Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 351 The War with Vietnam
Pan Qingjian stood by the window of the embassy, ​​gazing at the chaotic streets outside. Iranian merchants and believers were swarming in, their faces etched with fear and anger. In the distance, thick smoke rose from the direction of Tuohuang, from the ruined Zoroastrian temple.

Pan Qingjian turned to the Iranian minister and said, "Your Excellency, I have already ordered increased security at the embassy. Please rest assured."

The Iranian envoy's face darkened: "Lord Pan, this incident is far more serious than the last one. I must report to Tehran immediately."

Pan Qingjian nodded: "I understand. However, before we report, could we discuss compensation and follow-up matters?"

Just then, a guard rushed in: "My lord! We've just received news that the mob from Tuo Tan is marching towards Hue!"

Pan Qingjian's face turned deathly pale: "What?"

Muhammad Reza sneered, "It seems, Lord Pan, that your country has lost control of the situation."

Pan Qingjian took a deep breath: "Mr. Ambassador, I assure you, we will take immediate action. Please remain in the embassy for the time being; it is the safest place here."

After seeing off the Iranian envoy, Pan Qingjian immediately convened an emergency meeting. Inside the meeting room, the officials all wore solemn expressions.

“We must act immediately,” Pan Qingjian said. “Otherwise, Iran might use this as a pretext to launch a war against us.”

“However,” one official hesitated, “if we take a hard line against the mob, it could incite even greater unrest.”

Pan Qingjian shook his head: "We can't worry about that now. Immediately mobilize the army and block all roads leading to Hue. At the same time, send people to appease the Iranian merchants and believers, promising to severely punish the perpetrators."

Just then, another guard rushed in: "My lord! We've just received news that the Iranian fleet is heading towards Hue!"

Everyone was shocked. Pan Qingjian's face grew even more grim: "It seems we don't have much time left."

Six Iranian warships departed from Saigon and sailed north along the coastline. Their first target was Nha Trang, carrying soldiers.

"The Iranians are attacking! Run!"

Residents fled in all directions; in their minds, the Iranian army was a ruthless devil. What were they waiting for?
"Sir, let's...let's run too."

Before the Flying Dragon Army commander could speak, Ruan Zhifang slapped him across the face. "You scoundrel! The court didn't establish the Flying Dragon Army to escape! Anyone who says that again will be punished according to military law!"

At this time, there were 20,000 Vietnamese troops stationed in Nha Trang, along with conscripted men. Nguyen Tri Phuong only hoped that reinforcements from the imperial court would arrive quickly, otherwise their entire city would be destroyed.

"Fire at full speed!" Fleet Commander-in-Chief Hosseini stood on the flagship's deck, his binoculars reflecting the fleeing Vietnamese civilians. "Let these infidels see the fury of Iran!"

Shells flew toward the Nha Trang city walls, rendering the fortified walls of recent years a joke in the face of artillery fire. Stones, pieces of wood, and limbs flew everywhere. Nguyen Tri Phuong brandished his sword, ordering the defenders to fire artillery in retaliation.

"Sir, the enemy's firepower is too strong. Please retreat to the yamen."

As Nguyen Tri Phuong watched the troops being frightened away by Iranian artillery fire, some of whom tried to escape, he beheaded them all.

But Iran's firepower was still too overwhelming, far beyond what a country like theirs, which had only been learning from the West for a few years, could match. Nguyen Tri Phuong understood this and had no choice but to order a retreat to the government offices.

"General, the garrison has left!" the adjutant told Hussein.

"They've suffered heavy losses. Order the soldiers to attack and take this place." Iranian soldiers led Cambodian troops to land in Nha Trang, but some defenders did not retreat; they intended to perish with the city walls.

Ruan Zhifang slammed his blood-stained sword heavily onto the table, the air thick with the mingled smells of gunpowder and blood in the yamen's main hall. Through the broken window frames, billowing black smoke could be seen rising from the direction of the harbor.

"Report! The garrison at the East Gate has been routed!"

The messenger's voice was choked with sobs. Ruan Zhifang looked down at the remaining thirty-odd personal guards below the hall, each of whose faces were filled with despair.

“My lord,” Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Trung tore off his blood-stained bandage, “I am willing to lead my elite guards in a breakout to escort you back to Hue!”

Ruan Zhifang shook his head and took out a brocade box from his bosom: "Give this to Lord Pan." Inside the box lay a gold seal engraved with "As if I were personally present"—a token of military mobilization bestowed upon him by Emperor Tu De.

Suddenly, the gates of the yamen were smashed open. A squad of soldiers with red turbans wrapped around their heads rushed into the courtyard, and the leading officer shouted in broken Vietnamese, "Surrender and you will not be killed!"

As Nguyen Tri Phuong straightened his tattered official robes, he suddenly realized that these "Iranian soldiers" were all familiar faces—they were Cambodian troops trained by Iran.

“Fire!”

At Nguyen Tri Phuong's command, the musketeers lying in ambush in the side rooms opened fire. Enemy troops who rushed into the courtyard fell in droves. But in an instant, even more Iranian soldiers surged in from all directions.

"My lord, leave quickly!"

Nguyen Van Trung pushed Nguyen Tri Phuong into the secret passage in the backyard, then turned and lit the fuse of the gunpowder magazine. When the Iranian soldiers rushed into the inner courtyard, they saw the Vietnamese general sitting upright in the main hall, clutching a tattered dragon flag tightly in his hand.

boom--!
The massive explosion leveled the main building of the government office. General Hussein, who was preparing for the next battle at the port, turned around abruptly and saw a mushroom cloud rising over the city.

“What a spectacle!”

No country lacks loyal and brave people; even in an enemy country, there will always be people who step forward.

Iran's attack on Nha Trang signifies the start of the Second Iran-Vietnam War. Simultaneously with the naval assault on Nha Trang, 30,000 Iranian and Cambodian troops in Chinestan had already crossed the border and were advancing north.

Phan Thanh Giap had to persuade Emperor Tu Duc to prepare for the worst, and if necessary, move the capital to Hanoi to use the local terrain to block the Iranian army. But for now, the priority was to strengthen the defenses of Hue and Taung, while encouraging the southern soldiers to hold their cities. If they could stall until the suzerain state intervened, things would be fine.

“Your Majesty,” Pan Qingjian kowtowed heavily, “this old minister has already ordered men to stockpile three months’ worth of provisions in Hanoi, and the Red River defense line can hold off the Iranian army. As long as…” Before he could finish speaking, he was struck by a violent cough, his handkerchief soaked in blood.

"Oh, quickly help Lord Pan up. Please have a seat."

Pan Qingjian, still seated, continued to explain to Emperor Si De: "I have already sent people to Beijing to request assistance. I have heard that Iran and Beijing have a very good relationship. If we can hold out until they mediate, then we will be safe."

Emperor Tude sat on his throne and sighed, "There's no other way. Hurry up and get on with it, or we won't be able to leave."

Everyone in Hue began to stir. The Iranian envoy had already left, and no one knew where this war would ultimately lead.

(End of this chapter)