Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 288 New Factors
Besides maintaining trade relations with Prussia, Iran also discussed issues concerning the northwest region and Vietnam with the Far East. Iran respected the tributary system of Vietnam and Ryukyu, but they could also maintain their status quo under Iranian protection.

Moreover, the Far East doesn't need their tributes; Iran can simply pay for it. As long as Vietnam and Ryukyu submit, Iran can guarantee their livelihoods will remain unchanged.

Vietnam has indeed maintained a moderate stance towards Iran in recent years, and with the opening of its ports, a large number of Iranian goods have found a market. This has led to a significant deterioration in Vietnam's domestic economy.

Ministers such as Phan Thanh Giang and Nguyen Tri Phuong submitted a memorial requesting reforms to the military and economy to enrich the country, strengthen its military, and defend against foreign enemies. However, with Iran involved, these so-called localization measures could not be implemented.

As Iran's influence spread, a group of pro-Iranian figures emerged in Vietnam, including Emperor Tu Duc's brother, Nguyen Phuc Hong Bao, Vice Minister of Revenue Truong Gia Hung, and Vice Minister of Rites Vu Van Kiet. They were very interested in Iran's advanced weaponry and were deeply saddened by Vietnam's corruption and backwardness, hoping to make Vietnam strong and prosperous quickly.

Against this backdrop, divisions within the Vietnamese court intensified. On one hand, the pro-Iranian faction continued to push for cooperation with Iran, hoping to reform Vietnam's economy and military by introducing Iranian technology and management experience. On the other hand, the conservatives adhered to tradition and opposed any external influence that could undermine Vietnam's independence.

Of course, this group did not include Nguyen Phuc Hong Bao, who only sought Iranian support to ascend the throne. Besides the economic sphere, the Nguyen Dynasty was also powerless in the religious arena. Following Catholicism, Zoroastrianism was introduced to the Nguyen Dynasty, and the first temple was established in Xuan Loc in the south to begin proselytizing. It currently has 700 followers.

With the spread of Zoroastrianism in southern Vietnam, Iranian influence expanded further. The introduction of this religion not only altered the local religious landscape but also brought new culture and ideas. Iranian merchants and missionaries were active in southern Vietnam, spreading not only the religion but also relatively advanced agricultural techniques and handicrafts, all of which had a significant impact on the local economy.

Zoroastrianism, in essence, is no different from Catholicism and Protestantism, serving as a vanguard for intelligence gathering and expansion in Iran. It also exploits its extrajudicial status to seize economic and political gains.

Between 1855 and 1858, Zoroastrianism acquired 1340 hectares of land in southern Vietnam. They amassed wealth through property rentals, commercial ventures, and industrial projects. They also established charitable organizations, engaging in medical, childcare, and relief work as a means of missionary work and a pathway to infiltrate Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian societies.

The revival of Zoroastrianism in the Far East was something unimaginable before. As its influence grew in the Far East and among the Kurds, Iran increasingly valued this religion originating in its own country. In 1852, the Iranian government ordered the restoration of the position of High Priest of Zoroastrianism. This move was not only a restoration of religious tradition but also a re-evaluation of the role of religion in political and social life. The restoration of the High Priest marked the official recognition and strengthening of Zoroastrianism's important position in Iranian religious and political life.

The Shiites naturally oppose it, but their opposition is largely verbal. With the Shah securing Shiite status, the secularization process, and the recapture of Najaf, the clerics' influence has rapidly declined. However, they cannot completely withdraw from the government; once this shared bond across the Middle East disappears, Iran's unification plan will fail.

There was virtually no opposition to the construction of Baghdad, Najaf, and the rebuilding of Ctesiphon. Using the construction of capitals and wonders to enhance popular adoration has been a common tactic used by monarchs throughout history.

These construction projects not only strengthened popular adoration of the monarch but also promoted technological and industrial advancements. With the influx of substantial resources, Iran's heavy industry developed significantly, particularly in construction, metallurgy, and machinery manufacturing. These technological advancements, in turn, spurred the modernization of agriculture and handicrafts, increasing productivity and national wealth. Iran also kept its promises regarding the Arabian Peninsula, investing and developing there. Pearls, dates, and mining were the main areas of Iranian investment, while food supplies were supplemented by imports and fishing.

The Gulf region has a long history of pearl harvesting, with the Persian Gulf region considering the pearl industry its lifeblood. Thanks to its unique geographical conditions, most of these marine treasures, cherished by monarchs and nobles of both the East and the West, originated from the Persian Gulf countries.

From the 9th to the 13th centuries, Baghdad served as a trading center, with Gulf pearls being exported to China and Europe via the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean trade network. In the early 16th century, Portugal controlled the Gulf region and monopolized the pearl trade. However, due to its declining national power, it was forced to withdraw from the Persian Gulf region.

The peak pearl-diving season in the area runs from June to October each year. Each pearl-diving boat has its own captain and, depending on the size of the boat, a maximum of 40 pearl divers and an equal number of rope towers, in addition to singers and cooks. After the pearl-diving season ends, income is distributed according to each person's role: pearl divers receive 20%, rope towers receive 10%, and singers, due to their special role, also receive 20%.

Pearl-diving boats follow the captain's instructions. Once they find a suitable habitat for pearl oysters, they anchor and secure the boat before embarking on a pearl-diving journey that can last three to four months.

With the Industrial Revolution in Europe and America, demand for Gulf pearls surged, especially among the American upper class and British aristocracy. The pearl industry entered its golden age. Pearls accounted for 93% of the Arabian Peninsula's exports, with the remaining 7% consisting of dates and other products.

In addition to pearl harvesting, Iran has also helped the local area to start a pearl farming industry. It has invested heavily in the region and begun construction of the Persian Gulf Railway, aiming to connect the area.

While the Gulf tribes are happy, the so-called orthodox faction on the Red Sea side is not. The Ottomans were utterly incompetent, unable even to defeat Iran. Now Iran's sphere of influence borders Mecca directly; perhaps they should simply bestow the title of guardian of the two holy sites upon the Iranian Shah.

No, Iran is Shia, how can they accept this from heretics? But the Ali they venerate and his descendants are indeed descendants of the Prophet, are they going to deny it?

Moreover, with both Egypt and the Ottoman Empire failing, they had to make a choice. The Kaaba could not be handed over to infidels, and after much deliberation, they ultimately decided that giving it to Iran was the best option.

(End of this chapter)