Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 119 Expedition
Tehran's train station was packed with people today because the Tabriz-Tehran railway was completed ahead of schedule and officially began operation after inspection.

The railway is 725 kilometers long, starting from Tehran, passing through cities such as Qazvin, and finally reaching Tabriz.

The Grand Vizier and the Mayor of Tehran attended the celebration, and Amir stood on the podium and addressed the crowd.

"This is a turning point for our country's transportation. From now on, the journey between Tabriz and Tehran can be completed in two days. This will have a huge impact on our country's economy."

The train then set off for Tabriz, carrying 50 passengers and 20 tons of cargo. The railway had officially begun operation.

What did the Grand Vizier think when he looked at this railway?

Wallace, who had come to attend the ceremony, asked Amir a question. Amir exhaled and replied.

"This is our beginning!"

Wallace didn't say anything, he just nodded.

"Her Majesty the Queen is concerned about the attack on your caravan in the East, and our country is willing to provide assistance."

The East India Company reported to the London government that an Iranian ship was heading east to trade with the Qing Dynasty. However, it was attacked on a nearby embankment. The East India Company believed that Iran's intention to trade with the Qing Dynasty was tacitly approved.

Unfortunately, Britain couldn't control Qing China the way it controlled India. The only way was to secure the largest share of trade before more foreign countries arrived, but currently, the only thing they were profiting from in Qing China was opium. Textiles and other goods were unsellable.

"Thank you for your kindness, but our country is capable of handling this difficulty. Moreover, those who dare to attack the caravan will eventually pay the price."

"I see. If needed, our country will provide assistance at any time."

Trade between Britain and Iran increased significantly, and some merchants chose to do business in Tehran and Tabriz. Several new trading houses emerged, selling British goods such as cotton cloth, cotton, and other commodities. However, this competed with Iran's most important textile industry, so they sold to neighboring Ottomans and instead sold other goods to Iran.

Britain had intended to put pressure on Iran, but the situation in Russia far exceeded their expectations. Religious fervor and Pan-Slavism dominated the populace, who demanded dominance in Europe.

The same situation exists within Britain; some people harbor not goodwill towards Russia, but rather disgust. Don't think that just because they helped Britain fight Napoleon, you can ride roughshod over them. You're just a bunch of backward, semi-civilized barbarians; that place is freezing cold, and all you do there is wrestle with brown bears.

Public sentiment on both sides is severely polarized. The British government was initially able to maintain its composure, but Parliament has begun to waver.

Following the enactment of the Parliamentary Reform Act of 1832, a large number of industrialists, merchants, and citizens entered Parliament. When merchants held a voice, the economic benefits that government decisions could bring in a short period of time became particularly important.

These members of parliament believed that supporting the Ottoman Empire's attack on Russia would not only curb Tsarist Russia's ambitions but also ensure that the Ottoman Empire and Britain would stand firmly together to expand their markets. Meanwhile, the voters were enraged by Russian greed, and the two countries had entered a semi-confrontational state.

Since the goal is to confront Russia, Iran is naturally an indispensable player. Therefore, the instructions from the London government remain primarily supportive, leaving other areas to their own devices as long as their core interests—India and South Africa—are not touched.

"We hope that Britain can help our country fight against other threats, and now is a time to test the friendship between our two countries."

"Rest assured, Grand Vizier, the British Empire values ​​friendship above all else."

—————————— "Uncle, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, you came just in time."

Seeing the arriving Iranian troops, Bahram felt that his previous perseverance had been worthwhile.

By this time, two and a half months had passed since Bahram defended the dike, during which time he withstood no fewer than 15 large-scale attacks from Vietnam. The enemy also suffered considerable losses, but after a series of successive attacks, the dike was on the verge of being breached.

At this critical moment, Nasser arrived with reinforcements, using cannons from his ships to bombard the Saigon fortress on the opposite bank and the attacking Vietnamese forces.

Caught off guard by this surprise attack, the Vietnamese army was thrown into disarray. Many soldiers, without officers' command, began to turn in panic, attempting to defend themselves with their own weapons. However, they forgot that they were on the offensive, and such a turn could easily lead to a rout.

As expected, the Vietnamese collapsed, and the result of this collapse was widespread desertion. Seeing the dire situation, Nguyen Tri Phuong, the commander, disregarded everything else and led his soldiers in a hasty retreat towards Saigon without looking back. This retreat further deterred the Vietnamese army from further resistance; the saying "a defeated army collapses like a mountain" perfectly described the situation. In an instant, the entire battlefield was filled with fleeing Vietnamese, and the Chinese and Khmer watching from the embankment were equally stunned by this sight.

Who could have imagined that in just a short time, the battlefield would turn out like this? The Vietnamese, whom they considered invincible, had actually been defeated, and defeated so badly at that.

Subsequently, after destroying some castles and palisades along the Saigon River, the army on board captured Saigon, and Nguyen Tri Phuong fled to Nha Trang with a few dozen followers. Iran had achieved final victory.

"Uncle, this is Mohammed, the leader of the Iranian expeditionary force."

Bahram grasped Muhammad's hand and said, "Thank you for coming. Without you, I'm afraid everyone here would have been killed."

Looking at the different faces before him, Muhammad felt as if he had entered a new world. Even in India, he would only find it novel, but the people here were completely different. It seemed that his future lay here.

“I have come on the orders of the Shah, and I have a decree from the Shah to give you.”

Upon hearing the order, Bahram listened attentively. It was a formal decree appointing Bahram as the local governor, granting him extensive powers, including personnel appointments and foreign affairs.

"Thank you, Shah. May he live a long life."

Bahram was grateful for Nasser al-Din's trust in him, and he immediately issued his first personnel order.

"Mr. Li Cai, from now on, you will be my deputy. It will be a pleasure working with you."

This was the first time he had ever seen such a way of taking office. However, since he had been promoted, Li Cai wanted to thank the governor and express his gratitude according to the usual etiquette.

"Thank you for your new appointment, sir. I will do my best in this position."

Subsequently, Bahram moved the governor's office to Saigon, where the dense network of waterways and well-developed water transport system made it easier to govern the delta compared to the causeway.

(End of this chapter)