eastern european eagle

Chapter 23 The lord quietly watched the small movements of the Genoese nobles

Constanta is divided into several districts, including the residential area, the commercial area and the castle.Not far from the port is the industrial area belonging to Constanta.

This industrial zone is home to industries such as boiling salt, silk, and brewing wine.When planning Constanta, Peter saw that the location was good, so he dedicated a handicraft industry area.In addition to Peter's own property, other businessmen can also lease land here for a period of 20 years.

Wallachia's geographical location is suitable for the cultivation of sericulture, and it is also one of the few European producers.

Thanks to Indian monks, the Byzantines first established the silk production industry in the West in the Middle Ages and maintained a monopoly in this industry for hundreds of years.They established silk factories, which were called "harems" because the workers were all women.Like serfs, silk workers were bound by law in these factories and could not leave the factories to work or live elsewhere without the permission of the factory owners.

Until Arabia conquered Persia, obtained the secret of silk, and brought silk knowledge to Sicily and Spain, and then spread from Sicily and Spain to Italy, thus breaking the Byzantine monopoly.In these parts of Europe, local rulers who controlled lucrative industries established workshops.Like boudoirs, they employed mainly women who were subject to workshops.By the 13th century, European silks were already successfully competing with Byzantine products.For a long time, silk production did not develop further in Europe.

Alexander, the economic director, also saw the prospect and benefits of the development of this industry, and invested in a small silk workshop.And through the chamber of commerce established by the lord, it was sold to Central Europe, which made his wealth grow rapidly.

Now he has a 500 Ugram manor and three small villages in Constanta.The previous owner of the manor died in the battle with Wallachia, and Peter gave it to him.

And Alexander also took out the posture of doing business. He only used a small number of serfs, and leased the rest of the land to free farmers.Because he felt that this method had the greatest economic benefits, and it was not cost-effective to use serfs.

It turns out that Alexander was right.The enthusiasm of these tenant farmers has been greatly improved, and both crops and land rent have increased rapidly.Of course, part of this needs to be handed over to Lord Peter.

Looking back, Alexander was just a small businessman on the verge of bankruptcy, busy making a small profit every day.And when he heard that there was a newly established Chamber of Commerce in Wallachia, he decided to try his luck, but he didn't expect to succeed.

"Master is back." After Alexander returned to the manor, the butler immediately stepped forward to report on his work.

"My lord, when you were away, there was a merchant who wanted to package all the grains, grapes, and silk we produced this year."

Hearing this, Alexander was curious, what kind of person has such a big hand, you must know that he produced a lot of things.

"What businessman has so much money, can't I be kidding?"

"My lord, I thought so at first, but he offered ten thousand ducats on the spot, and asked for as much as he wanted. And he left a letter."

"Letter?" Alexander couldn't understand more and more, he didn't have any relatives anywhere else.

"Yes, sir, this is it." The butler brought the letter over.

"To Baron Alexander, I recently heard that your manor has a good harvest, so I ordered all the goods in advance. Don't worry, I just want to be friends with you. Francisco is supreme."

Francisco, Alexander saw the name and immediately thought of the Genoese.It seems that he is still unwilling to give up and insists on taking a piece of Galata from here.

That's right, after Francisco left, the more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became.Although Genoa is no longer what it used to be, it is still a big business country, how can it be taken care of by this little Wallachia.He had to ask the little lord to give them a piece of land.

But it was no longer advisable to start with him directly, so Francisco set his sights on the executive.He wanted to let Genoa obtain a special trade zone in Constanta through him, so he took advantage of this acquisition opportunity to open up relationships.

"Sigh, this special envoy still underestimates our lord lord." Alexander muttered to himself.

In the past few years by Peter's side, he has seen not one or two miracles. Whether it is governing the territory or rectifying the army, Peter has shown abilities beyond the king.

Take Constanta as an example. When he first arrived with the lord, it didn't look like a city.There is not even a complete city wall, only a few dilapidated buildings and churches, but this looks like the best town in Dobroga.

And now, just a few years later, the place is the fastest growing town in Wallachia.The newly built city walls, town hall, church, port, as well as a large industrial area and a library.These are all the achievements of Lord Peter, and Alexander was also surprised by such a rapid development.If there were no foreign enemies, this might develop into a city of ten thousand people.

How could such a lord be at the mercy of others, the little lord probably knew about the messenger's actions.

Alexander was right. While he was still reading the letter, Peter had already learned about the Genoese's actions.

At this moment Peter was having dinner, cake and short rib stew, seasoned a little with expensive and amazing spices.

And this so-called cake is not the kind that is spread with cream to celebrate birthdays, but white bread fermented with wheat flour and wine.It looks delicious and soft, but Peter only eats it once in a while, because most of the food in the village is rye and barley, and there is very little wheat, and they are more delicate than barley, and the yield is lower than barley, so planting There is very little land for wheat.

As for meat, Peter prefers to eat beef, mutton, chicken or seafood.As for pork, they are required to be castrated and raised for a period of time before eating.Because there is no strong taste of castration, Peter almost died of nausea after taking a bite.

Of course, as the lord's chef, he received a salary that was not low, and his monthly salary was three times that of an ordinary person's monthly work salary, so even though they heard that the lord's taste was very strange, they still had a lot of trouble facing the huge salary. people go.

"Your Highness, the Genoese envoy went to Baron Mediglia's mansion. It seems to be to discuss business."

Peter listened while eating, and he also expected the envoy's reluctance.After all, which person from a commercial country would not fight for a little profit.Besides, he was the little lord.

"I see. Keep watching this guy. If he's in business, don't worry about it. If he does something, report it right away."

"Yes"

Peter didn't mind those nobles negotiating business with businessmen from other countries, after all, who would have trouble with money.And his news is also very well-informed, and everyone's every move in Dobroga is under his surveillance.

(End of this chapter)