I suppose I kind of have been "flooding the thread" with stories, but you can't say they aren't good, can you? Anyway, that's really the only advantage Persia has.
The following scene takes place in the Chehel-sotoon Palace, recently reoccupied by Ardashir IV following the destruction of the Grand Palace. It is a transcript of a meeting of the Islamic Council, recorded for posterity.
Ardashir enters, all rise and hail the King.
A:Salaam, gentlemen.
All:Salaam, my liege.
A:Shall we begin? The Kalat embassy must be entertained within the hour.
Q:Of course, my liege. A disturbing trend has been reported in Teheran University, it would seem that the professors are allowing Kurdish and Sunni students into the school. Now, the faculty is mostly Federate, so it is understandable, however...
A:I fail to see the issue, Minister.
Q:Sir, they are
not Persian. We have always endeavored to pursue a "Shia first" policy my liege, and if you allow that to fail, the people will never forgive us!
A: Is that truly what you think, Qalim? That we strove to create another version of the Shah's oligarchy? That simply because those children are of a different religion or ethnicity we are to expel them and forever gain the enmity of those groups?
That we are to become the very hypocrites we destroyed?
Q: M..my lord, you misunderstand me!
A: I am afraid not, Qalim. The bigoted "Shia first" policy that you so cleverly try to insinuate were our aims from the beginning is simply a lie. I pursue one policy and one policy alone, and that is a "Persia first" policy. The students will remain at Teheran University.
Three clerics make murmurs of assent, others frown or shake their heads.
S:An understandable point, my liege, and we would do well not to anger the minorities, but I would do well to advise you that we
are still a Shiite nation, and we must think of your subjects in their entirety.
A:I do agree to that point...but let us make this resolution among us. We are servants of Allah, and would do well to follow his creed, and encourage our faith among the people. But we shall not re-create the oligarchy that we destroyed along with the Shah. Persia will tolerate freedom for all peoples, but will always be a nation of Islam.
S:A wise decision, Ardashir.
A:I am glad you agree. Now, as to the issue of the reconstruction of the city center, this must be attended to.
I:If I may, my lord?
A: Certainly Ibrahim, go right ahead.
The cleric spreads a large blueprint across the meeting table.
I: As you can see, this is an ambitious building project, one that will most likely eclipse the building of the Grand Palace in time, cost, and manpower. However, the delegation of architects believe that they have accurately replicated the Safavid style.
There, as you can see, is the main complex, with the parade ground off to the side, and here are the administrative centers. The complex as a whole is designed to be tasteful, but efficient, and it's building should prove to lessen the needs of the bureaucracy, and the royal family of course.
A: Yes, it looks very comprehensive. Excellent work, Ibrahim. But how much exactly is all of this going to cost us?
I: Of course my lord, here is the estimate of the leading architect...
The cleric passes over a small sheet of paper to the King.
A: *whistling* Hmm...this could bankrupt us, and you of course know we have more pressing diplomatic affairs that require attention and money. Ibrahim, how can Persia afford this?
I: Well...ah...the Ministry has compiled a report, and if we space the payments over the course of 5 years, accounting for taxes and a possible foreign loan...we could manage to run a surplus, catastrophe notwithstanding, my lord.
A: Very well, I approve. Have the preliminary building surveys completed and the rubble removed. Report back to me in two weeks on your progress.
I: It shall be done, my lord!
A: Excellent, we have finished early gentlemen. And enjoy the start of Ramadan, as well. Allahu Akbar!
All:Allahu Akbar!
Project: Royal Safavid Palace
(+Civilian Leadership, brings Persia into Middle Industrial Age)
OOC: If there's something wrong with this project, let me know.
Blame me? What for? Too many stories, I knew it. Though...I can't help but think of those first turn bonuses...
