The Grand Vezír and Commander-in-Chief Marches Against Persia
In the treaty entered into by Kází Ján, the Persian ambassador who had accompanied Nesúh Páshá to Constantinople, as the reader may remember, it was stipulated on the part of the Persian sháh, to furnish the head of the Ottoman government with one hundred loads of silk and one hundred loads of precious wares. For the last two years, however, this tribute had been withheld, and the sháh, thus endeavouring to rid himself of his engagements, violated the treaty. The emperors patience forsook him; his rage kindled into a flame. He sent a royal letter to the grand vezír, Mohammed Páshá, to assemble the whole of the household troops, those of Romeili and Anatolia, and march immediately against Persia. The grand vezír appointed Gúrjí Mohammed Páshá to be his deputy in Constantinople; Lunka Zádeh was made treasurer; and the government of Bosnia was conferred on Sulfi Bákí Páshá.
On the 23d of Rabia II. the grand vezír passed over with his splendid army to Scutari, remained there about three weeks, and reached Aleppo in the month of Shabán. Dervísh Tálib Effendí, the ordinary of the ancient mosque of Selím, and chief of the astrologers, accompanied Mohammed Páshá in the capacity of astrologer, and was never absent from him.
In consequence of the lateness of the season, however, the commander-in-chief was obliged to distribute his troops into winter-quarters, intending to commence hostilities as soon as the proper time arrived. He himself took up his quarters in the palace of Aleppo, the válí of which, Etmekjí Zádeh, having been recalled to court, he appointed his deputy in room of Gúrjí Mohammed Páshá, and sent him off.