The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 25
After Li Yanliang paid a military salute to the battalion commander Yan Shaowu, he stood at attention by the table, waiting for the commander's instructions.

"Take a break." Yan Shaowu waved his hand and said with a smile: "Sit down and talk."

"Yes, sir." Li Yanliang agreed and sat on a chair, with his back straight, his hands on his knees, and his eyes level with the officer.

"Relax, Lieutenant Li." Yan Shaowu said with a smile: "You don't need to be so nervous. We are just chatting casually now."

"Yes, sir." Li Yanliang relaxed his back slightly and looked at Yan Shaowu, who had a gentle look on his face.

"Li Yanliang was born in Daxing in the 16th year of Shaoning (1702). In the 16th year of Taiping (1720), he graduated from Daxing Army School with a grade of A. In the 17th year of Taiping, he served as an officer in the Kaihua Governor-General (Java Island) After the probationary period, you were evaluated as excellent and officially awarded the rank of Lieutenant (Second Lieutenant)." Yan Shaowu looked at Li Yanliang with a hint of appreciation on his face, "Since January last year, you have been assigned to the 106th Regiment. The second company and one platoon of the three-mixed battalion serve as platoon leaders, perform their duties conscientiously, and perform outstandingly. They are indeed a model of outstanding officers in our army."

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. I really don't deserve this humble position."

"No, you deserve it!" Yan Shaowu said: "If you hadn't made the bold suggestion the day before yesterday to purchase grain directly from the Afghans who besieged our department, most of the nearly 500 people in our entire trading station would have starved to death. Come on In the end, both the trading station and the more than [-] officers and soldiers of our unit will end up in an extremely tragic and humiliating way."

"Sir, I just had the idea of ​​​​trying it. The idea was not mature, and I was not sure whether this method was feasible at that time." Li Yanliang said modestly: "If it weren't for the fact that sir and several staff officers, together with the shopkeepers and directors in the trading station, We brainstormed, made plans together, made careful plans and deductions, but we would not have facilitated this incident and asked those Afghans to cooperate in selling food to us."

"Why do men in our army have to be so coquettish? It's all your credit. Just take it openly." Yan Shaowu was quite satisfied with Li Yanliang's attitude. Not only was he smart and clever, but he also understood the general situation and was not greedy for merit. He was a good person worth cultivating. seedling.

"After this battle is over, I will commend you to the top and let you get the rewards and promotions you deserve. By the way, how did you come up with the idea of ​​buying food directly from the Afghans? You know, they are ours Enemy, selling grain to us is considered as an act of supporting the enemy."

"Sir, when I was young, I heard a businessman neighbor talk about the case of the Ming Dynasty in mainland China. At that time, the slaves invaded Liaodong, and their own production was not abundant, which could not support their continued fighting. But they could rely on the gold they looted. Silver bought a large amount of food, iron, gunpowder and other strategic materials from Shanxi merchants, providing effective support for their development and growth. The Afghans who besieged us are not monolithic. They all have their own interests to consider, and they may not necessarily He did his best for that Mahmoud. Therefore, I thought if I could make use of him."

"That's right. You can draw inferences from one instance and learn from others. You already possess the necessary military qualities for an excellent officer." Yan Shaowu nodded with some appreciation in his eyes, "Work hard. From now on, your future will be limitless!"

"Thank you for the compliment, sir!" Li Yanliang was inexplicably excited when he was recognized by the officer.

"However, there is something I think it is necessary to remind you." Yan Shaowu paused, and then said seriously: "In the future, don't get too close to that Persian princess. In Daqi, although I don't have much family status, That’s true, but as an ordinary person like me, a princess of a country, that is also an unattainable goal.”

"..." Li Yanliang looked at his superior in astonishment, his face turned red, and he wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to speak for a while.

"In order to gain the support of our Qi country, Prince Abbas intends to dedicate the princess to the royal family." Yan Shaowu said expressionlessly: "So, if you have any thoughts in your heart, just let it go. Mencius has this saying , when you are young, you admire your parents, when you are a lustful person, you admire Shao Ai, when you have a wife, you admire your wife, when you are an official, you admire the king. You are young, but when you see a beautiful lady, you will be jealous, I can understand it. But I am a good man, After making great achievements, why worry about not having the ladies who admire you?"

"Sir, I'm humble..., I'll remember it." After hearing this, Li Yanliang felt a sense of silent loss in his heart, and nodded mechanically.
-
September 9, Farahabad Palace on the outskirts of Isfahan.

