In his fourth year of life, after setting up the secret paper workshop and preparing the first modern writing tools, little Kourosh turned his attention to another aspect of his future empire; an aspect built not with iron and fire, but with hearts and minds: human connections. With his mature and forward-thinking mind, saturated with the knowledge of the twenty-first century, he knew well that a powerful and stable government is not built solely on the army and the economy, but requires a strong network of loyalty, trust, and solidarity among the nobles and tribes. Therefore, he decided to use his childhood years to plant the seeds of friendship and unity among the future generation of Persian nobility, especially his close relatives, who were to be the main pillars of the future empire.
Amidst the family and social gatherings in Anshan, which were accompanied by the sound of music and the delightful aroma of Persian foods, Kourosh found the opportunity to connect with members of the other branch of the Achaemenid dynasty, the line of Ariaramnes. He remembered that this branch, although currently in the shadow of Cambyses's rule and lacking direct power, would play a decisive role in the empire's future and could be either rivals or powerful allies. His first interactions began with his uncle, Arsames, the son of Ariaramnes, a wise and dignified man with a piercing and sagacious gaze. Kourosh listened carefully to Arsames's words, as if seeking wisdom from this great elder, and Arsames, in turn, was amazed by the child's unusual intelligence and politeness, seeing a light of the future in his eyes.
Then it was time to play with his cousins, who would become his main companions and the pillars of his empire in the future. Hystaspes, the son of Arsames, who was about the same age as Kourosh and would later become the father of Darius the Great, was a curious, passionate, and eager-to-learn youth who listened to Kourosh's ideas with enthusiasm. Kourosh also became acquainted with Pharnaces I, Hystaspes's brother and his other cousin. Pharnaces would become an efficient and unparalleled administrator for Darius in the future, and his administrative and organizational skills were of great value to Kourosh, who considered him for the future governance of his empire.
In their childhood games, which were often simulations of small battles or the administration of a fictional tribe, Kourosh not only displayed his intelligence, wisdom, and justice but also tried to plant the seeds of new ideas and advanced concepts in the minds of his cousins. He talked to them about better ways to organize their games, fair resolutions to their disputes, and sometimes even about simple designs for construction or organization. These conversations were very fascinating for Hystaspes and Pharnaces, as they saw in them a spark of genius far beyond that of a child, and from a young age, they were influenced by Kourosh's hidden charisma and deep insight.
Kourosh also interacted with Bagapates, another close Achaemenid relative and his cousin. Bagapates, who would later be known as one of the important generals of Cyrus the Great and then Darius the Great, was a capable youth with military talent, whose courage and skill in martial arts were evident from childhood. In their battle games and early archery and horsemanship practices, Kourosh paid attention to Bagapates's skills and, with his admiration, guided him towards cooperation and friendship, considering a place for him in his future army.
These initial bonds were more than just a simple childhood friendship. Kourosh consciously tried to win their loyalty for the future and turn them into the main pillars of his empire. He listened to their words, understood their fears and aspirations, and showed empathy in a way that was unprecedented for a child. He knew that these cousins would one day become the main generals, ministers, and advisors of his empire, and the strong bonds of childhood would be the best guarantee of their loyalty in the future against any conspiracy or internal rebellion.
These deep and intelligent connections, formed with a special subtlety by Kourosh, not only allowed him to penetrate the hearts of the new generation of Persian nobility and gain their support but also provided a hidden channel for introducing his innovations. These children and teenagers, who were now fascinated by Kourosh's unique games and ideas, would soon take his new writing tools—paper and the New Persian pen—to their own powerful households and, unwittingly, sow the seeds of the knowledge and technology revolution among the Persian elders, paving the way for the spread of this knowledge.
With every interaction, Kourosh not only deepened the friendships but also laid the foundations of a vast network of loyalty and trust. He knew that these seeds of friendship would one day grow into mighty trees of support, whose shade would spread over his thousand-year empire. This was the beginning of Kourosh's plan to unite the clans and tribes, not by the force of the sword, but by the power of wisdom and friendship.