Читать книгу O’TKAN KUNLAR - Абдулла Кодирий - Страница 23

After three or four minutes, Azizbek arrived at the Kamolon Gates with a retinue of one hundred soldiers and military and civilian staff. Azizbek was a man about fifty years old who rode on a black stallion with gilt trappings glimmering in the sunlight. He wore a gold brocade robe, an Algerian sword in a silver sheath hung on his golden belt, and a silk turban wound around his head.

His lean legs were decorated with silver stirrups. He had thin eyebrows balanced by a wheat-colored pointed beard.

Following him on a black horse was a man who wore a blue- green broadcloth robe lined in fur, a sword hanging from a silver belt on his right side, a pistol on his left, and a sheepskin qalpak on his head. He was browless, as if his eyebrows had been plucked by jinn themselves. On his dark face he had a sparse black beard lining his jaws, thin wispy hairs on his chin, and deep-seated bloodshot eyes. He was the commander of the army and Azizbek’s right-hand man, Rayimbek Dadkhwah.

Next to him was another person on a smaller horse wearing a striped robe from Bukhara, but instead of a belt binding his robe, it fell loose. A large turban wound around his head and, as he leaned forward in his saddle, one could see his full wise face, with expansive, round yellow- brown eyes, and the long gray beard of a mullah. In keeping with his tradition, he was unarmed.

After the two horsemen riding behind Azizbek, a troop of personal guards followed, wearing knee-length short tunics of blue sukno and red rough-woven trousers with leather boots on their feet. Their turbans resembled those of Rayimbek Dadkhwah, but they were covered in red velvet. White belts held their swords on the right side and pistols on the left and they marched in groups of four by four. Despite their well-worn equipage, their appearance was in good order.

The warriors lining the battlements clenched their hands to their chests and bowed all in unison, their heads almost touching the ground. Riding past the contingents with his gilded whip on his breast, Azizbek greeted his men in return, bowing his head. At this moment the fortress commander near the pyramid of heads descended from his horse. A span of forty or fifty horse-lengths remained between the mound of heads and Azizbek. The cheering of the troops seemed to distract Azizbek, who stared at the carnage. The retinue accompanying Azizbek also looked at the horrific display and now sat uncomfortably in their saddles as Azizbek and his troop stopped near the heads. For some time, Azizbek took in the sight, finally smiling at the fortress commander and then saluting him.

“Thank you. Bless you for your courage,” said Azizbek. “This day you welcomed the Qipchaqs like Rustam, killing them like dogs. Many thanks to the citizens who displayed true courage. May they live to the end of time!”

After Azizbek’s concluding remarks, the Hudaychi relayed to the army his sincere praises, which resounded over the fortress walls.

“Our honorable Bek gives thanks to you all for your courage. You have displayed great bravery reminiscent of Rustam, and he wishes you long life! He performs prayers on your behalf!”

The defenders responded as if they were bringing the apocalypse: “Our praises to you and Your Honor! Let Your Honor also live until the end of time. May the blessings of his shadow cover our heads for eternity!”

Placing his whip to his chest, Azizbek saluted the defenders and gave an order to the Hudaychi: “Give a gilded robe to the commander of the fortress. Silk robes to the yuz boshis, three silver tenga for soldiers with meritorious service.”

At this, the defenders replied, “May his wealth and power multiply!”

The treasurers, leading two horses through the soldiers, made their way to the Hudaychi. One horse was loaded with Chopans and the other bore two saddlebags filled to their brims with coins. The Hudaychi first took a gilded robe from its horse and awarded it to the head of the fortress. Putting on the brocade robe, the fortress commander prayed on Azizbek’s behalf, excessively singing his praises to God. Afterward the herald and the fortress commander, along with a soldier bearing robes and another with the coins, moved toward the troops. The commander doled out three coins to those worthiest and silk robes to the others.

Circling the mound of heads on his horse, Azizbek pointed out to Rayim and the person in the striped Bukharan robe the heads of significant Qoqan leaders known to him. He relayed what functions they had performed while alive and their various offences against the Black Robes.

