Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 392 Malayan Crisis

Larut has become the second largest city after Malacca, with its tin mines supporting the town and the Sultan above it. It has also attracted merchants from many other places.

"This is the price, I can't go any higher!"

"Sigh... Fine!"

The head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce came out dejectedly, and everyone knew from his appearance that the negotiations had failed.

Since Haishan took control of most of the mines, tin prices have skyrocketed. These people are either making no profit or even losing money trading. Who can stand that?

Prince Muhammad happened to be in Malacca, and they wondered if they could get help. They had already sent people there, but they didn't know what the outcome would be. After all, even the British were unwilling to get involved in this mess.

Just then, a servant strode in and whispered a few words in the ear of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce leader. The businessman's eyes gradually lit up.

"Everyone, we're saved!"

In a teahouse run by Iranians, a dozen Iranian businessmen are meeting with two people. One is Jafari from the Malayan branch of Crédit Agricole, and the other is Ben Ali, the Southeast Asia head of Sepa Trading Company.

Crédit Agricole has expanded rapidly, establishing branches in Saigon, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Kagoshima, Naha, and Pontianak, while construction is underway on a branch in Bangkok. Due to its control over the issuance of Cinnestan currency, the bank's assets have grown rapidly, currently exceeding 70 million riyals.

Meanwhile, banks also began doing business with Japanese daimyo and Far Eastern officials, the former needing loans and the latter needing safekeeping, which provided an opportunity for financial exchange.

In contrast, the Saipa Trading Company made a fortune through land speculation and began opening trading posts throughout the Far East. From Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to Kagoshima, Naha, Manila, Pontianak, Saigon, as well as Hangzhou and Wuchang, they rapidly amassed wealth by selling products such as kerosene. Their assets were known only to the royal family.

Iranian businessmen consider Banque de l'Indochine and Sepa Bank to be the two pillars of their business in the Far East. With these two giants in their sights, their problems seem to be resolved soon.

“I’ve heard about your situation, and His Highness the Prince has written to explain your predicament! It will be resolved soon,” Jafari said first.

"That's great! I wonder how you plan to solve this problem."

They could understand the merchants' eagerness. At present, although the Haishan faction controlled the mines, conflicts between them and the Yixing faction were bound to occur again. This was an opportunity!

"Don't worry, they'll be looking for us soon!"

Tonight, four mines exploded in succession. The sounds of firefighting and cries for help mingled together. The Hai Shan faction immediately assumed it was Yi Xing's doing and ordered their men to grab weapons and go after him!
Yixing Company leader Chen Yayan had to seek British mediation again, but before that, Haishan Company had also found a country, Iran.

"Yixing Company is arrogant and disrespectful. We urge your country to uphold justice!"

Jafari took the letter, slowly unfolded it, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

“Interesting.” He looked up at the envoy, who was also a confidant of the leader. “What do you want?” “Arms, funds, and… diplomatic support.”

The two exchanged a glance, and Ali said, "If you want these, then there must be a price to pay!"

"Haishan Company must hand over 40% of its tin ore exports to Saipa Trading Company over the next three years, and we will also pay 10 riyals annually."

This is a huge financial blow for Haishan, but the leader isn't stupid. He knows that the only country that can rival Britain now is Iran. If he doesn't bleed a little more, he'll only be able to collect his own corpse later.

"Furthermore, there is another request. I know you are supporting the local chieftain, but what can he accomplish? Malaya should be ruled by a more enlightened monarch!"

This was a sudden inspiration of theirs; they were worried that if the British occupied Singapore, they could expand further north and the entire Malacca would be theirs.

Anyway, I have money now, and I can send people over quickly. I'm just waiting for their approval. Of course, if they don't agree, Iran will do the same, but then they won't have the merit of supporting the new regime.

“I believe Prince Muhammad will be a better monarch. His benevolence will bring prosperity back to Malaya, and peace will replace chaos. No one will destroy them,” Jaafari continued.

"No...no problem, I believe this is the right thing to do!"

Three days later, a group of Persian "merchants" arrived at the location of the Haishan Company. They brought a special "gift"—including 300 million rials of start-up capital and enough weapons and ammunition to equip a regiment.

Not long after, the Haisan and Yi Xing factions clashed again. This time, however, Haisan's weapons were completely different, and he forced Yi Xing into a series of defeats. Meanwhile, in Malaya, dissenting voices emerged, such as calls for an Iranian prince to become the Sultan of Malaya.

But this displeased the British, especially the Governor-General of the Straits Settlements, whose aim was to protect Singapore, for which Malaya was crucial. However, Iran's intervention has now shrouded this situation in mystery.

"Iran is trying to monopolize the Empire's interests in the Far East!"

The governor turned to his staff, a dangerous glint in his eyes: "Since the Persians want to play with fire, let them taste the firepower of the Royal Navy."

The Royal Navy's warships in Singapore began to advance toward Malacca, while simultaneously sending envoys to persuade Siam to move south, with Britain promising them a portion of Malaya.

However, the changes here could not be concealed from other border regions. The Qinistan army began to concentrate in Battambang, forcing Siam to divert its troops there. Meanwhile, there were also signs of activity from Iranian warships in Pontianak.

Furthermore, the HMS Queen Batavia also sailed to Singapore, seemingly to bolster British morale. In addition, Britain planned to transfer 20,000 troops from India by sea to Mawlamyine, intending to launch a pincer attack on Malaya.

The London Stock Exchange also sensed something was amiss, with tin mining stocks fluctuating wildly in recent days. It looked like manipulation was at play; a stock could rise to £10 in the morning and plummet to £6 in the afternoon. This made many uneasy, until a telegram arrived: Britain and Iran were in a standoff in Malaya!
Tin mining stocks were immediately dumped, plummeting to £2.5. And they continued to fall, as the urgent telegram was only a week old, and they weren't entirely clear on the details. But war is never a good thing.

(End of this chapter)