eastern european eagle

Chapter 191 Discussion
The Grand Council of Venice, here is where the policies of the most powerful commercial republic in the Mediterranean are decided.Members of the Council, made up of hereditary nobles, met at the Doge's Palace in Venice.The Great Council did not directly decide the candidates, but determined their nominees by drawing lots, and then voted. This system was unique at the time.

There are 326 people in the entire Venice Council, all of whom are well-known local nobles.They gathered here to discuss ways to deal with Wallachia.

"Walachia has seriously affected the trade of the Republic, and many merchants no longer use our goods."

"That's right. A customer of my family canceled the order a few days ago. After inquiring, it turned out that a merchant in Wallachia lowered the price by one tenth of my price."

"We can't go on like this. Venice's status has been threatened. We must let them know who is the boss of the Eastern Mediterranean."

Most of the members are in favor of sanctioning Wallachia, and a small number of members disagree.Tommaso Mocenigo stood directly on the podium and began his speech.

"Members, we have to think carefully. The current situation in the East is no longer dominated by the Ottoman family. Do we really want to give up our income in Wallachia?"

The Mocenigo family has too many trade relationships in Wallachia, and they can buy luxury goods from the east through the northern steppe road.The goods of their workshop can also be sold to Wallachia, so naturally he will speak to Wallachia.

"But they have violated our 190-year-old trade in the East China Sea. We have sent envoys to warn them, but they have turned a deaf ear. We have to fight back."

The dominant position of Venetian merchants in the Eastern Mediterranean is being eroded by Wallachia. They rely on government policies and geographical location to grow and develop, and now they have monopolized the grain transportation business in Constantinople.

"But think about it, will they continue to beg us in the future? Our fleet spans the world, and we have mastered the trade in the east. Even if they temporarily gain the upper hand, we will win in the end."

His words appeased many congressmen. Yes, Venice also has the world's largest navy. 90% of the eastern trade is controlled by them. The rulers of the east regard them as guests. How hard can it be? When they send someone to negotiate, just increase the price to make up for what they lost.

In the end, the discussion on the bill against Wallachia had no results, so it was put on hold for the time being.In fact, many aristocrats profited from Wallachia's trade, because through Wallachia, trade routes could be opened up to Moscow and Novgorod, and the products they produced gained a larger market. So why offend Wallachia.

Moreover, Wallachia also opened a bank in Venice. Although a commission of 8% to 10% is charged for each loan, the amount can be guaranteed and can be repaid as long as the turnover is short.

To be honest, it was the first time that the commission was taken. If it hadn't been for hearing that there was someone behind the bank, it would have been raised long ago.The only consolation is that the banks in Hungary have also failed, which makes them gloat.

The first batch of mercenaries has set off, and they have entered your territory of Hungary along the Danube.Sigismund was short of money and people at this time, and when he heard that the bank brought people to collect debts armed, he fainted angrily.

At first, I thought they were speaking out of anger, but now I see that there is really someone behind them.What to do, he had to solve the salary issue of the mercenaries first, otherwise these soldiers would not work hard for him.

He can get an income of 10000 gold coins from Shinra every year, but the money is not enough. In order to obtain funds, he borrows money, collects bribes, and confiscates Jewish property, but it is far from being able to quench his thirst. He must obtain funds quickly. Rakia Bank is really the best partner.

Sigismund had to choose, and in the end, he chose the faster option.

He wrote to the bank directly, saying that he was willing to repay the loan, but because he had no funds at hand, he hoped to use the city as a mortgage.

Baker, head of the Hungarian Bank, personally went to Buda to meet with Sigismund to discuss specific matters.As soon as we met, Sigismund called my friend kindly. This attitude is really incredible.

"My friend, everything before was a misunderstanding. Now, I hope to put aside the past and join forces to deal with those Hungarian enemies."

Baker couldn't tell that this was a request from him, but he had to obey the orders of the person behind him. If he could get Pozzoni from him, then the basic task would be completed.

"Your Majesty, the city mortgage you proposed before, after our discussion, only you can use Pozzoni as mortgage to offset the loan. If you add the surrounding areas, we can also provide you with 6 ducats."

Pozzoni, Sigismund thought for a moment.This price is very reasonable, because he still owes the bank 16 ducats, and it is also possible to mortgage the power of Pozzoni and some nearby areas to the bank.

Moreover, the nobles in that place are very powerful. Even if Sigismund gave it, the local nobles would not agree, so let them bite the dog.

"No problem, hope to cooperate happily."

A crisis was resolved in this way, which was a bit of a surprise, but both sides got what they wanted. Sigismund mortgaged the tax revenue of the northern part of Hungary centered on Pozzoni for the next 22 years at a price of 12 gold coins. the bank.At the same time the town of Pozzoni was mortgaged to the bank.

This is the first loan agreement signed by Sigismund, and according to the situation in Hungary, there will be more in the future.

The mercenaries turned around and went to Pozzoni, but they also plundered some people on the way. They are mercenaries, not regular troops, and you can't expect their morals to be as high as yours.

Of course, the bank didn't just lend money to Sigismund, some nobles also came to them when they were short of money.They used their manors and real estate as collateral, and after the counterfeit currency broke out, these collaterals were all returned to the bank, and some bankrupt nobles who were unwilling to hand them over moved out under the intimidation of mercenaries.Honor and chivalry are not important, as long as you have money, God and his elders can receive you.

Massive bankruptcies and economic recession have made people even more seeking spiritual comfort.The Orthodox Church took this opportunity to send a large number of missionaries to preach, and achieved considerable results.But the Catholic Church is not to be outdone, relying on the aristocracy to still dominate.And the internal turmoil triggered by the economic crisis does not seem to stop for a long time.

(End of this chapter)