Chapter 71 : Western Cannon ?

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As the sky turned crimson on the horizon, Halil Khan sat atop his horse, gazing across the vast plain. They had won the last battle, but it wasn't a complete victory. Shah Abbas had fled, retreating to Isfahan to regroup his forces. The Türkmen warriors, however, had not fully ended the war. Now, only one fortress remained to be taken: the capital of Shah Abbas, Isfahan.

Halil Khan surveyed the commanders gathered around him. They were tired, but the fire of war still blazed in their eyes. The surrounding Türkmen tribes had grown stronger after their victory, and the number of those wanting to join the army had increased. With this newfound strength, they could march on Isfahan.

Turning to Kara Yusuf beside him, Halil Khan asked, "What is the condition of our soldiers?"

Kara Yusuf bowed his head and responded, "We've buried our martyrs, and our wounded are recovering. But the soldiers have been on the march for a long time; they need rest. Still, everyone knows that if we wait, Shah Abbas will raise a new army. We must set out as soon as possible."

Halil Khan nodded. Waiting was dangerous. They had heard rumors of aid coming from the Ottomans. If Shah Abbas was given more time, he could regroup and launch another attack. Striking him in his fortress was the wisest choice.

Turning to all the commanders, Halil Khan spoke firmly:

"Comrades! Shah Abbas fled from us, but this war is not yet won. We will march on Isfahan and end this war at its root! We are no longer on the defensive. Now, they are the ones who must fear us!"

The commanders shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the battlefield with cries of "Ya Allah!"

That night, the Türkmen army set out. They advanced under the cover of night, resting during the day to avoid detection by Shah Abbas's spies.

Along the way, the Türkmen warriors voiced their anger against Shah Abbas, speaking of his tyranny and cowardice. A group of soldiers gathered around a fire.

"Shah Abbas fled instead of fighting us like a man," said a young soldier angrily.

An older Türkmen, stroking his beard, replied, "But remember, son, he's still a fox. He's waiting in Isfahan to gather his strength. We must corner him there."

The soldiers nodded at his words. When they reached Isfahan, this war had to end. The Türkmen would either claim victory or lose everything.

After days of travel, the Türkmen forces finally reached the hills overlooking Isfahan. The city, with its massive walls and magnificent structures, was grand. But now it would become the stage for a war.

Halil Khan, atop his horse, took a deep breath as he gazed at the city. "The final great battle will be here," he muttered.

One of the commanders asked, "Will we attack immediately?"

Halil Khan shook his head. "No. First, we need to assess Shah Abbas's situation. How many soldiers has he gathered? What is the state of the aid from the Ottomans? If we act hastily, we might fall into a trap."

The commanders nodded in agreement. The Türkmen forces began positioning themselves around the city. The final battle was approaching.

Behind Isfahan's walls, Shah Abbas awaited them.

Standing on the high balcony of his palace, Shah Abbas gazed beyond the city. The crimson sun illuminated distant shadows moving across the hills. The Türkmen army had finally arrived. As Halil Khan's forces neared the city's outer districts, clouds of dust rose into the sky, and the sounds of war echoed through Isfahan's stone streets.

Inside the palace, tension filled the air. Viziers and commanders had gathered in the grand divan, waiting silently for their ruler's decision. Shah Abbas struck his fist against the marble railing and cursed loudly.

"Damn it! If only I had more time, I could have assembled a proper army!"

The atmosphere in the room froze. A few viziers exchanged glances, but none dared speak. Everyone knew that Shah Abbas was trying to form a new army with weapons from the Ottomans, but time had run out. The Türkmen had moved faster than anticipated.

One commander stepped forward hesitantly. "Your Majesty, we still have a chance for defense. The city walls are strong, and we have ample ammunition. If we can prolong the siege, perhaps we can receive aid from the Ottomans or our other allies."

Shah Abbas clenched his teeth and shook his head. "If the Türkmen enter Isfahan, neither the Ottomans nor any other ally will save us. They want to end this war here. We cannot give them more time."

The city's gates were swiftly closed, and the walls were manned with soldiers. Archers took their positions, and cannons were set at the city's entrances. It was uncertain when the Türkmen would attack, but Isfahan was now under complete siege.

Halil Khan's army positioned itself slowly outside the walls. No war horns were sounded, no swords drawn. Yet this silence was like the uneasy calm before a storm. The Türkmen soldiers began setting up tents outside the walls. The siege had begun.

Shah Abbas took a deep breath and turned to his commanders. "The enemy is at our gates. If we don't find a solution, this city will soon be theirs."

His eyes fixed on Halil Khan's banner fluttering on the horizon. The Türkmen were patient. They had come to starve and wear the city down. But Shah Abbas was still searching for a way out.

The only question now was: How long could Isfahan hold out?

Halil Khan, atop his horse, watched the Türkmen army lined up before the walls. The siege had lasted for days, but Isfahan had yet to fall. He had wanted to wait patiently, but some of the Türkmen chiefs were growing restless.

"What are we gaining by waiting, Halil Khan?" shouted one of the elder chiefs. "The enemy is trapped, but we are still waiting. If we don't attack now, Shah Abbas may find reinforcements!"

Another chief fidgeted in place and spoke, "The soldiers are growing impatient. While we wait, Shah Abbas regroups! We must act!"

Halil Khan frowned. The art of war was governed by reason, not anger. But the Türkmen chiefs were becoming increasingly impatient. If he couldn't control them, unrest might break out within the army.

Finally, he took a deep breath and gave a resolute order: "So be it! Prepare the soldiers. We attack!"

The Türkmen war horns blared, and battle cries echoed through the air. Massive battering rams were brought forward toward the gates. Archers took their positions, and cannons were readied. The siege was now turning into a full-scale assault.

Shah Abbas watched from the highest tower of his palace, surveying the battlefield. The sudden attack by the Türkmen had caught him off guard.

"What are they doing?" he muttered. "They had been waiting for days. Why are they rushing now?"

One of his commanders answered, "Perhaps some of their chiefs grew impatient, or they saw an opportunity."

Shah Abbas scowled. It was possible… But something bothered him even more. The Türkmen were not just attacking with bows and swords. They had cannons and rifles—and these were no ordinary weapons.

Western-made cannons…

Shah Abbas clenched his teeth. "How could they have obtained these weapons?" he asked angrily.

One of his commanders bowed and replied, "We've heard that Western merchants supplied Halil Khan. The Ottomans might also be involved."

Shah Abbas slammed his fist onto the table. "Damn those Westerners! They supply weapons to the Türkmen instead of me? Is the Ottoman Empire involved too?"

His fury grew. Having superior weaponry had been his greatest advantage. But now the Türkmen were attacking with the same weapons.

"Did they sell to us and then also supply the Türkmen? If so, those traitors will pay!"

The Türkmen cannons struck Isfahan's thick stone walls, sending fragments flying with each explosion. Battering rams pounded the gates. Halil Khan, atop his horse, directed his soldiers carefully.

Inside, Shah Abbas issued order after order to strengthen the defense.

The walls had held for the first day, but how much longer could they endure?