and will not keep in my coffer a single coin which I could spend for the welfare of the Muslims.”’
Malikshah, however, had no intention of following this example.He was mulling over an idea of whose merits Hassan had convinced him. He ordered:
‘I demand to be presented with a detailed summary of everything which goes into my Treasury and the precise way that it is
spent. When can I have it?’
Nizam seemed overwhelmed.
‘I can provide this summary, but it will take time.’
‘How long,
khawaja
?’
He had not said
ata
but
khawaja
– a very respectful title, but in this context so distant that it sounded very much like a repudiation or a prelude to disgrace.
Distraught, Nizam explained:
‘An emissary will have to be sent to every emir to carry out long calculations. By the grace of God, the empire is immense,
and thus it would be difficult to draw up this report in less than two years.’
Hassan, however, approached solemnly:
‘I promise our master that if he provides me with the means, if he orders all the papers of the
diwan
to be put into my hands, I will present him a completed report in forty days time.’
The Vizir wanted to respond, but Malikshah had already arisen. He strode towards the door and raised his voice:
‘Very well, Hassan will be installed in the
diwan
. The whole secretariat will be under his orders. No one will enter without his permission. In forty days time I will conclude
the matter.’
CHAPTER 14
Soon the whole empire was in an upheaval, the administration was paralysed, troop movements were reported and people spoke
of civil war. It was said that Nizam had distributed arms in certain districts of Isfahan. In the bazaar, the merchandise
had been stored away. The gates of the principal souks, notably that of the jewellers, were closed at the beginning of the
afternoon. In the neighbourhood of the
diwan
the tension was at its greatest. The Grand Vizir had had to hand over over his offices to Hassan, but his residence adjoined
them and only a small garden separated him from what had become the territory of his rival. Now the garden had been transformed
into a veritable barracks, and Nizam’s personal guard patrolled it nervously, armed to the teeth.
No one was more embarrassed than Omar. He wanted to intervene to calm spirits down and to find a way for the two adversaries
to compromise. Even though Nizam continued to receive him, he missed no occasion to reproach him for the ‘poisoned gift’ which
he had made him. Hassan on the other hand spent his time locked up with his papers, busy preparing the report which he had
to present to the Sultan. Only at night did he allow himself to stretch out on the large carpet of the
diwan
, surrounded by a handful of his trusty men.
Three days before the fateful day, Khayyam still wanted toattempt a final mediation. He went to Hassan’s apartments and insisted upon seeing him, but he was asked to come back one
hour later as the
sahib-khabar
was holding a meeting with the treasurers. Omar decided that he would take a few steps outside, and had just passed through
the doorway when one of the royal eunuchs, dressed all in red, addressed him:
‘If
khawaja
Omar would be so kind as to follow me, he is expected.’
After the man led him through a labyrinth of tunnels and staircases, Khayyam found himself in a garden of whose existence
he had had no suspicion. Peacocks strutted around free, apricots trees were in blossom and a fountain murmured. Behind the
fountain they came to a low door encrusted with mother-of-pearl. The eunuch opened it and invited Omar to proceed.
It was a vast room with brocade-lined walls, and at one end it had a sort of vaulted niche protected by a curtain, which fluttered
indicating someone’s presence behind it. Khayyam had hardly entered before the door was shut with a muffled sound. Another
minute of waiting and confusion ensued before a woman’s voice was heard. He did not
Malikshah, however, had no intention of following this example.He was mulling over an idea of whose merits Hassan had convinced him. He ordered:
‘I demand to be presented with a detailed summary of everything which goes into my Treasury and the precise way that it is
spent. When can I have it?’
Nizam seemed overwhelmed.
‘I can provide this summary, but it will take time.’
‘How long,
khawaja
?’
He had not said
ata
but
khawaja
– a very respectful title, but in this context so distant that it sounded very much like a repudiation or a prelude to disgrace.
Distraught, Nizam explained:
‘An emissary will have to be sent to every emir to carry out long calculations. By the grace of God, the empire is immense,
and thus it would be difficult to draw up this report in less than two years.’
Hassan, however, approached solemnly:
‘I promise our master that if he provides me with the means, if he orders all the papers of the
diwan
to be put into my hands, I will present him a completed report in forty days time.’
The Vizir wanted to respond, but Malikshah had already arisen. He strode towards the door and raised his voice:
‘Very well, Hassan will be installed in the
diwan
. The whole secretariat will be under his orders. No one will enter without his permission. In forty days time I will conclude
the matter.’
CHAPTER 14
Soon the whole empire was in an upheaval, the administration was paralysed, troop movements were reported and people spoke
of civil war. It was said that Nizam had distributed arms in certain districts of Isfahan. In the bazaar, the merchandise
had been stored away. The gates of the principal souks, notably that of the jewellers, were closed at the beginning of the
afternoon. In the neighbourhood of the
diwan
the tension was at its greatest. The Grand Vizir had had to hand over over his offices to Hassan, but his residence adjoined
them and only a small garden separated him from what had become the territory of his rival. Now the garden had been transformed
into a veritable barracks, and Nizam’s personal guard patrolled it nervously, armed to the teeth.
No one was more embarrassed than Omar. He wanted to intervene to calm spirits down and to find a way for the two adversaries
to compromise. Even though Nizam continued to receive him, he missed no occasion to reproach him for the ‘poisoned gift’ which
he had made him. Hassan on the other hand spent his time locked up with his papers, busy preparing the report which he had
to present to the Sultan. Only at night did he allow himself to stretch out on the large carpet of the
diwan
, surrounded by a handful of his trusty men.
Three days before the fateful day, Khayyam still wanted toattempt a final mediation. He went to Hassan’s apartments and insisted upon seeing him, but he was asked to come back one
hour later as the
sahib-khabar
was holding a meeting with the treasurers. Omar decided that he would take a few steps outside, and had just passed through
the doorway when one of the royal eunuchs, dressed all in red, addressed him:
‘If
khawaja
Omar would be so kind as to follow me, he is expected.’
After the man led him through a labyrinth of tunnels and staircases, Khayyam found himself in a garden of whose existence
he had had no suspicion. Peacocks strutted around free, apricots trees were in blossom and a fountain murmured. Behind the
fountain they came to a low door encrusted with mother-of-pearl. The eunuch opened it and invited Omar to proceed.
It was a vast room with brocade-lined walls, and at one end it had a sort of vaulted niche protected by a curtain, which fluttered
indicating someone’s presence behind it. Khayyam had hardly entered before the door was shut with a muffled sound. Another
minute of waiting and confusion ensued before a woman’s voice was heard. He did not
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