Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 505 Conference Debate (Part 2)

The meeting hall was brightly lit that night, and the Liberal Party was determined to push through its proposal to cut military spending. The Progressive Party and the Revival Party were equally determined, sending food to the party, determined to reject these proposals.

The Progressive and Revival parties currently hold 88 seats in the panel of experts, while the Liberal and Whig parties hold 62. To pass the bill, the support of the 101 selected MPs is required.

"Gentlemen!" Hamiye's voice was already somewhat hoarse, but he still tried his best to overcome the noise in the room. "Let us think with reason, not emotion—last year, military spending accounted for nearly half of the national treasury's expenditure, while education and public health combined accounted for less than one-fifth! Can our soldiers support their families with bayonets? Can they be cured of typhoid fever with cannons?"

Abbas slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly. "What a moving speech! Is Mr. Hamiye going to suggest we send olive branches to the Cossack cavalry? While the Ottoman artillery is conducting exercises on the border, you want us to lay down our weapons and plant wheat?"

A burst of laughter erupted from the Ba'ath Party seats, with someone imitating Hamiye's tone and shouting: "Peace! Bread! And then wait to be slaves of a conquered nation!"

The crystal chandelier in the parliament hall trembled slightly amidst the intense noise. Hamiye's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, yet he still clutched the crumpled financial report tightly.

"Allow me to show you some interesting figures!" His voice pierced the noise like a sharp knife. "Last year, the field guns we purchased from Krupp cost 1.8 times more per unit than the British! And according to customs records—" He paused deliberately, watching the Minister of Munitions' suddenly stiffened back, "the shipping insurance policy for this batch of artillery was stamped with the seal of a certain MP's son-in-law's shipping company!"

The meeting hall erupted in chaos. Ba'ath Party leader Tahran slammed his silver cane on the ground, making teacups clink. "This is blatant slander!" his goatee trembled with rage. "The land our soldiers defended with their blood on the front lines is being called a breeding ground for corruption?"

As the two sides' members of parliament began throwing raisins at each other, the 101 selected members of parliament, dressed in white robes, remained as silent as statues. Murad, watching this farce from above, was also greatly shocked.

In previous education, it was said that Parliament was the path to Britain's prosperity and strength. Now, however, things seem completely different; all that remains is endless arguments and rejections, with policies failing to be adequately discussed and implemented.

He understood somewhat why his father had wanted him to go and see for himself. He greeted the guards beside him and then went back.

It was already 1 a.m., and Nasser al-Din was still awake. The results of the expert panel were not yet available, and although he didn't have much power, he still wanted to see the parliamentary outcome.

"Father!"

Murad appeared before Nasser al-Din, and Shah beckoned him over.

"So, how's the situation in the conference room?"

Murad shook his head. "It's terrible. Even the busiest markets aren't this competitive."

Murad recounted what he had seen and heard to Naserdin, and it was indeed as he had described. Naserdin understood.

"Everyone says that parliament can solve all problems, but it seems that this rumor is now false."

Parliament cannot solve all problems. When a matter cannot be resolved through discussion, there must be the resolve to push it forward. Even if parliament opposes it, if the matter is good, it needs to be pushed through.

Murad then said, "But isn't this the tyrant of ancient Greece...?" "No, no, no, this is a monarch's duty. A monarch is born responsible for the country, whether it's defending the borders or improving the people's livelihood."

In ancient Rome, when disputes in the Senate threatened the city, someone would always lead troops into the capital and implement policies to consolidate rule. Even if unforeseen circumstances arose, this process was never altered by a single individual.

Naser al-Din handed the book to Murad; it was Machiavelli's *The Prince*. "This book will help you understand the rights and obligations of a ruler."

Murad listened to a lot, but he still had some questions.

"If that's the case, why bother with a parliament? Wouldn't it be better to just listen to the monarch?"

Nasserdin laughed. "I think the monarchs of Europe have already considered this issue. Times have changed, so naturally the methods of governance must evolve with the times. When you look around, aren't the Progressive Party and the Liberal Party the ones arguing the most?"

Murad nodded. "Yes, the two sides even fought."

"That's it. If we don't give them a place to argue, then one day they'll take to the streets to discuss it, or even cause a bigger uproar. But that doesn't mean we have to give in unconditionally."

Shah paused for a moment, then continued, "Mastering the management of these members of parliament is something we need to learn next. Only by firmly grasping the public opinion they represent can politics be considered stable."

The democracy that the Greeks were so proud of now seems like a joke. Neither majority rule nor minority rule could solve its own problems, and it was ultimately destroyed by Macedonia and Rome.

Murad also began to understand. Like Prussia, with absolute power in hand, one could rule the world. This involved firmly controlling the wealthy urban class and using landed nobles and peasants as supporters to solidify one's power. This was also why his father had promoted agricultural cooperatives.

The cooperative system has been implemented in almost every province, with most local farmers joining. The main purpose is to protect farmers' interests and increase their bargaining power over agricultural products. The effects are now evident: Iran's agricultural production has increased, and some wasteland has been reclaimed.

Meanwhile, a campaign aimed at rural development was also underway. Transportation, schools, and water conservancy became the means by which this campaign was implemented. Farmers' lives saw a noticeable improvement.

This is why the farmers warmly welcomed the Shah when he visited the countryside. During the New Year, they received a petition from 300,000 people hoping the Shah would visit them. Furthermore, farmers are the largest supporters of postal savings. Currently, 66% of small savings deposits are held by farmers.

“Some things can’t be used all the time, but they also can’t be left unused. The same goes for parliament. Let them argue, and as for policy, let the professionals handle it.”

Murad nodded; he understood.

Meanwhile, the expert meeting reached its final conclusion: in principle, it agreed to optimize the military spending structure and safeguard the foundation of national defense.

After much discussion, the outcome was so vague and unclear that Murad was utterly disillusioned with the parliamentary system. It couldn't accomplish anything significant, but at least it served as an outlet for public opinion; keeping it around was better than nothing.

(End of this chapter)