As the imperial emissaries of the Khaqan of China journeyed westward, bearing magnificent treasures and gifts for King Khosrow Anushirvan of Iran, their path traversed the formidable domain of the Hephthalites. The roads bristled with rows of heavily armed warriors, their steel blades and maces gleaming under the open sky. From the borders of Sogdia to the banks of the sacred Jayhun River, ranks of troops stood assembled under the banner of the Hephthalite sovereign, commanded by a fierce and renowned war-leader named Ghatfar.
When Ghatfar learned of the diplomatic alliance forming between the Khaqan of China and the Shah of Iran, a dark foreboding seized his heart. He convened an urgent council of seasoned veterans and warlords. With a grim countenance, Ghatfar addressed the assembly: 'An evil star has cast its shadow over us! Should the Monarch of Iran and the Khaqan of China unite their realms in true brotherhood, their pact will bring terror upon our houses and reduce our lands to ruin. We must launch a swift strike and purge the world of these envoys before this lethal alliance is sealed.'
Agreeing to the treacherous plot, Ghatfar selected a celebrated war-captain to lead a strike force. Falling upon the unsuspecting Chinese caravan with ruthless fury, the Hephthalites plundered all the rich treasures, adorned camels, and fine steeds. They pitilessly put every envoy to the sword, leaving not a single Chinese rider alive to carry back the tale.
When tidings of the bloody massacre reached the imperial court of China, the Khaqan was struck with profound grief, which instantly turned into blazing fury. He issued a supreme decree of war, mobilizing his vast forces from Qajghar-bashi, until not a single nobleman or warrior remained behind in China or Khotan. The descendants and kin of ancient Arjasp and Afrasiab abandoned all rest, their hearts inflamed with vengeance as they marched toward the Golzariyun River.
The Khaqan entrusted the supreme command of his grand army to Sanjeh, a formidable general whose churning cavalry kicked up clouds of dust that eclipsed the sun. As the countless horsemen massed through the region of Chach, the sheer magnitude of the mobilization turned the clear waters of the Golzariyun red as blood, signaling an impending tempest of slaughter against Ghatfar and his kingdom.
#1
گذر مرد را سوی هیتال بود
✦
همه ره پر از تیغ و کوپال بود
“The path of the envoys led through the realm of Hephthal; the entire road bristled with swords and maces.”
#2
ز سغد اندرون تا به جیحون سپاه
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کشیده رده پیش هیتال شاه
“From Sogdia to the Jayhun river, troops stood lined in disciplined ranks before the King of Hephthal.”
#3
گوی غاتفر نام سالارشان
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به جنگ اندورن نامبردارشان
“Their commander was a warrior named Ghatfar, renowned and mighty in the heart of battle.”
#4
چو آگه شد از کار خاقان چین
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وزان هدیهٔ شهریار زمین
“When he learned of the Khaqan of China's design and the rich gifts sent to the Lord of the Earth,”
#5
ز لشکر جهاندیده گان را بخواند
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سخن سر به سر پیش ایشان براند
“He summoned the seasoned veterans of his host and spoke openly to them of the matter.”
#6
چنین گفت باسرکشان غاتفر
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که مارا بدآمد ز اختر به سر
“Ghatfar addressed the chieftains: 'Ill fortune has rained upon us from the stars!'”
#7
اگر شاه ایران و خاقان چین
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بسازند وز دل کنند آفرین
“'If the Shah of Iran and the Khaqan of China forge peace and praise one another in truth,'”
#8
هراسست زین دوستی بهر ما
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برین روی ویران شود شهرما
“'This friendship bodes terror for us; our cities will be ruined as a consequence.'”
#9
بباید یکی تاختن ساختن
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جهان از فرستاده پرداختن
“'We must launch a swift strike and clear the world of these emissaries.'”
#10
زلشکر یکی نامور برگزید
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سرافراز جنگی چنانچون سزید
“He chose a famous champion from his army, an exalted warrior suited for the deed.”
#11
بتاراج داد آن همه خواسته
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هیونان واسبان آراسته
“They plundered all those treasures, the magnificent camels and splendidly harnessed steeds.”
#12
فرستاده را سر بریدند پست
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ز ترکان چینی سواری نجست
“They foully beheaded the envoys, leaving not a single Chinese rider alive.”
#13
چوآگاهی آمد به خاقان چین
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دلش گشت پر درد و سر پر ز کین
“When tidings reached the Khaqan of China, his heart swelled with grief and his soul with vengeance.”
#14
سپه را ز قجغارباشی براند
✦
به چین وختن نامداری نماند
“He marched his army forth from Qajghar-bashi, leaving not a single noble warrior behind in China and Khotan.”
#15
ز خویشان ارجاسب وافراسیاب
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نپرداخت یک تن به آرام و خواب
“Among the kinsmen of Arjasp and Afrasiab, not a single one yielded to comfort or sleep.”
#16
برفتند یکسر به گلزریون
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همه سر پر از خشم و دل پر زخون
“They marched in unison to Golzariyun, their heads full of fury, their hearts filled with blood.”
#17
سپهدار خاقان چین سنجه بود
✦
همی به آسمان بر زد از خاک دود
“The supreme commander of the Khaqan's force was Sanjeh, whose army raised billows of dust to the heavens.”
#18
ز جوش سواران به چاچ اندرون
✦
چو خون شد به رنگ آب گلزریون
“From the surge of horsemen in Chach, the waters of Golzariyun turned red like blood.”