Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 653 Domestic Developments

News of the Russian army's successful crossing of the Danube reached Constantinople at top speed, and this news was nothing short of a stimulant for the Ottomans.

Previously, when facing the Russian army, the Ottomans couldn't hold back the Danube, allowing them to cross directly and advance on Constantinople. Although they managed to cross this time, this was the first time they had inflicted such heavy losses.

"Shah, the Russian army has already encountered resistance in the Danube and Caucasus. There shouldn't be any major moves in the short term."

Amir shared his insights, stating that there was currently no indication of a large-scale Russian invasion. He suggested that while the unrest in Bulgaria was being quelled, supplies could be transported to the front lines via the railway between Sofia and Veliko Tarvono.

"I have no doubt about the abilities of the soldiers and generals; their confidence in defending the country is very high. It's just that I'm a little worried about the situation inside."

War is not only about military strength, but also national power. The search in Galata uncovered a large amount of evidence against officials, businessmen, organized crime figures, and even religious individuals. To thoroughly investigate these individuals, the Iranian Ministry of the Interior and the National Security Agency mobilized over 10,000 people to search throughout the Ottoman Empire.

This included the former finance minister, the head of naval procurement, the governor of Rumelia, and several local mufti, with over 60 million rials of property confiscated. 1427 officials suspected of corruption were arrested, seven British, French, and Russian intelligence stations were dismantled, and 89 double agents were executed. This dealt a heavy blow to enemy infiltration within the Ottoman Empire.

Developing the economy should have been the simplest thing, since the Ottoman Empire did not have a dedicated economic department. Therefore, Iran's three ministries—Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Forestry, and Construction—directly handled all activities, including land allocation, industrial policy, and local development.

Land confiscated during the clearing operation, along with some Waqf land and state-owned wasteland, will be prioritized for distribution to landless or land-poor farmers. According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 4.8 million mu (approximately 253,333 hectares) of land have already been allocated to over 200,000 households. These individuals are staunch supporters of Sudan.

At the same time, the government implements unified national procurement and distribution of key agricultural products such as grain, cotton, and wool, strictly prohibits hoarding and speculation, and ensures that supplies flow to the places that need them most.

In the industrial sphere, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce abolished the cumbersome and outdated local tax checkpoints and guild barriers within the Ottoman Empire, implemented weights and measures and commercial regulations consistent with those of Iran, and promoted the internal circulation of goods. All blacksmith shops, machine shops, and textile mills with a certain level of infrastructure within the Ottoman Empire were registered and integrated, and under the guidance of Iranian engineers, they were transformed to produce military supplies such as uniforms, tents, simple weapon parts, and ammunition reloading equipment.

Finally, all efforts should be made to repair and expand the roads and railways leading from Anatolia to the Balkan front, prioritizing military transport. Simultaneously, the expansion projects of ports such as Thessaloniki and Varna should be accelerated to ensure the smooth unloading and transshipment of maritime aid from Iran.

Fiscally, currency reform accelerated unification, and the lira gradually withdrew from the market. Although the two countries still shared a border, they were effectively one nation. Religiously, the war resolved many issues for Nasser al-Din. By supporting Patriarch Antimus IV of Constantinople and cultivating goodwill with mainstream Sunni clergy, he stabilized his base within the religious community, emphasizing that this was a holy war to defend the homeland of all believers in the empire. Meanwhile, many Mufti arrested were replaced by personnel from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Land policies weakened their economic foundation, and rebellion was strictly forbidden; doing so would result in accusations of treason and infamy.

An official press office established by the Ottomans uniformly released battle reports and policy interpretations, vigorously publicizing victories at the front and the results of anti-corruption efforts at home, thus inciting popular righteous indignation. Only by mobilizing everyone could they confront Russia and France.

"Shah, don't worry. The people are united now, and we will show the Russians a new strength."

When news of the Battle of the Danube was announced, the ancient capital was instantly abuzz with excitement. Citizens flooded the streets, waving crescent-lion flags and chanting "Long live the Sultan!" and "God is great!" In cafes and teahouses, people excitedly passed around newspapers, recounting the heroic deeds of the soldiers on the front lines. Even intellectuals who were usually critical of the government had to admit that this Sultan from Persia seemed to have truly brought something different.

In the still fiercely contested Balkans, news of the victory also had a divisive effect. Within the Bulgarian insurgents who were still resisting, more wavering and divisions began to emerge. Some Bulgarian villages that had previously adopted a wait-and-see attitude even actively courted the Ottoman authorities, providing food or intelligence in an attempt to secure a place in the future order. Meanwhile, in Bosnia and other regions, the morale of the defenders and the populace soared. The symbolic significance of Senica, combined with the victory on the Danube, strengthened their resolve to resist Serbia.

This not only enhanced the sense of identification with the new Sultan's regime but also translated into tangible support. Long lines formed at recruitment offices as young people enthusiastically joined the army; in just a few days, more than 40,000 people signed up.

In addition, national war bonds were issued, with citizens contributing all their savings. Sales reached a record 10.8 billion riyals. Furthermore, 20 kilograms of gold and 456 kilograms of silver, also from the people's savings, were donated entirely for the war effort.

The newly recruited soldiers, carrying the hopes of their families, headed to the training camps. No longer were they forcibly conscripted men, but warriors driven by a belief in defending their country; their enthusiasm and discipline during training far surpassed that of the past. Factory workers worked in shifts day and night, the roar of machinery considered a battle song dedicated to the front lines. Farmers meticulously tended their fields, hoping to produce more grain to support the nation.

This unprecedented display of unity even influenced international perceptions. In Germany, which had maintained neutrality, domestic public opinion began to subtly shift. Some conservative nobles who had previously leaned towards Russia began to reassess their investment strategies after witnessing the remarkable resilience and internal cohesion exhibited by the Ottoman Empire and Iran. Financiers in Hamburg and Frankfurt showed increased interest in providing loans to this empire, which seemed capable of withstanding the first wave of attacks.

However, neither the revelry in Constantinople nor the shared hatred of the enemy in the rear could conceal the cold truth: the war had only just begun.

The victory on the Danube merely bought them a respite and shattered the enemy's illusions of a quick victory. The real test lay in their ability to endure the protracted war that followed. They had to prove that their initial victory was not a fluke, that they were capable of surviving the siege of the great powers, and winning a future of their own.

(End of this chapter)