Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 409 The Governor's Decisions

Sadiq was well aware of the strength of the business alliance. Although it couldn't compare to the industrial federation, it excelled in unity, cooperation, flexibility, and pragmatism. It could quickly identify investment targets and provide cooperation channels for small and medium-sized businesses.

Moreover, the Federation of Industries is currently focused on its investments in Hejaz and has not yet paid much attention to Sumatra.

Sadiq knew that if he wanted to continue climbing the ranks, he had to make a name for himself here, so he prepared a massive renovation plan. He was just waiting for the funding to come in so he could start work immediately.

In a house not far from the governor's mansion, a dozen or so people were discussing something, their faces showing tension.

"Master Huang, has the Governor-General of Iran still not summoned us?"

The man called Huang Gong nodded. "I don't know what the Iranian officials are talking about, but the Dutch have caused them a lot of trouble these days, otherwise they would have sent us there immediately."

Huang Sen is right. In the past, the Dutch would have made them obediently pay up and then allowed them to maintain their autonomy. But the Governor of Iran has not summoned them yet. Could it be that the Governor is planning to wipe them out in one fell swoop?

No, that's unlikely. It's well known that Iran treats Southeast Asian Chinese very well, with the Chinese in Qinistan living the most comfortable lives. Logically, Iran shouldn't be so ruthless towards them.

"Wait a little longer. Iran won't do anything to us. After all, we control the pepper exports here."

Sumatra's most important source of revenue is pepper exports, and the Chinese control 70% of the pepper trade, making them the most important intermediaries. Furthermore, the important Belitung Island mines employ 80% Chinese laborers.

In addition, Chinese people operated grocery stores, rice shops, pawnshops, and other businesses in Padang, Medan, and other areas, controlling grassroots commercial networks. Some Chinese merchants participated in coastal trade, transporting Sumatran agricultural products to trading hubs such as Singapore and Penang. Their economic influence in the region was considerable.

"Lord Huang!" a voice called from outside the door. A young man, panting, rushed in. "The Governor's Mansion has posted a notice inviting guests, and your name is on it. Here's the invitation."

Huang Sen accepted the invitation, his hands still trembling. The gold-embossed invitation gleamed coldly under the oil lamp, written in Persian and Chinese side by side, and stamped with the lion and sun emblem of Governor Sadiq at the end. The room was deathly silent; everyone's eyes were fixed on this thin piece of paper, as if it could determine the fate of all the Chinese merchants in Old Port.

"Tomorrow evening. A banquet at the Governor's Mansion." Huang Sen read the words from the invitation, his voice dry as if sandpaper were being scraped. He looked up and surveyed the crowd. The usually shrewd and capable merchants were now deathly pale, some even unconsciously reaching for their waists—where abacuses should have hung, but now they were empty. The Dutch had confiscated all weapons before their withdrawal, even registering small knives.

“Prepare gifts,” Huang Sen finally decided. “Take out that jade Guanyin statue from Kuli, and prepare three hundred catties of top-quality white pepper.” He paused, then added through gritted teeth, “Also, bring that set of blue and white porcelain that was shipped from Quanzhou last year.” The banquet hall of the governor’s mansion was brightly lit, and the pomegranate pattern on the Persian carpet looked like bloodstains under the candlelight. Sadiq sat high in the main seat, with Suleiman and his business alliance representatives beside him who had just arrived. At this moment, Huang Sen led twelve Chinese merchant leaders in, bowing as they entered.

“Mr. Huang! I’ve long heard that the Chinese merchants of Old Port are known for their integrity, and seeing it today, I can confirm that reputation is well-deserved.” Sadiq smiled and raised his crystal glass, which was filled with amber-colored Persian wine. “This first glass is a toast to our shared future!”

After several rounds of drinks, the waiters brought out platters of whole roasted lamb, golden brown, the aroma of spices mingling with the coolness of mint sauce. Huang Sen, however, had no appetite; his eyes were constantly fixed on the corner of the hall—where six guards stood, their scimitars hilts stained with fresh blood.

“Oh, right, speaking of the future,” Sadiq suddenly tapped the rim of his cup with a silver spoon, “I have a suggestion.”

The entire hall fell silent instantly. Suleiman put down his knife, and the merchants all straightened their backs. Huang Sen felt a cold sweat break out on his back—it's here!
“The old port needs to be rebuilt,” Sadiq said slowly. “The docks need to be expanded three times, the road from Medan to Palembang needs to be paved with gravel, and the spice warehouses in Aceh need to be reinforced.” As he mentioned each item, a servant would spread out a blueprint on the table. “I would like to entrust these projects to you all.”

In addition to these, Sadiq also put forward his biggest idea—the Sumatra Railway. This railway, with Old Port and Aceh as its north and south hubs, would encircle Sumatra to boost the economy and promote development.

The Chinese merchants looked at each other in bewilderment. Road construction? Dock building? Were they not here to seize the pepper trade?
“Of course,” Sadiq suddenly changed the subject, “the project funds will need to be advanced by you all, and the government will guarantee it with the pepper monopoly. In addition, there are some plots of land in the old port city that you can also purchase.”

The banquet hall erupted in excitement. Merchants eagerly offered their bids, some even pulling out abacuses and clattering away. Dozens of plots of land were marked out across the city, some in prime locations that were instantly coveted, others less so. Of course, almost all of these plots were profitable; the difference in profit depended entirely on the merchants' abilities.

This banquet made them realize that Iran was serious about developing the area; otherwise, there wouldn't have been a banquet. The banquet also reassured some people, especially the Chinese businessmen, who no longer needed to worry about being expelled by Iran and could continue living and doing business there.

After a two-week public notice period, the fierce auction began. Following intense competition, merchants from various regions all made their fortunes. Of course, the most profitable deals were those intercepted by the governor and left to Iranian merchants; Suleiman acquired a plot of land in the city center, and of course, paid the required fee.

The total transaction value of these land plots reached 4036 million riyals. The largest plot was acquired by a Chinese merchant named Huang Sen, who paid 636 million riyals to build his own trading company. According to the decree issued by the governor, Chinese merchants could also establish trading companies, but they needed the governor's license. Therefore, he spent another 50 riyals to obtain the license and jointly established a trading company with other merchants.

With this money, Sadiq no longer had to worry. He began planning the railway and at the same time took back the local tin mines. The local workers were able to continue working, and the mine owners became general managers, but the final decision-making power rested with Iran.

The massive development of Sumatra has begun, and with the influx of massive amounts of capital and manpower, it is believed that this place will become different in the future.

(End of this chapter)