Nader Shah. Historical novel. Yunus Oghuz
Firstly, I had to get Isfahan, because I had promised this to the Shah…
I wanted to trap Ashraf by going to Isfahan, passing through Natanz, because I knew that the Afghans were waiting for us there. The main problem was to make them leave their trenches and to organize their attacking us. We showed ourselves as though we were not going to remain there and the main forces were going to Isfahan. It was interesting to me that Ashraf was using the fighting tactics against me which I had used against them in Mihmandust. I wasn’t surprised much: that is to say, we were much cleverer and foresighted than them. Ashraf placed the cannons in flanks; he gathered his fighters in the centre and attacked. My troopers would be able to pass behind them with difficulty. It was my last attack to Ardabil. Though Ashraf was able to run to Isfahan, I could get both his fighters and military supplies. The most interesting point was that among those who were captured there were the Ottomans. I freed all of them and advised them to return to their motherland.
Ashraf gathered all the cargo animals in Isfahan, on the 13th November left Isfahan and ran to Shiraz together with his wives, relatives and property. I sent five hundred Avshar troopers to foll ow him, so as not to let him have peace anywhere. At last, I heard that his own Vizier Muhammad khan had executed him.
On the 16th November I arrived in Isfahan ceremonially. Before arriving in Isfahan I sent a herald to Tehran and in-
vited the Shah.
In Isfahan the people were in the streets greeting me merrily and welcoming me with heartfelt words. There was both excitement and pride on the faces of the people. My horse was going slowly towards the Shah’s palace and my warlords were following me. I had placed the main part of the troops outside the city. The drummers were going before me. Suddenly among the people who were lining in both sides of the street and welcoming us, somebody cried:
– Nader khan, I want to make a request!
I pulled my horse by its bridle and turned towards the side that I had heard the voice:
– Who wanted to make a request?
A voice was again heard among the people:
– It is me, your humble creature!
Come forward, humble creature! – I said.
A man came forward out of the mass:
– I have a request for you, Nader khan!
– Who are you? – I wanted to make fun with that person.
–Me…Me… I am unhappy Salman who had cut his only donkey seven years ago in order not to let his children die of starvation.
– Well, what do you want, unhappy Salman, who tasted the meat of his donkey?
Salman who was standing in front of me bowed, then he said:
– Today is a holiday, khan! At last our city which was enslaved is freed from the enemies. But I…
– Don’t be ashamed, tell what you want.
– Nader khan, my request will sound a bit strange…
– Be quick, tell what you want! – I said.
All the people were listening to us with interest. There was a strange sil ence; all were waiting to hear what that strange request would be. If he wanted any post in that moment, I would give it to him. The people, to my mind, expected him to be greedy and request five or six sacks of gold.
At last, Salman swallowed a bit and said:
– Nader khan, I.I can’t live without a donkey… I request you to give me a donkey! I want only a donkey! A donkey…1 can’t live without a donkey!
Suddenly the people roared with laughter. It was as if all the people would faint because of laughing so much. The eyes of the people were wet because of laughi ng. Salman kishi didn’t know what to do having not expected such kind of response. It was easy to understand the people, because for the last few years they were in sorrow. The people of Isfahan were famous for dropping a hint, being amusing and cheating. Somebody called among the people:
– Nader khan, send him to Hamadan to bring a donkey! The donkeys of Hamadan are more beautiful…
The people roared with laughter again.
I wiped my eyes which were wet because of laughing and asked him:
– Well, Salman, tell me, why do you want a donkey?
– Nader khan, really I can’t remain without a donkey!
I said laughingly:
– Well, tell me, why can’t you remain without a donkey? -Because I earn my living only with a donkey. I carry
wood on the donkey and earn money to live. I told you; seven years ago I cut my only donkey for my children not to die of starvation. Now in order to earn money I carry wood myself instead of the donkey. That was why I requested you to give me a donkey.
I sleeked my beard and thought a little. It was important to fulfill his request, I also wanted to amuse the people. Salman seemed to be a good person. There was devot ion and poverty on his face. Such kind of people would never betray.
– Salman kishi, it would be better if I appointed you to a new post… I want your children to become happier, – I said.
– I beseech you, what can I do except carry wood from the forest?
I said jokingly:
– Why not, you can take care of donkeys, can’t you?
Yes, I can.. Even I know the language of donkeys. The people laughed again.
Once more, I said jokingly:
– If you do, I appoint you to the post of the head of the donkeys…
The people fainted because of laughing.
Salman kishi was confused:
– I understand nothing, I beseech you. The head of the donkeys.
I said again laughingly:
– I want to say that you will lead all of the donkeys in my army. You will carry food, water for my troops from the rear. You asked me to give you one donkey, but I give you a thousand donkeys. What do you say, do you agree with me? – I asked him.
Salman answered, hesitating:
– What can I say?
There were heard voices among the people:
– Agree with him, kishi, you would never dream of such kind of a post. In former times you carried wood on your back, but now you will lead all the donkeys carrying loads.
The people laughed again.
Salman looked at me:
– What about my children?
– They will be assured of everything.
– If it is thus, I agree with you! I wish you long life, Nader khan! It is as if you helped me escape from the words of my shrewish wife.
I gave instructions one of my followers to arrange what I promtsed Salman. I began to go forward the Shah’s palace…”
…The girls ran and came into the cell of the aunt. The aunt had never seen them so merry during the last seven years. During those seven years, Fatime Sultan Beyim and Rize Beyim had suffered much. Now they could wash clothes, make beds, sweep yards, cook meals, make tea, comb hair, plait, – in a word, they could manage everything. During these last years the girls had grown; and had even reached their marriageable age. Now they were about twenty one or twenty two years old.
– I haven’t seen you so merry before, I beseech you! What has happened?
Fatime Sultan Beyim:
– My