بخش 7

The King (Kavus) sent a rider to the Caesar of Rome, asking for brave warriors and experienced commanders to join him in his campaign. News came from Hamaveran and the plains of the spearmen about Rustam's victories in Egypt and Barbary. Brave men, eager for battle, gathered and wrote a letter to Kavus. They stated that when the armies of Turan, led by Afrasiyab, sought to conquer Iran and take the crown, they were distressed by this ambition. They recounted how they had fought Afrasiyab and made life bitter for him, with many casualties on both sides. Now, hearing that the Iranian throne was secure again, they pledged their loyalty. They promised that if the King marched from Barbary, they would join him and turn the desert into a river of blood with the enemy's blood. The messenger delivered this letter to the King of Iran, who was pleased with their support. Kavus then wrote to Afrasiyab, warning him to leave Iran and stop his aggression. He told Afrasiyab that Turan was enough for him and that he shouldn't overreach, or he would suffer. He reminded him that Iran was Kavus's seat and the whole world was under his command. He warned that even a fierce leopard dares not challenge a lion. When Afrasiyab received the message, he was furious and replied arrogantly. He claimed that Iran belonged to him by right of his ancestor, the son of Fereydun. He boasted that he had cleared the land of Arabs with his sword and was now ready for war. The messenger returned and reported this to Kavus. Kavus prepared his army, a vast force from Barbary and Syria, to fight Afrasiyab. The battle was fierce; the noise of drums and trumpets deafened the world, and blood flowed like waves. Afrasiyab's luck turned, and two-thirds of his army were killed. Seeing this, Afrasiyab rallied his remaining troops, urging them to fight harder and specifically targeting Rustam. He promised his daughter and the kingdom to anyone who could capture Rustam. The Turks attacked with renewed vigor, but it was futile. Seeing the situation hopeless, Afrasiyab retreated to Turan, heartbroken and defeated, having sought a cure but found only poison.