The Sun and the Lion

The messenger walked into the castle arrogantly, and the only sound in the silent hall was the sound of a few red-headed riding boots. The owner of the place sat on the main seat and looked at these arrogant guests expressionlessly.

"Dear Sultan." The herald who was sent took out a letter of surrender and said to the ruler on the main seat: "I read the letter to you on the orders of my Lord Ibrahim and Emir Abdul... …”

Mahmud ibn Nizamuddin Yahya, the current Malik of the Mihrabanids, a minor dynasty that ruled Sistan. He has officially become Malik of Sistan for only two years, but at the age of 33, he has already experienced a lot.

The Mihrabanid dynasty arose during the rise of the Ilkhanate. They initially existed as subjects of the Golden Family until the Ilkhanate collapsed and finally gained independence. However, independence only lasted less than half a century. The rise of Timur forced this small dynasty to surrender and pay tribute again. Guregani's army also looted the entire Sistan region and destroyed water conservancy facilities.

Until the death of Mahmud's father, Nizamuddin Yahya, seventeen years ago, the scope of his and his brother Muhammad's rule had shrunk to the border of Sistan and Baluchestan due to the oppression of Quleghani. in the mountains.

His brother Muhammad was his father's designated heir, but he was quickly eclipsed by Mahmoud. Mahmud, who was still ambitious, wanted to recapture the Helmand Basin with the city of Zaranj as its core from the overlord, but he was defeated by the Guregani army when he crossed the Helmand River for the first time. He nearly drowned, and it was not until two years ago that he took advantage of the turmoil within Sistan's Guregani rulers to return to Zaranj.

After restoring the Mihrabanid dynasty's rule in the Helmand Basin, Mahmud formally deposed his brothers and became Malik of Sistan with the support of his ministers.

After listening to the brief and rather unfriendly letter of surrender, Mahmoud felt helpless in his heart. He could use the internal fighting among Timur's descendants to defeat this behemoth, but facing the new giant of Safavid, he could What should we fight against?

As early as the news that Ibrahim had conquered Herat came along with the business travellers, he urgently summoned his close aides to discuss countermeasures. But the rule of Guregani had long ago messed up Sistan. After recovering the city of Zaranj, Mahmoud still wanted troops but no soldiers, and no money.

After lengthy discussions, a bold aide finally proposed to him the option of surrendering and paying tribute.

When he actually faced the Safavid envoy, he realized that the struggle he had previously expected was completely impossible. He had no chance of defeating the five thousand cavalry roaring outside the city wall, let alone Ibrahim's army.

"Mr. Messenger, please convey my opinion to your general - I can discuss it with him in detail in the big tent outside the city."

The messenger was not surprised when he heard the reply. Given his level, he was not qualified to talk to the prince at the negotiating table. After bowing to Mahmoud, he turned and left the castle.

After the door of the hall slowly closed, Mahmoud turned to the left and right and glanced at the ministers: "Fellow ministers, what are your opinions on this?"

The various civil and military officials below looked at each other, scratching their heads and heads in anxiety, but they could not think of any good countermeasures. They could only shirk each other and turn their attention to a few of Mahmoud's cronies. Mahmoud would give priority to discussing such a big event with his close associates in private. Malik must have already had a solution.

"In this case, I can only... pay tribute to these heretics."

The officials and guards all lowered their heads without saying a word, but there was no sadness or unwillingness on their faces. They had become accustomed to this.

Only the Mufti present strongly protested, but the protest was ineffective. After Mahmoud deliberately ignored his speech many times, he finally shut up.

…………

At noon the next day, Abdul, who had finished his noon prayer, sat in the tent and waited for the arrival of distinguished guests. Five captains and Abdul's personal soldiers stood on both sides. During this period, two captains showed impatience and muttered: "The loser should be in the position of the loser."

After hearing this, Abdul just raised his head, neither refuting nor appeasing.

"Master, look for Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan.com Your distinguished guest is here, and he has brought a small group of followers." The captain of the soldiers walked into the tent at this time and knelt down to Abdul to report.

"Just let him come in alone, and everyone else will go to other tents to rest."

The soldiers with the order immediately came to the gate of the camp and ordered to Mahmoud: "The general has an order that the entourage is not allowed to enter the tent. We will find another place to place the entourage."

Mahmoud's guard captain looked at him, and he nodded: "Listen to them." Then he rode his horse and followed the guard captain to the big tent, leaving behind his entourage who looked helpless.

Entering the big tent, Abdul stood up and invited Mahmoud to sit down. He also called on the servants to bring the wine. The wine boy filled their silver wine glasses with half a glass of wine.

"So, Sultan of Sistan, is there any omission in the order issued by my master? I think the letter has given enough details. You only need to tell us whether you agree or not."

"I have no objection to your request, but I have another request that I hope the general can agree to." Mahmoud said to Abdul unhurriedly. Obviously, the commander and soldiers in the tent His majesty did not intimidate the other party.

"What request?" When Abdul heard this, his sharp eyes immediately pierced Mahmoud. At the same time, he was ready to reject and ridicule the other party's "unreasonable request."

"I hope to go to the capital of your country to meet with your monarch."

Mahmoud surprised everyone present. Even Abdul did not hold back and tried his best to prevent the wine in his mouth from leaking out. No one would have thought that the Sultan of Sistan would make such a request with a firm look and tone.

The two captains looked at Mahmoud from disdain for the coward to sympathy for the fool.