The years passed like a swift breeze through the vast plains and towering mountains of Behistun, and little Kourosh, once just a curious child, had now reached the threshold of his tenth year. His stature had grown taller, and his piercing eyes, as if a mirror of endless wisdom, showed years of contemplation and preparation in the solitude of that mountain sanctuary. With every sunset, the moment of his return to the stage of history, where he was destined to play a great role, drew nearer. On one of those pleasant evenings, in the shadow of Mithradates's simple hut, Kourosh sat in conversation with Aban, his shrewd and loyal merchant. Aban, whose face had become more mature and confident over these five years, had been Kourosh's right hand in building the foundations of the new Persian trade, planting the initial seeds of what would later be called the "Golden Roads" in the fertile soil of the Iranian plateau.
Kourosh, in a voice mixed with anticipation and curiosity, turned to Aban and asked, "Aban, tell me, what fruits have our Golden Roads borne in these five years? How far have the roots of the trade network we built together spread?" Aban, with a smile that showed pride and satisfaction, paused for a moment and then, pointing to a rough map he had drawn over the years, replied, "My lord, with the help of your unparalleled wisdom, the seeds we planted have now grown into mighty trees. We have established two main trade routes that, like vital arteries, have taken the pulse of this land's trade into their hands."
He pointed with his hand to a line drawn from the north and continued, "Our northern route begins from the region of Armenia, from the city of Tushpa on the shores of modern-day Lake Van. This route passes through Ecbatana, the ancient capital of the Medes, proceeds towards Rey in the heart of Iran, and crosses the Khorasan Highway to reach Merv, that prosperous eastern city. This artery connects the east and west of the Iranian plateau and transports goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals through the heart of this land."
Aban paused for a moment and then added with more enthusiasm, "To expand this northern route, we are still negotiating with local tribes and rulers. Our goal is to extend the route across the Hari River and reach Balkh in the far east. From the west, negotiations are ongoing to extend this line beyond Armenia to Lydia in Asia Minor. This expansion will connect us to the prosperous Greek markets and the Mediterranean coasts." He then pointed to the southern line: "Our southern route begins from Babylon, that ancient and magnificent city, passes through Susa, the center of Elamite civilization, and reaches Anshan, the heart of your kingdom. This route then extends to Hormuz on the shores of the Persian Gulf and from there to Jiroft in southeastern Iran. This line is our gateway to the eastern seas and maritime trade with distant lands."
Kourosh listened carefully to Aban's words. These achievements, in this short five-year period, were beyond his imagination. Aban continued, "We have also reached important agreements with key Median and Persian tribes. Relying on clever diplomacy and creating common interests, we have established the trade route between Anshan and Ecbatana, which passes through Isfahan. This route, like a vital bridge, connects the northern and southern lines and has made our trade network more integrated. This connection has not only made a fairer distribution of goods possible but has also brought prosperity and peace to every corner of this land."
Aban then turned to their great innovation in organization: "My lord, we have carefully identified and recorded the resources and manufactured goods of this entire land. Using the 'Persian Numbers' system that you invented and regular writings on paper, we have identified the needs of each region and have made trade targeted. For example, we know which area has surplus grain and which needs tools or textiles. This method, which prevents the waste of resources, has given us unprecedented precision and efficiency. In these five years, we have witnessed that with the opening of new markets, production has increased in many regions, and people have been encouraged to work harder."
He excitedly moved on to another part of their achievements: "For the convenience of merchants and the prosperity of trade, we have built caravanserais at key points along these routes. These caravanserais, equipped with clean water, safe resting places, and facilities for exchanging goods, serve not only our merchants but also other travelers and traders. These places, which are like safe havens on long journeys, have gradually turned into small regional markets. Merchants exchange their goods in these caravanserais, share news and information, and a living, dynamic network of trade and communication has been formed."
Aban then pointed to their strategic cooperation with Fariborz, the mastermind of Kourosh's espionage network: "My lord, on this path, we have worked closely with Fariborz. Our caravanserais are now not just resting places, but secure points for gathering intelligence. Fariborz has stationed his trusted men in these places to collect news of military movements, rumors from the Median court, and even the daily conversations of the people. Merchants and travelers who come from various lands bring with them valuable information for us. This data is regularly sent to Fariborz in Ecbatana and, after initial analysis, reaches you. This link between trade and espionage has given us unparalleled power."
Kourosh, upon hearing this comprehensive and fruitful report, felt a deep pride take root within him. The Golden Roads, which were once just a dream in his mind, had now become the vital arteries of his nascent empire. He knew well that this trade network, beyond material wealth, would strengthen cultural and political ties and provide the foundation for achieving his great ideal—a stable empire that would endure for a thousand years.