Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 471 Formation
At the Dakenhaus estate outside Córdoba, a banquet is underway for officials and wealthy businessmen.

Logically speaking, holding a banquet during wartime suggests that the country is on the verge of destruction. But for the attendees, that might actually be the case.

They have no emotional attachment to Argentina, viewing the national government merely as a tool for the Buenos Aires Group to oppress them. From business to politics, they face suppression at every turn.

In an effort to suppress the capital region, they endorsed the federal system and prepared to work together to do so. However, they were no match for the federalists in the capital.

Now, their opportunity has arrived. Although it may be somewhat unfair to God, who says that the Crescent Moon Society can only be hostile and not cooperative? France and the Ottoman Empire, Austria and Iran, didn't they cooperate well?

"Tell me, those people in Buenos Aires used to be so arrogant. Now they're all holed up there, unable to fight back or retreat. It's really satisfying."

They were really pleased to see the Buenos Aires Group suffer a setback.

"Yes, but what should we do next?"

One person expressed his concerns, saying that selling the estate and moving to Europe was an option. But his family had lived there for centuries; the Americas were their home.

Fed up with Spain's endless exploitation, they rose up in rebellion, but after independence, they became embroiled in power struggles. The people of the capital looked down on them, those from other places, considering them barbarians like the indigenous people.

Since they are heartless, then I will be heartless too. Since I'm going to rely on someone anyway, why not rely on someone who is good to me?

Patagonia is backed by the newly rising power of Iran, and trade with them carries lower tax rates than exports through formal channels. This has led to inland merchants exporting large quantities of grain and meat to Patagonia while simultaneously purchasing large quantities of Iranian manufactured goods. This back-and-forth trade has sustained a large merchant class.

Farmers and plantation owners were also very happy, as their produce sold very well. As long as they made money, they didn't care who was in charge, as long as it didn't involve religious issues.

Watching Mustafa chat with high-ranking officials, the businessman felt he should increase his investment. He believed Iran's future governance would be better than it is now, and perhaps they could even expand beyond South America to various parts of the world.

Mustafa had a good chat with Urquiza, a senior official in Rosario. Urquiza is a moderate within the federalists and served as president of Argentina for a period of time before being ousted by the centralists.

Now, with Iran's help, they might be able to achieve their goal: to establish a federal state so that no one will oppress them anymore.

Of course, they wouldn't let Iran help them for nothing. They'd be willing to give up Buenos Aires and the surrounding area, as long as Iran agreed to allow its influence in the province.

"Cheers to friendship!" "Cheers!"

Urquiza raised his glass and spoke to Mustafa about the future. No oppression, no war, people working at sunrise and resting at sunset—this was utopia.

“Oh, what you say is indeed appealing. But if it's about forming a political system like the United States, I'm afraid the Shah still has some concerns.”

Urquiza knew what Iran was worried about, and he assured them that all previous agreements remained valid. As long as the national government did not interfere in the affairs of local governments, their diplomatic and defense rights would be relinquished.

They would also provide support regarding the construction of railways and telegraphs. After all, these two were truly revolutionary changes in the way people traveled, and they also improved their economy.

Patagonian forces have captured the town of General Lapava, from where Iranian warships can directly blockade the port of Buenos Aires. This disrupts Argentina's maritime trade, dealing another blow to the Buenos Aires government.

Many white people began fleeing to Brazil by small boat; of the country's 150 million inhabitants, 10 had already fled the capital. This was a significant loss of population. Many more fled by land before the Patagonian invasion, some of whom reached Paraguay. López Obrador was very lenient with them, granting them the right to settle as long as they could produce goods for him.

This approach has indeed worked. Previously fleeing Argentinians settled in Paraguay, and the acquisition of new territory further boosted Paraguay's population from 55 to 78, and it continues to grow.

Furthermore, in order to withstand the intense pressure from the Brazilian army, López adopted the suggestion of his trusted confidants and distributed large amounts of newly occupied land to military generals and ordinary soldiers. This was done firstly to consolidate the local control, and secondly to prevent his subordinates from rebelling.

These people provided logistical support for López and ensured his army had no worries about food. On November 14, Paraguay and Brazil engaged in fierce fighting at Tuyutti, a battle of extreme brutality. Paraguay suffered 4000 dead and 7000 wounded; Brazil suffered 9000 casualties. Journalists have called this battle the largest military event in South America.

To make up for the army's losses, López conscripted children and the elderly to the front lines. After that, Brazil attacked Curupati, and the Paraguayan army put up a fierce resistance, suffering nearly 10,000 casualties but still unable to break through.

Due to the unfavorable situation on the front lines, Pedro II appointed Cassias as the new commander-in-chief and conscripted 10 new soldiers, while Brazilian factories worked overtime to produce munitions.

For Pedro II, the current war was also putting immense pressure on Brazil domestically. Due to the issue of slavery, liberals across the country had launched abolitionist movements, and Britain, feeling that its support for the Confederacy violated its own spirit of freedom, increased its support for the Brazilian movement. The British ambassador even promised economic aid if Brazil abolished slavery.

Pedro II gradually began to consider abolishing slavery, but his rule was rooted in white plantation owners. A hasty abolition would backfire. However, the economy was also struggling; Brazil's industry could not meet the demands of the war, so most weapons were purchased from Britain. Expanding domestic arms factories further strained Brazil's finances. Therefore, Pedro II considered peace talks, but not with Paraguay, but with Patagonia.

The current situation is clearly unfavorable to the Brazil-Argentina alliance. Therefore, he has no choice but to sell out Argentina in exchange for a neutral enemy. Then he can have a one-on-one duel with Paraguay – that would be ideal. As for Argentina, he should focus on preserving himself first.

(End of this chapter)