Читать книгу Nader Shah. Historical novel - Yunus Oghuz - Страница 6

At the home of the ruler of Qazvin, Tahmasb Mirza wasn’t engaged in any of state affairs. He had a good time all day long as before. Those who wanted to see him were received by Fatali khan and were seen off with sweet words or were given different promises. Even Fatali khan himself didn’t know what the end would be. Because the Shahzade changed his mind at any moment and refused the greetings and ceremonies. Such kind of uncert ainty didn’t last too long. The news that he received from Isfahan made him hasten. The herald who came from Isfahan told him all that had happened making him so anxious that he couldn’t sleep till morning. At daybreak he got up and entered the cell where the Shahzade was sleeping. As before, the Shahzade was sleeping with one of the concubines. Fatali khan coughed gently for some time, but the successor to the throne didn’t wake up. At that moment, Fatali khan ap t proached to his bed and shook him. The Shahzade opened his eyes with difficulty:

– What has happened? – He grumbled in a displeased way.

Fatali khan didn’t pay attention to the naked concubine who was sleeping in his bed.

– There is bad news from Isfahan, Your Majesty! We must take mea sures im me di ately.

The Shahzade said sleepily:

– Couldn’t you tell me that news afterwards? The dawn has n’t bro ken yet.

– No, Your Majesty! The news is about your father, about our Shah!

It was as if the successor awoke from a deep dream:

– What has happened to him?

– I can’t speak here about what had happened, Your Majesty! He showed with his hand the naked concubine. Get up and dress and see off this woman, I shall return after ten min utes.

After saying those words Fatali khan left the cell. When he returned the Shahzade had already dressed and the concubine wasn’t seen. The Shahzade looked at Fatali khan’s worried face and he also became excited:

– What has happened to our Shah, Fatali khan?

– Our Shah Sultan Husain has already abdicated from the throne.

For a moment Shahzade Tahmasb Mirza faltered, and then he asked in a low voice:

– In favor of whom?

– In favor of Mahmud khan of Qandahar.

The Shahzade couldn’t believe his ears:

– Repeat once more! Whom? Whom? In favor of whom?

– Now Mahmud khan is the Padishah of the dynasty. Your father has put his crown on Mahmud khan’s head and has given the stamp of the dynasty to that scoundrel with his own hands. Mahmud Shah has sent a troop to take you and bring you urgently to Isfahan.

The Shahzade became more excited:

– What must we do, Fatali khan?

– Your Majesty! When we were coming to Qazvin I asked you to gather our supporters in Qum, Rey and Qazvin, to be ready for any situation, but we wasted the chance.

– What had to be done has happened, Fatali khan! What must we do now?

– To tell the truth, I don’t know what to do, because we have neither troops nor soldiers. We have only one way -out which is superior.

– What is that?

– You are the successor to the throne! If your father abdicated the title of Shah you may declare yourself Shah as the successor to the throne.

– Does it mean that if I declare myself Shah the number of my supporters will be more?

– Yes, Your Majesty! If you declare yourself Shah none of the Turki sh stocks will be in Mahmud’s side, because they always served our ancesiors. As well as them, the stocks of the Kurd also will be on our side. They never find common language with the Afghans.

– It appears that we are able to reinstate our dynasty....The eyes of the successor shone and he sighed deeply.

– You are right, Your Majesty!

– The great God is witness that I don’t want to be Shah. It was fated thus! I am obliged to declare myself Shah… Well, Fatali khan, let it be how you advise… When may I declare my self Shah?

– Just today, in the evening!

Tahmasb Mirza wanted to think, he hesitated:

– Why so early? Can’t we wait some days more?

In fact, he was worried at the responsibility of the title of Shah and he could feel his weakness.

– No, my Shah, no! – It was the first time that Fatali khan called the Shahzade “my Shah!” – Firstly, we have no time. The troops of Mahmud are com ing from Isfahan towards Qazvin. Secondly, we must send messengers to Delhi, Istanbul and Russia to inform them that after your father you are the heir. Thirdly, as soon as you declare yourself Shah we shall immediately leave for Tabriz. We must visit all the cities to find supporters.

– From where shall we find a stamp in order to set a stamp on the orders that we are going to send to foreign coun tries?

– Don’t be worried about the stamp, my Shah! I know one stamp-maker in Qazvin. I have already given him the task. As soon as I heard about the events in Isfahan I called the ruler of Qazvin, I made him understand the situation and asked him to get ready ceremonially. To my mind, all preparations will be over by the afternoon ritual worship, my Shah!

Tahmasb was pleased when he was called “my Shah”. In fact, they did everything for him instead. It remained only to declare himself Shah.

The same day, in the evening, Tahmasb Mirza declared himself Shah as the lawful heir of Sultan Husain. He sent messengers to Delhi, Istanbul and Saint Petersburg. At midnight of that day Shah Tahmasb left Qazvin for Tabriz together with two thousand horsemen…