Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 87 Stable External Environment

In the days following Amir's appointment as Grand Vizier, numerous people visited his home with gifts. They were all there to make connections and build relationships; Amir was experiencing for the first time the allure of this position.

He can now implement more policies, but the main focus remains on developing industry and the military. While the country's situation has improved, it still needs more guidance from the government.

On the economic front, machinery and workers ordered from Britain and Putin are gradually returning to Iran. They traveled to Tabriz via the Ottoman Empire and Georgia before being distributed throughout the country. Thanks to the economic crisis, the cost of these machines is less than half of what it was a year ago, making it a bargain for Iran.

In agriculture, farmers' enthusiasm for production has greatly increased after the land reform, with grain production increasing by 7% and cotton by 14% last year. In addition, crops such as potatoes and sugarcane have increased by more than 50%, which is due to the smaller planting area previously.

The influx of food into the market has also driven down prices. In Tehran, for example, food prices have fallen by more than 10% compared to the same period last year. Citizens can buy more food at lower prices, which reduces their cost of living and allows more funds to flow to other areas.

Banks in towns became the primary means for people to save money. They deposited their savings in banks and withdrew them when necessary. However, at this time, banks did not offer interest; people valued their high security, reasoning that no one would rob a bank.

Banks use this money to lend to or invest in other projects, earning interest and equity in return—a significant source of income for them. It also serves as a second option when government funds are insufficient.

"Sir, this is Mr. Lawrence's request. They have already established a trading post in Mogadishu, and if the government can support them, a large amount of grain, cotton, and sugar will be shipped here every year."

Amir reviewed Lawrence's proposal, which primarily focused on Iran's support for the company should a conflict arise with the Sultanate of Somalia; he had no other requirements. Of course, in the case of colonization, a separation of powers would be necessary.

“I think we can do that. Tell them that Iran will support their actions, but we suggest they prepare an army just in case.”

Of course we support it! The royal family owns a significant portion of the company's shares; even Amir received a share from the Crown Prince. When it comes to matters of vital interest, we naturally want to give it our full support.

"They are doing very well locally, and I hope they can continue their efforts."

Amir is now hoping to alleviate the government's burden by bringing in a large amount of raw materials, which would eliminate the need for extensive imports.

According to the company's report, there are large tracts of fertile land in southern Mogadishu that can be used to grow many crops, which could make up for the shortcomings of Iranian agriculture.

Regarding revenue from open sources, Iran's income is expected to exceed 2000 million this year. This income would have been sufficient in the past, but it is certainly not enough now, because the Crown Prince has ordered the construction of a nationwide telegraph network. This requires the installation of telegraph lines throughout the country, the purchase of telegraph machines, and the training of staff, which is still a considerable expense.

"My lord, I've heard there are many opportunities to earn money in the East. Shall we go there?"

Amir looked at the other person and slowly said, "It's too early to talk about it now. We can consider it again once the situation stabilizes." "Yes."

Amir flipped through the country's data; completing industrialization here was incredibly grueling. In later generations, only his father and two rebellious sons in East Asia had managed to do this, and at this time, their three countries were still essentially semi-agricultural, serving no practical purpose other than future trade.

Now, government officials have become accustomed to three key indicators: education, stability, and the economy.

The easiest thing to achieve is social stability. If the government is strong enough, local powerful figures will behave themselves, and only a few bad elements who disrupt social stability will be dealt with.

The biggest challenge is still economic development. Prosperous cities are relatively better; with China's economy developing rapidly, cities are the main drivers of economic growth, and appropriate local policies are sufficient. However, rural areas and villages require more policy guidance and must be mindful of the environment. Modernization in this water-scarce environment will take a very long time.

"By the way, I heard France is electing a new leader. Is there anyone with the highest support?"

"There is a very popular candidate right now, Louis Napoleon, whose uncle was the former Emperor of France, and he himself is a member of the Paris City Council. France is expected to hold elections at the end of the year, and it seems that his rise to power is a sure thing."

By this time, Napoleon had begun to reveal his ambitions. He boasted that he was the successor to his uncle Napoleon I and a staunch defender of "national unity." He also put forward inflammatory programs and made tempting promises to people from all walks of life: he promised Catholics "freedom of religion"; he assured workers that he would "eliminate unemployment," "grant amnesty to arrested insurgents," "implement labor protection laws," and "promote an eight-hour workday"; he assured peasants that he would "reduce taxes" and "protect small landownership" in order to "eliminate poverty"; and he used "low-interest loans" and "tax cuts" to appease the wealthy, such as factory owners, and so on.

In secret, Bonaparte was active in various ways, developing his faction and power; colluding with the monarchists and the clergy; bribing Molay and Thiers; heavily relying on his confidant Percinius; and using the royalist "Rue de Poitiers" committee to serve his own purposes.

He even spared no expense, spending 30 francs of his own money and extracting 100 million francs from a British bank manager to launch newspapers, publish pamphlets, compose music, and create a public relations campaign for his future election.

At this time, due to differences in political awareness, education levels, and the uneven quality of citizens in France, the reliability of votes could not be guaranteed, and some votes were even worthless. Universal suffrage still carried a political shadow; so-called democracy could not escape the shackles of manipulation. If the public's political awareness was weak and their views outdated, they were more easily swayed by vote-buying, the promotion of governing promises, and the resulting bribery and fraudulent elections.

Amir's hands were tightly crossed. He didn't know much about this man, but his uncle was a formidable figure, so he couldn't treat him with indifference.

Furthermore, relations between France and Iran remain relatively good. Although there have been some ups and downs due to the Ottoman Empire, trade between the two countries has not been significantly affected. Moreover, relations between Britain and Russia are currently the most important, even surpassing those between Prussia and France, so France's relations seem less crucial.

"Call Pezeshkian over for me; I have something to say to him."

(End of this chapter)