Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 677 Government Policy
In all the narratives, the great monarch Naser al-Din is the most important. Without him, none of this would exist.

When the history of Eastern civilization was laid bare before Nasser al-Din, he knew the first step in integration had been completed. There's a lot of truth and falsehood mixed in with national narratives, from arrogant figures like those in South Korea to those who fabricate their own history. But retelling isn't fabrication, and alteration isn't random rewriting. Everything has a historical basis; it's all about how you write it.

"Sultan, this is the land policy situation implemented in Izmir, Bursa, and Edirne. Please take a look."

Camille delivered the report to the Sultan after a series of events. Land reforms in these areas were finally completed, and moderate landowners moved elsewhere with their ransoms, while the incorrigible and religious figures were forced to submit to the Sultan's cannons and machine guns, having all their property confiscated and being exiled to South America and Malaya.

In the core provinces of Anatolia, Thrace, and Macedonia, approximately 550 million hectares of land were included in the reform. Around 45 landless or land-poor farmers received land. A total of approximately 1.2 million rials was paid to moderate landowners who cooperated with the reform, to be paid in installments over 10 years.

"This was well done, everyone. In times of war, these measures must be implemented and strictly enforced."

For now, the war has temporarily united the various classes of the Ottoman people. But to solve their problems, reform is still the only solution.

Naser al-Din drew a line on the Ottoman map with his pen: "Now we should expand the docks in Thessaloniki and Izmir to accommodate more merchant ships and connect them with railways."

How many more mineral deposits have been discovered?

"Iron and coal mines have been discovered, and manpower is being organized for mining."

Naserdin nodded, and then began to talk about the farmers' situation.

In the Ottoman Empire, more than 80% of the population were farmers, and they were very important to the country.

"The families of all soldiers who serve for the Empire will receive tax breaks, and the families of those who are killed or wounded will receive state pensions and land guarantees. Every family that sheds blood for the Empire should feel the warmth of the Empire, rather than being forgotten in a corner to fend for themselves."

This matter was already decided from the beginning, and Sudan reiterated it to ensure its finalization. In addition, there was the introduction of drought-resistant cotton and sugar beet varieties from Iran into Anatolia, the promotion of high-yield wheat in Thrace and Macedonia, and the dispatch of agricultural technicians to provide guidance.

The widespread provision of low-interest loans in Ottoman villages for the purchase of seeds, farm tools, and improved techniques freed farmers from the clutches of usury. The promotion of new rural development and the strengthening of rural infrastructure were also measures that protected farmers.

在1872年一年，农业银行就发放贷款820万里亚尔。约5.2万农户受益，平均贷款利率仅4.5%，远低于此前普遍20%-50%的高利贷。

In regions where drought-resistant Iranian cotton has been introduced, the yield per unit area is expected to increase by 20-30%. In regions where high-yield wheat varieties are promoted, the average yield per acre is expected to increase by 15%. For soldiers, their families enjoy a 25% reduction in agricultural tax. Families of soldiers killed in action or seriously wounded will receive at least 5 hectares of tax-free land in addition to their pensions.

Besides the peasantry, the urban class, the emerging bourgeoisie, and the intellectuals were not forgotten either. They were the most active force in the entire society and the most readily available.

By enacting a unified company law, private property rights and the validity of contracts were protected. The spread of the rial in Ottoman cities was accelerated, providing a stable financial environment for industry and commerce, and utilizing banks to finance promising industrial and commercial projects. Furthermore, the traditional guilds' monopoly on production and prices was weakened, and the adoption of new machinery and technologies was encouraged. Tax breaks and policy support were provided to merchants who adopted new technologies and established new factories.

Another bureaucrat began to speak, “The Sudanese business community, currently based in Izmir, Bursa, and Beirut. The stability of the riyal allows them to confidently enter into long-term contracts, and the clarity of company law has attracted more capital into the mining and shipping industries. However, resistance from traditional guilds remains; their influence in the Anatolian interior is deeply entrenched, and they are hostile to new machinery and free pricing.”

"Resistance is inevitable," Naserdin said calmly but with unwavering conviction. "The vested interests of the old era will not automatically withdraw. What we need to do is make the new forces strong enough to crush this resistance. As for the guilds, we shouldn't forcibly abolish them; that would cause unnecessary turmoil. We need to use other methods to divide them."

Banks should provide top-priority loans to these emerging, independent businesses. At the same time, government procurement orders, such as for military uniforms, rations, and railway equipment, should also be prioritized for them. Those who follow the new rules should profit, while those who rigidly adhere to the old rules should be eliminated by the market.

奥斯曼境内里亚尔流通量占比，从1872年底的15%提升至现在的61%。国家银行及奥斯曼分行，计划在1873年度向奥斯曼地区工商企业提供 2500万里亚尔的低息贷款。

Key industries receiving support include: textiles, mineral development, shipping and port construction, and agricultural product processing. Enterprises newly established within the model industrial zone will enjoy a five-year tax exemption and a three-year 50% tax reduction.

Amir then added, "Shah, the religious aspect also needs careful guidance. The centuries-old divide between Sunnis and Shiites, and the attitude towards other Milites, remain key to internal stability."

Nasser al-Din nodded: "Religious issues cannot be rushed. We have already taken the first step, guaranteeing the legal autonomy of each religious community, but unifying criminal and commercial matters under national law."

Next, interfaith dialogue should be encouraged. Officially funded interfaith academic seminars could be held in Istanbul, Isfahan, and other cities to discuss the doctrines of peace, justice, and mutual assistance found in scriptures. Simultaneously, basic religious knowledge lessons should be incorporated into the public school curriculum, providing an objective overview of the major religions within the empire, with the aim of eliminating prejudice caused by ignorance and cultivating a spirit of tolerance.

Nasserdin looked around at the crowd and concluded: "Gentlemen, what we are doing is not just a war, but a profound social transformation."

This path is destined to be fraught with thorns; the backlash from the old forces, sabotage from external enemies, and internal misunderstandings will all follow. But we have no way back. Only by truly forging the nation into a unified community bound by blood can we win the final victory in this game of survival, instead of becoming lambs to the slaughter.

All ministers expressed their support for Nasser al-Din's orders, as he is now the only hope for the entire Middle East, and for his own sake and for the sake of the country, he must charge forward regardless of everything.

(End of this chapter)