3 June, Isfahan.

In fact, the Afghans are simply not numerically enough to completely encircle a city as large as Isfahan, not to mention the lack of heavy siege artillery. Their assault on the city walls, despite the many casualties on both sides, failed repeatedly. Calming down, the Afghans then chose to force the people of the city to surrender by blocking the access routes outside the city and blocking the supply of food and other supplies.

However, in the beginning, the Afghans could not even effectively prevent the city from receiving supplies from the outside world. The Persians organized several breakouts, all of which were successful. However, several attacks against the Afghans have all ended in failure.

However, as the Afghans established a strong foothold outside the city and sent large numbers of cavalry to patrol back and forth, the blockade became tighter and the possibility of any supplies entering Isfahan was blocked.

Nearly three months later, prices in Isfahan have begun to skyrocket, and there is a widespread shortage of food supplies. Large-scale civilian demonstrations took place in Imam Square in front of Ali Kapu Palace, with the populace accusing the imperial government of incompetence and boldly shouting slogans calling for the Shah's abdication and his younger brother, Prince Abbas, succeeding him.

Angry at refugees from nearby villages and towns in Isfahan, they stormed the Shah's royal physician and chief mullah's mansion, publicly denounced them for causing the empire's woes, and brutally beat them.

Although these spontaneous acts of radicalization were suppressed by the Imperial Guard, they greatly weakened the Shah's authority and made all the forces in the city ready to move.

"You're saying that the governor of Arabistan, Wari Said, is likely already in cahoots with Mahmoud outside the city?" Zhang Guangping, the envoy of Qi to Isfahan, heard the report of Tan Jinsheng, the black-clothed guard officer and captain (captain) of the Imperial Martial Forces, his face showed a look of surprise, "Is your information reliable?" ”

"The information is naturally reliable." Tan Jinsheng said solemnly: "In the Praetorian Guards guarding the East Gate, we have a bribed eyeliner. He told us that in the past two months, several Arabs have left Isfahan with orders issued by Wari Saeed to leave the city. Although the couriers used the guise of contacting the Arab tribes in the western region for reinforcements, we have reason to suspect that things are not so simple. It wasn't until last night that we secretly captured and tortured one of Wari Said's personal guards, and we confirmed his collusion with the Afghans. ”

"......" Zhang Guangping groaned for a while, and asked in a deep voice: "Do you have any good suggestions for this situation?" ”

"Naturally, all the evidence will be forwarded to the Grand Vizi of the Empire, and he will come forward to deal with Wari Said, so as to eliminate the hidden dangers in the city." "However, given the chaotic political situation of the Isafavid dynasty and the suspicions that the Great Vidhid has suffered due to his defeat, I suspect that he may not be able to subdue Wari Said, which may lead to a fierce internal conflict that will cheapen the Afghans outside the city," Tan said. ”

"So, you are ready to come to the aid of the Persians." Zhang Guangping asked softly: "At that time, can you deal with the end of the whole thing?" ”

"Minister, don't worry." Tan Jinsheng said confidently: "We can handle everything without leakage, and we will definitely not let anyone suspect us." ”

"Then do it." Zhang Guangping said in a deep voice: "For decades, our Qi country has invested countless resources on the side of the Safavid Dynasty to have today's situation, but we don't want it to be wiped out by a sudden surge of local Afghan tribal forces." ”

"That's what the minister said." Tan Jinsheng nodded and said: "The news from all sides that Mahmud was greedy and cruel by nature, whether it was in Kandahar or in the hinterland of Persia, he wantonly burned and looted, and caused serious damage to the production and living order of the entire society, which has greatly affected our trade in Persia. ”

"This Safavid Dynasty is also difficult to return, and it is so weak that it can't even handle a backward local tribal armed force." Zhang Guangping had a sneering expression on his face, "Now, letting the Afghans surround Isfahan has severely challenged the central authority. Three months have passed since the edict issued by the Imperial Shah, and except for Qazvin and Lorestan who sent two weak reinforcements, the governors of the other provinces have not moved. Who knows, what they have in mind? ”

"Minister ......" Tan Jinsheng hesitated for a moment, with a worried expression on his face, "If the governors of various places in Persia let the Afghans besiege Isfahan without taking any active and effective support, will it ...... in the end?"

