Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 113 Public Opinion
The two-month-long Tehran Industrial Fair has concluded, attracting 30 visitors and generating over 1100 million riyals in trade.

Many people were deeply impressed by the industry displayed at the exposition, and driven by the need to break free from Russian commercial encroachment, they invested their own funds in new factories.

The textile and food industries naturally attract the most investment, and their products are the easiest to sell. This includes not only meeting domestic demand but also exporting; trade with the Arabian Peninsula is a crucial trading hub for Iran.

After reaching an agreement with the Shah of Iran, the Sammae tribe began to reorganize its army. Because the entire tribe was militia, it was easy for them to develop an army of tens of thousands. Trade with Iran would also allow them to obtain more support and funds.

With funds and weapons, they wanted to expand, but because they were Shia Muslims, marriage alliances were not an option. They could only expand by force, and their main adversary was naturally the Saudi family, which had unified the Arabian Peninsula.

At this time, the Saud family ruled over a vast region of Najd, but internal conflicts were intense, and they were completely unaware of the external threats. Due to the influence of Wahhabism, the Saud family continued to follow its doctrines, but the gradually increasing influence of the Shia remained their main obstacle.

The Shamari tribe sent a message to the Saudi family, and the two sides agreed to a major battle at Hufuf, with the winner gaining control of the eastern region.

In order to gain more advantages, the tribe ordered large quantities of firearms, gunpowder, and canned food from Iran. This type of food could be kept fresh for a long time and was very useful in the desert.

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Moscow, the former capital of the Russian Empire, was rebuilt after being destroyed in the War of 1812 and, thanks to its geographical location, became a major economic center.

"Russia is the greatest country, all land should be under the rule of the empire, and all people should be subjects of the Tsar. No one can stop the great Russian Empire, even if it is our close ally."

Inside a pub in the city center, a man was giving a speech that stirred up a frenzy among the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the great Russia has always wanted to be a respected country, but every friendly gesture toward Europe has been met with insults. Is it because we are too weak or they are too arrogant?
We have always looked up to those countries, but they haven't even given us a second glance. It's utter arrogance; they need what we produce yet despise us from the bottom of their hearts. And in the south, millions of our brothers await our rescue, living under the evil rule of the Ottomans.

At this moment, prolonged applause erupted in the tavern, and after the applause subsided, the speech continued.

"No one in the world can defeat the Russian Empire. We will not only take back Constantinople, but also continue south to reclaim Jerusalem from the infidels. I believe this is the most wonderful gift God has given to the Russians."

Just as everyone was cheering, the police burst in, plunging the tavern into chaos. Some arrested people, others fled, and those who had been watching from the shadows also left, returning to a farm in the suburbs.

"My lord, their speech tonight was very successful. Those people were very excited when they heard about the recapture of Constantinople."

The man in the main seat nodded, then asked the others if they had done the same. Upon receiving an affirmative reply, he smiled. “You have all done very well. We must continue our efforts. I will speak to the Shah on your behalf, and you will all be rewarded.”

As a branch of intelligence gathering targeting Russia, Saleh's mission was to incite nationalist sentiment within Russia. They aimed to make everyone in Russia, from royalty and nobility to ordinary citizens, believe that war and expansion were Russia's only means of survival. Until this goal was achieved, Russia had to continue fighting, even if the Tsar requested a ceasefire, as there were undoubtedly treacherous advisors around the Tsar urging him to surrender.

Saleh had never heard of such a request before, but they had to fulfill the Shah's orders. After receiving 50 riyals in funding, they began their first step in influencing Russian sentiment: launching a newspaper.

Despite the suppression, the Russian newspaper industry continued to develop rapidly. At that time, the newspaper industry had two main themes: support for serfdom and monarchy, and opposition to serfdom, and even some opposition to monarchy. The newspapers they founded naturally belonged to the former.

They found a fallen nobleman named Mikhail Iliescu and hired him as the newspaper's editor-in-chief for 2500 rials a year. With him in charge, Rossiyskaya Gazeta was officially launched.

To achieve high circulation, it needed to be eye-catching enough. Newspapers were filled with articles praising the Tsar's merits while condemning the Decembrists' treason, saying that Tsar Alexander I was ready to carry out reforms, but due to health reasons, he had to hand them over to his brother, the next Tsar Nicholas I.

But they couldn't wait any longer, so they tried to stage a coup, which fortunately failed under Nicholas I's leadership. Nicholas I was also a diligent and hardworking Tsar; he worked day and night to improve the lives of the peasants. How could such a person not be called a good Tsar?

Such flattering language was bound to irritate the liberals, but it was welcomed by the aristocracy. Newspapers claimed that the aristocracy should lead Russia to strength, and that handing power over to the people would only bring destruction.

Such rhetoric appealed to conservatives, and Moscow's aristocratic landowners all owned a copy of the Russian newspaper. The newspaper's circulation increased to 2000 copies per day, and magazines and other publications were also added.

Their discourse shifted towards nationalism, advocating Russian superiority and claiming that while Russia had gained access to the sea, it was still subject to others, with Turkey to the south holding Constantinople, which was unacceptable. They asserted that Russia must reclaim the city.

Even liberals have to support this now, because they know the current situation in Russia. In order to avoid being controlled by others in terms of access to the sea, Constantinople must also be taken.

As a result, newspaper circulation surged, and even Nicholas I found a copy of the Russian newspaper on his desk. Influenced by the newspapers, some intellectuals began giving speeches everywhere, proclaiming Russia's Manifest Destiny.

"Sir, is it really possible that Iran and Russia will go to war? After all, I heard from my father that the Russians are very powerful, and we..."

One of them asked somewhat uneasily, explaining that his father had once fought with the Russians, and the Russians' tall stature and fierce expressions were still unforgettable for his father. This experience instilled fear in him as well.

“I know it’s difficult here,” Saleh said, “but we must continue. Iran’s shame must be washed away. It will be difficult, but it’s a good path. One day, we will see it.”

(End of this chapter)