The Sun and the Lion

After traveling for several days, Ibrahim and his entourage arrived at Baghdad, the former seat of the Abbasid Caliphate. The most prominent features of this city given by God are its circular walls and four gates named after the direction they point to.

A group of pioneers entered the city first to convey the news of the arrival of the King of Kings to the whole city.

The senior officials and entourage who had already known that the Lord was about to arrive in Baghdad went out of the city to meet Ibrahim first, while the Shia believers in the city wanted to see this prominent man who believed in Shiaism and spent money to maintain the holy place.

The riders filed out through the Syria Gate. The leading official didn't go far when he saw Ibrahim riding a white horse. Beside him was an entourage holding a canopy to protect him from the sun.

The senior official did not dare to overstep his authority, so he dismounted, walked to Ibrahim and knelt down in front of Ibrahim: "Your Majesty's visit to Baghdad is an honor for you and the people of the city."

The local magistrate of Baghdad was not even qualified to step forward to pay tribute to the King of Kings.

Ibrahim looked at the devout Shia believers pouring out of the Syria Gate in the distance. They walked out of the city under the leadership of monks and priests in order to pay homage to Ibrahim, the man who established the Shia regime on the earth. king.

"This welcome ceremony is very grand." A sense of satisfaction filled Ibrahim's heart.

"Your Majesty is Huda's shadow on the earth and the Imam's special envoy. He was born to rule the world. It is normal for your subjects to spontaneously support you." The senior official took advantage of the situation and flattered you a few more times.

Several clerics who acted as civilian representatives also came forward to pay tribute to Ibrahim and thanked Ibrahim on behalf of the Shia community in Baghdad for his dedication to the Shia faith.

"As the special envoy of the Imam, isn't it my duty to maintain and promote orthodox beliefs? Stop using this name to flatter me." Ibrahim showed his "humility" to the priest.

After chatting nonsense, we finally entered the city. The officials and people who came out of the city to greet them stood on both sides of the road under the organization of the bow holders. Amid the thunderous military music and the "May you be immortal" mixed in, Ibrahim entered the city first, followed by his flag officer. The military band followed, and then the rest of the entourage.

There are many palaces in Baghdad, basically built by successive Abbasid caliphs. However, after Hulagu captured Baghdad, the Mongols wreaked havoc on the city and the palaces were damaged to varying degrees. Later, some buildings collapsed due to improper maintenance.

After the Safavids conquered Baghdad, Ibrahim had no intention of establishing the capital in Baghdad. The local finances were not abundant, and the performance evaluation of officials had nothing to do with it. The palace repair work in Baghdad was almost zero. That is to say, after the senior officials learned the news about Ibrahim's tour, they ordered their servants to tidy up and hastily maintain the undamaged parts of the Golden Gate Palace, otherwise Ibrahim would have to live in Hanaka.

Entering the Golden Gate Palace, he got off his horse. The servants led the horse to the stables, and all the rooms for the King of Kings were prepared.

Looking at the dilapidated palace, Ibrahim was filled with emotions. He couldn't help but slow down, imagining how luxurious the palace where the Abbasid Caliph lived back then was, and how the Mongol army that destroyed it all behaved. How cruel.

Before he knew it, Ibrahim had finished visiting the Golden Gate Palace, and the officials who welcomed him into the city were dismissed by him, waiting for his next summons.

………………

"Bang bang bang." The messenger knocked on the door of a guest room in the castle.

"Who is it?" A voice came from inside the door, asking outside.

"Guests in Baghdad, His Majesty wants to summon you." The messenger said eagerly.

The door opened, and Ehsan and a henchman came out: "Lead the way, sir."

Ahsan entered the Golden Gate Palace on foot. He refrained from looking up and around. He just followed the messenger through the courtyard and archway with his head held high, and came to the door of a room.

The guard guarding the door went in to report as soon as he saw the messenger. The messenger and Ahsan waited for a while, and then the guard walked out: "Please come in, your Majesty has been waiting for a long time."

The cronies and messengers were stopped at the door, and Ahsan entered the room alone to see Ibrahim. He thought back to the messenger's brief confession along the way, but ultimately decided to let nature take its course.

In the room, Ibrahim sat cross-legged on the jeweled carpet, with his sword in front of his knees. Luxurious tapestries were decorated all around, and the content used to praise virtues on them added to the prestige of the king. Beside, a pretty maid stood, ready to serve drinks and snacks to guests and hosts at any time.

Ahsan knelt down respectfully: "Ahsan, the grassman, pays homage to the King of Kings."

Ibrahim waved his hand: "No courtesy, please sit down." Then he motioned to the maid to bring two glasses of wine.

"Are you the captain who captured Hormuz and rescued my mission from prison?" Ibrahim asked while tasting the wine and looking for Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan.com.

"The common people dare not take credit." Ahsan put on an awkward smile, and then told Ibrahim what he had already repeated twice.

Ibrahim, who roughly understood what happened, nodded, with no hint of happiness or anger on his expression. Then he asked: "How many ships do you have? How many manpower?"

"I'm not afraid of His Majesty's jokes. The common people have 12 ships and about a thousand sailors and soldiers." Ahsan revealed to Ibrahim that he didn't know whether it was true or false.

Ibrahim, who did not understand naval warfare, did not know what kind of existence such a fleet was in the Indian Ocean. But for Safavid, who has no sea power, it is acceptable.

"Since you have become a king and have made great achievements, I would like to recruit you into my service. What do you think?" Ibrahim asked to recruit Safavid's first admiral.

Ahsan carefully calculated in his mind that Ibrahim was undoubtedly a much more powerful monarch than the ruler of the island. If he could get his support, his power would definitely be able to reach a higher level. As for whether the Sultan of Qeshm Island would react to his actions, he did not intend to take it into consideration.

Soon, the two reached a consensus.

The 12 pirate ships belonging to Ahsan still belong to him, and Ibrahim established an employment relationship with him and paid an annual commission to the mercenary leader. At the same time, Ibrahim named Ahsan the governor of the Persian Gulf Islands, and the fleet anchored at the Kuwait Port under construction. Ahsan was allowed to attend the banquet a few days later, and after the banquet, he traveled between Basra and Kuwait. Monitor project progress.

Ahsan kowtowed in thanks, and Ibrahim ordered him to be rewarded with a box of silver coins and several bolts of silk on the spot, and he left the Golden Gate Palace with the gifts.