“…… Probably not. Zhang Guangping was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "The reason why the local governor did not actively come to aid Isfahan is probably to take the opportunity to blackmail Shah and want to ask for more power and benefits from him. It is unlikely that a large empire would allow a backward and barbaric local tribe of Afghanistan to capture the capital, capture the Shah, and replace him. ”

"What if?" As soon as he thought of this, Tan Jinsheng couldn't help but feel a little uneasy in his heart.

----------------

Sohrab Nyjad looked at the bottle of wine on the table, his heart tightened, and he looked at the man opposite with a pale face, not daring to reach out to take it.

"How?" Daoudi Kamrani looked at Sohrab Nejjad coldly, with a disgruntled look on his face, "Are you scared? ”

"I ...... I didn't. Sohrab Nyjad hurriedly shook his head and said, "I'm just worried...... I was worried that I would not be able to deliver this bottle of wine to the Governor. ”

"As a cook in the Governor's Palace, how could you not deliver this bottle of wine to him?" Daoudi Kamrani leaned forward and said with a grim face: "Wari Saeed is colluding with the Afghans with the intention of selling them all of Isfahan. Did you know that once the Afghans are allowed to enter the city, all the men will be their ghosts, and all the children and women will be their slaves? Would you like to see this happen? ”

"No, no......" Sohrab Nejad thought of his gentle wife and four lovely children, and his anger suddenly surged, "We can't let the Afghans come into the city!" They are all a group of demons, a group of executioners who are unforgiving! ”

"Wari Said is also a demon and a traitor to us Persians. A few months ago, if he hadn't only cared about plundering the rear camps of the Afghans, he would not have caused the defeat of the army, and the Great Viqi would have been criticized by all sides. Daoudi Kamrani said angrily: "Now he is ready to collude with the Afghans and betray all our Persians." So, we must kill him, not only to wash away our shame, but also to prevent an impending tragedy. ”

"Brother Kamrani, I will do my best to deliver this bottle to Wari Said's table." Sohrab Nyjad said with a serious expression: "If something happens to me, can you help me take care of Ilahi and my children?" ”

"I will, my dear brother Nyjad." Daoudi Kamrani took a few steps forward, hugged Sohrab Nyjjad, patted him gently on the back, and said solemnly: "I swear in the name of the true God that I will take good care of Ilahi and your children. …… Oh, God willing, I still hope you return home safely and be reunited with them. ”

"God forbid!" Sohrab Nyjad took the bottle of wine on the table in his arms, nodded at Daoudi Kamrani, and said with a resolute expression: "Tell me how many children Ilahi has, and I love them." ”

With that, he turned around and walked out of the room, and soon disappeared into the night.

"Is he reliable?" Muhammad Hassan stepped out of the cubicle, looked at the dark night outside, and asked softly.

"Aside from the will of the true God and the orders of the Great Viqi, even for the sake of his wife and children, he must do it." Daoudi Kamrani sighed softly.

"If he fails, will he confess you?"

“…… Fail? Daoudi Kamrani looked at Muhammad Hassan in amazement, "Maybe ......, probably so." ”

"So, for the sake of Davizi's reputation, we have to make trade-offs, and someone has to sacrifice for them."

“…… Yes?! Daoudi Kamrani was startled, and was about to make a move, when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back, and then he was shocked to see half of the tip of the knife pass through his chest, and a trace of blood infected it.

"Will you end up ...... me in order to kill your mouth? Killed too. Muhammad Hassan looked at the Qi people who were squatting on the ground and wiping their long knives, and suddenly asked.

"No, it won't." Huo Jilin replied without raising his head.

"Why?"

"Because, you are us...... Own. Huo Jilin stood up and smiled meaningfully at him.