Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 432 The Transformation of the Middle East

Murad handled a large number of government affairs on behalf of the Shah during Nasser al-Din's visit, and could make decisions on everything except major foreign and defense matters.

Considering Ismail established the Safavid dynasty at the age of 14, Murad began to control the decision-making of Iran at the same age. How can this not be considered progress?

Thanks to his outstanding results in Herat, Naser al-Din increasingly valued him and began to put him in charge of the royal family's financial reports and domestic transportation infrastructure.

Transport Minister Hatami is a member of Murad's maternal grandfather's family. He was sent to Brussels and London to study, and after returning home, he started by undertaking the reconstruction of local roads and then worked his way up to become Transport Minister.

“Your Highness, please see, our current focus is on connecting Baghdad to Mecca by railway. Once this railway is completed, it will greatly improve local connectivity and facilitate the flow of people and goods. Even troop transport can be completed quickly.”

The foundation stone for the railway has already been laid, but the necessary steps, including planting sand-fixing forests and setting up stations along the route, are still underway.

"How much did this railway cost?" Murad asked.

"Preliminary calculations indicate that at least 1400 million yuan will be needed."

1400 million is already a lot. Murad pointed his cane at the railway line, "If it were extended to Sana'a and Hodeidah, how much would the cost increase?"

"This needs to be estimated by the Ministry of Transport, but it will require at least 600 million."

Hatami explained the situation, noting that this was already the most expensive project on Iran's railway network. Currently, Iran's railway network spans 6500 kilometers, and his goal is to increase it to over 1.5 kilometers.

"How is the port?" Besides the railway, the port is also important, as it relates to Iran's maritime transport and exports.

"Bushel, Chabahar, and Sukhumi are maintaining good transport volumes, and construction is underway in Muscat, Doha, and Kuwait City. However, Muscat, being the most outward-facing port, is probably the only one with rapid export growth. If Jeddah can resume its functions, we will have another port."

Iran's governance of Hejaz encountered difficulties from conservatives who were highly resistant to new ideas brought in by Iran. Coupled with the conflict between Shiites and Sunnis, various initiatives faced challenges after the honeymoon period, the most significant being Bedouin raids.

"So, the construction of Hejaz was the most difficult."

"Yes, Your Highness. Although we have the support of the merchant guild and Apu, they don't support us completely. Some things simply cannot be done without their approval."

The central government dislikes local decentralization the most, but sometimes it needs to consider the actual situation. The local power in Hejaz is immense, so Iran can only adopt a moderate approach, softening their stance through trade and transportation. This will be a long-term process, requiring continuous investment.

Iran's active trade keeps transportation running smoothly. Besides exporting its own products, it also acts as a middleman, importing from the East and exporting to the West. Although the profits are small, they add up to a considerable sum.

It's surprising that with the Ottoman Empire losing its influence, Iran has filled the gap. The Middle East is truly a land of opportunity. By the way, what is the Ottoman Empire doing now?
A: They were just giving up. The Ottoman Sultan was often capricious and irrational, exhibiting megalomaniacal tendencies that even raised doubts about his mental and emotional well-being.

He became increasingly tyrannical and did many absurd things: he demanded that his ministers grovel before him and kiss his son's feet; any official with the same name as him, Aziz, was forbidden from signing his own name on official documents; he ordered soldiers to simulate battles for his amusement; and he was obsessed with his favorite cockfighting, awarding medals and ornaments to the winning cocks while throwing away the losing ones.

Such a ruler was naturally incapable of issuing any decrees. The Ottoman Empire was gradually being used as a tug-of-war rope by Europe and Iran, with each side pulling the Ottoman Empire toward its side.

Iran has invested heavily in its influence in the Ottoman Empire, including through students, workers, and religious figures who tirelessly promote Iran's positive aspects to those around them. Syria, Palestine, and Central Anatolia, which border Iran, naturally support this theory, as does Cyprus, where Shia immigrants have surpassed the Orthodox native population.

The dire situation led the Ottomans to discuss whether they could emulate Iran's path to prosperity, but the upper echelons were unwilling to take any action. Reforms relied on a centralized bureaucracy, but rampant corruption among Ottoman officials distorted policy implementation.

The reforms, which aimed to weaken local feudal power and promote secular law, threatened the privileges of local nobles and religious leaders, sparking a strong backlash. Support for secular education while retaining religious schools led to a chaotic legal education system. Radicals felt the reforms weren't radical enough, while conservatives felt the Sultan was violating their values. The reforms pleased neither side.

Since that's the case, then don't try to change it. Just do your job day by day, and it's fine as it is.

Even Heaven could not bear to see this suffering. Beginning in 1862, drought and famine struck Central Anatolia, bringing immense hardship to the people. By winter, the situation had deteriorated to its worst—wolves began to roam the outskirts of Istanbul, preying on passersby; large numbers of cattle and sheep died, causing catastrophic losses; in villages, people began to starve to death, collapsing in the streets, their bodies left unclaimed. The poor harvests meant the government was unable to collect the necessary taxes. The imperial treasury was empty, making it impossible to even maintain the government's operations.

In early summer this year, approximately 6,000 religious students from schools affiliated with Istanbul's three main mosques left their schools and gathered in front of the High Gate to demonstrate. They demanded the removal of the Grand Vizier and the Grand Mufti. Reportedly, some of them even measured the height of the fence in front of the palace to see if it was high enough to hang the Grand Vizier.

Russia intensified its penetration of the Balkans, securing Serbia as an ally through the Church and Slavism. Russia provided Serbia with all its support via the railway. At this time, an uprising against exorbitant taxes broke out in Bosnia. In Herzegovina, crop failures and the oppressive taxation of tax farmers sparked rebellions against local governments. The unrest then spread to Bosnia. Serbia seized the opportunity to launch an offensive, preparing to attack Skopje.

Meanwhile, another potential ally, Bulgaria, was discussing a potential alliance with Romania. This would allow them to gain independence quickly, and Iran would likely support them.

Meanwhile, in the southern Mediterranean, Egypt gradually became a puppet state of Britain and France. Egypt provided whatever Britain and France wanted, as long as it didn't infringe upon their interests.

(End of this chapter)