Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 386 Discussion of South America
Abbas felt a pang of regret; everything would have to wait until his father returned. However, he still hoped to help his compatriots. He had heard many stories about the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and the cruelty the colonists inflicted on the local people was unspeakable. As a Shia Muslim, he felt it was his responsibility to teach these infidels a lesson.

"Grand Vizier, could you tell me about Chile?"

Amir nodded, pointing to a thin line on the map. That's Chile, and next to it is a country called Argentina.

"I heard they're still arguing about who should be president. Why don't they just elect a king?"

"Because they believe this will prevent the country from falling under the dictatorship of one person."

Abbas scoffed at this reason, "This is nothing more than the result of a compromise among a few nobles. Do you really think it's some kind of magic pill?"

"Look at these descendants of the Spanish—they can't even manage their own land!" the prince sneered. "Argentina and Chile fought for twenty years over a desert, and now they're tearing each other apart for the presidency… This is precisely the opportunity God has given us."

Murad paused for a moment, then said, "But if Chile and Argentina cooperate, it will put a lot of pressure on us."

However, such concerns are entirely unfounded, as the internal power struggles within both countries are far more intense than their external conflicts. Conservatives and liberals, federalists and centrists, are locked in infighting, while Iran seizes the opportunity to cross the Andes Mountains and connect all the tribes in Patagonia.

The association, jointly funded by the Iranian government, religious council, and royal family, has begun planning extensive infrastructure projects, including opening up both sides of the Andes Mountains and increasing port and highway construction.

Meanwhile, to resist attacks from Chile and Argentina, most tribes converted to Shia Islam. Those who refused to convert were also respected, their goal being to resist Argentine and Chilean attacks. Simultaneously, they aimed to develop the local economy.

Agriculture can be appropriately developed in some river valley areas, with locally produced grains and fruits used to feed the local population. Other areas can develop animal husbandry, raising alpacas, sheep, and goats, and generating revenue through wool exports.

Iran's progress in Argentina was going smoothly; after Patagonia, the Pampas region, which Argentina had not yet conquered, was also included. The climate there was much better than to the south. The association began to shift its focus here, establishing the Patagonia and Pampas administrative region.

According to a regional administrative report from 1860, a total of 15 indigenous people converted to Shia Islam, while another 3 remained unconverted but pledged allegiance to the Shah. With the help of Iranians, they learned a wide range of knowledge, primitive society rapidly disintegrated, agriculture, industry, and commerce developed, and wool and grain became major commodities in trade.

With wool, the textile industry can be developed. In Kerman, there are already more than 100 hand looms and 6 machine looms. The annual revenue from wool spinning can cover half of the administrative expenses.

However, Argentina was still embroiled in internal strife due to Iranian expansion. In 1853, the thirteen provinces approved the 1853 Constitution establishing the Argentine Republic at the Santa Fe Constituent Conference, but it wasn't until 1860 that it became the Argentine Federation. The lack of a major trading port and Buenos Aires' departure from the federation severely impacted the economies of the federal provinces, contributing to the renewed civil war.

Following the constitutional reforms of 1860 and the civil war of 1861, Argentina achieved unification under the hegemony of Buenos Aires and the leadership of Bartolomé Mitre, and the region enjoyed a temporary period of peace. However, regarding the situation in the south, they were forced to cooperate with their nemesis, Chile.

"Currently, we have already deployed 4500 troops to the area, along with 24000 new immigrants who have settled there. If Chile or Argentina wants to take it over, they will have to think twice." Abbas has picked up a Persian scimitar, which is said to have been used by Abbas the Great, who shared the same name as him.

"These alone are not enough. To achieve security, the enemy must be completely eliminated. This applies to Argentina as well as Chile."

"Indeed, but if a country perishes, it may arouse hostility from other countries, such as Britain."

Britain's interest in Latin America is long-standing, dating back to Juan Cabotto's expedition to the Americas, during which it began expanding into the region. On the eve of the Argentine independence movement, Britain's ambitions in the La Plata region became increasingly apparent. Following the outbreak of the independence movement, Britain further intensified its economic penetration of the region.

On February 14, 1825, Britain and Argentina signed the Great Britain-Argentina Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation. As a result, British merchants gained control of the financial markets in Buenos Aires. The basic relationship was a trade in British textiles for Argentine leather, with Argentina relying on British manufactured goods, British shipping, and British markets.

"Britain, it's Britain again. If Argentina is truly an independent country, why should it fear a country so far away? Are they a British colony?"

Murad could answer Abbas's question: "Generally speaking, that is indeed the case. Argentina received a lot of investment from Britain and was also a major trading partner of Britain. It can be said that Argentina lives off Britain."

A silence fell over the room as Abbas tapped his fingers on the table with a dull thud. His gaze swept across the vast Pampas plains on the map, finally settling on the port of Buenos Aires—where dozens of cargo ships flying the Union Jack were anchored.

"So, the Argentinians ostensibly drove out the Spaniards, but in reality, they got a more shrewd master?" the prince sneered. "What they traded beef and wool for wasn't freedom, but rather a debt to London bankers."

“Not only that,” Amir replied. “Argentine landowners are deeply intertwined with British interests, ranchers’ sons are studying at Cambridge, and judges are receiving stock dividends from London banks. Even the pubs are filled with whiskey, and Spanish is mixed with English words.”

“But this is precisely our opportunity.” Murad pointed to the Shiite strongholds in the Pampas: “Those who have been trampled underfoot by Britain are most eager for new allies.”

"Brother, I hope you can let me go here. Believe me, I can definitely turn Argentina into Iranian territory."

Murad couldn't make that decision on his own; if a member of the royal family went to the other side of the ocean and something went wrong, no one could bear the responsibility. But he said he would explain to his father and ask him to go as soon as possible.

With this guarantee, Abbas left happily. Murad shook his head; his brother loved war too much. He wondered how Patagonia was doing.

(End of this chapter)