eastern european eagle

Chapter 564 Financial Meeting (I)

"Your Majesty has arrived!!!"

Following the opening words of the ceremonial officer, Peter entered the meeting room of the Senate. Listerine and Baptiste led other members to salute the emperor.

"I have met your Majesty!"

"Okay, let's get started."

The finance minister began to explain the financial situation to the emperor, "Your Majesty, our country's annual income is about 500 million lei, of which head tax and land tax account for more than half, and there are also commercial taxes, tariffs, overseas income, etc.

In terms of expenditure, military expenditure ranks first, accounting for a quarter. Then there are salaries for officials, construction of borders and exploration of the East. There are about 490 million expenditures each year, which can maintain balance in normal times. "

Baptiste changed the subject and continued, "But if we encounter a large-scale war, then monthly expenses will skyrocket. The war five years ago cost a total of 240 million lei. Thanks to the income from the East, we were able to get rid of the crisis. But we also need to take precautions."

Pa…pa…pa…

Peter clapped his hands. "I didn't expect the empire's revenue to increase so much, but I didn't expect the expenditure to be just as much. Any investment will pay off, but I still say that it is stupid to increase taxes directly. The smart thing is to find a balance between increasing revenue and keeping the people from opposing it."

The emperor, as always, asked the government to maintain a balance, and Baptiste was prepared. "Your Majesty, I have already thought of a plan. The policy of combining taxes and labor service in the past few years has been implemented nationwide, and the burden on the subjects has been reduced. But they can't be too relaxed, otherwise they will develop a lazy character, and the beggars and bankrupt farmers in the city also need new places to work. I think the government can fund the construction of vocational training institutes, so that all unemployed poor people can learn a skill, so that they can also have a skill. Regarding this, I think the Minister of Commerce will provide a detailed explanation to Your Majesty."

At this time, Commerce Minister Edmund proposed a detailed plan, "Your Majesty, we can set up two vocational training centers in Athens and Constantinople, which are expected to help 1000 people acquire a skill each year. Then within three years, we will set up training centers in Anatolia and Wallachia. For those who have become beggars due to serious illness or other reasons, the training centers will also set up poorhouses to help them. Usually, they will make some furniture and food to make up for the expenses, but they still need government funding."

Peter nodded, and then asked, "This plan is good, but we cannot train all the poor people. Their learning levels are definitely different. I think if it really doesn't work, we should guide them to Ruthenia and the East."

"Your Majesty is so kind that he has given these people another new path."

Some people directly praised the emperor's kindness, and Peter was not surprised. Then he looked at the Minister of Indian Affairs and the Minister of Oriental Affairs next to him, "I want to hear about things in the East."

The Minister of Indian Affairs was separated from the Indian Department of the Eastern Ministry and was responsible for the affairs of the Indian region. The first minister, Kovali, began to report on his work. "Your Majesty, we have made 10 princes in India surrender. Although they are all small local leaders, it is a progress for the empire's Indian cause.

In addition, India's annual production of spices, gold and local taxes are the department's main sources of income. They can fully support our operations in India."

Rome's expansion in India has accelerated in the past five years. The three governors are responsible for their own parts. Every year, they are responsible for handing over the goods and taxes produced in India to the empire after keeping enough for themselves. The empire's goods also enter the Indian market. At this time, forced purchases have already occurred, but it is not serious.

In addition to India, the Eastern Department was responsible for trade in Champa, Formosa and East Asia. Temasek had become a center of goods and money. The empire also traded heavily with Majapahit and came to the Spice Islands - South Maluku Islands. Rome, which had never been worried about spices, was even less worried now, and they began to transport these goods to the world.

In addition to trade, this department was also responsible for exploring the East for intelligence and protecting Roman interests. In addition to the Ming Dynasty in the East, Japan, Korea, Ryukyu and Southeast Asian countries were also in their targets.

In Japan, Kagoshima became wealthy due to the expansion of trade, and the local Satsuma lord began to seek to unify Kyushu. Through the Uesugi Zenhide Rebellion and the rebellion of the Southern Court supporters, Satsuma successfully merged with the Osumi and Hyuga provinces to become the largest country in Kyushu. The Shimazu clan began to be active on the political stage and became the Kyushu Tandai, officially ruling Kyushu.

In order to continue to obtain funds, the head of the Shimazu family increased trade with Rome, and even had one of his sons convert to Orthodox Christianity and change his name. Japan also obtained a lot of goods from foreign countries, especially Ming Dynasty, through Rome as an intermediary, and they all made money in this trade.

"The Empire has established nearly 70 trading posts in the East. Each post has people responsible for local affairs and reporting back intelligence. If there is any disturbance, the news will be delivered in the fastest way possible."

The route from Kagoshima, Japan, Guangzhou, Ming Dynasty, then through Temasek and India, and through the canal to Constantinople is called the Golden Road or the Spice Road. It is 100% controlled by the empire, and the annual profits are enough for them to send out fleets for protection to prevent pirate attacks.

"Well, these places cost a lot of money to maintain. It's not easy for you, but the rewards you get are worth it."

Peter praised them. At present, the largest colony of the Empire in the East, besides India, is Champa. After conquering here, the Empire set up an administrative chief to take charge of local affairs. At the same time, the King of Cambodia also came to seek protection. Suddenly, there were several excellent ports and fertile land in the Red River Delta. Although the food produced was rice, they could export it and exchange it for other goods.

The local population was over a million. The colonial government monopolized the sale of grain, wine, and salt, and made profits by raising prices. It also collected taxes on local industry and commerce. These constituted the basic income of the locals. In order to prevent the Ming Dynasty from sending troops, the locals paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty in the name of the King of Cambodia and helped the Ming Dynasty stabilize its rule in North Vietnam. At the same time, they also secretly funded the local resistance forces so that the other side would not divert their attention to them.

"This is all the result of your Majesty's vision. Everything the empire has is inseparable from your vision. We are ready to continue exploring, all around, until the end of the world."

(End of this chapter)