Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 292 Araucania (Part 1)

Patagonia, meaning "the end of the earth" in Spanish, is sparsely populated and has a cold climate, but some indigenous people still maintain their traditional way of life here.

Kerman, that's what the locals call it. It was built a few years ago after a group of people who spread their faith arrived. Unlike the people from the north, these people wore robes, headscarves, and had beards.

At first, the indigenous people were wary of these strangers. They had seen too many outsiders who either tried to conquer them or change their way of life. However, Hassan and his followers did not force anyone to accept their faith. Instead, they brought gifts—food, tools, and books. They taught the indigenous people how to cultivate the land, how to grow crops, and how to raise livestock. They also brought books on agriculture and animal husbandry, and although the indigenous people could not understand the writing, they felt goodwill from the strangers' actions.

As time went on, more and more indigenous people began to accept the presence of these Shia missionaries. They found that these strangers brought not only material assistance but also spiritual comfort. Every day at dawn and dusk, they would pray, their voices echoing across the wilderness, seemingly merging with the heavens and earth. Touched by this devotion, the indigenous people gradually began to participate in their religious rituals.

After settling here, they built a building whose purpose is unknown. Like the missionaries from the north, they spread their doctrines, but unlike the missionaries from the north, they were very forgiving of themselves.

Those who adopted their religion gained the right to cultivate land. They also brought numerous books on animal husbandry and agriculture to aid local agricultural development. During their three years of missionary work, the number of Shia believers increased to 1368. To facilitate administration, the Kerman Order was established in honor of their homeland in Iran.

The construction of Kerman was a daunting task. This land was constantly battered by cold winds, the soil was barren, and resources were scarce. However, Hassan and his followers did not back down. They led the indigenous people in clearing the land, building houses, and digging wells. They also built a mosque as the center of their faith. Although simple, the mosque was filled with solemnity and sanctity. Its spire pointed straight to the sky, as if proclaiming the power of faith to heaven and earth.

Besides the mosque, there is also a school and a hospital. While there are missionaries from the north, their reputation is extremely poor due to their frequent beatings of the indigenous people.

In contrast, here, all that's needed is to trust in God. They've also learned a more advanced script, and as the town has developed, surrounding tribes are also coming to convert to Shia Islam.

At this time, the Mapuche people not only differentiated into farmers, but some also began to do business by taking advantage of the time difference. A merchant class emerged, but because of their small number, they still used barter, with currency waiting to be transported.

Kerman's development not only transformed the landscape but also the lives of the indigenous people. They gradually transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled one, acquiring more productive skills. Their lives became more stable and prosperous. However, this change also brought new problems.

As Kerman prospered, attention began to turn to the region. The Chilean government took notice of this suddenly emerging town, filled with suspicion towards these Shia missionaries. Chile is a predominantly Catholic country, and the government has always been cautious about foreign religious influences. They worried that Kerman's presence could threaten national stability, given the significant Mapuche population also residing in their territory.

To gather intelligence, the Chilean government dispatched an army to the south, with Alvarez as their leader. He led a few soldiers into Kerman. They found a well-ordered town with clean streets and simple yet sturdy houses. Residents were busy at work, some in the fields, others praying in front of the mosque. Alvarez noticed that many of these residents were indigenous people, their faces showing contentment and peace. Ayatollah Hassan personally greeted Alvarez. He politely introduced the officer to Kerman and invited him to tour the town. Alvarez was surprised by Hassan's candor, but he remained wary.

"Did you obtain permission from the Chilean government to establish this town?" Alvarez asked.

Hassan replied, “When we came here, no one was in charge of this land. We simply cleared the land and built our homes. We did not infringe on anyone’s interests.”

Alvarez frowned. He knew there was some truth to Hassan's words, but he remained uneasy. He worried that Kerman's presence would set a precedent, attracting more outsiders to the land.

Chile had a strong interest in conquering the Araucanía region, and Kerman's presence was undoubtedly an obstacle in their path.

Hassan added, “We do not force anyone to accept our faith. We simply live here and spread God’s will. Our faith is peaceful, and we are willing to coexist with anyone.”

Alvarez remained silent for a moment. He knew Hassan's words were irrefutable, but he still couldn't completely shake off his doubts. He decided to return to Chile temporarily to report the situation to the government.

However, Alvarez's arrival had already caused a stir in Kerman. Residents began to fear that the Chilean government would take action against them, perhaps even expelling them. Hassan calmed them down, telling them that as long as they remained true to their faith, God would protect them.

But privately, Hassan was truly uncertain. Because they were thousands of miles from Iranian territory, if the Chilean army were to actually take Kerman, it would likely be a swift and decisive victory.

To save the area, Hassan decided to mobilize all the residents. The men prepared for war, the women produced supplies, and weapons or mercenaries were quickly transported to Saigon or Bandar Abbas.

At this point, their defensive force consisted of 150 mercenaries who had accompanied them, 550 Mapuche men who had converted to Shia Islam, and women would be deployed if necessary. Their available weapons included two small-caliber cannons, 30 shells, 60 rifles, and only two months' worth of ammunition. This was merely a delaying tactic against the Chilean army, and now, besides fortifying their defenses and seeking outside assistance, they had little else to do.

(End of this chapter)