eastern european eagle

Chapter 502 Change
The war outside did not affect the capital of the empire, and the port of Constantinople was still bustling with merchant ships from the East and the Black Sea. Let’s pay our respects to the Queen of Cities.

"Sir, when will the war end? After a while, the treasury will be empty again."

Baptiste complained to Listerine that in addition to military expenses and daily expenses, building Jerusalem would cost a lot of money. Baptiste had never been so stressed.

"Just wait a little longer. According to the news, Bavaria has already negotiated peace with the Empire, and other countries are expected to do so soon. Moreover, the canal will resume navigation, and revenue will rise soon."

The empire's growing territory increased administrative costs. The southern and northern yamen increased personnel, provinces increased again, and various public facilities were constructed, so expenditures remained high.

"Now all over the country are asking for money. If gold and silver hadn't been shipped from the East and India, I don't know how embarrassed I would have been."

Listerine is certainly aware of the financial difficulties, but since the implementation of the policy of unifying taxes and servitude, tax revenue is expected to increase significantly. The national treasury can be a little more comfortable at the end of the year.

"Just bear with it a little longer. When His Majesty comes back victorious, you can breathe a sigh of relief."

The prime minister could only comfort him like this. What he has to do now is to work hard to stabilize the country. Don't do anything harmful to society.

"Having said that, Donetsk is not only suitable for farming, but also has many mineral deposits. It is really a good place. In another ten years, this place will become different."

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All things on the island are handled by the Mason family. Fortunately, His Majesty was kind and exempted this place from taxes for five years, so they had time to develop this place.

"This is God's gift to Rome. The Northern Government has organized an expedition to explore across the Don River. If everything goes well, the Volga River will also belong to the empire."

Rome's military expansion work is also proceeding in an orderly manner, as well as building fortresses and building new artillery units. Many people signed up to join the army, which was faster than taking an exam to get promoted. All they had to do was come back alive on the battlefield and make great contributions.

"God bless you!"

If you want to own your own industry, then go to overseas colonies or the north to cultivate land. After a few years of hard work, you can get a piece of land or a workshop, and then live the life you dream of.

The Ukrainian region in the north became the most important place. A large number of immigrants opened up this virgin land, and grain and minerals were continuously transported to other parts of the empire. Such a treasure place has been occupied by the Mongols and Lithuania for two hundred years and has not yet been developed. This is giving them gifts.

Fort Saint-Andre, the southernmost point of the empire, has begun to take shape after reclamation. Logs, cloves and other things are exported every year in exchange for food and daily necessities. Moreover, the sea route has become familiar, and the number of merchant ships coming and going has gradually increased. They not only bring goods, but also new immigrants.

"Sir, a new batch of immigrants has arrived."

"Well, take them to register."

Since Andrew was transferred to a senior official in Dalmatia, matters here were handled by his deputy. Like other colonies, the main source of finance here was the export of cane sugar. A large number of sugar cane plantations were built, which caused a shortage of labor. Some people were captured from the interior as slaves to work for them.

The indigenous people in the inland areas could not bear it anymore and launched several attacks, but they were all repelled. However, the people from Fort St. Andre launched an expedition and turned more than 2000 people into slaves and put them to work on the plantations.

Relying on the exploitation of slaves, the finance turned a profit in the second year, and continued to invest in immigration expansion. Because their colony is at the southernmost point, the Mason family is involved in the colonies on the southern route, including shipping, reclamation, planting and other industries.

John's bank has a department dedicated to the investment and construction of Eastern colonies. And they obtained ivory and other things from the local indigenous people and shipped them back for sale, and the price paid was only a few barrels of wine and other cheap things.

Andrew married the daughter of a director of the East India Company and gained the convenience of trading in India, but the goods could only be sold to the East India Company. The family's goal began to turn to the Persian Gulf, acquiring pearls from the south coast and selling them to Europe.

John decided to use part of the money obtained from the trade as a loan to the government and part as a donation to the royal family. He also asked his wife to go into the palace to talk to the Queen Mother and build a good relationship with the royal family.

It is indeed fast to rely on the emperor to make a fortune, not only economically, but also politically. John himself also changed from the Roman ambassador to Florence to the governor of Tuscany.

Sitting in the Florentine Parliament, John felt refreshed. Although some people wished he would die, fortunately, he was arrested immediately and the property below began to be counted and put into storage.

"My rule depends on the emperor. The emperor's will implements my policy, and God cannot change it."

John relied on Roman conventions to transform this place. In his view, the reason for the decline of Florence was that political life took up too much, and people could not produce with peace of mind. They thought about parliamentary debates all day long, and even used majority violence to pass unfavorable bills. This kind of The so-called dish boiling is the fundamental reason.

The Parliament was closed and converted into a Secretariat, responsible for advising the Governor. In addition, the consuls and standard-bearers of justice were all abolished and replaced with Roman-style government institutions.

Such crude methods attracted protests from the locals, but John still maintained his policy. At worst, he would be like Venice, killing everyone and leaving no one behind.

The benefits of Tuscany joining Rome began to appear. First, a large amount of cotton and wool entered, and the workshops began to produce at the fastest speed and at a lower cost. Of course, part of the textile factory was eaten by John.

After the goods were produced, they began to be sold within the Roman Empire. The huge market made Tuscany's sales smooth. Although it had to face competition from Thessaloniki and other places, it was still much better than before.

John finally got his revenge and had most of the Florentine families imprisoned. Including the Obici family, the Medici family and other families with local roots. The remaining families are all in danger and dare not intercede for them at all.

As long as the emperor doesn't give up, the family can survive. He doesn't dare to be the most powerful family. If he can't keep it, his destiny will be gone, but the richest family can still do it.

And in order to maintain his good reputation, John contracted the construction of Florence's famous landmark Santa Maria del Fiore. They also spent their own money to build a community for 100 poor families to live in for free. Coupled with Florence's economic recovery, public protests were much smaller than before.

(End of this chapter)