Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 24 Tabriz (Part 1)

"I said, that person has been fiddling with the land for many days, why is there still no result?"

"You're being too impatient. It takes at least three months to see results from planting anything, and it's almost winter now, so the earliest you can expect to see results is next year."

The farmers watched the figures busy in the fields and started discussing among themselves.

"I never imagined that farming required instruction; this is the first time I've ever seen anything like it in all my years. And there are even professional books on silkworm raising and tree planting—I've never heard of anything like it."

Foreigners not only provided guidance in the farmland but also in the factories. They explained how to use the machines to the workers and conducted management training based on their experience in England.

"This design is very popular in Europe, and the new machine has arrived, so we need to speed things up."

The carpet factory management issued a new order: using machines to weave carpets is much faster.

More carpets could be produced to meet export demand, and British merchants loved them so much that they even moved their purchases here from the Ottoman Empire.

"Manager, some French people have arrived. They're also here to buy carpets."

The manager was very pleased with the series of good news. The factory, which had been established for less than half a year, already had so many orders, and it seemed that it would have a bright future.

The citizens of Tabriz joyfully celebrate Nowruz, a festival that also marks the start of a new year. The changes over the past two years have been so rapid that I almost didn't recognize the place.

Merchants arriving in Tabriz noticed the changes and rushed to sell their goods. They had heard that Tabriz needed a large quantity of leather and raw silk, and the prices were high. In the current market, seizing the opportunity was already a significant achievement; they were determined to succeed.

"Next, let's go check out the Grand Bazaar; maybe we'll find some surprises."

Several merchants from Gazvin decided to visit the bazaar in Tabriz. As soon as they entered the city, they saw several people dressed identically directing traffic.

"What is this? What a strange outfit!"

"I don't know, but they look like they're not to be messed with."

The merchants advanced cautiously, fearing that the other party might suddenly come and extort money from them. But he didn't seem inclined to do so.

"It really is different now. Look here. Ah, there weren't these things emitting black smoke before, but now there are more and more of them."

A merchant who frequently travels between Tabriz and Qazvin told them about the changes that had taken place in the past two years. Just a few years ago, the place was lifeless, but now it has come alive.

"Newspapers for sale! The latest news from Tabriz and even the whole country is here, 2 rials a copy."

A little boy was holding a thick stack of newspapers and recommending them to citizens one by one, earning a fee in return.

"Sir, would you like to buy a newspaper? You can find news from all over the country here."

The merchants were curious; not only was the newspaper a novelty, but they themselves didn't know what a rial was. However, they did have some coins, so they casually pulled out a few and took the newspaper from the other party to read it. "Breaking news: Mazanderan's raw silk harvest is bountiful..."

This is indeed very good news. It would have taken them a long time to find out about Mazanderan's situation, but now they can see it in this thing called a newspaper. It's so convenient.

"Let me see, the governor is going to Mazanderland and Rasht for inspection; the army is recruiting soldiers, for the sake of the country, hoping that the people will participate enthusiastically."

"Is this a recruitment drive? Will it be tough?"

The merchants' words were so over-the-top that someone nearby couldn't stand it anymore. He stepped forward and asked, "Is this your first time visiting Tabriz?"

When someone greeted them, they immediately said, "Yes, this is our first time doing business here."

“Oh, that’s not surprising. Every Tabriz resident knows what the governor has been doing these past two years.”

He then told the other person about everything the governor had worked hard to change in the past two years: all kinds of factories and books were available here, and some people had gone to study in Europe through the governor's recommendation. They had also started to set up factories and formed an industrial association under the influence of government policies.

These things sounded incredibly impressive to them—factories, banks, studying abroad, associations—things they'd never even heard of before. But judging by their appearance, they seemed quite remarkable.

"By the way, you can go to Tabriz Bank and Abbas Street and you'll understand."

After the other party left, the businessmen discussed it and decided to go to Abbas Street to see what was going on.

Along the way, they saw some surging crowds, and upon inquiring, they learned that they were all vying for books, such as guides on silkworm raising and tree planting, factory management, and a few philosophy books, but no one was willing to buy them.

What?! There are books on silkworm farming? This shocked them again, though their surprise was much less than the first time. And there are even books guiding basic economic activities like tree planting and mining—what else is missing?

“There is so much to explore here. In Qazvin, every day is spent doing business and listening to the teachings of Allah. The situation here is even more vibrant than where we are.”

"It's not that bad. The country is facing such difficulties now, and we can do business with foreigners. In Tehran, Shah even met with people from several countries."

The situation in Tehran is changing too rapidly. Starting last November, the Shah issued six consecutive decrees to encourage people to start factories. He also frequently meets with foreign envoys. In discussions with Oman, Oman finally relented under British mediation and agreed to return the local land to Iran, but only if it becomes a free port.

This situation was unacceptable to Mohammed as well. A free port meant a base for foreign powers, and its location near the Strait of Hormuz made it geographically crucial. Shah had to argue his case, even if it meant stalling for time.

Mohammed's series of actions made the cabinet realize that the Shah was paving the way for Naserdin. It's important to note that the Azerbaijan province under Naserdin's control was undergoing rapid change, with a large amount of trade passing through it. Furthermore, Naserdin had also obtained the position of governor-general of three provinces, making his power immense. Faced with this situation, many ministers sided with Naserdin, but some, including the Grand Ayatollah, remained skeptical.

The Grand Ayatollah noticed that the situation in Azerbaijan was becoming somewhat out of control, so he sent people to investigate. Although religious and secular matters are not mutually exclusive, Shia Islam still influences many secular affairs. However, compared to Azerbaijan, in central Iran, a new religion directly threatens the survival of Shia Islam.

A man was spreading his doctrines throughout Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, and other places, which made them feel threatened. If he succeeded, their centuries-old status would be fatally damaged, and they had to stop him.

(End of this chapter)