Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 537 Return
Ryukyu, originally a dual tributary state of the Far East and Japan, has now become a dual tributary state of the Far East and Iran. However, compared to Japan, Iran's attitude towards Ryukyu is quite favorable.

Ryukyu's geographical location is quite important, serving as a vital link between East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. This very location presents an opportunity; if you're looking to make money, here it is.

The Iranian commissioner in Okinawa promoted a series of economic reforms, the first of which was to encourage foreign trading companies to establish operations there, reducing commercial taxes to one-fifth of their previous levels. This was a considerable incentive for foreign trading companies, and over the years, a total of 86 trading companies established operations in Okinawa.

With the arrival of these trading companies, trade was bound to increase significantly, necessitating the expansion of the wharves and the increase in the number of ships. The Ryukyu government, relying on land rents and shares in these trading companies for its livelihood, found its revenue in recent years to be higher than before.

Iran treats the Ryukyu royal family fairly well; as long as they follow their lead on major policies, there's not much else to it. The Ryukyu king continues to pay tribute to Beijing, but things have changed considerably there.

Naha's population increased to 20, and its commerce and primary processing industries also made great progress. Of course, this was also due to the fact that various countries traded here, and there were many foreigners as well.

The delegation received a great welcome here, and the Ryukyu people's aversion to Iran has lessened. In addition, they had once driven away Japan, an enemy, and were eager to repay the favor.

Murad also saw the Iranian Far East Fleet at Naha Port. Ryukyu cannot be lost, so Naha Port has been a long-term base of operations.

Because the place is small, staying here for ten days is already a long time. After confirming that everything was in order, Murad and his party continued south, first arriving in Manila, Philippines.

The Philippines, along with Cuba, was considered one of the two major pillars of Spanish colonialism, and one of its few remaining colonies. However, the Philippines was also on the verge of collapse. Local uprisings were frequent, and the Spanish central government was notoriously inefficient; it seemed the Philippines would either be seized by another country or become independent.

There were also some Iranian businessmen in the area. After meeting with them, Murad left Manila for Saigon. There really wasn't much to see there.

In Saigon, Murad saw a unique landscape, with Iranian-style architecture juxtaposed with distinctly Eastern architectural styles. Meanwhile, the farmers in the suburbs appeared melancholic.

His Highness also met the King of Cambodia, who had come all the way from the capital just to meet the future monarch of Iran.

Cambodia and Laos owe their current status to Iran's protection, so they can generally get a response to whatever they're asked to do, as long as it's not too outrageous.

Here in Iran, another important group exists: the Immortals. Established with the Shah's approval after acquiring the colonies, they recruited Laotians, Cambodians, and Chinese, undergoing standardized training, with the best able to attend the Tabriz Military Academy. They were also equipped with relatively advanced weaponry; while they might not be able to withstand the British and French, they were more than capable of dealing with the surrounding inhabitants.

The most frequent conflicts the legion had were with Siam. After Siam ceded territory to Iran, the king wanted to reclaim the lost lands, but their army was clearly no match for the Immortal Legion, and they were driven back three times in three attacks. Now, the Immortal Legion numbered 45,000 men, possessing complete infantry, artillery, and cavalry. They were loyal to the Shah, but also earned extra income, such as by suppressing bandits or acting as bodyguards. In 1862, a group of them escorted an archaeological team, which led to the discovery of the historical site—Angkor Wat.

The Mekong River has also been revitalized. In the Khon Kaen Falls area, Iran has decided to build a bridge and establish a ferry terminal, which has improved transportation to some extent and allows for better inland access.

As for the Nguyen Dynasty, they adopted a direct administration approach, including building north-south railways and highways and developing coal mines. This brought about significant changes to the lives of the local people, and any discontent had to be suppressed because they were simply no match for them.

The Iranian government has implemented several economic reforms in an effort to integrate Vietnam into its economic system. It strongly supports Vietnam's resource development, particularly in areas like coal, tea, and coffee. Iranian companies have undertaken large-scale resource development projects in Vietnam to meet the needs of both Iranian and international markets.

Agricultural policies have altered Vietnam's economic structure. Many farmers have shifted from growing grains to cultivating coffee and tea, leading to changes in the economic structure of rural communities. Cambodia, on the other hand, cultivates sugarcane and chili peppers, while Laos, with its limited arable land, relies primarily on logging.

As a "commercial colony," the Qinistan government primarily relied on taxes paid by the indigenous population. Simultaneously, it monopolized the trade in salt, rice wine, and other commodities, using the proceeds to sustain its operations. This trade supported 44% of the government's budget. Meanwhile, investments from Iran reached 1840 million rials, making transportation improvement a key priority for the authorities.

Murad then arrived in Singapore, a city primarily composed of Chinese immigrants and Indian slaves. It was the pearl of Southeast Asia and the strategically important Gibraltar of the East, so the British built a fortress there and stationed troops.

Murad only stayed here for a short time, visiting the local governor and celebrities.

Murad spent a longer time in Mumbai, mainly because he wanted to see what this most valued British colony was really like. He had heard a lot from his father about how the British Empire wouldn't surrender until the last Indian died. He wondered if it was true or not.

Murad's observations in the region revealed that India was indeed different from other places. The primary force assisting British rule consisted of the first-class Brahmins, who acted as officials relaying information between the upper and lower classes.

The British Indian Army, primarily composed of second-class Kshatriyas, was responsible for maintaining order in the region and suppressing rebellions in the various colonies. Its senior officers were British, while the lower-ranking officers and soldiers were Indian. Although this army was not as powerful as those of the European powers, it was adequate for suppressing rebellions and serving as cannon fodder.

As for the third class, the Vaishyas and Shudras, they provided revenue for the British government. Murad also couldn't understand their lives; these Indians, clearly living in misery, donated their meager possessions to temples, hoping for a better afterlife. If this were in Iran, countless wars would have broken out long ago.

After reading it, Murad remarked that they were truly a people born to be ruled. He then boarded a ship and began his journey back to Iran.

(End of this chapter)