Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 250 Visit
Amidst the chaos of battle, officers led their private armies westward. But the sound of artillery fire grew ever closer, and they spurred their horses on, urging them to run faster.

The next day at dawn, Iranian soldiers were surprised to find white flags on the walls of Mosul, a sign that indicated their request for a ceasefire.

"Does this mean they've surrendered?"

"Probably, otherwise they wouldn't have raised the white flag."

The Iranian soldiers were unaware of the situation, but the officers knew it was a pledge of allegiance from the Kurds. Mosul was captured at the end of August due to the enemy's surrender.

With the surrender of Mosul, vast Kurdish-populated areas east of the Tigris River succumbed to Iran at an alarming pace. The major northern Syrian city of Aleppo was exposed to Iranian influence.

Meanwhile, the Iranian army that captured Trabison marched along the Black Sea coast toward the important city of Sivas, leaving Erzurum as a mere outlier. The new Ottoman army seemed to have become a joke.

………………

At the Grand Vizier's residence in Iran, Amir invited Gorchakov, who had traveled a long way, to taste coffee from Chinistan.

"How are you feeling, sir?"

"Very good, rich flavor, just as good as Brazilian coffee."

As he spoke, he pushed the gift in his hand forward slightly.

"This is a gift for the Grand Vizier and His Excellency the Foreign Minister. Please accept it."

Amir and Pezeshkyan exchanged a glance, then accepted it. It was a gift, after all, and there was no rule against accepting it.

Moreover, he wouldn't think the Shah was unaware of this, would he? The Shah's intelligence network extends from within the country to abroad; this matter is probably already on his desk.

"There have been some minor changes between our country and yours, but that is in the past. Now our two countries should join hands to create a better future together."

Although this is common diplomatic language, it sounds different coming from Russians. After all, if a bad person suddenly becomes good, it's either because they sincerely repent, or they're still thinking of other tricks.

"War is not what countries want. I hope that this time we can truly cooperate, instead of having some underhanded conspiracies."

Knowing that Iran was wary of Russia, Gorchakov brought some other things with him.

"His Majesty the Tsar wishes to invite your Shah to St. Petersburg for talks, so that the history between our two countries can be turned over a new leaf."

Furthermore, we should deepen our cooperation in trade and economic matters, and expand trade in the eastern region.

Aside from the Caucasus region, Iran and Russia share a vast stretch of border in Central Asia. This thousands-of-kilometers-long border allows for mutual infiltration and attacks. Russia's investment in this area is significantly less than Russia's, as the population of the Kazakh steppe is considerably smaller than that of the three smaller southern states. Iran has also begun harassing Russia's already unstable frontline outposts, leading many to fear that this could pierce Russia's vulnerable flank.

"Regarding the eastern region, if your country is willing to use the Syr Darya River as the border between the two countries, then our country is willing to recognize Akmechet (Kyzylorda) as your country's territory."

In truth, the Shah strongly disagreed with this, given that this was a crucial stronghold on the Syr Darya River. However, if Russia could use the Syr Darya as a border, this area could be handed over, easing the defensive pressure. "This is beyond the scope of my discussion. The Shah can go to St. Petersburg to discuss it with His Majesty. I've only come to invite the Shah."

Gorchakov avoided the question by employing evasive tactics and instead raised another issue that would get Iran's attention.

"Our country is particularly concerned about the war between your country and the Ottomans. The Ottomans have caused great harm to both countries, and only their territory can comfort the soldiers who died in the war and the innocent civilians."

"So they want Ottoman territory," Amir thought to himself. Pezeshkian spoke first: "The Ottomans, of course. What does your country desire?"

Seeing that the conditions were being discussed, Gorchakov began gesturing on the Ottoman map.

"It's very simple. If your country is willing to acknowledge that the area west of the strait belongs to our country, then our country is also willing to acknowledge that the area east belongs to your country."

Russia's blatant and brutal division of the Ottoman Empire in two is typical of them, showing no regard for the feelings of other countries. However, this was likely part of their strategy; after all, they had to pick the weaker party between Russia and Iran. Once Russia occupied the Balkans and Constantinople, they would only seek benefits from Iran.

“My lord, you’ve been fighting the Ottomans for over a hundred years. Why can’t you let him go? The benefits you’ve gained from him far outweigh the costs you’ve made.”

The Russo-Turkish Wars have now been fought nine times, with the Ottomans suffering repeated defeats and losing most of their rights in the Black Sea. But Russia seems unsatisfied.

"Your Excellency is mistaken. Our country and the Ottomans are sworn enemies. They conquered Constantinople and destroyed the Eastern Roman Empire. As the successor of the Eastern Roman Empire, our country naturally seeks revenge."

Driven by a simple sense of religious mission, Gorchakov spoke with righteous indignation. But Amir didn't feel the same way; after all, he wasn't a Christian.

Pezeshkian didn't either, because he was Armenian. He was lucky to be alive; he wouldn't dare have any other ideas.

"It seems I cannot understand your country's feelings. Regarding this matter, Britain and France would not agree. Otherwise, there would have been no last war."

The implication is clear: if Russia hadn't wanted more, they wouldn't have been beaten up.

Gorchakov pretended not to hear, simply saying that the Tsar and the Shah could discuss it themselves. Their job was simply to carry out the orders.

"Think about it, your country could gain vast Ottoman territories, including Anatolia. Isn't having more land and population a good thing?"

Good news? Only Russia would be happy. Because they act without considering the consequences. Leaving aside how to control such a vast territory, just consider the more than ten million Ottomans in Anatolia alone—if they took them all, they'd practically conquer Iran.

"Unfortunately, this matter needs to be reported to the Shah. We are merely carrying it out."

He seemed to recall saying that earlier, but Gorchakov ignored it again. He kept telling himself that Iran was no longer the Iran of the past, and he needed to be more patient and not jeopardize the empire's plans.

"That's a real shame. It's best if the two countries don't go to war. Otherwise, the people will protest."

"You don't need to say that. Nobody wants to go to war. The two countries should work together to maintain this hard-won peace, instead of just talking about it here."

(End of this chapter)