Chapter 250: Chamber of Commerce Gathering

Mircea's rejection of the petition does not mean that those who signed it will stop, because they are all important businessmen in the Roman Empire. Including retail, textiles, construction, mining, shipping and other industries, with strong assets, they began to exert their political ability in the local area. The Iasi Chamber of Commerce and Bukuryesti Chamber of Commerce, which they established, have great influence in the economy and colonization.

The petition has been submitted for a long time without a response, and these people feel that their requests have been ignored. Isn't it just fighting Egypt? We can raise money for the government if we need anything, but if we let others take the lead, there will be no place to cry.

Since the government ignores their requests, why don't they pay for the army themselves? But if they fail, they don't have the capital to come again. After all, they don't have the same rallying power as the government.

Since both roads are not working, they have to choose the third road: ask Caesar.

The people all know that Rome is now jointly governed by Basilius and Caesar. Since the emperor disagrees, let Caesar lead them to victory.

Of course, since you ask the upper level to do something, you must have a gift.

Clement of Iasi, Anthony of Bucuriesti, Baldovan of Cluj, Jankov of Niš, Tapras of Magna Graecia and Rexep of Anatolia all came. Several of their chambers of commerce presidents gathered in Constanta to discuss how to persuade Caesar to explore Egypt and the East.

"Constantinople turned a blind eye to our requests. It must be the ministers around the emperor who concealed our requests."

"Yes, in this case, we have to express our wishes to Caesar, not only for us, but also for the empire."

Baldovan was the first to speak. As the president of Transylvania, he successfully obtained the mining rights of a large number of minerals by relying on his support for Mary in the Hungarian Civil War. He used his relationship with Rome to sell the ore for profit, and then invested in textile mills, smelters and other industries, and soon became the richest businessman in Transylvania.

The Transylvanian Chamber of Commerce headed by him began to no longer be satisfied with Hungary's investment, because the whole place was theirs after the collapse of the Hungarian currency and Mary announced the use of the lei. There was no place to invest, and they were not interested in Poland and Germany, so they set their sights on the East.

With the help of the Iasi Chamber of Commerce, Transylvanian merchants began to build trading posts and conduct trade in New Wallachia. Although they could maintain profitability, it was still too little compared to the lucrative spice trade, so after hearing that the Roman fleet had already gone to the East, Transylvanian merchants were the most excited and kept asking for a share.

Compared with the Transylvanian Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Greece was also keen on exploring the Eastern Trade Route. Because of its many coastlines, this is also the most developed place for Romanian shipping, and being able to continue to explore new routes is a good opportunity for Greater Greece.

"At present, Caesar is still visiting the West and will not be back for at least two months. If we are sure, then we have to start preparing."

Seeing them talking about the Eastern Trade Route, Rexep coughed twice. "I think you are too impatient. You are going to Egypt without recovering Anatolia and Antioch. Don't you think it's a bit far?"

"Why do you say that? As long as the empire launches an attack, won't it be easy to recover the lost territory?"

"If that were the case, Komnenos would not have been defeated in Myriokephalon a hundred years ago."

Rexep is open to exploration, but is worried about the current situation in Rome. In his opinion, Rome must recover Anatolia and Armenia and push the border to the Kingdom of Georgia and Mesopotamia to ensure the safety of trade routes and explore the East with more confidence. In the current situation, it would be dangerous if Egypt and other forces collude against Rome.

"Don't worry, sir. As far as I know, the three princes of Ottoman are still fighting each other. Other countries are also short-sighted and pose no threat to Rome. Egypt also needs money at present. We can give them some gold coins to let us pass."

Everyone has a good idea of ​​the dangers in the East. After all, interests and dangers coexist. Moreover, the Mamluks and Ottomans are currently busy with their own internal affairs, Timur is going east to pay homage, and other countries are also wandering around in their own small acre of land. Rome's environment in the East has never been so good. This is also the reason why these merchants think they can expand in a big way.

"Okay, everyone, let's take a look at the gifts for Caesar. If we can give him financial support, then we will definitely take action in the East."

Anthony of Bukurești stopped the discussion and began to move to the main topic.

"I have already agreed with the merchants before I came. The Iasi Chamber of Commerce will contribute 600,000 lei."

"The Serbian Chamber of Commerce will contribute 800,000."

"We will contribute 1 million"

After a round of reporting, all chambers of commerce contributed a total of 7.8 million lei. The Bukurești Chamber of Commerce contributed the most, 1.8 million. Such a strong fund makes people feel like they are dreaming.

In addition to these gifts for Caesar, each chamber of commerce also invested 1.5 million lei in the Southern Chamber of Commerce. Everyone knows that the Chamber of Commerce is backed by a big government figure and is very close to the royal family. I heard that they have a big project in Egypt. If they can get in touch with this line, it means that they can get the favor of the royal family.

At a gathering, 9.3 million lei went elsewhere, which makes people wonder to what extent Romania's business strength has recovered. After all, ten years ago, this was still a place with depressed industry and commerce.

Romania's commercial policy has always been based on mercantilism. It stabilizes the domestic situation through expansion, unified weights and measures, and currency, and then encourages exports and reclamation to increase the enthusiasm of the people. In this way, there will be more domestic wealth and more foreign trade, and these merchants are the beneficiaries.

Romania encourages merchants to compete with other countries, which naturally arouses the displeasure of Italian merchants led by Venice. They protested to Constantinople, but were fooled every time. Moreover, the boundaries between some merchants and nobles are very vague. Some are nobles who invest in industry and commerce, and some are merchants who obtain noble titles. Such groups are called new nobles by the people, also called merchant nobles. They are keen on business and expansion, loyal to the emperor, but do not get along with the old nobles. Therefore, conflicts often occur, but because of their strong funds, they have accomplished many things and have become the object of marriage for many people.

Such development is still under the control of the Roman Empire. The government guides them to colonize and expand eastward, using their funds and passion for honor to fight wave after wave of battles, and the return is land and commercial interests.