Chapter 23 The lord quietly watched the small movements of the Genoese nobles
Constanta is divided into several areas, including residential areas, commercial areas and the castle. Not far from the port is the industrial area belonging to Constanta.
This industrial area is home to salt boiling, silk, wine making and other industries. When Constanta was originally planned, Peter saw that this area had a good geographical location, so he dedicated a handicraft area. In addition to Peter's own property, other businessmen can also rent land here for a period of 20 years.
Wallachia is ideally located for growing sericulture and is one of the few European producers.
Thanks to Indian monks, the Byzantines first established the silk production industry in the West during the Middle Ages and maintained a monopoly in this industry for hundreds of years. They established silk factories, which were called "boudoirs" because the workers were women. Silk workers were bound by law to these factories like serfs and could not leave the factory to work or live elsewhere without the permission of the factory owners.
Until Arabia conquered Persia, obtained the secret of silk, and brought silk knowledge to Sicily and Spain, and spread it from Sicily and Spain to Italy, thereby breaking the Byzantine monopoly. In these European regions, local rulers who controlled lucrative industries established workshops. Like boudoirs, they employed mainly women who were conditioned in workshops. By the 13th century, European silks were successfully competing with Byzantine products. For a long time, silk production did not develop further in Europe.
Economic director Alexander also saw the prospects and benefits of the development of this industry, and also invested in opening a small silk workshop. And he sold it to Central Europe through the chamber of commerce established by the lord, which made his wealth grow rapidly.
He now owns a 500 yugram manor and three small villages in Constanta. The previous owner of the manor died in the battle with Wallachia, and Peter gave this place to him.
Alexander also adopted a business approach. He only used a small number of serfs, and the rest of the land was leased to free farmers. Because he felt that this method had the greatest economic benefits and it was uneconomical to use serfs.
It turns out that Alexander was right. The enthusiasm of these tenant farmers has been greatly improved, and both crops and land rent have increased rapidly. Of course, some of this needs to be handed over to Lord Peter.
Looking back on the past, 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, but he did not expect to succeed.
"The master is back." After Alexander returned to the manor, the housekeeper immediately came forward to report the work.
"Master, while you were away, a businessman took over all the grain, grapes, and silk we produced this year."
Hearing this, Alexander was curious about what kind of person could have such a big hand, knowing that he produced a lot of things.
"What kind of businessman has so much money? I'm kidding, am I?"
"Sir, I thought so too at first, but he took out ten thousand ducats on the spot and said he wanted as much as he wanted. He also left a letter."
"Letter?" Alexander couldn't understand more and more. He didn't have any relatives elsewhere.
"Yes, sir, this is it." The butler took the letter over.
"To Baron Alexander, I recently heard that your manor has had a good harvest, so I ordered all the goods in advance. Don't worry, I just want to be a friend with you. Francisco first."
Francesco, when Alexander saw this name, he immediately thought of the Genoese. It seems that he still refuses to give up and insists on taking a piece of Galata from here.
That's right, after Francisco left, the more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became. Although Genoa is no longer what it used to be, it is still a big trading country. How could it be manipulated by this small Wallachia? He had to ask the little lord to give them a piece of land.
But it was no longer advisable to start with him directly, so Francisco set his sights on this supervisor. I wanted to use him to get Genoa a trade zone in Constanta, so I used this acquisition opportunity to open up relationships.
"Alas, this special envoy still underestimates our lord." Alexander murmured to himself.
In the past few years by Peter's side, he had seen more than one miracle. Whether it was managing the territory or reorganizing the army, Peter had shown abilities beyond those of a king.
Take Constanta for example. When he first arrived with the lord, it didn't look like a city. There is not even a complete city wall, only a few dilapidated buildings and churches, but this is actually the best town in Dobroga.
And now, just a few years later, this place has become the fastest growing town in Wallachia. Newly built city walls, town hall, churches, port, as well as large industrial areas and a library. This was all the result of Lord Peter, and Alexander was also surprised by such rapid development. If there were no foreign enemies, this place might develop into a city of ten thousand people.
How could such a lord be at the mercy of others? The little lord was probably aware of the envoy's actions.
Alexander was right. While he was still reading the letter, Peter had already learned about the Genoese's series of actions.
At this time, Peter was having dinner, cake and braised beef ribs, seasoned with some amazingly expensive spices.
And this so-called cake is not the kind smeared with butter to celebrate birthdays, but white bread fermented with wheat flour and wine. It looks fragrant and soft, but Peter only eats it once in a while, because most of the food in the village now is rye and barley, with very little wheat, and people are more delicate than barley, and the yield is lower than barley, so he grows it. There is very little land for wheat.
As for meat, Peter would rather eat beef, mutton, chicken or seafood. As for pork, it is required to castrate them and raise them for a period of time before eating them. Because the taste of non-castration was so strong, Peter almost died from nausea after taking one bite.
Of course, as the lord's chef, his salary is not low. His monthly income is three times that of an ordinary person's monthly salary. So even though they heard that this lord has very strange tastes, they still have a lot to face in the face of the huge salary. People go forward.
"Your Highness, the Genoese envoy went to Baron Medilia's mansion. It seems that he went to discuss business."
Peter listened as he ate, and he had expected the messenger's reluctance. After all, who from a commercial country wouldn't strive for some profit? Besides, he is still a little lord.
"I understand. Keep an eye on this guy. If he is doing business, don't worry. If he does anything, report him immediately."
"yes"
Peter didn't mind those nobles discussing business with businessmen from other countries, after all, who would have trouble with money. And he is also very well-informed, and every move of everyone in Dobroga is under his surveillance.