Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 385 The Princes' Teachings and Letters

The Ottoman response to Mecca was simply to increase border troops and issue diplomatic protests. This was because even within their own country, there was division; the people of Cyprus and Ankara believed that the Caliphate should be held by whoever had the strongest army. And there were many similar historical precedents.

Sunni scholars were now in a dilemma. If the Caliphate was ruled by the strongest military force, then what about the hereditary succession of the Ottoman Sultanate? If it was hereditary, then they would be considered Shiites, since Shiites support the Caliphate's succession through Ali and his descendants. They were caught in a bind!
The voices surrounding this issue subsided, while those from the Shia sect grew louder. They launched a major attack, claiming that the great and invincible Shah of Iran was the Prophet's representative in the secular world, not only as the Caliph but also as the guardian of the Holy Land, a claim supported by events over the years.

Iranian newspapers are also relentlessly promoting the message that, as if by divine mandate, Iran is destined to restore its former glory.

"What has Your Highness noticed?"

Amir inquired of Murad, who had earned the Shah's approval for the prince's outstanding performance in Herat. Murad was entrusted with more responsibilities, and while Amir was away in Mecca, Murad was to handle other domestic affairs in his stead, with Amir assisting him.

"Hmm... very intense. The Ottoman and Russian rulers would probably be furious in their own homes."

Murad believes that two countries will definitely be unhappy about this territorial expansion: the Ottoman Empire and Russia. Of course, the British might also be included, as they wouldn't allow their Aden to be threatened.

“That’s right,” Amir nodded. “Their reaction will probably be fierce. But they won’t send troops; their domestic problems haven’t been resolved yet.”

Amir produced a trade report on Ottoman and Russian relations. "What can Your Highness glean from this?"

Murad took it and examined it carefully. "Nearly 90% of Russia's exports are grain, logs, wine, and minerals, and the Ottomans are the same, except they don't export wine."

But imports were surprisingly consistent: various daily necessities, fabrics, and machinery. Their industry was insufficient to support consumption.

Amir nodded. "That's right, both countries suffer from this common problem. Their domestic situations have reached a point where change is necessary."

“But Russia has already announced the emancipation of the serfs, isn’t that a change?” Murad asked.

“Change doesn’t show immediate results,” Amir said. “Their emancipation decree extracts the last bit of value from the peasants, forcing them to pay a ransom higher than the land price to continue farming, while the landowners don’t have to bear the peasants’ other expenses, they just drive them away and don’t have to focus on farming. That’s what they call emancipation.”

Murad felt these events were impacting their minds. Thinking about their country's land redemption policy, he felt the government was truly looking out for the farmers. In a nation, farmers are the providers of food and industrial raw materials; they must be cherished for the country to remain strong.

"Big Brother!" A hearty voice rang out from outside the door.

Murad rose from his seat and embraced the person who entered. It was his brother Abbas, who had just returned from a horse farm outside Tehran. He still smelled of gunpowder on him.

"It's been a long time, Grand Vizier!" Abbas bowed to Amir. This was a man even his father had to bow to with utmost respect, so how could they dare to be disrespectful?

"Your Highness seems to be quite fond of firearms. I wonder how well our country's arsenal is producing them?"

“Very good, this is much better than the old ones.” Abbas changed the subject and asked about his other brothers.

"I heard that Muhammad went to the East. I wonder how he is doing now?"

"He has replied, saying that he has arrived in Pontianak. The people there are all different, but they are very welcoming. He plans to go to Brunei in a while to meet his uncle."

In his letter, Muhammad wrote that their first stop was Ceylon under British rule, a place dotted with tea plantations where people were either picking tea or digging for gems in the mines. He also met with the local British commissioner, a large, fat man accompanied by a retinue of 150 servants.

He stayed in the area for a few days and received a gem from the commissioner, which Muhammad intended to have set into his necklace.

Then they entered the Strait of Malacca, where there were more people of Asian descent, but a considerable number of their own citizens still set up trading posts and conducted trade. Muhammad had a very pleasant conversation with them.

To develop Singapore, the British authorities recruited a large number of laborers from various countries, with Malayans, Chinese, and Indians flocking to the city. In addition, Persians, Arabs, and Armenians also entered in large numbers. According to British population data in 1862, Singapore had a population of 286,982, of which 2568 were Persians, 569 were Arabs, and 1063 were Armenians.

Although their numbers were small, their trade was substantial. Of the £1186 million in trade in Singapore, a quarter was conducted by Iranian merchants, leaving the French far behind. Consequently, the British treated the Iranians with exceptional courtesy, particularly regarding their trade with Cinnestan and the Japanese Far East, which saw particularly rapid growth.

Britain had the most trading companies in East Asia with 203, followed by Iran with 68, France with 17, Russia with 11, Prussia with 5, and Austria with 10. Iranian trading companies particularly focused on the Qinistan region and the Fujian, Shanghai, and Guangdong areas of the Far East, especially their cooperation with Austrian companies. Based on the principle of mutual profit, they cooperated with Austria, making Britain think twice before taking any action.

Across from Singapore lies Pontianak, the second largest city in the archipelago after Batavia under Dutch rule. Various trading companies operate here, and naturally, the local authorities expended considerable effort to welcome him.

“That sounds great. He’s probably so engrossed in his fun that he’s forgotten about us.” Abbas was a little sour, but he wasn’t envious at all. What he wanted was to be like Ismail, who started his empire at the age of 14, expanding his territory and making great achievements.

"I know what you want. There's a place you could consider. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Abbas asked in confusion, "Where?"

Murad handed the documents to the other party, "The British usually call this place Araucania. Recently, Chile has been quite active, and Ayatollah has begun training the army..."

"I go!"

Before he could finish speaking, Abbas said he wanted to go, saying it was a rare opportunity to go to the battlefield and he couldn't miss it. But Amir immediately poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, the Shah will not agree. We should wait until the Shah returns before discussing anything further."

(End of this chapter)