Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 212 Looking Eastward

Alexander knew that this time he would not only fail, but also cede territory to Iran. For hundreds of years since its founding, Russia had always been the one ceding territory to other countries, never the other way around.

There's a prevailing sentiment in Russia right now to seek revenge against Iran, but is now the right time? Or should serfdom be abolished first?

As for the lost territories, that's easy to say. He has already sent people to the Far East. The Qing Dynasty is at war with Britain and France, so they can't just take advantage of the situation.

"Alright, we'll talk about this later. You can go now."

Alexander II ordered his ministers to step down, acknowledging that the task of liberating the serfs was arduous and long-term.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Empress Maria Alexandrovna of the Russian Empire came over to comfort her husband.

"Nothing...nothing..."

"Your Majesty need not do this. What you are thinking has already been said in the newspapers."

The Queen brought out the newspaper, and Alexander II knew what it said without even looking at it. The more powerfully they advocated for war, the more severe the backlash would be now.

The claims that Russia must continue its revenge, that Alexander II was incompetent, and even more egregiously, that some openly advocated for a change of emperor in Russia, were not good news for Alexander.

“These people are unwilling to let go because of their past achievements. Have they ever thought that if they don’t let go, things will be even more difficult in the future?”

The queen watched her husband angrily berate the nobles. She had never seen him so angry before. It seemed that the nobles were truly incompetent.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry. You are the Emperor of Russia, and the entire empire is under your rule. It's just that you need to learn from other countries."

Learning from others is indeed true. Russia's current achievements are largely due to the absorption of advanced knowledge from Europe. Peter the Great also went to Western Europe to learn in person and then carried out reforms to make Russia rich and powerful.

Russia also needs to absorb more knowledge to change itself. Negotiations with Britain and France are not a problem, but there will likely be friction with Persia. After all, Persia was once its defeated adversary, and many people find it hard to accept that it has suddenly defeated them.

He knew this was a painful experience, but it was a reality they had to face. Perhaps they would go to Persia again in the future, or perhaps the other party would come to St. Petersburg.

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In the Gulestan Palace, Nasser al-Din was receiving guests who had traveled from afar. However, the guest didn't seem very happy; if the soldiers beside him were moved aside, he would probably be all smiles.

Mahmoud glared angrily at the Shah, but Nasser al-Din smiled. "It seems Your Excellency doesn't quite like the Iranian welcome. Is there some kind of neglect?" "If you were in my position, I doubt you'd be smiling either."

In recent years, Khiva's situation has been affected by Iran. The country's imports and exports are controlled by Iran, and this nation of 70 people has gradually become a vassal state of Iran.

However, Khiva's leadership was embroiled in infighting regarding Iran, with pro-Iranian and anti-Iranian factions arguing endlessly. Between 1854 and 1856, Khiva had five different khans.

Iran previously launched an expedition to Khiva, suppressing the local opposition. However, they still elected an anti-Iranian Khan, Mahmoud, to power.

Mahmoud was a devout Sunni Muslim who resented the Shia Iranian control over Khiva and attempted to break free from Iranian control. Clearly, he failed.

"Yes, but now that you're in this position, don't worry about me. Please stay in Tehran for a while, and remember to spread the word to your family."

Upon hearing such dramatic words, Mahmud nearly killed Naser al-Din, but fortunately, the soldiers beside him held him down and then invited him to stay at the castle.

“Shah, this is really risky. If the Russians find out, they will definitely send troops.”

"Even so, the Russians didn't have time; they were busy quelling the Kazakh rebellion and forcing the Qing Dynasty to cede territory in the East."

While Russia's attention was focused on the Far East, Iran intensified its infiltration into Central Asia. Through an expedition, Iran installed a pro-Russian nobleman as the Khan of Khiva. It also spent 30 rials to bribe local nobles, subsequently signing a treaty of alliance between the two countries in Khiva.

The treaty stipulates that Khiva's diplomacy will be entirely conducted by Iran; Khiva's security will be the responsibility of Iran; and the Iranian government will guarantee the safety of Khiva's nobility.

This treaty effectively turned Khiva into a vassal state of Iran. On the surface, Khiva remained an independent country, but the local nobles had decided to align themselves with Iran. The Shah promised that their property would remain unchanged and that he would help them make money, provided that each of them could contribute a sum of money to the investment.

In Central Asia, talking about civilization with the locals is useless; the only language they understand is swords. Unfortunately, Russia still doesn't know this and still thinks they are a country like Europe or the Qing Dynasty, where negotiation is the primary method.

Thus, Russia lagged behind Iran in its conquest of Central Asia. But the remaining two countries, Bukhara and Kokand, were not so easy to conquer. Khiva's population and economy were incomparable to those of the other two, making Iranian control of them naturally easier.

Both Bukhara and Kokand were states with populations of over a million, and their armies roamed Central Asia. Some were even equipped with advanced European artillery, but possessing advanced weaponry did not equate to having an advanced army, a point demonstrated in the Battle of Kerzylorda.

Seven thousand Kokand troops, equipped with advanced weaponry, were helpless against a mere 300 Russian soldiers. The Russians held their fort for a month before reinforcements arrived and annihilated the Kokand army. The Russians suffered fewer than ten casualties.

This is the power of industrialization; Kokand ultimately lost this important stronghold on the Syr Darya River. However, Russia lacked the capacity to continue its advance and could only build settlements along the river, which presented Iran with a significant opportunity.

"Now only Bukhara and Kokand are still resisting, and they will eventually become Iranian territory. Even if it means conflict with Europe, they will do it."

(End of this chapter)