Although Rayim listened attentively, the man in the striped Bukharan robe only replied with “Taksir,” his head turned away in disgust, staring at his saddle. After half an hour, the awards ceremony for the assembled soldiers concluded. The Hudaychi walking toward Azizbek with his empty saddlebag, bowing in salute.

Standing at attention, Azizbek asked the fortress commander, “Well, did all the deserving receive their awards?”

“Under the shade of your power, Taksir.”

“At what time did the attack of the Qipchaqs begin?”

“At dawn they started an artillery bombardment from the direction of Oq-Teppa,” said the commander. “After fifteen minutes, Qipchaq cavalry appeared, riding toward the Samarqand Gates. To prepare against such an attack, under the shadow of your benevolence, I placed sharpshooters between the two gates. Initially, I ordered them to shoot from the Samarqand Gates. For fifteen minutes, the sharpshooters gave withering fire. The Qipchaq cavalry could not withstand the volleys from the Samarqand Gates and withdrew to the Kamolon Gates, whose emplacements also delivered fire to the cavalry. After a one- hour engagement, the enemy retreated, leaving behind three to four hundred dead between the two gates. There were only five dead and nine wounded on our side.”

Azizbek enjoyed the account immensely. Once again giving his thanks, he asked, “Was Nur Muhammad, the Qipchaq commander, spotted?”

“No, Your Honor. He did not approach the fortress. If he had…”

“We must be ready for him.”

“With the assistance of your power, our aim is clear!”

Azizbek shouted to the defenders, “I am satisfied with your actions!” and under the exultant prayers of the defenders, rode on toward the Samarqand Gates with his retinue.

On that day, in the spirit of the victorious mood felt throughout the city, Azizbek made the rounds to inspect the defenses. Passing through the Samarqand Gates, they moved toward the Chaqar Fortress. The fortifications lay above the southern banks of the Bozu Su River’s deep beds, with its fast- moving waters at the base of the battlements making further fortifications unnecessary. Furthermore, with the Kokcha Stream to the west, the two waterways formed a natural peninsula and barrier discouraging the enemy from attack. Several defense positions had been built on top of the hill by the soldiers, with a total of three artillery: one faced southwest, one faced west, and the other toward the northwest. These positions were constantly manned by artillery detachments and foot soldiers.

With his soldiers, Azizbek descended to the bottom of the hill. They traversed the water facing the mound of skulls. The artillerymen and guards were reviewed and awarded with several coins. After that Azizbek and his soldiers mounted the eastern side of the hill. Because the other side of the hill measured the height of several poplar trees, in order to get to the Kokcha Gates, one had to pass through the Suzuk Ota Cemetery and cross the Kokcha Stream. At that point, one would arrive at the Kokcha Gates.

There were not as many defenders at the Kokcha end of the fortress. The Hudaychi led Azizbek, warning the guards of his arrival. The defenders, both young and old, welcomed him. After hearing Azizbek’s blessings to the citizenry, they felt great joy. In this manner the retinue passed through the Kokcha, Chigatay, Sagbon, Qoraserai, Takhtapul, and Labzak Gates. Finally, they arrived at the Kashgar Gates. Since the Kashgar Gates were near the orda, many soldiers had congregated nearby.

While Azizbek was showered with greetings as he reached the Kashgar Gates, his reverie was interrupted by some unknown intruder urgently banging at the gate, making a din that rang out in all directions. His horse started forward a couple of paces because of the racket and attempted to bolt from Azizbek’s control. His followers also jolted in fear as Azizbek shouted at the gate guards, who were still holding their hands to their chest in salute:

“Why are you still staring at me? Go to the gates. Who is that cur?”

The sergeant of the guard fled to the fortress walls. “Taksir, there is an old man!”

“Open the gates and bring him in,” said Azizbek.

The gates opened. Entering from the outside was Hasan Ali, leading Qutidor’s Saman Yo’rg’a horse. Nervous that he was intruding on the ceremony, he greeted Azizbek meekly.