga Bulgar Khanate presented birch bark, white and red fox pelts, and high-quality iron and copper ingots from the Ural region in the name of the Khan.

Envoys from Armenia, Algeria, Bulgaria, Oghuz Yabghu, Kipchak-Kimak Khanate, various Indian states, Mecca, and other countries also presented tributes of various kinds.

Shahzani accepted the gifts and reciprocated by presenting Iranian-made brocade, beautiful carpets, armored warhorses, fine armor and weapons, and so on.

While the diplomatic protocol was still in progress for several days.

Officials from the Diwan department reported again: "The Eastern countries of Ma Qin, Song Dynasty, Liao Dynasty, and Goryeo have also sent envoys to our country, and their delegations have reached the border of Shashi Province. The Song Dynasty delegation is the largest, with more than 500 people."

"Good, very good! This means that the road of friendship between our two countries is getting wider and wider, which is a real glory for Iran!" Shahzani was overjoyed when she heard the news.

He then ordered a grand reception for the delegations from various Eastern countries.

Upon receiving Her Majesty the Queen's decree, the Saman officials along the post roads dared not delay and immediately prepared ample supplies in various cities and inns in preparation for the arrival of envoys from the Song Dynasty and other countries.

The mission's flags stretched for miles, their imposing presence showcasing the grandeur of a great nation. Even the leading envoys, the principal and deputy envoys, displayed an air of refined elegance and handsome beauty.

The people of the towns and cities along the way, especially the single women of the Samanid dynasty who held up half the sky, scrutinized these elegant gentlemen from the "Land of Silk" in the East with curious eyes through their veils and headscarves.

In the minds of Iranians, the Song Dynasty, located in the eastern Maqin region, was always known for its vast territory, abundant resources, profound wisdom, and exquisite artifacts.

After all, since the Samanid dynasty sent an envoy to the Song dynasty, the scale of trade between the Samanid dynasty and the Song dynasty has been increasing day by day.

Over the years, the royal merchant caravan authorized by Shahzani dispatched no fewer than several hundred caravans to the Song Dynasty, bringing back a dazzling array of oriental treasures and specialties—porcelain, silk, brocade, exquisite handicrafts, and beverages that the Persians greatly needed—rhubarb and tea.

Correspondingly, the number of people from the Song Dynasty who came to the Samanid Empire for trade also surged, including a large number of skilled craftsmen. Their arrival not only greatly promoted the development of Iran's productivity (literally), but also greatly promoted the development of Iran's "productivity" (physically).

The construction of the new capital, Jahanshahr, was inseparable from the hard work of many Qin craftsmen.

Of course, this is also thanks to the smooth flow of trade routes.

After the fall of the Karakhanid Dynasty, the Western Regions—Gansu and Liangzhou—actually became dominated by the Guiyi Army: Gaochang and Khotan were severely weakened by the war, and the Uyghurs of Ganzhou and the Tanguts (Dangxiang) were also exhausted.

Only the Guiyi Army regime in Dunhuang, under the rule of Zhu Jiande, "an old friend of the Samanid people," trained troops, stockpiled grain, accumulated strength, and gradually grew stronger.

Zhu Jiande skillfully navigated between various regimes, maintaining general peace in the Western Regions. He also sought to submit to and pledge allegiance to the Song Dynasty, and joined forces with the central Song court to ensure the smooth flow of the eastern section of the Silk Road.

Chapter 220 Display of National Power

Missions from the Song Dynasty, Liao Dynasty, and Goryeo also entered Jahanshahr one after another.

Along the way, the exotic cities, the well-equipped post station system, and the beautiful and heroic female escorts all left a deep impression on these visitors from East Asia.

Upon arriving in Jahanshahr, the magnificent Persian capital left them in awe, with the Song Dynasty envoys repeatedly praising it as comparable to Bianjing (Kaifeng).

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that it was unbecoming of an "envoy of the Celestial Empire" and quickly added a few more words: "However, it is too complicated and gorgeous, and cannot compare with the elegant beauty of Bianjing."

Under the guidance of the officials in charge of ceremonies, envoys from various East Asian countries successively paid homage to the Emperor.

Shahzani was also satisfied with the gifts from other countries, but when she saw the gifts from the Song Dynasty envoys, she felt as if she had found a treasure, and her satisfaction level soared.

Besides common treasures like porcelain and silk, there were also precious books, including agricultural technology books such as "Fan Shengzhi's Book" and "Qimin Yaoshu", water conservancy and irrigation books such as "Hequ Shu" and "Shui Jing", and a copy of "Sun Tzu's Art of War".

These are all invaluable books concerning national welfare, people's livelihood, and military defense technology and experience, far surpassing the value of gold and silver treasures.

Emperor Shahzani was overjoyed and immediately gave the Song Dynasty people a generous return gift. At the same time, he also presented the Song Dynasty delegation with books that embody the wisdom of the Iranian people, including "Khwarazmian Mathematics," "Introduction to Astronomy," "World Territory," and "Roads of the Kings," which cover mathematics, alchemy (metallurgy), astronomy, history, and geography.

A level higher than the exchange of goods and commodities is the exchange of technology.

