Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 362 Dombrovsky
The Polish community in Trabiçun is the largest Polish settlement in West Asia, mostly comprised of people who migrated from Russian Poland. They settled and worked there, and their income became a significant source of funding for the Restoration Army.

Dombrovsky was the leader of the Restoration Army, to whom the Shah had promised all the support needed for the restoration of the nation. All of them studied at the Tabriz Military Academy and trained in Yerevan.

"When do you think we can go back to our homeland? Is Iran not planning to let us go back?"

"Don't be silly, Iran has already spent at least hundreds of thousands on this. Would they do something that loses money?"

This statement was met with unanimous agreement. They felt the animosity between Iran and Russia was irreconcilable, which was why Iran supported their establishment of institutions and military training within Iran. There would be a time when they would be needed.

At this time in Tehran, Dönbrowski was summoned by the Shah to the Gulestan Palace. He was dressed in traditional Polish clothing and wore a Polish hat, symbolizing that he had not forgotten his ideal: the restoration of Poland.

“Shah, the man has been brought.”

The attendant spoke to Naser al-Din, and Shah simply waved his hand, and the attendant left the office.

Naserdin turned around. "Welcome, Dombrovsky."

The Shah approached to shake hands, and Dombrovski immediately extended his hand in return. No one had been more generous in funding Poland's restoration cause than the Shah, even though their restoration army was still small compared to the vast Russian Empire. But hadn't Greece fought against the Ottoman Empire, a hundred times larger, with only the Peloponnese? He believed Poland would succeed as well.

"Thank you, Shah, for your help over the years. My friends and I are very grateful to you."

"It's just a small favor, please have a seat."

Dombrovsky sat opposite Naserdin, with a cup of freshly brewed coffee on the table—a refreshing drink he often had while in Yerevan.

"I wonder what business Shah has with me?" Dombrovsky asked.

After taking a sip of coffee, Nasserdin asked the other man if he knew what Alexander II had done to Poland. The man nodded.

Dombrovski felt that Alexander II intended to weaken Poland's independence and gradually integrate them into the massive Russian chariot. If they did nothing, Poland would eventually perish.

“I have some news, though it may make you a little angry. Alexander II is building an Orthodox church in Warsaw, right on the ruins of your royal castle.”

The young general's knuckles turned white from the effort. He recalled the secret report he had received last month: Russian engineers had blown up the Gothic spire of St. Mary's Church in Krakow and used the stones engraved with Polish coats of arms to pave the parade ground.

“But do you know what’s even more ironic?” The Shah took a double-headed eagle badge from the malachite box. “They minted this using silver coins melted down from the Warsaw Mint.” The badge was inscribed in Russian on the back: Poland Forever Belongs to Russia.

"This is utterly outrageous!" Dombrovsky roared in fury. The Russians had begun a systematic campaign to destroy Polish culture; how could he tolerate this?

“Don’t be angry. You have to understand that this was bound to happen sooner or later. The Russians can’t expand outwards now, so they can only consider this internally. After all, Poland is a thorn in Russia’s side, and it must be removed.” Listening to Naserdin’s words, Dombrovsky calmed down. He understood that the Shah had summoned him today to send them back, and that he was brewing a big plan.

"Just tell me straight, Shah. What do you want me to do?"

Naserdin smiled. "Smart. Actually, I don't need anything in return. It's just that Russia's ambitions are too great, and they need more failures to discourage their expansionist thoughts."

At this point, everyone understood. Dombrovsky immediately said, "Russia's ambition has caused many countries to disappear from the map, Poland being one of them. But it will never perish."

With that, Naserdin took out a map and explained the situation to him.

"Since the Russians haven't built railways on a large scale yet, if you want to travel, the only way is to take a boat to Constanta, then a train to Lviv, and then walk. That's the easiest way."

However, transporting your weapons is also a problem. It would be best to find merchants to help.

Dombrovsky heeded Naserdin's advice: personnel relocation, weapons transport, and local propaganda. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for immediate recognition from any European country, which would significantly increase the chances of independence.

“Thank you for your help, Shah. You have done so much for us. We are truly grateful.”

Dombrovsky was about to leave to make some personnel arrangements. But as he was leaving, Naserdin called him back once again.

"Finally, here's a piece of advice: if necessary, do whatever it takes to drag Prussia down with you."

Dombrovsky paused for a moment upon hearing this, but quickly left the office.

Naserdin shook his head. He had said everything he needed to say; the rest was up to him.

The Russian Empire, undergoing reforms, was undoubtedly at a crossroads. Now was the most vulnerable time, with too many people within the country dissatisfied with the Tsarist government's reforms. Radicals felt the reforms were not thorough enough, while conservatives felt they harmed their interests. If these discontented individuals were provoked, who knew what they might do?

From the time Alexander II reformed serfdom, the Russian Empire was never at peace. Newly freed peasants sighed at the exorbitant ransoms for their land. After paying the ransom, they could barely make ends meet; the land alone was insufficient to support them, forcing them to seek work elsewhere.

History books say this provided Russia with a sufficient labor force for economic development. With the development of capitalism, a portion of the rural population migrated to the cities, gradually resolving the previously strained land problem. The Russian Empire, thanks to the reforms of Alexander II, once again became powerful.

But this situation had barely begun when numerous problems arose. The initial benefits hadn't even taken effect before the social contradictions brought about by the reforms began to surface. Peasant uprisings were twice as frequent as before the reforms; in some areas, peasants burned down houses and even killed landlords. The army carried out brutal suppression, and the unrest directly led to reduced grain production. Taxes couldn't even be collected.

The apparent easing of restrictions at this juncture was actually intended to smooth the path of reform. The lower classes could be disregarded, but the landowners and aristocracy had to be brought in to make things easier. This is something every country must do.

(End of this chapter)