Chapter 23 The Lord Quietly Watched the Little Movements of the Genoese Nobles

Constanta is divided into several areas, including residential areas, commercial areas and castles. Not far from the port is the industrial area of ​​Constanta.

This industrial area is home to industries such as salt boiling, silk, and winemaking. When planning Constanta, Peter saw that this area had a good geographical location, so he specially built a handicraft area. In addition to Peter's own industry, other merchants can also rent land here for a period of 20 years.

Wallachia's geographical location is suitable for growing silkworms and mulberry trees, and it is also one of the few European producers.

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

It was not until the Arabs 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 European regions, local rulers who controlled lucrative industries established workshops. Like boudoirs, they mainly employed women who were subject to the workshops. By the 13th century, European silk had successfully competed with Byzantine products. For a long time, silk production did not develop further in Europe.

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

Now he has a 500-yugram manor and three small villages in Constanta. The previous manor owner 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 the rest of the land was rented to free farmers. Because he felt that this way had the greatest economic benefits, it was not cost-effective to use serfs.

Facts have proved that Alexander was right. The enthusiasm of these tenants has been greatly improved, whether it is crops or rent, it has 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 meager profits every day. When he heard that there was a newly established chamber of commerce in Wallachia, he decided to try his luck, and he didn't expect to succeed.

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

"Master, when you were away, a businessman wanted to buy all the grain, grapes, and silk we produced this year."

Hearing this, Alexander was curious about what kind of person could be so generous, knowing that he produced a lot of things.

"What kind of businessman has so much money, is that a joke?"

"Master, I thought so at first, but he took out 10,000 ducats on the spot and said he wanted as much as he could. And left a letter."

"Letter?" Alexander was getting more and more confused, he didn't have any relatives elsewhere.

"Yes, master, this is it" the butler took the letter over.

"To Baron Alexander, I recently heard that your manor has made a lot of money, so I booked all the goods in advance. Don't worry, I just want to be friends with you. Francesco is the best."

Francisco, when Alexander saw the name, he immediately thought of the Genoese. It seems that he still didn't give up and had to take a piece of Galata from here.

Yes, after Francesco left, he became more and more unwilling. Although Genoa is no longer what it used to be, it is still a big trading country. How can it be controlled by this small Wallachia. He had to let the little lord give them a piece of land.

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

"Alas, this envoy still underestimated our lord." Alexander muttered to himself.

In the past few years with Peter, he has seen more than one miracle. Whether it is governing the territory or reorganizing the army, Peter has shown his ability beyond the king.

Take Constanta for example. When he first arrived with the lord, it didn't look like a city. There was not even a complete city wall, only a few dilapidated buildings and churches, but it turned out to be the best town in Dobruja.

And now, only a few years later, this place has become 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 results of Lord Peter. Such rapid development surprised Alexander. If there were no foreign enemies, this place might develop into a city of 10,000 people.

How could such a lord be manipulated by others? The actions of this envoy were probably known by the little lord.

Alexander was right. While he was still reading the letter, Peter had already learned about the series of actions of this Genoese.

At this time, Peter was having dinner, cake and stewed beef ribs, with a little seasoning of spices that were incredibly expensive.

And this so-called cake is not the kind of cake that is spread with cream to celebrate birthdays, but white bread made from wheat flour and wine. It looks fragrant and soft, but Peter only eats it occasionally, because most of the food stored now is rye and barley, and there is very little wheat. Moreover, it is more delicate than barley, and the yield is also lower than barley, so there is very little land for growing 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 the smell of not castrated is too strong, Peter almost vomited to death after eating a bite.

Of course, as the chef of the lord, his salary is not low. His monthly income is three times the monthly salary of an ordinary person. Therefore, although they heard that the lord had a very strange taste, many people still went there in the face of the huge salary.

"Your Highness, the Genoese envoy went to the residence of Baron Medilla. It seems that he went to discuss business."

Peter listened while eating, and he also expected the envoy's unwillingness. After all, who would not fight for some benefits if they came from a commercial country? And he was a small lord.

"I know, keep watching him. If he is a businessman, don't worry about it. Report any action immediately."

"Yes"

Peter didn't mind those nobles talking business with merchants from other countries. After all, who would have trouble with money? And he was well-informed. Every move of anyone in Dobruja was under his surveillance.