On the fourth of Jumada al-Akhira Qibjaq rode through the city with the banners unfurled (1) and the shāwishiyya—sergeants-at-arms—going before him. He then dispatched roughly (2) one thousand horsemen toward Khirbat al-Lussus, striding about like a king: bestowing provinces, appointing emirs, and issuing lofty, binding decrees, so that he became, as the poet (3) says:
O little lark (4) perched upon Maʿmar,
The sky is yours—so lay, turn yellow, and sing;
Peck to your heart’s content, peck all you wish!
Next, he leased out the taverns (5) and the brothels—those in the khans and elsewhere—and even turned the house of Ibn Jaradah outside Bab Tuma into a wine-shop and brothel. From this he drew a thousand dirhams each day, an income that ultimately ruined him (6) and erased his legacy. He also seized other monies belonging to the endowments of the madrasahs and the like.
Bolai returned from the Jordan Valley, sowing corruption in the land: he plundered and devastated the countryside, accompanied by a large band of Tatars who destroyed many villages, killed their inhabitants, and carried off numbers of their children. Another levy was exacted from Damascus for Bolai as well. A detachment sallied forth from the Citadel, killed and plundered some Tatars, and in the fray several Muslims were slain; they also captured a group who had taken refuge with the Tatars.
Qibjaq ordered the city’s preacher and several notables to enter the Citadel and speak with its deputy about reconciliation. They went in to him on Monday, the twelfth of Jumada al-Akhira, spoke volubly and pressed him hard, but he would not agree. He responded commendably, with excellence and courage—may Allah brighten his face.
On the eighth (7) of Rajab Qibjaq summoned the judges and dignitaries and made them swear an oath of sincere counsel to the Mahmudid state—that is, to Ghazan—and they duly swore.
On that same day (8), a Monday, Shaykh Taqi al-Din Ibn Taymiyya went out to Bolai’s camp to negotiate the release of the Muslim captives (9) held there. He rescued many of them from their hands (10), remained with him for three days, and then returned.