“The King is self-willed.  He has not yet felt either the cold or the heat of the world.  He thinks that all men, great and small, tremble at his sword, and it must needs be that he learn better by experience.  However, I will go; I will give him the best advice that I can.  If he will be persuaded by me, it will be well; but if not, the way is open, and Rustem shall go with his army.”  All night long he revolved these matters in his heart.  The next morning he went his way, and arrived at the court of the King.

The King received him with all honor, bade him sit by his side, and inquired how he had borne the fatigue of his journey, and of the welfare of Rustem, his son.  Then Zal spoke: 

“I have heard, my lord, that you are forming plans against the land of the Genii.  Will it please you to listen to me?  There have been mighty kings before you, but never during all my years, which now are many, has any one of them conceived in his heart such a design as this.  This land is inhabited by Genii that are skilful in all magical arts.  They can lay such bonds upon men that no one is able to hurt them.  No sword is keen enough to cut them through; riches and wisdom and valor are alike powerless against them.  I implore you, therefore, not to waste your riches, and the riches of your country and the blood of your warriors, on so hopeless an enterprise.”

The King answered, “Doubtless it is true that the kings my predecessors never ventured to entertain such a plan.  But am I not superior to them in courage, in power and wealth?  Had they such warriors as you, and Rustem your son?  Do not think to turn me from my purpose.  I will go against the country of these accursed magicians, and verily I will not leave one single soul alive in it, for they are an evil race.  If you do not care to come with me, at least refrain from advising me to sit idle upon my throne.”

When Zal heard this answer, he said:  “You are the King, and we are your slaves.  Whatever you ordain is right and just, and it is only by thy good pleasure that we breathe and move.  I have said what was in my heart.  All that remains now is to obey, and to pray that the Ruler of the world may prosper your counsels.”

When he had thus spoken, Zal took leave of the King, and departed for his own country.

The very next day the King set out with his army for the land of the Genii, and, after marching for several days, pitched his tent at the foot of Mount Asprus, and held a great revel all the night long with his chiefs.  The next morning he said, “Choose me two thousand men who will break down the gates of Mazanderan with their clubs.  And take care that when you have taken the city you spare neither young nor old, for I will rid the world of these magicians.”  They did as the King commanded, and in a short space of time the city, which was before the richest and most beautiful in the whole world, was made into a desert.