When Bahram the warrior learned that a messenger from Iran had brought secret missives to the Khaqan of China, he marched furiously into the royal presence, hailing the monarch with grand praise. He declared that Khosrow the deceiver was weaving letters in secret to undermine their alliance, urging the Khaqan to mobilize a formidable host from China so that the realm of Iran might fall under his dominion. Bahram vowed to conquer both Iran and Rome by the edge of his blade, proclaiming the Khaqan emperor of all lands until sentries across both empires uttered his name in the night. He swore to sever the head of Khosrow and eradicate the Sasanian lineage root and branch.
The Khaqan was plunged into deep reflection, his mind becoming a dense thicket of competing thoughts. He summoned his elder counselors, knowledgeable men, and silver-tongued sages, exposing the secret proposal of Bahram. The wise elders deliberated and answered that while subduing the Sasanian crown was no small matter, the measure of Sasanian destiny might indeed be running out. Furthermore, Bahram was a warrior of peerless intellect and martial skill who commanded immense devotion within Iran; backed by the might of the Khaqan, the enterprise was destined for swift victory.
Upon hearing their approval, Bahram's heart gladdened, and a triumphant smile touched his lips. The assembled lords agreed to select two battle-hardened young chieftains to co-command the host. In China, there lived two renowned commanders: Hasnawi, a mighty chieftain, and Zangawi, a fierce commander. The Khaqan summoned both champions to his hall, opening his treasury to bestow lavish sums of gold upon them. He instructed them to remain vigilant in battle, to keep their eyes strictly upon Bahram's counsel whether in wrath or joy, and to guard the crossings of the Oxus River (Jayhun) until the dust of their march rose to the heavens.
A formidable army of elite warriors was committed to Hasnawi and Zangawi. The thunderous war drums of Bahram echoed from the royal court, and the dust of the marching cavalry blackened the face of the sun like ebony. On the dawn of the day of Esfandarmadh, the combined hosts turned their faces from China, advancing relentlessly toward the borders of Iran.