Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 90 Ambition and Reality

The upper echelons of government claimed they would suppress the revolution, while the common people at the bottom of society relentlessly clamored to lead the entire continent. Their representatives were the Slavs.

The Slavophiles advocated for the unity of the Slavic peoples, believing that the Russian Empire must establish a leading position in the Balkans and play the role of liberator, which was in Russia's interest. By leveraging its Slavic allies, Russia could resolve a range of diplomatic issues and liberate the Slavs from Ottoman and Austrian rule.

The Slavophiles believed that Russia's policy in the Balkans must be aggressive, insisting that the Balkans were a region of Russian interest and that conflict between Russia and Austria-Hungary was inevitable in order to protect those interests. They opposed Russia's rapprochement with Prussia and Austria, viewing Russia as a mere scapegoat. In their view, reviving the Holy Alliance was tantamount to opposing the Slavic people. They were also wary of German unification, considering a unified Germany the biggest obstacle to Russia that must be eliminated.

In contrast, Russia's economy remained largely confined to the Urals, the Moscow region, the rapidly developing St. Petersburg and Baltic states, and a few other well-established central areas. Industrial growth stagnated in the vast southern regions. The north and central regions supplied manufactured goods and handicrafts to the south, while the south supplied grain, meat products, and butter to the north. Specific regions developed regional industrial advantages.

The prevalence of contractual forced labor in Russian industry was a significant departure from the industrial development of Western Europe. "Owned" or "subordinate" workers—that is, state-owned peasants—were bound to factories and forced to toil for long hours in private or state enterprises, a practice that had flourished since the time of Peter the Great. Serf owners could also use contracts to send their serfs to non-aristocratic producers. The very root of all evil in Russian industry was serfdom.

As the economy struggled to develop, and in order to provide an outlet for intellectuals' frustrations, the government's propaganda policy became to constantly clamor for the recapture of Constantinople, the holy city of the Orthodox Church. Because Russia had not experienced the Renaissance and the Reformation, it exhibited a stronger aggressiveness than other countries.

The reforms initiated by the Ottoman and Persian states in the south were insignificant to St. Petersburg; everything would be fine as long as the powerful imperial army attacked.

Tehran had completely changed. Roads had been repaired, and streetlights and sewers were being built. Telegraph lines were being laid throughout the city. It was beginning its journey towards becoming a modern city.

The atmosphere of industrialization spread in Tehran, and the citizens felt that their lives were different. Some people seized the opportunity to engage in industry and commerce, while others took various new exams to become new intellectuals such as teachers and civil servants.

Naserdin is reviewing the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's proposal to establish a new textile factory, using 800,000 riyals and being 100% government-run.

The railway and telegraph bureaus had already been established, and there were some government-controlled enterprises in Tabriz. However, this enterprise was the first state-owned enterprise established after the founding of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, so it naturally deserved attention.

"Your Highness, this factory will be located in Bandar Abbas, employing 1500 workers. It will purchase cotton from India for production and then export it to various parts of the world."

Hussein told Nasser al-Din about the plan, saying that the state-owned enterprise was just the first step, and then the butterfly effect of the textile factory would attract others to invest in building factories, thereby driving industrial development.

“There’s no problem with that, but why build it in Abbas?” Nasser al-Din asked.

“Your Highness, the establishment of the factory in Abbas is the result of departmental investigation. The raw materials needed by the factory can be shipped over, and the finished products can be exported directly. Transportation is also convenient.”

Since they said so, Nasser al-Din signed in agreement. The goal is to see if they can quickly recoup funds, but the most important thing is to stimulate domestic investment.

"Our country's industrial base is still very weak, and we need the government to guide businesses to invest. Therefore, building factories serves more as a demonstration. We hope you can keep a close eye on the industrial situation."

Government guidance alone is not enough, so the government is also offering preferential policies in other areas. This includes providing low-interest loans from banks and reducing or exempting taxes for businesses and industries; in short, the government has done everything it can. Now, it's just a matter of time.

Tabriz has the strongest industrial atmosphere, and factory work is the most common way for workers to earn income.

Murad arrived in Tabriz with great joy. It was very different from Baku, with towering chimneys and locals talking about reforms and Europe.

But none of that mattered to him. Since arriving here, he had found a job as a miner, working underground every day to dig coal, earning about 9 or 10 rials a month. It was 10 to 12 hours a day, even more tiring than farming.

However, the goods here are more abundant than in Baku, and he doesn't have to suffer from the bullying of those Russian lords. He also feels an unprecedented sense of ease here.

At that moment, Murad was discussing with his longtime friend Mahmoud the matter of needing to transfer personnel from the Tabriz steel plant. This wasn't because they were idle; they were among those to be transferred.

“I’ve inquired about it. If I’m transferred there, I can earn 15 riyals a month. That’s half as much again as I get here.”

“Here we go again. I think all you think about is money. But then again, you’re making way more money here than in Baku,” Mahmoud said.

“Okay, let’s not talk about that. The people who were seconded this time will get a 20% raise, and if they get promoted, they can earn even more,” Murad said, revealing the information he had received.

“I really love it here now. As long as I work hard, I will have my day. I also want to bring my younger siblings here so they can go to school and maybe become civil servants or teachers in the future. That way they can get government salaries.”

Because of its high level of industrialization, Azerbaijan has a relatively high level of education compared to other places. In addition to military academies, there are grammar schools that provide basic education, as well as the Tabriz Higher College, which teaches subjects such as agriculture and engineering.

"Luckily, your salary is much higher now, so you can afford your younger siblings' tuition. If you were still like me, you probably wouldn't be able to save any money." Speaking of his younger siblings, Mahmoud also thought of his own sister, whom his family planned to marry off to a young man from the next village. This young man was quite good, a very hardworking person.

“Ah, if only we were Iranian,” Murad sighed.

"yes"

They all believed that following Iran was far more promising than Russia, but they didn't know when the Iranian army would be able to return to Baku.

(End of this chapter)