Mahmoud Hotak, the leader of the Girzai people in Afghanistan, actually didn't pay much attention to the small Qiguo Trading Station. What effect could a small stronghold with 400 people have on the overall situation?Moreover, he also dispatched a full two thousand tribal cavalry to closely monitor it, so there will definitely not be too much trouble.In his eyes, Isfahan is his most important goal.The Shah of the Empire, the prestigious Imperial ministers, and the wealth of the city are about to become his.Perhaps, with enough luck, he can snatch the crown from the head of the Shah of the Empire, put it on his own head, and establish a new dynasty belonging to the Girzai people of Afghanistan.

From the mouths of the refugees who continued to flee Isfahan, we learned that the city had been without food for three months. Thousands of people died of hunger every day, and the city's defenders were already weakened.If we launch a strong attack, we can definitely break into the city.But Mahmoud maintained enough restraint, fearing that once he launched an attack, a chaotic looting and killing would ensue. No one knew better than him what kind of people his men were.

Mahmud very much wanted to obtain a complete city of Isfahan, all the wealth of the city, and beautiful palaces, not to let them be destroyed in the war.

However, when he received warning signals one after another from the north and the south, he couldn't help but doubt whether his decision was correct, and whether he might even face the situation of getting nothing out of a bamboo basket.

"Did Malik, the governor of Thun and Tabas, really lead troops towards Isfahan?" Mahmoud still didn't believe it and asked again.

"Yes, Your Highness." Former army commander Amanullah Khan said solemnly: "Our scouts captured several Malik envoys in the northeast of Isfahan. From their confessions, we I learned that Governor Malik is indeed coming with more than [-] cavalry. It is estimated that they will be able to kill us in five or six days."

The Khorasan cavalry under the command of Malik Mahmoud Sistani, the governor of Thun and Tabas, is not easy to deal with the straggler-like Arabs. They have been fighting against the Baluch people in the southeast region all year round, showing a strong With their fighting power, they have also defeated the Abdari, another powerful tribe that stood side by side with the Gilzai people, on several occasions. They have always been the sharpest knife in the Safavid Empire.

Although the opponent only came with more than [-] cavalry, fighting one of them would probably consume their few troops, which might allow Isfahan, who was about to succeed, to take the opportunity to escape the siege.

"Your Highness, I think Malik did not lead his troops to Isfahan until this time. The purpose was probably not to serve the empire and desperately rescue Shah Sultan Hussein." Nas Rullah saw the situation. With a hesitant look on his face, Hamoud immediately stood up and reminded him softly.

"Oh, my dear Brother Lula, what do you think is the purpose of Malik leading the troops to Isfahan at this time?" Mahmoud's heart moved, and he looked at the Zoroastrian in front of him hopefully. (i.e. Zoroastrian) local leader Nas Rula.

"Either he was trying to take advantage and came to take advantage of us when we were both defeated by the Persians, or he was taking advantage of the opportunity of leading troops to rescue Isfahan to steal from Shah Sultan Hussein. Because I can get more power and wealth in my hands.”

"So how do we respond?"

"A few years ago, Malik had coveted the position of governor of Khorasan when he was conquering the Balu people and Abdali people." Nas Rullah said with a smile: "In this case, when he arrived in Iraq When he came to Isfahan, why didn't we give him the entire Khorasan region and realize his wish to separate and establish himself? We could clearly tell him that Isfahan was on the verge of collapse, the Safavid dynasty was about to collapse, and the imperial Shah Aye's life will be lost, and His Highness the Prince will become the new Shah of the empire and establish a dynasty belonging to the Girzai people. As a Khorasan, Malik has no reason to be buried with the decadent Safavid dynasty. Of course, We will then give him some more property to soften his determination to attack. I believe Malik will make a decision that is in his best interest."

"That's great, dear brother Rula." Mahmoud was overjoyed when he heard this. He put his arms around Nas Rula's shoulders and patted his back hard. "How to persuade Malik to withdraw, I I leave it to you. You need to bribe Malik's property, but feel free to take it from the palace. As long as it ensures that we can capture Isfahan without any hindrance, we can pay more."

"As you command, my master." Nas Rula took a step back, put his hand on his chest, and responded respectfully.

"Okay, we already have a way to deal with the threat from the northeast." Mahmoud looked at the most trusted generals in the palace with excitement and said, "Then, what will we do with the Qi people who come from the south? How to deal with it?”

(End of this chapter)