When the Khaqan of China heard the counsel of his wise mobad, he deliberated deeply and arrived at a noble resolution. Consulting his experienced ministers, he declared that in the face of inevitable turning points, silence was folly: 'War yields nothing but endless grief; far better to disperse treasure in pursuit of peace. Gold and silk provide neither food nor armor on the day of battle. What men truly require is safety, sustenance, fine raiment, and tranquil rest. He who fears destruction must hold wealth light so his body and spirit may know ease.'
Thus, the Khaqan selected ten eloquent, prudent envoys skilled in discourse. A letter of praise was penned upon Chinese silk in magnificent calligraphy, beautiful as the famed Artang. The ten wise horsemen traveled swiftly and discreetly until they arrived at the imperial gate of King Khosrow Anushirvan.
Upon receiving word of their arrival, King Khosrow commanded the royal palace to be adorned and the court curtains drawn back. The emissaries entered with joy, bowing before the throne to present their gifts and message. The silk letter was handed to the royal scribe, who read it aloud before the astonished assembly.
The epistle began with praises unto Almighty God (Yazdan) and blessings upon the sovereign of Iran. It detailed the Khaqan’s vast armies, his treasury, his favor in the eyes of the Faghfur of China who bestowed his daughter upon him, and his swift vengeance against Ghatfar and the Hephthalites who had ambushed Khosrow's previous gift caravans. The Khaqan described how he crossed the River Golzariyun, bathing the Oxus in red, to punish Ghatfar. Concluding with high praise for Khosrow's valour, wisdom, and righteousness, he sought an enduring bond of brotherhood. Moved by the Khaqan's grand posture and earnest words, Khosrow honored the ambassadors with rich lodgings and welcomed them to a magnificent royal banquet.