Chapter 323

Among European countries, the Roman Empire was the first to establish agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors. Various support policies made the business environment good, and merchants from other countries were willing to come to Constantinople to trade. Local trade taxes also rose a lot.

The people of the empire did not have to serve in the army, but they had to pay a sum of money as a fee. In places such as the capital, taxes were completely paid in currency, and other places decided whether to pay in currency or in kind according to the degree of development.

The day in Thessaloniki started with the sound of textile machines. Since nearby cotton and wool were sent here, and it was also an excellent port, it soon developed into a textile center.

"This is a newly built place with 50 looms, and workers have not been recruited yet. Let's call it 16,000 lei."

Two merchants were bargaining for this newly established textile workshop, and finally the price was 15,000 lei.

"Where are you from? You don't look like a local?"

"We are from Florence"

"Really? Thanks to their consul, they signed an agreement with the empire. Otherwise, they would have ended up like Venice."

The buyer just forced a smile and agreed with the other party to go and handle the transfer tomorrow. In addition to this workshop, a house needs to be purchased.

Robert Mason is John's third son. After John decided to leave Florence, he sent him to the Roman Empire to find a place to stay.

The original plan was to go to Constantinople, but after inquiring about the situation in Rome, he decided to go to Thessaloniki, the center of the textile industry, where the raw materials and handicrafts could help the family revive.

John announced his resignation in the parliament. He thanked Florence for training him and his family, and thanked the citizens of Florence for their trust in him. Now it is time to hand over this responsibility to Florence.

The committee's repeated retention was useless, so his request was approved. Jaco Pazzi took over the position of consul and changed his name back to the standard-bearer of justice.

John sold all his properties and houses, and gave part of the money to Robert to go to Rome to find a place to stay. He and others would arrive later.

The situation in Thessaloniki was worse than that in Florence, but the development speed was comparable to that of Florence. The family could do something here.

In addition to purchasing a workshop, it was also necessary to purchase raw materials and recruit workers. At present, the family needed to save some money, so it needed to produce quickly.

Thessaloniki transported cotton and wool from the Greek region to the city, which was turned into various textiles through looms and then transported to various ports in the Mediterranean by fleets. Due to its good quality and low price, it quickly grabbed a lot of low-end and mid-end markets.

Since the Third Wallachian-Ottoman War started here, Mircea attached great importance to this place. Not only did he allocate funds for reconstruction here, but he also reduced taxes and encouraged them to develop the shipping industry. Taking advantage of their geographical location, it soon affected the entire Greek region.

Under the prosperous trade, the handicraft industry in Thessaloniki was also expanding. The income was increasing, and even the government borrowed from local merchants when it was short of money. The Greek Chamber of Commerce also set up its headquarters here instead of Athens. In addition to raw materials from the country, cotton from the East and coffee from Abyssinia are also transferred and transported here.

The trade between the Mamluks and Rome has been rising steadily, and the canal project has been unimpeded. Ashkelon and Alexandria both have large-scale Roman merchant groups, who are responsible for trade trips with the Mamluks.

The Patriarch of Constantinople and the Patriarch of the Coptic Church in Alexandria have basically reached an agreement. Except for the doctrinal issues, the Coptic Church is willing to respect the Roman emperor, and the Patriarch will be loyal to the emperor, and their missionary scope is limited to North Africa. The Orthodox Church can also come here to preach, and the two sides coexist peacefully.

Dealing with the Coptic Church, Rome's actions in Egypt are half completed. Next, it is time to infiltrate Palestine and the Levant. Cairo's rule has not been restored, and Rome can take the opportunity to enter.

————Dividing line————

Laszlo has been very happy recently. He finally got Sicily. The grain production of his own country will become more, and this is what the one in Rome cannot give him.

With this victory, he also cleared some opponents. When he returned victorious, his wife gave birth to a son for him. Laszlo named his son Peter, hoping that he could become an excellent ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Although Sardinia was not taken, Sicily was not bad. Naples can rely on it to collect tolls from it. As for his other land, Provence, Laszlo wanted to sell it.

It is good to rely on the various activities carried out by the Roman Empire, but Laszlo is also alert. Rome easily destroyed Venice. If Naples goes to war with Rome in the future, it will be easily destroyed.

Although it is highly unlikely, it is better to be safe than sorry. His dream of unification still has to be fulfilled by himself.

The envoys of Granada reported to Muhammad VII about his mission to the Roman Empire. They have ideas about Iberia. If they surrender, Rome is likely to accept it.

Granada now has a population of less than 300,000. Some immigrants come from Seville and other places. Morocco is no longer a hope. I heard that Portugal is preparing to attack them. If Rome does not help them, then they are finished.

"Have you brought the people I asked you to bring?"

"Sultan, I have done what you asked. I have arranged for 10 Roman missionaries."

Mohammed VII had no choice. Since Rome was willing, he might as well make it bigger. The missionaries brought back from Rome were the first step. As long as this place was transformed into an Orthodox area, Rome would not turn a blind eye and would definitely send troops to protect them.

The three countries on the Iberian Peninsula were also supporters of the Roman Curia. Aragon fought with Naples, and Castile and Portugal were ready to stop the war with naval support. They were all saddened by the fate of Rome, and they hated Constantinople even more. Why didn't they completely destroy you two hundred years ago?

In order to continue to expand and obtain money, King John I of Portugal formed a navy and reorganized the army, preparing to launch an attack on the port of Ceuta in Morocco. Castile increased the tribute of Granada, and King Henry sent a naval fleet to destroy the pirate base in Tetuan, North Africa, and began to rule the Canary Islands. In addition, he had signed a peace treaty with Portugal. As long as Granada was destroyed, he could go to God to ask for credit.