Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 28 Shah's Resolutions
Amir was naturally aware of the Báb's transfer, as he had received dozens of proposals from religious scholars suggesting that the Báb and his followers be executed.

Although he felt it was the right thing to do, he decided to wait for the governor's return before making a decision, and put that aside for the time being. The most important thing was the military issue.

As per the governor's previous instructions, the army was to be expanded to two corps, or 37500 men. The government selected 10000 men from the militia and recruited another 6000 from rural areas; these men would be incorporated into the army and receive new training.

But there are always troublemakers in the army who protest by refusing to participate in training and by causing disturbances. Unfortunately for them, they are facing a new type of army, whose regulations send them straight to Allah. Moreover, after the two new armies are trained, ten more armies will be trained, but that will be done when he becomes the Shah.

"Everything for the army," was the phrase Nasser al-Din repeated most often to Amir. The local government also worked hard to improve the status and treatment of soldiers. In the current environment, only by increasing the army could they ensure the implementation of their policies and the defense of the country.

Their request to Prussia to hire an officer had already been submitted to the General Staff. When the other party specifically asked for Moltke, most people had already guessed their intentions. Because of Moltke's experience working in the Ottomans, he knew the situation in the Ottomans very well, so if a conflict broke out between Persia and the Ottomans in the future, the war could be ended as quickly as possible.

However, at this time Moltke was the adjutant of Prince Henry of Prussia and was in Rome. The General Staff decided to issue a transfer order immediately. Prussia also needed to expand its diplomacy so that its industries could find a new market.

The Iranian delegation not only met with the King in Prussia, but also with the students who had come to study there. Abdullah expressed his sympathy for their plight and wished them success in their studies so that they could return to Iran and serve their country.

Prussia gave the delegation a different feeling. If Austria had a touch of romance, then Prussia had a more serious atmosphere. The ubiquitous military and weapons, along with the local people's veneration of the army and war, made them feel as if they were not in a country, but in a military camp.

Moreover, Prussia's industry was quite good. The steel production and quality were better than what they had seen in Austria, Hussein silently noted. The industry here, especially machinery and steel, was excellent.

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"Your Excellency Shah, you have finally made the right decision. I believe that Persia has now embarked on the right path."

In the Qurestan Palace in Tehran, Mohammed was receiving congratulations from the Omani envoy and the British minister. Just moments before, a treaty determining the status of Bandar Abbas and the surrounding land had been signed. The treaty stipulated that Bandar Abbas and the surrounding land belonged to Iran, but the British had the right to establish shops and trading posts there. Oman would have to pay an annual fee to continue using the land, but given Oman's financial situation, this fee was to be paid by Britain.

"We hope that Iran can coexist peacefully with both countries. Iran is willing to trade with all countries that desire peace. If war is started, it will not be good news for any country."

The Shah said so, and the Omani envoy echoed him. Wallace then stated that peace would be restored here under the mediation of the British Empire, and that it would be permanent.

This incident can be considered one of the less damaging instances in Iranian diplomacy, as Iran not only regained the land but also received some tacit approval from the British. Because some tribes near the Persian Gulf were impoverished and Britain's finances were somewhat unhealthy, Wallace, knowing that Persia also harbored ambitions, suggested to London that Bahrain, a British ally, be transferred to Persia. Since Persia had ruled Bahrain for over a thousand years, transferring it would not only improve relations but also reduce some of the burden.

“It has been a long and arduous journey, but all that time has been well spent. Great Vizier, thank you for your hard work.” Mohammed expressed his gratitude to the Great Vizier Hassan, who was in charge of the negotiations. “It is my honor to serve the Shah. Our country has now reclaimed the port of Abbas, but Herat and Kandahar have not yet returned. I request the Shah's permission to lead the army to Herat and bring them under our control.”

"This... I'll still think about it. The previous lessons have been painful enough."

Muhammad remembered the war that had broken out between Persia and England, and he no longer wanted to fight. Staying here and farming was a good option for him.

“I don’t know how many days I have left to live, but war is no longer my choice; it should be Naserdin’s choice.”

This is the first time Shah has spoken of his son in front of his ministers. Given that Shah's health has been poor recently, it's likely that what he's been doing this past year is paving the way for his son.

What is the situation across the country now?

“Shah, apart from Azerbaijan, the situation in other places is still not good. Some places are uninhabited, and in places where people live, people are destitute. Some families have no jobs and can only sell their sons and daughters to get some food.”

After Hassan finished speaking, he wiped away a tear with his sleeve. He knew that the Shah had been enjoying hearing such things lately, and the more someone liked these kinds of things, the more valued they were by the Shah. This, in turn, solidified his own position.

Although he coveted power and wealth, he could not bring himself to commit treason. Especially after executing the Ottoman spy, his loyalty to the Shah was purer than gold; he would go through fire and water for the Shah without hesitation.

Of course, he also needed to produce some results to avoid losing the emperor's trust. When he learned that the Shah wanted to clear obstacles for the crown prince, he began negotiations with Britain and Oman and eventually regained control of Bandar Abbas.

Moreover, news of the changes in Azerbaijan reached Tehran, and some officials hoped that the Shah would reprimand the Crown Prince and bring him back to his old ways, but the Shah did not do so and said that they were just making trouble for no reason.

This shift in public opinion immediately changed the tune of some sycophants, who now directly praised the Crown Prince's policies as good, just like those of the Shah's father, and as wise decisions. This pleased Mohammed, whose father, the previous Crown Prince Abbas Mirza, was a figure dedicated to reform.

As the Grand Vizier, Hassan naturally couldn't be left out. At the cabinet meeting, the Grand Ayatollah and other officials blocked many of the emperor's proposals, but Hassan still helped the Shah pass a proposal to encourage industry and commerce, which was some consolation. However, realistically, if these people were still alive, the policy wouldn't have been able to be truly implemented.

(End of this chapter)