African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1460: Chapter 23: East Bo Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty

Persia, referred to as a semi-colonial country by Russian leader Vladimir, shares a deep-seated enmity with Russia in history. Like the Far East Empire, Tsarist Russia is the modern country that has annexed the most Persian territory.

Moreover, compared to the Far East Empire, Persia is even more unfortunate as the land seized by Tsarist Russia could be said to be Persia’s most fertile territory.

These territories include large areas of land along the Caspian Sea, such as the former Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmen, while Persia also became a puppet regime in Russia’s hands.

The Qajar Dynasty itself also flourished in northern Persia, and the territory seized by Russia can be said to be the Land of Dragon’s Ascension of the Qajar Royal Family, similar to the experience of the Qing Royal Family of the Far East Empire.

Therefore, considering Persia’s historical ordeal, the relations between Persia and Russia cannot be good, only that Russia’s power is too strong for Persia to dare to express anger openly.

In contrast, although East Africa is a country with opportunistic ambitions, East Africa and Persia are separated by the Indian Ocean, which can give Persia some sense of security. Similarly, if it were the United Kingdom or the United States coming to Persia this time instead of East Africa, Persia would feel even more secure.

Unfortunately, the British have their hearts but lack strength whereas if Persia seeks ties with the United States, the East African fleet might appear at Persia’s doorstep the next day. In fact, East Africa’s Third Fleet can now teach Persia a lesson, and the Third Fleet is stationed around Persia.

After the signing of the London Naval Treaty, the strongest navy in the Indian Ocean is now the East African Navy. Although the British have consolidated the Royal Navy’s position as the world’s leading navy through the London Naval Treaty, the reduction in the size of the navy has resulted in controlling fewer areas compared to before World War I.

The London Naval Treaty restricts the main battleships of different countries, which essentially limits long-range operational capabilities, while the Indian Ocean is undoubtedly long-ranged compared to the British mainland.

East Africa has a dominant position in the Indian Ocean and gained a significant amount of land in the Persian Gulf during World War I, allowing for the deployment of numerous non-main operational warships. With military bases along the Persian Gulf providing logistical support, East Africa’s influence in the Persian Gulf is further enhanced.

Additionally, East Africa is building an air force base in Qatar, and once the base is completed, the entire Persian Gulf coast will be within East Africa’s range.

With the strong advantage East Africa has accumulated in the Persian Gulf, it is almost impossible for any other country to become a new player in the Persian Gulf region.

Among the established players in the Persian Gulf region, the United Kingdom is in decline, the Ottoman Empire is merely a facade, and other countries are even more unsightly, which means that currently, no country can challenge East Africa’s military hegemony in the Persian Gulf region.

Of course, Persians are well aware of this, which is one of the reasons why the Tehran government is content to accept East Africa’s ”protection.”

Subsequently, Cabriel began to examine and discuss the details of ”cooperation” between the governments of Kaburi and King Ahmed.

Cabriel said: ”To counter Russia’s threat, Persia should fully deepen its cooperation with the Empire in all aspects. First of all, abolishing all past cooperation between Persia and Russia, does His Majesty the King agree on this point?”

King Ahmed secretly criticized that I don’t agree, what else can I do! Of course, this is something he certainly wouldn’t dare to reveal, and instead responded with a friendly smile: ”Naturally, we Persia would never collude with this evil country, Russia. General Cabriel, to be honest with you, Persia has suffered from Russia for too long, and nowadays at least seventy percent of Persia’s suffering is caused by Russia.”

As for the remaining thirty percent, according to King Ahmed’s implication, naturally it is the British at fault.

Certainly, although the British aren’t good, compared to the greedy Russians, they could be considered ”good people.”

Regarding Ahmed’s statement, General Cabriel was very satisfied. He said, ”His Majesty the King need not worry, with our East Africa support, we will definitely help your country resist Russia’s invasion. However, this also requires your country’s cooperation.”

”First, the Persian government should completely dismantle railways built to Russian standards within Persia, disrupting Russia’s convenient southwards route, while East Africa assists Persia in building railways from Tehran to areas along the Persian Gulf. Of course, the funds for railway construction are to be borne by the Persian government, and the Empire provides personnel and technical support.”

”If your country lacks funds, you may also apply for a loan from East Africa, using Persian minerals as collateral. His Majesty the King need not worry, we will definitely give Persia a fair price, not like other countries claiming to build railways while seizing your country’s resources. Of course, this mainly depends on whether your country’s economy can support the railway construction.”

Cabriel’s words were almost meaningless, given Persia’s current economic situation. The national treasury may not be sounding poverty-stricken, but it can be said to cause grief for those who see it and tears for those who hear it.

Because every few years, Russia and the United Kingdom and other countries come to extort a sum, even if the Persian government were incorruptible, it would be impossible to save much money. Furthermore, there is no entirely incorruptible government in this world, and in a country like Persia, the bureaucracy exists without limitations.

Therefore, Persia’s only way out is to borrow from East Africa.

Of course, East Africa did not come this time to exploit but to implement neo-colonialism in Persia, so it certainly will not overcharge.