In the depth of night, Zal the White-Haired convened with the noble chieftains of Iran. Their discussion turned upon the devastations of Afrasiab and the leaderless state of the realm. Zal counselled them, declaring that though warriors may possess awake fortune and radiant souls, an army is like a ship upon turbulent waters—it requires the throne of a king to serve as its sail and wind. Though Tus and Gustahm were of royal blood, the crown of the Kayanids demanded a ruler endowed with the Divine Glory (Farrah-e Izadi) and supreme wisdom. Searching through the lineages descended from Fereydun, they found none worthy save Zoo, the son of Tahmasp—an elder of eighty years who carried both royal vigor and ancient culture.
Qaran the warlord, accompanied by the mobads and marchwardens, hurried to Zoo and proclaimed him king. Zoo accepted the crown of Fereydun, and Zal offered grand praises to his throne. Reigning with boundless justice, Zoo renewed the world, withholding his troops from wrongdoing and maintaining a holy solitude of prayer with Yazdan. Yet a devastating famine descended upon the earth; the soil withered, vegetation vanished, and bread was weighed against silver coins. For eight long months, the armies of Iran and Turan stood face-to-face, yet not a single battle was joined, for hunger had sapped the strength of warriors.
At last, cries of distress arose from both camps as they realized this cosmic blight was the harvest of their own bloodshed and malice. Emissaries passed between them, forging a binding covenant of peace. They divided the earth by ancient custom and law: from the Sea of Paykand to the borders of Tur, extending to China and Khotan, was allocated to the Turanians, while the Turks bound themselves never to cross into the realms of Pars and Iran. As soon as malice was cast aside, the heavens unsealed their gates. Thunder echoed across the mountains, downpours drenched the dry soil, and the world transformed into a vibrant bride overflowing with blossoms and clear streams. For five golden years, Zoo ruled in peace and tranquility until his soul departed the mortal realm, leaving Iran once more to face the tides of destiny.