Murad III foresaw the advice of his second vizier-Husrev pasha.The sultan made him write the letter to Lala pasha and Hasan pasha.Husrev pasha sent one of his bodyguards to Erzurum.He reached Lala pasha's military camp in 4 days.When he arrived,Lala pasha and Hasan pasha were sitting beside each other and talking about something.As soon as the stranger approached them,they stopped talking.The bodyguard bowed his head in of them as the sign of respect to his superiors:
-Greetings,pashas!
-Lift your head!Who are you?-Lala pasha commanded him.
-I am one of the bodyguards of the second vizier-Husrev pasha.
-What does your master want?Tell us!
-Husrev pasha attended the last meeting of the imperial council where the devastating defeat of our empire was discussed.The sultan was outrageous.He was yelling and Husrev pasha weighed in on summoning you two to the capital.My master said,that both of you are responsible for the dire consequence.Therefore,the sultan made my master write the letter to you two.I have just brought it to you.
-We are not at adds with Husrev pasha.He is absolutely right.It is our fault that we lost the battle.Give me the letter.
The bodyguard gave the letter to Lala pasha.He read it carefully and then told Hasan pasha to gather all of the janissaries.Hasan pasha went to carry his order out.Soon,he returned with the entire army.Lala pasha informed them about the sultan's command and ordered them to get on their horses and march towards Istanbul.They arrived there in 4 days.It was morning and all of the viziers were notified to gather at the urgent meeting of the imperial council.
When sultan Murad came,all of the viziers had already gathered at the council chamber.The sultan sat down on his throne and looked at Lala pasha.His eyes were burning with inner rage:
-Lala pasha!Come forward at once!
-Please appease your rage,your majesty!
-It is your fault that the empire lost the combat.You chose Hasan pasha as the capable commander in order to suppress Simon's rebellion.You opted for the wrong person.So,from now on,you won't be the grand vizier.I appoint Sinan pasha as the new grand vizier and the commander-in-chief of the entire Ottoman forces.Sinan pasha come to me and kiss my hand!
Sinan pasha came forward and came to the sultan.Sultan Murad extended his right hand and Sinan pasha kissed it as sign of appreciation and respect to the sultan's command.The sultan made Lala pasha give Sinan pasha the grand vizier's seal.Lala pasha withdrew next to Hasan pasha with devastated face.The sultan applied to the whole imperial council:
-Hasan pasha,you will remain as the governor of Damascus and from now on you won't be allowed to be the commander of any of the upcoming battles.This will be your punishment.Now,let's discuss how to deal with Simon's insolence.Husrev pasha,weigh in on.We are all ears.
-As we all have seen recently,we could not defeat Simon and his soldiers with fighting battles.Allow me to write the letter and notify him that he must turn his back on Persians and be on our side.If we can achieve this,Simon will be just a mere subordinate,in other words a puppet king.
-I am aware of the meaning of your words,Husrev pasha.The council writer,give him paper,ink,feather and your desk. He has to write the letter right now.
The council writer immediately got up and Husrev pasha sat down at the desk.
-What is your command,your majesty?
-Write:"I,Husrev pasha,the loyal subject of sultan Murad III intend to make the convenient deal between you and the Ottoman empire.If you cut your ties with the Safavid empire and assist the janissaries inside the Tbilisi garrison with food provisions,you will be the ruler of your own kingdom and the sultan will approve this with his decree that you will receive in Tbilisi."
Nobody at the council meeting opposed this offer.The sultan commanded one of his bodyguards to take the letter and deliver it to Simon.