Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 124 Preaching
While contacting relatives in the United States, Lawrence also made sure to maintain connections with his former employer in Iran. To ensure the Shah wouldn't forget him, he began soliciting donations from those around him, including Saeed.

"Dear Mr. Said, it's been a long time. I was planning to visit you in person, but I had to take care of some business matters. Here is a check for 20 riyals to thank you for your help."

Said looked at the check and almost laughed. Everything he had was given to him by the Shah. If he tried to hide anything, he would lose everything he had now, and even his family would be implicated.

"Oh, Saeed, how's the investment I asked you to make going?"

“Shah, all is well. The funds we earned in Somalia have already been invested in the Ottoman Empire and Tabriz, and we have also selected several individuals as our investment targets.”

Somali plantations and iron ore mines generate 70 rials annually, a substantial sum in European society. However, Nasser al-Din did not use it for personal enjoyment, but rather for other investments. For example, he used agents to invest in factories in the Ottoman Empire and other European countries, or he established lobbying groups in Britain and France to sway their support on the Iranian issue.

However, investing in factories overseas is a bit slow, and the procedures take a considerable amount of time. Therefore, investing money directly in the stock exchanges of London, Paris, and Amsterdam is generally a profitable strategy.

"Tell me, who do you think is worthy of this position in Britain?"

Said produced a document, saying, "This is a member of parliament from the Aberdeen area who has criticized Britain for waging an evil war against the East. I think he should take a moderate stance towards our country."

He had heard of this man before: William Eulter Gladstone, one of the greatest prime ministers in British history. He held a moderate stance on foreign policy and favored an isolationist policy.

"This one is indeed quite good. It seems that if we want them to remain neutral, we'll have to get the council involved."

The British Parliament has become an important government decision-making body. If it can lobby one-tenth of the members, Downing Street can basically consider maintaining good relations with Iran.

"Yes, Your Majesty, and Mr. Lawrence also wrote me a letter."

That's something new. Naserdin asked jokingly, "What did he say to you?"

"Just some ordinary things, asking Shah how you are doing?"

Said relayed all the questions raised in the letter to Naserdin, knowing that Lawrence wanted to build a relationship so that he could support him.

"I hope he's doing well."

Naser al-Din and Saeed strolled together in the palace gardens, enjoying their leisure time. The Shah, too, needed time to relax.

"I have seen the Shah," Mirza of Fahta bowed to Nasser al-Din.

"Welcome, dear Fahta. I hope you've brought me some different news today."

By this time, the Shah had consolidated control over the clergy, and those who disobeyed were executed. The establishment of religious councils restricted their speech to the limits permitted by the Shah, and prohibited their recruitment of private armies and family-based business activities, on the grounds that such actions would demonstrate a lack of devotion and commitment to God.

The religious power that had existed for over 100 years has been weakened by more than half in just a few years. Meanwhile, industrial development has created a group of staunch government supporters who, if they want to retain their remaining power, have no choice but to obey the Shah's orders.

However, the Shah spared their lives and funded their travels to spread the faith, particularly in Central Asia and Afghanistan. He supported the construction of mosques and libraries, and Shia ideology began to spread. "Shah, the Grand Ayatollah of Najaf has written to say he is willing to obey your commands."

It was quite unexpected that Najaf would send a letter of surrender; they had assumed he would continue to oppose them.

This was actually unavoidable; the Ottoman government was constantly squeezing the space for Shiites, and only Iran could protect them.

These clerics also provided considerable assistance, using the opportunity of pilgrimage to hold secret talks with Shia leaders. From Tehran to Najaf, from Baghdad to Damascus, Shia believers united.

"You must have put in a lot of effort to get him to obey the country's orders. Thank you for your hard work."

Hearing the Shah's praise, Mirza did not become arrogant. He simply asked in a normal tone when they would begin their mission to spread the faith overseas.

This is a plan by Shia clerics because they have seen European missionaries traveling thousands of miles to Iran to spread Christianity. Although there have been fewer in recent years, they believe that if they cannot expand their base, they will eventually lose it.

Therefore, they also wanted to organize a missionary group to spread their faith in other places. And they had already chosen a main location: the Sultanate of Aceh.

The Aceh Sultanate, located at the northernmost tip of Sumatra, was at its peak a formidable rival to the Johor Sultanate and Portuguese Malacca on the Malay Peninsula. The three powers continuously vied for control of the Strait of Malacca and the export of pepper and tin. Now, it has been reduced to a isolated region.

"Wouldn't it be dangerous to go to Aceh now?"

Mirza shook his head. "Anything can be dangerous, but for Allah, we will not back down, even if there is an abyss ahead."

This silenced Naserdin. Since Fahta had spoken, let them go.

“By the way, what is the situation of the believers within the Ottoman territory?” Naser al-Din asked.

Mirza shook his head. "Not very optimistic. Baghdad and Najaf are doing a little better, but the situation is difficult in Anatolia and near Greece, not only due to local heretics, but also some infidels."

At this time, nearly 10% of the Ottoman population remained Shia Muslims, with a significant number still residing in Anatolia and the Balkans. They were united by local Ayatollahs and had painstakingly established relations with Najaf.

“I think we should do this: if they stay there, they will only face more and more discrimination. It would be better to send them to Baghdad, Damascus, and Cyprus. Iran will provide financial assistance to those going to Cyprus.”

Mirza felt that although he had lost political power, the Shah's piety was still commendable. This was a direct benefit to the Shiites, as the Shah provided financial support, and he estimated that those people would wholeheartedly support him once they knew.

“The Ottoman followers will be grateful for the Shah’s kindness, and no one has known of their existence since Abbas the Great.”

Naser al-Din laughed. "Now we have them. The Ottoman Sultan doesn't seem very capable of upholding his faith in Allah. In that case, let others come up to protect him."

(End of this chapter)