Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 480 Cabinet Meeting (Part 2)

"Our country and President Lawrence have always maintained a friendly relationship. Thousands of Iranian businessmen trade in Mexico, and trade cooperation between our two countries can be further strengthened."

Iran mainly imports silver, grain, and agave fiber from Mexico, while its exports consist of kerosene, textiles, and goods transshipped to the Far East. Approximately 1000 Iranian merchants across Mexico work in various industries, contributing significantly to trade between the two countries.

"Not only Mexico, but also the United States of America are important trading partners for our country. This is very beneficial to our economy."

The booming trade was universally acknowledged. It seemed the matter was about to end, but Farzadi still brought up issues from the treaty.

"I wonder if you all realized that in this treaty, our country recognizes Russia's special interests in Japan and Korea."

Does this mean that Russia can use Korea and Japan as leverage to expand its maritime influence and thus threaten our interests?

Musharraf laughed at Falzadi's words, "Your Excellency Falzadi, you are overthinking it. There is no railway between Russia and the Far East, so even if troops were sent, they would not arrive in less than a few months."

"So, Grand Vizier is quite confident. Don't forget, things have been rather unstable in Japan lately."

As a seasoned veteran of the political arena, Farzadi was well-versed in the ways of officialdom. His motto was: go along with the Shah's wishes, and you'll have a smooth career path.

Farzadi also successfully discerned Nasser al-Din's intentions: an urgent desire to make Iran prosperous and powerful, and to expand the country's influence. Russia, naturally, was a target for attack.

Russia has gained a good outlet to the sea from the Far East. If it connects it with a railway, Russian troops can set out from here to harass the Far East and thus affect Iran's interests.

Besides Cinican, Iran's trade routes in the Far East included Ryukyu, Guangzhou, and Nagasaki. A division emerged among Japan's regional rulers: the northern daimyo and the shogunate viewed Iran as allied with them, while the southern daimyo believed Iran must be driven out. If left unchecked, Japan would face a major upheaval within the next five years.

"So, does Your Excellency mean that we should launch another war against Japan?" Labani asked.

"Of course not, but we need to be wary of all possible factors. If a ruler like the Shah emerges, then we must be careful. After all, everyone knows that the price of raw silk in Japan is even lower than that produced in Mazandaran."

This is somewhat awkward. The Far East, Japan, Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and India are arguably the five major producers of raw silk, but for some reason, Japanese raw silk is cheaper than that from the Far East. This has led Iranian merchants to buy large quantities and then resell it to Europe.

Sardinia, Europe's largest raw silk producer, is already struggling under the pressure of Iranian raw silk exports. This has forced them to adopt high tariffs to keep raw silk out, but in doing so, their silk processing industry has also been destroyed by Iran.

Sardinia is Europe's largest silk-processing country, handling 60% of Europe's silk production. However, it faced challenges: Austria seized control of Lombardy, its most important processing base, and Iran's silk industry was also gaining traction. Sardinia's finances rapidly declined, and had it not been for British investment, this fledgling enterprise might have collapsed.

“Silk processing has always been a major revenue-generating industry in our country, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will issue further directives to expand its scale,” Rabbani said.

"If that's the case, then that's for the best."

No one spoke, and a mysterious atmosphere filled the meeting room.

Shahriari spoke first, saying, "This year's fiscal revenue is approximately 113.58 million riyals. In addition, 80 million riyals of government bonds will be issued."

The Ministry of Finance has an unwritten rule that when it issues national bonds that are close to the fiscal revenue, 80% of them must be purchased by members of the royal family.

"So much?" "As mentioned before, this is for transportation and school construction. In addition, the Shah also places special emphasis on steel and military industries, and the government plans to build factories in Isfahan and Herat."

Shahryarri told everyone something he had thought about countless times: there's really no problem with this. But this is a government construction project following the large investment a few years ago.

"It's not just these things, is it? I've submitted reports multiple times stating the need to expand the police force and prisons, and also to guard against espionage and sabotage from other countries. I wonder if the Ministry of the Interior has allocated any funds for this?"

Knowing exactly what he wanted to say, Shahryari immediately replied, "Your Excellency Farzadi, please rest assured, the Ministry of the Interior has always had ample funds. Your report has already been delivered to the Royal Palace, and Prince Murad agrees with what you said. He has also instructed the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds."

"In that case, there's nothing to worry about."

Seeing that the agenda was nearly exhausted, Musharraf adjourned the meeting. Cabinet members left the meeting room, and Farzadi exchanged a few words with Musharraf before leaving.

"A good meeting, Your Excellency Grand Vizier."

"Thank you for your praise, but I hope the policy can be implemented. This is all for the sake of the country."

The other person's eyes darkened slightly. "That's natural, but I still advise the Grand Vizier not to push through a policy head-on. That would offend most people."

Musharraf asked, "So, what do you suggest we do?"

"That's your problem, but if you displease the Shah, I'm afraid your fate won't be much better."

Farzadi left, and Musharraf slammed his fist on the table.

"This old man actually dares to threaten me!"

The more he said this, the more he felt he should continue to push it forward.

When he was the finance minister, he suggested that Amir investigate the land, but the other party didn't say anything, only telling him that the nobles now controlled everything.

Looking at it now, these nobles are nothing but snakes, insects, and rats. Even the government's heavy-handed measures haven't woken them up; they're just like this.

“Grand Vizier, are you really going to do this?” Shahryari asked.

"Of course, we need to promote postal savings as soon as possible, and we need to get more manpower to promote it in every village and every corner."

Currently, this policy faces the least resistance; all that's needed is to promote it effectively.

As for the land survey, it must continue. It should begin comprehensively in Sumatra, and then in plains areas like Mazantran.

Moreover, what can those who try to obstruct the government do to stop its progress? They have no army, and those who did have armies have already been wiped out. As for the others, they only have extensive connections. Again, as long as the Shah supports his policies, those people won't rise up.

(End of this chapter)