Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 387 Patagonia (Part 1)

Patagonia, which Prince Abbas longed to visit, is now undergoing a new round of construction.

Mustafa, appointed as the commissioner for Patagonia and the Pampas, was in command at Fort Colorado, where the population had grown to 22, which was almost the entire indigenous population.

The arrival of Iran allowed them to leap directly into the industrial age. Some were incorporated into the army, armed with new firearms, and began to outwit and outmaneuver the Argentine army and militia.

Meanwhile, the original inhabitants of the conquered lands became active, burning down Argentine landowners' farms and fleeing the area. Others acted as intelligence agents, providing information to local Argentine militias, causing immense suffering for the local population.

"We have assembled a militia of 10000 men and a regular army of 4500. This is more than enough for the current defense. We will break through Buenos Aires with just one order from the Shah."

Ahmadi was originally the chief of the Mapuche tribe in Patagonia. After the arrival of Iranian missionaries, he was the first to lead his tribe to convert to Shia Islam. He was then entrusted with important responsibilities and made significant contributions in persuading local tribes to submit.

“We still need to be careful. We only have a little over 20 people, while Argentina has over 100 million. A direct attack would probably be more trouble than it's worth,” another person said.

Argentina's population is roughly 150 million. Due to the American Civil War, many immigrants went to South America, but Chile and Argentina accepted relatively few, with most going to Brazil. This benefited Pedro II.

Regarding resource endowment, Argentina's main economic growth sector is agriculture and animal husbandry, which are geared towards the international market. The fundamental resource requirement for agricultural and livestock development is land. To expand its land area, successive Argentine governments have adopted a series of measures. One major method was launching the so-called "Desert Expeditions," massacring and driving out indigenous peoples, and subsequently seizing the lands where they had lived for generations. In 1833, the conquest led by Argentine President Rosas brought thousands of square acres of land south of the Negro River.

The increase in land area, the expansion of arable land and the size of pastures are only one aspect of resource endowment. An even more important factor is the system by which these lands are organized. The Argentine government that came to power in 1826 implemented a long-term lease system, stipulating that individuals and groups could lease public land for 20 years at a low fixed rent for development and utilization, but the ownership of the land belonged to the state, and the lessee could not sell it.

This system did not stipulate a maximum limit on the amount of land leased, and lessees often occupied more than 300,000 hectares, with even smaller plots exceeding 10,000 hectares. By 1860, 293 landowners owned 8.6 million hectares of land. This excessive concentration of land led to a land system in Argentina centered on large estates, with tenancy and sharecropping being prevalent.

"Gentlemen, we still need to continue north. Argentina has occupied fertile lands. We must take them over to establish a foothold there. Otherwise, we will eventually be at their mercy."

This statement resonated with everyone, given how desolate Patagonia was in their territory. The La Plata plain, occupied by Argentina, was arguably one of the most fertile lands. If they could seize it, they could continuously produce food and other goods to exchange for resources. Of course, they would also gain formal recognition from Iran; whether it was annexed or became a sultanate, their safety would be assured.

"Let me explain the current situation. Chile and Argentina are our enemies. Our main objective now is to capture the port of Blanca in Argentina, which will put some pressure on Buenos Aires."

Mustafa pressed his hand heavily on the military map, the charcoal arrow pointing directly at Blanca Harbor. Outside the window, the sound of marching echoed from the training grounds of Fort Colorado—the newly formed Mapuche musketeers were being inspected by Persian instructors.

“Blanca is not only Argentina’s granary and export hub, but also the lifeline of their navy.” He tapped the yellowed intelligence documents on the table. “Last week, our scouts discovered two armored gunboats anchored in the port… but the port’s garrison is no more than three thousand men.”

Ahmadi suddenly grinned, revealing turquoise-encrusted teeth: "My tribal hunters have figured out the salt marsh trails on the south bank; at high tide, even Argentine patrols get stuck." He pulled out a piece of leather with a crooked map of the route drawn on it in charcoal ash. "If we launch a night attack, they won't even have time to put on their saddles."

Mustafa turned to the commanders present, his voice low and firm:
"We'll move out on the night of the new moon, three days from now." Meanwhile, on a ranch thirty miles north of Blanca, Argentine landowner Diego Herrera roared at the messenger: "What do you mean 'unable to send reinforcements'? Are those gentlemen in Buenos Aires going to wait until the barbarians burn Plaza de Mayo before they wake up?!"

The butler, trembling, handed over a blood-soaked letter: "Master, Santa Rosa Estate was attacked last night... They blew up the granary with explosives and left this behind." On the letter, a line of crooked Spanish mixed with Persian read: "The land belongs to Allah, and Allah gives it to the devout."

"Ahhhhh!!"

Herrera crumpled the blood-stained letter to shreds, his eyes bloodshot. He yanked the decorative flintlock pistol from the wall and pulled the trigger, aiming at the ceiling—

boom!
Gunshots echoed through the manor hall, frightening the servants into kneeling on the ground.

"Gather all the workers! Fire the guns!" Herrera's voice was hoarse like a wild beast's. "I'll show those guys who the real masters of this land are!"

As the thirty armed manor guards lined up in the courtyard, no one noticed the dark figure that flashed across the barn roof.

A young Mapuche boy subtly adjusted the sights of his musket. In her field of vision, Herrera was brandishing his saber to encourage his men.

"For Argentina! Kill them all—"

"call out!"

Herrera's wide-brimmed hat was suddenly blown off by a bullet, smoke still rising from the edge of the bullet hole. The entire manor was thrown into chaos.

"They're upstairs!" someone screamed.

But the other side had already slid down the rope to the ground. He blew the eagle bone whistle, and immediately a series of explosions came from afar—the Mapuche guerrillas were attacking seven surrounding estates at the same time.

At dawn, twenty-three plumes of smoke rose from the Pampas plains. Newly built estates had been destroyed, and the Mapuche militia had taken over.

Buenos Aires newspapers called the attack “the devil’s harvest,” but the fleeing plantation owners spread even more terrifying news: these barbarians had taken up cannons and muskets.

This shows that they have someone backing them, and without a doubt, it's the Iranians.

(End of this chapter)