It was at the same time that William ordered the Cossack cavalrymen to go to the border areas to cause trouble and test the reaction of the Uzbeks, and the diplomatic mission of the fleet, on which he had high hopes, entered Tabriz. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 INFO was one of the most important trading hubs on the trade routes between the East and the West, and was also the heart and capital of the Zoroastrian Empire.

Oriental, Central Asian and Persian buildings, masked women dressed in bright silks, warriors with turbans and bearded merchants...... Plus a more prosperous and magnificent city than the port of Abadan. All this was new and strange to Franz Jr. and his members of the diplomatic corps.

It is a country that places a high value on business as well as trade. And like all the people who built an empire in this region, established effective rule. The Zoroastrian Empire itself produced quite good goods - mainly Persian-style gold and silver jewelry. In addition to this, there are expensive Persian carpets, wine, delicate Persian scimitars, and in addition to the excellent, but tightly controlled, very difficult to obtain Persian horses, and a large number of livestock, dates, and cotton provided by herdsmen from all over the country.

All trade goods, with a focus on crafts and commerce, made the Zoroastrian Empire a relatively wealthy country. Even the inhabitants of this country, in the vast majority of cases, were more comfortable than the people living in the Ostrogothic Empire.

The latter suffered from the war. Displacement is precarious, and because of the massive abandonment of land, there is no food at all, and there is a predicament of famine.

In contrast, the Zoroastrian Empire had a large amount of relatively good arable land due to the irrigation of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers. The production could supply almost the entire empire.

In general, in the vast majority of cases, the inhabitants of the Zoroastrian Empire were proud, wealthy, sedate and of considerable strength. It is the culture that was bred in this region, and the people who gave birth to it easily defeated a large number of nations and states, and established powerful empires and glorious dynasties in history.

It's just, very regrettable. Although for most of history, the Zoroastrian Empire was not to be underestimated, not a hegemon, at least a small regional power. But now it's different. Despite the same strong economic power, population and army. But in the face of the dark elves, in the face of the Uzbek nomads, and in the face of the Mughal Empire, with whom they are related by blood, but at the same time are mortal enemies.

Facing three great enemies on three sides. Even though the Zoroastrian Empire was strong, tenacious and brave, it felt somewhat powerless.

As the news from the front line gets worse and worse. The capital of Zoroaster, Tabriz, was also becoming more and more depressed.

Before this, the history of enslavement by outsiders was not without the history of the Zoroastrians. Although, by now, they have been fighting for independence for a long time. But the unforgettable feeling of pain still haunted them.

The Zoroastrians are tenacious, and rightfully so, they are also brave. There is wisdom and strength. The problem is that when they face three opponents who are as strong as them, or even more powerful, at the same time, the feeling of more than enough and the lack of strength, that pain and that kind of helplessness, still makes the Zoroastrians feel very uncomfortable and very depressed.

Looking at the sunny city, but it seemed to be shrouded in clouds, Franz Jr. looked at his teammates and smiled.

A country in crisis, helpless. This is exactly who diplomats like to deal with the most.

"It seems that our chance to make a difference, gentlemen!" said Franz Jr. to his retinue and lieutenants, "there is a whole mighty country waiting to be saved!"

That's how they entered Tabriz. And before that, the Zoroastrian Shah, who had already learned of the arrival of these people, sent emissaries to welcome them.

He was dressed in a sumptuous silk robe, wearing a scimitar embellished with precious stones and a silver chain at his waist, lined with a white robe, and had a rather chic beard trimmed. The man, who claimed to be the Shah's loyal servant, came to greet Franz Jr. and his party on their way to their palace.

"That's exactly what we expected. Franz Jr. replied with a smile.

Then, the man who identified himself as Mushahan hesitated and asked them again: "Although, we have heard your identity from the port officials before this. But...... In order to avoid misunderstanding, I would like to ask again. Your identity is ......"

"We are the great supreme lords of the Russian-Gothic Empire, the heads of the House of Hereford, the emissaries of Wilhelm von Hereford. The other party said very calmly.

"Good, that's fine. ”

Despite its location in the Middle East, the Zoroastrian Empire did not isolate itself as some people think. Through the trade routes by land and sea, the people of the Zoroastrian Empire were relatively well aware of the information of the outside world. Although it cannot be said that they know everything, but a new empire of Goths has risen in the West, and they are enemies of those dark elves, and they have a big battle between the two sides, and they still know about the fact that they will win or lose.

As the Zoroastrians, who were enemies of the Ottoman Empire and had won many battles and lost few battles, after hearing about the arrival of this group, they naturally attached great importance to it.

In addition to finding out where these people came from, they also had to try to get some advantage from them - although no country had ever tried to penetrate the land before, the Zoroastrian Empire was now on the verge of extinction. They won't be able to worry about so many things.

"So, why did you come here by boat from such a distant place?" asked Mushahan, after walking for a while and chatting casually for a while.

At least before meeting the Shah, he needs to talk to these people first, lest the two sides come up with some unrealistic terms and embarrass both sides. This will not be done.

"Here's the thing. Franz replied with a smile: "The main reason we are here is for trade." The Russian-Gothic Empire came with enough good goods, hoping to exchange them for enough goods and wealth. Of course, Zoroaster was just our first stop. Our destination is the distant land of dragons. ”

"I see. Hearing what the other party said, Mushahan breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time was somewhat disappointed.

I am relieved because trade is a more common desire. As an empire, Zoroaster pursued a policy that encouraged trade. So he believes that no one will refuse this.

The disappointment is due to the fact that the other party does not sound like they want to intervene in the area. Perhaps his monarch did not give him such an order. In this case, the hope of receiving assistance from the Russian-Gothic Empire is likely to be disappointed.

And if even the Russian-Gothic Empire was unwilling to come to the aid of the Zoroastrian Empire, then it became clear what the ultimate fate of the empire would be.

Mushahan felt depressed at the thought that hundreds of years later, the Zoroastrians would have to be enslaved, defeated, and accept a tragic fate. Even with little interest in leading these messengers.

The disappointment of watching the other party is beyond words. On the other side, little Franz was silent on the surface, but he was sneering slightly in his heart.

The so-called desire to capture is nothing more than that. If you bring this kind of assistance with great fanfare as soon as you come up, even if the other party will accept it in the end. I also murmur in my heart.

Why does the other party want to help themselves, what are the intentions of the other party, and what kind of benefits do they want to get from themselves?

When you think about it in this way, what was originally gratitude turns into vigilance and vigilance. In this way, it is absolutely impossible to have as much fun as before.

"So, you have to pretend to be reluctant first. But at the same time, you have to show that you have the ability. You have to let the other party take the initiative to ask for yourself, and let the other party willingly give you enough conditions and benefits. Then they could reluctantly agree - not only for the Empire, but even for them. Because the covenant concluded in this way is stronger and more cherished than the covenant obtained by door-to-door sales. ”

Recalling the trick given to him by William before leaving, little Franz was proud in his heart, and at the same time a little emotional. Indeed, as William said, everything is under the control of this powerful and wise leader. It was precisely because of the leadership of Wilhelm von Hereford that the Russian-Gothic Empire was able to develop so rapidly, to complete its unification in just a few years, and to become one of the most powerful countries in the world.

"All this is the credit of His Majesty the Great Emperor. Little Franz thought to himself.