Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 194 Paris Exposition

Naserdin presented Napoleon III with a magnificent kerosene lamp, a far superior form of lighting to candles. Napoleon III was delighted with it and accepted it with great pleasure.

Starting the following day, Napoleon III and Nasser al-Din appeared together at the Paris World's Fair. Originally planned for last year, the fair had been delayed for various reasons.

Napoleon III declared the Exposition open, and a large number of visitors flocked to the site. Exhibits from various countries were divided into 27 categories, including mining, metals, forestry, textiles, food, scientific instruments, chemicals, medicine, glass and ceramics, musical instruments, etc., with three levels of awards in each category.

When visitors tire of the machinery and raw material displays in the Palace of Industry, feel fatigued by the countless glass bottles of crop seeds, large bars of soap, and huge machine engines, and become dizzy from the gears and crankshafts, they can stroll along a tree-lined path into the Palace of Fine Arts to relax.

In Iran, newly designed kerosene lamps have appeared, their efficient and clean lighting attracting many buyers. This also serves as a promotional opportunity for Iranian kerosene.

"With this, we won't need candles tonight, and it will also make cleaning much easier."

"This is really great. If we had this, we wouldn't need to light so many candles tonight."

Of course, it can only be used at night. But that doesn't stop them from buying it and keeping it at home. If there are any problems, there's after-sales service available; they can just go to the Iranian embassy or inquire here.

"Industry is the lifeblood of a country. As long as industrial development can be promoted, the whole country will become richer and richer, thereby driving the development of other aspects."

Several French factory owners were boasting that all problems could be solved through development. Everyone agreed, believing that problems are always resolved through development.

However, Naserdin did not hear what they were saying, because Napoleon III was introducing another person to him.

"This is Isaac Paley of the Movable Credit Company, who has made outstanding contributions to our country's economy over the past few years."

"I've met the Shah. Everyone says that Iran's monarchs are young and promising, and now I see that it's true."

Isaac's flattery had no effect on Naserdin, though his company had been mentioned in a later book and ultimately failed within a few years.

Although 80% of that book was nonsense, it is an undeniable fact that he ultimately went bankrupt due to failed speculation. His vast fortune was also divided up by his rivals.

"You flatter me. The world today does not allow us to continue to decline. Only by moving forward can we protect our country."

Nasserdin was also thinking about how to make more money for the country and for himself. For the sake of money, he could fence off a piece of land in Africa to grow cash crops. Of course, he was willing to do anything; after all, it was just an investment, and making money wasn't his concern.

"It seems you deserve the most credit for France's economic development."

"For the country, I am willing to give everything." That's well said; if he hadn't been a time traveler, he would have believed it. Isaac realized the Shah wasn't very interested in his company, but he couldn't say so here, so he left and waited for a quieter time to visit in person.

Iranian-made kerosene lamps have made quite a splash. Although the Polish people invented them first, it was Iran that popularized them.

In the evenings, every household started using kerosene lamps, which proved to be much more convenient than candles. This led to a greater preference for goods made in Iran.

Napoleon III convened another cabinet meeting to discuss a treaty with Iran. This was because, just that day, Naserdin had not only explained the Mexican plan to him but also offered him a colony in the Far East.

In the Far East, there is a country called Japan, where the people are cunning, greedy, and cruel. Such land is better suited for development by other countries.

If these two plans proceed smoothly, they will greatly satisfy his expansionist ambitions and also help find markets for domestic industries.

"What do you think of this plan? Can it succeed?" Napoleon III began to ask his advisors.

“Your Majesty, Mexico is currently embroiled in a civil war. We can give it a try, since Mexico owes us a large sum of money.”

Finance Minister de Lamar supports the Mexican plan from a trade and economic perspective, not only because creating a pro-French government would benefit French trade, but also because it could influence the entire New World—such a large market shouldn't be overlooked.

The plan to invade Japan was too risky and needed to be discussed with Britain. They were currently discussing the situation with the Qing Dynasty, but things weren't going smoothly. The British government had sent a letter to the Emperor a few days ago, saying they wanted to join forces against the Qing Dynasty and were now preparing to go.

"I also think the Mexico plan is feasible. If we want to return to the New World, then Mexico is our springboard."

Besides Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States, these are all important markets for us. The development of the United States over the past few decades has made us worry that they might exert economic control over our country, and we must break their high tariffs.

The rise of the United States is no longer an idea, but a reality. Their continuous influx of immigrants and technology from Europe, coupled with the lack of strong allies in the New World, has resulted in their current expansion into a behemoth. Unless they are weakened, their future will be bleak.

During the Industrial Revolution, the US government focused on developing the transportation industry. Initially, transportation was a joint venture between the government and private companies, but it gradually evolved into a system of toll roads. By 1850, the total length of US railroads reached 40,000 miles, leading to the formation of a unified market and the development of postal and telecommunications services. Furthermore, as early as 1800, US wages were already one-third higher than those in Europe, an advantage that remains even today, if not expanded further.

Despite the influx of European immigrants, the ease of land acquisition in the American West, coupled with sustained industrial growth, resulted in a relative labor shortage and high wages. These factors, in turn, spurred manufacturers to invest in labor-saving machinery, further stimulating national productivity. This young republic remained aloof from European power struggles, and the British Royal Navy's "epidemic prevention line" forcibly separated the Old World from the New World meant that the only threat to America's future prosperity came from Britain itself.

Seeing that everyone agreed to the Mexican action, Napoleon III asked Valevsky to discuss the specifics, stating that France would recognize the new Mexican government if necessary.

As for the Far East colonies, they wanted to wait. France was currently engaged in a battle with the Qing Dynasty and simply couldn't spare the resources, so the plan had to be put on hold.

(End of this chapter)