Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 366 Kemal in Tehran (Part Two)
Before the marble steps of the Polytechnic, Kemal encountered even more mind-blowing sights: bearded men and European professors in suits discussing things side by side; in the laboratories, students using astrolabes and microscopes simultaneously; even the library's catalogs were divided into two sections: traditional Persian poetry and European scientific literature.

Kemal witnessed the reforms in Iran's education system elsewhere, with Tabriz University and Baku University encompassing fields such as technology, agriculture, medicine, and education; they are comprehensive universities.

In addition, there is the Tabriz Pedagogical University, which trains teachers; the Isfahan Medical College, which trains medical professionals; and the Baku Petroleum University. These are all schools that specialize in training specialized personnel. Although the Iranian government, like the Ottoman Empire, faces financial constraints, it still prioritizes education. This is what distinguishes Iran from the Ottoman Empire.

Kemal felt he couldn't write anymore; his materials were all about how good Iran was and what the Ottoman Empire was worth learning from. If his colleagues knew, they would surely suggest he just change his writing to a hundred ways to praise Iran.

Having lunch at Tehran's largest café, Kemal summarized his observations from the past few days. He then concluded that, currently, it would take time for the Ottomans to implement a parliamentary system, but the conditions for enlightened despotism did not exist; there was not a single visionary member of the Ottoman royal family. All that existed was scheming and intrigue.

"Alas, there is no hope for the Ottomans!"

Kemal sighed, and suddenly a man sat down in front of him and ordered coffee and food.

"Xinaxi, when did you arrive?"

Ibrahim Sinas, a close friend of Kemal Atatürk, studied in Paris during the 1848 revolution and later became the editor of an influential newspaper in the capital, as well as a poet and playwright.

"It's been a while; I've been wandering around Tehran these past few days. And here I am, running into you."

Sinas's attire almost made Kemal unrecognizable. Beneath a traditional Persian lambskin hat was a meticulously tailored Parisian suit, with a small gold pen clipped to the lapel. A quintessential intellectual.

“It seems you’ve been living quite well these days,” Kemal said.

“Indeed, I learned a lot in Tehran. This is something we couldn’t learn in the Ottoman Empire, and Iran is the best place to learn from the Ottoman Empire.”

This is true, because for the Ottomans, learning from Iran, which shared the same religion, was much easier than learning from Europe; not only was there less resistance to acceptance, but success was also more likely.

“Right now, the Sultan and his ministers have lost their drive. You know,” he lowered his voice, “the Iranians’ greatest brilliance is that they disguise reform as a return to the past.” He took a beautifully bound book from his briefcase—The Modern Application of Classical Persian Science—and on the open pages, the medical theories of the 11th-century scholar Ibn Sina were laid out alongside the latest bacteriological theories.

Kemal noticed that the Iranian businessman at the next table was reading a newspaper, the front page of which featured the latest achievement of the University of Tabriz: applying the algebraic theory of the ancient Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi to railway bridge design.

"It's ridiculous. We all say we should learn from Britain and France, and Egypt should too, but it turns out that Iran has learned better. I can only say it's fate."

Yes, everyone wants their country to be prosperous and strong, but after studying for so long, they're still not as good as their neighbors. How can they feel at ease?

"Perhaps we need to change our thinking. Since relying on Sudan is not an option, should we rely on others?"

Kemal's words prompted Shinasi to continue, "You mean, Parliament?" "This is our only idea. The Sultan has no ambition and leaves everything to others."

If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad, but he also borrowed heavily to satisfy his desires. This puts immense pressure on the national treasury, and change is necessary; parliament must restrain their behavior. Or perhaps…

Kemal didn't want to continue; he would never have had such thoughts if he weren't disillusioned with the country. Sinas also knew what the other was about to say, but simply waved his hand, signaling him to stop.

"Let's go explore other places, and then we can go back together."

"Um"

The two paid the bill together and left the café. They continued to wander around Tehran; they had gathered enough information about themselves. Now all they needed to do was write a prescription for Ottoman.

On the street, a strange group of people was walking by. They wore conical hats and long robes, appearing to be of Eastern origin. Kemal, curious, asked one of the people nearby who was engrossed in conversation. The man said they came from a country called Vietnam and were currently praying for peace with Iran.

The Iranian army inflicted devastating damage on Vietnam, leaving vast tracts of farmland abandoned and spreading refugees and disease to every corner of the land. Hanoi also fell to Iran, forcing Emperor Tu Duc to negotiate with an Iranian general.

The other side demanded even more: the opening of seven ports, permission for Iranian merchants and missionaries to operate throughout Vietnam, the hiring of three Iranian advisors to oversee reforms in Vietnam, and a "friendly greeting" from the King of Vietnam to the Shah of Iran, among other conditions.

As the two most important payments, Vietnam was required to cede southern Vietnamese territory, including Nha Trang, to Iran, and pay Iran 500 million rials in reparations. This plunged Vietnam into another national financial crisis.

Iran has also reached an agreement with the Far East, agreeing to provide 20 million rials (approximately 8.2 million taels of silver) to quell the current unrest in the northwest and south of China. The annual interest rate is 2.5%, which is quite low.

In addition, some local officials in the Far East have requested to purchase machinery for the production of military products. Large orders have been placed with Iran. It's truly gratifying that the other side has finally agreed to take action.

After resolving the issues in the Far East, Vietnam had no choice but to agree to these conditions. The two sides signed a peace treaty in Hanoi, and Vietnam sent Phan Thanh Giang as a special envoy to Tehran to meet with the Shah.

Looking at the scenery, Phan Thanh Can felt that Vietnam still needed a strong country to protect it. But Iran was the one that invaded them, so it felt awkward to have them protect them.

The thought of Vietnam being controlled by Iran in the future filled Phan Thanh Giang with guilt towards his late emperor and the country. He felt he should commit suicide for his country, but he couldn't die yet; he still had a mission to fulfill and couldn't be so irresponsible.

"Lord Pan, we've arrived. Welcome to Tehran. Please follow me to see the Shah."

Standing before the Gulestan Palace, Pan Qingjian surveyed the architecture he had never seen before. "Is this the power of Iran? It's far superior to their palaces." Thinking this, he followed his guide into the palace.

(End of this chapter)