Shahzani was quite willing to share technology with the Song Dynasty, since it would not only make the Silk Road smoother, but also greatly enhance productivity and even promote the overall development of science and technology in Eurasia. The benefits far outweighed the drawbacks, right?

Shahzani ordered that the books presented by the Song envoy be translated into Persian, printed extensively, and promoted in major religious schools and Dabilistan schools throughout the country, and included in the collections of various libraries.

Just then, an official reminded them:

“A few months ago, a maritime caravan docked at Sherab Port, bringing several types of rice from the eastern islands of India. One of the rice varieties is drought-resistant and has a high yield, and we recommend that it be promoted.”

Shahzani speculated that this might be a type of rice cultivated in the Champa Kingdom (southern and central Vietnam) in the Indochina Peninsula, also known as Champa rice.

At the same time, the Song Dynasty in the East had already begun promoting this high-quality rice variety throughout the country. This rice was indeed suitable for cultivation in temperate-subtropical arid regions like Iran, provided, of course, that sufficient irrigation water was available.

“Very good. The Karen River basin in Khuzestan Province, the Amu Darya River basin in Transoxiana Province, Tabaristan Province, and Gilan Province… are all good places for rice cultivation. Distribute rice seeds to the governors of these provinces for trial planting before wider promotion,” Shahzani instructed.

"I will obey Your Majesty's command," the official replied, bowing.

After the official got up and left, Shahzani opened the system and selected the [Economic Development] interface.

National Management (3/25)

Military Warfare (3/25)

Economic development (2/25)

Culture and Technology (7/25)

"【Learning from the Persian Civilization】, Effect: Agricultural production efficiency +20%, wheat harvest +15%, rice harvest +25%..., Trigger condition: Absorbing the agricultural and water conservancy technology achievements of another civilization (completed)."

Selecting this option will transform theoretical knowledge into tangible productive capacity.

“Good, very good.” Shahzani thought to herself with satisfaction. “In this way, the troops will be better equipped and the food will be more plentiful. They will surely gain a stronger war potential. After all, productivity is the prerequisite for military strength.”

After the diplomatic process concluded, the envoys from the various Eastern countries were also warmly received.

Saman officials also settled them in the foreign missions' quarters in the capital, Jahanshahr, which was large and well-equipped enough to accommodate all visiting foreign missions, and provided ample supplies.

Envoys from various countries have settled in Jahanshahr, and their numbers are increasing.

Messengers from the border regions brought news that envoys from (neither) the Holy (nor) Roman Empire were coming, as were envoys from Poland and Hungary…

If we calculate it this way, almost half of Asia and Europe would have to hold a "grand celebration of Asian and European nations" in Shahzani's palace.

"what happened?"

Shahzani was puzzled: "Could it be that their campaigns have inadvertently earned them the reputation of a 'world empire'? But never mind that. Since they're here, let them witness the formidable power of the Saman Empire."

In the following months.

Shahzani arranged for the envoys from various countries to visit provinces such as Khorasan, Transoxiana, Ra'ibah, and Isfahan, with the aim of showcasing the achievements of the Samanid Empire and demonstrating its power.

Of course, classified places such as key military fortresses are not included in the sightseeing list.

After all, displaying strength is not the same as exposing one's true colors. Empress Shahzani has grasped this balance very well: you may see the Empress's true colors, but the Empire's "true colors" must never be easily revealed.

What was presented to the envoys were all public "spectacles".

for example:

The magnificent ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand; the Sasanian palaces and ruins of Fars Province; the Shushtar irrigation system, which has been in operation for hundreds of years and is still in use; the ancient Bam fortress, which has stood for thousands of years; the vast irrigation system of the Mullu Oasis, and so on.

In a particularly cruel move, Samanid officials led the Eastern Roman envoys to the Naksh-Rustam cliff carvings to view the depiction of the Roman Emperor Varanle kneeling before the Sasanian Emperor Shapur. They then traveled to Khuzestan province to visit the Shushtar irrigation system, which was built with the help of Roman prisoners of war.

The Eastern Roman envoy was somewhat displeased, but looking at the valiant and imposing Samanid female soldiers around him, he dared not show his discontent. He could only force a cheerful smile and keep praising the Persians' outstanding wisdom and skills.

Of course, envoys from other countries also praised these magnificent projects.

……

February 11, 1006 AD, the month of Bahman in the Persian calendar.

The international mission, after touring extensively throughout Iran, returned to Yazd.

At this moment, a court messenger from Jahanshahr arrived on horseback, conveying to the messengers the decree of Queen Shahzani:

"The Queen of Kings, the projection of God on earth, the Great Queen, will begin a large-scale military parade and hunt around Jahanshahr during the Nowruz New Year a month from now, and invites delegations from all countries to attend."

Chapter 221 Nowruz Day Parade

After receiving Shahzani's orders, the foreign delegation set off from Yazd on their way back to the imperial capital, Jahan Shahr.

Thanks to the Samanid Empire's extensive post road system, foreign envoys could stop at numerous post stations (Caravanserai) along the way, enjoying comfortable rest and ample supplies.