"Am I not a Persian God of War? How could I fail?"
"Didn't the true God protect me? How could I fail?"
In Erzurum, Persian Shah Ismayi I was trapped in deep self-doubt.
Over the years, he has been so smooth that he is invincible in wars. The Persians praised him and made him a god of war. Gradually, even he himself believed that he was a god of war. But the failure of this battle woke him up and made him a little suspicious of his life...
Not only Ismail I fell into self-doubt, but the morale of the entire Persian army was sluggish. Because the myth of the God of War of Ismail I was shattered in their hearts, some people in the Persian army were now in panic. If Ismail I had not had a group of loyal uncles and elder brother ministers under him to help suppress him, maybe someone in the Persian army would have fled.
Faith is sometimes a good thing and can fully stimulate people's potential. But if faith collapses, the consequences will be very serious...
In the middle of the night, Ismayi I was trapped in deep self-doubt and could not fall asleep. But at around three o'clock in the morning, Ismayi I suddenly shouted "Not good" and sat up from the bed with cold sweat.
Then, he shouted anxiously:
"Quick, gather all the generals! Hurry!"
Then, the Persian generals who were originally resting in the city were called reluctantly and gathered in the mosque in Erzurum to meet Ismay I.
"Everyone wake up all the soldiers and gather their troops before dawn, bring the food and grass they can take away, and prepare to leave the city! Hurry!"
Two hours, at 6 o'clock in the morning, all the more than 70,000 Persian cavalry had already completed the assembly, and each of them carried a bag of grain and a bag of horse materials, and was ready to set off.
Then, Isma Yi I waved his hand and ordered:
"Open the east gate and the whole army leaves the city!"
Then, the east gate was slowly opened, and Persian cavalry left the city one after another. After leaving the city, they retreated eastward without stopping...
Why was Ismay I so anxious to retreat? Because he suddenly thought that the Turks had so many artillery, and the gate of Erzurum City might not be able to withstand the shelling. Once the city was broken, the Persian army besieged in the city would inevitably be destroyed.
Therefore, while the Turkish army had not yet had time to surround Erzurum City, Ismay I decisively led his troops to evacuate the city.
Just two hours after the Persian army withdrew, at eight or nine o'clock in the morning, the Turkish army sent troops to the east of the city, intending to dig trenches, build new camps, and siege the city of Erzurum.
Unfortunately, they came one step late, and Isma Yi I had already reacted in the middle of the night and evacuated in time...
After learning the news, Turkish Sultan Selim I was so angry that he beat his chest and stamped his feet. It was a matter of thought! After the battle lasted yesterday, because he was worried that the Persian cavalry would attack at night, Selim I did not divide his troops, but instead built a temporary camp in the west of the city. He originally planned to surround the city of the city the next morning and then trim the new camp to siege the city of Elzurum. Unexpectedly, it was only half a day before the enemy took the opportunity to break through!
This is the best chance to destroy Persia! At this time, the Shah and the backbone generals of Persia were all in the city of Erzurum. As long as you surround this city and destroy the Persian army inside, the Persian Safavi Empire will be completely destroyed! What a pity...
Looking at the open East City Gate, even if Selim I easily got Erzurum City, he was not happy at all...
...
And dozens of kilometers eastward, in the Persian army, Ismay I's personal guard Bagherry also said regretfully:
"What a pity... we only brought this little grain out, and most of the food in the city was cheaper than the damn Turks..."
At this time, Isma Yi I, who was riding a horse nearby, suddenly stopped the horse and turned around and asked:
"What did you just say?"
Bagheri was shocked and said stammeringly:
"Shah...I...I...I...I didn't say anything, it's just a pity that the food in Erzurum..."
"Yes, food!" Isma Yi I slapped his head suddenly and finally grasped the point!
Then, he suddenly ordered the army to stop advancing. In addition, he ordered the army to divide its troops and take away the food from the villages and towns along the way, and burn all the food that can be taken away in one day.
Even cattle, sheep and camels were not spared, and they were all taken away. As for the horses, they were also requisitioned...
Simply put, Isma Yi I planned to strengthen the wall and clear the world...
Why do you keep your walls clear? Because he doesn't plan to give the Turks the opportunity to replenish local supplies!
This time, the Turks dispatched an army of 120,000, and the civilians were tens of thousands. The entire team reached about 200,000 people. With such a huge team, the consumption of food is also a very terrifying number. Moreover, there are still tens of thousands of cavalry in the Turkish army, and the food consumption of war horses is also quite large!
Although everyone is a nomadic people, horses mainly eat grass. However, during war, the war horses cannot bear to eat grass only and have to eat food. Only when they are kept at home can they eat grass as the main focus and food as the supplement.
"Shah, will we divide our troops to confiscate the food? Will the Turks have a chance to catch up?" General Rashid said worriedly.
Ismail I confidently said:
"No, the Turks have so many artillery and infantry, and the marching speed must not be fast. Although the cavalry marched quickly, they did not dare to rashly break away from their own formation and pursue them. After all, the Turkish cavalry is not capable of defeating us! Therefore, if we march with infantry and artillery, the Turkish army's marching speed is very slow and it is impossible to catch up with us. Therefore, we have time to strengthen the walls and clear the fields!"
Although Ismayi I was young, he had fought many wars and knew very well about these military common sense. In the past, large army marched, and infantry marching speeds were rarely as fast as those that were more than 30 kilometers per day. Infantry who could travel more than 30 kilometers per day were either elite or urgent marches under emergency situations.
Therefore, although the Turkish army is powerful, it is impossible to catch up with the Persian army full of cavalry. The tens of thousands of Turkish cavalry dare not leave the formation and pursue it alone. After all, the main body of the Persian army did not suffer much loss. If they chased after them rashly, they might be killed. Without the infantry covered by the cavalry, they would just play with it. Just cutting the supply line can kill the Turks.
In the days that followed, the Persian army retreated in front and strengthened the walls and cleared the fields. However, the Turkish army, because the marching speed was too slow, had to slowly keep up.
However, the Turks' purpose was very clear - they pointed directly at Tabriz, the capital of Persia!
Chapter completed!