The leading Persian officer had his men search the entire Governor's Palace, but not even a lowly clerk could be found, so he ordered everyone from the two grandest buildings across the street to be brought over.
He addressed the Azerbaijani nobles kneeling on the ground in Persian:
"By the crown of the great Shah and the Code of the Prophet—I swear by the ancient dust of Tabriz, today it is cleansed by the crescent moon!
"Go and tell everyone, their Shah has returned."
Most Azerbaijanis understood Persian, and immediately prostrated themselves in response, then retreated on their knees.
The officer then turned to his deputy:
"Summon all Darugas and Mukhtasibs in the city at once, clear out every last Russian remnant, as well as the traitors who aided them."
"Daruga" refers to the sheriff in Azerbaijan, while "Mukhtasib" is the religious police.
In customs and religious beliefs, Persians and Azerbaijanis are identical, making administration smooth and familiar.
