Chapter 403 Private Colony

The importance of the canal is self-evident. The East, with its growing trade volume, has become the empire's money bag, which is also a source of income that other countries do not have. Therefore, it is particularly important.

The Legal Department is drafting a document to regulate the behavior of the people in the colonies, and a court will be set up to manage cases. Various supporting facilities are being prepared on the way.

In the process of colonial immigration, small meetings gradually emerged in the local area to help the governor govern the local area, ranging from 7 to 24 people. Some representatives also returned to Constantinople, hoping that the emperor would accept their petitions. They are also subjects of the empire, paying taxes for the empire, and hope that the empire can protect them from invasion by outsiders.

Mircea personally met with them and expressed that he would protect their persons and property from infringement. All people in the colonies are subjects of the empire.

Peter also knew that it was necessary to improve the institutions of the colonies as soon as possible, and to absorb the lessons of colonization in countries such as England and France, allowing local people to express their wishes, and each place selected one or two representatives to go to Constantinople to petition. If necessary, they can enter the House of Commons as representatives to make formal statements and discussions.

The advantage of doing this is that the emperor can strengthen his control over the local area, and the centrifugal force generated in the local area can be eliminated to a certain extent. And it can also mobilize local resources to the empire, which is really possible.

The first batch of representatives totaled 15 people, and submitted 34 requests to the government, ranging from expanding land to improving local governance. However, the most important powers such as the appointment and removal of officials and taxation are still in the hands of the emperor. Just be happy to have representatives. If all the power is delegated, what is the previous effort.

The Eastern colonies began to transport luxury goods such as tea, silk, and porcelain. The profits obtained after limited opening were indeed huge. Whether it was for the Ming Dynasty or Rome, both sides were trying to make money.

Where there is money to make, there are people, including the indigenous people, Romanians and Seres who have become the masters of the local area. In Southeast Asia, Romanians and Seres coexist peacefully and jointly exploit the indigenous people. In their view, the indigenous people are uncivilized and barbaric. They bring civilization to these people, so they must be thanked.

The imperial merchants in Southeast Asia's trade nodes are more or less involved, mainly buying spices and selling luxury goods from Rome. Even the nobles of Majapahit were full of praise for the glass products produced in Constantinople.

In this way, money flowed from it. Rome also made a lot of money. You know, tariffs are an important source of income for Rome, and the policy adopted is to encourage exports, so taxes are naturally fast. It can be said that the expansion of overseas markets has gained more from Rome than Venice during its heyday.

Of course, not all colonies are like this. Mason's island fiefdom is completely controlled by him alone. Because they are old friends, Peter gave him a lot of power and tax exemption for five years. He naturally had to grasp such benefits.

He named this place Sara Island, which means the south in Romanian. He is well versed in all the processes of colonization and uses the power given by the empire to develop here. Because of tax exemption, Mason needs to rely on physical harvests and trade profits.

"My lord, we have planted sugarcane, and we don't know when the next merchant ship will come. During this period, we will rely on what we have in our warehouse."

Deputy Castaneda reported to Mason on the situation of Sara Island, with a population of more than 600 people, and all the work has been completed. Some farm, some patrol, and some travel back and forth between Andreburg and Zanzibar for trade. Various buildings are under construction, but there is a shortage of manpower, and slaves need to be purchased if necessary.

"Let's put slaves aside for now. We are thankful that our finances are balanced at the moment. This route is still uncertain. If we encounter a storm, we will lose everything."

"Your Excellency is right, but the construction of the town must continue. There are unknown dangers in the depths of the jungle."

Mason nodded. He also looked along the coast these days. Except for the town section, the rest of the coastline is cliffs and not suitable for town construction. And this expense is a big problem.

"Let me think of a way. You have to keep an eye on the reserves in the warehouse and don't waste them."

"Yes"

Then Mason asked again: "Is there still no news about the letter I submitted to the empire?"

"Sir, it will take at least two months to return to Constantinople from here, and it will take four months to go back and forth. You don't have to worry. But is His Majesty really willing to give you another fiefdom?"

As a nobleman guarding one side for the empire, Mason also knew that he needed to dispel the other party's concerns, so he asked the imperial government for a fiefdom in Europe. He hoped to obtain the ownership of Trieste and nearby lands, or give Florence to him as a future gift. Sara Island is too far away from the mainland. The empire certainly does not want independence. Only in this way can the emperor feel at ease.

"Well, it seems that I have been thinking too much recently. You go down first."

Of course, the family business in this place must also come in. Father John received Mason's letter. The land he obtained made him happy, but the cost of governance made him a little worried. After all, this has just begun, and the cost required is very high.

But his brother Charlie is very supportive of his younger brother, and the opening of the southern route also means profitability. The investment now is for better harvest, so it is worth it.

"Father, we can continue to enter the shipping industry and take advantage of the lack of competitors on the southern route."

Charlie calculated that the family now has 220,000 lei of funds available, and a part of it can be used to build a trading post in the south. This is also to pave the way for the family's future.

"Are you sure about this?"

John was a little worried, but doing business is an adventure. There are gains and losses, and their textile industry needs to open up overseas markets in recent years to make money.

"Then you go and take a look, the family will be handed over to you sooner or later."

Charlie already has a plan in his mind. He can take people and goods over, and then exchange some local specialties and return to Rome to sell. This way, there will be money. And the family can also accumulate more funds.

In addition, the bank of his father-in-law can also be developed overseas. Funds need to circulate, and the colonies developed in the future will be a continuous source of wealth.

The Mason family began to prepare for southern trade. Although the risk is great, the benefits are also extremely high. And the strongholds along the way can also do business, and you can make a lot of money in one trip. I hope they can be safe.