Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 529 and the Changes in the Ottoman Empire

Britain announces 35% tariff on Iranian dyes

Naserdin stared at the front page headline, lost in thought. "What's wrong with the newspaper? This is even worth putting on the front page?"
Look at the newspapers these days: France has imposed a 25% tariff on Iranian dyes, Belgium a 15% tariff, and the Netherlands a 40% tariff.

. . . . . .

He knows that if there's no news, there's no point in doing it; in fact, he knows more about it than the newspapers do.

At best, it was those who produce synthetic and natural dyes domestically who pushed the government's decision, but domestic textile manufacturers insisted on opposing it. In the end, they only shut up after export incentives were granted.

It's unbelievable that Britain, once a champion of free trade, is now wielding the tariff weapon. Why are they so quick to criticize the progress of other countries?
While direct exports are subject to tariffs, this doesn't mean exports from other countries will also be subject to tariffs. You can simply export to Austria first, and then export to the UK.

Besides dyes, the improved bicycles are also very popular. Tens of thousands of orders are expected for the bicycle factory, given that Iranian bicycles are convenient and fast to ride.

This expo also attracted a large number of foreign tourists, who were all amazed by the level of technological development Iran has achieved. Asian tourists, in particular, were surprised to learn that Europe wasn't the only option; Iran could also be a protector of their nation.

So, an envoy from a certain country once again sent a letter to the Shah, requesting an audience. After returning from Europe, they also visited the Baghdad Expo, and since the Shah happened to be in Baghdad, they made the request for an audience again.

"Let the Grand Vizier meet with them; the situation in Japan is inevitable."

The Shogunate is utterly incompetent; Iran is withdrawing its investment. Nostalgia for a bygone era ultimately cannot outweigh the interests of the present nation, even if it might threaten future plans. There's no need to relentlessly pour resources into it. Besides, they've already proactively turned to France. Iran faces no pressure whatsoever.

Abdullah's letter from Shanghai has been sent back; they have won over a businessman named Hu Xueyan to invest in building a new textile factory. Furthermore, they are willing to open the ports of Takow and Keelung to trade with Iran, which is a considerable concession.

After putting down the Far East telegram, news came from the Ottomans and Egypt. Ismail Pasha had agreed to sell his Suez Canal shares to the Shah for £480 million. This was something Britain had originally intended to take advantage of, but Iran had intercepted the deal.

On the Ottoman side, Constantinople finally turned to Iran for help. No matter how much they tried to deceive themselves, Iran was strong, and had defeated them.

Meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire also succumbed to the influx of Iranian goods. Although the quality couldn't match European products, the prices were much cheaper, effectively crippling Ottoman handicrafts. On the other hand, trade with Iran created a surge in Ottoman and Armenian compradors. They controlled 85% of the trade with Iran, and thanks to this trade, their wealth grew rapidly, and their influence increased significantly.

Compradors' income mainly consisted of two parts: first, a salary, which was several hundred or even several thousand rials per month; and second, commissions, which were generally 2%-3% of the amount of the transactions they handled. This was the main source of income for compradors.

而1866年伊朗在奥斯曼（包括埃及）设立的商行达226家，超过英国的99家和法国的63家。大多以中小商行为主，每个商行会雇佣1到3名买办。而根据去年伊朗和奥斯曼的贸易额，买办们每年可以获得320万里亚尔的佣金。

After making their fortunes, the compradors began investing in new types of businesses. For example, the Tawfiq family of Samsun leveraged their local connections to facilitate the sale of Iranian goods. After earning commissions, they opened their own trading companies, also importing goods from Iran for resale.

Of course, what they're asking for isn't government reform or anything like that. Instead, they're demanding that Sudan and Iran maintain good relations, ideally with Sudan personally traveling to Iran to speak with the Shah. This would bring more trade, and they could earn more money.

It wasn't just the comprador merchant class; the lower classes also began to shift their allegiance. It became a trend for people living in Anatolia and Syria to go to Iran to work. Everyone knew that the Ottoman Empire was incapable of solving their problems. Patriotism was important, but they couldn't be patriotic while starving.

According to a report from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the number of Ottomans working in Iran, its colonies, and its three allied sultanates—Al-Jam, Brunei, and Perak—has reached 386215. Although they perform the lowest-level jobs, they have gradually established themselves in Iran, with some even becoming skilled workers in factories or small shop owners in cities, earning higher incomes. As their lives have improved, they have naturally moved their families to Iran to settle down. They have converted to Islam and learned Persian. To integrate into Iranian society as quickly as possible, they display hatred towards the Ottomans; they are considered kind-hearted if they don't criticize them.

The Ottomans were aware of this situation but did not stop it. Partly because they lacked the capacity, and partly because the money these people sent home became a major source of income for the Ottomans. Last year, they sent a total of 421 million rials, from which they took a 2% cut—a considerable sum. The government didn't take a cut; this money became the property of local bankers.

Grand Vizier Mitahim Mohammed Rashdi Pasha also urged Sultan Abdullah to talk to Iran, saying that the Ottoman Empire must maintain relations with Iran for now, or the future might be even worse.

Sultan Abdullah initially refused. However, he couldn't resist the overwhelming pressure from the government's demands for negotiations. Therefore, he ordered the government to begin comprehensive negotiations with Iran. Finally, in 1865, a new trade agreement was signed with the Iranian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This agreement reopened four ports for Iranian trade, recognized Iran's special rights in Cyprus, and, most importantly, allowed Shia missionaries to spread their religion to a limited extent, easing surveillance of Shia Muslims.

But such an agreement is clearly not enough to satisfy Iran. It wants not only Anatolia, but also the Balkans, Syria, Jerusalem, and Egypt!

Sudan is still enjoying its current situation. In order to borrow money, it directly offered the right to build the railway from Izmir to Jerusalem and the surrounding 10-kilometer area as collateral to obtain a loan of 2000 million rials from Iranian banks.

Nasserdin felt the country was beyond saving; corruption permeated everything from the bottom up. Money wasn't being used ethically, but what did it matter to him? He just wanted to make money. As long as the other party didn't regret it.

(End of this chapter)