I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1172 A Backstab from Persia

The leading Persian officer ordered his men to search the governor's mansion thoroughly, but they couldn't find even a minor clerk. So he ordered the people from the two most luxurious buildings across the street to be arrested.

He addressed the kneeling Azerbaijani nobles in Persian:
"By the crown of the great Shah and the code of the prophet, I swear that the dust of Tabriz’s past has been washed away by the new moon today!"
“Go and tell everyone that their Shah has returned.”

Most Azerbaijanis understand Persian, and they immediately prostrated themselves in agreement, then knelt and withdrew.

The officer then looked at his adjutant:
"Immediately summon Darugha and Mukhtasib in the city and purge all Russian remnants and traitors who have sided with them."

"Daruga" is the Azerbaijani sheriff, while "Mukhtasib" is the religious police.

Persians and Azerbaijanis are completely identical in terms of lifestyle and religious beliefs, making them easy to manage.

Of course, the 3 Persian troops outside the city were the cornerstone of the deterrent force here.

Three days later, near Ardabil, 60 kilometers east of Tabriz, an officer was reporting to Abbas Mirza, the commander-in-chief of the Persian army:

"Your Highness, the cavalry returning from Baku did not find any Russian troops, but Askar has gathered more than 4 soldiers, who are probably here to stop us."

Askar was the Shah of the Shirvan Kingdom in eastern Transcaucasus. Because the Shirvans were Sunni Muslims, they maintained some cooperation with Russia while being very wary of Persia.

Last time, when Agha Muhammad campaigned against Georgia, Askar, intimidated by its powerful military, chose to temporarily submit. However, when Zubov attacked, he severely punished the Shirfan people for this.

At the same time, Askar had also received investiture from the Russian Tsar, so he decided to resist. After all, Mirza didn't seem as ruthless as his grandfather.

Mirza snorted and gestured to the messenger:

"Order Kuram to lead the vanguard legion to launch an immediate attack on Baku."

An officer standing nearby quickly advised:
"Your Highness, General Kuram has less than five days' worth of supplies. Should we wait for the supplies from Tabriz to arrive before..."

Mirza glared at him:
“Tell Kuram that it’s either starve to death or you can requisition food in Baku.”

"Yes, Your Highness."

To Mirza's surprise, news of Askar's surrender arrived from the front two days later.

A rebellion broke out among the Tat tribes in southern Shirvan, severely impacting the morale of Askar's army. Kulam's Turkmen heavy cavalry launched only one charge, yet routed Shirvan's main force.

Thus, the Persian army not only suffered no losses, but also gained nearly 3 soldiers from the Shirvan tribe.

After the Persian army captured Baku, a major city in the South Caucasus, it obtained ample supplies and quickly moved north along the Kura River, besieging Tbilisi, the political and economic center of Georgia, in less than a month.

This time, however, no Russian army suddenly appeared to help Erkel II repel the Persians.

Yes, Paul I and his ministers had no idea that the Persians, who had already signed an alliance treaty with Russia, would send troops to Georgia without warning.

After Valerian Zubov was dismissed, Russia left fewer than 1 soldiers in the South Caucasus region, most of whom were stationed in Odish, on the eastern coast of the Black Sea—more than 200 kilometers from Tbilisi.

……

Outside a modestly-looking manor on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Zubov and Prince Yashvili finally saw General Barclay emerge and immediately cast inquiring glances at him.

Barclay straightened his hat, climbed into the carriage, and shook his head with a sigh:
"General Kutuzov refused me."

The two men in the carriage immediately turned pale. "What do we do now?" Duke Ashvili asked anxiously. "Who else can we turn to for help?"

“We’ve tried everyone we can think of,” Zubov said, his brow furrowed. “Only two thousand soldiers… God! We have to find another way. For example, get the local nobles of Astrakhan to send troops…”

Three days ago, Georgian envoys arrived in St. Petersburg with news that Tbilisi was under siege by the Persian army and was struggling to hold out.

Paul I only mobilized two thousand troops to provide reinforcements.

It wasn't that he didn't want to get involved in the affairs of the South Caucasus, but rather that most of the troops in the southern part of the empire had been transferred to Orenburg—in preparation for the next expedition to India.

These two thousand soldiers were transferred from the distant Alatre.

In addition, the Indian Expeditionary Force will need millions of rubles in military expenses. Last time, the Bakhov Corps spent more than 320 million rubles with logistics provided by Khiva and Bukhara. This time, supplies need to be transported from provinces such as Guryev, and the required military expenses will certainly be even higher.

This made it difficult for the imperial treasury to support a large Caucasian army.

In fact, Paul I was already asking the nobles to "voluntarily" donate money and resources for the expedition to India.

General Barclay shook his head again:
"Even if the local garrison dared to act on its own, it simply wouldn't have the funds to travel to Tbilisi."

Even Astrakhan, located on the northern side of the Caucasus, is more than 500 kilometers away from Tbilisi, and the journey involves crossing the Caucasus Mountains.

Military operations of this scale can only be afforded by national finances.

The carriage fell into silence.

Preserving Georgia was of paramount importance to the people on the bus.

The Zubov family's military achievements are all tied to the Transcaucasus.

The Duke of Yashvili was a Georgian himself and had many interests in Tbilisi and other places.

Barclay, on the other hand, was of Scottish noble birth and had always maintained close ties with Britain.

According to the British government's plan, the Persians should have withdrawn after occupying Tabriz, but now Ali Shah is greedily preparing to conquer the entire South Caucasus.

This will severely provoke the Russians, thereby influencing St. Petersburg to turn its attention to Europe.

Therefore, Barclay's goal was to persuade the Tsar to withdraw his troops from the invasion of India and hold Georgia. Meanwhile, Britain would pressure Tehran to retreat to the vicinity of Tabriz.

A few days later, while Zubov and others were still working hard to provide reinforcements to Georgia, another piece of bad news came from the South Caucasus.

The two thousand Russian troops who came to Tbilisi’s aid were ambushed by Abbas Mirza as soon as they crossed the Caucasus Mountains, suffering more than half of their losses and having to withdraw back to Russia.

In the corridor of the Gatchina Palace, Balek, head bowed, said:

"Perhaps this defeat isn't a bad thing. His Majesty the Emperor might decide to send reinforcements to save face..."

Just as Zubov was about to say something, Count Osterman and several officers came toward them, loudly complaining, "How could we negotiate with the Persians? This is a disgrace to the Empire!"

　There's a recent "Light Up the Gods" event where you can draw treasure chests, and those who light up 5 or more badges can even receive a physical "Light Chaser" badge! Welcome to all the masters who light up the "Light Up Tianhaishan" badge! This humble author is bowing down to you in gratitude, muah!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)