The Ottoman soldier arrived in Erzurum in 2 weeks.He got off his horse,took his bag and then tied the horse on the tree.He saw myriad of tents across the plains.He was walking and observing the environment in front of him.He soon spotted middle-aged man with white hair who was wearing luxurious robe of pasha(Ottoman vizier,minister).He was passing in and out.
-"This must be Lala Kara Mustafa pasha."-He thought for a second.
He immediately headed towards him.Soon,he was in front the grand vizier.When the soldier looked at his face,he got scared.Lala pasha had extremely strict and ferocious gaze.His black eyes were burning with sparks.
-Greetings,grand vizier!
-Raise your head!Who are you?What are you doing in my military camp?
-I'm the runaway soldier...
-What?What is the runaway soldier possibly doing here?!
-Don't take offense,please!I sneaked out from the Tbilisi fortress and came here to deliver the letter of the commander-in-chief.He urgently sent me here to inform you about the difficulties that my comrades are facing there.Please,read this!-The soldier took out the letter and passed it to Lala pasha.
The Ottoman grand vizier read the letter carefully and was speechless.He didn't expect such devastating news.
-What do you suggest?What should we do,your excellency?
-We need to send soldiers and architects in order to fix the roads towards Tbilisi.We won't be going to Tavriz.We have no choice but to postpone our combat in Tavriz.I have to lead the troops personally and fight with this insolent Simon.Then,we will help Mehmed pasha with thousands of janissaries.And,I must make him step down.It turns out,that he is incompetent.I have to send the letter to our sultan-Murad III.
-Will you send the letter to Mehmed pasha as well?
-Yes,of course!He should be informed,that his days as the commander-in-chief of the fortress are numbered.You just wait for me here.I will get back to you soon.
Lala Kara Mustafa pasha entered inside his tent,sat down on the pillow in front of the table and wrote the letter.He wrote:
"Mehmed pasha,I received your letter.I am totally perplexed.I will be in Tbilisi in a few months.Before that,I will be fixing the roads towards Tbilisi.Know,that I will be leading the army and arrive there.My army will be fighting against Simon and his insolent soldiers.Afterwords will leave at least 10 thousand janissaries in the Tbilisi stronghold.Your days as the commander-in-chief are numbered,pasha.I will also bring along the proper candidate for your job.Untill my arrival,you must make sure,that at least 200 soldiers will be alive."
Lala pasha finished the letter and came out from the tent.He passed the letter to the runaway soldier.
-Don't lose this letter by no means!Ride your horse carefully!Go at once!
-Yes,your excellency!
The soldier ran towards his horse,got on it and rode.Simon's 3 soldiers were hiding behind the bushes and saw the runaway soldier talking with Lala pasha.As soon as that Ottoman janissary left the place,they got on their horses and pursued him.