Chapter 187 Rapid Expansion and Ubiquitous Expansion Opportunities

Although Wallachia expanded too fast, there were still a large number of immigrants from Constantinople and Italy, who made the local examination system too attractive. A large number of intellectuals came to take the exam just to change their fate. Who made this country the only one in Europe that could pass the exam to become an official?

Church schools and guild schools acted as primary schools to provide children with initial education. Some wealthy families would also hire private teachers to educate their children, so people who graduated from universities were very popular. Even if they did not pass the selection exam, there were other ways, and there was no need to worry about unemployment.

The textbooks used by these schools were all written in the Wallachian language, so that people who used the Wallachian language could improve quickly. If divided by ethnicity, it mainly looked at cultural customs, not so-called blood.

The birth rate of the population also gradually increased. Benefiting from the improvement of medical conditions and the influence of religion, Wallachia became the fastest growing country in Eastern Europe. With more labor, the country's various industries would not worry about people, and there were also many immigrants, mainly from the Ruthenians in the Rus region.

"Grand Duke, according to our latest estimates, this year's revenue can reach 7.9 million lei."

The Finance Minister reported their latest budget to the Grand Duke. Because of the annexation of Serbia and Thessaloniki, the revenue of Wallachia naturally had to be added to these two places, so the tax was high.

"Well, although we have made great achievements, we still can't be proud. The threat of the Ottomans is still there, and Poland and Lithuania are ready to go south at any time. We still need the protection of the army, and the construction of the country also needs more money."

Seeing that the Grand Duke was preparing for expansion again, the Finance Minister hurriedly said that the tax revenue was currently so much, and there was no more.

"I'm just saying, my boss, it seems that you have some opinions about the dowry for the princess."

A large part of the dowry given to Mary before was taken from the treasury, about 2 million silver lei. This made him feel distressed for a long time.

"No, absolutely not, it is our honor to let the princess marry in a grand manner."

"In that case, we must continue to strengthen the defense on the Dniester River."

That's right, what Mircea is worried about now is the border with Poland and Lithuania. Although a line of defense had been built along the river, Wallachia did not completely control the river, which led to Poland's possible attack from the upstream from the direction of Suceava. Therefore, Mircea was very concerned about the military construction in the north. Suceava and Uxhall were built into fortress cities, and troops were sent to be stationed there for a long time. He also established good relations with the Cossack tribes in the east and opened up trade. Who made the Mongols very fierce at that time?

As Wallachia grew larger, there were more and more places to defend. Mircea was also overwhelmed. He was only 42 years old and already looked old. He began to transfer some power to Peter. For some things, such as issuing decrees and appointing special envoys, he basically signed, and the rest was left to Peter. And he didn't ask about Peter's other things, just let him do it.

Mircea knew about what Peter did in Lithuania, Western Europe, and North Africa, and he didn't interfere. Everyone wanted to get more land and population, and these places were once the land of the Roman Empire. Wouldn't it be okay to restore his legacy?

Mircea expanded the army, and Peter supported the navy. They were both for the purpose of expanding the land. However, the finances were really limited, and it was really beyond their ability to support two armies at one time. So Peter has always been in charge of the navy.

"Grand Duke, we should take advantage of the victory and drive the Ottomans out of the Balkans completely, and then cross the strait and march to Anatolia."

Adrian expressed his thoughts, which is the most feasible at present. Recover Anatolia and Antioch to the east, and then recover Jerusalem and Egypt to the south, so that we can free up our hands to march westward.

"But this will make finances very difficult, and the governance of the new territory will also require a lot of investment. Unless taxes continue to be increased."

When it comes to tax increases, the two ministers of commerce and agriculture can't sit still. If taxes are increased, the burden on the people will definitely be heavier. Now they are already having a hard time, and they can't increase it anymore.

"Don't be nervous, everyone. The burden on the people is already very heavy, and there will be no tax increase for the time being."

Mircea's words made them feel relieved. As long as there is no tax increase, Wallachia needs a few years of peace. Only in this way can Wallachia continue to accumulate national strength, and they, the nobles, can have a few years of good life.

Mircea talked about the diplomatic situation again. The outbreak of the Hungarian Civil War again made his neighbors restless, and Croatia's independence made Hungary lose all its coastline. Venice is ready to win over King Louis and expand its influence to Central Europe.

Walachia has also joined, and Mary has reached an agreement with them to exchange the future ownership of Transylvania for Wallachia's support for her. Now the Transylvanian army has surrounded Szolnok and will occupy it soon.

Mary also actively talked with the rebels. She promised to protect their property and reduce the oppression of the great nobles. Some rebel leaders expressed their loyalty to Mary, but some were wavering. On the one hand, they hoped to get Mary's help, but on the other hand, they were dissatisfied with Mary's conversion to Orthodoxy. They only wanted to get back their own property and were not interested in the feud between Mary and Sigismund.

Sigismund again requested reinforcements from the Holy Roman Empire. The ruler of Upper Austria continued to provide 4,000 soldiers and 30,000 gold coins. Brandenburg also provided 2,000 soldiers, and the three major religious electors headed by Mainz and other bishoprics gathered 6,000 mercenaries for Sigismund. Wenzel, who had the largest family fortune, did not provide any assistance at all.

With these, Sigismund gradually gained confidence. He began to attack some small peasant uprisings, while winning over Croatian nobles to continue to support him as the King of Croatia.

Soon the uprisings west of Buda were extinguished, and Sigismund began to advance eastward. Seeing this, the rebels could only compromise with Mary and gain status by being loyal to Mary, and Mary also strengthened her own power by absorbing the rebels.

Taking this opportunity, Wallachia put pressure on Bosnia. At this time, the Bosnian king's power was declining and the country was divided, but some nobles in Wallachia were still united. However, their strength was not enough in front of Wallachia, so the king had to seek help from Croatia, which had just gained independence, and proposed to recognize the Croatian king as the king of Bosnia and jointly deal with Wallachia. Louis I thought this was a good deal, and since Wallachia was a heretic, he asked the Pope for the right to crusade.