Gudovich was immediately overjoyed.
Tabriz was the forward base for the Persian Army's assault on Tbilisi. If something went wrong there, Mirza's forces would inevitably fall into disarray.
Gudovich was about to settle the timing of the deployment with the Shirvan envoy when he suddenly frowned and asked, "Do you have an insider in Tabriz?"
The envoy immediately shook his head. "No, General."
"I recall that Shirvan's elite forces were all taken away by Mirza. With only two thousand men, Askar will likely find it difficult to capture Tabriz."
The envoy straightened his back and declared loudly, "Every Shirvan man is a warrior!"
"A pointless attack brings no benefit." Gudovich waved a hand to cut him off. "All logistical supplies transported from Tabriz to Tbilisi pass through Shaki."
The envoy nodded.
Shaki was a city in northwestern Shirvan, holding the only route to Georgia—the Sylvain Plain.
Gudovich pondered briefly, then instructed him, "Go back and tell Askar to find a way to intercept the next logistics convoy from Tabriz at Shaki, then burn it all.
"I guarantee that after the Persians are defeated, Shirvan will be granted permanent autonomy."
"Yes, General. The Shirvan people will assist you with all their strength!"
The Russian Army then launched an unhurried offensive against Tbilisi. More than half a month later, Gudovich noticed something unusual in the Persian lines and immediately ordered the entire army to launch a fierce surprise attack.
Meanwhile, a sudden "fire" in Shaki destroyed over three months' worth of provisions and ammunition, and Persian morale instantly plunged to freezing point.
Under wave after wave of attacks by Russian cavalry supported by cannon, the Persian positions north of Tbilisi City held out for only five days before being completely cleared.
With his supplies cut off, Mirza ultimately chose to withdraw from