Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 656 France's Movements

While Europe's attention was focused on the bloody battles on the Danube and in the Caucasus, another storm of war, led by France, was brewing in the distant Far East. For President McMahon, who was overwhelmed with domestic problems and eager to divert attention and consolidate his power through foreign victories, this tragedy was nothing short of a godsend.

News of the Southern Anhui Incident reached Paris by telegram. President McMahon and his cabinet in the Élysée Palace, far from showing grief, viewed it as a golden opportunity to reverse the internal and external predicament. Compared to the bloody battles against the Ottomans and Iran in the Balkans, waging war against the weakened Far East was seen as a lower-risk, more controllable military operation.

Moreover, France lagged behind Britain and Iran in the colonial competition in Africa and Southeast Asia. A breakthrough in the Far East, acquiring new rights and territories, would greatly enhance France's status as a colonial empire and bring enormous economic benefits.

Therefore, the French government quickly determined that the Southern Anhui Incident was a barbaric provocation against the civilized world, condoned by the Far East, and that the most resolute military action must be taken to punish it.

McMahon had newspapers extensively report on the persecution of Christians and French missionaries in Vietnam, which angered many French people and then used this power to push Parliament's plans to invade the Far East.

The French minister was instructed to issue an extremely harsh ultimatum to the Far Eastern government: to immediately execute all the perpetrators of the attack and to severely punish the derelict local officials.

The island of South China was ceded (those who know, know) as compensation and security.

France expanded its trading privileges in South China and acquired railway construction rights and mining rights.

They demanded that the government issue a nationwide decree protecting Catholicism and recognizing the rights of missionaries to freely preach and purchase property in the mainland.

Meanwhile, France began military deployments. The French Far East Fleet, commanded by Admiral Courbet, began to assemble along the Far East coast, with its sights set on key locations such as Fuzhou.

"France is preparing to find colonies in the Far East."

The purpose is obvious: Iran occupied what was originally a French colony, and now that France wants to seize it, the only option is to do so from the Far East.

France is quite envious of Qinistan; its tens of millions of people and abundant resources would be excellent support for its domestic industry. This land originally belonged to France, but Iran beat them to it. This time, they're determined to seize a piece of the land.

Nasserdin was not surprised by this, after all, seizing colonies was the mainstream strategy of the time. France wanted Russia to be the main force in fighting Iran, so that it could fish in troubled waters in the Far East.

No wonder, Iran has been doing very well doing business with the Far East in recent years. Who wouldn't be envious? Just look at Shanghai and Takow, which are already open ports; 35% and 70% of their trade is with Iran, respectively. Many French businessmen even have to rent land in Iran to open trading houses in Shanghai, because Iranian land has the best transportation access.

Furthermore, Iran has provided substantial support to the modernization movement led by the Far Eastern government. Iranian capital has been involved not only in the arms industries of Lanzhou and Xi'an, but also in shipbuilding in Fuzhou, cotton textiles in Shanghai, and silk production in Guangzhou.

Meanwhile, high-quality Persian carpets, finely crafted mohair fabrics, Shiraz rose oil, saffron, and other luxury goods from Iran flooded into the Far East market through trade routes controlled by Iran. These goods were highly sought after by bureaucrats, nobles, and compradors, generating profits several times over. Silk manufacturers in Lyon, France, could only dream of such success.

For France, Iran's network of interests in China is like a nouveau riche intruding into its backyard, not only devouring the most delicious cake but also occupying the best position and even beginning to set new rules for the backyard. This Persian state, considered a second-rate power, is thriving in the Far East, a region France considers to have "natural rights" over, severely damaging French national pride and imperial dignity.

Therefore, when an opportunity like the missionary incident arose, the McMahon government was so eager to amplify it as a pretext for war. Its deeper motives went far beyond punishment and reparations; it aimed to break Iran's dominant position in the Far East, seize its vested interests, and redraw its sphere of influence.

“Shah, we must not let him have his way! We have huge investments in Shanghai and Takow, and the Far East is one of our most important trading partners and sources of raw materials. Once France gains power in the Far East, it will inevitably squeeze out our commercial interests and even threaten our shipping routes to East Asia. More importantly, it will give France a huge resource base, thus giving it a stronger ability to confront us in Europe and the Mediterranean in the long term.”

Amir analyzed the situation from a strategic perspective, stating that if France were to acquire colonies in the Far East, it would threaten Iran's interests in the Far East. Therefore, Iran would need to intervene in the conflict if necessary.

“That’s right, but the war with Russia is taking up most of our energy. Everything still needs to be handled by Qinistan. Send a telegram to Qinistan and tell him to be flexible and not let France gain any advantage.”

France's threat of war in the Far East elicited complex reactions among the European powers. Britain remained ambiguous, while Russia was preoccupied with its own interests elsewhere. The United States and Germany maintained a largely neutral stance but closely monitored the situation, preparing to pursue their own interests based on its developments.

However, it would be a mistake to suggest that France was only seizing the Far East. Qinistan was also a good place; they could have taken it too.

Meanwhile, in a room in Hong Kong, French representative Louis Charles de Montigny and Nguyen Van Tuong, the special envoy of the Nguyen Dynasty, were discussing an alliance.

“Lord Ruan, France can offer you a better path. A path that truly belongs to you.”

Nguyen Van Tuong looked up abruptly: "Your Excellency, please enlighten me."

"We can support you in breaking free from Iranian control and establishing a country ruled by you. France will be the first and most important to recognize your independence and guarantee your security."

Nguyen Van Tuong was incredulous; this was something they had never dared to imagine. Moreover, France was willing to let them fully inherit the borders of Cinnestan, a feat of territorial expansion that would surely bring comfort to their ancestors.

The two sides then reached an agreement: recognizing France's full sovereignty over the six southern provinces; opening Hanoi, Haiphong, and Quy Nhon as treaty ports; and granting France most-favored-nation status.

France was granted freedom of navigation and trade in the Red River basin. The Nguyen Dynasty gradually reduced and eventually terminated its military cooperation with Iran. France assisted the Nguyen Dynasty in training a new army to maintain order.

Faced with military pressure and France's divisive tactics, the pro-war faction within Nguyen Dinh's government rose in power, beginning to consider sacrificing some sovereignty in exchange for the regime's survival. They were willing to accept anything that could overthrow Iranian rule.

(End of this chapter)